Eire

Signing off for a couple of weeks as we're putting the Number 10 heating problems behind us and heading for warmer climes... at least we HOPE they're warmer!

We'll be doing a bit of sightseeing.

We'll be drinking some of this......

...and maybe doing some of this....

Oh yeah! I can just see MONT frocking up. NOT!

I'll fill you in on our adventures when we get back

Take care and keep warm!

Number 10 Fireplace Part 2

Attractive huh?

This is what we're left with after a row of bricks have been removed from each side of the fireplace and the plaster's also been chipped off. We had considered bagging or even rendering the brickwork, because we can't have a combustible material like plaster there for the type of heater we're getting.

But because the bricks are so rough and in such poor condition, we're going to "blue-board" it.

It's the stuff used to line bathrooms and wet areas.

The blue board can be painted just like plaster, but it won't catch fire.

Isn't it good to see a bloke who knows his way around a vacuum cleaner?

Number 10 Fireplace

So, just when I thought it was safe to say that the lounge room was (basically) finished, along comes our heating dilemma which means more dirt, more dust and more cleaning!

Do not adjust your computer settings. This haze has been caused by dust taking over Number 10! Again.

We think we've settled on the heater (gas log fire) we want, but it means MONT has had to remove a row of bricks on either side of the fireplace cavity to accommodate it. What was tricky though was making sure the lintel, holding up the chimney and all the brickwork, was extending far enough into the remaining side bricks so the entire fireplace didn't collapse.

That would not be good....although, come to think of it, it would mean we could have any size heater we wanted...no, what am I saying!!! NOT GOOD AT ALL!

This little fireplace used to have an old briquette heater in it. Remember those?

When I bought Number 10 all those years ago, it was the only form of heating it had and I wasn't about to test it out, even though I moved in in the middle of Winter and only had an electric heater to help keep me warm...oh and two cats and two doonas!

Just how MONT wants to spend his Sunday mornings... demolishing the brickwork without demolishing the entire fireplace and getting covered in black sooty dust for good measure....

The remodelling continues .....

Design Disappointment

Sometimes you ask yourself WHY?

Why would someone, who supposedly calls themselves a "designer' come up with something so silly and more importantly, UGLY that you question their ability.

The other question I ask myself is: why would someone give that design the go-ahead.

Beats me...

Let me explain.....we've been without a heater at Number 10 for some time now because we re-located the old one to Number 3. Check out the link and you'll see why.

The Rinnai Royale was terrific. It looked good, heated the house and we were really pleased with it.

The thing is, trying to find a new heater for Number 10 in this freezing Melbourne weather has been a lot harder than we imagined, because many of the current day units are either too large for our small fireplace cavity, or won't heat the area we need.

I considered going back and buying another Rinnai Royale and checked out the latest model....and that's where my REAL disappointment set in, because it's ugly. Instead of the controls being a couple of discreet black push-buttons at the base of the unit, it's now a control pad with a plastic cover, located on the top of it.

Why?

Why would you place the control pad on top of the heater that gets pretty hot and when you're trying to make it look as much like a real log fire as humanly possible?

Rinnai, it's UGLY. In fact it's worse than ugly.

The Rinnai Royale is a great heater and is (almost) perfect for Number 10... But you've lost yourself a sale Rinnai. The way you've got your control pad set out is just NOT ON...not for me anyway...even the person at the Gas shop turned up their nose at it...so that's saying something!

The fabulous old Number 10 heater.

So, we're now faced with the task of not only finding a new heater...we'll also have to re-model the entire fireplace/chimney to accommodate a larger one that will not only look good, but will warm the house as well.

I love renovating, but this is just plain annoying

I mean really...is it too much to ask to have something that looks good as well as performs well?

Number 10 Hallway

Some time ago...a LONG time ago in fact, I mentioned that I was going to introduce you to Number 10, by way of a house tour.

I forgot to follow through. Sorry 'bout that.

So I'm here to make amends and I'd like to introduce you to a part of my front hallway.

Some years ago I went to an auction at a house where everything was being sold off and I picked up this old Singer sewing machine frame

I took it to a powder coater who stripped it back and coated it in this off-white colour.

MONT cut a top for it, which I painted...and it now sits happily in the front hallway.

The Mikasa bowl in the middle has some tiny IKEA lights in it that look lovely of an evening.

The lamp (one of a pair) was a bargain at a clearance place. I got both for $35.00.

The crystal bowl holding all of our keys was something I had in the cupboard...and the old rotary dial phone works and is used whenever we have a blackout. No, cordless phones don't work when there's no power my friends.

This little guy was a couple of dollars at Oswald Sealy

I can't guarantee which room will be next on the agenda...I'll just have to see what inspires me.

My friend Sue

I want to tell you about my friend Sue.

I've known Sue for more than 25 years. We met back in the 80's when we were both working for the same company in a regional Victorian town. Sue's originally from Sydney and had moved south for a new career opportunity. I was from Melbourne and had moved for the same reason.

Voila! We met and hit it off immediately. In fact we became such good friends that even when Sue moved back to Sydney and was planning to get married, she asked me to make her Wedding dress...and I even threw together our bridesmaid's outfits.

It was a truly lovely wedding and her husband is a gorgeous bloke.

Anyway, I told you that MONT and I are heading to Ireland soon for a wedding...and I'll be able to catch up with Sue there. No, she hasn't moved there, but is on a sort of retreat while she writes a screenplay.

During her overseas sojourn, she's also done some sightseeing in Rome and Edinburgh...because she can!

...and she started a blog.

I urge you to check it out. It's terrific.

Gail Won

...and I didn't even need to pull her name out of a hat!

Nope, she was the only commenter from the US or Canada.

I wish every prize/giveaway was that simple huh?

Congrats Gail. Hope you post about the item you choose so we can all see what goodies you got.

Also...thanks Eileen at CSN Stores for making the giveaway available...

This is a little embarrassing

Embarrassing Indeed!!!!

I planned to draw the name of the winner for my giveaway tomorrow (Friday) but so far have just ONE comment.

Now, I know the giveaway is only open to readers from Canada and the USA (unfortunately), but so far with just one comment, it's not looking good!

So, I'll extend the competition till next Monday and hopefully there'll be more comments forthcoming

One can only hope anyway.