Hello Newbie here

[kirstickle]

Wow thanks for taking the time to reply. A few more pics. Here is the back of teh house complete with authentic 20's sky dish...
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And here is the monster fireplace. Would lve to know what you think of this...think the brass plates may have to go though!
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The staircase...not sure whether this is original, it looks too new to me...

 

[kirstickle]

Oops sorry didnt mean to post the same pic twice, and will in future resize them a bit better.

 

[Nigel Watts]

That is some fireplace! The use of tudor type bricks (ones which are narrower than standard) is a typical arts and crafts touch - much used by architects like Lutyens. Is the grate modern? Dark brown for skirtings and other woodwork is right for the period. I agree that the staircase woodwork looks too new to be original.

 

[kirstickle]

Hi yes the grate is modern - one of those living flame gas fire things. We are hoping to reinstate the fire, or maybe have a wood burner. It sure is some fireplace! Hits you in the face as soon as you enter the room - I love it! What do you suppose is behind the wood where the brass plates are? Can't really start poking around yet as the sale hasn't completed - much as I would like to. The room also has huge wooden beams on the ceiling. Its going to be very cosy in winter!

 

[philpjuk100]

Great fireplace!phil.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Wow - that's some fireplace! :shock:

To my eye, the brass plate things and the wood they sit in matches the rest of the wood, so not sure if there will be anything behind them. Having said that, you are clearly now going to find priceless treasures hidden in those little alcoves!

 

[Moo]

you will be badgered to provide more and more pictures, and you are likely to be overwhelmed with advice (some of it from real experts)

Sorry, but I just can't resist the temptation to say "I told you so!"

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lovely new house! I love the 20s! There are some great housekeeping manuals of the time kicking around with many suggestions for colour schemes and furniture.

I wouldm't be able to resist going deco crazy and filling the cupboards with flapper frocks! But Wiggs is right - the concrete driveway will look so fanatastic when you get the grass down and the gold laced lemon frizzle bantams.

How exciting - do keep us posted with tales and pics as you start the very exciting journey of house renovation!

 

[Feltwell]

by a hedge fund manager who had to sell at rather short notice.

Reminds me of a joke I heard the other day -

What's the difference between a banker and a pigeon?

A pigeon can still leave a deposit on a Porsche!


Kirstickle, your extra photos show that the roof looks original. The small chimney on the back has been reduced in height, it should end above the ridge, so is presumably not used any more. The fireplace is certainly something! I'm surprised it hasn't got a huge mirror above it already!

 

[kirstickle]

Ah so I'm guessing then that there must have been a fireplace upstairs at one time then, because the large chimney at the back services one fire, and the one at the side is for the monstrous fireplace. Or maybe there was one in the kitchen which is the room with the dodgy blinds. I am so excited to get this house, and finding you lot is just brilliant. Feltwell, the roof looks OK on the outside, but my other half has been in the loft and says there is tons of plastic stuff stapled to the roof. Something for the surveyor to shed some light on hopefully. Joceandchris - my flapper dresses are at the dry cleaners at the moment!

OK, so I have shown you mine...now show me yours! :shock:

 

[Penners]

I wouldm't be able to resist going deco crazy and filling the cupboards with flapper frocks!

What is it with you and cupboards??

Kirstickle - that's definitely an art-crafty fireplace! Not entirely my taste, I confess (but that's my loss), but you sure as hell don't overlook it!!

The staircase - as you say - just looks too perfect to be original, but it's a very fine piece of work.

 

[kirstickle]

I know, it's not something I would choose, but seeing as it's there I might as well embrace it! It will look great with a couple of stockings hanging off it at Christmas!

 

[philmac1944]

hi...looking at the rear brickwork, there are no `blue` bricks. If they used engineering
bricks in the foundations it would probably have been all round. So it seems they may
have just been painted for effect. Like the fireplace; must ahve been a big horse the
brasses came from ...

 

[JoceAndChris]

That staircase is amazing. Wonder what else you'll find when you get in. I see there's a series on Art Deco available to watch on iplayer at the moment if it's of interest.

OK, so I have shown you mine...now show me yours! :shock:

There are a few who have not got their houses out, you know who you are!! We get a wonderful variety here, same as the posters. Mine's been photographed too much and has gone shy!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

An old pic of mine. Regulars will have seen it before.

A few things changed since (like the round window gone and the door next to it with somethingmuch nicer in oak). One day I'll limewash the whole thing and hide the crazy paving extension (not added by us I hasten to add).

 

[Tom]

OK, here's mine. This was taken on 1 September this year. The plastic windows will go in time, to be replaced by Oak ones

 

[JoceAndChris]

I know I'm very biased but just look at those incredible Lincolnshire skies- anyone who thinks our county is flat a)it isn't b) the landscape is in the sky, breathtaking.

Robin - I have to talk about render with you at some point. Your house is soooo beautiful are you sure you want to cover it up?

Jaqy-do you mind me summarising your incredible story? Correct it if it's wrong - Jaqy bought that house not really knowing anything about its age or history, as it was caked in cement and concrete inside and out. After discovering it was the oldest house in the village she set about removing all of that cement pretty much single handedly and then found all the internal structural wood was riddled with live death watch beetle, as well as the stone walls literally crumbling into dust. All of that was taken out, treated , repaired and put back as far as possible - necessitating new floors, walls, ceilings and joinery, and stonework in places, but making as much use of original fabric as possible. It really is the most major renovation you could ever imagine, and so much of it DIY!

People on here have the most amazing talents and determination.

 

[Feltwell]

Feltwell, the roof looks OK on the outside, but my other half has been in the loft and says there is tons of plastic stuff stapled to the roof. Something for the surveyor to shed some light on hopefully.

Indeed. If the roof hasn't been re-done then the chances are there is no felt underlay - in the loft you just look straight at the bottom of the tiles. They may have lime mortar on the back of them ("torching") which was done to try to make the roof more sealed, particularly to stop snow blowing in apparently, but chances are by now it's mostly fallen off. It's not really a problem and many roofs weren't torched anyway.

So why lots of plastic? 2 options I reckon:-

The roof has been leaking and it's a bodge way to repair it - although from the pictures it looks in good condition as you say

More likely - with no felt the inside of the loft tends to get very dirty, all the airborne dust and muck gets blown through the tiles and leaves a layer of black dust over everything. I suspect the plastic is to try and stop that. But your surveyor should find out for you, so long as you're having the appropriate level of survey done.

 

[Tom]

Jaqy-do you mind me summarising your incredible story? Correct it if it's wrong - Jaqy bought that house not really knowing anything about its age or history, as it was caked in cement and concrete inside and out. After discovering it was the oldest house in the village she set about removing all of that cement pretty much single handedly and then found all the internal structural wood was riddled with live death watch beetle, as well as the stone walls literally crumbling into dust. All of that was taken out, treated , repaired and put back as far as possible - necessitating new floors, walls, ceilings and joinery, and stonework in places, but making as much use of original fabric as possible. It really is the most major renovation you could ever imagine, and so much of it DIY!

I think that's a very good summary, Joce, and I'm humbled by your appreciation for what we've done. I'm sure that given time the work you do on your house will be every bit as impressive. You've already got off to a very good start

 

[Feltwell]

An old pic of mine. Regulars will have seen it before.

Robin, I do wish you'd stop posting that up. I'm still insanely jealous of that view! :mrgreen:

Post below has pictures of my abode - grotty garages now gone, new (and rather scarily large) garage is nearing completion.....

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9699&p=111096&hilit=double+garage#p111096