Having enjoyed the winter with our new lounge and log burner (which was literally lit every single day from November last year, all through Christmas and well into 2013) January kicked off with yet another Timbertops ‘project’ alongside the day job. The hallway fit out. We thought it pretty essential to actually have a toilet in the downstairs loo and fittings to hang up coats in the coat cupboard (call me fussy). Oh and whilst we’re there, let’s just knock out that structural wall between the kitchen and dining room shall we? Oh we do like a challenge! And going through the UK Adoption system is just crying out for some extra-curricular DIY and building work distractions…
So in true Putman style, and knowing it saves a lot of money to source and buy all materials, fixtures and fittings yourself and project manage the building team, we embark on the hallway fit out and combining our kitchen and dining spaces. More evenings and weekends spent sourcing the best deals on products and materials at the best possible price for the best possible quality, and a lot of hard graft DIY’ing. Every single day.
We have however created a great space on a minimum budget. We’ve managed to design in lots of additional storage, a large entrance mat, child height coat hooks, bag hooks, a key shelf, letter racks, a large mirror, a blackboard for reminder notes, a bench for putting on shoes, a big coat storage cupboard, a drawer for the dog lead and poo bags, an area for shoes, a muddy wellie cupboard, and just a few funky statement pieces which no entrance hall should be without. And although we’re feeling pretty weary from it all we’re pretty proud of how the house is all finally coming together.
And mum? The wallpaper you hung for us in the downstairs loo and hallway alcove looks brilliant. You are a star.
tip
So many people don’t make the most of their entrance spaces, but actually it is a space which should work hard for us. Its the first space we enter when we get home and the last place we pass through on our way out. It is a space where keys, shoes, muddy wellingtons, bags, coats, post and even prams often get left; so really make it work for you.
great find
I’m fairly new to this paint on blackboard paint, but it really is great stuff. You can paint it on any surface and to whatever shape you like wherever you like. Once it’s looking a bit worn and overused, simply paint on another coat for a new solid black finish. £50 a litre from most DIY stores.