miss direct
misfungled
As soon as I'm back from London.
Buying a home and don't know how anything works
- Thread starter miss direct
- Start date
Cid
Proper break this time
Yeah I have laminate. Jute in the bedroom/hall, tiles in the bathroom (all as it came basically). Does the job. My mum has proper oak floors throughout... Well, tiled bathrooms. Living room she also uses occasional carpets she picked up in her younger days. Possibly from Syria. That's probably what I'd do if I ever found a forever-home.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
my upstairs pine is original and the boards are about 11 inches wide and lovely (previous owners had covered them over with hardboard 
). Bloke who renovated is a star and put down thin pine strips to fill the gaps. When I had the flood I had pine floors laid downstairs and got a dark near-eastern type carpet ((((dark carpets)))) off ebay. Good insulation, too.
). Bloke who renovated is a star and put down thin pine strips to fill the gaps. When I had the flood I had pine floors laid downstairs and got a dark near-eastern type carpet ((((dark carpets)))) off ebay. Good insulation, too.
Cid
Proper break this time
my upstairs pine is original and the boards are about 11 inches wide and lovely (previous owners had covered them over with hardboard
A moveable carpet or fitted carpet?
I generally think carpets in living rooms aren't great, because coffee, booze etc. But I do like a good movable Persian/Anatolian carpet. As mentioned my mum has a few. Also I grew up in Kentish town, there's a bit of Highgate Road that used to be a hub for 'rugs and kilims' (still a couple left I think), feels familiar.
I think these days I like short pile, neutral carpets if they're going to be fitted. Just neat and practical. Too dark tends to look kind of grim to me. A mid blue I'd take though. Preferably with the kind of weaves used for jute etc.
I'd quite like a tatami floor, something I like about the feel.
miss direct
misfungled
I've always wanted a proper Turkish or Persian carpet. I quite liked the ones I had there. But the decent ones cost serious money.
Cid
Proper break this time
Yeah they certainly do. Probably have to blag one off my mum if I ever went down that road.
I'd like to go to Xinjiang one day (Western China, Uighur region), Kashgar and Khotan both still have substantial carpet industries I think. Khotan also has the best white jades... All traditional Uighur crafts. But yeah, not sure how that pans out ethically given the current situation.
I'd like to go to Xinjiang one day (Western China, Uighur region), Kashgar and Khotan both still have substantial carpet industries I think. Khotan also has the best white jades... All traditional Uighur crafts. But yeah, not sure how that pans out ethically given the current situation.
Cid
Proper break this time
Yes that's very much on the cheap end. Good antique ones can go for thousands... Though obviously you can get cheap ones, depends where they're made, how they're made etc. I know very little about it.
Dark is totally acceptable for movable carpets, especially oriental style - rich reds and blues etc.
I'm trying to work out what you should actually call them... The general category used to be 'oriental rugs' I think. Seems a bit... old-fashioned, and possibly is specific to those made for China. The oldest extant rug is apparently from 2500 years ago, probably made in Armenia - it's pretty astonishing really (I think the reds are boosted in the particular image):
Then you see them spread through the surrounding area (Persia, rest of Anatolia etc), and up through the silk road... That's a kind of chain of Turkic peoples, going across through the central Asian countries, and around the fringes of the Taklamakan, which is where the Uighur (also Turkic speakers) population centres are.
The V&A has the Persian Ardabil carpet, which is well worth a look. It is huge and beautifully decorated.
Miss going to the V&A. I guess it will open soon, will have to make a trip, although I was kind of worried by all the cuts they were talking about late last year.
Anyway, random carpet history diversion over.
Last edited:
bellaozzydog
rolling turds in glitter
I finally got an email from the solicitor dealing with my flat purchase
he literally got everything wrong. From my name to the address of the property and everything in between. I’m utterly baffled
Dear ****
My profound apologies for the senior moment regarding your name and, by the look of it, getting you confused with someone else. It has been bonkers during the past 10 days. I will take a look at this urgently tomorrow..
Kind Regards,
it’s not boding well for a simple efficient process
feels like a restart of the clock despite being at it for 6 months now
he literally got everything wrong. From my name to the address of the property and everything in between. I’m utterly baffled
Dear ****
My profound apologies for the senior moment regarding your name and, by the look of it, getting you confused with someone else. It has been bonkers during the past 10 days. I will take a look at this urgently tomorrow..
Kind Regards,
it’s not boding well for a simple efficient process
feels like a restart of the clock despite being at it for 6 months now
Cid
Proper break this time
Well it forms a good basis for a firm but fair response telling him to get a proper shift on, and for a campaign of relentless nagging.
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Tell him he’s got one last chance and everything must be perfect for now on or he will be sacked. Or just sack him.
bellaozzydog
rolling turds in glitter
A snottagram was duly dispatched
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
My brother does removals and house clearances for extra cash sometimes, and he’s found quite a few of them, also firearms (old WW2 ones he reckoned) and on one occasion what appeared to be some heroin, with the necessary kit - syringes etc - neatly kept inside a small box
Leafster
.
My grandmother kept a load of cash wrapped up in newspaper stuffed inside the chimney of the Aga in the kitchen which she never used. As she got frailer she had a carer come in to help her. One day my dad popped into to see her just as the carer was trying to light the Aga!
miss direct
misfungled
I'll book my second viewing for next week. Will take lots of photos and a list of things to check. Have chosen a chair as love this one where I'm dog sitting. So comfortable.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
Oooh rocking chair nice.
I was told by the son of two people who looked over my place to buy it that they'd found £10,000 in a plastic bag in the airing cupboard. On reflection I think he was just trying to wind up the emmets (they are really old Cornish family).
I heard elsewhere though that his dad would likely have put a couple of goats in the garden and stripped it bare - they made an offer on the house and then tried to beat the owner down by about 1/3 of the asking price. Owner told them to bugger off and by luck I turned up a couple of days later.
I was told by the son of two people who looked over my place to buy it that they'd found £10,000 in a plastic bag in the airing cupboard. On reflection I think he was just trying to wind up the emmets (they are really old Cornish family).
I heard elsewhere though that his dad would likely have put a couple of goats in the garden and stripped it bare - they made an offer on the house and then tried to beat the owner down by about 1/3 of the asking price. Owner told them to bugger off and by luck I turned up a couple of days later.
miss direct
misfungled
Viewing the flat again next week. Any advice on what/who to take and what to take a note of so I can really get planning?
More tedious delays with the actual purchase. Apparently it'll be two more weeks till the local search(es) are back. Plus solicitor is waiting for a management pack from the council as well. I'm still going to be in my shared house in June, aren't I... (Actually I was quite pleased to get back. I like my room - it's just the communal areas that are dirty.)
More tedious delays with the actual purchase. Apparently it'll be two more weeks till the local search(es) are back. Plus solicitor is waiting for a management pack from the council as well. I'm still going to be in my shared house in June, aren't I... (Actually I was quite pleased to get back. I like my room - it's just the communal areas that are dirty.)
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Have you got the fixtures and fittings list yet miss direct?
If they are taking the curtains, then measure the windows in the lounge and the bedroom, so that you can shop for curtains while waiting.
Most kitchen appliances are a standard width (60cm) but if the fridge needs to be a particular height to fit, then check that too.
If they are taking the curtains, then measure the windows in the lounge and the bedroom, so that you can shop for curtains while waiting.
Most kitchen appliances are a standard width (60cm) but if the fridge needs to be a particular height to fit, then check that too.
miss direct
misfungled
Yes, I have. They are leaving all curtains and blinds. But I do want blackout curtains in the bedroom, so first I need to work out which room I'll use as the bedroom, and which as the office (can anyone help me with working out sun position? I need a dark room to sleep.) I've got a pair of blackout curtains so hope they fit - although probably have the wrong sort of attachments (why do curtains need to be so complicated?)
I actually want to take all the curtains and wash them but I probably won't be allowed to do that yet, will I?
It occurred to me that there's nowhere to eat the way the current owners have it set up. I don't want to eat dinner on my lap so will have to work out how I can get a small or folding table in somewhere.
Kitchen stuff I have got in storage: a microwave, a toaster, a small freezer. I'll need to get a fridge, washing machine and oven, otherwise I'll just be living off toast and frozen microwaved meals. Is it worth buying such things new, or is second hand ok?
I really want a proper, decent shower, so will turn that on and give the pressure a test.
I actually want to take all the curtains and wash them but I probably won't be allowed to do that yet, will I?
It occurred to me that there's nowhere to eat the way the current owners have it set up. I don't want to eat dinner on my lap so will have to work out how I can get a small or folding table in somewhere.
Kitchen stuff I have got in storage: a microwave, a toaster, a small freezer. I'll need to get a fridge, washing machine and oven, otherwise I'll just be living off toast and frozen microwaved meals. Is it worth buying such things new, or is second hand ok?
I really want a proper, decent shower, so will turn that on and give the pressure a test.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
Not sure about buying a washing machine second hand as you won't necessarily know how scaled up it is (if you are in a soft water area this will be less likely to be a problem), I did buy a second hand cooker when I moved in here as I couldn't afford a new one, and although 2 of the hobs are broken now, it was in good working order for 18 years! I would have preferred a new one however, it depends what you can afford. Fridges are not that expensive to buy a basic one new - about £130 or so.
You could check freecycle etc for all that sort of thing and see what is available.
You could check freecycle etc for all that sort of thing and see what is available.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
A lot of curtains are dry clean only. Some for good reason and some not.
miss direct
misfungled
That's ok, I'm willing to give it a try. None of them are that fabulous so if they did shrink/get wrecked I can get new ones. After so long living in dirty places (the joys of sharing) I just really want my own place to be really clean.
Cid
Proper break this time
Wait until you’re in before you start faffing about with stuff I think. Just easier. Also you’ll know whether they’ve left stuff like appliances they can’t be arsed moving.
Same with things like tables. You’ll get there and either find something that works, or realise that X space will manage a small table, and blag a lift to IKEA or the flea place or something.
For now focus entirely on stuff that might be significantly expensive or tricky to manage. Condition of floors, condition of kitchen units and appliances. Where is there wallpaper, and what state is it in? Are the ceilings going to need redoing? The bathroom you already know might be a major cost. Scout the plumbing under the sink and round the boiler, see if there are potential leaks. Flush the loo.
It will be such a relief to move in you’ll just manage with most stuff. I mean in a pinch you can get nice single hob type things to cook on, wash clothes in the bath etc. You won’t care short term.
Same with things like tables. You’ll get there and either find something that works, or realise that X space will manage a small table, and blag a lift to IKEA or the flea place or something.
For now focus entirely on stuff that might be significantly expensive or tricky to manage. Condition of floors, condition of kitchen units and appliances. Where is there wallpaper, and what state is it in? Are the ceilings going to need redoing? The bathroom you already know might be a major cost. Scout the plumbing under the sink and round the boiler, see if there are potential leaks. Flush the loo.
It will be such a relief to move in you’ll just manage with most stuff. I mean in a pinch you can get nice single hob type things to cook on, wash clothes in the bath etc. You won’t care short term.
20Bees
Well-Known Member
I always buy washing machines new because any pre-owned ones that are close enough to collect are going to be badly affected by limescale in this hard water area. And buying new means you can pay a bit extra for them to put it in position and connect the plumbing.
I also buy mattresses new, but everything else is second-hand, from charity shops, or eBay when I’ve been able to borrow a van to collect: two lovely sofas for £60 many years ago (couple moving in together and condensing the contents of two homes into one ); immaculate under-counter fridge (ditto); pine kitchen table and chairs, electric hob from a guy at work upgrading his kitchen; pine bed frames from shop window notice boards... the bigger British Heart Foundation shops locally are really good too, for furniture and white goods.
Actually my tall Zanussi fridge-freezer was new (seconds, with a small cosmetic dent on the side), 30 years ago.
I also buy mattresses new, but everything else is second-hand, from charity shops, or eBay when I’ve been able to borrow a van to collect: two lovely sofas for £60 many years ago (couple moving in together and condensing the contents of two homes into one ); immaculate under-counter fridge (ditto); pine kitchen table and chairs, electric hob from a guy at work upgrading his kitchen; pine bed frames from shop window notice boards... the bigger British Heart Foundation shops locally are really good too, for furniture and white goods.
Actually my tall Zanussi fridge-freezer was new (seconds, with a small cosmetic dent on the side), 30 years ago.
