Merriam Homeworks

23/02/2026

Recently finished this bespoke meter cupboard with built-in mobile shoe rack and drawer unit in oak to match client’s new stairs,doors and flooring. Push catches to avoid having handles and a matching cable tidy.

23/02/2026

Last few bits we have done for an extended refurb program on a family home. Had sub contractors in for the replacement doors and paintwork while I did the tiles and wallpaper feature.

03/10/2025

Been in my happy place for a few days building a bespoke double-leaf dog gate for a wide doorway. American white oak with an antique oil finish. No screws in the woodwork - just glue and 72 dowels!

28/08/2025

Did you want a new Merriam Homeworks bathroom? Well we’re really sorry but you’re too late! This is the last one as we move to focus on smaller and less demanding jobs. (No reflection on these clients - just age catching up with us!). This job involved a full strip out where we found not one, not two but three layers of floor to ceiling tiles that were more than ready to fall off the walls. Having relined the walls and had the plasterer in we got back to altering the plumbing to facilitate a new layout. A fresh new look with half tiling, mosaic trim and pale paint set off the quality suite. It is nice and cosy too with electric underfloor heating and a towel warmer.

28/08/2025

A satisfying full refurbishment of a living room where the client wanted a cosy vibe and discreet lighting. Achieved with bespoke lit shelves trimmed with solid ash to match the new mantle shelf.

03/07/2025

31/03/2025

Set building done. Now the stage manager bit. Return to the Forbidden Planet opens Wednesday. Tickets @ epms.org.uk

02/11/2024

02/11/2024

The things you do for your first granddaughter! This 1960’s family cot is about to go into use for the third generation but was in need of a major spruce up. The sprung base was twisted out of shape so I built a new one with safer wooden slats. The metalwork was rusted so went off for re-chroming. The end panel joints were all loose so I took them down to component parts and rebuilt them with dowels for security. All parts rubbed down repainted/varnished with safe paints.
Now all back together, finished off with a new natural materials mattress and ready for Clemmie!

20/05/2024

A Story of Two Showers.
When recently refurbishing a downstairs loo for a client we found that the en-suite shower in the room above had been leaking into the ceiling. On investigation we found that the shower tray had been very badly fitted onto the face of the tiles with little sealant. It also had movement with the legs resting on the weak floor. In all, a recipe for disaster. With the client not wanting to replace the entire room we opted to remove the shower and the tiles in the shower area. Refitting a new tray, fixed securely at floor level we re-tiled with contrasting tiles and fitted a new, larger enclosure.
While in the house the client asked for a replacement shower seat in the main bathroom. The sealant and grout here was also getting tired and stained. The replacement seat (a much sleeker design) had fixings in different places so the decision was taken to carefully extract the affected tile and replace with one of the three spares they had.
Resealing and regrouting where necessary, we removed the sealant from the top quality shower enclosure revealing that the rubber seals were discoloured and going hard. Having sourced replacements we removed the entire enclosure and cleaned it up to an “as new” state before re-fitting with the new seals.
The happy owner now has two new showers with many years of use in them for reasonable cost.

15/03/2024

Latest project complete. A swish new downstairs cloakroom with top quality fitted furniture and click vinyl flooring.

08/02/2024

What a talent!

Elton John sits on the stage and says, "I think Richard E Grant has a question for me". Richard stands up in the audience and replies, "I do, I heard that you write your songs very very quickly, and I've brought some words along and hoped that you could put some music to it." Elton puts his head in his hands and curiously asks, "what is it?". Richards reveals, "it's the cooking instructions from my oven". Elton says, "are you serious". Now, under pressure, Elton grabs the oven instructions, sits at his piano and proves why he is one of the best songwriters in the world. Watch video on The Music Man in comments below 👇