Dysfunctional Planner

A magical thing is happening in the next few weeks. Our fireplace which currently is a homage to the 80s crass fake York stone fire place that has plagued many a house up and down Great Britain, is being replaced with something more sympathetic to our 1930s London home.

It is not original and it is not nice. It has two fake stone tables/ shelves either side. It is a monster.

We are going to have a fire for Christmas if all goes well!

Our house is semi open plan so this will heat the whole of the downstairs.

I know it’s very cluttered but this won’t be anything like this in the end. The hearth can’t be rescued because the cladding is so deep but I can assure you those 3 slabs will end up in the garden some where.

We want a log burner.

With the price of gas and electricity going up every year we really want to make our home warm and cosy in the winter without breaking the bank. Gavin has done some research and wants one that can be switched to a biofuel as well as properly dried logs. I am supporting this. We will be responsible with finding our properly dried logs so we don’t harm the environment any more.

I thought we would have something a bit more traditional but he found a nice one that suits the mid century modern period.

We found a local team to do it all, sweep, certify and install. We are hoping the bricks behind will be okay but we will find out, if not it will render it.

It will take 4 messy days and then we will have a roaring fire in our home.

This is a major step in our renovation. It means that regardless of the state of house we will be warm. Our boiler needs redoing and moving which means we have to plan it’s location.

Our loft is going to be insulated and re boarded so that all our stuff can go back in the loft. I would like shelves put up there and really organise it but that will probably will take in a few years after the loft is complete.

I cannot wait to have a warm and cosy Christmas by the fire. I am sure Frank will love it. I can imagine putting on a winter outfit ( very 40s inspired) inviting our friends round for mint juleps and old fashioneds. Going for a nice muddy walk in the dreary January February months and celebrating our glorious home with a big roast like we used to have at uni.

I really can’t wait.

I will leave you with these warm and cosy thoughts and remind you to tell the people you love, you love them. And check your stool, it may save your life.