Stripping back the layers

We seem to be knee-high in wallpaper every day at the new house.  Every room is papered and it all has to come off.  We are using the tried and tested method - rip off the top pattered layer and wet the backing paper to scrape it off.  It's messy and time-consuming and occasionally we have a little discussion about hiring a steam-stripper but inevitably return to the original method.

So far we have stripped two bedrooms and are halfway through the hallway.  We are getting there, slowly but surely.  In the process we are revealing previous painting schemes (to date; pale green, candy pink - that has to go! - and white), along with an interesting assortment of cracks, which were a little alarming to begin with.  Thankfully we have had a builder look at them and he assures us none of them are anything to worry about so we are gradually filling them in.  Now I know why people choose to dry-line walls, or paper them - it hides the cracks!

A little time and effort with the heat-gun and sandpaper has removed all the chipped paint, and the window sill is back to bare wood.

Yesterday we also sanded skirting board and window sills in the little room, measured up for coving (quite a lot of that needed!), had a visit from the kitchen designer, took down some wall cupboards in the kitchen which will be ideal as storage/bookcases, and discussed bathroom ideas with a plumber.

We can definitely find a use for these

Today was an out and about day, checking out bathroom designs again, booking a visit from the carpet fitters, picking up odd DIY items, calling in at the window fitters to discuss handles, and another trip to the tip.  Then back to the house where I started on the hallway wallpaper, while N finally managed to cut the grass in the back garden with the new lawn-mower.  He set the blades to the highest setting and even though the grass is still actually quite long, it does look so much better than before.  We have both agreed that the lawn, such as it is, will have to be a long-term project to bring it back to a reasonable condition but in the meantime, simply mowing it on a regular basis will help that process.

The first cut!

This evening I set some time aside to make up a new household file with all the relevant paperwork we are amassing for the new property.  We had numerous scraps of paper with important measurements and jottings on, and they needed to be together in one easily accessible place.  Quotes, estimates, business cards, plans, meter readings - they're all there in the file.  A little bit of organisation - I'm a happy bunny :-)

Back home, we've not seen our little bluetit family for a few days and we think that the chick(s) must have fledged and the parents moved on.  I guess once the chicks have left, there's no reason to stay on at the nest-box.  We will have to start a new list of 'birds in the garden' at the new property.

I'm beginning to be aware that the wedding is not so many weeks away now, and I still don't have a dress to wear.  I have the material, and the idea, just not enough time at present to make it.  I am going to have to get a move on with this or I shall be turning up in my boiler-suit!

Fetching, isn't it  =:o