A couple of weeks ago we were approached by 60 minute makeover to help with a fireplace they wanted to install in a property in Brighton. Typically because of the work involved in fitting a traditional fireplaces because of the inherent complications involved and the time involved to install. A normal gas or solid fuel fire can take up to a full day to install even with the best fitters and we only had 60 minutes!

However we had the perfect solution for this request because of the speed needed to install correctly and because the home owner has respiratory problems which meant some fires could be harmful to him – we suggested to install a Magiflame™ Alchemy fire.

The Magiflame™ Alchemy fire was instantly a hit with the team at 60 minute makeover it offered;

• A fireplace which could be installed quickly and relatively easily
• Flueless which eradicated any potential chimney problems
• Eco friendly helping to reduce CO2 emissions
• No harmful emissions, the Alchemy burn bioethanol a completely clean burn fuel

As soon as the team at 60 minute makeover heard about the fireplace they were ecstatic they could install the perfect fireplace, just a they wanted!

The next problem for us was the fitting, although it was a relatively easy installation you really do need professionals to carry out the work especially on the existing gas fire. Luckily we work with probably the best fitters in the south of the country. Based in Essex we recommend www.fireplace-fitters.co.uk who have always been given great feedback by our customers. I spoke with Richard at www.fireplace-fitters.co.uk and he was more than happy to give me a hand installing the fireplace. So that was it everything arranged I was going to travel down on the Monday do a couple of deliveries on the way and stay the night near Brighton ready for an early start Tuesday.

The morning arrives!

Tuesday arrived and I was awoken by my alarm at 6am to give me enough time to jump in the shower have a coffee and arrive at the house at 7am. I duly arrived 5 minutes early ready and raring to go only to find just 3 people waiting! Richard and Paul arrived from www.fireplace-fitters.co.uk minutes later so at least the numbers started to grow. More and more people started to arrive, including the catering van which I was looking forward too after skipping breakfast at the hotel. Before long there was an army of people and teams of onlookers offering their gardens to assemble furniture and keep equipment.

Before the makeover

The preparation

At around 9:30am after a few brief talks with various people we were told we would be allowed some preparation time to remove the old fireplace so that we would have enough time to install. Now in my mind being a little naive I thought that 60 minute makeover was just a name and the makeover would take a lot longer and in post editing they would have cut it all down in to 60 minutes. How wrong I was we literally had to install the whole fireplace in 60 minutes after the preparation which seemed a little daunting!

The first 30 minutes

At around 11am after a bit more waiting we was told that the work would begin soon. After a few rounds of filming the introductions we got to go in at start with the fitting. Richard and Paul set about the fireplace, laying the hearth and the hearth pushin. I did feel a bit like a loose end but I did try and help where I could without getting in their way. Just as the 30 minutes were approaching before the break the cement for the hearth was nearly set and I had got the surround ready in the front garden to be installed. As the whistle approached we managed to bring the beautiful royal cast iron insert into place on top of the hearth ready for round two.

30 minutes into the makeover

30 minutes – part 2

After an hour break and some food from the catering vehicle it was time to get back in and finish the fireplace. Richard and Paul got straight into it no messing about first putting the legs into place measuring up and securing them in place.

Putting the legs on

During the second half the house was chaos there were people flying left right and centre bring items into the house setting everything up and putting on the finishing touches. Before long the room had a stunning fireplace in position which was being seen to by Richard and Paul who were really through with the cleaning of the fireplace. At around 15 minutes into the second half the producer approached me and asked if I would go on screen to talk about the fireplace and the Magiflame fire. Oh my gosh I knew that there was a chance it would be coming but now it was real the cameras were coming down stairs as I laid the coals onto the fire so the presenter could talk to me. A great big dread filled me and I started to get nervous, it was going to happen whether I liked it or not. The presenter entered the room and come over to me and started to talk to me, I took a deep breath and just tried to pretend it was just me and her talking to each other in the room. Before I knew it we were wrapping the talk up as the producer started to wave frantically behind the camera, I guess when I start talking I can’t stop!

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. the whistle blew. That was it makeover finished. The finished fireplace really was stunning the decorative items in the room really complimented the fireplace. It was strange to look back at what the room and fireplace looked like at 7am when it was finished. I am sure you will agree the finished fireplace is something else, truly stunning.

Finished Fireplace

Finished fireplace with Richard (fireplace-fitters.co.uk), Sophie Robinson (designer) and Dan (Victorian Fireplaces)

Well its been a chaotic few days here but we are very close to being back up and running properly after having an office and showroom makeover.

We have had major disruptions here, but since David was away for a little break last week I decided it would be great if we could march ahead and try to get as much done as possible so David had a little surprise to come back too. It was a mammoth task really and we only had 2 days to get as much done as possible, the atmosphere was a bit like what i would expect in an episode of 60 minute make over but the team did amazing really especially with some big snags along the way. Including the suspended ceiling threatening to cave in after trying to remove the walls which we realised were supporting which meant having to take out and refit.

It all started about 3 weeks ago when David and I were discussing staffing needs over the next 6 months and decided it was very likely we would need to employ a new member of staff to help in the office but with an already tight squeeze in the office we put our heads together to decide on what would be the best thing to do. After a couple of mornings umming and arring in the showroom on the best way to expand the office and liven up the showroom, a light shone in my head and a picture started to appear. As quickly as it came to me I was on the computer creating a 3D model and within about 4 hours we had a scale sized 3D model of the new showroom. As soon as we sat down and looked over the model we knew it was exactly what we needed – we had gained 2 new areas where we can sit customers comfortably, discuss their needs and go through options, 1 of which would have a 32″ LCD tv to enable us to showcase 1000′s of options easily. We had opened the office up to create a more flowing and interactive space with customers so we weren’t behind big walls and doors. And more essentially we had gained enough office space to accomodate 2 new staff members.

I put some pictures below which give a little bit of a timeline throughout the refurbishment and I am sure you will agree when it’s done it will look great (sorry only took them on my camera phone)! I am afraid now though that now 90% of the work is done, we have to get back to normal operations in the office so the final finishing touches will be up to a couple of the guys from the workshop. Hopefully the work should be done in another day maybe two and then I will post pictures. However there will still be one more change this will be in the form of half of the showrooms’ carpets being replaced with our solid oak wooden flooring supplied by Knapp Woodworking this will really be the pièce de résistance and will make the showroom look amazing.

When the final work is done I will take some better pictures with an actual camera and not my phone for you all to see but to really appreciate it you must come over for a chat and a cup of tea – we might even have biscuits!

Work has started on the showroom / office renovations today and boy am I whacked after it. Everybody has been working their socks off today, we have managed to put up the new wall frames and put on some of the wall skins, pull down the existing walls which are being replaced and realign the suspended celling. All while still answering calls processing orders and seeing a couple of customers in the “safe” office space to finalize orders.

I am hoping to get it finished tomorrow but I do fear that the task may be a bit too big even with all the help from our excellent team. But if we do have to stay late tomorrow I am sure everyone will muck in to try and get the job done.

Big thank you to our staff and I hope to see you in our newly renovated showroom soon, there are a couple of treats waiting for everyone.

Oh and sorry about not having any pictures yet I can’t find my phone connector to download them but when I get in the office tomorrow morning I will borrow Deans’ then upload the progress for you to see.

All the best,
Dan.