There was little rest for me over the festive season, I had a ton of work to do so I came back to London on the 27th (much to my Mam’s misery – sorry Mam) and got right back to it.
I finished laying the floor in the living room, have fitted all the skirting boards, painted the second coat of paint on the walls (except the ceilings and the white wall you can see on the left), cut, painted and fitted the edging strips around the whole of the floor to neaten it up, fitted the TV to the wall and installed the stereo with some clever wiring concealing tricks (not the ones you can see, obviously – need to get to them next).
I had planned on putting the stereo in the red alcove to the right in the picture but after further consideration, the wire concealing operation would have been a nightmare. I had to fit a separate board to the top of the cabinet I fitted earlier in order for it to be wide enough to take the amp I had. Fitting this was quite simple and planed the edge off the corner nearest the chimney breast to a nice curve (marked out beautifully with a dinner plate) and smoothed the other edges. Then used decorators caulk to fill the edging gaps for a perfect finish before painting the same colour as the wall. Then drilled out a bit circular hole big enough for a UK standard plug to drop through in the far right corner, ready for when I drop on the stereo. As there is also a drawer in this cupboard, the wires would have interfered with the drawer running so I cut a further wedge from the side of the right runner for the wires to run in. Perfect fit!
The skirting boards have all been fitted, as well as the edging pieces which have all had the caulking experience, which makes the job look so much better, not a single black line where the holes once were. I have to thank my Dad for insisting on me getting the first tube of caulk. I was a bit dubious of the difference it could make, but it just makes it all look so much more professional. On tube 4 already.
Having got here, I had a couple of mates over to help me carry the sofas into the correct position and then we all collapsed with a well-earned beer in hand. Obviously a lot more to do still but the below pictures should give some idea of where I am at and how the finished living room will look.
