Lots of decisions to make about what stays and what goes. Some easier than others. The main bathroom is going to be much smaller but Bertha the beautiful bath tub needs to stay one way or another. In complete contrast, the downstairs W.C. needs to be bigger than the closet it has been and the toilet needs to go one way or another.

The big decision, how to sort all the random eccentric pipework that has accumulated all over the place over the various years? Storage water heater in the bathroom cupboard, tank in the attic, combi boiler in the downstairs toilet that supplies the flat, an old gas fire disconnected and discarded in the dispensary. The whole downstairs space is only heated by a single plinth heater in the main room. The water, gas and electric services all need a complete overhaul so we take the plunge to simplify everything and go all electric. The plan is hot water on demand with tankless water heaters and ‘economical’ wi-fi electric radiators. Feels a bit of a gamble but hopefully the right decision in the long run.

Windows are an increasingly big decision too. The large barred dispensary window at the back is going to be removed to maximise the number of paintings and wall based artwork that can be shown in that rather tight space and which will also add a bit more security to the downstairs gallery. Upstairs the skylights are definitely staying as they fill the room where workshops will be held with a glorious amount of light. Note to self the 70s style pine cladding will be sent on its merry way as well as the wendy house window between the living space and bedroom.

A lot of indecision about the kitchen window. It needs to be moved to help accommodate the new separate entrance to the upstairs but back and forth design wise. Old school Victorian or Mesters style crittal? Then the big torment with the bedroom window at the front. Having seen an old photo of the building can’t help thinking it would be great to reinstall a sash window but the white pvc window is so new its barely out of nappies it wouldn’t make financial sense to replace it. Heart says yes. Budget says no.

The stairs to the dispensary definitely need an overhaul. Feel like they need to better encourage people to venture into the painting gallery as they are currently a bit awkward and uninviting but its a more complex design conundrum than initially thought as they also accommodate access to the cellar and need to service both areas equally.

Easy decision to take down the wall-to-wall mirrored cupboards which are housing little more than a giant patch of black mould. This then leads to a do-we-don’t-we decision about chimney breasts. We decide to take a peek at what lies behind…