First homes can come with many surprises. This we knew about but nevertheless we were surprised that this was even a thing these days. To explain, the heating system for this house was fuelled by oil. YES oil!

Here in the basement is the boiler room. Fumes to knock your head off, The large red tank in the corner is where the oil was stored. Refilled at enormous costs via a delivery tank, hose and connector through the wall. The other large machine, well, that just made it all work, a heat exchanger pump thingy.

We knew that fjernevarme (Denmark’s district heating) would be arriving to the area shortly after the move (or so we were told). Delays occurred but it finally was planned. With the relief that they would removed the stinking oil filed tank and machine.

What we were left with was a very rough room, though with new pipes and boxes. The floor incredibly uneven, walls flakey. But it was workable.

Another disaster hit, ground water flooding. We think because of the excavation outside with the district heating pipes, it led the ground water to the house. Without the resistance of compacted earth the water had a clear path. And as these houses are, you can have slight foundation cracks. Hello water. When I say it flooded I mean, gallons of water, hundreds of gallons.

Again, fixable. So it was. Just bloody annoying. Then came the task to make this room my own. A studio, where I could wheel throw, hand build, sculpt and relax.

Scraping off the flakey paint, priming and a spreading a thick layer of (specialist) waterproofing concrete around the base of the room. And then over that (after priming) white concrete on the external facing walls. Before the men pester me, yes, this was all diffusion open, breathable for external walls and basements. And suitable paint on the remaining walls.

The floor was another challenge but a fun one. It was SO uneven and huge chunks missing from the removal of the oil tanks and machine. The huge holes were filled. The entire floor was primed. Then came the fun, self levelling compound! With my new favourite tool, my concrete mixer, I was away. This was however my first ever time doing anything like this. But I thought a fun room to try with first. I wasn’t perfect BUT I think i did pretty well. After drying I…. Guess what…primed……THEN painted 5 coats of suitable floor paint. I wanted a painted floor as this room will be mopped regularly. Cleaning clay dust is essential in any studio. This not only is for cleanliness but it reduces the risk of silicosis, a lung disease that potters can be subjected to if they inhale too much clay and glaze dust. Obviously something I want/need to to avoid. SO mopping is basic daily routine BUT essential.

Then finally a base for my studio. Ready for shelving, storage, a new table (built by myself), potters wheel and a comfy vintage char.

It’s now a cosy pottery studio that I love. Though with the absence of a kiln it’s still incomplete (that’s another story, hello bad electrics). Not to worry as I have my pieces fired in the city by an amazing and kind ceramicist Martine.

There we are, that’s my studio and I did all of the renovating myself, it makes me feel pretty proud.