The Mews Garage, England
- Thread starter felixgogo
- Start date
flybefree
Well-known member
What a great job in making your space your own....love the green.
Shaun
Shaun
turbo-systems
Member
Love the garage. I've started to paint my floor but now wondering if i should tile it.
I didn't think it was an option as i put my car on skates for the winter and i did'nt think they would rol on the tiles.
Mine is a fair bit heavier than the caterham. Do you think it would still roll over the tiles?
I didn't think it was an option as i put my car on skates for the winter and i did'nt think they would rol on the tiles.
Mine is a fair bit heavier than the caterham. Do you think it would still roll over the tiles?
abstamaria
Well-known member
Wonderful your friend got a Stratos, Felix. They are fun cars.
I like your plan and hope you will be able to accomplish it. As it is, the garage looks great, so you can wait a while..
Andy
I like your plan and hope you will be able to accomplish it. As it is, the garage looks great, so you can wait a while..
Andy
Turbo - My last garage had a painted floor - it's fine for keeping the dust down, but that's all in my opinion. Also the concrete needs to be bone dry for the paint to stick. And it wears out.
So, all in all I would go for the tile again in a flash, the advantages of the warmth and dust control are excellent. Admittedly it's more expensive.
Pushing the Seven was easy - I did it alone, and I am sure you would be fine, just make sure the castors on your skates are as big as possible. I have the rasied coin design tiles, you could go for the smooth ones if you are not sure.
Absolutely the best thing I have ever done in my garage.
Andy - yep I reckon a big lump of 'doing nothing' is on the cards for the time being!
So, all in all I would go for the tile again in a flash, the advantages of the warmth and dust control are excellent. Admittedly it's more expensive.
Pushing the Seven was easy - I did it alone, and I am sure you would be fine, just make sure the castors on your skates are as big as possible. I have the rasied coin design tiles, you could go for the smooth ones if you are not sure.
Absolutely the best thing I have ever done in my garage.
Andy - yep I reckon a big lump of 'doing nothing' is on the cards for the time being!
turbo-systems
Member
hungrymonkey
Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 14
Spent a few years in the UK. The one garage I had over there, was an unattached single car.
Space is definatly premium in the UK and conversly, everything is smaller to accomadate. Which was not good for me, since I am a big bloke.
Space is definatly premium in the UK and conversly, everything is smaller to accomadate. Which was not good for me, since I am a big bloke.
Mark H
Well-known member
I'm desperate to get back to work on the cottage.Problem is,as you've seen in my thread,there's going to be new houses built nearby and I want to get the new building(s) up before new neighbours start bitching and moaning and asking awkward questions at the planning office.The slab for the new garage was poured yesterday.Progress at last!
With regard to your options,I'd go with 'A' and 'D'.Converting the existing garage to a twin would give you a much more usable space and,the car port would keep your daily from cluttering up the garage.
But,in the meantime,I'd go with option 'E'.Take a break,you've earned it!
Cheers for all the great feedback!
Have you managed any further work Mark? Or is the weather holding you up?
I have just managed to finish the cobbled drive, I have now replaced all the tarmac, concrete and slabs with the cobbles, and opened up the bottom of the drive - it was a bit too tight to turn in there, pics to follow shortly.
Cheers
Ian
Have you managed any further work Mark? Or is the weather holding you up?
I have just managed to finish the cobbled drive, I have now replaced all the tarmac, concrete and slabs with the cobbles, and opened up the bottom of the drive - it was a bit too tight to turn in there, pics to follow shortly.
Cheers
Ian
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Lancaster Mews, Was Brian Archer still there, i would have no issues in donating a testicle or two to live there, purely due to the history surrounding it with John Sprinzel, Sebring, Graham Hill, etc.
Ah, I like your plans for expansion very much. The best improvements always look like they have been there since the git-go, or are what should have been done in the first place, and I think this is definitely in one of those categories. The brick pavers are a huge improvement as well. And I have to say, looking at the houses in the row beyond yours, you have upped the tone of the neighborhood quite a bit with your improvements! Look forward to seeing more.
Pete, the London Mews are fantastic -agreed! I do aspire to owning one if my numbers come up - great properties and with great history.
Martin, thanks for your kind words -I am very keen to do improvements that fit and look right, but also use modern materials if correct to do so. As an example, here's a view of the whole property when I purchased it in 2008, and a view now. I spent a considerable time planning the new windows to look right and to do away with those awful 1970s windows that spoilt the look of the house.
It was the worst house on the street, hopefully now it isn't!
Martin, thanks for your kind words -I am very keen to do improvements that fit and look right, but also use modern materials if correct to do so. As an example, here's a view of the whole property when I purchased it in 2008, and a view now. I spent a considerable time planning the new windows to look right and to do away with those awful 1970s windows that spoilt the look of the house.
It was the worst house on the street, hopefully now it isn't!
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Grizz1963
Well-known member
Hi Ian,
That is a great set of changes you brought about.
I know what you mean about worst house in the street.
Also in the UK, it is so strange that someone will have a £10k home entertainment system, but litteraly never cut grass, hedges etc.
Your place looks great now.
That is a great set of changes you brought about.
I know what you mean about worst house in the street.
Also in the UK, it is so strange that someone will have a £10k home entertainment system, but litteraly never cut grass, hedges etc.
Your place looks great now.
Grizz1963
Well-known member
PS: Did those number plates I sent you, get there?
Updates - The Mews Garage, England
Hi all, a long time since the last update, no massive changes, but a few small details while I have time in the garage.
Firstly I found I was working at the worktop over the washing machine rather than the workbench, probably because the car was usually in the way.
So I decided to tidy up the rough brickwork, and create a tool board - I used a french cleat to support the board, and then used magnetic strips for the tools.
Then, using all the collected number plates I have acquired, both on my own cars and others (Thanks Ryan!) I made a board to mount them on, to create a small piece of automotive art.
I hope it looks OK.
Hi all, a long time since the last update, no massive changes, but a few small details while I have time in the garage.
Firstly I found I was working at the worktop over the washing machine rather than the workbench, probably because the car was usually in the way.
So I decided to tidy up the rough brickwork, and create a tool board - I used a french cleat to support the board, and then used magnetic strips for the tools.
Then, using all the collected number plates I have acquired, both on my own cars and others (Thanks Ryan!) I made a board to mount them on, to create a small piece of automotive art.
I hope it looks OK.
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oldldh
Well-known member
I lived in the U.K. for seven years, and the garage in my rented house had a 60 year old oak tree growing right in the middle of the door...
No entry, can't cut it down, ergo car stayed out in the weather...and, as you know, there's a lot of weather in England...
You're doing a bang up job...
Best of luck with your home...
No entry, can't cut it down, ergo car stayed out in the weather...and, as you know, there's a lot of weather in England...
You're doing a bang up job...
Best of luck with your home...
ZRX61
Well-known member
It looks like the garage doors are racking/sagging because they don't have any diagonal bracing 
Grizz1963
Well-known member
Glad the plates made it to you.
If you ever pop down here remind me to let you have a rummage through my collection to see if there is anything special for your wall.
If you ever pop down here remind me to let you have a rummage through my collection to see if there is anything special for your wall.
ZRX61 - You're right, the doors are 'racking' - I got the wood to put the braces on, but I think I am going to build new frames and start over. I had toyed with the idea of a roller shutter door, but the cost and the 'modern' look is stopping me at the moment. I reserve the right to change my mind though.
Ryan, thanks - that's very kind, i will let you know if I am in your neck of the woods.
Ryan, thanks - that's very kind, i will let you know if I am in your neck of the woods.
Earlier I mentioned that the garage was the barrel storage room for the public house that used to stand next door.
I have recently found out this is not correct, and in fact the lower end of the cottage - the part that is now the garage was in fact built as stables for the public house, and the yard in front was enclosed with a wall to keep the horses in.
This tallys with the shape of the yard, and the remains of the walls around, some of which still exists as the back wall of the shed.
A neighbour was involved with the local historical society, and they discovered a map of the public house, my cottage, and the stables. The Public House is gone - now a grassed area kept as a garden, the cottage has been replaced by the upper part of my house, but the rear wall of the original stone cottage still exists at the rear of my lounge, and the stables became the garage and the master bedroom upstairs.
When the render was being replaced on the house, the remains of two bricked up doors could be seen, and these also match the old plan. I wondered what these doors were for - now I know!
So those brick setts on the floor of my garage were originally the stable floor.
Funny how history has come full circle, and the space is once again housing transport, not with 4 hooves, but 4 wheels!
I have recently found out this is not correct, and in fact the lower end of the cottage - the part that is now the garage was in fact built as stables for the public house, and the yard in front was enclosed with a wall to keep the horses in.
This tallys with the shape of the yard, and the remains of the walls around, some of which still exists as the back wall of the shed.
A neighbour was involved with the local historical society, and they discovered a map of the public house, my cottage, and the stables. The Public House is gone - now a grassed area kept as a garden, the cottage has been replaced by the upper part of my house, but the rear wall of the original stone cottage still exists at the rear of my lounge, and the stables became the garage and the master bedroom upstairs.
When the render was being replaced on the house, the remains of two bricked up doors could be seen, and these also match the old plan. I wondered what these doors were for - now I know!
So those brick setts on the floor of my garage were originally the stable floor.
Funny how history has come full circle, and the space is once again housing transport, not with 4 hooves, but 4 wheels!
Alfanuts
Well-known member
Hi there.
I Like your garage and the history to it. I am glad you got rid of those horrible aluminum type windows on the house.
Saw your number plate wall and noticed the plates from South Africa (Cape Town Northern cape and Eastern cape) and wondered on how they came to be on your wall.
I Like your garage and the history to it. I am glad you got rid of those horrible aluminum type windows on the house.
Saw your number plate wall and noticed the plates from South Africa (Cape Town Northern cape and Eastern cape) and wondered on how they came to be on your wall.
abstamaria
Well-known member
Great job, Ian. I enjoy your garage and house; they have a strong sense of "place." I cam almost feel the weather.
Cheers,
Andy
Cheers,
Andy
Hi there.
I Like your garage and the history to it. I am glad you got rid of those horrible aluminum type windows on the house.
Saw your number plate wall and noticed the plates from South Africa (Cape Town Northern cape and Eastern cape) and wondered on how they came to be on your wall.
Alfa,
Thanks - the window choice went through a fair number of decisions, and a number of vendors - only one understood the 'equal sightline' request, i.e. the non opening window is actually an opening window fixed shut - this means the windows look more like old original frames - just in pvc. They got the job!
Ryan (Griff on this forum) and I did a swap - he wanted some Hong Kong / China plates, I wanted some variety. (Still looking for a China plate though)
Andy, thanks again for your kind words - I am now planning the next garage phase - just in the middle of a lounge refresh - then the house is finished.
porschedude996TT
Well-known member
I love that your side of the planet has so much history. We only have a few hundred years of historic buildings, unless you look into TeePee's...LOL
abstamaria
Well-known member
There are a few Lotus/Caterham guys in HK, Ian. You probably already know them, but let me know.
Andy
Andy
Thanks - I actually don't know any of them as it happens! Let me know if there is a club or similar.
The last winter I kept the Caterham in the garage with just a dust sheet over it. The garage is not heated, but the house central heating bolier is housed out there, so there is a small amount of heat given off to help warm the garage. At some point, once the doors are made more draught proof, I will install a radiator in the garage.
In the meantime, I am going to store the car in a 'Carcoon'. I have used one of these before, and it is amazing the amount of damp and rust it prevents, the car comes out drier and dust free, in the last few years of using one I didn't have to clean the car, the Carcoon did it for me!
Usual Storage
With test fit of Carcoon
The last winter I kept the Caterham in the garage with just a dust sheet over it. The garage is not heated, but the house central heating bolier is housed out there, so there is a small amount of heat given off to help warm the garage. At some point, once the doors are made more draught proof, I will install a radiator in the garage.
In the meantime, I am going to store the car in a 'Carcoon'. I have used one of these before, and it is amazing the amount of damp and rust it prevents, the car comes out drier and dust free, in the last few years of using one I didn't have to clean the car, the Carcoon did it for me!
Usual Storage
With test fit of Carcoon
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Olliecampbell
Well-known member
Lovely garage, good use of the space you've got. I'm sure a few more of our cousins across the pond would be amazed how small our garages are here!
Olliecampbell
Well-known member
Not going off on a tangent here, I bought a house 3 months ago. My only requirement was that it had a garage. I couldn't believe how few houses came onto the market with a garage, and half of those you couldn't class as a garage! I ended up with a 3.5m x 5m (11.5ft x 16.5ft) garage and am quite happy with it.
I was quite spoilt living in my parents house, they had a purpose built 2 car garage, epoxy floor, loads of plug sockets....still very jealous!
Olliecampbell
Well-known member
Any updates?
Hi Ollie,
No major changes, the recent new drive work has made the entrance of the garage slightly lower, and in heavy rain it gets a little puddle inside.
So I am going to have to get the floor raised at that point, so tiles up, a small amount of concrete and then lay the floor and a new threshold. Annoying, but has to be done.
I am also very keen to build doors for the storage space, as this does look untidy.
Hopefully soon will be able to get back to a few improvements.
Any pics of your garage?
Ian
No major changes, the recent new drive work has made the entrance of the garage slightly lower, and in heavy rain it gets a little puddle inside.
So I am going to have to get the floor raised at that point, so tiles up, a small amount of concrete and then lay the floor and a new threshold. Annoying, but has to be done.
I am also very keen to build doors for the storage space, as this does look untidy.
Hopefully soon will be able to get back to a few improvements.
Any pics of your garage?
Ian
Olliecampbell
Well-known member
I put up my first 'intro' page the other day here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177397
A few pictures, not too much yet, but getting there on a very small budget!
Whereabouts in HK are you? Spent 3 days there as a tourist a few years ago and absolutely loved it.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177397
A few pictures, not too much yet, but getting there on a very small budget!
Whereabouts in HK are you? Spent 3 days there as a tourist a few years ago and absolutely loved it.
Olliecampbell
Well-known member
I'm stalking you across threads!
I forgot to ask, what did you go for tile wise in the end? Raised 'textured' tiles or smooth? And what about the other edging options they provide, the skirting and edge pieces? Are they necessary if you but the tile up closely to the wall?
I forgot to ask, what did you go for tile wise in the end? Raised 'textured' tiles or smooth? And what about the other edging options they provide, the skirting and edge pieces? Are they necessary if you but the tile up closely to the wall?
Haha, No problem!
I went for raised 'coins', but this was only because they were the cheapest!
As the floor was a very rough and sloping one (as it was stables, I think it was to make washing out easier) pushing the car around the corner on the skates is made a bit harder because of the coins, but in a flat garage, I don't think it would be an issue at all.
As a mentioned, the Eco Tile people regularly have a bargain bin, but you have to take pot luck on what they have at the time of ordering, I think I got around 45% off which made the decision easy.
Well recommended.
I went for raised 'coins', but this was only because they were the cheapest!
As the floor was a very rough and sloping one (as it was stables, I think it was to make washing out easier) pushing the car around the corner on the skates is made a bit harder because of the coins, but in a flat garage, I don't think it would be an issue at all.
As a mentioned, the Eco Tile people regularly have a bargain bin, but you have to take pot luck on what they have at the time of ordering, I think I got around 45% off which made the decision easy.
Well recommended.
The Mews Shed
As I have learnt on this forum, having a serviceable shed is vital to allow non garage items to be removed from the garage.
Although I have a small shed, the original plan was to knock it down. But after using it at first in a temporary fashon, then more seriously, it is staying.
The shed as found at first. With abandoned antique table (now in my dining room!)
As I have learnt on this forum, having a serviceable shed is vital to allow non garage items to be removed from the garage.
Although I have a small shed, the original plan was to knock it down. But after using it at first in a temporary fashon, then more seriously, it is staying.
The shed as found at first. With abandoned antique table (now in my dining room!)
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For all this time, the shed had no door. It did have three sets of hinges(!) all broken off and rusted.
Once I had made the decision to keep the shed, a door was made, and I spent a morning getting the old hinges out, treating and painting the frame, painting the new door, and finally planing it down to fit.
Then inside, I fitted up a few shelf brackets I had to make a wood storage area.
Then using some wood and a few tool brackets, a garden tool rack.
Finally all finished!
At some point in the future, I may replace the roof, it is weatherproof, but very steeply sloping such that height in the shed is very limited. I would extend the rear wall up and then slope a new roof towards the front, and use slates and tiles to match the house.
One the strange things about this shed, is that although it has had no door for years, it was always bone dry in there. I put this down to the door way being south side of the shed and very protected by the overhanging roof, and that the roof design means there is a huge cross draught through the shed, drying it out all the time. If I do replace the roof, I will try to keep this 'self drying' feature.
Once I had made the decision to keep the shed, a door was made, and I spent a morning getting the old hinges out, treating and painting the frame, painting the new door, and finally planing it down to fit.
Then inside, I fitted up a few shelf brackets I had to make a wood storage area.
Then using some wood and a few tool brackets, a garden tool rack.
Finally all finished!
At some point in the future, I may replace the roof, it is weatherproof, but very steeply sloping such that height in the shed is very limited. I would extend the rear wall up and then slope a new roof towards the front, and use slates and tiles to match the house.
One the strange things about this shed, is that although it has had no door for years, it was always bone dry in there. I put this down to the door way being south side of the shed and very protected by the overhanging roof, and that the roof design means there is a huge cross draught through the shed, drying it out all the time. If I do replace the roof, I will try to keep this 'self drying' feature.
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Bib Overalls
Well-known member
From the picture in Post #34 it looks like your cottage was originally two units that are now joined. Is this correct? I'm sure your neighbors are pleased with the renovation work that you have done. It really has eye appeal.
I spent a couple of R&Rs in Honk Kong (65 & 69) and returned again in 90 with my wife for a week long vacation. I was impressed with the energy of the place and would love to get back for yet another visit. In 65 my hotel was on the Kowloon side and I got caught on the Hong Kong side after the ferry stopped running. So I crossed the channel in a walla walla boat. Imagine my surprise in 90 when I found out the two are now connected by a tunnel and trains run all night.
I spent a couple of R&Rs in Honk Kong (65 & 69) and returned again in 90 with my wife for a week long vacation. I was impressed with the energy of the place and would love to get back for yet another visit. In 65 my hotel was on the Kowloon side and I got caught on the Hong Kong side after the ferry stopped running. So I crossed the channel in a walla walla boat. Imagine my surprise in 90 when I found out the two are now connected by a tunnel and trains run all night.