DIY: Any ideas how much this carpentry might cost?

[beesonthewhatnow]

that well known building technique

Getting the batons onto the walls was a right bastard - one minute I was drilling into bricks that had the consistency of diamond, the next the wall was like cardboard. At one point I drilled into the wall and it just crumbled - I'd found the one spot in the wall that had an entire brick missing behind it

I've just done similar in our back room and had the same problems, the joys of living in old houses....

 

[Ms T]

Give it a couple of years and it'll probably be less. I reckon you could get the work done for £1200.

We had exactly what you want done in our dining room and I think it cost about £1200. We got a good deal though because I'd got our carpenter (who's brilliant) a LOT of work through contacts/recommending him to the Evening Standard, so we got a hefty discount.

I do think it would be odd not to have a wardrobe in there though.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

MDF

Urgh, horrible stuff.

Proper wood ftw

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

This guy does lovely stuff if you don't mind getting your wallet out: http://www.nigeleaton.co.uk/

handmade in MDF

Urgh.

 

[ChrisFilter]

We had exactly what you want done in our dining room and I think it cost about £1200. We got a good deal though because I'd got our carpenter (who's brilliant) a LOT of work through contacts/recommending him to the Evening Standard, so we got a hefty discount.

I do think it would be odd not to have a wardrobe in there though.

Yeah, I do. I think it would limit the room.

If I was to go for it, I think I'd put the cupboard and shelves to the left of the fireplace (maybe even with the pictured bulging style, to put a TV on) and then on the right have a built-in wardrobe.

Problem is, on the right there's French windows as well.

*scampers off to see if there'd be a room for a wardrobe on the right*

 

[Tank Girl]

I would like to see more pictures of your boudoir please chris

 

[aqua]

in our dining room we have french windows so we have 2 (instead of 4) shelves and are wall mounting the lcd tele so we don't have a stand in the way of the doors

do it yourself - it's much more fun

 

[free spirit]

This is what I did in our front room

The tricky bit was making the doors - I did them from scratch, becuase I wouldn't have found any to fit properly otherwise.

The rest isn't that bad, providing the walls are solid. Ours weren't, so I had to do a lot of swearing to get them done right

I am officially impressed.

and yeah, I know all about the intricacies of working with old houses... just about finished 2 bathrooms, kitchen and a bedroom* at my parents 1903 house, and I've not found a 90 degree angle, or flat wall yet.

I like real wood too



*oh and solar water heating stuff, but that's not really relevant...

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I've not found a 90 degree angle, or flat wall yet.

Oh man, the swearing I had to use to get all the shelves the right shape...

The big problem was that the alcove wasn't even consistently out of shape - every shelf had to be individually cut to the right angle, it took ages.

 

[ChrisFilter]

I would like to see more pictures of your boudoir please chris

Here is the view from the theatre of dreams:

 

[aqua]

as long as Chris doesn't need any skirting fitting it'll be fine

 

[Tank Girl]

can I have a photo of the ceiling next

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

One of the doors being made:

Then I stained it to give an antique pine finish

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

as long as Chris doesn't need any skirting fitting it'll be fine

Now there's a job I'm never doing again

 

[free spirit]

Oh man, the swearing I had to use to get all the shelves the right shape...

The big problem was that the alcove wasn't even consistently out of shape - every shelf had to be individually cut to the right angle, it took ages.

I've not sworn at all, oh not, not even once...

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I've not sworn at all, oh not, not even once...

I find a good expletive can be as effective as a hammer sometimes

 

[ChrisFilter]

can I have a photo of the ceiling next

No, you can have one of Beanàge Di Caprio (Beanie) entering the bedroom from the hall:

 

[ChrisFilter]

One of the doors being made:

Then I stained it to give an antique pine finish

Snazzy

I don't think I have the skills... but I could try.

 

[RubyToogood]

Spot on for the sorta stuff I mean - thanks ruby

But hmmm.... for a wardrobe and cupboard we'd be looking at £1600. Too much debt to pay off for now, but it's fantastic to have a rough idea of costs and what's achievable for when we're in a position to afford that.

Thanks everyone, a successful thread

I must admit I hadn't looked at his price list.

 

[Tank Girl]

No, you can have one of Beanàge Di Caprio (Beanie) entering the bedroom from the hall:

much better than the ceiling

you're going out tomorrow night aren't you chris? I might go round to yours to keep your missus and the cats company.

 

[ChrisFilter]

much better than the ceiling

you're going out tomorrow night aren't you chris? I might go round to yours to keep your missus and the cats company.

She'd genuinely love that. She wants to be your friend. Alas she's out as well though, at Ganapati's then the Rye Hotel. Why don't you come to the Rye Hotel for a couple of pink gins?

 

[Tank Girl]

can I not just keep the cats company?

 

[ChrisFilter]

can I not just keep the cats company?

You might steal my washing.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Not deep enough for a wardrobe, but I'm not sure it'd look right if the wardrobe was on the left and the shelves were on the right.

 

[ChrisFilter]

And with curtains:

It looks ok, that pic doesn't really do it justice.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Do you need the hanging space that a wardrobe would give you, or can you get away with shelves and cupboards on either side?

 

[Cid]

Urgh, horrible stuff.

Proper wood ftw

Nothing wrong with MDF, by far the best material for veneering/spraying onto because it's so stable. Pine is a bit shoddy on pro work though (although your cupboards are good).

I must admit I hadn't looked at his price list.

It's actually quite cheap; I'd probably charge £1,200+ per meter (most would add VAT to that too, but I'm not registered), but that would be bespoke.

The cheapest option would be to repaint the walls and fit some nice oak shelves... I did some for my mum's flat, I'll take some photos in a bit.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Pine is a bit shoddy

I like it because it's so forgiving and easy to work with. Good quality stuff can look really nice, but it relies on having access to a decent timber yard.

nice oak shelves

I love oak, and wanted to use it for the shelves in our back room but it's a) expensive and b) a bastard to work with, so I cheated and used pine and then used oak effect stain

 

[Kanda]

Make a replica out of matchsticks first. If that comes out ok, you're golden

 

[Cid]

I like it because it's so forgiving and easy to work with. Good quality stuff can look really nice, but it relies on having access to a decent timber yard.




I love oak, and wanted to use it for the shelves in our back room but it's a) expensive and b) a bastard to work with, so I cheated and used pine and then used oak effect stain

Pine is definitely better suited to DIY stuff... Oak would be a nightmare to take from rough to a decent standard without the kit. If you ever want some sourced (usually have spare stuff hanging around anyway) and taken down to size (and can be arsed to come to London for it) give me a shout though, it's easy with the machines.

Shelves in sitting room:

She also has these which are rather good:

And these (variation for an alcove):