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Our Annexe Conversion

(26 Posts)
merlotgran Wed 05-Aug-15 21:47:23

After lots of delays thanks to issues with the planning department and DD having a few work/financial problems which thankfully now seem to be sorted. WE'RE OFF!!

Most of the existing internal walls of the industrial unit we're converting have now been demolished and the holes cut for the new windows. I'm allowing myself to get a little big excited!!

annsixty Wed 05-Aug-15 22:21:00

That really is very exciting for you merlot and I envy you your new start. It is one of the downsides to old age that I find depressing. I really now couldn't face moving or doing things in the house . Good luck and most of all, enjoy it.

MariClaire Thu 06-Aug-15 07:25:58

What a happy time for you merlotgran. The view of the garden path out your window says it all! Do relax and enjoy it flowers

merlotgran Fri 21-Aug-15 19:34:24

Plasterer coming on Monday. Really cracking on now.

Luckygirl Fri 21-Aug-15 19:47:31

It's beginning to look civilized - you are getting there! Very exciting.

janeainsworth Fri 21-Aug-15 19:48:02

I missed this thread first time round Merlot.
As mariclaire says the view looks lovely.
Have you got a target date for opening the fizzy stuff yet?

merlotgran Fri 21-Aug-15 21:18:57

No date for the bubbly yet. The thought of actually moving is scaring me to death even though it's only to the bottom of the garden. I'm being so lazy about packing hmm

I've never lived in a conversion/new build before. I won't know myself with level floors, straight lines and window frames that will never need painting.

I'm enjoying upcycling the furniture that will go in the bit of kitchen with no fitted units. Mum's old dresser, a wardrobe (converted into a broom cupboard) an IKEA butcher's block and a wine rack, rescued from a pub that's being refurbed.

janeainsworth Fri 21-Aug-15 21:33:21

Sounds lovely smile

glassortwo Fri 21-Aug-15 21:43:36

merlot I can hear your excitement smile I am on a Fb up-cycling group who are doing amazing transformations, send me a pm if you would like the details. I have found some amazing ideas for our project.

merlotgran Fri 21-Aug-15 21:46:22

Yes please, glass. I'm an upcycling nut and love looking at other people's work.

janerowena Fri 21-Aug-15 22:24:06

What a difference!

How lovely to be able to take just what you want with you, when you want, and only down the garden path!

merlotgran Fri 21-Aug-15 22:37:28

I might even take DH....If he's good grin

janerowena Sat 22-Aug-15 11:56:05

grin oooh the temptation... I know it's bad of me but just occasionally I see a pretty little teeny cottage with no room for storage of childhood games, strange bits of electrical Stuff and old computers and let myself fantasise for a moment.. He of course would be in the ugly functional one next door trying to find places for it all without my expert tidying away abilities.

merlotgran Sat 22-Aug-15 12:47:07

grin janer

I'm amazed we haven't had more blazing rows disagreements over the interior but he seems to have resigned himself to letting me have my way in all things interior.

Storage must be carefully managed so I'm scratching my head over the 'man corner' which lurks beside his chair and is cluttered up with fishing magazines, roadmaps, various small hand tools, Screwfix catalogue etc., etc.,

There won't be a recess to shove it all into so I might resort to a toybox!!

Grannyknot Sat 22-Aug-15 13:06:21

merlot this thread is interesting. We'll see you in George Clarke's Amazing Soaces next.

Is it like a shipping container? I don't understand what you mean by industrial unit.

Grannyknot Sat 22-Aug-15 13:06:48

spaces not soaces ..

merlotgran Sat 22-Aug-15 13:38:10

Grannyknot. I used to have my own catering business way back in the eighties and nineties. When we bought our smallholding in 1990 we built a small industrial unit to run the business from. DH had the foresight to design it with possible conversion in mind so it was built to a high spec and met with the required building regs for a dwelling. In 2000 I sold the business and leased the unit to another catering firm. They moved on four years ago and we were tempted to find another tenant but it soon became a no brainer that we should convert it to a dwelling for us so DD and the DGSs could rent our bungalow from us thereby earning us a bit of extra dosh and saving her from the extortionate private rent she was paying.

So we're doing our bit.....downsizing (again) to free up a three bedroom property for a family. grin [halo emoticon]

Grannyknot Sat 22-Aug-15 14:42:34

That sounds to me like a most elegant solution and a win-win for all.

My daughter and her husband lived with us for 8 months till June this year and It was a very happy household. I miss the cash smile - they insisted on paying.

If we all had our own accommodation (and not squeezed into our little house), it would have been perfect.

dustyangel Sat 22-Aug-15 17:31:39

I am so envious merlotgran. We are still waiting for the final planning permission to convert one of our outbuildings. The builders are on stand by for mid September, now I'm worried that planning might take longer and they start another job first. Daren't count our chickens and pack up properly yet but if it does happen we are going to have to get a move on and get it done very quickly.
I'm sure it will be worth it eventually. hmm

merlotgran Sat 22-Aug-15 17:37:48

Unfortunately, where planning departments are concerned, nothing happens in August.

Good luck. Hope it comes through soon.

dustyangel Sat 22-Aug-15 17:40:29

Thanks merlot. Very true. That's what the architect said.

merlotgran Fri 02-Oct-15 17:05:13

We've been busy!! We lit the woodburner to try it out today, rushed outside and yes......We have a Pope!! grin

dustyangel Fri 02-Oct-15 18:00:45

How exciting merlot. I'm so envious. envy
I really like your wood burner, we had decided not to have one but when I see one I like, I waver. grin

dustyangel Fri 02-Oct-15 18:01:26

Like your lights too. smile

merlotgran Fri 02-Oct-15 19:21:36

Thanks, dusty Building regs are quite strict about woodburners now so the flue system actually cost more than the stove itself! They are paranoid about emissions so although we installed it ourselves we took advice from the building inspector. Everything came from eBay.... A professional installer would have charged us three times as much!

It supplies 12Kw at full blast so we should be toasty.

The lights are from Homebase.... Special offer wink