One of the big projects on our list of projects for this year is getting our fourth bedroom sorted.
Not a pretty sight, is it? As we have guests coming to visit in May, we’d like to completely transform this space from a total dumping ground to a usable spare bedroom. It’s a tough task, especially as there is still quite a bit of building work to complete and as we’re trying to sort the cellar at the same time, but with a bit of luck we’ll manage to get both projects done in time.
This is definitely a room where we have to go back to basics. Last year, we already had a new radiator installed and the room rewired, next on the list is moving the boiler, replacing the window and ceiling and replastering the whole room.
We’ve already removed most of the wallpaper, which because the damp problems we had with the back wall (due to a leaky chimney which has been repaired) was really easy to remove, but as usual it’s the last few stubborn bits of sticky paper that end up taking longer to remove than all of the rest together.
As well as removing all of the wallpaper, we’ve also had the very first step of building work for the loft complete – yes, you heard right – for the loft.
Because of the way the extra loads from the loft conversion will be distributed through the house, we need a new lintel over the window in the 4th bedroom.
Okay, so we’re not talking any major loft updates, but at least it’s a start and most importantly it means that we can carry on with the work in our fourth bedroom.
As soon as we’ve had the boiler moved (why would you ever install a boiler in a bedroom?!) we can start to patch up the missing part of the wall with some plasterboard and then finally move on to replastering the room.
This room has been on our to-do list for such a long time and I can’t tell you how excited we are to finally be getting this room sorted.
Do you also give yourself ridiculous deadlines? Do you tend to try and finish a load of projects just before you know that you have guests coming to visit?
Chichi Furniture says
Wow, I admire your hard work and determination. Can’t wait to see the progress and end result pics. I love a good room transformation :O)
Christine says
I can’t wait to see it transformed either! There’s still a way to go, but it’s so exciting to be seeing some progress.
Cx
Heidi says
So glad I found your blog! My husband and I bought an old general store built in 1913 and we are renovating and blogging about it as well. It’s wonderful to read about someone else experiencing the highs and lows of renovation. Keep up the good work!
Christine says
Thanks Heidi! Your home is amazing and so individual – I love it! Can’t wait to follow your renovation adventures.
Cx
1879 House says
A boiler in the bedroom – that’s a new one! Good luck with the project, I’m sure you’ll have it finished and looking beautiful in no time :)
Christine says
I know, such a weird location to install a boiler – especially as we have a cellar!
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Cx
[email protected] says
How exciting! It will feel great to get this room sorted.
Christine says
Yep, can’t wait to get the building work out of the way!
Cx
Carin says
Ha! Way to throw yourself into a big project. Nothing like a deadline to get you scheming big projects. I’m like that too, but I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this ambitious. I’m hoping to get our bathroom done up before our daughter’s first communion in May, but the husband shot down my other ideas (spoil sport!)
Christine says
We always have a huge buzz of excitement when we start a new project – fingers crossed that our motivation holds up long enough to actually get it done!
A new bathroom sounds exciting! Good luck with getting everything done in time!
Cx
Aleks says
I don’t know why but we started a project which included ripping out everything in a 1930’s detached house in Bournemouth, commencing an extension within permitted development that knocked the kitchen and lounge into one and required two steels inserted and are about to commence a loft conversion before the extension is finished as the roof needed replacing. You’ve been an inspiration, but it never ceases to amaze me how much money and time this all takes. With two busy jobs we’ve had to let the professionals do a lot but have also done a lot ourselves. Good luck!
Christine says
Wow, sounds like you’ve really got your work cut out, Aleks! I totally agree that it all takes much more time and money than you’d like, but on the other hand it is amazingly rewarding to end up with a home that’s exactly how you’d like it to be.
Good luck with the rest of your renovation!
Cx
Lucy says
It’s big projects like these that I find the most interesting to read about, I’m sure you guys can bring this room and the cellar together in time! Excited to follow your progress :).
Christine says
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Lucy! We still have a bit of time to get the room sorted, so with a bit of luck we should manage to get everything done in time for our visitors in May.
Cx
Lins @Boo & Maddie says
Yet again you’re my inspiration! You guys really do embrace your projects, mine feel like they take forever. We need to transform our second bedroom into a proper spare room, currently that’s a big dumping ground. It will probably need replastering too since there is wallpaper on top of paint on top of wallpaper and where some of it is peeled away we can already see that there is chunks of wall coming off.
I can’t wait to see your progress and look forward to the updates x
Christine says
Aww, thank you so much! It’s comments like yours that keep us motivated when we really can’t be bothered to do anything! Also, we have been ignoring the bedroom for the last 4 years, so we can’t really say that we’re moving on quickly… ;).
Cx