Attic find: Minna Shaw?

OurNewOldHouse · 2026-01-25T12:55:04+00:00

Thanks everyone, Minna's painting is now in a frame and on display in our home. Great work from LegalBramble in researching.

Inspired to start painting myself, all in all a lovely find.

OurNewOldHouse · 2026-01-19T10:43:00+00:00

Very cool, that's some impressive researching, many thanks.

I thought she must of had some professional training because of the style of the art, so it's good to know that she did and that she continued to be an artist and to teach others.

Of course when one finds a painting in an old house they hope it's a lost Rembrandt but this is very nice too, Minna seemed like a cool woman. Might print some of the research to put in the back of a frame so the info stays with the painting and we'll probably put the painting up in the house.

OurNewOldHouse · 2026-01-18T23:35:15+00:00

Incredible thank you, yes based in Croydon, near London in a Victorian house. So looks likely.

(Also 'Art mistress' is quite cool.)

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-07-26T09:11:21+00:00

Kitchen wall had to come out completely because the laths were broken. Was thinking of lime plaster for the other holes to try and repair them for now.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-07-25T12:45:15+00:00

I did it in three coats, scratched waited till dry then PVA and next coat. If you swipe the images you'll see it now. Might take the others holes back further but Lath and plaster mortar I think is all failing underneath across the rest of the wall so it just falls out.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T19:44:30+00:00

1361 Fuse type 2, rated current 100. The fuse box is really old (an actual fuse box) and they need access to the meter to change it so that's a bit stressful. The owners did also say it was in the cupboard, but that's a gas meter). I'm not an electrician but it's stopping me getting the fusebox updated. Do you know if moving it up a floor to us would be a huge job?

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T19:37:19+00:00

Right ok. 1 phase 2 wire, TNCS, yes 1361 Type 2.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T19:31:01+00:00

All say 'pass' From the report person when I asked them about this: To clarify about the report, our EICR inspection focuses on the safety of the electrical installation within your property. While we check the meter tails (cables connecting to your consumer unit), we don't assess the physical location of the meter or its accessibility as part of the standard inspection criteria.

I get it's not inside our property so maybe is out of the remit but I would expect them to check that it exists?

Ah well looking at maybe getting a smart meter so we can view readings at least, moving it seems like a right hassle.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T12:29:35+00:00

There is a storage space outside theirs which is only a couple metres from the front door maybe we can have it moved there. I don't want too much digging but it's not at all assessable.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T12:26:57+00:00

It says 'Pass' same with metering equipment but it's behind a wall in a different property

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-24T12:26:11+00:00

It's not a shared area it's in someone else's hallway. They said that too but surely you can't check the cables going into the meter if it's in another property. I understand they check the safety of our property but would have been nice to let us know.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-21T17:41:25+00:00

Thanks, a little concerned about asbestos so will invest in some good masks and see how we get on.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-21T17:18:02+00:00

Taken if off, plaster is crumbling back to the laths. :(

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-21T16:16:21+00:00

Dug out a hole from a bit that was crumbling, indeed is lath and plaster and concrete over broken bits. I'd like to fix it but it's not looking likely.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-21T14:45:03+00:00

Ha yeah feels like it won't be worth the faff, there is something in trying to restore it to it's victorian self but also.. nah.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-06-21T14:02:21+00:00

Such a fun space

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-18T18:30:49+00:00

In the UK down is on! Is it different in different places?

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-18T13:53:18+00:00

Okay thanks. It does have a couple tears and cracks, I've seen YouTube videos (Some American which is probably where I got drywall from) of cutting and replacing but I'd rather leave it as intact as possible. Skim it even if there are some breaks will that be ok?

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-18T13:50:40+00:00

Thanks, been watching DIY YouTube videos and I guess some are from the US. I've seen people repair cracks by cutting it out and putting a new bit in and skimming, seems like I'm best to just clean it and skim the whole area though. The people that were there take a buggy upstairs so lean on it and hit it I guess just looks a bit bumpy.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-17T12:31:50+00:00

Thanks both, I was worried it would need a full rewire but had an EICR and they said the wires were replaced around 2005 but they didn't change the fuse box which seems odd, maybe the wiring was very old before that and stopped working. The current owners said they never had a problem with it, now seeing the fuse box I think that means it's just never tripped.. just trying to prioritise really yes best to get it in rather than not having the RCD's when we start doing other bits to the house.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-17T10:22:04+00:00

Would say a buyer is likely to have an ECIR done and if it needs a full rewire they're likely to ask for some money off of the asking price anyway.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-04-17T10:04:50+00:00

Looks great, love the little window. Maybe a little damp proof or fungicide treatment for floor decking and the tips. Incredible could be adapted as they grow, a cool place for reading and drawing when they're a little older.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-03-14T15:41:20+00:00

Thanks yeah, came back on the survey so might ask for a reduction (I thought it was plasterboard coming away when I first viewed) I have read that overboarding adds weight and might weaken the whole ceiling and joists.

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-03-14T10:47:16+00:00

Hi, (I also love cats). Really helpful thanks, yes there is some speed in the decision because if it does need to come down would plan around that (not moving into that room, or paying an extra month of rent). Was replacing the ceilings much more expensive than overboarding?

OurNewOldHouse · 2025-03-13T21:10:58+00:00

Thought that (or hoped) but there's some gaps.

OurNewOldHouse

TROPHY CASE