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Today work began on our fireplace. First Baz and Owen inspected the prospective purchase at Gordleton Barn, pronounced it suitable, and set about making ready for it.
This is the doubtful D.I.Y. effort that started the day in our living room.
Barry and Owen Chislett-Bruce are New Forest Chimney Sweeping & Repairs. This father and son team are personable, thorough, efficient, and work quickly, cleanly, and tidily.
Here they are at work removing the orange shelf and the bodged tiling.
They were pleased not to have damaged any of the tiles, which Owen stacked up neatly.
They then carried out the task of clearing the raised rock-hard concrete from the open space,
hoovering as they went along.
Baz and Owen then collected the Victorian replacement from the barn, and contemplated it for a while.
This involved Baz sticking his head up the chimney.
There were several possible options for ensuring a tight fit, the preferred one being removing a row of the original hearth floor tiles, and removing more of the concrete. This required considerable effort.
The cast iron tiled fireplace was firmly fixed, ready for the next stage.
A final vacuuming was carried out,
and this is how they left us until further elements are obtained and fitted.
Observant readers will have noticed that the men, while working their socks off, do so in their socks. This, the groundsheets, the hoovering,
and bagging up the rubble as they go along, demonstrates their careful attention to the homes in which they work.
Whilst at the barn, I took a few more pictures of the interior.
It is now soon after 3.00 p.m. We will be driving over to Elizabeth’s for the three of us to attend Margery’s exhibition at Southampton Art Gallery, after which we will have a meal together. I will then have no time (or energy) to post this, so I will do so know and report the evening tomorrow.
Beautiful results !
Many thanks, Van
This promises to be a massive improvement. You chose well in both your fireplace and your choice of workmen.
Many thanks, Oglach. We agree.
Very nice work on the fireplace. Thanks Derrick for sharing.
Thanks, Terry
Wow so nice!!
Thanks a lot, Lynn.
Love it
Yes, so very nice! The new insert is lovely, and that is some father-and-son team. Looking forward to hearing about your evening.
Many thanks, Laurie
The fireplace looks great, Derrick! Barry and Owen look like hard workers. You must invite them back for a meal. 🙂
Many thanks, Jill. Good idea
Pictures please. 🙂
🙂
Well, I’m no expert, but that fire place looks lovely to me. Excellent job!
Many thanks, John
It’s gorgeous …. really lovely and I loved watching your chaps working. I could do with them in France, actually …. but I imagine they are fully booked in your area – careful, thorough, thoughtful workmen are gold nuggets indeed!
They sure are Osyth. Thank you.
Hi Osyth,its Barry the chimney sweep thank you for your kind words,if im fully booked i’d still make time to come to France,i like being called a gold nugget too…You look like gold too! Best wishes Barry.
Hello Barry! How lovely of you to reply. Honestly, you are welcome in France any time with or without your brushes … We gold stars must stick together! 😙
Lovely fireplace and I’m very impressed that a tie was worn at all times.
Wow – That IS impressive! I hadn’t noticed the tie.
I know, how eccentrically British!
Baz is proud of his Country Gent appearance. Thank you both
Somehow I can’t imagine a Scot, an Irishman or a Welshman wearing a tie, they’d have more sense; this is a typical Pommy thing.I doubt even a Geordie or a Scouse would wear a tie,
Reminds me a bit of my dad; he was a ‘Blacksmith’ ( and a master at that too) always toddled off to work wearing a suit, tie & trilby,; he changed at the ‘office’; He didn’t take his lunch in a briefcase, he took his in a ‘Gladstone Bag’!
Thanks for bringing back fond memories of my d.o.d!
Very pleasing, Brian. Thanks.
I think the tie just cements the fact that he respects himself and his work – and it sounds like your dad was the same way. Very cool.
You may well be right Jodie, I’d like to think you are 😀
He’s quite a character, Jenny. I’m glad you spotted it.
So glad to see that there are still workmen of this calibre about. Bravo!
Many thanks, Mary. We are so lucky here. Aaron who does work in the garden is of similar calibre.
I can use Aaron here 🙂
Ooh! I like it! 👌
Many thanks, Persia
And he will never forget the time he spent with his dad. He will treasure it and he will always remember what he learned. Looks so much better
So true, Bridget. Many thanks
So nice looking – love your choice of fireplace. Can’t wait to see it all in. Is that barn YOURS? And all the contents? I love those wooden boxes.
Many thanks, Jodie. That would be nice 🙂
Well done, gentlemen! 😀
Many thanks, Widders
The fireplace is gorgeous!
Thanks very much, Leslie
Owen had better not leave his green quilted gherkin-coloured jerkin lying around lest Jackie turn it into a camera bag.
Great work. Lovely fireplace.
Well spotted, Bruce. Nice play on words too. Thanks very much
nice
Absolutely a beautiful result.
Thanks very much, Ian
I liked the first fireplace appearance…but so much more, the second! Great work and such an addition to your lovely home.
Very many thanks, Cynthia
What an improvement! And amazing tradies!
Many thanks, Mek
😊
Won’t it be lovely to have a fire when it’s all done? So much nicer than the previous incarnation.
Thanks very much, Susanne.
Derrick, This is the best decorating post ever. This is the kind of thing I dream about doing, but most people say, “Get a gas fireplace.” It is not the same. This will be the heart of your home. I’m so happy for you both.
Ginene
Very many thanks, Ginene. You are after our own hearts.
I remember the Gordleton Barn, Derrick and the atmospheric lamps placed throughout! I am so happy to see this purchase installed with careful craftsmanship!
The men were a pleasure to watch and the fact they wear socks on instead of boots or shoes makes them men after my own heart. My landlord ignores my small “please take shoes off” sign on my door. Lovely and entertaining post today.
Very many thanks, Robin
Oh wow.. Love the finished results Derrick.. 🙂 very efficiently installed too 🙂
Many thanks, Sue. A bit more to be done yet, but we are very happy with it.
It looks lovely xx
Much, much better! Gives you such a feeling of satisfaction to do something like this, doesn’t it?
Sure does, Jessica, and who would know better than you? Thanks a lot.
A great improvement on the previous effort. Are there plans afoot to stain the surround a darker shade or are you planning on leaving it light?
The surround is under debate. Thanks a lot, Brian
What lovely work. I am also glad Murphy didn’t at you a visit 😉
Many thanks, msw
Very well done, I love the cast iron piece.
Many thanks, Inese.
Beautiful tiles for the fireplace. I did notice the men worked in their socks.
I always thought our house should have a fireplace, but so far one has not magically appeared. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. Magic would be good.
What a pretty fireplace!
Thank you both, LL/PS
Enticing!
Thank you very much, sudershana
Lovely chimney. I miss the chimney I used to have at my home in France. Here there are some fires when the temperature goes down to 8 or 14 degrees Celsius but they are most of the time in caldrons.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂