Leaving London

In my head I thought I was prepared. Well practically I was. The move went smoothly. The removal men were swift and chatty, the cleaner cleaned and I tried my best to placate my two-year-old when the TV was packed up.
My idea of going on a final wander round Greenwich was scuppered by the rain and I ended up eating an uninspiring sandwich in a bookshop while my youngest slept.
It was saying final goodbyes at the school gates that it all got a bit too much. I started greeting and the kids just looked on slightly bemused.
We wandered back to the car over the white bridge and the muddy Creek. Someone, (it was signed 'The Ravensbourne Clan' ), had strung a line across it and there were bits of paper tied to it flapping in the wind. I don't normally take part in acts of public art but it seemed quite apt to do so this time. So we made a wish and added our names to the others. 

The drive out of London into the Blackwall tunnel was 'Wacky races' according to my eldest. Well it was a bank holiday so it took hours and we arrived, in the dark, in a thunderstorm.
We woke to bright blue skies and chirping birds. And fresh air.

Space ideas

So we've been playing around with Floorplanner to see, very roughly, what we could do. The sizes are bit wonky (we need to actually measure the house properly) but it does give food for thought.


Future floor plan:

Current floor plan:

 
More 'broken plan' than 'open plan' (all the rage don't you know?!), we haven't yet figured out doorways/sliding doors/full glass panels thing.

We've got quite a few ideas but it basically involves extending using the existing foundations of the conservatory/sun room and then extending out the side. We've added a second bathroom (essential when our kids get older) as an ensuite, using the space in the garage. We've kept a bit of the garage for bikes and outdoor toys.

A utility room and open plan kitchen that we can eat in are a must. By splitting the sitting room into two with some sort of divide, we can have a TV area and a lounging area.

The snug provides an office space for a bit of peace and quiet.

The deck, accessible from the kitchen and sitting room provides outdoor space for eating and lounging.

The main bathroom has been extended into the hall a little, giving space for a shower and bath.

1950s living

Sold for £2,650 in 1957, our house is part of a small estate built on farmland on the outskirts of a market town.

Originally aimed at the middle classes it offered modern living at an affordable price at a time when housing was in great demand.

The fifties was an exciting decade for homeowners with fitted kitchens, open plan living and new appliances such as the washing machine, fridge freezer and TV. Materials such as formica, vinyl and PVC offered designers and manufacturers new possibilities.

It also saw the rise in popularity of G-Plan furniture. Marketed in magazines and cinemas, it gave homeowners the opportunity to buy affordable matching pieces for the entire house.

As chance would have it we have an original G-Plan sideboard. that I painted a while back that will take pride of place:

It's really ours!

After a slightly epic journey across London with two kids, one buggy and one picnic bag, we arrived at our new town. Managed to get the buggy trapped between the platform and train but I was swiftly rescued.

We picked up the keys (after declining the offer of a free branded 'bag for life' and umbrella...?) and I cajoled the kids up the hill to our new house.

Phew! The decor was a bit tired but it felt bright and full of possibilities. We sat down to a picnic on the floor of the conservatory. The kids then managed to tramp mud all through the house when I was talking to the locksmith. I tried to tackle it with baby wipes but gave up.

In terms of layout, all the rooms are rectangular boxes expect for one of the bedrooms where some space is lost by the chimney breast and a boiler cupboard. Space wise it is around 80m squared excluding the garage. Outside there is a side return to the right and the garden is six fence panels deep including a terrace.

With the bedrooms at the front and the living at the back, there are lots of possibilities for extensions.

I am watching back-to-back episodes of The £100K House: Tricks of the Trade for inspiration. Oh and Ugly House to Lovely House. I don't like to call the house ugly though. And it will take us about ten years to save up to do anything. I can but dream. And knock down walls.