Back to Work

At the end of last year, work stopped completely, for a while, on our tiny house. The builders were engaged in a large building project elsewhere, and Joseph and I were away in the U.S. and Australia  for family matters - the happy graduation of our daughter from university in Melbourne being one of them! In the interim, the builders presented their "devis" (estimate for a contract offer) for the next phase of work in Lonlay l'Abbaye: building out and insulating the walls on the middle floor of the house, including electrical lines and outlets, heaters and doors. 

​We accepted the bid, but heard nothing for awhile. Then near the end of December, we received a set of mysterious photos with strong shadows cast by a work light. The days are short in December, but at least this meant that work was underway. Still, those dark shadows were kind of creepy.

We could just about divine where in the house each photo was taken, but I could not help but be reminded of the lighting in the Netflix series "Stranger Things."

The stuff of nightmares!

Plumbing photos can also be troubling to contemplate when you have no idea which end is up.

BEFORE - Exposed attic beams and old fireplace opening

AFTER - New ceiling and walls

We recently received a few new photos that cheered us quite a bit, as it seems a lot of progress has been made this month. Our builders told us that the walls were taking a bit longer than usual to sand down and finish because the damp and chill was adding to drying time. In this photo above, you can see that the nonfunctional fireplace near one bedroom window has disappeared, and we are having plenty of electrical outlets ("prises") installed for lighting, computers and maybe a tv.

BEFORE - Tiny narrow study between bathroom and bedroom (wall to right removed)

AFTER - New wall expands storage and living space in the study.

As promised, the builders have expanded the small room that we are calling the "study" at the top of the stairs to include an indented wall we can use for bookcases, cabinetry storage, a working desk area, or a combination thereof.

BEFORE - Bathroom or storage shed?

AFTER - Lovely new seagreen water-resistant wallboard, ready for its closeup

Even the dreaded bathroom has been given a new outfit and prepped for the next stages. Looks smaller than ever, but somehow we believe we can fit a shower into the left corner, toilet in the right corner, and sink on the right wall.

BEFORE - Just inside the bedroom door

AFTER - Looks brighter already with new walls and door!

I'd like to think that the house is happier by the minute as it gets restored and refreshed.

(Inside joke for "Stranger Things" fans)

So, lots of good progress and some transformation. We are looking forward to seeing Jim and Nicola, the builders, in the near future to thank them for this work and to plan for the next steps. Next up: Lighting?