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Betty Sunshine's avatar

Beautiful house … one thing I would say re underfloor heating, is we have just sold a 3 yr old new build with engineered wood floor & ufh downstairs. It can take some time to heat up & even in a well insulated new build it could be cold. It was also on the pricey side to run.Now we have moved it’s lovely to have radiators & a woodburner going in very soon.

Love that you’re changing the floor, whilst some may love it , it’s very busy 🤔 & I think would detract from your lovely things 🥰

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Oh this is interesting advice thank you! And I do like the floor but it’s just not fit for purpose now - and you are right, I’m not really a pattern person so maybe that is also fate!

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MG's avatar

I absolutely love ufh and would have it everywhere, all the time if I could. Even better if it’s eco…

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

I have read up a lot and it does seem to be a good thing to go for. Joe is super keen on it and has always wanted so it’s the perfect time to install if the floors coming up.

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Betty Sunshine's avatar

It wasn’t the case for us sadly . It was a very well insulated new build and it just never seemed to warm the house fully when it was really cold . It also wasn’t eco for us , it ran from the gas boiler.

I imagine some brands are better than others but I personally would not have it in an older property, if if it was already installed and adding a wood burner was an option then I would go for that .

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Katherine's avatar

We have added ufh (and a damp proof course) to a very old house last year and yes it takes a while to heat up because it’s under lots of screed but that means you can run it on economy seven energy early in the morning and it releases all day! And no cold spots! The house has never been warmer or drier x

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Betty Sunshine's avatar

Economy 7 wasn’t an option us as ours ran from the gas boiler . Clearly some systems are better than others .

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

This is really good news. A surveyor friend told me that because of the age of the house we needed to keep it as dry as possible. Am going to go for it - I can get the builder to install

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Eileen M's avatar

Congratulations, Lisa. I have just joined your Substack so I can follow your progress. Personally, I live in a shed/granny annex in the garden but I love to see how the other half live.

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Ah thanks Eileen for joining! It’s massively appreciated and i hope you like my plans! Xxx

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Jane O'Keeffe's avatar

Love it and love that we will have a ringside seat for the whole process 💕

Also, I can confirm that having the w/m and t/d upstairs is a life changingly good decision. We split our large family bathroom to create a laundry room - on the same floor as the clothes!! Praise be indeed x

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

This is just so so sensible. I first saw this when my friend Sam built a house after living in New York and it just made so much sense!

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Sharon Muir's avatar

Congratulations! I am excited to follow along, in fact I find it preferable to doing my own which at the moment is just endless hours of stripping paint, so yay for a beautiful new house!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

I’m about to strip paint off the washstand I bought and I’ve never done it before 😳 thank you!

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Sharon Muir's avatar

I have found a heat gun is the easiest (wearing a good fume mask) but I am stripping windows, doors and trim, details might need paint stripper and a toothbrush. You can also get Kling Strip in the UK- that's looks like a very satisfying process. Good luck and you can use my mantra- "I only have to do this once"

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Kling strip is what I was going to order! Like you say, it’s not something I’m going to be doing a lot so I’m thinking it’d be cheaper than investing in all the stuff. It’s only the legs and base so hopefully not too bad a job! Thanks for the advice!

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Sharon Muir's avatar

..and a Kling Strip makes bloody good content, I could watch it all day

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Lauren's avatar

Gorgeous!!! Congrats Lisa! 🩷 I really want to know your plans for the landing! Xx

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

I’m making the most of every inch of it (terrible clue 😂)

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Jo P's avatar

Your excitement shines through, reading this has put a smile on my face this morning! Can’t wait to see you transform it!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Ah thank you so much!

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Rachael Hare's avatar

Huge congratulations! Post EVERYTHING♥️

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Haha worry not Rachael, I will 😂

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Susie Jones's avatar

Is there such a thing as bedroom fireplaces and living room fireplaces? This looks like an amazing project!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Yes! Bedroom fireplaces much smaller xx and thanks I can’t wait to start!

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Susie Jones's avatar

That does make sense, now you mention it! x

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Kate McCauley's avatar

So exciting. Can't wait to watch your plans develop.

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thank you Kate!

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Sarah Canelle's avatar

Can’t wait to see what you do with the space. It’s a bit of a blank canvas at the moment. Congrats on finding ‘the one’!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

It really is a blank canvas! Thanks Sarah xx

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Emma's avatar

Congratulations on getting the keys, Lisa! Can't wait to follow the journey - I am need of some major home Reno inspo myself right now so will be glad to have your updates in my inbox!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

I’m on the case! And thanks so much Emma! Good luck with your home improvements too xx

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Moya Colton's avatar

Brilliant. I am so delighted for you & the family! You & Joe have worked so hard over the last 25 years and now deserve to be at this point in your life. A new, exciting chapter for everyone, more so you Lisa!!

This piece of writing has brought genuine smiles to my face throughout! Well done & good luck, I cannot wait to see all the mood boards & developments along the way!! xx

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Ah thanks so much Moya you are always so supportive in your comments it’s really appreciated xx

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Annetje's avatar

Love your writing Lisa. Always puts a smile on my face and the best laugh out loud bits I cite to my partner.

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Ah thanks so much I’m so glad you enjoy! Happy Sunday xxx

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Rosie Bhullar's avatar

Congratulations Lisa, fabulous property cannot wait to see what you do with it!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thanks so much Rosie!

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Leesa Riding's avatar

So happy for you Lisa. I’ve missed seeing your house renovations and switching rooms about 🤣 I can’t wait to see how you transform your new home. Exciting times and so deserved xxxx Leesa

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Haha I’ve missed doing them! Back onit, Leesa 💪🏻😂 thanks so much xx

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Tove Kolstad's avatar

Congratulations! Oh, I am looking forward to seeing your work with the house, step by step. I am sure it will be sooo nice. Thanks for sharing, so inspirational!

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Ah I’m so glad! And thank you xx

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