Building on to my house
By Peter Merton, 27th Sep 2013 | Follow this author
| RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/1kj2xmuy/
Posted in WikinutGuidesDIYBuilding & Remodeling
How I extended my house for a library and study space, with an added tower and spiral staircase
Building a library and a tower onto my house
I am a literary historian and I have thousands of books. I had no more place for them and my house was a shambles with no walking space between piles of books and notes and so on. I had a salary back then and decided in 2004 to add a wing to my house to serve as a library and study and extra living space.
I drew it up and made a cardboard model, and then got an architect to make proper plans and submit to the municipality for approval.
I found a competent local builder and got estimates. I extended my mortgage, cashed in some policies, and put the money together.
There was a collapsing pair of old wood-and-glass rooms on the end of the house where I wanted the wing, and I demolished those myself, single-handed, with sledge hammer, crowbar, angle grinder, and a truck to dump the remains.
The builders did their job, and I now have a large ground floor library and study, an upstairs extra bed-sit with bath and toilet, a hexagonal tower with a spiral staircase and a trapdoor leading to a small parapet on top.
I sourced all the timber from a demolition company - nineteenth-century northern pine, with wonderful well-proportioned beams that had to have ancient triangular-profile brads removed.
Now I have an attractive and practical space, but I sit with a large mortgage and I write in order to earn and pay this off. One thing leads to another, and desire always has its costs.
Comments
28th Sep 2013 (#)
Looks like youre a very talented lad my friend!
Reply to this comment
28th Sep 2013 (#)
Ta Fern. Overstretched, is another way of putting it.
Reply to this comment
13th Nov 2013 (#)
Gucci Outlet Online, http://www.guccishoes-factory.net/
Coach Factory Outlet, http://www.coachfactories.com/
Ralph Lauren Outlet Online, http://www.laurenpoloralph.com/
North Face Jackets Clearance, http://www.north-clearances.com/
MCM Bags Outlet Online, http://www.mcmsworldwide.com/
Michael Kors Outlet Online, http://www.clickmichaelkors.com/
Coach Outlet, http://coachoutlettusa.tumblr.com/
Coach Purse Outlet Online, http://www.coach-pursesonsale.com/
Louis Vuitton Outlet, http://www.lv-guccishoesfactory.com/
Michael Kors Outlet Online, http://www.michaelkorsoutletsusa.com/
Monster Beats Outlet, http://www.mmonsterheadphones.net/
Coach Factory Store, http://coachfactorys.tumblr.com/
North Jackets Outlet Online, http://www.north-faceoutletonlines.net/
Coach Factory, http://www.bags-outletfactory.com/
Coach Purses Outlet, http://www.newoutletonlinemall.com/
Polo Outlet, http://www.polo-outletstoreonline.com/
Louis Vuitton Outlet Online, http://www.l-vusashop.com/
Ugg Bailey Button Factory, http://auuggboots.tumblr.com/
Coach Outlet Online, http://www.copursesoutletonline.com/
Michael Kors Outlet, http://www.mkoutletcarts.com/
Reply to this comment