What seemed like a good idea.
I thought it was about time I redecorated the bedroom, strip the wallpaper, paint it, would be perfect.

When I got to the fireplace, the previous owners had made a half hearted attempt to cover the fireplace up with a piece of hardboard. It wasnt flush to the wall and I couldn't make it look good. So I decided that I'd quite like a little hole in which I would put a vase or something, and that required me taking out hardboard.

Which was followed by taking out chipboard, only to discover this wierd little shelving carcass type construction that was covered in turquiose and purple paisley paper. I'm not having that either, so armed with a hammer, mole grips, crowbar and rage, I started to pull at various bits trying to get it out. Bits of black sooty stuff start falling. Followed by a loud crunching grinding sound, and large chunks of brick falling out the chimney hole.

I finally get the shelving carcass all the way out but there's a problem. The only reason more bricks and stuff aren't coming down throught the hole is because a big lump of what looks like wall is block the hole. The builders are called and come round, poke my hole (!) and have a good laugh at my ineptitude. But everything is fine - I haven't pulled the chimney down.

I gave up shortly after realising my chimney isn't capped, and I don't know how to plaster. I had a go but it looked shite. Now i have to wait till the spring for the builders to come back and fill in my hole, and cap the chimney.

I think I'll pay someone to do my bathroom...
(I'mOffKilter can't be arsed, Sat 5 Dec 2009, 12:47, Reply)