Railings

 The railing were alot easier to put together than I first thought, I decided to drill them into the pavement rather than have them on a ridge, I was unable to find anything which looked right as the ridge. Because I have gone away from the kit, I am doing this as I go along, finding solutions and hopefully not many problems.

 The first thing I did was to stop the steps to the house moving, I drilled through the bottom step and the pavement, using a post with a longer bottom, to hold it all together, so simple and so effective. I used a ink pad to mark where to drill holes.

 The holes are not to near the back of the pavement so every thing is safe, I cut down the post for the house steps, so every thing would match.

 I still have loads to do, I have to sort the post for the other side of the house steps, once I have sorted them I shall glue all the post in place, I did think I would use a chain to link each post from step to step, but it's not needed. The railings do look good, they will hold them selves up, without having to add anything. I will have some over, but I have no plans for using them.

I now have to decide if I want to paint the rails around the terrace garden, white or shiny black, I will have to think about it.

I will try and make time for my house, I have enjoyed this afternoon, I promise not to make you wait so long for my next post.

Just a bit more

I have been working on the pavement tonight, I have painted the front, it will match the lower house colour when it's finished. I have added the ridge where I want to set the railings in, I have left a bit extra in front of the steps, this should keep the steps in place.
The side panel is in place, every where needs a top coat of paint.

I am leaning towards painting the pavement black to look like tarmac, it was invented in 1820's, but I worried the dust will get into it and spoil the look in time, I don't want heavy paving slabs or paper on top, which leaves me with tarmac or soil, neither is very inspiring. There is very little I can put on the pavement, lighting was gas and mainly next to the house or above the railings. Postboxes are Victorian, much later.

Can we fix it

This morning, we cut the board for the front of my house,so when these are put together, it will be the raised pavement, all we did was measure, cut and sand each piece.

I then glued the top to the front and added all the supports. It was a perfect day to glue the board, hot and sunny, so it set quickly, our garden table was the best place to work, in the shade. I put in loads of supports to keep the pavement straight.
The raised pavement looks good with the house steps, I have a hole each side of each step, for the shortened post, I have placed one post in the bottom hole for you to see.

The railings will stand at the back of the pavement, along with the gate. I am going to put a small moulding for the railings to stand in. That's a trip to the DIY store tomorrow. There will be steps going down to the kitchen door in front of the gate.

The view so far, This is exactly how I wanted my house to look, I have a courtyard, outside of the kitchen windows, I have not decided what to put in this area, maybe a seat and some flowers.
I still have loads to do, I have the side pieces to fit into place, I then have to paint all the new items, before I do, I want to go on the net to find out how the Georgian pavements were finished, were they dirt, paving stones, I'm not sure. I hope by the end of this weekend to have it all done and my railings in place.
When I want to look at the kitchen, I will just lift the steps and the pavement away from the house.

Railings and goodies

My metal railings came from e-bay today, and they are better than expected. I have 9 panels, one gate and loads of post. They feel sturdy and well made, I still can't believe the price I paid for them, it really is worth holding out until you get what you want. Each one has been hand made and it shows.

I now have to make a raised pavement, on which I will put the railings, overlooking a courtyard in front of the kitchen. I am totally restyling the front of my house, I have always loved the rooms in this house but hated the steps going up to the front door. I will still have steps, but there are less and they drop straight to the pavement, before they went right and left and dropped down to the baseboard of the house.
The railings have a straight top, whilst the gate has a curved top, the gate is for the steps at the side of the house going down to the back door. I have loads of post, I intend to cut them down see photo below and put one each side of the steps going up to the front door. So every thing will match.

I now need to buy wood and measure to make the raised pavement. The attic is coming along well, I have not yet added the windows and the front part of the roof. I have a carpenter friend who is making the window dormer's, but he's busy at the mo, so I have to wait for him. I'm not good at putting things in a straight line.

As for the goodies, Fliss my daughter got a cheap house from Maple Leaf, it was horrible and nasty, she has given me all the doors windows, and everything she had brought for the inside, so I now have a hoard of goodies, and I'm now thinking of another room box project.

I can't wait

Today I am so excited, I found some metal railings on e-bay for the house.

The photo is not very good, but it does show what is for sale, I love the black set, bottom left in photo, and I have ordered, 8 sets, with post and a single gate, all for much under half price, I have had quotes for doing the railings but could never afford it. The sellers dad made these items, his business was From Little Acorns, at the time he did shows all over the UK.

Dee has lights and also plastic window sheets, her seller ref is flusteredgirl, so if you want a bargain check her out, I will be keeping an eye on her for other items. I normally don't buy much on e-bay, I have been disappointed so often when things arrive.

Now I need the postman to call.