We recently confessed to often not completely finishing projects, so not only are we challenging ourselves (and you!) to finish 3 projects that we’ve already started (why not join in – you can read more about it here), we’re also trying to make more of an effort to finish some of the last few remaining DIY jobs in some of our rooms – starting with installing an architrave around the window in our master bedroom.
As you know, we’re trying to reinstate as many original period features in our home as possible. We’ve installed original fireplaces, added picture rails and have been reinstating the stained glass windows. In most rooms where we have new windows, we’ve already reinstated the architrave (you can read about how we fitted it in our guest bedroom here) and now we’ve just finished installing it in our master bedroom, too. Having had the new window installed almost a year ago, finishing this project was definitely well overdue.
Being super fussy as usual we actually had ours made to match the exact moulding that would have originally been there.
Although actually fitting the architrave was easy and straight forward, it is one of those projects that took longer to complete than we’d originally thought. None of the work was difficult, but there was a lot of cutting and measuring involved which inevitably takes time.
In addition to that, we also decided to skim the whole wall around the bay window. This may sound super fussy (even for us), but it was more than a case of the wall “just” being lumpy. We’d installed the window sills and in order to get them level, we inevitably had gaps (some were really large) between them and the existing base.
We really couldn’t leave it like that, could we?
I’m really starting to get into the swing of plastering and whilst it’ll never be my favourite past time, it already seemed much easier than when we plastered our fourth bedroom. I guess it’s just one of those things that you get a feel for. After plastering and letting the wall dry for a good week, we then primed everything with some watered down white emulsion.
After priming the walls we moved on to painting everything. You can see that the edges around the window are still rough. We didn’t bother painting and plastering too neatly around the window, as it’ll all be hidden by the architrave.
Next it was time to finally get round to adding the architrave. We started by fitting wood (we used hardboard) to the inside of the wall around the window.
Our walls were really wonky and nowhere near level, which meant that we ended up having to backfill the gap between the wall and wood with lots of bits of scrap wood. Here’s a close up of the gap between the wall and hardboard lining.
Luckily attaching everything was really easy as we just nailed it all into place with our nail gun.
If we didn’t own a nailer, we would have used no nails, but this way was much quicker (and probably more fun, too).
When we’d finished nailing everything to the wall, it was just a matter of filling the holes with some filler (this
is the one we use for almost everything) and applying a few coats of paint.
We love how the architrave frames the window and really shows off the stained glass (which is impossible to photograph!).
The room is already super light and adding the architrave has made it feel even lighter and brighter. I assume that it has to do with the way the light hits the white wood and is bounced around the room more. We still need to add the bits of picture rail between the windows but already having a window sill and more importantly a job ticked off our to do list is a great feeling.
Do you have jobs on your to-do list that you seem to put off for ever? Do you love period features as much as we do?
That is a really effective solution, I think I will add that to my ever extending list of jobs. Just a quick question, I am a reasonably competent DIYer but was wondering how you cut the long edges of the hardboard so straight. I would use a jigsaw but would have to go in with the sealant afterwards to hide the wiggly edge.
Thanks, Phil
Oh, we totally should have mentioned that. we cut the hardboard with a compact circular saw. (This is the one that we have. It’s basic, but does the job). Using a jig saw would probably make your life more difficult in the long run, as hiding the wiggly edge will be almost impossible – especially where it meets the window. Alternatively you could have the boards cut for you at a joiners or DIY store.
Good luck!
Cx
Thanks Christine, I do have a big circular saw but it is far too powerful for most jobs tends to result in comical results, yours looks much more manageable. Solves the problem of what to ask for for Christmas.
Phil
No problem. Some random power tool always seems to make it to our Christmas list, too. I’d suggest looking at saws where you can tilt the blade. It’s probably not a necessity, but ours can’t and it would be a nice extra feature to have.
Cx
Simply stunning! I love the windows in your house.
Aww, thanks Jessica! Having the stained glass makes such a huge difference!
Cx
I’ve just come across your blog and your house looks great – I love your stained glass windows! I have a thing for dado rails and picture rails, although we have not yet put any architraves in yet. I think period features add ‘class’ to a house.
Thanks Jennifer! Glad you found your way over to us. I totally agree with you about period features – it’s a certain charm and elegance that they add.
Cx
You guys are so skilled, the architrave makes such an impact and shows off your stained glass beautifully. It’s so nice to read about homes that are being restored sympathetically by people that care about doing a good job! x
I totally agree with you about the stained glass Lucy. The features are part of the reason we bought our home, so really it only makes sense to reinstate as many that were missing as possible.
Cx