Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Have only paid a deposit Franbern
We found where he'd turned the outside tap off and not back on again. He's coming back when he can to paint again and fill a couple of holes he left. His excuse was that it would've needed another coat anyway!!!

Morning all, quite cool here today, autumn coat is coming out! I sold the coat this morning so off to post it, luckily it's dried without any damage.

Sorry to see your update kissngate, I do hope the executors get probate through soon.

I've just made a discovery, looks like the plugs in the kitchen cupboard are either dangerous, or just not working. The shelf fell down ages ago and I've now realised there is an extension lead for the fridge/freezer, leading to plugs on the other side.

A neighbour had solar panels fitted, lots of clanking as the men dismantle the scaffolding.

Have a good day

kissngate how did you pay this decorator/plumber? If in any other way than cash, put a stop on the payment. Will be amazing how quick he will then contact you.

Shandy - still no nearer. Both totally fed up stress getting to us both.

Remember my husband's mantra Pittcity whilst you are drinking a lovely calming camomile tea - everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright, it's not the end. Onwards and upwards! I've just listed a coat on ebay, I hung it on a wall mounted plant pot - whole thing came off the wall, coat covered in snaily/weedy compost! If you don't laugh you'd cry

I'm in need of calming again.
Left DH in charge of handyman who has put in plumbing for a dishwasher and painted the cladding on the back of the house.
He left before I got home.
The outside tap isn't working now and the paint is the wrong colour. DH didn't notice either.

He is now trying to contact the fella to get him back!!!! Aaarrgh!!!

Oh Shandy I’m with Franbern on your programme wobble, I can’t think of anything worse than being told how my home will look……have you seen Changing Rooms for example!?

Thanks Franbern, that is so kind of you

I did feel a lot of pressure in my first three months as my friends wanted to come and stay, I felt I had to have everything done and put unnecessary pressure on myself. I am glad to have had the structural things done highlighted in the survey, I can concentrate on the interior now. I'm going down to see my friends in London soon, I think my dog's health has settled, and his demise not as imminent as I thought.

I was a bit shocked to see a clip of the designer's first 'makeover' on Instagram - she'd used the same blue colour paint she has in her own hallway. I think the show will be on Channel 5 later in the year, I'll post on here when it's advertised.

I've just done the lawns front and back, off to buy new plastic for the shed windows, both are badly cracked.

Hope things are going well for everyone buying and selling, haven't heard from kissngate for a while?

Shandy do not think that is a lack of confidence, more like an attack of good common sense. I really could not imagine anything I would like less than to have someone else, who has never lived in my home, trying to tell me how they would design it. Sounds horrific.

I think that it is wise, if possible, to live in a new place for a whole year before undertaking any large changes. That way, having gone through all the seasons, you can start to know what you need doing, to where, and how. I have seen outside, expensive design places - and they all look wonderful for photos, but not often really good to live with. Do not be afraid to trust your own instincts and go with what YOU like, not necessarily what is currently the fashion.

Good luck to your brother and SIL Whiff, it's great you will be able to give them so much encouraging advice.

I'm feeling a bit upset because I've just realised my confidence is at an all time low. I've just had a call from the casting company about the 'designer make over', apparently they are now considering people who gave lower budgets.

Once the caller had described the procedure which amongst other things involved being interviewed by the very energetic and enthusiastic designer, I realised I don't have the confidence or energy to do it. I've withdrawn and do wish others good luck.

The good thing about today is that I thought it was the 1st of September, I've got a day extra!

My brother and sister in law put their house on the market on Thursday accepted an offer 4 hours later. The have found a bungalow they like. But don't know if they have put in an offer yet or whether her dad has accepted an offer on his house. Will find out later when I speak to them.

Just hope everything goes through ok. Hopefully they will be moving long before Christmas. But we all know what a nightmare buying and selling is.

I bought a sofa earlier in the year from M&S online, which was much reduced, and took a chance on it being comfortable as all theirs I have tried in the shop are good. I am very happy with it.

Franbern - Thank you for your advice on ovens. I currently have a range cooker which I love but don't really need such a big cooker. It is 18 years old so have also considered replacing it with another range cooker in a new kitchen.
If I have the eye level oven, I can't have a fridge freezer but could have 2 under counter ones side by side instead. The designer included a tall fridge freezer which would be where the kitchen opens into the dining room and makes it feel closed in from the dining side, as well as having to change where I serve up.

Shandy you mentioned in a recent post that you are 5ft. 2ins. I am 5ft 3 ins and when I went to see about a new sofa some of them were so long that they left my legs dangling like a little girl. Another reason to try before you buy.

Generally I would agree with Franbern on not buying without trying, however I have just bought beds and mattresses from an online seller. They are fabulous. It was a gamble I know but as they are for the spare room I was not too bothered. I'm now thinking I will buy one the same for my bed.

The armchairs will have to wait until I can get out again though as I would not risk those by not trying. Almost certain that our lockdown will be extended again so I have no idea when I'll have the opportunity to physically get to the shops.

Shandy I totally agree with Franbern! My son has just bought a sofa on line…….he says it will need breaking in!

Shandy NEVER buy an armchair, sofa or bed without trying it first.

Afternoon everyone, Billy the bookcase has finally gone and I'm left with a big unpainted patch on the wall and skirting board, and a lot of cobwebs!

Nearly bought a second hand Ikea sofa on ebay, but luckily the seller mentioned which year she bought it. I managed to find the Ikea catalogue pdf from 2018 and find out the name of it, and the reviews, Ikea don't sell it anymore. Most people wanted to burn it as it was so uncomfortable! Isn't the web great!

Franbern there are a few brands here now that have the slide under door. When I bought mine in 1990 it was the only one and was what sold me on that brand - is was a Simpson - don't know if they are available there.

Love those sliding door ovens – Neff is the company that produces them and must have one of the strongest patents ever, as no other company offers, and I am sure, would like to do so. I had my first eye-level, built in oven (not Neff), in 1972 and (except for the first year I moved to my last house), have always had those.
At present I do not have an oven. I have a lovely combi microwave, which also works as a convector Works extremely well as I have made bread, baked all sorts of cakes and pastry item, etc. etc. Obviously only for small amounts. Slow cooker does casseroles, etc. and I have a separate small counter-top grill (usually kept in a cupboard), as that is the only thing in that combi microwave which is not very effective.
IF….I have my kitchen re-vamped next year, will include an eye level oven (probably that Neff one), not so much for me to use (I will still keep the combi microwave which I will have built in above the oven), but looking at the future when my kids well be selling the flat after my decease. For the time being will, probably, largely use that oven for storing things!!
When I moved into my house in 2003 there was a long, galley kitchen and an under-the counter oven and grill. As, to use the grill, I had to keep the oven door open, it was a real hazard in a narrow kitchen. I had the so-called broom cupboard at the end of that kitchen turned into an oven housing unit.
The position of the oven should be suit you. Does not need to be at counter-top level. Assuming I have mine, it will be lower than that as I want to be able to use the space above it for the microwave.
Do not think that 90% quote is very accurate, Architects do not seem to like eye level oven unit and most new homes have the ovens under-the-counter – in order to give a long sleek look to the counter top. What with those and the large number of people who go for Ranges, think that the number of kitchens with eye level oven is more likely about 50% of kitchens. But so-called ‘designers’ are more likely just to be ‘Salesmen’ and not really know much about they say. Think that when buying (and positioning) an oven you also need to think if you want a separate grill/oven and also look at self-cleaning ovens. Position is important. When it is open (particularly if it has just the usual drop down door), it should not be in the way, so best at the end of a run…..and it is -good to have some work-top space right next to oven where hot items can be easily and safely placed.

How exciting Elusivebutterfly. My friend in London has an eye level oven, I always thought it was very modern. I'm only five foot two and would have to have it quite low if I had one. Franbern's tips are very useful, oven burns are so painful, I've got scars from my aga!

I was having a look at my bungalow photographs on RightMove yesterday - the kitchen is still the same in 2012 when the seller bought it, I think it is dated 2007 when the extension was built. Has lasted well and I hope to brighten it up by chalk painting it.

Love those sliding door ovens – Neff is the company that produces them and must have one of the strongest patents ever, as no other company offers, and I am sure, would like to do so. I had my first eye-level, built in oven (not Neff), in 1972 and (except for the first year I moved to my last house), have always had those.
At present I do not have an oven. I have a lovely combi microwave, which also works as a convector Works extremely well as I have made bread, baked all sorts of cakes and pastry item, etc. etc. Obviously only for small amounts. Slow cooker does casseroles, etc. and I have a separate small counter-top grill (usually kept in a cupboard), as that is the only thing in that combi microwave which is not very effective.
IF….I have my kitchen re-vamped next year, will include an eye level oven (probably that Neff one), not so much for me to use (I will still keep the combi microwave which I will have built in above the oven), but looking at the future when my kids well be selling the flat after my decease. For the time being will, probably, largely use that oven for storing things!!
When I moved into my house in 2003 there was a long, galley kitchen and an under-the counter oven and grill. As, to use the grill, I had to keep the oven door open, it was a real hazard in a narrow kitchen. I had the so-called broom cupboard at the end of that kitchen turned into an oven housing unit.
The position of the oven should be suit you. Does not need to be at counter-top level. Assuming I have mine, it will be lower than that as I want to be able to use the space above it for the microwave.
Do not think that 90% quote is very accurate, Architects do not seem to like eye level oven unit and most new homes have the ovens under-the-counter – in order to give a long sleek look to the counter top. What with those and the large number of people who go for Ranges, think that the number of kitchens with eye level oven is more likely about 50% of kitchens. But so-called ‘designers’ are more likely just to be ‘Salesmen’ and not really know much about they say. Think that when buying (and positioning) an oven you also need to think if you want a separate grill/oven and also look at self-cleaning ovens. Position is important. When it is open (particularly if it has just the usual drop down door), it should not be in the way, so best at the end of a run…..and it is -good to have some work-top space right next to oven where hot items can be easily and safely placed.

Thank you Spice. I didn't think about height - I'm not very tall. If I have a high oven it means losing a big fridge/freezer which I wanted.

By choice I'd not have anything else. I'm assuming what you call an eye level oven is what we call a wall oven. I had one for 40 years but the house we moved to in February has a freestanding oven. I find it difficult to get things in and out of and there is no way I am able to get into it to clean the oven.

My old one had a door that opened down and slid into a cavity under the oven so it was easy access to the oven. Reaching over a door that opens down is not so easy. You also need to make sure that when it is installed the height suits you. The one we had in our rental was too high for me and together with having to reach over the door (that one did not slide in) caused several burns. We can also get ones that the door lifts up which also give easier access.

A new kitchen sounds really exciting.

I have had a design for a new kitchen from a local company. It included an eye level oven which I have never had before and would be good for my back. However, the only place to put it is really inconvenient for other reasons. The designer said 90% of people now have an eye level oven.
I wondered what other people have and would welcome opinions.