The starting point of this whole project was the extension. We wanted one more room, to be used as a bedroom for the planned sibling, and I desperately wanted a proper laundry. The original plan was to remain in the house during the renovation, build the extension, then use the extension for living while the existing house had things done. Boy, am I glad there was an alternative option. I cannot imagine trying to live in the house with all of this stuff going on, not to mention that it would have taken twice as long. No thank you.
I love so much about the extension. I love the old red-blue clinkers which we were able to get for the wall. I’m not a fan of new bricks. They have no character. I like rough, colourful bricks that look like they have a warmth about them, and a story or two to tell. I get a flush of pleasure every time I look at them. Really quite perfect as I will be seeing the outside wall of the extension from our living space about 90% of the time!
I also love the windows that the builder has put in. They are simple, elegant and feel so secure. We can notice the difference in noise levels, and have also noticed that the house temperature doesn’t seem to be altering as quickly as it used to. As it is an old house, we would lose so much heat from it in winter, and vice versa in summer. Much of this renovation has been guided by three main principles: practicality, energy efficiency, and maximum sound insulation. As our area is getting busier and busier, it is becoming more important to us that our house can block as much external, ambient sound as possible.
It feels like this extension will make our house just the perfect size. Large enough for a family of four, but not so large that we’ll be rattling around in it once it is back to just two of us living there. I realise that that is a good 20+ years away, but we like to plan for the future and the plan is that this will be our home for the next 30 or more years. After this year, and everything we’ve done to make it “ours”, you’d need a bulldozer to tear me away from it now!
House Renovation - the extension
Hi Amber, I have resisted Facebook for so long because I am Old School and was holding onto the (outdated) idea that people should talk to each other. Problem was, I never have time to talk to anyone and I was learning things about my own children from others who have Facebook. So …. I am sticking my toe in and and am scared to even post anything coz I don’t know what a “wall” is and only have superficial idea of “likes”, can’t work out what the little icons are, and am too scared to write anything coz I am still trying to absorb the genre and the acceptable topics etc. …. oh dear …. I’ll get there … Will get lessons from literate friends … but meanwhile I have only hopped on to the end of your renovating/moving saga. Are you moving pending renovations finish or are you staying in your home while it is happening? Also I am so excited for you that you are planning a sibling for that beautiful BIG baby boy of yours! Lots of love for now. Scaredy Cat Lou.
Hi Lou,
Welcome to my little nook, here in the online world 🙂 I think that using FB just to see what others are up to is a perfectly good way to use it! FB keeps me apprised of the goings on of people I hardly see, and it’s a great way of letting people know when I’ve put up a blog post! To date, my posts haven’t been regular enough for people to get in the habit of checking in!
We have been out of our home for nearly seven months now, living with R’s parents. It feels like forever! It is going to be so worth it though and I keep reminding myself that seven months in the span of 30-odd years is a small, small drop of time. I’d love for you to visit when we’ve moved back in. Lots of love back!