A few days ago we discovered that a water-softener had been installed…we have no clue how long this has been here but it has cleared up one problem – this room has been changed from ‘the lost room’ to ‘the water-softener room’.

Mum – this photo is especially for you

After the drains had been replaced, Dave and John (builders) have been busy replacing the tiles. Turns out that this kind of job is a bit like a washing machine – there are fewer tiles afterwards than there were to start…how does that happen?!

Bright white paint everywhere!

The front door is now all blue, to open into our blue floor

The bricks at the back of the house have been replaced…we just have to think about tidying up the back wall now!

The walls in the hallway have been painted a soft grey, the ceilings and cornicing bright white.

It all looks so clean!

The alarm has been fitted but nobody has yet told us how it works. I’m not sure that is a sustainable situation

Oooh yes, the famous Gesso wall lights…they are ceramic and have been painted the same colour as the walls. How smart is that?!

Dave is very pleased with the deep blue in the dining room – perfect for dinner parties!

We love this coat stand, that Keith (decorator) brought from Mum and Bob’s house but we think it looks a little bit small now it is in a room with 4m high ceilings!

The kitchen all arrived on time and the kitchen man spent a day installing some of it, into the freshly-painted space.

The worktop guy has been to measure up and is now creating his masterpiece. That should be with us in a week or so but who knows…?

Andy (plumber) has put the radiator on the wall, the decorators have painted everywhere and put the ceiling rose up.

More bathroom stuff has arrived and plumbing work is underway.

Look at the gorgeous taps! Having everything installed, when it was decided on and ordered months ago, is very exciting – we can hardly remember what we chose!

Lovely radiator, bidet and toilet and sink unit thingy are being put in. Bidet has to be returned though – some flaw or another. I don’t know but we have been promised all will be finished by 15th November…hmmm…

The decorators have put up the new coving, which I am very impressed with, as it bears a close resemblance to the one in the dining room downstairs. I just can’t really believe how long it took us to decide on the design and the likelihood is that nobody will never even notice it!

We absolutely luuuurrrve the greens in the lounge…

…and library! Just imagine this with a big bookcase, leather chairs and a great roaring fire…oh goodness, I feel middle-aged just thinking about it

Dave assured me that we won’t be old and boring – this will be a fun house!

We love all the colours in the house, apart from the pink that is now on most of the walls in the two large bedrooms! Apparently this is the colour I chose but I have absolutely no recollection of this!! The red is pretty nice though…

Here is an action shot of Michael (decorator). The doors and woodwork have been glossed. The trick now is to close them