post office rejuvenation

so you might remember that a while ago i told of our quest to do up the old riddells creek post office that resides on our streetfront, as we are both working from home this year - new jobs, new lease on life...my 'day job' is as an environmental scientist, but while i was initially reluctant to surrender my current office (as using the post office would mean a dash outside in between the house in the cold winter, and it would be harder to just duck into a room when required), i then did an about face  when i thought of the possibility of making an office/studio/workroom/and potential walk in shop for when i'm in the office anyway.

this means that all the things in epoch co. (or most, as some reside in the house until sold!) would be in the post office, i can photograph things out there, keep boxes there, wrap and guillotine maps and print maps for Herbert Co. on a big desk instead of the floor - the benefits were great - as at the moment i do all these things in different rooms of the house. and that means for the man of the house, that he would have less vintage 'stuff' taking up room, and all he requires for his job is a desk and printer basically.

the post office is only 4 m by 3.7 m, so it's not massive, but i plan to design it very carefully to make use of that room! over christmas/new year, it got straightened and a new deck first of all (by my very handy father-in-law and hubby)...

then over the past few days (with the assistance of my very handy folks), it got completely gap sealed inside, which took AGES...so many holes...at least now i know how to plaster, putty and gap seal..then yesterday i did a solo painting effort, and it's now ready to move in!

this was the lovely paint there before:

 and this is after (still need to do the windowsills and door frames):

and it just so happens that we were recently given two massive (213 cm x 80 cm) wooden trestle tops that were left over from an army cadet camp by my in-laws, and once painted white, they will make a perfect corner desk/workbench. my dad (who has made me desks before!) will build them into desks for me this week, then it's moving time. i did sort out some of the epoch co. items today though, see the order below.....

it's hard to see the floorboards above, but i fought hard to keep them during the straightening process (apparently it's easier to do it from inside, rip up the boards) as i think they're the original floor. they were once painted yellow, and have a lovely patina of wear and age - it's perfect.

can't wait to get everything in there, will put up more photos later this week....

Love Marnie xx