my trusty steed |
I’m still here! I am reading everyone's blogs but not always finding time to comment.
Not too sure about lazy days of summer, the days just seem to fly by. If the weather is fine we try to get out on our bicycles in the morning. By the time we get back and shower, have coffee and do a few chores it is lunch time and half the day has gone. Now that the loft gym is up and running there is no excuse for missing our daily exercise if it’s raining. The upshot of all this cycling is that we have lost weight and got a lot fitter over the last few weeks.
With the gym loft completed we are on to our next project. At the moment our sitting room is very English traditional with a deep pile cream carpet and fake coal fireplace. Cream carpets are just not a practical choice when it comes to dogs with muddy paws and humans who like to throw their wine around. We have decided therefore to replace the carpet with a wooden floor. We intend to remove the fireplace and surround and have a more contemporary look with a ‘hole in the wall’ log effect fire. Quite a radical change to the room really.
The new exercise loft and biking is getting you the results you want. You must feel very fit and healthy. Dog paws and cream carpets are a nightmare. I had a similar situation and a free roaming dog. Like you, I replaced everything with wide board white oak flooring and am happy with the new and improved look. Your new contemporary fireplace sounds outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI'm just hoping we will be happy with the result.
DeleteAfter throwing a whole pot of coffee around earlier this week I tend to agree with you.
ReplyDeleteIngham/Brattleby on that signpost brought back such memories - my daily route in my 'pram pushing' days.
I thought you would like that signpost!
DeleteYes you threw some red wine over it soon after you moved in didn't you? Sounds like the 1980s bungalow exterior is not going to look like a 1980s bungalow interior soon. I agree that cream carpets are not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI did! I thought about just changing to white wine but finally accepted that the carpet has to go.
DeleteIt is a relief to discover that you are still with us, still planning new home improvement projects.
ReplyDeleteI thought you would be pleased to know I'm still here.
DeleteLooking forward to before and after photos so don't forget to snap the original before you start on the project.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there will be lots of photos! There is always that scary part when everything looks like an absolute mess.
DeleteWe (someone else) have just taken out the sitting room carpet in our Brighton house, and exposed the old Oak parquet flooring. Our recent tenants made a mess of it, so it had to go. All new carpets elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteYou are very fortunate to have the old oak flooring, much nicer than carpet.
DeleteWhen we moved here, fourteen years ago, we soon got rid of the cream carpet and now have all wooden floors. We too have had incidents with red wine and carpet definitely doesn't work for us. I love floor boards. I will think your sitting room will look great.
ReplyDeleteI know I shall just get clumsier as I get older so it seems to be the sensible option.
DeleteLook forward to the renovation photos!
ReplyDeleteIn our last UK house, which we bought as a new build in 1982, we chose a hole in the wall fireplace with a real fire, which was very quickly replaced by gas logs! We also had a cream Berber carpet in the living and dining room, and in spite of suffering wine, coffee spills, and two boisterous puppies, it stood up remarkably well over the years, and was still in excellent condition when we sold, 20 years later. I don't doubt it has been replaced with something more fashionable by now.
I'm rather fond of the cream carpet but I pretty much wrecked it when I tossed a whole glass of red wine across it. If we get a wood floor I shall be able to resurrect my Persian rug that has been stored in the attic since we moved here.
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