Just read back over last year's update and groaned at the misplaced optimism. We were not nearly there with the bathroom. Really it was just the beginning, as our builder went AWOL from February to June, briefly returned and then walked off the job altogether in July (that's putting it in a really small nutshell, but it's a closed chapter now that we're happy to forget about).
We were left with unfinished tiling, no doors, no sink, no shower screen and a leaking shower. Oh and no building regs for the chimney breast removal which was quite a problem. Downstairs wasn't finished either as we still had unfinished skirting boards, no thresholds and no hearth. The long and the short of it was that Ash finished it all and turned out to be a much more reliable tradesman. And I must say we are deeeeeelighted with it.
The bathroom truly sparks joy. Here it is in all it's glory....
When I'm being organised I'll put some before and after pictures on.
Downstairs is warm, and clean, and bright - three words that didn't exist in this house before. Sometimes I can't wear my Oodie because it's too hot. We love it.
What else happened in 2026? Hmmm. Well the big daughter got a carpet in her room and a door that closes, which she had been going on about for a good while. She didn't really like her room. I liked the walls but not the floor and she didn't like any of it having outgrown the paint job she chose when she was 5. Now it's boring grey but she's really happy with it and she has a double bed. The little one now wants a carpet too but she has to start living more like a child and less like a pig before we'll agree to do any work in there.
The other thing that happened was new doors upstairs, and they're great. Also fitted by my own personal favourite tradesman. Really upstairs is quite finished now (although we are currently in wardrobe building mode, but as it's 2026 now that's an update for next year 🤫)
Jobs for 2026
- We have scaffolding up. We were going to just be re-pointed but we might now get sandblasted while we're at it. The left half of the house doesn't match the right from when it was two houses - one side was white-washed once and has lots of scabby old paint, the right side is much cleaner and nicer. The left side also has strap pointing which which destroys the stone as it allows water in, so that's a job that really needs doing. The left side of the house really has a lot to answer for.
- We do still really need to insulate the big living room but we aren't very enthusiastic about it.
- Downstairs doors. The upstairs doors look so good that we want to do downstairs as well. I'll be glad never to hear the annoying groaning creak of the living room door ever again (warped because of the girls swinging on it 🤨), and the dog keeps barging her way into the office and chewing things (like my sprout sellotape ðŸ˜) so we need to be able to shut the door properly.
And that's enough to be going on with, typing and house renovating. We'd like to have some free time to do other nice things.