I loved the ironwork on the stairs - I wanted to see more of how they designedn that!

Also, the glass above the front door - was it this
http://www.spectrumglass.com/GlassDocs/BR430.html
- I only caught a glimpse and as I wasn't taping it, couldn't recheck. I've just started doing a stained glass course and this is one of the types I've been working with...

Reuben, most of those houses were gross, there was only the Warminster one that was any contest but I still chose you as your pad looks more cosy.

quote:

Originally posted by Kikishua:
I loved the ironwork on the stairs - I wanted to see more of how they designedn that!

Also, the glass above the front door - was it this
http://www.spectrumglass.com/GlassDocs/BR430.html

It certainly was that glass ,well spotted. I'd planned to do a proper piece of leaded glass including some globs but was too lazy in the end and just used a big piece - they're all individual as I'm sure you know and it works great when the sun reflects off the towerblocks through it. I made some internal door panels in our old flat and they looked great- its a fun skill to learn (arent they all?)

The ironwork was done by Elspeth Bennie of Ironhorse Studios - we talked our ideas through and between the three of us got the idea for the final look. Elspeth then produced a sample about three foot wide and we said "Great , do the rest in a similar style". This way the final result, (which only repeats on the stairs) was unknown till it turned up for us to spray paint. Although it involved a bit of luck and trust on our part it was one of the most exciting parts of the whole job and remarkably stree free. If you need artistic work done then its best to have some but not all of the design input to get the best result (or you might as well do it all yourself). If you want to commission work I would advise walking away from any artist who appears not to listen ,or worse still verbally beats you into submission to their idea rather than yours. Its your dream after all !

quote:

Originally posted by spongemum:
I still chose you as your pad looks more cosy.

Thanks, it certainly is !

Re an earlier post...

On the storage side, although there isnt tons of storage there is more than normally gets provided in new builds. The little office "cubicle" (which didnt really appear on TV) has quite a lot of space for messy stuff, the bed lifts up with hidden storage underneath, storage on top of the bathroom roof, two bathroom cabinets etc. The best thing about moving to the house has been chucking loads of junk (in true House Doctor style). I do have to build some external storage for motor bikes and associated stuff this summer cos its usually wet and covered in mud but apart from that its proved fine

This was one of my favourite Grand Designs, mainly because of the fact that the work was mostly done by the people involved! These are the ones that are really brought to life instead of ones where the owners just pay someone else to do all the work!

I really admired April and Reuben's sheer energy, enthusiasm and hard work on this. The way they "mucked in" and got on with it and learnt skills that they needed was great! I also really liked the finished result despite the fact that it wouldn't be something that I'd have thought I'd like (if you know what I mean!) It really seemed to work - a lovely balance of light and spaciousness and cosyness too. The house was full of personal details and really individual things, from the chimneys downwards, which is so much better than all these really bland places done to appeal to everyone else!

(I had a look at the homes competition thing and was very fair and carefully looked at the others but thought yours looked much more "interesting" (for want of a better word) and inviting so picked yours!)

The main thing I want to know, Reuben, is where on earth do you find your energy?! Anyway, good luck to you and April and I hope you have a long happy future in your home.

Lots of coffee and adrenaline, Oh and always have a dream and chase it !

Thanks for the comments everyone

quote:

Originally posted by spongemum:
Reuben, most of those houses were gross, there was only the Warminster one that was any contest but I still chose you as your pad looks more cosy.

I liked the Warminster one as well, but it did seem a little stark! There don't seem to be any outside views of Reuben's house, which seems a pity.

I will definitely cast a vote for you!

avis

Fantastic upper arms on April - shame you have to spend over a year getting down and dirty renovating a wreck to get rid of bingo wings!

Ho Ho !

You could also try offroad biking thats even more effective at flapping those bingo wings away - though even more dirty.

Reuben

Did you get any comeback on your lampost relocation exercise from the powers that be? I could just imagine all those jobsworths sitting at home saying "you can't do that!", watching you two in action. Fair play to you though, it made me smile.

Re lamp post.

A officious council employee turned up first thing the next day and attempted to bend my ear about it. It was quite amusing because I though it was a wind up and he was just being nosey !
Needless to say the facts were sorted out and nothing happened. The story was then picked up by the local Evening News (there was a reporter there at the same time) and used as ammunition against the Council , which was unfortunate because I had had a good working relationship with them up to that point. The "man at the Council" really had said it would be OK since I was effectively acting as a contractor.

Several months later I met a man from the HSE who said "Oh you're the guy on the TV that set Health and Safety back ten years !"

quote:

Originally posted by reuben w:
The ironwork was done by Elspeth Bennie of Ironhorse Studios

Has she also done some work on the waterside at Leith? When we saw your Grand Design the work seemed very similar to some funky railings we saw there a few years ago (great build BTW).

quote:

funky railings...waterside at Leith?

Dont think she did them , but they definately acted as an inspiration for us. Elspeth has done lots of public art projects including some of the groovy wrought iron work above the entrances to the Closes on the Royal Mile "up toon". The Leith railings may have been done by Ratho Forge ?- which I think Elspeth worked with in her early blacksmithing years .