Show us yer house and house-related meddlings

[Epona]

miss direct we have a chimney breast and alcoves and one thing which we have done is build low cupboards in each alcove and have shelving above. The telly we put on a bracket so it can be pushed back when not in use and it looks like it's sitting on one of the cupboards. Plus we can hide all the TV boxes in the cupboard underneath.

Honestly this has reminded me what it used to be like - massive TV that took up an entire corner of your room and video player (or more recently a DVD player), thankfully with a smart TV a lot of this is redundant!

 

[Epona]

That's a lovely room.

Agree that the nets have to go. But have a think about what you want instead - Venetian blinds might be nice.

I'd be tempted to go for a neutral carpet - something beigy. And once you've got furniture in/have an idea of the colours of the things you want in the room get the walls painted a really good colour that complements it.

It is easier to paint before you put carpet in but it's not a showstopper and it will prevent you from doing the paint everything white and it'll do for now thing, and five years later you still haven't done it and you have a really boring room that just has stuff in it and no overall theme

You're probably going to redecorate 2 or 3 times before you decide the carpet is at the end of its life, so my advice to anyone who needs to get carpet soon after moving in is get a neutral carpet asap and use proper protection as and when you decide to paint. If you can do a couple of coats and get the walls looking spiffy before the carpet goes in then fine, but decorators don't go "oh hold on I can't do this because you've got carpet" Painting doesn't mean that your carpet gets wrecked, and if that happens it means you are doing it wrong/hiring the wrong people.

 

[kabbes]

I don't find that fucking funny, I am sorry if I am not as relaxed about this sort of thing as some of you, I've been fucking stalked and assaulted and it isn't a fucking laughing matter.

It is a horrible fucking moronic thing to say and it isn't "funny".

Just as a point to consider: if you posted something you intended as a joke and somebody responded in that way to you, how would you then react? Would you apologise and reflect, or would you get all angry at people calling you “fucking creepy” when you were just being dry?

 

[Epona]

Just as a point to consider: if you posted something you intended as a joke and somebody responded in that way to you, how would you then react? Would you apologise and reflect, or would you get all angry at people calling you “fucking creepy” when you were just being dry?

I don't know, I'm autistic, I take things at face value. I feel it is unfair to expect me to recognise the difference in other peoples' meanings. I am not joking about having been stalked and attacked and still having PTSD about it though. I doubt anything about the situation could make me feel it was ok to joke about.

But of course if you want to defend that sort of thing against the horrible woman who has been assaulted and is shocked and crying that someone would joke about such a thing, then please do go ahead and feel justified and proud of yourself.

 

[teuchter]

Look, if this was a thread or discussion about those issues, or if I had any reason to have a clue that it was a sensitive subject for you then of course it would be an inappropriate kind of comment to make. But it's a thread about shelves, windows, lights and choosing paint colours. And I was responding directly to a point, raised by you, about how the position of a light would affect what someone could see from outside. And it wasn't personalised to refer to you. I am sorry if it upset you, and I have reflected upon this.

And I can't be bothered to get annoyed about being called creepy because I think most people will have read the comment and understood the intent. I don't think there's much more to say.

 

[Epona]

Look, if this was a thread or discussion about those issues, or if I had any reason to have a clue that it was a sensitive subject for you then of course it would be an inappropriate kind of comment to make. But it's a thread about shelves, windows, lights and choosing paint colours. And I was responding directly to a point, raised by you, about how the position of a light would affect what someone could see from outside. And it wasn't personalised to refer to you. I am sorry if it upset you, and I have reflected upon this.

And I can't be bothered to get annoyed about being called creepy because I think most people will have read the comment and understood the intent. I don't think there's much more to say.

Why in the everloving fuck did you come on here talking about looking into windows using binoculars then? It wasn't me who did that, and pretending that someone else started it is pretty low tbh. Did you have any other point to make, or advice to give?

 

[bimble]

Why in the everloving fuck did you come on here talking about looking into windows using binoculars then? It wasn't me who did that, and pretending that someone else started it is pretty low tbh. Did you have any other point to make, or advice to give?

I think looking into other people's windows was the topic of conversation, for a moment upthread, because of a theory about where lights are positioned in living room ceilings.
It wasn't the teuchter who introduced the whole idea of that, he was just responding to it.
I'm sorry for your horrendous experience and do get it is never ever going to be a subject that you'd appreciate people making any kind of flippant comments or jokes anywhere near.

 

[bimble]

I came home today to find that the door people had come round and changed the handles for me, from brass to black ones. Which is nice of them of course but just , i need to get into the habit of actually locking the door now that it can be locked.

 

[bimble]

Something that's a bit shit about any jobs that I can't do by myself is that its almost always men who have to come and do the thing (plumbing electrics the new door etc) and almost every time they ask me if i live here alone, and i really hate that they ask.
It is not any of their business, and it makes me feel momentarily unsafe, especially with it being such an isolated house, and i have started lying, I lied to the door fitter when he asked, invented a part time husband, which is stressful and not remotely fun to do. Very insensitive of them to ask, but so normal that it's when they don't that I notice it and apprecaite it.

 

[Epona]

Something that's a bit shit about any jobs that I can't do by myself is that its almost always men who have to come and do the thing (plumbing electrics the new door etc) and almost every time they ask me if i live here alone, and i really hate that they ask.
It is not any of their business, and it makes me feel momentarily unsafe, especially with it being such an isolated house, and i have started lying, I lied to the door fitter when he asked, invented a part time husband, which is stressful and not remotely fun to do. Very insensitive of them to ask, but so normal that it's when they don't that I notice it and apprecaite it.

I know exactly what you mean, like - you know most people are fine and not going to harm you, but that doesn't stop you worrying when you have someone in your home doing work there. It's difficult for female tradespeople to get taken seriously mind you, as I am saying the above a lot of it is quite blokey and it is difficult to get taken seriously. I am not going to relate a tale here about how that can go on occasion as a female painter/decorator - but being on the other side of the equation can also feel awkward and worrying sometimes, and you can't always get the support or understanding you need.

 

[bimble]

When i lived in London i did find a female electrician & female decorator once, Not out of fear I think more just wanting to support, but yeah, less choice out here.
The thing of almost every time being asked if i live here alone (in the forest! ) is i think just curiosity but it is really thoughtless nonetheless, lacks empathy.

 

[Elpenor]

My mate has told me - as he does a lot of DIY - that he reckons women would make great plumbers as they tend to have smaller hands which is useful when so much of it is fiddly stuff for which small hands are suitable.

I’m inclined to think the same about electricians too, given the issues I’ve had doing minor electric work at home with my sausage fingers.

 

[Epona]

My mate has told me - as he does a lot of DIY - that he reckons women would make great plumbers as they tend to have smaller hands which is useful when so much of it is fiddly stuff for which small hands are suitable.

I’m inclined to think the same about electricians too, given the issues I’ve had doing minor electric work at home with my sausage fingers.

Hand size - I have really tiny hands which is great for many things. I do build PCs too mind you and my hands are still too big for the fiddly bits, doing the case connectors is the only thing that makes me wish I had kids

 

[teuchter]

changed the handles for me, from brass to black ones.

Can we see a picture for judging/approval purposes?

 

[bimble]

Can we see a picture for judging/approval purposes?

Here you go. Not liking anything that's shiny brass coloured is my problem but in this case i'm pretty sure its objectively just better this way, black things being so much around.

 

[kabbes]

I agree— that is better.

 

[teuchter]

I think it's the right decision. Did you get them from the local place in the end?

 

[bimble]

I think it's the right decision. Did you get them from the local place in the end?

Yep. Colin, about 20 minutes away is his door factory so that's good.

 

[Epona]

Looks fab bimble

 

[bimble]

Has anyone ever bought some tiles without spending 100 years looking at pictures of tiles on the internet and then getting free samples that are the size of a postage stamp?

 

[Epona]

Has anyone ever bought some tiles without spending 100 years looking at pictures of tiles on the internet and then getting free samples that are the size of a postage stamp?

Oooh, could I tecnhnically get loads of free samples and do some mosaicing?

 

[WouldBe]

Has anyone ever bought some tiles without spending 100 years looking at pictures of tiles on the internet and then getting free samples that are the size of a postage stamp?

You can buy individual full sized tiles from DIY shops. Keep the receipt and take then back for a refund when you have made a decision.

 

[Looby]

Has anyone ever bought some tiles without spending 100 years looking at pictures of tiles on the internet and then getting free samples that are the size of a postage stamp?

Yeah, randomly bought some off white cheapo B&Q tiles. 8 years later they went down. Massive mistake, never ever use white or cream fucking tiles on a floor. 6 months and never looked clean, not even with my fancy steam mop.

 

[kabbes]

Has anyone ever bought some tiles without spending 100 years looking at pictures of tiles on the internet and then getting free samples that are the size of a postage stamp?

I believe that before there was an Internet, people used to make a choice just from the selection of the things they were looking for at the local shops. Halcyon days. By contrast, it took us three months to choose the tiles for our bathroom when we renovated.

 

[bimble]

Exactly. I would like very much to be the kind of person who could just pop out and choose from whats in the nearest actual shop but I'm not. I have to see all of the tiles that exist and then not buy any tiles at all for years because I'm so confused.
I feel a bit like how I did standing in front of a milk display once in an American supermarket, with the 700 milks.
Its ok, its not any kind of emergency, but it is a good example of too much choice being no good at all really. Some very beautiful tiles out there nowadays though.

 

[equationgirl]

I believe that before there was an Internet, people used to make a choice just from the selection of the things they were looking for at the local shops. Halcyon days. By contrast, it took us three months to choose the tiles for our bathroom when we renovated.

The great Kabbess' impressive yet specific attention to detail coming into play again,? What did you choose in the end?

 

[WouldBe]

Exactly. I would like very much to be the kind of person who could just pop out and choose from whats in the nearest actual shop but I'm not. I have to see all of the tiles that exist and then not buy any tiles at all for years because I'm so confused.

And then start all over again because the designs have all changed and the samples you had are no longer stocked.

 

[quimcunx]

Exactly. I would like very much to be the kind of person who could just pop out and choose from whats in the nearest actual shop but I'm not. I have to see all of the tiles that exist and then not buy any tiles at all for years because I'm so confused.
I feel a bit like how I did standing in front of a milk display once in an American supermarket, with the 700 milks.
Its ok, its not any kind of emergency, but it is a good example of too much choice being no good at all really. Some very beautiful tiles out there nowadays though.

When I bought my flat I arrived at the viewing (maybe the 5th flat I'd looked at in total) we took two minutes to walk round the flat and I made an offer of the asking price in the hallway before we left. Fast forward 3 months. I've moved in and I'm standing in Argos looking at drinking glasses. The choice was between 6 glasses for £6 or 12 glasses for £5 (£1 less!) but 6 of those glasses were a size I would never use. After half an hour of careful consideration of all the consequences of either choice I walked out without any glasses at all.

 

[Reno]

Like many people, I've been getting through the lockdown by finally doing up the flat. My biggest project was to take out the cheap laminate flooring which my flat came with and to replace it with a wooden floor. DIY isn't much of a thing here in Germany, my German friends are incredulous that I'm doing this myself. Many products I would easily get at Homebase aren't available here or they are poorer quality and more expensive. Had I known what I let myself in for, I would have thought twice. The parquet glue I was sold was past its sell by date and therefore too dry, which made working with it a nightmare. Getting there though, the bedroom floor went in this week which was the last room, now I'll just gave to varnish it. I also scraped off the woodchip wallpaper and painted every room a shade of green or blue. I hated the green I initially painted the living room with ( it didn't look like avocado on the tin ) so repainted it with a darker shade. I bought some nice furniture and some of the cheaper Ikea stuff is going out. Will post more when finished.

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As promised here is the update of my finished living room. Might not be everyone's taste but the 70s are my decade. It was the project which saved my sanity during the lockdown.

 

[mauvais]

Is that a proper Verpan Fun pendant/chandelier?