Changing rooms ( Robin's nest. )
I live in a 100 year old 'ex-mining' house in North West Leicestershire,
It's 'countryfied' and quiet here, the neighbours are pleasant too...
This page is long! It shows just what can be done with some hard
work and imagination, without spending a fortune.
Front lounge
Before:
This sorry sight is my front room before I started.. What the previous owner was
thinking of is anyone's guess.. I used to keep my motorbike in there and use it
like a 'garage' it was so bad..
After:
I bought a new coal grate for the open fire.. and some new carpet, everything else
has either been painted or made (including the home-made settee and television table).
The walls are paint effect 'stippled'.. other bits and bobs from Ikea..
Kitchen
Before:
This is supposed to be a fitted kitchen.. fitted in someone else's house
by the look of it.. everything needed replacing.
After:
Under £1000 and four months of hard graft.. a complete new kitchen, at one
point there were four walls and a floor (nothing else at all) washing the dishes in
the bath is not fun!... I feel this really has added value to the house, kitchens are
very important. The whole job was done completely 'DIY'.
Bedroom One
Before:
Modeled here by my friend Allison back in 1998.. the depressive state of mind
this bedroom used to put you into is apparent... Some former resident (idiot) had
painted the original cast-iron fireplace gloss white.. the ceiling was gloss pink..!
it was pretty awful...
After:
Pine and more pine.. when I saw the original thick pine floorboards under the carpet I just
had to restore them, I bought the four-poster and restored the fireplace back to it's former
glory, matt white paint on the ceiling and warm wall colours and fabrics have transformed
the whole room.. Duvet cover courtesy of my mum.. (thanks mum).
Bedroom two
Before:
This time someone had thrown out the original fireplace and bricked it up.. (see the brick I've
knocked out?) I went to an antique shop and bought it's (expensive) cast-iron replacement..
After:
Striped doors, fitted fireplace, lots of paint and time, I was inspired by the Le Mans wining
Gulf Porsche 917 of the 1970's for the colours (don't ask). When you're a bloke, colour inspiration
isn't easy..! This is my computer room now and I wanted it cheerful. It's OK if you squint.
Landing and stairs
Before:
After:
Enough said... Ikea spot lamps.. amazing !
Latest project ...!
Middle lounge
Before:
Oh dear.. oh dear oh dear.
This is what it looks like at the moment ! ... do you know anyone who does skip hire..?
After removal of that truly awful fireplace I have a ton of rubble outside and the dust on
my poor old piano is an inch thick. Check out the wood burning stove..!
Watch this space...