I found it!

Finding just the right products for my refurbishment

I spent a lot of time trying to source the right products. Whether it’s the knobs on my new wardrobes or the lights switches I spend ages searching for the right thing. I find modern products are often badly made. Lightweight. Made out of plastic or thin metal. So I often look on ebay.

I am refurbishing my seventy five year old garage. It needs repairs to the roof, guttering and woodwork. The first step was getting the tree that was overhanging it trimmed back. So now I can install a weather vane. I’ve always wanted one but never owned a house that it would be appropriate for. But my wooden clap board garage is ideal having that sufficiently rustic feel.

I looked at hundreds of modern ones. But they are made out of thin metal and often too big in scale of a small garage having been designed for barn conversions and houses. I also wanted it to have clean modern lines without too many fiddly bits. So I was delighted when I finally found an appropriate design on eBay. It’s a little bit rusty but otherwise perfect.

I spent ages finding the right knobs for my new fitted wardrobes. Just the right size. Detailed but not too ornate. But the hardest thing has been the radiators. I want Victorian style column ones. But these are much less efficient than the modern ones with fins. I will keep looking.

It’s the same with doors. I deliberately choose heavy timber framed composite doors when I replaced them. Rather than cheaper lightweight UPVC doors. I would have like solid wood but that just not practical for security and because they sink and warp over time. Getting ones that were A+ rated for energy efficiency was also crucial as this house is so cold. Maintenance was a consideration as well.

I’m already regretting getting my hand rail in a bees wax finish. That’s just more maintenance in a house which already had loads of upkeep. And being an old and damp house I will have to wax it, to prevent it going rusty. A burnished finish would have been more practical. That said I pleased I went with 3m instead of 4m and pleased with the scale. I alway study the product specification carefully and check the measurements.

Next up I have to make a decision regarding the internal doors. I’m still undecided whether to go for reclaimed or quality modern equivalents. Then I will need to source the hinges. I will make sure these are the same size as the old ones to minimise the adaptation of the door frames. Then it will be the handles. I also need to find a Victorian air brick that compliments my existing ones.

I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of hunting down the perfect item. The researching for me is even better than the buying and there’s something so much more satisfying if you find it second hand.