Soooo many challenges in this renovation it makes your head spin. Numerous moments when we think why didn’t we just find something ready-made and good to move into immediately. There’s enough to do setting up a new business without actually having to renovate first, but each time we come back to the same conclusion that there’s nowhere else like this place that fits the big dream as well. A unique space for a unique business in a great location. Carry on Bob.

The curiosity about what lies behind the chimney breasts sadly didn’t lead, like in the big renovation tv series, to uncovering some beautiful, original cast iron fireplaces, but it did lead to the equivalent of how many people can you squeeze into a telephone box. An unbelievable amount of rubble stuffed up the bedroom chimney, including the old slate hearth or what was left of it. After exploratory holes in all three chimney breasts, decided on only opening up the one in the bedroom as we felt the space would benefit from a focal point.

An exciting find/coincidence followed in the un-build of the wall upstairs, making me feel like there are mysterious forces at work behind this project. The demolition work preparing for double doors to replace the ‘wendy house’ window between the living space and the bedroom space coincidentally reveals a large wooden beam above the newly opened-up double doorway. It would seem there had been double doors in this exact spot originally. What are the chances?

A new archway downstairs on the left hand side in the main space to compliment the original archway on the right hand side, which has been opened back up after an extended absence. A loft hatch to gain some much needed storage space in the dead roof space above the bedroom. Some sound proofing boards installed to mitigate noise which has been travelling unhindered to and from neighbours for too long a time. Another skip filled.

After what seems like an eternity of on/off activity on site awaiting for first fix electrics (it seems like sparky services are more in demand than a newly released limited edition signed print by artist Phlegm) it’s time to plaster the walls.