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2009-06-10T09:37:00.007+01:00

Ah the days before the property crash, when everyone was still smiling... the good old days eh?! Though, prior to re-looking at these old pics, I hadn't noticed that great glaring physical chasm between Sarah and I which did reflect our differing views on property development :-)

This was filming in Chortton, Manchester for Property Ladder 2002, the last day's shoot. I hadn't seen the show, so I still liked Sarah at this point ;-)

When tv shows could afford make-up artists on location and there was time for a laugh in between takes.....

And I still maintain that breakfast bar was a GREAT idea for £120 :-)

Hello to Jamie from Magpie Films in Birmingham, oh ye of the lovely camera angles and soft lenses! I will never forget you getting that bloody camera nicked in Chorlton, and then us getting it back on the promise of a reward which the thick thieves failed to collect! http://www.magpiefilms.co.uk/index.htm

Sarah Beeny's Property Snakes and Ladders

2009-06-10T08:07:00.006+01:00

No longer do we have plain old Property Ladder, but as per market conditions, we now have the new and brutal Property Snakes and Ladders

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/property-ladder/

As Sarah herself says, this series has issues which are "bigger and meaner and nastier than the first series. There's more money involved and you can’t tweak the figures – we’re talking about people losing hundreds of thousands of pounds." http://tv.sky.com/property-snakes-ladders

I feel rather outdated!! As a contributor to the first (or was it second? not sure, anyway) series, my risk was far lower, on a Manchester property bought at £102k, with refurb and financing costs of £24k, and a resale of £180k. And Sarah gave me an absolute roasting. I really didn't like her for a while, you know, throwing stuff at the telly whenever she came on and making disparaging remarks about her in the press :-) Then we did a re-visit in 2005, and they were far nicer, so I stopped throwing stuff at the telly.

But this series, whoah!!! The bank of mum and dad.... have these people no shame? Risking their parents' savings and homes on a property dream, blimey, that takes some hard-faced single-mindedness. I feel quite proud that I only risked mine and the bank's money!

I did howl at some of the figures quoted last night.... £176,000 and 8 months to do up a 4 bed terrace, was Rick Dickinson deranged??! You can build a three bed house for less than that. How come Sarah never questions the build costs - they are insane. I know it was Battersea, but still, it'd be cheaper to fly in a team of Polish builders from Gdasnk and have them live on site for 4 months, which is how long it should have taken. But at least he's got the coolest trainee electrician's bachelor pad in London, eh?

£105,000 for Natasha Durr's 3 bed bungalow with extension, still very expensive. I think I might have to put my quotes to clients up based on these figures. Triple them, in fact:-) She had a great can do attitude and I liked the fact that she was constantly pushing the builders, but I wonder if she'd have been quite so gung ho if it wasn't her mum's money she was spending, but her own and the banks? You don't fear failure at 21, especially when the person doing the lending is as laid back as Natasha's lovely mum. I hope she doesn't give up on her dream of making her million in property and rides out these difficult years, then starts again with a better project and lower build costs. The Mirror calls her hoity-toity this morning - I think if we encouraged more go getters and determined young people like Natasha, instead of mocking them and willing them to fail, this pitiful excuse for an economy we have at the moment might have a better future.

Whatever happens to them, I can guarantee they will have people quoting their Property Ladder quotes and appearances to them forever, as I've had, and the endless repeats on More 4 will ensure their local notoriety! In everything I do, people still ask me about my episode and that was in 2002 for goodness sake. Think I might post some archive pics in a bit.....

And Sarah!! After all the stick you gave me in 2001 about knocking through a pokey kitchen to make a fabulous open plan kitchen diner opening out onto the garden - under no circumstances knock that wall down you said, even getting in structural engineers and agents to tell me what a mistake it was..... and last night you were saying this idea was an absolute must as it's what every buyer wants. Hmmmmmm, glad I taught you something ;-)

Tempted by Tempus?

2009-06-07T16:21:00.012+01:00

Michael and I were dispatched to film today at Tempus Tower, just a stone's throw from Harvey Nics in Manchester, and it was definitely one of the more luxurious apartments we've filmed over the months!

We headed up to the 19th floor, I love hearing the word Penthouse :-)

The development consists of a mill conversion, which you can see in the foreground, and the tower to the left, and we were right up on the top!

The view from the apartment was stunning, you could see No1 Deansgate, the Hilton, the MEN wheel, and the rest of the city to the south, and miles and miles into the distance, all from your dining room table. Pretty impressive view, and beats my bird table. Hmmmm.

As you can see from the pics, the inside was pretty cool too; roomy, big balconies, a great party space, and we had the lovely Michaela giving us a guided tour.

The bedrooms were lovely, calm and cool, with sophisticated pale blues, creams and silvers, and a fantastic feature wall with a huge diamond above the bed. Plus the diamond bedroom had a hot tub on the balcony right outside the sliding doors. Decadent or what.

The kitchen / living / dining area was totally different, with a bold monochrome wall, black and red kitchen, leaning towards retro furniture and mirrored shelving / pillar - not a totally cohesive interiors scheme as it was so different to the bedrooms, but I'm a fuddy duddy and like my rooms to flow. Someone has snapped this one up, so they are doing something right :)

Most of the apartments have sold, just 4 penthouses left, so if you've any spare cash and fancy a gorgeous pad in the city, get yourself down there or click on http://www.tempus-apartments.com/home.htm

I liked this view of the MEN wheel, you could gaze at it whilst you are nibbling on a sophisticated city centre pad type brioche thingy for your breakfast ;-)

Break in V Breakdown

2009-06-07T10:48:00.005+01:00

Bloody nora, the new tenants only moved in yesterday and were woken early this Sunday morning by Manchester's Finest telling them there has been a break in the flat below them, window smashed and did they hear anything? Jesus, and there's me saying, oh yes, it's a great development, in 8yrs we've never had any problems, I don't even put a lock on the storage cupboard............

Is this Sod's Law working hard to put my new tenants at ease in their new home?!

Lunch time update. It wasn't a break in at all. Well, it was but only by the sozzled tenant who'd been locked out and decided to break a window to get in?! Then collapsed unconscious inside and didn't wake even when the police were there looking at the window to his bedroom. The sozzled tenant who now has a pissed off management company, letting agent and landlord gunning for him.

At least I can go back to my claims to tenants that it's a perfectly respectable development, with the exception of their alcoholic neighbours below of course.

Sunday working - shouldn't be allowed!

2009-06-07T08:39:00.004+01:00

Lots to do today - a mountain of paperwork with so many new tenancies, and the govt doesn't help piling on the bureaucracy with deposit protection etc, as if there isn't enough to do. And I'll head over to Project Deano to make a list for the builders to get on with, all the rip out is done, and work has commenced proper now. Plus meeting a friend to help her pick a bathroom for her little Project Shabby-Chic!

Unusually for early on a Sunday, all bright and breezy, no alcohol consumed last night, a) due to the new regime of credit crunch induced household budgeting boo hiss and b) it was Charlie's football presentation last night - his team were Under 10's league champions, cup champions, team of the year, and with 35 goals since christmas he was manager's player of the year and player's player of the year. Blimey! What a star, he was totally on a high, quite possibly due to all the e-numbers and rola cola consumed :-) A great night for Urmston Town. They've worked so hard, and improved so much this year, and won their very own Double!

All the player's mums n dads were there, so a shame that such an amazing night for him was missed by his mother. She hates his dad and I so much that she refuses to have anything to do with his football, as his dad organises it, so he missed out on having her there on his big night. So different to Alex's footy, where we all go together with Al's mum, and we all get on famously. Kids benefit so much when their divorced parents aren't still feuding and fighting and hating. I had all that negative crap from mine, and it sucks. When will adults learn, eh?! Never!

I read Katie Price's comments about getting a new male role model for her son Harvey now PA won't be around so much. So despite him being such a great step father to Harvey, she's going to airbrush him out of their lives and use contact as an emotional weapon. How utterly bizarre. Why do some women think this, think that their kids don't need the man who was in their lives, just cause the women don't anymore? Anger? Bitterness? One-up-manship? Baffles me.

Get the Mosst out of your showering experience

2009-06-06T10:09:00.004+01:00

From a little surf on the web, Swiss designer Nguyen La Chanh's shower mat made from ball, island and forest moss is the bathroom equivalent of Marmite - some people love it for it's green credentials, soft underfoot feel and total originality, other freak out at stepping onto a living something after they've gotten all clean in the shower, and are unconvinced as to the mat's cleanliness and durability.

I adore it, and the designer is adamant there is no soil or dirt required, just water. I reckon if you care for it as you would any other living plant in your house, it'd feel fab to step out onto after a shower, like walking on soft grass.

Not so sure if you have heavy footed boys in the house - maybe it should be confined to a luxury ensuite ;-)

She's estimating it'll be around £220 if she can get it mass produced, so you'd better have green fingers, or toes, and make sure you look after it - a £2.99 fern from Ikea it ain't!

Loving his very compact and stylish herb wheel, the Tasty Frame too.

Dreaming of a weekend off....

2009-06-06T09:25:00.003+01:00

Signed in and up the boys for Project BB last night, contracts, inventory, bills (utility companies, the bane of my life). They were delighted to find out that the gas meter does not turn, and therefore their bill will be ridiculously low. I have given NPower this information on a number of occasions, but they seem unwilling, unable, incapable of understanding me. To the point where an engineer came out, looked at the meter, and told me it was fine. Ok, fine it is. it does register usage, but if that means it's fine, so be it. Idiots.

Need to get an extra set of keys, the builder's gone off to Spain for a week with the third set, the swine. This week has also been filled with bed escapades. One of the new tenants at BB has his own bed. As had one of the previous tenants who moved out and took her bed with her, and this would have been ok had the new tenant mentioned that he also had a bed, but of course he didn't. So this week M brought a dismantled metal frame bed from the cellar at another building, searched an hour for the right alan key, built it all up, and got a mattress. And now the tenant wants it all dismantling again and moving out.

This is on top of another tenant moving out last weekend from Project Copper and deciding the oversized Ikea oak framed bed he had bought and installed didn't fit where he was going so he left it. But he had built it so ineptly that M (without telling me) rebuilt it and glued it, and bracketed it. Before I told him I didn't really want it in there, and the new tenant wanted a normal sized bed. So he had to dismantle it all again, take it back to the cellar at another building and move a normal 4'6" bed in.

Moral of tale, never let tenants move furniture around and buy new stuff which doesn't fit!

And always keep beer in fridge to keep bed-building-man unhappy with bed traumas happy.

No boys this week due to work ( a very rare occurence) and it's been weird, always miss them when they don't visit for whatever reason.

But have got a huge amount done. How do people cope/work full time when they have children there 24/7? I'm not surprised women are at least realising it's bleedin impossible to have it all and still remain sane. I have 4 different careers, have a relationship to work at, am only a weekly step mum, and try and have a life too, and I am frazzled!

A bird in the hand....

2009-06-05T11:57:00.003+01:00

The lovely 1 bed Project Lime has been empty for a couple of weeks, its gorgeous, I love it, but it isn't massive. Compact, in estate agent's parlance.

But last night I had a viewing and the call this morning said they wanted to take it. But not until the end of June. What do you do? It's only the 5th and that seems like ages away, with no rent coming in until they move in. Do you say no, but risk no-one else taking it, and then being stuck with no-one. Or yes, and kiss rent for June goodbye? And I have more viewings booked in over the weekend.

I suggested a compromise to the would-be tenant.... would they be willing to move the date forward slightly to secure the flat, and I would take it off the market? And they agreed, and we shook on the 20th June. Only 2 weeks away, and I have the security of an incoming tenant.

Hence a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Vicky the letting agent made a really useful point too - when signing 6 month tenancies in June/ July, be aware that just before Xmas is a bad time to get new tenants - try and extend the tenancy to end Jan, to give you that good month when lots of people look to move.

First newsletter for makeurmove.com

2009-06-05T09:18:00.005+01:00

The first newsletter for Rich's site http://www.makeurmove.co.uk/ is about to be published and sent to all the landlords and property sellers on their database. I'm writing a monthly column for them about general landlord traumas and tips, and fielding questions - if they come in!

Check it out if you are a landlord looking to advertise a property, or you have one to sell, it may be a viable alternative to a high street agent.

Plastic grass? An artificial lawn?! No half naked men!?

2009-06-04T18:07:00.008+01:00

What a perfectly hideous idea!

Why on earth would you? Why would anyone buy an artificial lawn for a space where a real one would grow. Oh, yes, laziness and a complete disregard for nature. Only allowed for football pitches, completely shaded areas and event stands!

Not would they stop any birds or wildlife coming to your garden, but they are quite possibly toxic and dangerous...

http://www.whsd.k12.pa.us/courses/J0054/Reading_Fluency_Passages_for_Enrichment/Fake Grass ET_332.pdf

Why would anyone want to stop this sort of visitor, a mistle thrush listening for his dinner.....

But of course, far worse is that if you don't have a lawn, then you can't instruct your other half to mow it half naked. And thats a crime.

Ikea hackers feature my sticker madness

2009-06-04T17:51:00.004+01:00

Went a bit mad with Ikea stickers for Project Cathedral, see earlier posts and the great ikeahacker.blogspot.com has featured them on their blog and site - cool!

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/06/3-ikea-hackeas-with-stickers.html

Red Magazine update

2009-06-04T10:18:00.004+01:00

The article last year was so fab, great pr, I am keeping my fingers crossed for another one. It's up to the editor, but they got great feedback after last year's, and they want to see how the 4 women featured have fared in the property crash. It's hit us all, the journalist said, one woman has had to go back to working FT whilst still managing her houses, another is working abroad, and she though the fact that one of my mortgage companies is in administration was brilliant (?!)

I would be lying if I said it wasn't incredibly flattering to be featured in a national mag, lots of people saw it. The strangest was an evil letter I got from M's ex-wife in which she told me I didn't have a maternal bone in my body as I cared more for bricks than children, attempting to quote the Red article's headline but twisting it (and the knife!). Oh, the joys of being a step mum....

Project Deano

2009-06-03T22:04:00.005+01:00

The guys have started on Project Deano today and the rip out commenced on time, well, after we'd tracked down an errant labourer. M was half way thru the Ok we'll see you tomorrow then sentence when I grabbed the phone and barked in a Debra from the Apprentice type fashion that M would be round for him in twenty minutes. I'll post some befores tomorrow, it was truly horrendous, as well as slightly illegal in lots of electrical and structural ways. Nothing scary and unfixable though. That's often no reflection on the landlord either, as the rules and regs change so bloody often these days (grasping government taxing bx!/x!*ds) that by the time you've done some work, it's illegal. It's ridiculous more like.

This is a picture of a bowing, warping bit of timber which seems to be holding up a rear elevation, it so should be metal, and will be by the time we've finished:

And there was a wall here, but I have a penchant for taking walls down. Here the bathroom will be far better with a centrally opening door, and the wall wasn't load bearing, so down it came. I love open plan, but even I would draw the line at looking at the loo every time I got to the top of the stairs.

The green shoots of Homesmine recovery may well be poking though, in that developers are starting to book episodes again so we can go out and film their developments. Next week's episode will be two apartment blocks, one new build in Old Trafford and a mill conversion in Manchester city centre, and we did the links today. Sadly I got most excited about the map application on my new iPhone, finding where we were going and then locating ourselves thru the GPS... felt like a Will Smith film, highly amusing, I must be old.

Karchering - hold it like a machine gun!

2009-06-03T21:59:00.002+01:00

It's how you hold it, don't you know.....

Chandelier a go go

2009-06-02T21:55:00.004+01:00

The hairy lair is now spotless, repainted, and ready to let again, though I've had to reduce the rent. It's so competitive, rents are definitely heading south. I was chatting with Rich, a friend who runs makeurmove.com, an online estate and lettings agency:

http://www.makeurmove.co.uk/

His experience is much the same, though his view was that if landlords hold firm, and don't all rush to drop rents, they will maintain value. True, but only if there is some element of co-operation, and landlords aren't desperate for rents, as many are at the moment. This flat is tiny with a capital T so a slight drop in rent will shift it. She said confidently.

Project Cathedral's chandelier has eventually come into stock and was fitted today. Lush lush lush. And about ten times nicer than the lights in my own house. Hmmm, there is something going wrong around here....

And if that lot wasn't enough for one day, the lads moved out of one of the two beds. Bless them, they had left it in a lovely state, roping in mum to help, apparently. So on the hottest day of the year so far, a full day of shifting, clearing, touching up of paint, and snagging ready for the girls downstairs to move upstairs. Well, they'd taken one look at the gorgeous south facing terrace and took first dibs on it when the lads moved out.

Karchering the Lime tree sap off the slate tiles was a bit of a chore, especially as it has become increasingly obvious that there is zero slope on it for water to run away. Time to get the builders back. Karchering is one of my most favourite things, high water pressure jetting in the sunshine is a great stress reliever.

Red Magazine has been on, I did an interview with them last year for a property article, and they are doing a follow up. Great magazine, great pr opportunity, very sweet of Stephanie the journalist to get back in touch.

And Property Ladder called the other day, maybe interested in doing a Revisit again. Like the don't show the old one on E4 enough??!!

No more boy tenants with long hair. Ever.

2009-05-29T15:24:00.004+01:00

There is not a cat in hell's chance I am ever again renting a flat to a boy with long dark hair, who owns any type of musical instruments. Over the years you kind of get to know types, and how they will be, clean, fussy, easy going, annoying....

Computer geeks are great, and never bother you, but have so much stuff the carpets get wrecked from boxes from internet gaming companies on the floor all the time. And they never use the oven, so its always spotless. Nurses cause lots of condensation from cleaning their uniforms, but are clean. Doctors are mucky. Irish girls have lots of lovely stuff and keep the flats in a lovely state. Etc.

But boys with long hair and musical leanings. NEVER AGAIN. There have been 3 of them, all in different flats, over the years, and they have all been nightmares. The flats are always filthy, with long dark hairs stuck to everything from the ice in the freezer to the bathroom light, how is this possible? They must just never brush their hair. It's weird, because I've got girl tenants with flowing locks, and their flats aren't full of hair. Do these boys not own combs? Are they incapable of using a hoover?

They do not know the meaning of the words 'tenants responsibility to clean the flat'. Of all the flats over the years, the two worst have been lived in and left by hairy musicians. I though the doctors were bad the other week, but this flat this week, the bloody bathroom has to be regrouted there is so much black mould. As we stood in the bathroom doorway on the inspection, and my jaw hit the floor at the state of it, the tenant said to me "I think there's a difference in our standards, it must be a boy girl thing." The toilet actually looked like it had a toupee, there were so many of his hairs stuck to it.

Plus there are always money issues, in that they never have any, so the whole deposit issue is always that, a big issue. 2 of the 3 didn't get any deposit back at all, and I hate reducing deposits.

So that is it. No more of them. They will be turned away at the door and can lay their guitar strummin leather clad moulty heads elsewhere.

Gathering ideas for Project Home

2009-05-27T18:31:00.004+01:00

I'm not sure why I am even writing this, because the chances of ever getting round to renovating my home, with each passing credit crunched day, are slim to remote.... but I am nonetheless starting to gather inspiration for Project Brook.

How lovely are these images posted by My Sweet Savannah?

http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-heart-silhouettes.html

And perfect in style for Brook, with its oversized rooms, quirky features and monochrome vibe going on. Oh yes, these will definitely be popped in the scrap book for when we start the renovations in 2018.....

Rain rain go away, sleepover boys want to play

2009-05-27T11:03:00.004+01:00

So of course, we have a boys sleepover, and it bloody rains. So, no nets up in the garden, and 3 10yr olds now so full of energy and bored of playing Buzz.

I'm going to have to let them out.

My lawn is going to be a mud bath, like last time, see below. Buggar.

Bear in mind this was green before. Lushly green. Like a lawn should be.

The particularly barren patch to the left is the goal. Clearly.

Do boys ever stop eating?

2009-05-26T20:25:00.003+01:00

Si's caf is open for business.

Half term.

Football sleepover....

So far today it's produced:

Cereals

Yoghurts

Chicken and philly sandwiches, no salad

Chicken and mayonnaise, with tomato

Chicken and lancashire cheese sandwiches, full salad

Ham and sprouting seed salad (guess who)

Chicken burgers

Super noodles, bbq flavour

Ham and mayo sarnies

Ham and cheese toasties

Southern fried wedgies (homemade), 4lbs of

58 drinks

And now they want pudding. "The same one we had last time please Si, with the chocolate cake, ice-cream, marshmallows, bubblegum and chocolate sauce"

I may leave home.

Project BB - Tuscan Olive worktop

2009-05-26T19:43:00.005+01:00

I loved the Duropal sample of this worktop, and when the actual top arrived I wasn't disappointed, looked great, and a radical overhaul from the dull beech woodblock one in there already. It wasn't 100% necessary, the old one looked ok and wasn't in bad condition, a bit warped and marked, but cost price was under £100 and when coupled with repainting the old doors in Rum Truffle, it now look a lot more contemporary. Well, I think so anyway! There were some large travertine tiles left over from a previous job, a little high for a splashback at 45omm but at least they will protect the walls if the next lot of tenants (3 boys) are as grubby as my last lot of dirty doctors :)

This is the new look kitchen, have none of the old look for comparisons so you'll have to take my word for it that it looks better.

Paint your laminate flooring, credit crunch style!

2009-05-26T15:03:00.006+01:00

Project BB was looking a little tired, as well as filthy, and the living room laminate floor, which has seemed oh so funky in 2001, now looked like a battered old squash court. Time for a change, but no cash, in the attic or otherwise :)

So a Sian stylee makeover was needed, starting with the floor. Inspired by the gorgeous brilliant white floor in Project Cathedral, but lacking the new extra wide pine boards, a little experiment has been carried out. Laminate lightly sanded, oil based primer sponge-rollered on (don't use brushes as they leave lines and hairs), then get rid of all the dust and close all the windows, cause heaven only knows where all the dust, insects and bits of fluff come from.

After the primer, comes the two coats of diamond eggshell white paint - water based, not oil, as oil based gloss paint eventually yellows and looks hideous. Of course if you are using another colour, then this doesn't matter, though water based eggshell dries a zillion times quicker than gloss.

Then two coats of varnish, flooring hardness, I used Ronseal cause it does what it says etc etc :-)

And suddenly, the room was transformed, I was delighted with it. Blitzed the Ikea tables with gloss, new lights instead of the papery student ones, new hanging panels at the windows and a zippy Ikea print on the wall. Lo and behold the very next day, two lots of tenants fighting over it. Result.

Of course there was the obligatory disaster. Not mine, you understand, because I wouldn't have been stupid enough (like a man was) to move chocolate brown gloss paint (like a man did) and put it on the communal hallway carpet (like a man did) without ensuring the lid was properly on (like a man did)......

Homesmine Summer Interiors special

2009-05-22T14:03:00.008+01:00

Todays new Homesmine Ep 21 ( I think!) - http://www.channelm.co.uk/programmes/index/0/25/homesmine.html

features lots of great designs, products and people we've met at recent shows like Birmingham Interiors and 100%.

Above is the BRILLIANT invention the Snood, a magnetic halogen light revitaliser!,and an interview with the inventor herself.

I also had a chat with the furniture designer Amy Vinn about her funky and fun award winning Allsorts furniture, admired by Bertie Bassett himself.

More young designers work which is pictured on the episode can be seen at :

http://mydeco.com/people/Sian Astley/blog/2009/jan/22/birmingham-interiors-young-designer-2009/

Also featured on today's show is trend forecaster Victoria Renshaw from Scarlet Opus, who I've blogged about before on mydeco.com - http://mydeco.com/people/Sian Astley/blog/2009/feb/01/alice-in-wonderland/

Now there's a woman who knows her industry; she's fascinating, interesting, and friendly to boot.

http://www.scarletopus.com/

And last but not least Anna Ryder Richardson gave us a masterclass in dressing rooms to impress with a demo down at John Lewis. That lady is seriously enthusiastic. Whenever I see a bit of dippy hemming, I will think of her haha.

Total result and new babies!

2009-05-21T20:14:00.002+01:00

Well, what a great night. Project BB has been snapped up by a group of 3 lads, and I came home on a high. I glanced up at the bird box and felt a bit sad, only to look further down the garden and see two new visitors.... two baby squirrels chowing down on the melon I put out this morning. Soooo cute. They don't know us well enough yet, we've one lady squirrel who marches into the kitchen demanding nuts, so they scarpered when they saw me, but not before I got a snap.

Whooo hooooo Got some viewings

2009-05-21T17:08:00.005+01:00

Off to do 3 viewings now, one on an empty 1 bed and 2 on Project BB, pleasepleaseprettyplease let one be let!! It's such a trauma when they are empty, in the good times I never thought about it, it was just a hazard of the job, having short vacant periods, but now it's like, gottta get them full, gotta get the cash in, gotta pay the mortgages, gotta STOP panicking :-)

The lovely Brimelow Babes (and Matt!) are working hard to get viewings, but its so up and down.

http://www.jpandbrimelow.co.uk/

Have to give myself a break, only finished giving Project BB a facelift, well, not quite a facelift, more a bit of Botox and a new lipstick, yesterday.

Loyal Loot Collective and Livio de Marchi

2009-05-21T11:49:00.009+01:00

The Loyal Loot Collective work out of Alberta, Canada, and comprise of four designers working both individually and collaboratively.

http://www.loyalloot.com/

Their water based paint, gloss and reclaimed timber Log Bowls have featured heavily in design press but I only just saw these coat / wall hangers; they reminded me of the amazing Venetian timber artisan Livio de Marchi, though nowhere near as intricate. Some of his smaller works are bras and knickers carved out of wood, and it just sparked off my memory of stumbling across his workshop in Venice years ago and having a chat with the man himself. I was quite skint at the time, but stretched to buying a carved wine bottle and glass. And I still adore them. I couldn't quite manage finances for one of his full sized Ferraris.

http://www.liviodemarchi.com

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/demarchi.htm

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/cars/ferrari/08/livio_de_marche/1408.html

No,I haven't been shopping, honest

2009-05-21T11:07:00.003+01:00

Look, Mart, I know I said I wasn't going to go shopping and I didn't go anywhere near the Trafford Centre. This old thing, christ, I've had its aaaaaages, since the 80's, can't you tell from the body con look?!

Herve Leger? Is it heck. It's Top Shop! You've seen it on Net-a-porter? You've checked my email? How could you?!

What do you mean £6,546 is a bit excessive for a bank holiday weekend night out with the girls? Do you know nothing about fashion, about investment shopping? Don't you know it's a classic?

Yeh, yeh, I'm dreaming, I will be rocking the skinny jeans and top look as usual, and Cheryl will be pictured in this dress in Grazia in a few weeks. Bitch.

Green shoots?

2009-05-21T10:53:00.004+01:00

Chatting with some Didsbury estate agents yesterday about the local property market and they are adamant things are getting better, though whether this is simply relative to how bad things were, I don't know. More sensible offers are being made, they say, not the unbelieveably cheeky ones they have seen over the last few months, and they think the real bargains have been had now.

I remain unsure about that. Homeowners are still coming to the ends of their deals and facing nasty surprises when the value of their homes are revised for any new deal, landlords are facing increasing competition and static rents, and developers still cannot get any cash from the banks.

I hear day after day from people struggling to get by and hit by the uncertainty of the future, and that's the killer. You just can't plan anything right now, because the blinkin goal posts move every other day. I was adamantly going to refurb my own home, then that had to change to doing a new build, now I'm unsure whether to just sit tight. It's bloody annoying thats what it is.

And still my hands are full of is it Lyme isn't it Lyme lumps and bumps, 3 weeks of super strength antibiotics later.... this being even more irritating than the credit crunch.

Oak mantelpiece from reclaimed timber

2009-05-21T10:17:00.003+01:00

I always have bits and pieces of timber lying around the cellar.... house.... garden.... well, anywhere really, and they come in useful when something unusual is called for. I get them from building sites, tree surgeons, all sorts of places. M whistles the theme from Steptoe and Son at me when I bring home another piece of treasure to save for a rainy day or dull wall. Even Sarah Beeny was very dismissive of my bits of salvaged timber but I think they are BEAUTIFUL!!

Used a chunky piece of oak this week to create a mantelpiece in Project BB, above a very sad looking hole which once housed a 1950's gas fire and now tenants pop in pebbles and tea lights. I sanded it down and brackets, hidden behind chiselled out plaster then filled over, support it so it looks like it's floating.

Massacre - Octomum Blue Tit loses 8 to Killer Sparrow

2009-05-20T20:11:00.006+01:00

This morning I heard THE worst noises coming from the blue tits bird box outside my hallway window. We got it two years ago on an RSPB bird box bonanza, and it's been happily settled into by a nesting pair each year. Last year we had 4 fledglings, and it was just lovely to watch them in the hawthorn outside the bedroom being taught how to feed.

So, this year, much the same. The last two weeks have seen Mr & Mrs in and out non-stop with worms and grubs so I figured there was a nest full in there, ready to emerge in the next few weeks.

When I heard the noises today, real squalks and shrieks, they were almost scary. I dashed to the window just in time to see a big sparrow emerge from the front of the box and fly into the tree opposite. My heart sank. Though M insisted it would be fine, and it was probably just having a look, yeah right!! So out came the ladders and up I went, only to have the most hideous sight greet me. 8 dead baby chicks, all huddled in a corner of the box. I though there was only 4, but they were on top of each other. God, it was awful. That bastard sparrow had just gone in a killed them all. It felt like bloody Rwanda at the top of that ladder, he must have sat in the same tree as Mr & Mrs BT, and he'd just slaughtered their kids! I'd had the Octomom of the bird world in my bird box and they were no more.

After checking with the RSPB what to do, and them telling me I couldn't shoot the sparrow, I got all the little bodies out of the box and we buried them under my orchid tree. With Mr & Mrs flying back and forward into a now empty box. So sad, knowing there are no longer any babies in there, do birds have feelings? They'd need bloody counselling after this.

What a rubbish start to the day.

Not assisted by M accidentally (?) hitting me in the face with the camera and giving me a fat lip.

Haggling at B&Q and Lush Living Etc paints

2009-05-19T18:46:00.011+01:00

Project Ballbrook is almost complete, a quick tickle of a rental flat which has turned into a newly tiled bathroom, full redecoration, new kitchen work tops and lots of added bits, sorely needed in what had become an unrentable apartment. Well, unrentable at a decent price, and some of the would be tenants who viewed and didn't take it made me embarrassed. Yes, it was filthy after the dirty doctors but it still needed doing.

The living room needed a mirror, and also another pot of the I-wanna-be-Hoppen Rum Caramel 1 for the kitchen doors, though I keep calling it Rum Truffle, which does suit it far more. So it was off to B&Q. Ikea's mirrors are rubbish at the moment, and the budget dictates no splashing out. Pleasantly surprised, some very acceptable mirrors, including the last of these ones called Aztec, for no other good reason than they have three steps in the oak frame, bit tenuous I thought. Unwrapped and a bit bashed about though, fine for a rental so a bit of haggling was called for. They offered 10&% off. Not good enough. Wouldn't leave the till until the very amused cashier had rung the only manager 3 times and got her down to 25% off. Was very funny. 10% was a rubbish discount though.

Aforementioned mirror up, great for £30!

My problem is not knowing when to stop. I was then found in the decorating aisles drooling in a lustful fashion over the new Living Etc range of paints. First time I'd seen the range, created as a collaboration with Craig & Rose, so the quality is bound to be great, I've used lots of their paints in the past.

Who could resist names like Siren, Love Letter, Rush Hour and Plimsoll?! How great would a job be at that magazine, brainstorming cool tags for stylish shades? I met Suzanna Imre, the editor, once at Chelsea Harbour, she was lovely, very friendly, and open to everyone's questions and interior-obsessed harrassment.

And then a question from M stopped me in my emulsion frenzied tracks. Will painting the living room wall "Wasabi" make the flat more rentable? Buggar. Of course it wouldn't. So I left the store with £19.95 still in my pocket but slightly dejected. I hate this credit crunch :)

You can see the range of paints at the following link:http://www.livingetc.com/decorating/Livingetc_paint_for_modern_living_article_280675.html

And they were DOCTORS!!! do they not know about bacteria???

2009-05-14T08:24:00.004+01:00

How in god's name are out hospitals expected to be clean when trainee doctors are happy to live in filth like this??!! 3 girls as well.... Dirty Gertys. You could catch MRSA from this bloody flat.
You wanna be a landlord.... get used to seeing your properties in this state!

This shower was so bad, we had to take it apart and out of the bathroom to really get to all the hideous black mould / dried hair / skin , no really, it was that bad. This is a tenant's version of cleaning......

Kitchen cupboards. Could there be more grease? I maybe should stress to tenants that I really want them to fry more food, just so it's nice and thick with grime which only Jif / Cif will shift. Cause it such a pleasant job to do.

Kirsty's Home Made Home - is this cheating?!!

2009-05-13T21:19:00.008+01:00

If everything on Kirsty's Home Made Home is made by the delicious Kirsty, how come there are feelers out in the craft industry for someone else who can write Kirsty's Home Made Home book - available soon to go with the series?

Kirsty, that's cheating and very naughty, maybe you should be spanked in that S&M dungeon next door to your house.....

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/kirstie-s-homemade-home/

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/287046/Location-star-Kirstie-Allsopp-rents-out-cottage-near-SampM-dungeon-owned-by-Ms-Demmimdashreal-name-Nicola-Brown-in-Welcombe-Mouth.html

Still have to love her though, she is clearly poshly bonkers, and comes across as likeable, fun to be around and a bit bossy (great qualities in any profession :-)) She needs to stop taking daft Phil's advice on where to buy houses though. I do recall reading a few articles quoting him saying that there was no way house prices would drop / collapse, so do have to question his judgement. I believe he's off to Aus now, things are just as tough there in the property market but at least he'll get a tan!

Kelly Hoppen in The Sunday Times - refreshingly honest

2009-05-13T08:48:00.006+01:00

Reading about Kelly Hoppen's life is a bit like dreaming about another interior galaxy far far away from the one I inhabit; the closest I got to her life this week was finding a lush chocolate brown paint in B&Q called Rum Caramel 1 to paint 2 Ikea shelves and a lack coffee table. She does a lot of dark laquer, for those of you who aren't familiar with her style, a luxurious East meets West fusion.

She was interviewed for the Fame & Fortune section in The Sunday Times this week, and I was really surprised. Yes, there was all the stuff about spending £160, 000 on a boat for a birthday week's trip with Sol Campbell, and her six day master class being a snip at £2,921, but there was also more honest answers about mistakes and finances than I expected from a notoriously private woman.

Interesting, if you are into interiors, and you can read it here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/investment/article6255003.ece

According to the Telegraph, here are her top design tips

KELLY'S HOUSE RULES

• Create balance on mantelpieces and other surfaces by juxtaposing one overscaled object with two or three miniature ones

• Beware colour as classic Kelly is a yin-yang scheme of dark and pale, using a palette of neutral colours and contrasting textures.

• Mix old and new antique and vintage, against the clean lines of stark contemporary pieces

• Introduce texture as without it, a neutral scheme will look flat and dead.

• Start with linen as your first choice of fabric: without it, a scheme will never feel quite right.

• Unblock energy within the home using crystals, colour, candles, music and chainmail curtains made of small metal balls.

• Create symmetry, if a fireplace is off-centre in a room, make sure you line the sofa up with it.

Kelly's web-site is http://www.kellyhoppenretail.com/

A bit of rubber brightens a rainy afternoon

2009-05-08T21:04:00.009+01:00

Oops. Got a phone call from Hope Hospital, had I forgotten to take back the heart monitor. Buggar, I knew there was something.

Popped it back en route to Lightbox in Manchester to use up a voucher for some wall lights, it's a wonder they let me, as the return was from Jan 08. Wasn't dated though, so I guess they had to. It's getting a bit boring in there, Lightbox I mean, same stock as ages ago, not very inspirational.

Also had to whizz back to Habitat, liked this display.....

and these candles, almost good enough to eat...

And so to the rubber! I've been asked to quote for the refurbishment of a hallway to a residential block of flats. I've not taken much (any!) contracts on this last few months due to this annoying Lyme problem, but things are looking up now, and it's back to work. The tenants have made a terrible mess of the carpets and walls, stubbing their ciggies out and throwing drinks everywhere, so save evicting the lot of them, all 12 flights of stairs will need eventually need to be retiled using something hard wearing, durable and cost effective, staring with the first five floors immediately. I've seen lots of rubber flooring, but all with those round raised dots on them, so did a bit of internet sourcing, and found Sam the rubber man, from The, wait for it, Rubber Flooring Company. It appears there are lots of designs, it's just that everyone specifies the stuff with round raised dots on it! They've just launched a collaboration with Wayne and Geraldine Hemingway (ex Red Or Dead) now designers extraordinaire, and these are the tiles:

The grid pattern is urban, contemporary and evocative of the New York street blocks. Great for a city centre apartment block. And the tenants can't ruin it, perfect!

The only downside..... got a parking ticket, dammit they're fast.

http://www.therubberflooringcompany.co.uk/

House prices drop by 30%? They have round here

2009-05-08T15:06:00.004+01:00

Gutted to hear about another amazing family home being sold in Fallowfield, just up the road from us, for an absolute song - £295K to developers / landlords who are likely to ram it full of students and generally rip the heart out of it. 18 months ago, the same type of house was going for £425k, what a shocker. Its kind of a shame really, cause landlords had been priced out and some families were moving back in. I am a firm believer that a good mix of different types of owners / renters in an area is beneficial to all concerned, otherwise you just create student ghettos / tenant focussed areas where there is little invested interest in care and maintenance. Yes, yes, I know I'm a landlord and therefore should be counting myself in with the evil developer types of which I speak, but I have only refurb'ed existing flats, and so can't be accused of over-development etc.

It's crap isn't it, that people, in good faith, have bought houses and maybe running businesses based on the professional valuations and opinions of people they have paid to do a job - valuers / banks / mortgage companies, and now they find themselves in dire financial straits because of it. The guy that bought the £425k house across the road for me will be stuffed now, negative equity, falling rents, and probably won't be able to remortgage when the time comes.

And they talk about green shoots of recovery?? The only green shoots around are the envious glances shooting towards the clever buggars who sold up before the crash :-)

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

2009-05-07T22:29:00.013+01:00

This takes place in October this year, last year's was a great exhibition, taking place at Manchester Grammar School. A showcase for local talent, as well as designer makers from further afield, and a real refreshing change from getting on the M1 to go to London exhibitions. Surely this year more than ever is about supporting small businesses and buying local?

http://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/

I've been asked if I want to be on the selection panel next week, to go through the 300 and odd entries to whittle them down to the 130 stalls available.

The other panel members are Philip Hughes Director of Ruthin Craft Centre,North Wales

Kay Day Director of Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Izzy McDonald Booth, Buyer and Curator National Glass Centre Gallery Sunderland

Teleri Lloyd-Jones, Assistant Editor Craft Magazine

Er, yes!!!! And I am really looking forward to it, a whole day looking at gorgeous crafts and new designs and local makers work. Excellent! Cash bribes welcome if you have applied.....

That is clearly a joke for those of you with no sense of humour.

Last year the event was sponsored by design blog IndieQuarter.com, which is a Manchester based blog about UK independent designers, makers, artists and crafters. The blog features designers from a wide variety of disciplines, with everything from up and coming fashion labels, ceramics and textile designers to contemporary art, photography and jewellery. If you want to find out more about them, head to:

http://www.vanillastorm.com/blog/

Rocking my heart monitor

2009-05-07T21:54:00.008+01:00

This heart monitor thing has been quite annoying today a) it keeps falling off being clipped to my pants b) there are three wires wrapped around my body and c) I can't have a shower - yuck!! Plus its bigger than an IPod but still doesn't play any tunes. The nurses were lovely, and the appointment was bang on time, but I have to say, I was surrounded by the clinically obese and the somewhat elderly, and two of the nurses asked me curiously why I was there! It was very weird seeing my heart valves opening and closing on the tv screen, and hearing it whooshing, weird. And it's sods law isn't it, no palpitations all day, I was so tempted to have a couple of red bulls.

Well, if something was going to give my heart a flutter it was the lovely article on my Project Cathedral in May's Didsbury magazine. It's been downsized but fattened up into a fab handbag sized glossy, very cute, and the photos look lovely. I whizzed down there and picked up a box full of copies to give to all the trades and suppliers, even dropped one off with the guys who sourced me the oversized floorboards at Fallowfield Timber - I reckon that's the first time they've been name checked in a glossy :-)

Also had a very pretty tiptoe through the bluebells at Reddish Vale woods today. Michael, Hannah and I had two eps of Homesmine to film, and got two done in one afternoon, result. It was all country-shabbychic-interiorsified so we didn't have to be place specific, and could just do lots of pretty Spring type blossom shots, makes a change from main roads and white van man bipping when he sees a camera. It's proving hard to sell eps at the moment, developers haven't got any cash (who has??!), so there will be lots of repeats and interior types shows I think!

And when I saw the Tuscan Olive worktop, my day was complete, looks fabtastic. Moregeous in fact.

L'Oreal Shine Gelee - WTF

2009-05-06T22:48:00.002+01:00

Sorry, what is L'Oreal Shine Gelee, with an accent. It's a bloody lipstick for god's sake, what a load of rubbish!!

The trend for all things Indian

2009-05-06T21:00:00.009+01:00

I met and interviewed the lovely Victoria Redshaw from trend forecasters Scarlet Opus at Design Interiors Birmingham this year; just got an email from Decorex today, highlighting a hot trend forecast by Victoria for this year - all things Indian:

Western consumers are showing renewed interest in all things Indian this Spring/Summer. This will continue to be fuelled by India’s hosting of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and has been reinforced by Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 Oscars and 7 BAFTA’s.

Prior to the Games in Delhi the V&A Museum in London will present an exhibition entitled: ‘The Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts’ (Oct 2009-Jan 2010) which will help to push this Spring/Summer trend into Autumn/Winter 2009/10 bringing some much needed colour to the darker season.

• The abundance of different patterns working together is balanced, not chaotic. The pattern mash-up enriches room schemes: over-sized Paisley, Kashmiri’s, Boteh borders, Buti florals and Butterflies.
• Saris are used for window treatments, table and bed runners and decorative room dividers.Lighting is jewel-tinted. Candlelight is crucial. Ornate tea lights and wall sconces.
• Hammered and cut-out copper tabletops, panels, screens and lighting.
• Images of Gods and Goddesses intrigue.

In addition to the exotic sari shades and striking jewel colours there are also rich spice and dark maroon tones inspired by the Monsoon rains and mists. A visual opulence is reinforced by the use of burnished copper and brass.

Scarlet Opus is dedicated to providing Trend Forecasting information to businesses in the Interiors sector including interior & product designers, manufacturers and retailers. You can check them out and contact Victoria at:

http://www.scarletopus.com/ or read more at

http://www.business-scene.com/view_profile.php?u=victoria redshaw

Miserable day, need to pretend I'm in Tuscany

2009-05-05T11:33:00.009+01:00

A bit of Light Tuscan Olive is the order of the day methinks. It's so bloody miserable out there, drizzly rain (yes, the sort that gets you wet and makes your hair curl arghhhhh), and I need a ray of sunshine. It has come in the form of some Italian inspiration, Project BB needs a new worktop, and I think this Duropal splash of sunshine may just be perfect.

Plus they will deliver tomorrow, and I can't pick up as busy having heart 24hr thing for my mysterious ailment. Just need to double check it works with the leftover limestone tiles we found in the cellar, and which match the kitchen floor, and it's a goer. Or should I order a matching upstand.... decisions decisions....

Really could have done with Rip Rap giving me a hand with the painting today but he is having all his teeth out, soooo long overdue. That'll be him moaning about only being able to eat scrambled eggs and weetabix for the next fortnight then. Should have cleaned his bloody teeth, let that be a lesson to you kids.....

Looking to your pocket time at Project BB

2009-05-05T10:31:00.005+01:00

It's really funny how everyone's approach has changed so radically, people are really having to look to their own pockets, and see what's actually there, before they make any decisions. Primarily because unlike in recent years, you can't just spend it then get it from the mortgage/back/credit card. Me included. Tenants have moved out of Project BB, which is the first one I ever bought to rent out. Looking at it now, I cannot believe it wasn't rewired, and I didn't strip off the quite hideous bobbly wallpaper, but it's not possible to do it now due to lack of funds, and so a bit of imagination is required. It didn't help that the 3 girls who moved out, although doctors in training left the place in such a state that the environmental health were almost called. Ok, thats a bit of an exaggeration, but it was stinky pete, and with an insanitary fridge, floors and windows black with grime and mould, and a patched up bathroom, some action was needed or it would never rent out, and that means £850 down every month.

So a huge clean up operation, repainting, re-tiling the bathroom and a new kitchen worksurface required. Plus new doors to replace the old 50's glass ones, grim and not very elf and safety conscious. And all on a budget.

It looks ok from the agents pictures above but they were taken 3yrs ago.....

Josh Spear - Guru of the trend blog

2009-04-28T19:20:00.004+01:00

It's one of those isn't it....one day my blog may be read by as many people as RSS to Josh's....dream.....dream.....

http://joshspear.com/category/trends/

He and his team blog on everything from sneakers to isotonic drinks, bamboo bikes to twitter magnets; very cool blog if you want to stay a step ahead.

Tattoing Dinnerware with Ink Dish

2009-04-28T10:52:00.010+01:00

Loving this dinnerware by www.inkdish.com, and their comment that they want to create the type of dinnerware which wouldn't appeal to your nan.

They work out of California but their dinnerware is available in the UK ( Debenhams?!), and I came across it as a friend of a friend works with them.

They have some new designs in the pipeline at the moment, and having had a sneak preview, you'll want to lick the plate clean to get a good look.

"Blending art and tattooing in a harmonious mix, Ink Dish Design unveil their first collection of tableware, created in conjunction with leading tattoo artist Paul Timman.

Paul is one of the giants of the tattoo industry and his art adorns the bodies of such Hollywood celebrities as Drew Barrymore and Angelina Jolie. Now Ink Dish are bringing his extensive expertise, in tribal and Japanese design, to glass and porcelain.

This inaugural collection is based on the Japanese style of tattooing known as Irezumi. Vibrant dragons, colorful Koi, cherry blossoms, and waves weave together organically, blending this ancient style of tattooing into a dinnerware design.

While the design is edgy in its origin, it echoes traditional Asian china in its feel. The muted blues are delicate enough to present a very powerful image in a decor friendly way.

Ink Dish Design was born out of a gap in the market for young, urban professionals who are making steps on the property ladder and looking to invest in edgy, fashionable tableware that is priced affordably.

According to research conducted by the company, the overwhelming response from participants was that they wanted tableware to be fresh, contemporary and reflecting their tastes in fashion, music and pop culture; and not something that their parents or grandparents would suggest."

Channel M lives to fight another day

2009-04-27T17:00:00.003+01:00

Its tough tough tough out there, and even the 'glamorous' tv world isn't immune. Every media type person I speak to is looking for exciting innovative ideas, but they ain't getting commissioned unless they are el cheapo to make.

I used to do a weekly show for Manchester's Channel M, getting out and about looking at new developments and schemes and interiors, but along with the drastic reduction in building and development, this has been cut back to an ad hoc, as and when needed basis.

This email was announced today. I am sure for many staff at Urbis this is a real blow, and the end of a mini Manchester tv era.

Changes to Channel M

As you know, MEN Media is going through perhaps the most difficult period in its history as we contend with steep falls in our revenues. The recession, combined with longer-term changes in the way our customers and audiences behave, is having a serious impact on all areas of the company.

We need to reduce our costs substantially to remain viable as a business, and in March we announced a number of changes within MEN Media, including redundancies, designed to do that.

At the time we said that Channel M would be subject to a separate review, albeit one with the same objective: a sustainable future for our business. Like our newspapers, Channel M has come under severe pressure in terms of falling revenues, and it is now making unsustainable losses.

The review of Channel M is now complete, and we have today spoken to staff about a number of proposed changes at the station.

From June 2009, the schedule will be scaled back to focus on an early evening magazine show featuring news and information for Greater Manchester and on general sports programming. In addition, we are proposing a reduction in the number of people employed at the station, which is likely to result in 41 redundancies across different functions.

........................

The company continues to believe there will be a successful future for local TV in the UK. Channel M will continue to broadcast, and we reserve the option to restore aspects of the schedule should economic circumstances improve.

........................

We will continue to explore the potential of this progressive idea, and remain in a strong position to take advantage of such opportunities as they develop.

In the meantime, though, there is no option but to make these difficult but necessary changes to our business.

Project Bishop - tired hallway revitalised

2009-04-26T16:20:00.007+01:00

Developers very often don't really budget to make hallways fabulous, or have run out of money, or just run out of enthusiasm! Either that or so many of the apartments sold off plan (those days are now gone??!) that they did not need to spend extra cash on creating a gorgeous entrance as their cash was already in the bank!

Well, whatever the reason this hallway was in desperate need of some Sian tlc, and was definitely more grim than moregeous. So with some slate tiles, a bit of boxing off, a palette of stone hued paint and lots of lovely greenery, it found it transformed into a space which owners and tenants alike smile to walk through.

Mortgages and scary standard variables

2009-04-22T10:58:00.004+01:00

Well, we are all waiting for the budget with (bated) breath, how much is it going to cost us on personal level and all that. My mortgage on house is luckily on a tracker, but only til Autumn, and I checked the paperwork this morning - it said their standard variable is 7.85%. I nearly fell over. At the moment it's .34% over base. An almost unreal difference in monthly payments which massively affect any household yet are entirely out of our control, and it increasingly seems, are entirely friggin random.

Panic over as I just spoke to THE BEST mortgage advisor in the world, well, in Manchester anyway at Kay Consulting. The current SVR at my mortgage co is 4.85% which is quite competitive, and it's possible to negotiate a loyalty deal nearer the time. Still a hellava lot more than .34% though (slit wrists time but enjoy it whilst it lasts!).

Mark is so competent, capable, and is still in business, unlike many mortgage advisors I have come across over the years. And it's because he knows all his clients. Every one. And goes to see them on every deal / change / problem. He's done my sister's and friends' mortgages, and he;'s such a nosey parker, wanting to know all about you. And THAT is why he's the best.

We talked about a few of the Buy to let lenders and I asked his opinion on what was likely to happen. He sees some of them coming back to the market later this year, especially in the multiple occupancy sector (houses split into flats) which is my bag. So when my deal comes to end with the now in administration Icelandic bank (still can't quite get my head round that), should be ok to refinance by next spring. Here's hoping........

Headboard ideas

2009-04-22T09:17:00.007+01:00

Fantastic post for headboard ideas, all inexpensive, recycling, and innovative can be seen at the post link below. Not so sure about the pictures unless they were firmly screwed to the wall, but all better than buying an expensive shop sourced one!! http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-able-headboard-ideas.html

This is just one of them, see post for more.

Vance Millers Maple Kitchen up in flames!

2009-04-21T21:06:00.012+01:00

I reckon firefighters (with my other half amongst them) may well have given up trying to put out the mother of all fires - the (in)famous Vance Millers Maple kitchen empire in Oldham is, well, as you can see, probably not going to be trading tomorrow.

I once bought a kitchen from there, barking mad, all of them, offices full of kids smoking, on mobiles, surrounded by cash, selling kitchens.

Bonkers bloke, by all accounts, but totally switched on and very good at what he did, which was banging out cheap kitchens. But not for a while, judging by the size of those flames.

It started in a generator apparently. Although what do you reckon to the real cause being the sub-prime mortgage industry....

The houses next to the building are steaming now too, christ the heat must be amazing.

He'll be blaming MFI next... http://www.vance-miller.com/september.htm

Lovin my Claire Norcross garden lights

2009-04-21T17:03:00.007+01:00

Got these last year in the habitat sale and summer had already gone..... SO great to get them out this early in the year for bbq's already, result!

I'm finding myself a bit of a CN fan. I still mourn for the cable tie light which I stupidly left at Tenby, just put some of her bathroom lights up at Cathedral, and now these. It's official. I am Claire Norcross's stalker.

The NatWest come up 'trumps'?

2009-04-21T16:51:00.002+01:00

Finally the re-finance has come through, what was once so easy eh?!

I wonder how long it's going to be like this and how many people will continue to get the hell out of the property game as it becomes harder and harder to make a living?

Hands and knees time today, cleaning up the hallways of one of the blocks after the building work to Projects Lennon and Cathedral. 3 new lots of girls in, to add to the three lots of girls already in, a totally female block which is a first. And all scrubbed up and clean now.

Have finally got the appointment through for NMcr, specialists, one week early 1 May. Who knows what they will find! Some weird and wonderfully unusual ailment no doubt, which I've never heard of.

And now busy paying the bills which have been accruing. I HATE not paying bills on time. I know that it's an art form for some people, but it's something I loathe, makes me lose sleep. If companies and people paid their bills on time and without quibble, the world would be a better place. Sainsbury's don't let you take your groceries away and then pay in a month, two months, three months, why should anyone else??

All made much brighter by this glorious weather, long may it last!

Photo shoot for the Didsbury Magazine - Living room

2009-04-20T16:31:00.004+01:00

Photo shoot for the Didsbury Magazine - Kitchen and Bathroom

2009-04-20T14:53:00.004+01:00

Kitchen

Ikea white kitchen, black drawers (glass ones now discontinued but do a black gloss front), and walnut top.

Maurice Lay / Caple splashback 900 wide

Velux 1130 window

Black porcelain 600x600 B&Q floor tiles, used for upstand also

Bathroom

B&Q suite with P shaped Zone shower

Coach House Venetian glass mirror

B&Q black leaf tile from designer range

Photo shoot for the Didsbury Magazine - Bedroom

2009-04-20T14:24:00.009+01:00

The very amenable and lovely new tenant at Pjt.Cathedral said yes to a photo shoot for the Didsbury Magazine( http://www.didsburymagazine.com/ ) for the June edition I think.

So as not to feature my ugly mug (again) Salim wanted to run the feature from the point of view of the tenant, an interesting angle. There is so much rental property available at the moment, you have to make yours stand out, and a stickered wall is certainly one way :-)

Zoe agreed, and off we went on Saturday afternoon. M just rolled his eyes as it meant he would be roped into do all the heavy stuff, be bossed about and generally not be at the gym / pub / anywhere else. The velvet chesterfield isn't here yet from CoachHouse, so we had to work round it as I had to Photoshop out the bare light bulb in the bedroom where the chandelier will be in about 3 weeks!

Luckily Zoe has impeccable taste (think Laura Mercier, pink tulips and a Sex and The City shoe cupboard to die for) so I didn't really have to do any major dressing. We did discuss how she had not previously had a landlord rummaging through her toiletries however.....

I was still lusting after the wallpaper http://www.brian-yates.co.uk/

In is the new out? According to B&Q

2009-04-17T21:35:00.008+01:00

How come I can't find anyone in B&Q who knows what the bloody hell they are talking about, (apart from Kerrie on bathrooms at Stockport) - yet their new advert says that they have ex builders, landscape gardeners and specialists everywhere. It's getting like bleedin Ikea in there, no staff to be seen!!!

I feel a bit bad saying this, as had a v successful trip to Ikea today, largely due to the green thai chicken lunch there for £3.35 (with a family card haha). Sorted Josh's ( http://www.heaven-spa.co.uk/ ) temporary flat, took 3 hrs longer than should have done. Why have tenants not yet discovered Jif / Cif. I am going to gift them each a bottle when they give notice, along with a list of what was cleaned when they moved in, like SKIRTINGS! PICTURE RAIL! UNDER BEDS! SHOWER TRAYS! HOOVERING DRAWERS! GETTING THE YELLOW OFF TILE GROUT!! etc etc etc :-)

A life in property = glamorous!!??

2009-04-16T21:31:00.003+01:00

Buried under a mountain of paperwork, drowning in invoices. Arghhhhhhhhhh.

I though a life in property was supposed to be glamorous. Oh, yes. The credit crunch, I forgot.

I am still waiting for a re-finance package to go through, which has taken weeks and bloody weeks. But I am in a better position than some, many, so that is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Even the developers I speak to who considered themselves immune, the golden boys until such a short time ago, are finding themselves stuffed and tied up like my roasted duck by the banks who were taking them on jollies to the races until very recently.

All the flats are full now bar one, phewf. It's been manic, but utterly imperative to get them filled. No rents equals no money equals no mortgage paid equals deep do-do.

Oh the joy of tenancy protected deposits and all the paperwork new tenancies create. Utilities, love em. Transferring electricity bills, I live for tasks such as this. So meaningful and rewarding. God, it's half nine, I have to go eat.

Nigel Slater - The King of Comfort Food

2009-04-16T20:22:00.006+01:00

Roast duck with Marsala soaked roast potatoes, godammit he's good.

As it was such a gorgeous day I did the whole boiling water on the duck thing twice then popped her over the fire-pit /bbq outside to colour off the skin and lose some of the fat.

Stuffed with crushed potatoes, rest of potatoes round the duck, roasted for 45mins at 200C, basted, large glass of Marsala poured in and over, roasted for a further hr.

Altered his recipe slightly. Made gravy from the duck giblets beforehand, removed duck and roasties, made gravy with pan juices and giblet gravy then poured into separate pan. Emptied crushed potatoes from duck cavity and added some single cream seasoning as they were a bit dry, kept separate. Popped duck and roasties back in for ten mins then serve with crushed pots, gravy and a sharp green salad.

Eat al fresco to feel decadent and slightly French :-)

Lush.

Cavalli's Starburst bag

2009-04-16T15:19:00.004+01:00

Imagine this gorgeous new Roberto Cavalli bag turned into interior decor - Summer Starburst fantastic!

The grot shot and the hot shot

2009-04-16T14:56:00.005+01:00

Magazines and journalists are increasingly looking for the before and during shots of interior design projects. It's all very well looking at lovely, gorgeous afters, but it's far more fun to see the initial grot shot too, so you can really get a feel for the transformation which has taken place, when the hot shot is taken.

Use a decent camera, and get some high resolution, high pixel shots in case local press can't send a photographer out.
Remember to get the same angle of the room before, during and after, so test shots can be sent to magazines easily on email
Get shots of the property before you start ripping it out, to get that lived in look.
Visualise where you are planning to really make a statement - it's no good getting a before shot of the original kitchen if the new one is going in a totally different corner of the room and you didn't get a shot of the latter corner!
Take portrait and landscape shots of each angle.
If you can invest in a fisheye lens they do make rooms look bigger but go easy, as they can distort the room if overdone, and it looks like you are cheating (or were once an estate agent :-)
You don't really need to pay someone to take fab pics, your own will do as the test shots to send off initially (and you can then take some lovely pics when the magazine dresses and lights your place on the day of the shoot!)
Be extra nice to the photographer and he/she may let you have some of the images taken as long as you don't re-use them for print elsewhere (very bad manners and you could get sued!)

NHS - Its not what you know.....

2009-04-16T10:10:00.002+01:00

It's all a bit iffy isn't it, when you can pull favours or call a friend and get an appointment with a specialist sooner than you really technically should be able to. I'm not complaining ( if it actually happens that is ) as I am now officially bored of this might-be-lyme-might-be-somethin-else-weird medical mystery. My urgent appointment is still weeks away, but a friend knows someone etc etc and I may now be able to get a cancellation earlier, so, it's not what you know, but who you know, the age old adage.

Of course I am going to take advantage of it, given the opportunity, but it isn't right, is it?

But, I is desperado. Sick of looking like Michael Jackson in one glove, or on a bad day, two. Please let this be the medical person who actually knows what is wrong!

Energy Assessor Expo - bit of a surprise

2009-04-15T22:20:00.005+01:00

Well, this has come out of the blue. Courtesy of a recommendation by Martin, a friend who has carried out EPC (energy performance certificates) for me at rental flats, I've had a call from a company who is organising an expo for the energy assessment industry in June. They are holding The Great Debate - http://eaexpo.co.uk/speakers.php - and have asked me to be the chair / host type person.

I have to take questions from the audience and direct them to the panel experts and it's all being filmed by the beeb for BBC Parliament. Cool! One of the panel experts is the Shadow Environment Minister, apparently.

I can feel a bit of homework coming on......

Four Men and United, oh joy

2009-04-15T19:30:00.006+01:00

It's been such a peaceful few hours.... getting on with some paperwork in this horror of an office full of problems and bills and piles of post!! However, this is about to change, as four hungry males are about to descend on me to have a sleepover and watch United. Charlie's team have just stuffed their opposition 5 nil, and he's bringing a friend back, plus dangerous dave and M.

At least its less scary than last night's wildlife party....

findatvexpert.com - the inspirational Claire

2009-04-15T16:51:00.004+01:00

I joined this web-site a few months ago, unsure how it would pan out, and have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of Claire Richmond who dreamt up this idea and runs the site.

http://www.findatvexpert.com/

Basically, if you are an expert in your field, you register, pay a fee and your details are listed for the tv and media industry who use the site to check out. I've been quoted in the Daily Telegraph linked to an article about tv property experts, and sent a showreel off to BBC Birmingham. All good stuff and her monthly updates and emails are infectiously enthusiastic at a time when so many people are down in the dumps.

There are dog whisperers, chefs, love doctors and forensic scientists, what are you expert at??!

The tenant mountain

2009-04-15T09:40:00.002+01:00

Two more lots of, er no make that four more lots of tenants in by lunchtime today. I have hit the wall of knackeredness today, it's official. I think every single hand joint is now inflamed and angry with me for trying to carry on regardless! The urgent infected diseases department appointment is now through with the NHS.....for May 8th. Pitiful.

The lovely Salim from the Didsbury Magazine has a friend who is a consultant there, but he is off skiing at the moment so hopefully that'll be a goer when he gets back. Not what you know but who, eh, not good is it.

I am still getting over holding a python, a scorpion and a tarantula yesterday at a kid's party, whatever happened to just getting a clown?? Great idea though Charlie was not over enamoured with most of the animals and kept a safe distance until I wrapped a snake round his neck. That's the evil step-mum in me.

Edible monochrome magic!

2009-04-15T09:38:00.002+01:00

Amazing cake, posted by Frankham on mydeco.com. Monochrome magic in edible form, wonderful!

Project Cathedral completes

2009-04-12T21:00:00.009+01:00

I remember my first rented flat, pine furniture, brown carpet, wood chip wallpaper. Maybe this is why I have resolved not to create these type of hideous rentals, and this is definitely why I try really hard to create spectacular interiors on a budget, helped by all the amazing finds on the high street, and on line.

This bedroom in Pjt Cathedral has wonderful high ceilings as it's up in the roof space, hence the purlin which was stripped, sanded and oiled. I ummed and ahhed over wallpaper and finally plumped for this one. Not cheap, but so much was saved elsewhere, simple white paint, pine painted flooring, that I justified it (to myself!). The Brain Yates Paraiso range.

Harry, working out butterfly levels and cursing me for not buying simple paper....

Left over paper being put to good use in the Morebo glass doors of the Ikea Billy bookcase, specially requested by the tenant for all her shoes! These doors are great for customising and making your own style.

Public Sector renters

2009-04-11T21:29:00.002+01:00

Had a new tenant move into Project Cathedral today ready for Easter, one of the many in and outs over the next few weeks. It has been quite noticeably bonkers this last few weeks, so many people giving notice - splitting up, going travelling, losing jobs, changing jobs, moving in with family to save cash - lots of different reasons but all life changing ones. Maybe it's the credit crunch, it's weird, all these big decisions being made.
And what has been even more surprising and noticeably different are the new tenants moving in. Almost without exception, they are public sector workers: nurses, teachers, social workers, council employees. As opposed to the private sector tenants we used to get, people in sales or banking or pr or property. It seems to be a real sign of the times, that the only tenants comfortable enough to sign up new tenancies and take on the responsibility of their own apartment, work in the public sector. They feel a security in their jobs which private sector workers just do not have at the moment.
Not that I mind in the slightest, as all of the new tenants, so far, are just lovely!

And Charlie's Easter pudding for tonight! dum ti dum dum

2009-04-11T20:44:00.005+01:00

YQ NorthWest feature

2009-04-11T18:55:00.004+01:00

Thanks to Ro Barratt, journalist extraordinaire for a lovely article in this month YQ magazine. Someone did ask me how much I'd paid her for it, as it was quite flattering, I must organise chocolates.....!
Bbq time at ours, the sun is shining, the boys are playing footie in the garden, it's warm, on Easter Weekend??!! I must be dreaming.
Attempting Nigel Slaters Marsala Duck tmw, must go prick my duck, as it were.

2009-04-10T23:34:00.004+01:00

Have gotten a bit over excited with the Ikea stickers. I found this table in a sale, it was plain white and a bit bashed but it's looking better now!

Project Cathedral - living room

2009-04-10T22:02:00.002+01:00

Living room before, during and after

After removing the ceiling, the space up to the roof was enormous! All the spaces between the ceiling joists had to be kingspan-ed for insulation and double boarded. The chimney breast bricks were uneven, jutting out towards the top, so this was designed around and the upper part timber framed out to create a space for artwork and downlights to light the feature wall. There was no reason to change the door to the balcony, so this was cleaned up and kept. The purlins weren't in good condition, so I had the builders box over them with enough space left for star lights (check out a later post for this great lighting)

I love it when tenants get giddy

2009-04-10T21:45:00.004+01:00

Its been a tough few weeks, but Project Cathedral is very nearly complete, and I feel like a proud parent. The mahogany fireplace has gone, as has the woodchip paper, the emerald green carpet and the unacceptably low ceilings! Opening up the ceilings to reveal the A frame of the roof has transformed the place, it seems huge compared to the flat that it once was. The tenant came over today and was giddy with excitement, saying it was glamorous and gorgeous and how she couldn't just have a house warming, but had to have cocktails as the apartment deserved no less - lovely. In the depressing world of the landlord, thats the best feeling, that someone can't wait to move into the home you have created. It isn't all about money, no matter what the "buy-to-let" haters think.
I haven't had time to take all the photos, the shower is yet to be sealed and little bits to be finished but its almost done. Good Friday, a 7pm finish (positively early) and a Gurkha Grill - luxury.

Ultra glam sparkly mirror - recycled!

2009-04-09T11:05:00.002+01:00

Money is VERY tight at the moment, so it's back to basics, recycling and re-using. It's what i used to do, but when life is hectic and momey isn't hard to come by (ie cheap credit!), it's easier and lazier to go and buy new.
I needed a mirror for Project Cathedral, something to do justice to the super glam girliness of the apartment, and the budget for mirrors was blown on the Venetians for the bedroom and bathroom. So after a dig around in the cellar, I unearthed an old, gold mirrror from one of the refurbished flats. Couple of coats of shiny Hammerite black metallic gloss found in the same cellar, and some super-glue and crystals later - one transformed mirror.

Pjt Cathedral - varnished 9" white floorboards

2009-04-09T10:55:00.006+01:00

The floorboards are varnished now, and you can see from earlier pics the difference a decent varnish gives. It is well worth paying for a good varnish, and is false economy not to. I've used Diamond Flooring varnish by Ronseal, and when you've spent time painting floor white, the last thing you want is it to be unprotected by a cheap lacquer.
A 5l tin (£60) has done two coats in both bedroom and living room (34m approx) using a small roller, and there is still almost half a tin left. So yes, I bought too much :-)

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious

2009-04-04T21:10:00.004+01:00

Toasted belgian waffle, drizzle of chocolate sauce (milk chocolate, golden syrup and single cream), thick slice of chocolate log, vanilla ice cream, marshmallows, more chocolate sauce, sweeties. Health in a bowl.

As Michael said, Rome wasn't built in a day, but Si's wall was!

2009-04-04T19:47:00.003+01:00

Using very thick gloves to protect very sore fingers, it was a shame to waste a sunny afternoon, so a spot of wall building was in order. With three manic 10yr olds kicking the hell out of the footie nets, and Si's caf open for business, not much office work possible today.....time for puddings from heaven now, chocolate log on waffles, with vanilla ice-cream, chocolate sauce and toffee crisp bites to top them off. If they aren't sick after that lot, there's no justice in the world.

2009-04-04T10:45:00.004+01:00

I tried a few different lamp shades before settling on the Habitat Tord Boontje Garland light in black. They are £19 each so I only used 2 and cut them down to stretch to 3 light fittings - easy enough to do.
And i couldn't resist popping a few crystals onto the sticker wall, just in the big flowers. Yes, I know it's a bloody rental but life has to be fun hasn't it?? Can't all be 14 hr days, paperwork and financial depression!!!!!

Pjt Cathedral - Snapshots of activity

2009-04-04T10:24:00.006+01:00

The finish date for the flat is here, and er, it's not finished.
90% of the way there, most of electrics done, one more coat of varnish on living room floor, furniture to arrive and be carted up three flights of stairs, cannot for the life of me find any half decent surface mounted bathroom rated downlights.
The venetian mirrors look gorgeous, and the window cill is being made from a left over piece of kitchen work surface, nice and chunky. Light shelf gives enough light to sink area, phewf.
The tenant hasn't seen the flat for weeks. It's a bit of a statement, god, I hope she likes it. I can just imagine her coming up the stairs.... telling me she hates monochrome and anything with a flower pattern.....

Pjt Cathedral - Painted white floorboards, 9", gloss and varnish

2009-04-03T09:48:00.003+01:00

It's getting closer now, as the floor is down in Project Cathedral and the furniture can finally go in.
Yes, I know some people may say it's not sensible to spec white floors in a rental flat but real wood was too expensive, carpet would have looked RUBBISH, laminate a problem for sound ( and good taste....) so when the lovely John at Fallowfield Timber sourced me 36m of 9" pine boards, tongue and grooved with strips taken from underneath to prevent the wide boards warping, for just under £300 I was sold. Had to get it fitted, and the extra time was a consideration - two coats of B&Q bare wood primer, which acts as primer and undercoat, then sanded with a 120 paper to smooth the finish. Clean with white spirit, dry, then two coats of Dulux Diamond Eggshell in brilliant white. I used this water based paint because oil based whites slowly go yellow as the oil comes to the fore, and yellowing nicotiney floors are not high on my list of design aspirations!
Then sealed with two coats of Ronseal Diamond floor varnish.

And they look lush.....

The Sh*t West and the IBS

2009-04-02T22:54:00.009+01:00

At the moment I really hate these banks. Hate them. I couldn't have less respect for their customer care policies and business liaison strategies if I tried really really hard.
I have lost count of the number of people who feel well and truly shafted by these, and other banks.
This week, after taking almost £1000 in fees for converting an overdraft to a loan, and insisting on a property charge as security - another £1000, they decided it would be a good idea to put a stop on my business account as it's over the overdraft limit. Even tough they are the ones who have taken it there by withdrawing the funds!! Even though they themselves are in the middle of recifiying this at the moment and it'll be done by next week! Are they dafts? I think they are past caring what customers think / want / need. Or did they ever care?!
How many business need to go to the wall before they realise they are crippling British industry? Bloody numpties.

On a positive note, it has been a gloriously sunny day, all my plants are peeping through in the garden, and Project Cathedral looks amazing - the banks can't control everything......

Susan Myers, Desperate Housewife anti-stepmom cowbag

2009-04-01T22:39:00.004+01:00

Its been a very hectic day. Unbelieveably. Three lots of tenants in and out, joiner in filing doors at Pjt Cathedral. Ikea run. Shower fitted and bits missing. C's footie match playing top of league team.
And get in and sit down at 10pm, to food and gin, and listen to Desperate Housewives, showing how not to be a mother. This is what i live with every week. You try and be a great step mum, do stuff, be there, not to replace a mum, who can do that, but just be the best you can be, to make a child the happiest he or she can be in the worst situation - the fact that their mum and dad are not together anymore. And you get treated like a piece of shit. Instead of the most miniscule bit of appreciation that you are not being the stepmom from hell, and that you care when a child is happy or unhappy, stable or unstable, that you try and make their life ok and fun and happy when they are away from the woman they love most in the world, their mum, that same mum tries their utmost to make your life as hellish as possible.
Sometimes women are very stupid. Selfish. Self obsessed. And crazy mad with what should be let go of.
I have never had kids. I have never felt that bond of mother and child. But I do the best I can, and thats all I can do.
I hope Susan Myers realises how stupid she is being, and the writers of DH write this in the way they should.
Doubt it though, cause stepmoms are always evil, dontcha know.

Brain Yates - Pip - Happy papers

2009-04-01T08:54:00.004+01:00

I've fallen in happy love this week with a range of wallpapers, guaranteed to put a smile on even the most credit crunched of victims. How gorgeous are these papers ?? Bright, colourful, packed with fun imagery; will totally banish the blues. I am hoping Mrs Rose Cottage will like them, they would look perfect .....
The PIP studio, famous for its "Happy products, happy people" has collaborated to create this delightful and cheerful collection of trend-setting wallpapers.

"An eye for detail with layered prints in the most amazingly "happy" colour combinations makes PIP a rather unique concept.

Classical garden birds sitting on delicate branches of blossom sparkle in gold and silver. Trailing florals interspersed with butterflies and a cute cross-stitch design can be used with more calming stripes and polka dots. There is a combination of photographic images and detailed drawings which can be applied to the walls or other surfaces like a collage.

Unexpected colours of fireman red, warm grey and canary yellow or fresh chalky tones of minty blues and greens. PIP is indeed a trend-setting and up-beat collection. Sold by the roll, 10m x 53cm and as sets of wallpictures."

Exposed beams & Obama's Kevlar V The Laguna

2009-04-01T08:32:00.006+01:00

Most of the beams at Project Cathedral were, sadly, a bit crap, so had to be boxed off and feature lighting added to them for a bit of extra interest. One was ok, in the bedroom, and was duly sanded down using a hand sander. You don't need to get a particularly smooth finish, unless I get a tenant with extraordinarily lengthy arms, no-one will be running their fingers along it. Here you can see the difference where the darker section has had teak oil brushed on (precariously from a very wonky ladder).
The colours all come to the fore and all of a sudden a rather pale and uninteresting beam, looking a bit like my leg in March, suddenly looks like Posh Spice's Fakebaked pin in Milano.

Obama's heading off to have breakfast with Gordon Brown this morning, a bet Gordo's a laugh a minute to break a croissant with, eh. Apparently Obama's car has Kevlar wheels and a cavalcade of protection, well, he's got nothing on the Laguna this morning, fully loaded, primed and ready to do the Burton Rd, Ikea, B&Q, Bishops Corner, Stockport Glass and Ballbrook Court run. Kevlar wheels. Wet fanny.

Not a happy man; it must be love!

2009-03-31T23:09:00.003+01:00

M's gripes......

A Its his day off and he hasn't even had time to shave

B Could the car be any more full, don't I know anything about a car's suspension and don't I even CARE about his car?

C Why do we never go anywhere else together but Ikea, B&Q and, er well, nowhere else really.

D The only place for me to squeeze into the car is haha right in his ear where I can chat about where all this stuff is going to go all the way down the M62.

Never mind all that Mills and Boon bollocks, this is true love ;-)

Project Lennon - Finished and tenant in!

2009-03-31T23:02:00.007+01:00

Well, it's been an 8 week project, as planned, & the tenant moved today, she's an existing tenant who is up-sizing & moving from 1 flat to another. I'm really pleased with the studio it feels light & airy, & the high ceilings, new picture rail & revamped fireplace give it a sense of character and personality.

It's pretty unrecognisable....

There are still some bits to do, finish round the fireplace with oak beading and I'm debating mirroring over the red and damaged inset tiles in the fireplace.

The oak style flooring was good value, from Ikea, I have re-used a Klippan sofa which has been taking up room in my house forever (instead of spending money on a new one), both tables have been repainted in black gloss, and the mirror was an original pine monstrosity from Project Lennon which again had been repainted.

And when the tenant saw it, she gasped, and said, quote, wow, it feels like a real flat - which makes me think I need to do something to the one she was in......

Tenants Deposits and Brucie Bonuses

2009-03-29T10:01:00.004+01:00

What a dopey cow. It's a glorious sunny Sunday and I am not, unfortunately on my girlie weekend in Cheltenham (instead it will be a home game end May). Instead I'm heading over to find out how goes Project Cathedral where they are putting down the floor. It's in the 'sticker' rooms - see earlier post) and the guys are beavering away on a Sunday as the tenant wants to move in this week. Along with the other 6 in and outs of various tenants this week, jesus.
I don't know whether it's the CC, but lots of people are moving in, out, up, on, around; making big life decisions and addressing things in their lives which in 'happier' times maybe they wouldn't. Never had so many people moving out, and then filled so quickly.
Which makes the admin a complete nightmare, when fitting it in between designing flats, organising workmen and balancing finances, and a home! Not to mention the dreaded utility warehouse.
So kinda explains why the lovely Claire who moved out yesterday just got a text from me at 10am on a Sunday saying would she mind awfully transferring £438 back to me as I'd given her someone else's deposit amount instead of her £600 Doh! She texted back that wasn't it a Brucie Bonus for being such a good tenant. I may be a nice landlady but I'm not that bloody nice :-)

OMG Annie Lennox is Victoria Wood

2009-03-28T22:59:00.000Z

Annie Lennox or an alien

2009-03-28T22:40:00.002Z

When I fell for this woman, years back, dressed in a sharp suit, with orange hair, looking like a sexy androgynous creature from another planet with a voice from another galaxy, never in my wildest nightmares could I have imagined that she would turn into a vision of BHS pastel sequinned squareness, with flappy arms, saggy pants and hammed up over-acting to every previously loved song. Bloody hell, Annie, get some bleedin advice on how to be a new millenium Diva, cause this Ethel Austin does Xmas impersonation of The Eurythmics has killed me. And what's with all the woooo wapp di wap wap arm waving??! And the shite backing singers and clearly shipped in audience? AWFUL. I wanted do dive into your ocean, really i did, but it was a bit of a 'take me as I am, I don't need advice, I am Annie, my voice isn't as good as it was but I don't have to up my game in any other way' performance.

Quite possibly the most depressing but funniest email I will receive this year - Secret Millionaire

2009-03-26T21:56:00.009Z

Anyone, anyone, anyone who is involved with property in any way shape or form is suffering at the moment, unless they are one of the incredibly rare people with cash in their pocket, maybe they sold a portfolio just before the markets seized up, or have owned property for years and years and have a very low LTV. The vast majority of people and companies I know - ranging from small developers / landlords fighting to keep profitable and finish off stuff they have started now finance has dried up and the rental market is up and down like a tarts knickers; to large companies whose chairmen once spent thousands on interior design and now send Mrs Chairman down to M&S with a strict budget - are not just tightening their belts, they are putting extra holes in with desktop hole punches.

Me included.

So I was tickled, amused and, in equal measures, depressed when this dropped into my in box today. Its past 10pm, and I am beavering away in the attic on paperwork, worrying about every penny........ and the, I am sure, lovely Anna Brent from RDF Media has the perfect opportunity for me. Hang on Anna, I'll just give the IBS a call and ask for a couple hundred thousand to give away, I fancy having a go at being a philanthropist. Or maybe after reading this invitation, which is so far from being possible right now, I fancy just being 'pist..............

Dear Sian

I hope you are well.

I am writing to you on behalf of RDF Television from the award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary series about philanthropy that we produce for Channel 4. After three hugely successful series, we are now looking for people with the means to take part in the next hit series which will transmit next year.

We are currently contacting successful people from a variety of sectors including business owners, entrepreneurs and senior management. Having read about your success and seen the article in the Didsbury Magazine, I thought I would get in touch to see if you may like to consider being a potential benefactor as we are particularly keen to speak to women.

To give you some more information about the series, in each episode a different benefactor is given the opportunity to live ‘undercover’ in some of the UK’s most deprived areas. They do not reveal their full identity, and immerse themselves in the community for ten days; meeting the local residents, making new friends, taking on jobs or doing voluntary work - all with a view to deciding who they believe is most in need of their support. At the end of their visit, these modern day philanthropists reveal their true identities to those they’d like to help and offer their time, their skills and their financial assistance to help make a positive change to people’s circumstances.

This programme offers philanthropists a rare opportunity to actually meet the people that directly benefit from their assistance. It also allows our benefactors to highlight and explore specific social issues that may be close to their heart.

This project would require 10 consecutive days out of your schedule between now and the end of August.

Should you have any questions please do contact me on 0207 013 4395 or by e-mail of course. If you aren’t familiar with the series, I’d be more than happy to send you some previous episodes to watch.

I have attached an information sheet about the programme, some press quotes and testimonials from benefactors who have previously taken part. You can also watch clips of the previous series on the Channel 4 website - http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/S/secret_millionaire/index.html and the latest series is broadcasting now on Sunday evenings at 9pm.

I very much hope that you will be excited by the possibilities this programme offers.

Kind regards

Anna Brent

Too stressed for words

2009-03-26T20:11:00.005Z

Totally boring day in Hope with the Daily Mail, last week's National Enquirer and the rheumatologist eventually refusing to do a biopsy until the blood results come back. And telling me all about Lyme like an expert even though he kept calling it Lymes Disease. Gives you such faith. But he did ask me to come back for an echogram and 24hr scan thingy as apparently I have a heart murmur. M was just surprised that they'd found one. Heart not murmur. I was just pleased to be out for The Apprentice, though the first ep was a bit lame, didn't the bootee have a very odd squashed up face? Anyhow.

Not feeling up to work, so went to watch C's school team play at a tournament up at Blackburn Rovers, but they are nice boys, far too nice for the terrier roughness of 5-a-side, and the ragmuffin City side won (very scary parents, boys likely to turn out much the same, hard to tell men from women, most had teeth missing).

Ordered furniture from Coach House then spent 2hrs stressing that I had spent too much, and should have gone to Ikea.

Still no sign of loan from IBS.

700 trillion emails to go through.

All contracts to do. Still.

Still opening post from 2 weeks ago.

Oh god.

Loving the breakdown and pink kitchens

2009-03-25T08:54:00.003Z

Despite having a million things to do today, I agreed with M it was important to get these lesions biopsied, so was about to head off to hospital with him after the school run..... and the car has broken down. I think someone up there is smiling at me, allowing me this extra 2 hrs to get contracts and paperwork etc done just in case they keep me in, never have I been so pleased to be able to do office work.

Quick browse on mydeco.com, and loved this pink kitchen post from ellis1711, agree with her B&Q's coloured glass tiles are extortionate and suggested getting clear toughened panels made and painting behind, much cheaper and you can change the colour when you get bored of pink!

Merv King holding back - fiscal stimulus Mr Brown?

2009-03-24T22:10:00.004Z

Where the bloody hell does Gordon Brown think all the money comes from for his ridiculous notions of increased fiscal stimulus for god's sake?? from bloody tax payers who have been squeezed dry from years of hidden taxation, badly thought out tax policies, and overspending and wasting public money. Why can't we go back to giving out tax payers money to those who deserve it, not those who can work the 'system'. Everyone who claim benefits should be made to work for their payments, simple system - so every street, every estate, every public area can be revamped, revitalised and reinvigorated by the very people who either pay for them or use them i.e. everybody. Is that a hard concept to get your head round? If people felt like they had a vested interest in the success of this country instead of being so far bloody removed from it that it's failure also becomes nothing to do with them either, maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.

Leek and tallegio rissotto

2009-03-24T21:22:00.002Z

Slightly depressed by my GP's admission that in 25yrs he had never met a patient with Lyme, we needed comfort food in my house. This was found in Nigel Slater's Leek & Tallegio Rissotto, M had a coronary at the price of the cheese (needed 225g, asked him to get 300g - £5.40, he was still sputtering an hour later). Utterly delicious, forgot the garlic, splashed in some extra vermouth, and served with tarragon marinated chicken.

I spoke to the kids about maybe having to go into hospital; A (16) thinks it's par for the course as I am a walking medical disaster area, C (10) is very worried. He's a sensitive soul, wanted to know if it was like cancer, what do you say to that? We spoke about it for ages, and he's so very perceptive, wanted to know if I was worried, then he could gauge how he should feel too. A conversation about bacteria, virus's and other medical sturf ensued; thank god for google.

Lyme?

2009-03-24T17:34:00.002Z

Oh I am hoping it's not true. Previously baffled by my startling array of weird and wonderful symptoms, a friend's friend (who is a bit of a medical whizz - Louise!) heard the symptoms and suggested Lyme Disease. Having read up on it, and been to the GP and suggested the diagnostic test, I am now (eagerly??) awaiting the result.

If it's positive, I am crapping myself, as I have about a million tenants moving in and out over this next few weeks, a flat to finish, a clients house to finish, plus an office full of paperwork, and a potential visit to Crete. Bollocks! Life is sent to try us, isn't it. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger? And all that crap ;-)

Coach House

2009-03-23T17:49:00.005Z

Back in January Homesmine did some filming at Birmingham Interiors, which was fab. Not as ott as previous years, pared down for the economic tightening of belts, but interesting and inspirational nonetheless. One stand I found myself wandering round stood out more than most, a company i've never heard of called Coach House, and I was stunned to find they were based in Accrington. I'm from that area, and their lights have been well and truly hidden under the Lancashire bushel, no-one I know had ever heard of them. And they are massive!

The stand was gorgeous, full of fabulous room sets, stylishly decorated and rammed with all sorts of goodies.

Anyway, I finally found time on Friday to go up there for a quick hour at the end of the day, and found an Aladdins Cave of treats to furnish Projects Lennon and Cathedral. I haven't been doing much physical stuff due to the mysterious hand problems I have (now thought to be Lyme Disease urghh sounds hideous tests tmw) , but all their stuff comes ready assembled and ready to go. Just need to whittle down my choices now, but the black velvet chesterfield is a definite on the list!

Bread machines?? update

2009-03-23T17:47:00.001Z

Try putting the paddle in to mix it up first. This helps a lot. I blame the loss of the instruction manual rather than own lack of brain cells.

Utility warehouse - Don't bloody do it!!!

2009-03-23T10:07:00.003Z

OMG

When this was first sold to me it sounded like a dream - get paid every time your tenants use gas or electric, make profit on their usage, whilst keeping bills low for them as UW's rates are so competitive?? No brainer.

What a bloody nightmare they are. Their systems are entirely geared up for the standard owner occupier, the home owner looking to save a few pennies, NOT for the landlord looking to make his or her life easier. The change over has cost hours and hours sorting out bills that are simply wrong, with no reason or apology. They take money out of your account without permission and when you take cancel the DD, take it from credit cards! They charge a standing charge when properties are empty even if there is no useage, creating more paperwork and costing money for no service. The bill monthly, creating more paperwork for no reward. They are incapable of updating accounts at any other time than at the end of the month. They do not pay you unless you sign up a new customer every month.

Utter nightmare.

Don't even think about it!!

Bread machines??

2009-03-23T08:08:00.002Z

I hate supermarkets. (Except Waitrose). All they do is tempt you to buy loads of crap you don't need at vastly inflated prices. I made a pact with myself to never do a 'weekly shop' again about four years ago, and whilst still using them occasionally, mostly go to Andy, my local butcher, or a little fruit n veg shop in Withington. Chorlton is the best for food shopping, Unicorn, Into the Blue, Barbarkan, but its a trek for someone with no time. I distinctly remember shopping when young at lots of little places, and knowing all the owners and them chatting to me as a child. Not spotty teenagers with an attitude and assistants who seen once disappear never to be seen again. And the former is a nice way to shop. Tough, sometimes, with a busy life, but possible once you've made the decision. I digress. With some 'points' from some ridiculous 'reward' system a few years ago I obtained a bread machine which has never been used. Today, a very early 7am start (I don't do mornings), combined with a packet of bread mix which has been peeking out at me for the past 6 months from behind the tagliatelli jar, saw the aforementioned bread machine unearthed and christened. Are they supposed to just shake gently? Can't find the instructions now, surprise surprise, so have just poured the mix and water in together and turned it on. Though about adding something interesting, like sundried toms / walnuts but figured best to get this first boring one right then experiment. Roll on 11am....

Project Lennon on Mothers Day

2009-03-22T23:05:00.003Z

Despite not being able to hold a knife and fork at the moment, and having to wear gloves permanently (a bit like the queen?!), Project Lennon now boasts a super shiny gloss black sideboard and oak wardrobes 'n' bookcases. Dangerous Dave managed to paint so badly (as usual) his painting skills were soon surplus to requirements, but he did manage to rip up some cardboard (highly skilled labour for him, I remain astonished that he used to work at British Aerospace and had anything at all to do with large things which fly). M rocked on with the flatpacking. Mother's Day today. Hmmmm. Still amused at the moment as was told by Medusa (the ex-wife) by letter last week that I haven't a maternal bone in my body. So whilst doing a load of sports washing and prepping kids meals for next week, I pinched myself to see if I could find one.....

Stick em up Saturday

2009-03-21T19:54:00.005Z

Spent the day signing up a new tenant, and also on a(nother) trip to Ikea. God bless it when you need to furnish a rental flat, and never ending supply of affordable, decent quality and likeable flat fillers. I Love It. Can't stand Ashton, worship Warrington, can find my way round the place blindfolded. And wonderfully it was quiet today, due to the impending Mothers Day tmw (everyone was in M&S fighting over the meal deal salmon for your mum offers, clearly).

Project Lennon is ready to furnish, oak floor is down, and I managed to get all the main furniture and shelving etc (but not the sofa which is coming from Coach House - more on that later)..... then got totally distracted by stickers. Project Cathedral had the perfect wall, and with a monochrome theme already going on, and a floral splashback in place, it was Saturday sticker city.

Slatthult at Ikea £9.78 per pack, took 4 for a wall this size

No more boring beige sofas

2009-03-21T19:52:00.002Z

These fabulous settees were all showcased at Birmingham Interiors this years, and I find myself inspired. I am banishing beige sofas from my life, well, at least for a while anyhow. It's hard to find such amazing sofas for affordable prices for my rental flats, but I am determined not to focus whole rooms around bloody beige furniture!

Best of this bunch has to be the Timorous Beasties fabric unexpectedly finding itself wrapped around the back of this rather funky little two seater.