The Big Freeze Continues

The first week back post the Christmas break has been a trying one! We have now had a huge amount of snow, roughly 10 inches lying everywhere, that due to the temperature at the steading hovering at about -3degrees (dropping to -13 degrees at point), the snow simply isn't thawing, and this in turn has made it very difficult for our staff to get to work, as our communal driveway and the back road to the steading isn't being gritted at all, which means unless you have a decent 4x4 you can't get here! (Just as well we have the new Landrover Defender). Pretty though it looks the novelty is definitely wearing a bit thin!

John managed to get out to see how our clients at Prospect House coped with the new kitchen extension over the festive period, and took some lovely photos of it in the snow, the reflective nature of the frameless glazing means the glass virtually disappears in the snowy landscape. Our client Jane reported that "it was just the most wonderful entertaining space" and she is really pleased with how the space functions having tested it with 11 guests for dinner.

Meanwhile our clients at the mill are coping in temperatures of -15degrees, and with about 14 inches of snow in Torphins, the mill seems to be coping well, with a comment of "sleeping in the bedroom is like sleeping in the sky - amazing". The only initial difficulty has been the wheel icing up and making a lot of rather peculiar sounds on occasion as a result because the build up of the ice seems to unbalance it until the wheel spins the ice off. As a temporary measure the wheel has been locked, as we are slightly concerned about the potential for long term damage to the bearings with the sheer weight of ice.

The office we have been doing for our client Lili Hunter opened this week, and I am looking forward to seeing it dressed and the client getting full use of the space. The final item to be installed was the reception desk which has worked in very well, and other than the pink and orange Dalsouple rubber flooring for the kitchen and bathroom which has been delayed by the snow, the spaces are complete, and we are looking forward to her opening party.

Prospect House Kitchen Extension Completed

The second project to complete just before Christmas was the glass extension and kitchen refurbishment for our clients at Prospect House, culminating in us all being able to enjoy a glass of fizzy and a very enjoyable evening building Lego with their children just as the festive season got underway.

I am particularly pleased with the the numerous interesting shapes, textures and patterns within the space, and the way the light cast changes at different times of the day. Sadly I did not have my camera with me the last time we went to site, as when it is dark the space is almost at its most dramatic. Our PR Photographer Rory will be on site shortly to take some professional shots both day and night, and I am delighted with the feedback we have received from our client so far. The issue with the scratches by the installer on the glass has been resolved by polishing the glass, and the external works were almost complete by Christmas, other than the weather that was making pointing the granite cassies rather tricky. Having worked with our client at Prospect House for several years now we are really looking forward to the next phase of works - a replacement garage. No doubt it will be something special!

Little Maldron Mill Client has moved in

Well, 2009 was a long and very interesting year culminating with four projects largely complete in December. Our clients at the Mill have moved in and are busy adjusting to having a house full of entirely new things right down to cups and crockery, as most of their belongings went up in smoke whilst they were in storage in 2007.

Initial feedback has been very positive, and other than having been slightly hampered by nearly a foot of snow just at the moment, it looks at though the two spaces are going to work out very well and allow our client a great deal of flexibility about how they live and work in the two buildings.

The kitchen island unit is working particularly well, with enough space to comfortably have 4 people congregate to eat, as we found out tonight when we went over to join the client for supper.

The dining room table is on its way, due in next week, along with a final few bits of furniture. The mill wheel does not appear to be freezing despite enduring temperatures last week of -9deg C, and the water in the lade is flowing well and shows no signs of freezing much to every ones relief. The final few snags should be completed this month.