It’s been a few weeks since we completed on the house and even though our contractor doesn’t start until the end of May we wanted to get a head start by stripping out the floor and plaster from the house so that we can get the electrics and plumbing redone. For various reasons we have been forced to remove most of the plasterwork (rather than just skimming over what was there) so even though brand new electrics and plumbing aren’t completely essential it makes a lot of sense to get it all done at this point whilst the house is stripped back.
This is what will be Mimi’s bedroom with the nice surprise of another original door in the loft.
The cost of paying for a skip and someone to strip the plaster has been cheaper than the quote to remove the wallpaper throughout the house so we decided not to do it ourselves – there’s just no way we could have juggled it with looking after Mimi especially as there will be so many other DIY jobs to be done along the way.
As a result of removing the plaster we will have to reinstate all the coving and picture rails but I’m very much looking forward to lovely smooth walls and perfectly positioned light switches, power points, radiators and the assurance of a brand new boiler. Apart from anything I just love being able to see the bare bones of the building and discovering original doors stashed in the loft!
Here is how the house looks now…
Downstairs
The carpet has been ripped off the stairs and I’m still not decided yet as to whether we will re-carpet them. I’m a bit worried that a carpet on the stairs will get very dirty with a dog so I’m going to think about it a bit longer. The laminate has also gone from all the floors downstairs. I am very, very pleased that the floorboards are in such a good condition as that will save us a fortune on new flooring (although a little sad I can’t justify herringbone parquet).
We are actually going to keep this side of the kitchen as it is until we have the budget to completely re-do it and push it out into an extension. This is a big compromise but I’d much rather have a brand new bathroom and make do with the kitchen as it is for a while (I know a lot of people will disagree with that preference!).
The back reception has had a lot of its plaster removed and floor stripped – we just need to get rid of the fireplace now.
The plaster in the front reception has been partially stripped as it wasn’t in too bad a condition and again we need to get rid of the fireplace although some who have seen it rather like it…what do you think?! I would like to have a wood burning stove in this side of the room if budget allows.
Upstairs
All of the ceilings upstairs have been taken down as they were plastered so long ago they need updating. Therefore we can now see right up into the loft space, which is quite amazing. We also found an original hearth in the front bedroom, which will be our room. It’s a shame that the tiles are so cracked. I think we will carpet upstairs so these will get covered up again unless I can get Jules to agree to adding a fireplace to our room. It would be purely for aesthetics but I think it would be so nice to add a bit of character back to the house.
The small bedroom has also been stripped out and it will eventually become a small guest room.
It feels very exciting to see changes happening to the house already and so much easier to visualise the space now that the previous owner’s stuff has all gone. I’ll keep you updated!
Katy x
I remember doing exactly this when our own children were little (albeit because of discovering major structural problems after a perfect survey), but it’s the nicest thing to start from scratch and have freshly plastered walls as stripped ones never feel quite the same.
I think your little kitchen is lovely – it looks clean and even fairly new, which must make bearing with it feel much easier 🙂
I’m really enjoying hearing about your new house. x
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Hello Florence! Yes, can not wait for lovely fresh walls. I think we’ll do a bit of a DIY makeover on the kitchen that remains until we extend just to make it feel a bit more us. God knows what we will do, think or talk about once the house is done! xx
How exciting! And how brilliant that you don’t have to live in it while all of this is happening. Love the doors!
This is more exciting than words can express! I’m loving seeing the bare bones of the house. Keep that fireplace! I love it. I also love the tiles in your bedroom, I wouldn’t bother adding a fireplace, just open it up and have a nice exposed brick opening for plants and candles etc. Can’t wait to see more! Xx
This looks so great! Interesting that you’re taking it back to brick rather than removing wallpaper. Our house is textured wallpaper central and we’re trying to do it a bit at a time. Hadn’t considered just getting someone to take it to brick and then replaster. Is it cheaper?! Always on the hunt for tips. We’re saving most of our money for a bit extension to create a kitchen diner dream so sacraificing the rest of the house for now. But I’m struggling with it as I’m usually so house proud!
Author
Hi there. It’s definitely cheaper to just remove wallpaper but we had to remove the plaster because of damp issues and to have the electrics and plumbing redone. We were quoted £1600 to remove wallpaper throughout the house and paid £1300 to have the plaster removed but it will cost us £6500 to have the house re-plastered. Hope that helps! (and good luck with your house!) xx
Exciting! Looking forward to watching you put your home together… There is something endearing about that fireplace – but we have recently updated our woodburner and oh my how we love it!
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So good to hear! I’m desperately trying to convince Jules that a stove is the way to go so I’ll add this to my list of people who have recommended them! x
Great!
We’re at the start of a renovation so this is so inspiring to see it all coming together for you!
Why get rid of those fireplaces. People kill to have original fireplaces. They will add so much to the decor. I would keep them all and good for heating up the house versus paying for electricity or gas heat.