Another 'Restoration' programme

[Penners]

Restore.

1. to return (something, esp a work of art or building) to an original or former condition

I have yet to see any of these ''restoration'' programs actually restore anything.

I agree, Rob. Whenever the word "restore" was used, I shouted "convert" at the TV.

Just pray that you never get that old and sad. :roll:

 

[Penners]

Too often all they want to do is to make something old into a "21st Century living space". Why don't they just buy something new, or build from scratch?

A praiseworthy attitude, Matthew... but then what happens to the old pumping station? It just continues to rot, crumble and serve absolutely no useful purpose.

Let's be honest - that building was a long way from being an architectural masterpiece. You can always find something about which to wax lyrical (especially if you're being paid by the BBC to do so) - curved handrails, roof lights, clerestory windows - but our local branch of B&Q has all of those things. Fundamentally, it was a large, well-built shed.

I liked some aspects of the conversion. I disliked others. But there can be no arguing with the fact that the couple took a semi-derelict waste of space and put it to a useful purpose.

 

[robgil]

I often shout at the telly Penners,the amount of cider I've drank usually dictates the severity of the profanity's I shout.

 

[Feltwell]

I felt they may as well have knocked it down and started again, given the end product. I rather like 1920's / 30's buildings, especially industrial ones - whilst I can't argue that something needed to be done with the building and that inevitably any conversion to a home would mean substantial alterations, it could still have been done a lot more sensitively than they managed.

They may as well have knocked it all down, built it from scratch out of breeze block and stuck the reclaimed doors on - you would never notice the difference compared to the end product now. A "restoration" it was definitely not.

With a bit more thought and sensitivity, the insulation could have gone on the inside - they weren't exactly short of space - leaving the outside as brick. More internal features could have been preserved, such as the walkway and handrails. The new owner had a complete aversion to saving any of the original machinery, which is a shame - personally it would have been nice to see at least something saved as a reminder of it's former use, maybe the hoists and some of the control gear.

 

[dandrew]

I have to agree with Feltwell, once they had finished all evidence of the previous 1930's industrial building had been completely obliterated, even covering over the facade was couched in some specious argument about eco-neutrality, despite the removal and then replacement of tons of concrete. They might as well have done a new build to produce another modern white box, as it probably would have been cheaper.

The best part of the show for me was the trailer for the next episode, which looked more like waht we were expecting.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

This week I enjoyed hearing about the history of the house, and just blanked out the rest of the horrors. At least the ceilings and mouldings are still there to tell the tale to those of us who really appreciate them.

 

[MatthewC]

I watched this week's and thought it was just about OK. However, there were as usual many things which were unexplained, such as why was there so much modern blockwork in the background? When the owner spoke about "the parts of the house that were listed", I was shouting at the screen (as robgil in a previous post)! He was complaining about the trouble they were having getting the CO to approve their choice of (as I recall) ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen, when the CO was suggesting flagstones.

I admire them for taking it on (and throwing mega cash at it) but how is it that someone who is a self made millionaire doesn't have the sense to find out the implications of listed buildings first?

Caroline Quentin's view on the grades of listing was a bit off as well - she should know better, and use programmes like this to correct such views, not propagate them.

 

[Penners]

When the owner spoke about "the parts of the house that were listed", I was shouting at the screen

Me too - again! I really do sympathise with anyone who's a CO. People like that will inevitably be told about buying a listed building before they sign on the dotted line, but do they bother to acquaint themselves with the ramifications of this? Do they boggery! They just close their ears and think, "Oh, it'll be OK if we do whatever we like". :evil: :evil: :evil:

Being the pedant that I am, though, my loudest yells were reserved for Ms Quentin - the supposed experienced house restorer - who persisted in explaining that, before plastering, the walls had to have batons nailed to them.

Well, I suppose if you're conducting a restoration project this is better than using lathes. :roll:

 

[Moo]

I found myself punching the air and shouting "YES!!!!" whenever we heard about the CO putting the brakes on some of their ideas.

 

[d49xc]

I admire them for taking it on (and throwing mega cash at it) but how is it that someone who is a self made millionaire doesn't have the sense to find out the implications of listed buildings first?

Usually because these 'self made millionaires' have in fact rarely done much of it themselves - except thought of the idea/concept that has made them the millionaire. The 'details' were/are always handled by the staff.
The real muti-millionaries either employ someone who does know all the implications to ensure its done right - or for the other perspective they do what they want anyway, ignore the listings rules/tree preservation orders etc - and then pay the fine which will be small change to them.

 

[Penners]

these 'self made millionaires' have in fact rarely done much of it themselves - except thought of the idea/concept that has made them the millionaire. The 'details' were/are always handled by the staff.

I think you've forgotten one important factor - often overlooked in the politics of envy.

The person who makes the money is also the person who has taken the financial risk - often with everything they own. And if they succeed, they then provide employment for others. It's how the free market economy works.

I speak as one who is about as far from millionairedom (-ship?) as it's possible to get. But I do get very tired of people who look at the self-made wealthy and mutter, "Well, it's all right for you...".

 

[Moo]

You're so right, Penners.
We once thought of dipping our toes into a promising business enterprise (involving lots of hard work, but we were up for that). But then we realised that to get it off the ground we'd have to risk some of our hard-earned resources, so we removed our toes sharpish and made a run back to the shore.

 

[Feltwell]

I agree - if you want to be critical of the rich, make it someone like an ex-employer of mine. He too was a multi-millionaire and had made a small fortune.

Only problem was, he'd made it from a large one. He was also possibly the most objectionable man you could ever meet and embodied most of what many deem to be wrong about the upper classes.

 

[Feltwell]

Back to the programme - I loved the architectural historian chap's description of the plaster statues of muscular young men on either side of the fireplace.

"This one's got a moustache - he looks a bit like a '70's porn star".

They were rather dubious!

 

[Flyfisher]

He too was a multi-millionaire and had made a small fortune. Only problem was, he'd made it from a large one.

:lol:
Reminds me of that old joke:

How do you make a small fortune in farming . . . start out with a large one.

 

[Pford75]

In one of my previous roles earlier in my career, I won some consulting work in Kurdistan, Kashmir and Nigeria. I benefitted personally from these projects. My previous boss at the time commented "You're not the hardest working person I know, but you have balls the size of watermelons"

Risk is not always just financial......and those projects enabled us to buy our current home.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I so agree with the above comments.

And really hope it pays off for my brother, who has risked everything, including his family, for his current invention in the field of noise cancelling-out.

 

[Penners]

I do wish your brother well, Joce.

Here's an idea - a completely free gift from me - that might help his efforts:

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: Must turn that piccy into birthday card - thanks.

 

[worms]

In one of my previous roles earlier in my career, I won some consulting work in Kurdistan, Kashmir and Nigeria. My previous boss at the time commented "...you have balls the size of watermelons"

Dreadful thing elephantiasis!