Home Extension thread 2018

[Baxdream]

Thought we should get the new thread ready!
Our front door is in. Long story but it arrived damaged 😫 it's in and lovely but it's going to be replaced!
Our fencing has started today, the short ones are new, the others are getting ripped out

Badweek what sort of parquet is the kind you found? We have fingerblock parquet in the hallway, not the most sought after herringbone but I love it. We had intended to continue it into the new kitchen dined, but we realised too late the floor must be teak. I could not afford a teak floor. So we got oak and intended to stain it. But then the oak was so fabulous I told the builders not to touch it. So we no longer have matching parquet, but who cares? I love our floor.

Ours is lacquered, which may not look as natural as oil but I really like it and for such a high impact area it is really needed. Pics of our hallway and kitchen floor attached, the hallway is the smaller, darker one.

humpty- oh, there's no way I could have afforded the Amtico Signature parquet new. It's crazy expensive and I couldn't have justified it. I got enough to do my study and the hall, about 17 square metres, on eBay for £285, fitting for both rooms was £450.

It seems very practical so far. Though if you have your heart set on wood, you could go for one of the harder finishes Lingua mentions. I think with any wood, though, water will eventually start to damage it if not cleaned up fairly quickly. Especially with oak, because it is right up at the top of the list of woods that move and blacken with water contact.

Rosettes- I am intrigued by your plan, it's a very clever solution to a sloping site. Your place is huge, it will be sensational when done!! We have a similar issue with slope that runs the other way, and a split-level architectural solution. For us, the kitchen is about 1 metre above the ground level, and the garden room is 1 m lower, with steps down. The ceiling height is the same in both rooms, so one is really tall!!

@whiskyowl it's a tricky plot and a period building (1905) and we were very keen to avoid the box stuck on the back look. Our architect has been great and very imaginative, although unfortunately his first idea got turned down by the powers that be at the council...

I love all this parquet floor porn ❤️

It looks fabulous rosettes, definitely not just a box on the back.

We are doing some bits ourselves, today I have removed 6 yom of bricks and rubble from what will be new bathroom. Job next week is to remove skirting boards etc.
I guess I don't need to go the gym

When you have a huge loft....

dustandrubble my god those floors are to die for! We have the same I the from but it’s much darker than yours and not half as nice! To be honest although I love it I wouldn’t want it the whole way through as ya so dark so we were going to go for a herringbone with grey tones through it, sounds horrible written down but I love it. Mind you the thought of it potentially changing colour is horrifying. I saw one in a showroom on the wall that I loved and the sales guy said oh that’s the one you’re standing on. It had been down 5 years and was horrible! It was a textured grain and had obviously just had all the crap of the day walked into it and darken down beyond recognition.... in having a serious wobble about our choice now I think about it in case the same happens and given what ppl have said about oiled finishes.

This is the sample of the floor we had chosen (not the potential past tense!!)

Rosettes, I adore your architects plans. That atrium will be stunning

@Badweekjustgotworse we're so excited about it! The architect is fantastic, would highly recommend him.

Rosettes wow what a stunner! It's going to be gorgeous! Ours is built on a steep hill as well.

Badweek love those floors! I really love the smoked look. And they look like they've got enough colour variation to hide the dirt/crumbs with little kids.

4years completely off topic but do I remember you from ages ago on the multiples board? I feel like we might have twins of a similar age... (mine are 4)

I'm feeling so elated, went to the build and this week they've completely finished all of the structural changes we've been envisaging on paper for months!! We now have a 2 bedroom apartment in the loft and a walk-in closet with bigger ensuite for the master bedroom. It looks fab! Just waiting on the order of balcony doors and glass to get the master completely sorted, then we'll really be going. I'm just so pleased there's been progress.

lingua! We’re a multiples family too! Twins here and not far off yours ages either!

Lingua-definitely not me! My wonderful daughter broke me (currently recovering from my 4th repair surgery) so she is most definitely an only. Besides that my best friend had identical triplets when she had her second .....so that so put me off having another

I’m a twin Mum! Obviously we’re all butters, to have twins and then take this on!

*nutters

4 years sorry about your surgery :(

Thanks for wooden floor advice. We have carpets throughout the house at the moment and no shoe policy. But now i also have a baby and i thought wood will be easier to keep good and stay warm. May be i should get laminate.
Rosettes, your house plan looks amazing. You are very lucky to have good architect.

Thanks Filo. On the plus side it's given me a lot of time to plan and research the extension!

Mum2015 we put high grade laminate throughout our ground floor in our first house and it looked fantastic. It's been rented out to a large family with dog and nearly 8 years on, I'm amazed at how great it still looks!

4years my best wishes for recovery.

Good to know that laminate looked great. I should start looking at laminates for flooring. We need to decide whether we should go for underfloor heating or not.
Any idea if laminate works well with UFH?

Ha ha Badweek and Filo, obviously a theme! My mistake 4years, sorry! Sounds like you've had a rough go of it. :( Hope the recovery goes well! We've got 3 under 5 at the moment (identical twins and then the youngest is two) and I'm exhausted, so I can't imagine having triplets and an older sibling . I hope she has an aupair or something!

What does everyone think about taps and handles, lights etc can you mix metals or do I need to pick a theme and stick with it?

We have copper handles but the tap and oven handles are stainless steel. I don't think it looks weird but naturally we couldn't get it all to match

That’s what I was thinking, love the colour Bax x

Bax it's lovely. I want copper handles, can you tell me what the flooring is in the picture, it's exactly what I want