Ken and Dina are painting. They have been painting all day before we spoke and, following our phone call, Ken will carry on painting. He is on a mission and, while not especially enjoying it, he’s glad to be doing it at all. Over the last six months walls have come down and new ones have gone up. Windows have been fitted. Unforeseen problems have arisen, delayed the build and been fixed. Insulation has been laid. Flooring has been poured. Electrics have been installed and walls have been plastered.
The electrician returns to fit the lights on Friday 15th December and the flooring goes down on December 18th. He might not be putting up a Christmas tree but he’s a happy man. Painting is the easy part.
“Last week we moved the dining table into the space it will eventually occupy, and it was that point we realised what we have now! The ground floor is absolutely transformed. We have so much space and so much more light.
“We’ve been watching Carl’s design unfold for the last six months, but it’s only now that we can see how much we’ve gained in terms of space, light and flexibility. We have a different kind of home now, one that works for us better and will change the way we use it. We can’t wait for the new year when we can start arranging everything to make the most of it.”
Ken also gives a shout-out to the building contractors, who have helped to make the last six months bearable and have been a pleasure to be around.
“Mark and his team have been brilliant. We were always going to be lucky enough to have a kitchen and hot water etc during the build, but we’ve still had people in and out of our house for the last six months and having people we trust, who are friendly, and accommodating has made a huge difference. Even the subcontractors have been great guys.
“And Mark has helped keep costs down where he could, even in small ways such as making the most of the skip so that it isn’t removed until its full, saving money and more lorries arriving in the street. Thankfully our neighbours have been very patient!”
So with Christmas around the corner, Ken and Dina have the best Christmas present and can’t wait to start the new year decorating and adding all the finishing touches. I will catch up with them in January to see how the interior is shaping up and return in the Spring with a photographer in tow. Meanwhile I’m hoping to be invited to the grand opening and perhaps Carl or Mark can be persuaded to cut the ribbon.
Ken’s last job before Christmas? Dropping off a couple of bottles of wine to his very understanding neighbours.
