Vestibule

Time for a piece of restoration work before Christmas.  The vestibule was laid with the same very knackered green carpet which was originally through the whole house.  My first plan (R’s idea) was to lay encaustic tiles (at one point we hoped they might be in situ under the carpet, but sadly not).  Unfortunately, it turned out that the tiles are quite thick and laying anything thicker than carpet or lino in this area would require taking the front door off its hinges and taking the bottom few centimetres off with a plane.  This would be hugely difficult and potentially damaging as the door is an original solid oak Victorian one which must weigh about half a ton.

So I took the carpet up to clear for putting lino down and discovered a possibility.  Original Victorian pitch pine boards.

Lifting the whole carpet and some equally disgusting 1980s lino, I discovered that all the boards beneath are in great shape.

So I have bought an orbital sander and am going to sand the boards, stain them and oil them.  While I am at it I will repaint the room as well and then lay a nice rug.

As the tiles were going to cost over £5000 and this solution will be about £250 that is a considerable saving.  I have to say that I do represent good value for money.