Friday 12 September 2014

Windowsills don't get more exciting than this...

As promised, here is my windowsill post. I know, I bet you've hardly slept, it's just so exciting.

Truth is, it really WAS exciting as I've never done it before. It was so easy it was in place by 10.30 am. And I was so thrilled I did another by 11.30. Yeah. All whilst wearing heels. That really is showing off.

So, here's the before...


Now, when you try to order what you and I call windowsills, it's a little muddling as timber merchants call them window boards. Apparently windowsills are the shaped pieces on the exterior of a window. I ordered a water resistant MDF board that was long enough to do two rooms. We were windowsill-less in the kitchen and the office. 
It took about 3 minutes to get those tiles off and I sealed the bare plaster with pva and water.



 I decided I wanted a 6 cm overhang at each side in case I attempt to frame the window with timber later on. It couldn't have been easier.




I cut it with my jigsaw, dry fit it with a spirit level and glued it in with a bit of no nails. You squirt your no nails into balls all the way along your recess. I used a couple of frame packers to help level out the window board.



Unlike cutting fringes and dressmaking patterns, it's better to cut your window boards shorter rather than slightly too long. It's really hard to cut off an extra one or two millimetres with a jigsaw! ( Er, hence power sander in above picture.) You caulk all the gaps anyway so you don't need to stress too much, so long as it fits in the gap.


And with the edges caulked and one coat of paint?


Still needs some finishing off but beginning to look like it should.
I got some paint on it as soon as I could as it's right next to the sink and I didn't want to test its water resistance claims.

The office window before...


and after...



This one still needs more caulking and painting. And no, that wasn't me who painted all over the window frame!

All done by lunchtime. I really recommend anyone to have a go at this as it's so easy.

I've been nominated for the Amara Interior Blog Awards in the DIY category. Woop woop. Did you see the button thingy at the top of the page? Or shall I make it bigger? Well, if you click on that dear readers, it'll take you straight to a page where you can vote for me! Yeah. You needn't even look at the competition. Straight to me. And I can see who has and who hasn't voted you know*. Just sayin.'

http://www.interiorblogawards.com/vote/paint-style/


 I'll be back soon to share my ambitious plans to prettify this window further. So ambitious they verge on lunacy.
Happy weekend.

* not 100% true.(Surely stating the obvious!)

Furniture Feature Fridays

30 comments:

  1. Voted! Yours is the only interiors blog I read, so there's no competition as far as I'm concerned!
    You did a cracking job with the windowsills, well done. You make it all sound so easy, but I'm sure it isn't really... xxx

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    1. Hehe. Thanks Curtise. It was the highlight of my week. xxx

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  2. That looks really professional. Voted for you - love your blog.

    Lizzie's Daily Blog

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  3. I'd never heard of the other blogs anyway! How are the ginger boys? ♥

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    1. Thanks Teri! They're fine. Freddie's in love with the new hamster and Bad Bobby has a red and black spiky rubber collar which suits him very well. xx

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  4. I voted for you! Did not look @ the competition. Best of luck!!

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  5. Yup....you got my vote Em.....I didn't even understand a word of your directions to install a window....let alone do it :-) You are a genius!

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  6. New Hamster ...ooh small furry people are cute. The glimpse of your garden from the office window looks really pretty.

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    1. Thanks, it's a jungle. But I grew the pumpkin on the table. Peaked too soon for Hallowe'en. x

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  7. Done it! You certainly deserve to win it!

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  8. Well done, Emma! Your windowsills (that's what I call them, too) look like they were installed by a high-priced professional (carpenter, that is)! I'm off to vote for you right now!

    Vickie

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  9. You got my vote. Get you....with a jigsaw an' all. I got an electric screwdriver and drill (my first foray into power tools) for my birthday which I seriously need to press into service but I'm a teeny bit scared I'll damage the crappy 'waffer-thin' plaster on my walls. When I had my windows replaced a couple of years ago (they were shite and the previous owner had painted all over the upvc frames) I placed a time capsule à la Blue Peter in the cavity underneath the windowsill. I wonder who will find it?
    Good Luck with the award. x

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    1. Thanks Fiona! That's a great idea. When UPVC is not fashionable and there's a new chemical to make windows from, they'll all get replaced again won't they? x

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  10. They look great and you make it sound so simple. Off to vote. x

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  11. I'm all over it! you'd better win or I'm calling a fix. The windowthings look ace, whatever they are.

    I just remembered I haven't thanked you yet for bringing ESP into my life. THANK YOU!!!! I didn't have to sand a single surface while doing my kitchen xxx

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    1. Thanks Katie! Ah, not only did you not have to sand, but that paint is CHEMICALLY BONDED to your kitchen and won't come off. It rocks.

      xxx

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  12. Your windowsills turned out fantastic!

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  13. I love that I'm not the only one that gets a thrill from simple things! Your windowsill is my hall floor! x

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    1. Did you post about that Wendy? Send me the link? I don't see a search button on your page. x

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    2. http://showmethebargains21.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/hallway-to-heaven.html

      Unlike you Emma Kate, I'm not a very hands-on DIYer, but I totally get your enthusiasm for a project and excitement at the end product! We did our hall at Easter and I still sit at night with the living room door open so I can admire my beautiful floor... Oh Wendy time to get a life! x

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    3. I found your post and I TOTALLY get where you're coming from. I sometimes just go and gaze at my daughters cottage doors...x

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  14. Great post! There is some really great stuff here. Your blog has helped me out so much, thanks for sharing here!

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