MEL UK

When anyone moves into the houses in my area, it seems that the first thing to be done is always rip out the existing kitchen and replace it within a  massiveextension, all shiny white mirror like tiles . . . .  then the finishing touch is a massive bi fold patio door arrangement across the … Read more

Some things about home ownership can be inspiring and a welcome boost to the ego.  Then there are the times when it can just be jolly frustrating.  Take for example this week – I’ve had need to open the up and over garage door a few times.   I don’t like to leave the door up … Read more

It’s incredible just how quickly the year seems to roll by.  It doesn’t seem possible that only a few short months ago we were wailing about the ghastly weather – winter had been harsh with storms, lashings of wind and rain.  There had been much flooding and then ice and snow at Easter.  I recall … Read more

We can’t all afford to go out and buy the latest solar panels or heat transfer systems to convert anything into domestic energy.  Some are out of the question on finance grounds primarily.  However there are things that can and should be done to cut our own domestic energy and utility use.  Families tend to … Read more

Several houses have changed hands near me.  From years of inactiviy in the housing market, to suddenly a whole raft of folk upping sticks and moving on.  This does introduce a whole new set of families into the area – with younger children again replacing the teenagers the original toddlers morphed into.  One such family … Read more

I very often help out as a room steward in an old house that opens to the public.  They also hold fund raising events there, including lots of weddings and bridal showers.  The house was built in the 1700s and it didn’t have any sophisticated things like running water or toilet closets for many years.  … Read more

I have a habit of checking out the local estate agent web sites and looking up any houses that are near to me.  With the new fashion of not advertising with a for sale board, the only way of knowing who’s moving is by the same route – online.  I am staggered at the difference … Read more

Having a garage is one of the most abused privileges I have encountered in all my years of owning a house.  I have one that is huge – a double width and slightly longer than standard.  By rights I should be able to put my car in the garage at night.  Of course, this plan … Read more

Ah, the first signs that spring could well be on it’s delayed way have begun.  There is much bird activity outside – the various food containers I’ve been hanging out are being visited more frequently and at last it seems as though my efforts are paying off.  There is nothing quite as spirit enhancing than … Read more

What do we mean by an efficient home interior – it can mean all kinds of things these days.  I take it that the home has got serously good triple glazing in very modern frames – the latest version of what we used to know as upvc.  They will be neat, completely sturdy but unobtrusive.  … Read more