As we ease off in the garden we are embarking on the next stage of the internal refurbishment of our house which was in a sorry state when we bought it in April 2014.
Our bedroom with ensuite bathroom drops down from the alleged dressing room through which it is accessed. A large chunk of this room has been sacrificed to a rather pointless extension of the airing cupboard. As with every other D.I.Y. effort throughout the house it has been a botched job.
Richard, of Kitchen Makers is to start work on various rooms, beginning with this on Tuesday.
For seven years this room has been only good for a dumping ground. When our craftsman removes the extension of the airing cupboard he will build a useful structure into the former chimney breast seen in the centre of this trio of pictures.
Although we still have to clear the clutter shown above, this morning we emptied the now obsolete extension.
The third picture in this second gallery shows the door frame to the inner original cupboard which will be reinstated. The variously textured walls will be refaced and eventually redecorated, removing
our predecessors’ stencils and the false wall oppressing my great great grandmother, Elizabeth Franks.
I have eschewed flash photography for many years. I didn’t use it for the pictures on this post, but I have a project coming up next year for which it may be necessary. It must have been some time in the ’90s when I bought a rather complicated flash gun with instructions for use with film. I have never used it. This afternoon I made an effort to understand it and eventually produced some passable images. Nevertheless I need to seek further advice before deciding whether to find a simpler device.
Later, Jackie drove me to Mudeford to have a look at the skies.
Gulls in a feeding frenzy rather dominated a few hopeful starlings hoping to peck up scraps.
On the harbour side of the quay a few people waited for the sunset and a sailboarder caught the sun.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome stewp, with fresh crusty bread. She drank Hoegaarden while I drank more of the Comté Tolosan Rouge.
Stunning scenery shots. Good luck with the building work.
Thanks very much, Trev
Beautiful ocean views, Derrick, as Trev said, best luck on your building work. 😎
Thanks very much, John
The picture of the sailboarder at sunset is spectacular. Good luck with the house project. Expect it will entail a lot of hard work–just to remove/return the things.
Thank you very much, Pat
You captured some very unusual light in your skyscape photos. They’re all very compelling. It’s good that you’ve hired a professional for your home renovation. Trying to DIY someone else’s botched DIY never ends well. Just out of curiosity, how old is your house?
C1930, Liz. Thanks a lot.
You’re welcome. I love houses of that vintage, as long as the architectual integrity of the house has been respected and original features retained.
Agreed. We are gradually returning it to how it should be.
Your header photo is stunning, and wonderful sky and gull photos. Good luck with the renovations. It sounds like it will be quite a project.
Thanks very much, Merril. That’s just the first room 🙂
You’re in for a long time of living with it then!😀
A credit to you both that you could see the lovely lady slumbering beneath so much dodgy work. Between that and the overgrown garden, you needed to have foresight and vision. Perhaps the previous owners once had a larger family needing more drying space. It’s not even a feature in Australian homes as you would be aware. I’m looking forward to the after photos.
Thank you very much for these insightful comments, Gwen
Good luck on your renovations. I am afraid we will be embarking on our own soon. Nice when they are done but such an upheaval when they are ongoing.
Exactly, AnneMarie. Thank you very much
Wonderful evening cloudscapes. I hope that you survive the renovations.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. A good hope from one who knows 🙂
I love the old armchair, the polished mahogany desk and the chair from the room that you’re about to do up. Styles come and go but some things are just too gorgeous to let go of.
The gull images are quite stunning ad I love the starling sitting there watching its world fly by.
The featured image at the start is quite lovely too.
Thank you very much, Sue. We intend to make that room a quiet sitting area with all those items you mention in their proper place.
What a good idea – I’m sure it will be lovely.
Good luck. Liked the starling picture – an under-rated bird and not easy to get a decent picture showing the colours.
Thanks very much, Quercus. They are almost iridescent
You caught that well in the photo.
Another home project under way Derrick .. I’ll be interested in the progresss and the final outcome ..
Cheers, Ivor
It will all look beautiful when done, Derrick and Jackie.
I loved the photos from the harbor. A beautiful afternoon and sunset!
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Some of the homes we see on Escape to the Country have similar wasted spaces. One room they don’t build in Australian homes is a Utility room. I’d love to have a Utility room.
Skies and clouds make for beautiful photos. Add a sunset and the photos can be amazing. Adding the sailboarder – that’s spectacular.
Thank you so much, Chrissy – especially for that eloquent second paragraph. We converted the garage to part library, part utility.
That sunset was well worth the wait! Phenomenal photos! Your house has a lot of character. I’m not surprised.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
Enjoy the adventure of the refurbishing! Wonderful scenes of the sunset over the water.
Thanks a lot, Maj
Love the guy captured out on the water in the sunset picture. We are slowly updating our house. By the time we get it how we want it we will probably be moving out in the country leaving it behind.
That is always the way, Mrs W. It will benefit those who come after you. Thanks very much
Yes but it makes us more comfortable.
Indeed
Absolutely stunning Derrick
Thanks very much, Gary
The extension appears both haphazard and dysfunctional. Three cheers to the planned renovation! You are fortunate that the flashgun you bought in 1990s is still operational and communicates with your camera. The technology has moved up several rungs since then. The partly clouded harbour at sunset presents an excellent vista. The sailboarder catching the sun, the gulls hogging the feeding opportunity and the frustrated starling make for interesting visual stories.
Thank you so much for all these observant comments, Uma. Your description of the extension suits most of the house. We are gradually working through it.
I would like to get my hands of the rocker and work on it. You are lucky we have an ocean between us. 🙂
I’m sure you would do a good job, Bridget. Thanks a lot.
Best of luck on the renovations project! Your great-grandmother will keep an eye on the work being done.
Beautiful photo of the sailboarder catching the sun!
The birds in action, the clouds, and sun in action! Wonderful!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Wow, such brilliant sceneries! So skilfully clicked. Great great grandmother? 😀 So the designs on the wall are hers? 🤔 Or did I get it wrong?
You do live in such a wonderful place, so close to nature- the harbour looks so picturesque.
Good luck with your renovation, sir. 😊
Thank you very much, Sam. No – the tinted photograph on the wall is of my great great grandmother. https://derrickjknight.com/2015/01/12/pictorial-female-lines/
I thought it was a typo, but obviously, it isn’t, as I found out by checking it on google. Apparently it’s an invented word, thought up by Rachel Ray. There aren’t many words made up by individuals, I would think. Here’s six
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/29/11324552/author-invented-words
I thought “quiz” could be added to the list but, sadly, Wikipedia says “No”.
Another set of stunning images, Derrick. The renovation plans sound daunting but you and Jackie will take it all in your stride of course. The plans for repurposing the room where you’re starting this pahase do sound inviting. A reward for the expense and upheaval 😊 Do you have a timescale for this part of the project?
There are several rooms involved. I haven’t asked for a timescale, because I don’t like to rush a craftsman who I know will be meticulous and not waste time.
Very wise!
I use a simple SB-190 Speedlight that I can attach to my Nikon full frames. It is simple. Rather than tune the strength of the light, I rotate it and point it at the ceiling, and cover it with a diffuser.
Thanks for this, Sherry
Lovely shots of the skies. It looks like you are going to have quite some work to do. Good luck with the job
Thanks a lot, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Best of luck with the project, Derrick. It’s always nice to refresh areas of our homes, and in your case, restore them to a more sensible and personal space. What are your plans for the room when it’s finished?
It will be an extra sitting room with a view to the garden from above. Thanks very much, Alys
Nice!
A wonderfully moody sky Derrick. Good luck with your renovations.
Thanks very much, Sheree
You’re very welcome
Your header photo is spectacular and good luck with your renovations.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Good luck with building.
Thanks a lot, More
Lots of work, I’m sure it will be amazing when finished. Lovely scenes Derrick. The sunset and sea gulls are beautiful!
Thank you very much, Holly
It’s my pleasure!
Fabulous sunset photos, Derrick.
Good luck with your project.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Work and work and more work, but in the end is well worth it 😉
Gorgeous photos Derrick!
Thanks very much, Ribana
A big, big project! But no no doubt it will enhance the house once it is done. Beautiful sky pictures.
Thanks a lot, Laurie
Beautiful sundowner shots. I’m glad it’s you renovating and not us.
Thanks a lot, Lindsey
I LOVE the header shot and the title! He caught the sun, indeed!
So exciting about the remodel! We have an old (1915??) house and nothing is square or normal or sensible. And yet, it is so charming. It always feels so good to fix a bit of it up. Can’t wait to see your results.
Thank you very much, Jodie. Your house is a good age. We looked at two houses the day we chose this one. The first was beautifully built and in perfect condition with an immaculate garden – but this one satisfied our souls even though it has been hard work
Oh, my goodness – “satisfied your souls” – isn’t that the perfect way to put it? I love that.
:). I’m delighted
<3
Thanks very much, Jodie
The work is going to improve that space SO much. I can almost envision it, but I’m eager to see the “after” photos. I simply love the first two seagull photos here, with dark grey skies behind and bright sunny feathers. Wow. And you managed to catch some of the iridescence of the starling. So nice.
Thank you iso much, Crystal