La STUDIO - Summer 2022 Visit

 Weekending Sunday 14th August 2022

So, arrived as planned with a good journey getting me here at midday and WOW!  in the 6 weeks absence the Berberis Hedging had gone wild adding 500mm in some places, so the plan for the week as changed to garden tidy, especially with the heat being experienced.  Exterior temp has reached 37c and 34c in shade.

Oak Top Tressle Table

I unloaded all of the Cedar Wood for the shutters eventually and took delivery of some shutter hardware and paid a visit to Leroy Merlin to collect other items, including two sets of Trestle Tables Legs that are better quality and will enable me to use some T&G Oak to create a top and will make some bars underneath to position the top bars into and fix with two oak pegs underneath. It will make use of the oak and allow them to be used in La Studio as work table and easy storage.

I have make a table for each downstairs room, paint the legs Grey and Tung Oil the Oak to protect and make it easy to wipe.

Tiled Front Threshold

Total cost should be a 1/2 - 1/3 of what I had seen in shops of a similar quality, and the satisfaction every time I walk in!

Also, removed a little of the oak threshold to the front door, as I had already decide to tile the area now that the door is installed and confirms it is possible.  Just need to grout the three tiles now to finish off.

MONDAY 15th AUGUST 2022 - Downstairs Taping & Filling

So a week behind the plan due to the heat and need to do a tidy up on the garden, I have started the planned work.

This morning I taped all the Insulated Plasterboard joints downstairs and and gave them a plaster coating, which went better than I expected.  Need to sand and perhaps give another light coat, but I am ready now to start upstairs and then the ceilings, which should take the extra 2 days planned.

TUESDAY 16th AUGUST 2022 - Upstairs Taping & Filling

Started early and thank goodness, as it was 28c and heavy today.  Managed to get all of the lower wall joint taping, and filling completed. So now ready for the ceiling tomorrow, so also made sure all of the fixings on the Insulated PB were secure and not proud.

Finished the grouting of the tiling at the front door, as well as cutting the oak right angles beading for upstairs around the stairwell against the flooring, just need to do some adjustment and fix firm.

WEDNESDAY 17th AUGUST 2022 - Ceiling Taping & Filling

 

Managed to get both upstairs ceilings done and think I have made a reasonable good, but will need more work before it is finished.  Where the top flat section meets the front and back slope walls, I not only used mesh to strengthen the plaster coat, but finished with some jointing paper tape and it has gone well.

Have to used another tub and different make of plaster joint which was slightly different to apply, but there was no problem, once I got used to it.

Still have to do the lower section of the the front and back walls to do, below the main Purling Beams, but that should be completed tomorrow, with luck!

THURSDAY 18th AUGUST2022 - Lower Ceiling & Wall Taping & Filling

 

Got both sides completed on the lower ceiling below the Puling Beam filled today, in hot temperature and the plaster was go off by the time I got to the last sections.  Manged to fill all the retaining screw holes as well.

West Side Ceiling

East Side Ceiling

I have realised I need to leave the filling plaster to dry completely before sanding and will then need to do some level filling of the boards that are unlevel as a result of the beams to which they are attached.  So will leave that until later next week and tomorrow will cut and apply the Oak Frames to the Glazed holes.

FRIDAY 19th AUGUST 2022 - Oak Surround to Glazed Holes    

 Had a good end to the week when the cutting and filling of the Oak Wood Surround to the original holes in the walls.  I cancelled the original plan to get small windows made to let light in, when the cost of wood increased too much in January and came up with the idea of sealing with toughened glass.

As shown here, I think they look really good and especially as the total cost is 10% of the original expected cost!

Had a problem after I just started when my Chop Saw gave up and I had to revert to using the Circular Saw to get the mitre joints, but at least it was easier than a hand saw!

So now, on Monday I can move on to cutting the Oak for the Stairs Balustrade, secured to the floor and the purling beam, with 3off galvanised poles running across for security.
  

MONDAY 22nd AUGUST 2022 - Oak Surround to Glazed Light Wells

Easy today, but still took all morning to fix the Oak Window edging on all six glazed light wells.  I also fixed the upstairs stair well oak edging, which looks good and has been both sealed and nailed to the main oak beams.  Once the Balustrade Posts are fully installed and secure, I will seal the edging and flooring with Grey Mastic to give a fine finish, as well as wood glue and sawdust to hide small gaps.

Had confirmation that the new chop saw is on its way, so should be delivered tomorrow! 

Oak Edging

Stair Well

TUESDAY 23rd AUGUST 2022 - Balustrade Posts started

Amazon and DPD did the business again and the new chop saw arrived at 10:00am, so was able to start work with minimal delay and succeeded in getting all three oak posts fitted with the Strong Boot Fixings as shown with the bolt holes drilled.  Just some fine adjustments to do, but tomorrow will cut two main beam tops to fix to the Purling Beam, that will be screwed into countersunk holes and then pegs added for a traditional feel!

However, before the fixing I will drill three holes in all the posts to fix Galvanised poles across the long and short sides at 30cm gaps for security.

Short Edge

Long Edge

WEDNESDAY 24th AUGUST 2022 - Balustrade all installed

I makes you feel so good when months of planning produce a good result and today saw the completion of the Balustrade to secure the stairs.  A few minor mistakes and imperfection, but nothing that some final adjustments will not mask.  

Cross Room View

West Side View

East end View

Front View

FRIDAY 26th AUGUST 2022 - Downstairs Oak Door Creation

Had a rest day yesterday, as I had a lunch date with friends, so today I decided to make and fit the new Oak Door dividing the downstairs rooms.  I used the oak T&G strips I ordered in the UK.  I cut the back & front ends and then glued each length as I assembled each.  I used the original old hinges and marked them up on the door to drill and them bold the hinges through oak cross supports of the rear.

Very pleasing to see the end result, match the original door and in keeping with the look of La Studio.

Back East Side

Front West Side

WEDNESDAY 31st AUGUST 2022 - Upstairs Oak Door Installed

Upstairs East View

Had friends staying last few days so no work, but today got the Upstairs Oak Door made and fitted to divide the two rooms. 

Got a bit complicate due to warped oak, but managed in the end and fitted new door support pegs into the wall and the door hung.  

Have had to chip away some of the edge stone to allow the door to close and will need to continue this tomorrow to finish.

THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2022 - Upstairs Oak Door 

Work continued to properly fit the Upstairs Oak Door that needed the stone chipped away on the hinge side of the wall to allow full closure. It took a lot more work than I expected and I had to secure the hinge holes with resin as well.  As a result of placing the hinges on the edge, it pulled the door in a bit and left a larger gap on the closure side, so I will need to get an oak post to fill the gap.

Upstairs Back West

Upstairs Front East

I also glued both Trestle Table tops and place a cross braces on one top to sit on the trestles.  Will do the other tomorrow.

Friday 2nd SEPTEMBER 2022 - Mixed Tasks 

Good day which started with completing the second Trestle today, with extra top supports, so just need to do some filling on both and drill peg holes in the under table support through the trestle leg brace for added support.

Also, I unscrew the metal stair treads and added a thin rubber strip to the back edge to eliminate the tinny sound as you step on each.

I measured up each door frame and ordered two 2m Oak Posts 6x8cm for each opening, as the door stop to fill the upstairs gap and finish both off in October.

Having bought some L-shaped Beading I finished both sides of the East Main Beam Downstairs where the plasterboard meets the beam.

Finally, I fitted 3 more fuses to the the Resi9 Fuse Box and positioned it on the wall near all the cable feeds, ready to start connecting next week.

As I cleared up I noticed a big mistake, in the absence of West Side Downstairs Light Switch for the Downlighters!!!  Really do not understand how I messed up here, but have determined how to fix it next week with minimal disruption.

L-Shaped Beading

Missing Light Switch

Resi9 Fuse Box

West Downstairs

On Saturday I couldn't resist fixing the missing light switch, s uncovered the junction box in the ceiling, fixed a cable for the switch, cut a hole and wired in the planned light switch.  So now next week I just need to make good!

Monday 5th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Guttering Overflow Trench

Trench prepared

Started laying the water excavation trench for the guttering today from back to front of La Studio and then onto join the water waste at the back of the barn.  Encountered lots of large stone on the route down, so a tough exercise.  Hopefully tomorrow will get the front and back downpipe holes down and then level right and can then get the galvanised guttering hung and order any missing parts that might be needed.

Tuesday 6th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Guttering Overflow Trench

The hard work of yesterday paid off today, as I got all the piping laid and fixed in place this morning and managed to get the soil and gravel back over to protect.  Just need to let is all settle and tamper down, before the extra grey gravel is delivered to finish off.

Down the garden

Soil Coverage

Up the garden

Thursday 8th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Tidy up & Roof Clean

I have been preparing for my departure this weekend and scarifying & seeding the grass in both gardens.  Today I took a trailer load of breeze block and cement rubble to the recycling centre, as well as having another attempt to remove all the accumulated Moss Growth, especially from the rear of La Studio roof.  Nearly all complete, with jut the upper central section of the rear to do and will then give the roof a fungicide treatment in the autumn.

Front Roof

Garden Tidy

Rear Roof

So that is it for this visit, although the hot weather out an end to my plan to plaster fill all the boarding joints, I will add that to the plan for October, as well as fitting the Galvanised Guttering and finished the rear patio and grey gravel.

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January 2021 Project Work Continues

I arrived at end December 2020 to continue with the attic work at La Maison Grise and managed to avoid any hassle from an early January crossing, complete with a Covid PCR Test, which French Border Control were not interested in!

Been here under lockdown restrictions for 2 weeks now and been busy doing tidy up work to the Insulated Plasterboard walls and the Ceiling Plasterboard.  Lots of fiddly and time consuming work, but all complete now and just some fine filling to do next week.

I initially switched all the Radiators in the house ON to provide some warmth, but this blew the 6kv Mains Supply Fuse.  I decided to switch most rads off, but left the underfloor mats in the Garden Room and Bathroom on, with the Salon and Stairs/Landing rads on at 14 degrees, This was more than adequate to take any chill away and I have determined we will need to increase the supply to 9 or 12 KVA at a later stage.

The Store and Services Rooms have been fully framed and insulation installed, then both walls and ceiling board. Again fiddly work around the main back horizontal oak beam, but eventually all worked OK.

I decided to check the electric cabling I had installed, before finalizing the boarding.  I did this with a Light bulb fitting at room ends and the supply end of the cable attached to a Plug into an extension leads.  All proved successful!

Retaining the wood and boarding off cuts has proved invaluable and leaves very little waste to take for recycling next week.

I finally cut the skirting board for the main space today and will do the Store and Services Rooms next week, although delay fixing until plastering is complete, once the virus restrictions are relaxed.

Here below are some pics of the room today and once I empty and clean up, I will attached a video:

West Back

Service Out

West Front

East Services Side

West Front

East Ceiling

Across Attic

Weekending 24th January 2021

So the week ended with me having been able to complete the work I had planned for this trip.  

• All the insulation has been installed and I applied extra spare Fiber Installation on top of the Foil Insulation of into the voids
• All the electric cables for Down Lighting , Sockets and Radiators was run throughout the ceiling and walls
• Installed Plasterboard has been applied to all the stone walls and Plasterboard to the ceiling and new partition walls.
• Expansion Foam has been used to fill the difficult gaps that it was not suitable for plasterboarding 
• Outside Corner Strips has been applied to the Chimney Breasts
• All the skirting board has been cut and positioned, although not yet secured as plastering needs to happen.
• I have tested all the electric cable runs using a light fitting and connection the fuse box end to an extension lead.  I will hopefully get ALS Frappat to connect to the fuse box later this year.
• My tools have been moved into the Store Room and the floors swept and tidied . 

I will do a final video before leaving next weekend and post below.

La Maison Grenier Renovation Video

Key Tasks Still To Do Next Trip (Whenever I am allowed and able to come!)

• Scrim all the board joins and over gaps
• Fix Paper Corners on the boarded internal corners
• Apply thin coat of plaster jointing
• Level the stair sides
• Replace damages floorboards
• Deep Clean the flooring joints
• Sand the wooden floorboards
• Fix Door Handles

Summer Trip 2020

Another hot morning on Tuesday so I started the work early and finished by mid day with the render to the inside wall of the Utility Room. The experience yesterday made the task a lot easier and I managed to create a smooth finish, before apply the stipple effect with the brush to texture the wall and hide the imperfection!

Work Completed  - 1st to 18th June 2020

Having arrived here at the end of May, I commenced work on La Maison as planned and covered on the Task List. After 3 weeks all the planned work on the Task List below is completed up to Connecting the Water and Basins, Shower and Bath, as well as Sanding the Floor Boards.

The Wood Burning Stoves are in and the Balsalt  Stone Hearths arrived and are in position.  Really pleased with these and they set off the stoves on the flooring.

Had a small problems with the Bath water waste not escaping and had to get access to fix the pipes.  I messed up before by using a long piece of flexible pipe, but had sorted it all now.

Here is  a short video of the work completed to 18th June 2020 

https://youtu.be/iOmn1Nft-6M

Weekending 28th June 2020

On Monday and Tuesday, I did some little tidy up jobs and took the opportunity to load the trailer with the old loft insulation and take it down to the recycling center and total cleared the loft, as well as order three door for the upper stair, the new store and electrics, boiler room from Lapeyre.  These come complete and assembled with the doors, so making it easy to construct the framework around, rather than making them fit the frame.  Should be collected on 10th July.

Despite the heat wave starting I decided to moved the Kitchen Unit carcasses into the house.  These have been stored in the barn since 2014, but have survived without issue and I managed to move and loosely position in the morning before the heat became too much.

Here are some pics of them in position:

I 

I have realized that the Corian Worktops I bought with me will not fit or any too much and risky work to undertake so have ordered units for Leroy Merlin, with a new compound sink, dishwasher and a corner Extractor Unit.

I should have enough of the same Oak Doors to construct units for the Utility Room, so they will all match, hopefully....!

After discussion, we have decided to remove the tall fridge cupboard enclosure on the left side wall to keep it clean and have a under counter fridge and a large freezer in the utility room. This has improved the look, flow and will make things easier.  I have also temporary erected the partitions to create the look.  the counter top partition will be 20cm above the final worktop, which I have ordered, but is 30cm at the moment and. will be cut to size when and  I get the worktop installed.

So tomorrow, I will be able to fit the damage feet to some units and then adjust all to level and ensure room for the bottom Kick Board
I am also expecting delivery of the additional tin of Manns Pine Stains - Driftwood to finish the upstairs floor and then next week finish these floors with the OSMO Polyx Oil to protect the floors. 

Friday 26th June 2020

It is funny how things have a way of solving themselves when you have time and least expect it!

Having removed the large fridge cupboard I needed to move it out of the way and into the Utility Room and this was the first task this morning and went easier that expect, as I was fresh, but I now need to move forward a low level socket.

The wood filler on the damaged feet base had dried enough to secure the feet bases to three units and I was able to get them done and in position, but will wait until next week to fit the feet secure.  In doing so I realized 45cm Waste Bin Cupboard would be better by the sink and swapped over a 30cm cupboard to the hob/oven area.

Having misplaced large chimney cover, Barry from Stove Sellers delivered a replacement and this allowed me to adjust it to fit into position and next week I will secure it fully to complete the Wood Stove installation.

Additionally, I was delighted that DPD delivered the  extra Manns Pine Stain I ordered and this allowed me to complete the upstairs floors, again making them ready for the Polyx Oil treatment next week as hoped. Success!

Weekending 5th July 2020

Monday and Tuesday

So, the week started well and having adjusted the feet of all the units to allow the Kickboards underneath, I secured the new Kitchen-Utility Room partition wall against the end Larder with Expanded Foam and it has proved really good and strong.

The chimney cover has been applied and now just needs a little plaster filler to tidy up, but the most satisfying task on Tuesday is that I managed to clean and install all the cupboard drawers and doors, making the kitchen take shape.  Just need to work out how the Larder Pull Out cage gets properly installed.  Easier said than  done!

Wednesday

In preparation for work next week, early this morning I went to collect 10 bags of the VPI Enduni 65 single coat render for the old rear house exposed stone wall. This is now the Garden Room Wall that I expose and will coat and brush off the render to fill the gaps and leave the stone exposed, but more of that next week.

So, today I also replace the single  wall socket that was left expose when we decided not to use the Tall Refrigerator Cupboard on the side wall. It looked silly to have the wall and worktop space without at least tow appliance sockets and the single, as well as another double socket will be used on partition backed worktop, once the dishwasher is installed, the low partition secured and lowered.

I also got some french partition corner strips, which are excellent and rigid, as well as code coded and applied this to the partition by the door to the Utility and will plaster fill tomorrow

The rough plan for the rear wall of the Utility Room was adjusted today, which I decided to utilse the last full cupboard and three drawer and thought it look better on the end and visible from the Cuisine as shown below.

So, I have finished the week successfully with apply the first coat of plaster to the partition corner on the units to the door and pleased with the result, just need a little clean up and a final fine coat.  Satisfyingly, I succeeded in working out what bits were needed and how to install the Larder mechanism and wire baskets, as well as the door.

I also decided to raise the height of the Utility Room cabinets, so that the work-surface ran above the ledge on the east side wall and moved the water feed tap to the east side where I have decided it will be better to locate the washing machine.

After days of try to work out how the small cupboard wire trays would work it came to me late Friday evening and first thing on Saturday confirmed how to changed the support bracket so the door
opened to the right and I succeeded in mounting the mechanism and trays correctly...very satisfying!

So, now I have finished the units in the Cuisine until the appliances and worktop arrives.  Next week, I will make a new  cupboard unit in the Utility to support the sink, once the washing machine arrives that will fit next to it  and will start to render the rear Garden Room Wall, if all goes well.

Weekending 12th July 2020

Have made a good start to the week  Fitted an outside light above the front door, with some minor changes needed and start the rendering of the Garden Room Wall, as planned.  Have completed two 1.5m sections at either and or the wall and with the advice of a neighbor left the first coat to dry for nearly two hours and then brushed off and buffed the main stones with a wire brush.  Good advice and I am pleased with the final result.  With luck should finish the rest of this wall tomorrow and then just need some touching up down later in the week.   

Today was a good day that resulted in the wall being completed, with just a little touch up work once all is dry later this week. Very satisfying and the render is great to work with.

Visited Limoges on Thursday to collect the 3 doors and frames for the Loft from Lapeyre and the Sink Taps from Leroy Merlin. By the time I returned it was just under 30 degrees so time for only easy work.  The wall has dried out nearly and the colour softened nicely.  Having cut most of the panels for the Utility under Sink Cupboard yesterday,  I assembled and fitted the feet and door today as shown.  very pleased with the result and just need to add a filler panel, before the Washing Machine is delivered tomorrow and then finalise the space and fittings before the worktop is collected in August.

So finished the week with a productive day and got the Utility under Sink Cupboard finished, with the blanking side and shelf installed, and adjusted the door.  The extra Polyx Oil arrived in the morning and I was able to finished the Bedroom 3 floor before the delivery arrived of the DishWasher and Washing Machine.  Unpacked both and placed them into position to verify the space requirements and will complete things next week.

Sunday 12th July 2020

Yet again, the benefit of time and reflection has [roved beneficial and resulted in me deciding to swap the Dishwasher and Fridge locations.  I realised the water feed to the DW was going to be difficult and would be easier and accessible if I located the DW where the Fridge was planned  If fact it might prove a better preparation work area for the fridge to be under the partition wall and more natural for the DW to be between the sink and hob. So next week I will prepare the wall feed and electric points for the new plan, in advance of the worktop collection early August.

Weekending 19th July 2020

As has often been the case, the smaller tasks can take longer and this week has eventually seen the fixation of the cabinet units, securing the low partition wall and installing electrics to the partition wall.  I have added a second side of plasterboard to the insulated board and this has give added strength and installed a double and single socket in the back.  I used Expanded Foam to glue the two sections together, after cutting cable channels in and then used the foam and a few brackets to secure the board to the back of the units.  

Today, I have connected the electrics supply and added a small double socket to the inside rear void of the waste bin unit, which is perfect as it gives access to the sockets for the Fridge and Lighting for the kickboard that I will install.

 
Working week has come to an end and a few small but time consuming tasks underway  I gave the kitchen partition a fine plaster coat on the main corner and top.  The top and and end will be finished with Oak and I will need to rub down on Monday and give hopefully a final coat. Whilst I had the plaster I gave the Bath End Panel by the radiator a fine coat as well

I found a piece of panel to be able to cut and make a kickboard for the Utility Room Cupboards and did some plumbing prep, ahead of getting the worktop and final fit of the sink.

Weekending 26th July 2020

The hot weather continues and despite this I proceeded to mix and apply Enduit65 render to the Garden Room side wall. It again went on easily and after waiting for it to partially set I was able to Stipple the wall to give a texture and flatten the look. There is some added fixing needed, once all has dried but tomorrow I should complete the internal side wall in the Utility Room.

I also cleaned the Garden Room floor in prep for the final grouting being applied tomorrow.

Weekending 30th August 2020

Work continued during August, but As I was doing a large detailed update I lost the page!  This result is my tiredness stopping my updates, but good progress has continued and he is a video of the status of work:

https://youtu.be/KRaPeay8Pzc

So now once I have fitted the additional worktop in the Utility Room and got the Plumbing connected to the Utility sink, it is just painting of all the Skirting Board and Architrave to do next week and then lots of fine finishing to complete the work.  Oh! and get the door handles and locks sorted, as I need to use french ones and not the cheap UK sourced items.

Weekending 27th September 2020

The great weather continued during September and we only had a little little rain in the final few days of the month.  The final video of work this summer shows that all the key tasks have been completed and now just fine finishing is needs during my next winter visit.

La Maison Grise 28092020