May 2005 Archives

Or at least that's how it seems to me. The whole idea of time seems increasingly unreal to me the more of it that passes. Take my initial estimate of how long it would take to complete those few minor modifications I'd planned for my flat: 1 month. Ah, I remember the old days, when a single month was practically an eternity - what couldn't be accomplished with a whole month to play with?

Several people have exhorted me to supply a few more details about what I've been up to flatwise (this despite my belief that I must have bored more than a few people to tears over the last few months with my endless obessesion about interior decorating). Here's the brief list of what I wanted to do (in no particular order, which seems to have been my general approach):

• Strip the all the existing icky textured wallpaper and redecorate
  
• Add new lights throughout, including several (ok eleven) new light fixtures.
  
• Add 5 new electrical wall sockets.
  
• Lay down new wooden flooring.
  
• Strip out the existing back boiler and water tanks and replace with a combi boiler.
  
• Replace the gas fire with something infinitely prettier.
  
• Rip out the old kitchen with it's inexplicable space consuming overhang and install shiny new kitchen.
  
• Add a black granite worktop to the kitchen with a circular stainless steel undermounted sink (this was a bit of a last minute decision. I'd initially discounted it due to cost, but I've since come to the conclusion that as I can't really afford anything else I'm doing right now I may as well not afford the things I really want and buy them anyway. It's only money after all, which seems no less real to me than time right now. And besides, it'll look real pretty like)
  
• Remove the bizarrely low ceiling in the shower room
  
• Add a damp proof course to the showroom after discovering a rather nasty damp patch underneath the shower.
  
• Retile the showever room and install my lovely new shower, glass bowl sink, and toilet.
  
• Replace and reposition the 4 radiators.
  
• Replace three doors
  
• Add a custom made cupboard to where the water tanks used to live.
  
• Install a new fitted bedroom.
  
• Lots and lots of plastering.
  
• Move an electricity meter about 12 inches. This was supposed to have been simplicity itself to achieve. Instead it's turned into a 6 week long battle with Scottish Power. Alas, it's not atypical of the way things have proceeded in general.

And, er, that's pretty much it, although I'm sure I've missed a few minor details. Looking at it now, I can see that perhaps estimating a single month was a touch.... niave? Optimistic? Plain darn stupid? Oh well live, and learn (until next time, although I'm currently maintaining my position that there will never be another next time). Current estimates see me living there at the end of June but I shan't promise anyone anything. Suffice it say that I hope I'll be open for business with wide open arms Real Soon Now and that visitors shall be welcomed.

Since there still seems to be some interest from other people (I'm not alone, other people care too!) I'll try and put up some before, during and after pictures soon, as well as a scrap book of images with all the bits and pieces I've accumulated along the way. I remain convinced that I'm the only person who can be remotely interested in any of this, but since requests have been made I'll duly supply what I can.

But hopefully the end is almost nigh - fingers crossed!