Saturday, February 28, 2015

Save Cottage

The Dining Nook Transformation - The Floor Rescue

episode 2 out of ???



The dining nook is a work in progress. I showed you in my last post how it used to be a separate room that I decided to open to the kitchen. When I got the keys to Cottage, it looked like that...

Le coin salle-à-manger est une œuvre encore inachevée. Je vous ai montré comment le mur entre cette pièce et la cuisine avait été ouvert. Car quand j'ai eu les clefs de Cottage, cela ressemblait plutôt à ça...


One of the things that really bothered me was the floor. I love terra cotta floors, but this was such a bad reddish imitation that sucked the light out of the room...

Parmi les choses qui m'énervaient dans cette pièce, il y avait le sol. J'adore les sols en terre cuite, les mauvaises imitations en carrelage premier prix, beaucoup moins. Et puis, ce rouge sombre trop uniforme absorbait une bonne dose de lumière.

Also, I didn't think it was a good idea to have three different floors in a tiny cottage.

De plus, trois sols différents dans un petit cottage ne me semblait pas judicieux.


So I decided that while we opened the wall between the kitchen and dining-room, I'd have some new tiles laid on the old ones. It was meant to be pretty simple...

J'avais donc décidé de reposer un autre carrelage après avoir ouvert le mur entre la cuisine et la salle-à-manger... En théorie, des travaux plutôt simples....

Until as we were taking care at the same time of something in the living-room you'll know nothing about today, we discovered that there was a problem with the walls that were very wet... We suspected that the problem originated in the floor...

Simples jusqu'au moment où, en s'occupant d'un autre projet dont vous ne saurez absolument rien aujourd'hui, les ouvriers ont découvert que les murs étaient très humides... Nous avons tout de suite suspecté que le problème venait en fait du sol...

Creating a hole in the drywall to check how it looks behind... not good!

It turned out Cottage was very sick: he only had a very, very thin cement slab under the tiles: on a garden that has two water springs and in an area where it rains quite a lot, it created a huge humidity problem in the house.

Cottage s'est avéré être très malade : sous son carrelage, il n'y avait qu'une fine couche de ciment directement au dessus du sol du jardin. Sur la photo suivante, on se rend compte de la finesse du ciment... Sur un terrain qui possède deux puits, cela créait un énorme problème d'humidité dans la maison.

The very thin slab that used to be directly above the garden ground.

"Cottage, you're very, very sick. We're going to try and save you, but it's going to be hard", was what I told Cottage before I left the house for a few weeks, coming back every two days to check on him.

"Cottage, tu es très, très malade. On va essayer  de te sauver, mais cela ne va pas être facile," ai-je expliqué à Cottage avant de repartir vivre quelques temps chez mes parents. Je revenais auprès de Cottage tous les deux jours pour le soutenir.


Well, truth be told, I never thought it would be that hard. The floor was completely removed downstairs and the workers dug deeper, so a draining system could be put next to the South wall... A hole was even created in the dining-room stone wall so that the draining pipes could go directly outside. I wish for nobody to see their house in that dreadful state.

Pour ne rien vous cacher, je n'aurais jamais pensé que cela allait être si difficile. L'intégralité du sol du rez-de-chaussée a été retiré et creusé. Je ne souhaite à personne de voir sa maison dans cet état-là un jour.  Mais cela a permis de poser un drain tout le long de la maison, pour lequel il a fallu créer un trou dans le mur de la salle-à-manger, assez impressionnant!


Somehow even I had a difficult time envisioning a cosy dining-room there...

Même moi, à ce moment-là, j'avais du mal à imaginer la petite salle-à-manger cosy de mes rêves...

"Cottage, really, I don't know if I can keep going... I never thought it would come to that."

"Cottage, je ne sais pas si je peux continuer... Jamais je  n'aurais pensé qu'on en arrive là."

But slowly, several layers of insulation where added, until a new thicker concrete slab was poured.


Mais petit à petit, les différentes couches d'isolation ont été posées, jusqu'au jour tant attendu où les ouvriers m'ont appelée pour me demander d'apporter le carrelage que j'avais choisi.

And finally, the tiles I had chosen for what should have been an easy project reached the new floor.


"Cottage, you know what? I think we're going to make it!"

"Cottage, en fait, je crois qu'on va s'en sortir !"


This summer sealed my relationship with Cottage... I was so close to just get rid of Cottage at some point... But having both survived this traumatic event made us want to stay together!


Cet été-là est celui qui a scellé ma relation avec Cottage. J'ai été assez proche de tout laisser tomber certains jours... Mais maintenant que l'on a tous les deux survécu à cette expérience traumatisante, on va rester ensemble!


The new floor brings light in the rooms downstairs and the fact that it runs from one room to an other ties all the areas together.

Le nouveau sol rend le rez-de-chaussée beaucoup plus lumineux et le fait qu'il soit identique d'une pièce à l'autre rend Cottage plus reposant et harmonieux.


"Hey! Petite Blonde!"

"What?"

"Thanks for saving me!"

"It was the honorable thing to do."

"I'm going to trust you a little more with your crazy ideas now..."


"Psst ! Petite Blonde !"

"Quoi ?"

"Merci de m'avoir sauvé !"

"Il me semble que je n'avais guère le choix..."

"Je vais essayer d'avoir plus confiance dans tes idées folles à l'avenir."


Still, there is still a long road ahead of us till we have my dream dining-nook... More episodes to come next month!

Il reste encore du chemin avant d'avoir la salle-à-manger de mes rêves... Les prochains épisodes le mois prochain!

See you soon,

A bientôt,


PS1: You can read how I chose the floor here and there.

PS1: Vous pouvez lire ici et comment j'ai choisi mon sol.

PS2: I'll be sharing my adventure with some of my favourite blogs.

 http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com/2015/02/sundays-at-home-no-48-weekly-link-party.html            http://modvintagelife.blogspot.fr/2015/03/mod-mix-monday-182.html          My Show and Share Party              
  ARTL FEB 16                   http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.fr/2015/03/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-9.html                    repurposed and upcycled            
31 Days to Slash Your Budget Painlessly                http://www.nancherrow.com/2015/03/fridays-unfolded-link-party-147.html                                   

63 comments:

  1. Poor Cottage. It sounds as though you were just in time to save him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Talk about excavation. Finding out about the water issue was extremely important to Mr. Cottage. You saved him from drowning Magali. Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now THAT was a huge can of worms you opened, Magali!! I can't imagine all the work that went into fixing the problem, but we all know the story has a happy ending. Your tile floors turned out beautifully and help the rooms flow nicely from one to another. I think Cottage has learned to trust you now. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's so beautiful now! I know how you feel, when I saw the challenges facing me in my own home I wanted to run for the hills. Now I'm happy I stayed - besides, who knows what horrors may await in another house?! Perish the thought...

    Bon weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. bravo!!!!!!!!!!

    what a tale of courage!

    so happy you stood by Cottage. and that you both came out, on the other side, in marvelous shape!

    Tessa~

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my, such a job! But, it was worth it in the end as it is such a beautiful little cottage. And to think, you saved it when someone else might have torn it down and started fresh. I love the flooring and it does brighten the space up so much. Have a lovely weekend Magali!

    Hugs, Vicky

    ReplyDelete
  7. Now that was quite the operation you had performed on cottage! I can see why you almost gave up on him, but didn't you take the vows "in sickness and in health?" It looks just lovely to have pretty continuous flooring throughout.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Magali.
    how brave you (and Cottage) have been! You had to face a lot of trouble and now it is such a gorgeous place. The tiles look like old stone and the main thing is: Cottage is save! I am quite confident, that you will get this window in the end, if you put up a fight!
    Yours Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  9. coucou Magali, j'avais manqué cet épisode et la suite de l'aventure entre Cottage et toi, ça doit être surprenant de voir sa maison avec le sol à nu ainsi, je ne voudrais pas être à ta place même si l'après vaut beaucoup mieux que l'avant ;-) ça doit faire partie des mauvais souvenirs et surprises de ce petit cocon que tu te fabriques au fil du temps
    Que de courage et de volonté pour transformer cottage
    Passe un bon week end, j'espère que la bretagne est plus ensoleillée qu'ici
    @ bientôt

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! What a job. And such a beautiful ending!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just love your cute cottage stories and the floor turned out so good. So glad there was a happy ending!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello again Magali, so sorry that you and cottage had to go through so much, but the new floors look fabulous. You are so lucky to live in a lovely cottage by the sea. I would love to smell the salt air every morning.
    Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
  13. So glad that you were able to save the floor for Cottage. I am sure he really likes it now.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  14. J'ai adoré te lire ce matin.
    J'ai un petit peu ce problème là dans la petite maison de montagne sauf que la maison est sur cave saine & que le problème vient de la partie enterrée derrière le mur du fond de la cuisine.
    La maison principale du bord de mer elle n'a aucun souci, mon mari étant artisan maçon, nous avons construit notre maison nous même et dans les règles de l'art.
    Passe un très bon dimanche entourée des minous .
    Bisous. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my goodness Magali! I can only imagine that you almost threw in the towel. It must have been terrifying to come home and find an enormous hole in the floor and daylight coming through. On the upside the new tiles are perfectly light and cottagey!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Magali, you have really done a wonderful job here. IT IS EXCITING! So French, veritablement français! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ah, revivre ce cauchemar, non, non, pour rien au monde ! Je croise les doigts (et je fais brûler un cierge à St Antoine, le saint des causes difficiles) pour que les prochains travaux se déroulent sans problème. Mais vraiment, le résultat en valait la peine. Cottage a bien de la chance d'avoir une amie comme toi ! Bises.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I had no idea! I've been following you for at least a year, I think (maybe more), and don't usually comment but this post brought me out of the shadows. Congratulations on a job well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot! It's not the most beautiful transformation, but it's one that really changed the way I live in Cottage!

      Delete
  19. I would have cried! At least now you can be sure that everything was done correctly and Cottage will never be damp again.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So happy that you and Cottage decided to stay together and work things out - proof that you were meant for each other! It all is so pretty due to your vision and unwillingness to just give up when the going got tough. I so enjoy following you on this adventure and look forward to reading your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You have a lovely relationship with Cottage, for sure!!!

    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my goodness my dear girl you have really gone through so much since you purchased Cottage. But the results are so beautiful. Pat yourself on the back friend you deserve it. Jo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Quand on a des surprises dans l'ancien elles sont rarement bonnes et consistent généralement à nous faire ressortir le chéquier... Mais maintenant c'est passé, et les pieds au sec tu peux envisager plus sereinement ta future Sàm qui a déjà bonne mine et surtout un autre air qu'à ton arrivée!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Don't know many people who would have taken on such a project! Kudos to you!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi...wow..poor cottage..i can't imagine how you felt dealing with all of that..you did a beautiful Brave thing..cottage must be breathing so much easier after all of that reconstruction..your choice of tile is wonderful..i love the rustic handmade look..i'm looking forward to more progress..like when the window..goes IN.!! ........crappy day here..hope yours is much better..hope the coming week treats you two well..

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's always shocking to go back and see pictures and wonder how you made it through all the mess and stress, isn't it?! We had a similar problem when we fixed the kitchen floor, after ripping up 3 layers of rotten floors, one over the other we finally got to the beams which revealed all the rot from the front sill beam, holding up the front of the house, back 4 feet into the kitchens support beams. I assumed there was a big problem before we bought (previous owners sprayed foam insulation over the beams) but hubby poo-pooed the whole thing - he wanted the property! It was an expensive and stressful fix, as no doubt your's was too. And yet we are both still with our old cottages 😜. Call us the crazy bunch. xo Patty

    ReplyDelete
  27. I had no idea Cottage was so sick. Surely you must have a medical degree by now. Cottage seems very happy now that it is cured and I foresee many happy years ahead for the two of you. xo Laura

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a nightmare that must have been! I'd have been tempted to give up too, but I'm sure you're very glad you didn't. The room is so very pretty and I love the floor.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Phewww! That was a lot of work, but it looks great and now you know it is fixed right. Your wood hutch looks lovely, and I saw that splendid scale too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually believe that I'm happy I was the one to do it rather than the previous owner because thus I know exactly how it was done. The scale was one of my first vintage find after I bought Cottage.

      Delete
  30. I started reading your blog during the massive work on the floor. It is hard to believe how far Cottage has come and that you survived!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I watch several shows about redoing houses, and so many times they run into major problems. It's no wonder that the homeowners just want to say forget it and run away as fast as they can. But, they work through the problems, and they are happy at the end of the renovation. I think it makes them appreciate their houses even more. Cottage is quite handsome despite the problems that were encountered. Long live cottage!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my goodness Magali, I never imagined you and Cottage had been through quite so much. I can understand how you nearly gave up and very impressed that you didn't because it was so worth it, just look at the results. Having the same floor covering throughout the ground floor was such a good idea and I really love those tiles, they look very authentic.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my goodness, that was a ton of work at your beautiful little cottage! Isn't it amazing what a difference a lighter colored floor makes? Your kitchen and dining room are beautiful...so light, peaceful, and elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm so charmed by your cottage and your blog, and I'm so inspired by your courage and perseverance.

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's so great to document your progress with photos. You really can see how much you've accomplished! WOW! You're really making it better than new! Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  36. Magali, I can't believe what you and cottage have been through! But, I'm glad to see that cottage is looking quite healthy and cheerful now. Love the floor!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh la la ! Moi qui trouvais que la déco était une mauvaise surprise... Il y avait pire ! Bravo pour tous ces travaux ! Cottage a bien raison de vous faire confiance ! Au plaisir de vous lire, Flopsy

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ai ai ai! What a mess! So glad you've put it all back together so beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Eek! Those during pictures are scary!
    I am inspired. This is a great transformation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, April! I must confess the "during" wasn't the best time of my life!

      Delete
  40. Wow! You persevered, and your cottage thanks you. You went thought so much, but the end result was not only lovely, but so practical. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I know how disheartening it is when you suddenly encounter a problem that makes a huge project. I agree with Doreen. Perseverance saved the day and your cottage. Love the light tile. You and Cottage make a great pair! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh my, that was quite some undertaking! So glad that cottage survived. It looks so nice and flows beautifully! So glad you had the vision. Couldn't bare for you to have lost cottage!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow! That's quite a tale - and I love the way you told it. It would have been enough to break a lesser person, Magali. I shudder to think what's (not) under our house... the new floor looks splendid. Oh - and 'mate' is OK in my book if you know someone well - but there's an irritating trend in Britain where people who don't know any better call complete strangers, 'mate'. Makes me cross!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Dear Magali, you are quite brave and daring....and so is your cottage....to go through all of this! What an incredible task that would have left many people crying and shaking their head {like me}, but you and cottage weathered it wonderfully and the grand finale is truly stunning! The extra work was indeed worth it.

    Thank you so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration - I appreciate you linking up. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow, it's amazing what was lurking just beneath the old floor. Your patience and persistence have really paid off. Love your new floor. Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

    ReplyDelete
  46. How beautiful your floors are now, after such a traumatic time! It was good that you decided to change the tiles sooner, rather than later - after perhaps decorating the whole room! Already it looks 100 % better! xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right, it would have been a nightmare to find out after the kitchen was done that the floor needed to be completely redone!

      Delete
  47. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! So worth all the difficult effort to help your little cottage. Now it is both dry and even more beautiful!
    Hugs,
    Lin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The new slab took about a year to dry, but now that it is, winters are so much more comfortable in the Cottage!
      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  48. Beautiful and a wonderful makeover. Great job on saving the cottage!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Your are bringing that old cottage back to life, Velveteen Rabbit-style. And it's looking very lovely. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Holy geez....You really went all out for Cottage. Way to do things the right way girl.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Heavens! I didn't know how much work it could be to re-do floors. It sure looks beautiful! Wonderful job. I have truly enjoyed following the story of your cottage.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Both you and Cottage have weather a terrible storm. And now you know. All relationships must be built on firm foundations.

    ReplyDelete
  53. You are such a lifesaver, Magali! Cottage must be very proud of you and forever grateful for the girl who gutted his floors and granted him beautiful, dry ones, and a new life!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  54. c'était un vrai challenge ! être sûre que Cottage peut être sauvé et accorder une confiance totale aux artisans - le résultat est superbe et certainement confortable ! monique59

    ReplyDelete
  55. I can totally relate to this post. Our house is built over a spring. We once had a major flood in our basement. My husband dug out the entire basement by hand, with some help from our boys and his brother. It was dug down about a foot, a huge boulder dug up and dragged out the easement door by tractor (it almost didn't fit!), then tons of stone fill added, along with drain tile around the entire basement. Finally several inches of concrete was added and we had a dry floor! It took him most of the summer to accomplish it.

    I love the flow of tile in your rooms now. Your little cottage is lucky to have you! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Blessings, Deborah

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.