I wanted to kind of check in with you all with how things are going in terms of the last few weeks as the back of my house has been ripped apart in preparation for the new extension going in and the open plan kitchen diner taking shape! (Can I get a hell yeah?!)  As I’m writing this, we are just over a third of the way through for the building work but of course, this is just for the creation of the shell itself and so doesn’t include for things like installing the flooring or the new kitchen. Either way, it’s moving very quickly and things are happening on a daily basis so expect at least another post or two before the shell is complete!

If you are just catching up, I’ve explained a bit more in terms of our plans with this post here and an update before we began work here. Since then, work has started in earnest and I’m currently living in the midst of a lot of construction so it’s been interesting, to say the least!

From the estate agent listing – the measurements are mostly wrong by the way but this is what the layout was when we moved in. Bear in mind, what they have as the β€˜sitting room’ is the β€˜dining room’.

Anyway, the basic gist for those who haven’t been following along is that we were removing the wall between the current utility room and the dining room, demolishing the old bathroom, creating a small extension at the back of the house which will house the future kitchen. At the moment, the old kitchen is on the opposite side of the house which is a blessing as it means we can continue to use the old kitchen until the new one is in place. It also means, we are only really β€˜losing’ a couple of rooms and all of it is happening in one very specific section of the house (the lower west side of the house) which makes things a bit easier to work around!

 

I did a really shitty quick sketch as to what it will look like above but obviously, this is a ridiculously simplified version. I could have shared the architect’s drawings but because we’ve made changes to how we will be moving on from this project to the other side of the house, I didn’t want to share that here as I felt it might just confuse things. We’d originally planned on creating a small shower room and office where the old kitchen is but that’s all changed now as I’ve decided to keep my office where it is upstairs and we’ll be using the space to put in a bigger bathroom than originally planned and create a large much-needed utility room from that space instead. 

However, all those plans for the new bathroom and utility room are essentially Phase II of this build and probably won’t be started until next year sometime once we’ve replenished our savings a bit! 

Utility and Downstairs Bathroom Before

This was the existing utility room and the horrible, murder-y bathroom that adjoined it. Yep, they are both pretty awful but needless to say at this point, they are both history. 

back of the house before construction of extension

And above, you can see a picture I’d taken last summer – you can just about see the roof of the bathroom and the rather strange β€˜gap’ between the mudroom (where the door is) and the old bathroom (you can see this in the first layout above too). Funny that it looks rather small in the picture but there is around 3.4 metres x 1.6 metres of unused space there that we were eager to put to use. (The brick wall, for those wondering, is the house next door which was a later addition. Our house – the first one built on the entire street – was originally built as a detached house, then later it was converted into a sort of semi-detached seeing that we share a wall with next door. The home next to us is about 1/3rd the width but double the length of ours. So that’s why you see that wall there. Old houses, eh?)

Back of the house during construction phase

And… this is what it looks like now! Ha! Not quite the beautiful before and after you’re used to I’m sure ;) But let’s just step back a little and I’ll show you what’s been happening over the last couple of weeks.

building update

The first thing to go was the utility room window and the bricks below that. This just allowed them access to remove all the units in the utility room so they could start taking down the dining room wall. You see the old chandelier? That’s the dining room!

removal of dining room wall

This is Day 1-2 of the build – It didn’t take very long for the dining room wall to be removed completely with acro props holding up the whole thing.

dining room wall removal

Not long after, the little bathroom was demolished. I was not sad to see it go!!

And then rest of that back wall was removed… Yes there’s now a massive hole in my house!

An RSJ was installed where the dining room wall was removed – the first of five steels that were required on this project!

Then another went up on the outside wall…and another went up on the far left wall between those two (which I failed to get a picture of).

Then the digger arrived…

And they started digging huge trenches all around the back of the house to fit all the new plumbing. Essentially, all the waste and water feeds are being relocated and new plumbing needed to be installed for what will be the future bathroom on the other side of the house. They also need to dig out to put the new footings for the extension.

So once this was all done and the plumbing was moved, they started on the new footings for the extension. And that’s where I’m going to leave it for now! On Friday, everything was filled in and a small wall was created and then on Monday, the wall between the utility room and the mudroom was taken down and rebuilt in a new location and on Tuesday, we had a new boiler fitted and our old boiler and immersion tank removed. This week is going to be a bit crazy but we should finally start to see the actual structure taking shape which I’ll share with you soon!

One thing I hadn’t been prepared for was just how quick it’s all going. For those local to me, our builder is John Simmons from Hatton Developments Ltd and he’s been genuinely fantastic to work with so far. He’s absolutely on top of the ball here and every single day he’s been on site for at least a short time overseeing all the progress on the build. His team has been courteous and friendly throughout and I’ve been kept up to date every single day with what’s happening and what’s to expect so I feel super confident in his abilities.

We’ve hit a few snags along the way – pretty much a given considering our home was built in 1889 and nothing is every really straight-forward, the walls and floors are always hiding a myriad of surprises which aren’t revealed until you start opening them up. But John has been great, coming up with good cost-effective solutions and keeping both my architect, Karen Harper of AVA Architects and the structural engineer and building inspection in the loop. I honestly can’t fault the guy, he’s been brilliant.

Of course, things have been dusty and my parquet flooring in the hallway has taken a serious beating with so much dust and dirt and foot traffic. As a result, I’m looking for a decent steam cleaner so if anyone has one they’ve used and loved, let me know! Also, I’m trying to work full time while this is all going on around me each and every weekday from 8 am until 5 pm and so some days can get a bit hectic as I’m trying to project manage around everything else. 

But through it all, I’m just keeping my eye on the prize. It’s never fun living through a renovation but it’s certainly not impossible, especially when you can see progress happening every single day. It really does make it that much easier when you know it’s all temporary. I figure 5 or so weeks of chaos is a small price to pay for what we’re going to end up with so it’s all worth it in the end.

I am also sharing almost daily updates over on my Instagram Stories so if you haven’t been following me there, then I’d love for you to join in the fun – just click on Reno Diary and Reno 2 to catch up with the latest in β€˜real time’.

 


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Swoon Worthy
Utility and Downstairs Bathroom Before
back of the house before construction of extension
Back of the house during construction phase
building update
removal of dining room wall
dining room wall removal
Meet Kimberly
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Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
Vuelio Top 10 2020
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My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up πŸ₯°

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares πŸ˜…

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!πŸŽ„πŸ’•

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me πŸ€—πŸ˜…)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❀️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband πŸ₯° We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❀️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS πŸŽ„πŸŽ‰

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room πŸͺ΄

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a πŸ”₯ under my πŸ‘ and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week πŸ˜… (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma πŸ˜†

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❀️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
πŸ”₯JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! πŸ”₯

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs πŸͺ΅ for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! πŸ₯°πŸ»πŸ”₯

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection πŸ˜„

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share πŸ₯°

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites β™₯️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ πŸ¦©πŸΉπŸ˜„

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday πŸ˜…πŸ©·

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off πŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒ (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here πŸ₯° I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change β™₯️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! πŸ˜…

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo πŸ˜„πŸ’•

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes πŸ₯°

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! πŸ˜‰πŸ‹

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous πŸ₯°

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies πŸ˜‚πŸ€·πŸ½β€β™€οΈ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together πŸ₯°

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? πŸ€”

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen πŸ₯°

Let me know if you like the new addition ❀️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks πŸ€¦πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories πŸ˜„πŸ™ŒπŸ½

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor