I bought a 1970’s two bedroom flat that was original in all the wrong ways.
Flowery wallpaper, wall paper designed to look like tiles
peeling from the walls.
Carpet in kitchen
Carpet in bathroom YUK
I can here you saying its only a bit of redecoration and new carpet but wait.
The front room has a glass wall leading onto the balcony. The cill hadn’t been painted and was mush.
The entire flat was a snakes wedding of extension leads, I counted 6 in the kitchen.
The bathroom looked functional, the retro chic baby blue suite, until you sat on it; then you needed to balance due to the rocking action.
It even had an electric shower
What you can't see is that it was wired to the same 30amp fuse way in the CU as the electric oven and hob.
The flat was heated with economy7 storage heaters, enormous in the hall and front room, new, small and efficient in the bedrooms. The flat was owned by an old lady who liked the flat hot; when I went to view I was expecting the walls and ceiling to be T&G as any other sauna.
I started on the first bedroom, I'm living in the flat and modernising at the same time.
My bedroom, allows me to close the door and have a clean space to escape no matter how dirty the rest of the house is.
a. Remove storage heater and retain.
b. Strip and fill walls and ceiling then paint
c. Replace electrical fittings
The crimson carpet will remain until everything is complete, it wasn't my choice of carpet but its through the entire flat and makes for a good dust sheet.
before:
In progress
Finished, just carpet to go:
Biggest job is the kitchen and this was the room where 40% of my budget was spent. I usually use Howdens, I’ve never had a problem with them, but I got a cheaper quote from ‘Trade Depot’ never again!!! Most of the appliances were bought on eBay including a brand new induction hob for only £125 I’ve included the before and after pictures you can see the changes
The Gaggia always takes a hammering, work always seems easier with a massive dose of caffeine
Some progress shots
Yes that is a pie in the oven, a delicious apple and cherry mmm
I went for the easy option after completing the kitchen the lounge. I usually try and fit windows myself but as I’m on the 2nd floor and it wasn’t just a window but the entire wall I took the sensible option and asked the professionals. Removed the storage heater that wouldn’t have been out off place on the Titanic, forgot how heavy these things were, and fitted the smaller heater from the bedroom. A quick skim coat from the plasterer, paint, electrical fittings and pretty much complete.
Where has that window gone?
I had a couple of weeks of work which was more than enough time to take on the bathroom. Here are the pictures. Again most bought from eBay.
Still in progress the hall with the other small storage heater from the 2nd bedroom
Not quite finished yet take a look;
Doors not from eBay, this time Howdens. The left is the airing cupboard the one on the right is the bathroom. Both treated with danish oil. The lighting effect is from the crackle glaze light fitting.
The front door was changed from;
Solid oak front door with a glazed centre £20 eBay, sanded down and stained to a consistent colour then varnished. New furniture and locks another £25 from tool station and here is a new front door for under £50 in oak. Well chuffed; all to do now is strip and paint the frame to match the door.
Still to go is:
The 2nd bedroom or tool and materials store as its known.
After that the carpets go down. I was wanting to lay oak floor but I have to consider the neighbours below.
The next picture will show you one of the reasons I bought the flat, it does feel fantastic after a hard day to use this.
Flowery wallpaper, wall paper designed to look like tiles
peeling from the walls.Carpet in kitchen
Carpet in bathroom YUK
I can here you saying its only a bit of redecoration and new carpet but wait.
The front room has a glass wall leading onto the balcony. The cill hadn’t been painted and was mush.
The entire flat was a snakes wedding of extension leads, I counted 6 in the kitchen.
The bathroom looked functional, the retro chic baby blue suite, until you sat on it; then you needed to balance due to the rocking action.
It even had an electric shower
What you can't see is that it was wired to the same 30amp fuse way in the CU as the electric oven and hob.
The flat was heated with economy7 storage heaters, enormous in the hall and front room, new, small and efficient in the bedrooms. The flat was owned by an old lady who liked the flat hot; when I went to view I was expecting the walls and ceiling to be T&G as any other sauna.
I started on the first bedroom, I'm living in the flat and modernising at the same time.
My bedroom, allows me to close the door and have a clean space to escape no matter how dirty the rest of the house is.
a. Remove storage heater and retain.
b. Strip and fill walls and ceiling then paint
c. Replace electrical fittings
The crimson carpet will remain until everything is complete, it wasn't my choice of carpet but its through the entire flat and makes for a good dust sheet.
before:
In progress
Finished, just carpet to go:
Biggest job is the kitchen and this was the room where 40% of my budget was spent. I usually use Howdens, I’ve never had a problem with them, but I got a cheaper quote from ‘Trade Depot’ never again!!! Most of the appliances were bought on eBay including a brand new induction hob for only £125
I’ve included the before and after pictures you can see the changes
The Gaggia always takes a hammering, work always seems easier with a massive dose of caffeine
Some progress shots
Yes that is a pie in the oven, a delicious apple and cherry mmm
I went for the easy option after completing the kitchen the lounge. I usually try and fit windows myself but as I’m on the 2nd floor and it wasn’t just a window but the entire wall I took the sensible option and asked the professionals. Removed the storage heater that wouldn’t have been out off place on the Titanic, forgot how heavy these things were, and fitted the smaller heater from the bedroom. A quick skim coat from the plasterer, paint, electrical fittings and pretty much complete.
Where has that window gone?
I had a couple of weeks of work which was more than enough time to take on the bathroom. Here are the pictures. Again most bought from eBay.
Still in progress the hall with the other small storage heater from the 2nd bedroom
Not quite finished yet take a look;
Doors not from eBay, this time Howdens. The left is the airing cupboard the one on the right is the bathroom. Both treated with danish oil. The lighting effect is from the crackle glaze light fitting.
The front door was changed from;
Solid oak front door with a glazed centre £20 eBay, sanded down and stained to a consistent colour then varnished. New furniture and locks another £25 from tool station and here is a new front door for under £50 in oak. Well chuffed; all to do now is strip and paint the frame to match the door.
Still to go is:
The 2nd bedroom or tool and materials store as its known.
After that the carpets go down. I was wanting to lay oak floor but I have to consider the neighbours below.
The next picture will show you one of the reasons I bought the flat, it does feel fantastic after a hard day to use this.
