Saturday 29 January 2011

The Final Countdown

OK so the build hasn't quite started yet. I was hoping my second post would be one of dramatic effect... the kind of now you see it... now you don't.. type.

But it wasn't meant to be.

 As you can see the garage is still firmly in place... BUT.... we have a couple of new additions. Namely a rather unattractive skip nestling on the 1970s crazy paved drive and a weird unidentified object covered in tarpaulin lurking in the back garden.


Next week however there will be movement. Apparently on Monday a selection of  builders will be wielding their sledgehammers and The West Wing will be firmly underway.

But while the physical build might have been delayed, in true PR style I have been shamelessly touting my house in return for product.

It is at this point that I must pay homage to 'Madge'* the journalist who is performing some makeover magic for us. Rather excitingly she has managed to secure some stylish sanitaryware from Roca for the downstairs cloakroom, a rather lovely radiator from B&Q and blind from Luxaflex. But in our greedy fashion we are not stopping there and are hoping for an array of light switches, sockets and tiles.. all in return for a credit in the magazine of course.. no pressure Madge!!

On Wednesday Mr Doyle will be working from home to received said sanitaryware which will be stored alongside the Smeg appliances eagerly awaiting installation. I think the excitement is too much!

On the 'to do this week action list' are immensely dull tasks like boiler shopping, but it shall be intermingled with looking for attractive and unnecessary home accessories to maintain interest. Oh and I think we might be needing a couple of doors as well..

Only 11 weeks until Marathon day so let's see if we make it......

*Names have been changed to protect identity!!!

Mrs D x

Saturday 22 January 2011

The Last Weekend...

So... this is my first attempt at a blog (Aaron Huckett will be proud). I am keen to expand my digital know how and keep myself busy as I officially finish my job in a mere five weeks (ARGH!!)

The deal is The Doyles are extending - we are adding a 'west wing' to our 1930s semi and will have THE island in a kitchen that we've always dreamed of.. oh and a dishwasher for the first time in our marital lives.

The whole process to date has been relatively pain free thanks to Estelle Boon's on/off boyfriend and accomplished planner who has guided us through the process, but now comes the hard bit... the build itself. We have never experienced any kind of building work before so have no idea what to expect. It's going to be a journey and as I am unnaturally obsessed with interiors, one that I thought I would document stage by stage.

The west wing compromises an ample kitchen with a host of smeg appliances, a utility room (where Richard can do the washing - it's true I married a man who loves washing and ironing) and a downstairs cloakroom.

Last conversation with the builder was that work was due to start 'this week' and so we wait with baited breath. So far we have bought the kitchen and Richard AKA Stig has practically lived at the local dump for the last few weeks as we prepare for the garage to be demolished, I think it provided a bit of man-therapy.

So this is what the house looks like before (in fact this was before we moved in - the trees are rather large now and the front door has changed). I'll post step-by-step pics of the progress and we are hoping the new Doyle wing will be ready by marathon day (April 17th) when Mr Doyle will be running and we will be hosting a post marathon shindig to celebrate (we hope!). Let's see how we get on - only 12 weeks to go!!!

Mrs D x