The Master Bedroom Layout

When you spend a lot of money, you want to see something special for your outlay, right?

The changes to our plans have meant that our Master Bedroom Ensuite has been reduced in size with the result that the main area of the bedroom has been "squashed" into a long thin shape. Something doesn't feel right with the layout anymore!

Our in-house designer (aka the wife) has been drawing new layouts over and over again and we finally have a layout that we both like and which gives us the luxurious feel without the weirdness in shape. At least, we think so - and that's all that matters, right?

Shifting the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe from the "slopey" side of the house to the rear of the house seems to have made all the difference and we will now be closer to the television!

The end result (right) would see the walk-in wardrobe located opposite the entrance to the bedroom. This walk-in wardrobe would lead on in to the ensuite.

I believe Jackie will take the long run of wardrobes, by the way. My suits and shirts will have to be crammed into the smallest section of the wardrobe area but I guess that is something that men all over the world have to suffer.

There will be a slope along the left-hand side of the entire room under which we will probably have nothing or a very low unit to store infrequently used "things".

The hope is that this re-orientation won't have an effect on the planning approval process and is merely a building control matter! Fingers crossed!

Happy days!

We got our amended plans approved today! Woohoo!

Thank goodness because I couldn't see any other way to do it really - well at least not without spending another big chunk of cash!

Now we're still waiting for the sale to go thru. As Stephen says - this should have been the simplest house purchase in the history of time. Unfortunately the actions of solicitors past and present (specifically past) have meant that we are now waiting for probate to agree that my father in law can own his own house before we can buy it! Unreal...

Insurance (as prev. mentioned by the other half) has now been sorted and our mortgage is available (again).

Another Hiatus

So our first set of plans haven't been approved by the planning authorities which is a major disappointment. Indeed, it's only now (2 weeks later) that it can be described as a major disappointment. When the news that the approval had been denied broke, emotions were running high!

The planners believe that the first set of plans show an extension which is just too large. The "mass" of the extension needs to be reduced and the way of achieving that is to put a slope on the north cable end. This slope means that the master bedroom/ensuite will reduce in size. Thus the disappointment.

However, necessity is the mother of invention as my wife reminds me. She has drawn out an internal plan for the master bedroom which I can only describe as stunning. A re-orientation of the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe to the end of the room opposite the door seems to make a a big difference!

House Insurance
One major hold-up just now though is the house insurance. The house has been insured for some time now, but I don't have that all important piece of paper in my hand and the bank don't seem to be too happy! I've phoned, I've pleaded and I've despaired. I shall try again tomorrow.

All I need is that fax and planning approval! How tricky can that be?

Planning planning planning

I'm disappointed.

Our architect had a call to day to say that the planners don't like the look of the two storey extension as the house is really a 1.5 storey. It must be said that the extension is at the back, below existing ridge and is seen by only one neighbour, it doesn't even take up that much of their view to be fair. I can't help feeling that this is a bit pedantic.

I am wondering that if this is a "cosmetic" issue, would a cosmetic alteration be sufficient ie. some sort of cladding on the top half to "fool the eye". Or offsetting the top bit so that there is a "line" for the planners eye. I am not that keen on a sloping roof as we will lose so much space inside - which we will pay more for!

On a positive note, the rest of the plan is ok :)

Update in a few days....

Wish List 1

It's just a list:

• underfloor heating in extension
• underfloor heating in hall (not sure if possible)
• wood / multifuel stove in kitchen with back boiler
• dont think we can have a pressurised water system due to poor water flow/pressure issues, so pumps for showers
• large hot water tank
• best insulation in roof/walls possible
• central heating - I'm thinking gas. Boiler in utility room.
• gas fire in front sitting room, gas hob in kitchen
• central vacuum system
• sound insulation in upstairs laundry and hot press (re. pumps)

There's probably more...

Plans Submitted For Approval

It's definitely the quiet stage of the project. Very little is happening and lots of people keep asking "how's the house coming along".

Today, however, sees the plans being submitted for approval by the powers-that-be. Cheques have been forwarded and funds moved around the various bank accounts to ensure they don't bounce (which would be embarrassing).

Maybe it is time to get on with the working drawings and draw up a short-list of builders!

In the meantime, there have been demands made by the little people within the family. Four poster beds seem high up on their priority list. My needs are rather simple in comparison - give me a pool table and a dart board and I'll be a happy chappy. Oh... and CAT6 cabling around the house. And media players in every room. And plenty of room for the Wii players. Maybe their demands aren't so bad after all.

The other 'alf

I love the plans the architect has come up with. It will be really beautiful!

We have looked closely at them over the weekend and have no real major issues (cos it's just what we wanted!) I think however a few pictures would help to show what I am imagining.

I really don't like rooms with no windows so I imagine the dressing room to be a bit like this.... the torso wouldn't be a deal breaker..

This is kind of how I saw the stairs - for me, almost nothing is more.. This is another imagining.. if only two of us lived there it might be feasible but I can see smudgy finger prints everywhere... This is beautiful though.

Still waiting for the other 'alf's ideas/vision.