Show us yer house and house-related meddlings

[teuchter]

Is it from wales or from china?

 

[bimble]

Is it from wales or from china?

Brazil apparently, via Walthamstow.

 

[mx wcfc]

Not my meddling but the view from my front door atm. Whole road are getting new gas pipes. Mrs mx is preparing to go to war withe the gas board to get the whole drive resurfaced after we had to have a hole dug outside the door.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

I am embarking on a floor plan.

Copied from the technical drawings (I traced over it) and then measured up furniture to see how it would fit in the room.

So far, I think this is winning.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

It's really stressful tho, cuz I don't want to fuck it up. Once it's in, it's in, and then you can't really move stuff around.

The other option was an L shaped kitchen with the dining table in the kitchen. But that means no bar area.

Still unsure.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Hw often do you use the dining table?

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

This is option 2.

You get less kitchen space and more living space (I like the sociable aspect of kitchen 1).

But in this one the dining space is integrated into the kitchen and if somone goes for a stinker in the downstairs loo it has to waft all the way round the loo.

The loo is the room in the middle.

I don't know!

Help

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

Hw often do you use the dining table?

Not too often

When friends come round we use it, and if I'm painting etc I use it for that.

I like to decorate it with seasonal displays (flowers etc).

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Not too often

When friends come round we use it, and if I'm painting etc I use it for that.

I like to decorate it with seasonal displays (flowers etc).

In that case, I hink your first plan there is spot on.

 

[RubyToogood]

I prefer #2 FabricLiveBaby! The table makes a natural buffer between the kitchen and the living area. Where it is in #1 I'd be constantly annoyed it wasn't in arm's reach of the kitchen.

 

[RubyToogood]

Also I think with #2 you can look out of the window while you're washing up.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

The bar area is a very handy addition though.
And the dining table can be moved if needed in the first option...indeed the L shaped couch could go in the long wall thereby making it easier to move the table....if needed...

I think the first plan allows for more flexibility... but both plans have merit.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

The bar area is a very handy addition though.
And the dining table can be moved if needed in the first option...indeed the L shaped couch could go in the long wall thereby making it easier to move the table....if needed...

I think the first plan allows for more flexibility... but both plans have merit.

Problem with the long wall is that will probably be the place for TV as well as books, shelves etc. So that couch can't be moved, really.

Also I think with #2 you can look out of the window while you're washing up.

There will be a dishwasher so

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

Also we can always change the l shapes round...



You can see the size of the sofas between option 1 (small sofa 234cm wide)

Andoprion 2 (big sofa 265cm wide )

 

[RubyToogood]

I suppose there is a danger that you end up not using the weird bit by the stairs. Having a table there solves that but obliges you to have a bar as well. Is anyone going to want a desk/piano/other large item?

 

[teuchter]

Space between the sofa and the wall looks a bit mean to me.

I think no 2 is better.

People always want those breakfast bar things but what's it actually for? It's a luxury you can have when you've got a lot of space... But otherwise it's kind of duplicating the function of the dining table. It's good to be able to sit and talk to someone in the kitchen but that can be achieved by putting the table in the right place.

 

[teuchter]

Option 1 the gap between the cooker and sink i think is too narrow. Not a very functional kitchen.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

Space between the sofa and the wall looks a bit mean to me.

I think no 2 is better.

People always want those breakfast bar things but what's it actually for? It's a luxury you can have when you've got a lot of space... But otherwise it's kind of duplicating the function of the dining table. It's good to be able to sit and talk to someone in the kitchen but that can be achieved by putting the table in the right place.

It's not so much the breakfast bar that I love, rather the hob facing the living space. It functions more like a galley kitchen in that way. There is 1 meter between the two worktops, but it can be moved to 120cm easily.

I was watching design vids and they say there should be a triangle between the major kitchen appliances (hob, sink, and fridge/oven of between 80 cm and 1.5m for functionality. Maximum three steps, or a body turn and a step. Both kitchens meet that spec.

Also the wall beside the sofa is a floor to ceiling window, as is the one next to the stairs. So sitting there gives a nice view of the garden. But it is only about 50cm of space (1.5ft) so a tad squishy but not enough for a sideways walk.

Honestly this is so hard.

Facebook is split 50/50 too

 

[Baronage-Phase]

I like the idea of the hob where it is in picture 1. And the couch looks well placed. If you dont use the table that often and besring in mind it is moveable...then I think option 1 is the one that gives you more choice. And space.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

I also cook a lot, and honestly the more worktop I can have for rolling out pastries/making a mess the better. I have food processors, rice cookers, toasters, kettles, a pasta machine and mixing equipment.
I just have no where near enough space in the current flat and often have to use the dining room table to take stuff out the oven, off the hob, as well as prep. (seriously, I'm a cooking fanatic). I need NEED drawer space too. I currently do not have nearly enough. Lack of worktop space. It drives me insane.



The galley kitchen solves all my workspace needs but compromises the "flow" of the rest of the living space.

That really bugs me too. You don't want to be running down the stairs and into the dining table.



It's a lot to think about.

 

[teuchter]

I would want to check whether something like this could work. It might not, as I've not drawn to scale.

It would give you quite a generous kitchen. the bit between the worktop and the back of the sofa would be a sort of half height wall, say 50cm higher than the worktop so you can see over it whilst standing at the worktop side. The table position could go more into the corner when you only need one or two people to be able to sit at it, and pulled out more if you want to seat more people. I think it's usually nice to have the table near the daylight? You'd still be able to see out both windows from the sofa. Sitting on the sofa you'd feel more like you were in a bigger space than when it's squashed into the corner.

Like I say it might not work when you measure it out. But in principle I think it could give more efficient use of space because you aren't doubling up on circulation routes as much. And no worries about a cramped kitchen.

 

[mauvais]

What have you got now? I've seen floor plans for all your space before but I can't remember.

Open plan has its benefits but drawbacks too. If this is your relaxing space then consider that you can't isolate yourself from cooking smells, dishwasher and washing machine noise, etc etc, so consider either hard divisions or - if you have the luxury of space elsewhere - what the habitual use will really end up being. Then let that define what goes where.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

What have you got now? I've seen floor plans for all your space before but I can't remember.

Open plan has its benefits but drawbacks too. If this is your relaxing space then consider that you can't isolate yourself from cooking smells, dishwasher and washing machine noise, etc etc, so consider either hard divisions or - if you have the luxury of space elsewhere - what the habitual use will really end up being. Then let that define what goes where.

It's a new build so that's how it comes. It's basically a blank slate but the kitchen has to go there. I don't mind cooking smells, and the washing machine is going upstairs in the bathroom (it's where they live on the continent).

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

View attachment 188364

I would want to check whether something like this could work. It might not, as I've not drawn to scale.

Wow! That is a generous kitchen. And the scale looks right!

Couple of big problems (for me) is that footfall goes through the kitchen. Annoying, especially if someone pushes past you in the middle of a stir fry. The other thing is grease splashes from the hob on to the sofa. Or burning the sofa down ! It might not be so practical.

 

[teuchter]

I don't think the footfall goes through the kitchen any more than in your option 2 though.

Splashes from the hob is the reason for the separating wall to come up higher than the worktop/hob level. High enough that it stops anything splashing over, low enough that you can see over it whilst standing at the hob. A variation on something like the photo below. I'd probably make it an extra-deep wall maybe with shelving recessed into it from one side or the other.

 

[Epona]

The plastering/skimming of my wall cost £120.

Thanks, that seems reasonable - I have to multiply that by All The Walls And Ceilings so it will be a while before I can afford it, but it is good to know the sort of costs involved. Alas I don't think I will be able to easily get training in plastering for free, proper training is quite expensive. I asked already (I have received training for a few things now, but plastering is not likely)

 

[Marty1]

Thanks, that seems reasonable - I have to multiply that by All The Walls And Ceilings so it will be a while before I can afford it, but it is good to know the sort of costs involved. Alas I don't think I will be able to easily get training in plastering for free, proper training is quite expensive. I asked already (I have received training for a few things now, but plastering is not likely)

Yeah, we got a few quotes and it was surprising at how much some of them varied, I think one quote was nearly double what we eventually paid.

 

[Epona]

I did one get artex off a ceiling using a steamer. Back breaking work, particularly if you choose the hottest day of the year like I did, but possible.

Yeah I am not keen on that, some of it in the 70s (when my block was built) may well have contained asbestos, so better to seal it in rather than start breaking it up.

 

[Epona]

FabricLiveBaby! - you have a variety of different layouts, but a lot will depend on where service pipes are located - or you need to have a plan on how to plumb your sink from the opposite side of the room. Similar with the oven and extractor hood placement.

 

[kabbes]

Yeah I am not keen on that, some of it in the 70s (when my block was built) may well have contained asbestos, so better to seal it in rather than start breaking it up.

You can get an asbestos survey for about £100 and then know for sure.