So Maverick's wrist has healed and he is back working at Mill Cottage with much enthusiasm.
We were at the stage of dividing the space into rooms. This being a more difficult decision to make than first thought. Not only do you have to think practically as to how you would 'live' in the space but also what is possible with minimal difficulty for plumbing and electrics. So I planned six options for Maverick to choose to work with. Then came visitors and possible purchasers, bringing with them ideas of what they would do and so much confusion...we decided eventually on our initial gut instincts. Two bedrooms, one bathroom and an open plan living, kitchen/dining area.
Maverick began by wiring the consumer box into the house so that he was able to use his power tools, have sufficient lighting and have the essential cups of Yorkshire tea.
Maverick began dividing up the rooms with studded plasterboard walls and then started the electrical wiring. No wiring showing, especially on the stone walls is a challenge, but attention to detail is very important to us.
I sanded every inch of the walls by hand to give that perfect finish where the plasterboards meet.
Waterproof membrane and insulation were placed on top of the concrete floor before floor boarding. All the stud wall frames and floors were treated, protecting them from woodworm.
Undercoat, second coat, top coat; I seem to be painting in my sleep, but the end result is perfection. We pride ourselves on using good quality materials and never cut corners, even on the things you don't see.
The second bedroom has enough ceiling height for a mezzanine and we felt this is a good use of space for either sleeping or storage.
Maverick faces each day with a new challenge but never fails to achieve perfection, no matter how difficult a task may be. We don't claim to be property developers or qualified tradesmen but what we do have is an abundance of skills and experience. We are two very talented, creative people who are passionate and dedicated to what we are doing. If you have a positive mind and apply it to achieving a realistic goal within your capabilities you will accomplish it.
Sometimes there are so many things that need doing at the same time it can seem daunting; The plumbing and electrics when fitting the boiler. Deciding where the kitchen units are going before laying the water pipes in the floor, before the floor is insulated and boarded. It can keep us awake at night prioritising and trying to stay focussed. But it's that feeling of excitement and joy when we accomplish each phase that gives us enthusiasm and an eagerness for the next project.
So far..... we have one bedroom completed, the second bedroom well on its way, half a bathroom and some kitchen base units.
It's great seeing it gradually coming together. With more hard work ahead of us and looking forward to the finishing touches we will keep you posted of all the developments.
NOVEMBER UPDATE.
Well we really did get going again and in no time we had completed the second bedroom with a mezzanine level for sleeping or storage; complete with a removable ladder. Heavy duty doors with locks were treated with preserver, stained oak, fitted and closed.
We then concentrated on the plumbing and waste for the bathroom and kitchen. All water piping is copper and insulated to prevent deterioration of the pipes and insulation of hot water. The bathroom was then concreted ready for tiling. The lounge floor has a waterproof membrane and fully insulated beneath the wooden flooring.
Every floor plank is treated with preserver, cut to fit around the edges of the stone, glued and secret nailed. (back breaking work). Two areas were left and plaka inserted; by the front door as its a hard wearing area and where the log burner sits upon for safety.
We were very kindly gifted a log burner of which Maverick fitted himself. The insulated stainless steel chimney looks amazing but not cheap at 300€. We lit a small first fire to burn off the metal. The cottage suddenly started to resemble a cosy home.
At the same time the stonemen returned to build a concrete block for the external electricity meter. We wanted it in keeping with the cottage and the results are fantastic.
Having already repaired the electricity box (which belongs to DEH) with new glass, and inserted the pole and built the concrete housing where instructed, we requested a new external electricity cable as it was in literally a 'shocking' state. A fee was requested to re connect this of which we promptly paid. Several phone calls, weeks later...nothing. Delays then understandably happened due to all electricians being sent to help after the medicane. Several more weeks and telephone calls with professionals and a promise of a new cable connected that afternoon.....we are still waiting.
This must be the most difficult part of what we are trying to achieve. There is little consistency and reliability in the system which can be very frustrating at times. We do our best to have few expectations to accommodate this but it often has a huge impact upon progress.
All the internal electricity cables are hidden as it is a particular dislike of ours to see the ever popular white plastic conduit. Maverick made an attractive and useful seating, storage, coat unit to hide the cables leading to the consumer unit.
Next the kitchen. Three trips to Ikea and a frustrating day buying appliances was more stressful than actually fitting it ourselves. Maverick first made the framework for the units as its not possible to fit them to the rugged stone walls. Tiling, electrics and plumbing all completed. The results are a light, modern kitchen with a Shaker/Greek style twist. We are excited about the island and finishing touches yet to be completed.
The bathroom has to be the hardest room to work in because of the limited amount of space. Due to the open plan layout of the lounge we decided that the washing machine should be plumbed into the bathroom under the boiler, which is very popular in Greece. The boiler itself is insulated and a sensible size. The built in thermostat will allow economical heating of the water for it to be on constantly, always ensuring hot water for showers and dishwashing especially in winter when solar heating systems are not as efficient.
We are at the stage of tiling using a natural stone and wood effect. The toilet and pedestal sink will be white.
Pre-empting a second lockdown we were a little more organised and purchased materials is advance so that work can continue without delay.
The next blog will be about the finer details and finishing touches.
Comments
Post a Comment