Show us yer house and house-related meddlings

[kabbes]

It's not so much the look, it's the thought of dropping one onto or scraping one across the table. It might never happen but I'd be constantly cringing.

Ah, well it’s felted on the back

 

[WouldBe]

It's not so much the look, it's the thought of dropping one onto or scraping one across the table. It might never happen but I'd be constantly cringing.

You could always stick felt on the underside to stop them scratching.

 

[teuchter]

It goes well with wood grain, especially slate with natural edging and texturing

Terrible photo, but this is what is in front of me right now

View attachment 287711

Yorkshire salad on a slate - We Want Plates

Good people of Yorkshire, look away now. Pic: @73_cwilson

wewantplates.com

More deconstructed guff on a slate - We Want Plates

Serving lemon meringue on a roof slate wasn’t annoying enough so they deconstructed it. Pic: @110ElmfieldRoad

wewantplates.com

 

[Cloo]

So this is oldest's room before...

 

[Cloo]

More things to hang up and wardrobe to add, whereupon furniture may be moved a bit, but coming on. Hung some spare curtains but I think they go rather nicely. Child is pretty chuffed with the whole room too.

 

[danski]

You threw out all their stuff?!! You monster!!

 

[Epona]

I totally love their wellies Cloo

Nice job on the room too The owl wallpaper is lush and a bit different - love it.

 

[Cloo]

You threw out all their stuff?!! You monster!!

Most of it's against the other wall, formerly covered by giant wardrobe. Epona those are actually the wellies I bought for my wedding day, but they're actually a bit big for me and right size for them now!

 

[danski]

Most of it's against the other wall, formerly covered by giant wardrobe. Epona those are actually the wellies I bought for my wedding day, but they're actually a bit big for me and right size for them now!

Obviously pulling yer leg. It really is nice to have a newly organised space.

 

[equationgirl]

That wallpaper is wonderful Cloo

 

[WouldBe]

That wallpaper is wonderful Cloo

But are they a Sheff Wednesday fan?

 

[Cloo]

That wallpaper is wonderful Cloo

Scion Barnie Owl - comes in various colourways and they went for the brightest ones. I realise it doesn't look like the other walls changed much, but it was anaglypta stuff. Ez started thinking saying 'Oh maybe it could be a colour' when the guys were stripping the room out and we were just didn't have time the time to select one, plus I think with the feature wall, plainer walls will have more longevity.

 

[Epona]

Scion Barnie Owl - comes in various colourways and they went for the brightest ones. I realise it doesn't look like the other walls changed much, but it was anaglypta stuff. Ez started thinking saying 'Oh maybe it could be a colour' when the guys were stripping the room out and we were just didn't have time the time to select one, plus I think with the feature wall, plainer walls will have more longevity.

Easy enough to repaint the other walls if Ez decides on a colour they want The owl wallpaper is boss though, lovely

 

[shakespearegirl]

Sunday morning kitchen dresser oiling

 

[iona]

Is there a reason this paint's peeling off these outdoor steps, other than being old and knackered, and do I need to do anything in particular to stop it happening again when I repaint them? The concrete(?) underneath seems quite soft and easy to scrape off along with the paint in places.

 

[teuchter]

Is there a reason this paint's peeling off these outdoor steps, other than being old and knackered, and do I need to do anything in particular to stop it happening again when I repaint them? The concrete(?) underneath seems quite soft and easy to scrape off along with the paint in places.

Is it all quite damp? And is it concrete or is it stone?

Especially if it's a relatively soft stone, then painting it can end up just trapping water under the paint layer (the water gets in through any little defects in the paint layer but has no way of getting out again). And if the water is just sitting in there it will gradually erode the stone away through various mechanisms.

Solutions include taking all the paint off, in which case the stone will get wet but also be able to dry out again, or trying to find some sort of "breathable" paint that can let water vapour get out, but you might not find one that can also function as a floor paint and resist foot traffic etc.

I think it's that or putting some kind of properly waterproof layer on - which you can be sure will stop any water getting in in the first place. And that can be a bit tricky to achieve.

This kind of problem seems to be not uncommon with old front steps of the type that cross a semi-basement level lightwell between the pavement and the house. The space under the steps has been filled in or used to extend the internal space ... it has damp problems because it was never really intended to be used that way, and people attempt various methods of waterproofing the steps usually with low levels of success.

 

[iona]

Is it all quite damp? And is it concrete or is it stone?

Especially if it's a relatively soft stone, then painting it can end up just trapping water under the paint layer (the water gets in through any little defects in the paint layer but has no way of getting out again). And if the water is just sitting in there it will gradually erode the stone away through various mechanisms.

Solutions include taking all the paint off, in which case the stone will get wet but also be able to dry out again, or trying to find some sort of "breathable" paint that can let water vapour get out, but you might not find one that can also function as a floor paint and resist foot traffic etc.

I think it's that or putting some kind of properly waterproof layer on - which you can be sure will stop any water getting in in the first place. And that can be a bit tricky to achieve.

This kind of problem seems to be not uncommon with old front steps of the type that cross a semi-basement level lightwell between the pavement and the house. The space under the steps has been filled in or used to extend the internal space ... it has damp problems because it was never really intended to be used that way, and people attempt various methods of waterproofing the steps usually with low levels of success.

Having got more paint off it's definitely all concrete, maybe a bit damp in places but not that bad.

It's not my garden and they're not going to want to do anything that's a lot more hassle or money than just slapping a new coat of paint on.

 

[RubyToogood]

There's a maintenance hole cover in my garden seating area that is decidedly iffy. I don't really want my guests suddenly disappearing into the sewer. I've been quoted £450 for a new one. This seems like a lot.

I did look at just buying one but it doesn't seem to be a current standard size.

 

[Epona]

There's a maintenance hole cover in my garden seating area that is decidedly iffy. I don't really want my guests suddenly disappearing into the sewer. I've been quoted £450 for a new one. This seems like a lot.

I did look at just buying one but it doesn't seem to be a current standard size.

I don't know for sure, but you might be better off (maybe cheaper) looking into some sort of freestanding decking to put over the area with your chairs and table on that, it would prevent people from disappearing down the hole or tripping on an uneven cover, and could be moved if you needed access to the hole for whatever maintenance purpose it allows - that would probably depend on the flatness, size and layout of your garden wrt the hole though

 

[WouldBe]

There's a maintenance hole cover in my garden seating area that is decidedly iffy. I don't really want my guests suddenly disappearing into the sewer. I've been quoted £450 for a new one. This seems like a lot.

I did look at just buying one but it doesn't seem to be a current standard size.

What size is the manhole cover?

 

[RubyToogood]

What size is the manhole cover?

I think you're supposed to measure the inside of the hole, I'm not entirely clear. But anyway.

Going by the outer bit, where the larger arrow points to, it's 20 x 25 inches (51 x 63.5cm).
Going by the inner bit it's 17.5 inches x 22 ( 44.5 x 56cm).

I should probably check if they were going to replace the frame as well, which is a bit rusted.

 

[Epona]

Oh blimey mate, that is a hole and a half.

 

[danski]

Worth trying a salvage yard?

 

[Saul Goodman]

There's a maintenance hole cover in my garden seating area that is decidedly iffy. I don't really want my guests suddenly disappearing into the sewer. I've been quoted £450 for a new one. This seems like a lot.

I did look at just buying one but it doesn't seem to be a current standard size.

That sounds like a ridiculous price.
Try here. Buy Pressed Steel Solid Top Access Covers Online | Manhole Covers Ltd Shop

 

[RubyToogood]

Reading up about it a bit more, you do have to replace the frame at the same time as the cover, otherwise they don't sit together properly. And as it's probably an old size I guess they'll have to drill it all out and start again.

 

[Epona]

Might be a stupid question, but is it definitely your responsibility rather than that of a utilities company or the council or something?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

We've been here seven years and still not found an armchair we like.

I've had my flat since 2003 and have never found light fittings/lamp shades I like for the kitchen and hallway and one of the bedrooms.

Even the sitting room and master bedroom only have 'It'll do' type lampshades rather than ones I actually like, and I think it took me about 10 years to find those. I've also bought light fittings and lampshades previously that I've never installed because I changed my mind.

I have a 1940s flat with low-ish ceilings but I tend to like retro or statement light fittings that would suit rooms with high ceilings. I really struggle to find something I like that works with low ceilings.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Old kitchen window

View attachment 285116

New kitchen window

View attachment 285118

If I had a view like that, I'd be very tempted to try to turn the window frame into... sort of create a gilt picture frame effect. But then I like a bit of kitsch and whimsy.

 

[RubyToogood]

Might be a stupid question, but is it definitely your responsibility rather than that of a utilities company or the council or something?

Yes. Within your boundaries it's your responsibility.

 

[Epona]

Yes. Within your boundaries it's your responsibility.

Ah ok, there is a difference depending upon whether you are freehold or leasehold too, hence my question