Reflection

We bought the old Kensington PIcture House in February 2011, so this ‘project’ has been going on for over two years now, even more if you include the months trying to buy it.

And now, we find ourselves on the edge of being able to move in to our new home.

What’s left to do? Well, the concrete floor downstairs needs polishing, the first floor wooden floor needs laying, then the stairs can be put in. Once that’s done, the rest of the tiling can be finished and then the bathrooms and kitchen can be fitted, with the doors, skirting and architrave to follow. A final decoration, then we can move in.

While all that’s happening, we’re sorting out the ground works outside. Back gate, pool, decking, pool house etc

Our moving in date is 1st July.

The ‘project’ now feels like our new home. I feel like I’ve half moved in already, and it’s really just the ground floor and stairs that keep it from feeling like a home rather than a building site. It’s been a long haul. So many ups and downs even if there’s not been much at all that’s gone ‘wrong’. It’s just been the pressure of trying to make the right decisions, when a lot of the decisions wouldn’t be deemed ‘normal’. It’s not a normal house, and we’ve never ever done anything like this before.

All we’ve done is engage in the design process, and say what we like and don’t like, trusting the outcome will be amazing rather than ordinary. And now, our bravery seems to be coming off. The exposed concrete beams that we had shot blasted rather than boxed in, well they look great against the white paint, like old oak beams - but concrete! Sounds crazy, but looks great and gives the house real character. Like a lot of things!

When we see people stopping to have a look at our house, it’s either because it’s a monstrosity or it’s beautiful, and no-one’s told us they don’t like it! On the contrary, people have been so kind, and we certainly think it looks lovely.

I’m really looking forward to moving in, whenever that is.