Friday 5 October 2018

More domestic matters.

This blog is turning into a record of Mr Dunnit's building! He's doing an amazing job, improving our home. The irony is not lost on us. We've lived here and raised our daughter from the teeny kitchen that I have hated with a passion for twenty odd years. Now Miss Dunnit has flown the nest, and we head towards some sort of slow down if not retirement, we've decided to extend and have a kitchen/dining room. Slightly mad, but still very much easier than moving. I think we're both a bit scared of the monumental clear out that moving house would cause. We've told friends that the actual costs involved in moving far outweigh the extension costs. And they do. But I suspect it's the clearing-out fear that made the decision for us! (It's OK, he doesn't read this, so it's safe for me to admit).
Those of you that suffer my nonsense on Facebook or Instagram may have seen these pictures already. Some of you who WOYWW have asked about it which is very kind. The roofing work has briefly coloured and shadowed my workdesk see, so it's a minor talking point!  I'm so jolly proud of Mr Dunnit, all his own work and our combined design ideas. You can see the lantern in all it's glory now, glazed and ready for winter.
This is the view from my bedroom window. That impressive flat fibre glass covered roof has been applied by hand with a 4" wide roller. Lots of watching a You Tube video about how to add a fibre glass roof and some advice from Miss Dunnit who used fibre glass in one of her modules at University. It's not actually as flat as it looks, there's a slight tilt to the front to allow rainwater to run off. Still, it was the devil's work and for the first time in my life with him, when he'd finished, Mr Dunnit's only words were 'never again'. So I knew it had been hard. The glue type stuff (that stinks enough to make your head ache for days) goes off really fast so it's a fine art just adding the right quantity of hardener, it's affected by dryness, temperature - very fickle stuff. The roof had to be dry before coating and the first layer of fibre had to be dry for 24 hours after coating. Talk about love and a prayer. Still all's well that ends well. 
We'd like to get the folding doors in before winter really sets in, then we can work inside; there is masses to do, and it's being done in 'spare time', so we don't anticipate 'moving in' for months and months. The window at left will be where the kitchen sink goes, so that gives you an idea of the layout. It causes heaps of changes in the existing downstairs too, and to be frank, I'm not even thinking about that. Upheaval of that sort does not need to be anticipated! 

13 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Goodness, that is an amazing undertaking. I am most impressed. I also was surprised that your house and someone else's look like they are built as one, with only a fence in between. Looks like you have solar panels, which I think would be great. I really enjoyed the views you shared today. Great job, but I would hate to be the one to clean up that current patio area.

Twiglet said...

It will be fab - you are doing an amazing job. xx Jo

Annie said...

Oh Julia it’s amazing. I true labour of love. What a talented pair you both are....yes you too because you make a great team and I’m sure he couldn’t have done it without you. It’s so exciting. Thanks so much for sharing it with us all.
Hugs,
Annie x

shazsilverwolf said...

Thats looking fab Julia. What a mammoth job, but I agree, just the thought of packing to move gives me the heebie-jeebies! Love the roof lantern, the whole thing looks fantastic. Well done both. I can imagine the smell from the Fibreglass- I really can't cope with chemical smells, give me a headache in seconds.
Love & hugs, to you both, Shaz X

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Oh Wow! Julia, this is amazing. I would love one of these. It's interesting what Elizabeth mentioned as semi-detched homes are so common in this country but not so much probably in America. We live in one too. What a brilliant husband you have though I'm sure you gave him plenty of encouragement to do it Lol! Have a great weekend, Angela xXx

Jackie PN said...

Looking wonderful and I know just what a pin this can all be, but in the end it will be so worth it!
I love the photos- keep em coming!
Jackie xo

Sue said...

Hi Julia, It's looking great. Hope you can get the window and doors in, so it is waterproof and you can start the inside.

You'll have to get some bottles of bubbly, ready to celebrate when it's waterproof.

Hope you are having a fab Friday. Sue

Dotty Jo said...

Looks brilliant! Jo x

Helen said...

It is going to be fantastic! Mr D is a wonder; and despite all the hard work I can quite see why you would want to do it rather than move (although I am sure there will be/has been a fair bit of packing to move things to their new spaces and make room for the building work! )
Having seen the size of your kitchen, I can totally understand your wish for more space!

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

It's going to be a lovely space when finished! Those of us blessed with DIY hubbies are so lucky. It makes up for a multitude of shortcomings in other areas - in my case anyway LOL!

Monica said...

He does wonderful work and i am sure you will both enjoy it for many years to come.
monica

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Thank you so much for sharing.I never could quite put it together from the individual photos, weekly. This is awesome. Hats off to Mr. D. It will be lovely and truly enjoyed when completed as it is a great size. Love the glass top. Hats off to you also ! It's a lot of clean up and interruptions. So patience by 2 is in order. It's simple "Love" "Quiet as the right time" and "trusting".. ENJOY

Anonymous said...

It will be wonderful when it is finished! You are very brave to get on with that level of building work when still living in the house, and in your spare time. When the Farmhouse was completely renovated, it was lucky that we lived across the road in a rented house, as in the end the builders literally took out most of the walls downstairs and a lot upstairs. The dust/noise/builders singing ..... If hubby said would you rather move or make big changes here, I would move!! (I am looking forward to having a bungalow one day.) Ali x