Can You Repeat That?

Did someone say possible PCI date? Did I hear right? Our SS is hoping to confirm PCI for Friday of next week...that's like a week and a bit away!

Now I know that this weather isn't doing us any favours, as the front portico still needs work done and that is meant to happen over the next couple of days...while it is still meant to be raining so I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

Electricians had taken over the place this morning - tradies swearing everywhere - they do have a way with words! When I went back this afternoon it was all locked up so I couldn't get in but it looked like it had all been done. We had our 10 downlights put in from our promotion package. We put battens where all other downlights will go and we will swap these over after we get the keys. Of the ones we got we put 8 in our outdoor area and 2 in the kitchen bulkhead.

This shows the downlights outside. The 2 battens are for the ceiling fans we'll pop in afterwards.

One of the outdoor power points.

Yesterday we had all of our handles put on. Happy with how these look. I had forgotten which ones we'd picked!

The handles on the bifolds 

I apologise for how dark the pics are - but you all know about the need to take photos - any quality, when there has been progress!

The handle on the cavity sliders 

The other thing I noticed today they had been done was the towel rails - well one of them.

Our ensuite rail was missing...this is why

Oops!

Must say, it is strange to think of the number of mistakes there can be in a brand new house. If you put towel rails on for living, how hard can it be!

Our back to the wall toilets are due next Monday and I'd say the bath will go in then too. We are still waiting for the kitchen bench to be fixed - it's the wrong size, and splashback and mirrors which were measured early last week, but besides these few things, most of the big stuff is done now. A couple of paint bits need an extra coat but they may be happy to leave that until after PCI - I don't really know.

Last weekend we did the dash to Domayne to take advantage of their 2 day sale items. We got some white cafe style dining chairs - these will go with our old dining table.

Not the dream chairs we will have one day - and they look much nicer than in this picture, but they were a steal!

We also bought an entertainment unit and a desk for the study. Again, both of these were about 40% off so bargains. I plan on having built in cabinets in the rumpus made when we put in the fireplace so only needed on to make do for a while. It will then replace the old one in the kids leisure room.

And seeing as the study will have a UK theme/feel to it, I picked up this cute lamp too.

Ditto for the study - I'd love built in furniture there too, but this will do for now. We bought a rug in Deco rug - a nice big one (3.4m by 2.4m) for the living area. It's an off white to brighten up the dark flooring. We also ordered online a cowhide rug for the kids leisure room - love this choice, it feels a bit 'fun' for the kids!

So friends, that's all for now. Lets hope the rain goes away so that my outdoor stuff can get done (and anybody elses stuff that is dependent on good weather). Fingers crossed we do actually lock in PCI for next week - how excitement!

Cheers

Kylie



Getting Close Now

Happy greetings. In my opinion, this has been one of our most productive weeks of the build. Maybe not on a huge scale like when the slab was poured or hebel went up, but so many little things have happened that make it one of the most satisfying. Or maybe it's just that we are just getting so close to the end that I can almost smell it.

As I've mentioned previously, our SS has been terrific with communication. He has always replied straightaway to emails and called to update us often. In fact I popped to the house a little over an hour ago and as I was walking up to the house, he was inside trying to call me - second call of the week.

So after a great start to the week with plumbing etc, the trend has continued. Yesterday they fitted out wardrobes and shelving in the pantry and linen. Today they installed wardrobe doors, shower screens, hooked up the underfloor heating in both bathrooms and put on our garage door!. Exciting stuff! Here are some pics:

Kids bathroom shower screen (looks unclear - this is due to the plastic protector sheet still being on) This screen looks lovely - semi frameless.

The wardrobe doors are opaque glass in 3 bedrooms.

We put simple fitouts in the wardrobes for convenience when we move in.

Shower screen on our ensuite. This shower is larger than what comes as standard in this house design. Semi frameless again - happy with this compromise (being mindful of budget we didn't go with frameless)

Underfloor heating control - hooked up today in both bathrooms (instructions attached)

Garage door. This is in 'Surfmist'. We were worried that next to the Lexicon White it would look average, but today I was really happy with it.

So as you can see, lots of bits and pieces happened this week. Electrician didn't come as was scheduled, but I'm not complaining with everything else that happened. Plenty to still happen next week so stay tuned. Fingers crossed it's as good a week as this was. SS is hoping for PCI end of July or first week of August and keys a couple of weeks after that:) That is soooo exciting!

Cheers

Kylie

Get the Latest Low-Down

Hallelujah! The tiling is finally complete! I'd love to know the record for the longest time taken to tile 2 bathrooms...we must be close! But it is true, once it's done you soon forget how painfully drawn out the job was. Happy with the job done - although haven't had a close look...why? because it was too hard with the plumbers in the way installing our taps!!! Woohoo, giddy up!

I drove past twice in the morning and no one was onsite so when I popped for another check (I was wasting time in the area whilst the kids did an art class) I couldn't get over how much had been done. The outdoor room piers had been painted the correct colour, the skylight was in, hole cut for the manhole and the plumbers were well on their way to getting taps and showerheads installed. The bath had been delivered too but no sign of our toilets yet...maybe tomorrow??? Caught off guard, I only had my phone for pics so excuse the quality:)

Outdoor room piers painted western myall (finally)

Kitchen mixer. Happy with it - may upgrade at some point, but nice smooth lines for now. Kitchen bench size not resolved as yet.

Laundry mixer - this was a good value upgrade - much nicer than the standard.

Kids shower head. 

Our ensuite basins with the taps installed. 

The super dooper shower head we got - part of the promotion package. The tilers will need to come back to fix a few odd tiles and do some sealing (do they do that or someone else)

The skylight. Positioned perfectly over the sink. Would have loved  more around the place but at $1200 a pop they soon add up.

So yes, I am very happy with what's gone on this week. Hopefully the next couple of days will be equally productive. I had been told to expect the electrician this week so hopefully he'll be there tomorrow and maybe the plumbers  will come back to do the bath and toilets (if they turn up). Really starting to feel like we are getting there now. The other thing I must ask SS about is our front portico. It's not complete yet and I can't see why it isn't being completed at the moment - work there wouldn't be getting in anyones way whilst the other stuff is happening, surely.

Yesterday I ordered the chair for my bedroom. As I've mentioned, I'm going for a touch of luxury in my bedroom so a rich velvet chair definitely adds to that look:

The light I bought for my daughters girly room was hanging up so I took a quick pick (it's in storage)

 

Standing outside looking around, I can't help but feel increasingly daunted by the amount of work to be done - it is just such a mess at the moment! I am also preoccupied with storage and how I will arrange cupboards and wardrobes so to best make use of the space, make it user friendly and easy to keep tidy. One thing I've seen on another blog, is the use of big hampers as storage. I like this idea for things such as the kids school bags which are big and bulky. I saw this one, which came in a variety of sizes. Fairly expensive so I might keep a lookout on ebay to see what I can find.

Will get back to you all later in the week. Looking forward to hearing if handover happens for a few of you lovely people this week and next - good luck!

Cheers Kylie

Art 101

One of the things I have particularly thought about during the build is what type of artworks I would like in my new home. When a new house is such a blank canvas and in need of personality, I feel the art I select will be important in achieving the right feel for the house.

I have spent hours flicking through magazines, looking for the types of artwork I like. I really like the homes shown that seem to be able to include a big range of 'types' of art. Some successfully mix 'poster' type art, photography art, abstract art, calm watercolour paintings - all or some of these in the one house - and do so effortlessly. I worry that if I try to do a mix like this, that it will just look wrong.

I have always loved photography - black and white inparticular. I completed a few courses at The Australian Centre for Photography (ACP) at Paddington many moons ago. That was pre-kids when I actually had time for a hobby! Not that I was great at it, but I did LOVE learning to print my own black & whites and play with effects on film. These days, with digital photography, some of that fun and magic is lost.

Anyway, getting back on the topic, I again find myself googling artists whose work catches my eye in magazines etc. Of course budget will be my biggest barrier. One artist, Jane Fontane, had one of her artworks featured in a house showcased in the latest (August) Home Beautiful. Considering my research has so far found that her art sells for between $12k - $60k+ I won't be displaying her work in my house!

Here are two samples - they are paintings.

Water is something that features in alot of  the art I like. Once upon a time I was a swimmer - one of those up at 4.30am everyday and then back again every afternoon people...crazy I know. But I have always loved water, swimming, the beach etc so I guess it isn't surprising I'm drawn to art featuring water.

I also found these photographic prints, again featured in a home in 'Home Beautiful'. Found at 'Aquabumps', a Bondi based store. Depending on size, these started, unframed, at around $450 from memory. A couple of the pics there I like include:

This is one pic where I think you'd find something new to catch your eye everytime you look at it. Bondi on a very busy day!

I love the drama that black & white brings to this shot.   

Aerial shot of my local beach - Cronulla. Love the fresh Summer colours.

Bondi Icebergs. The lanes remind me of my swimming years. Love the colour again, sunlight highlights etc 

Another from the air of Cronulla 

The other pics I looked up come from the UK. When I was away I bought 'Living etc' magazine which is a UK one (holidays give me more time to indulge in my magazine addiction). I really liked the fun in these prints found at 'Woop Studio'. There is a large range called the 'Collective Noun' collection. Here are a couple I liked:

Love this one - A confetti of Love

A concentration of Kingfishers 

A watch of Nightingales

And finally, the decorator I met with a couple of weeks ago recommended, perhaps for my bedroom, the art collections of Gav and Waz from the 1st season of 'The Block'. They are called 'The Designer Boys'. No idea of the cost of these ones. They are more organic, earthy, textural (is that a word?) and perhaps more calming for a bedroom. Here is a very small sample of their work:

Anyway, I thought I would share my thoughts on this topic. I am always searching for new art that catches my eye. I will continue to dream of what will grace my new walls - very exciting!

I am having 'Stormygirl' - for those of you familiar with her blog, do one of her beautiful butterfly frames for my daughters room. I also like her idea of a framed pic of the london underground network - am thinking of doing a bit of a UK theme in the study as my husband is a pom and I thought it would be nice for the kids to see this connection...


Opinions or recommendations are welcome, I always love hearing peoples thoughts.

Cheers
Kylie

Beautiful one day, Perfect the next!

Even in the middle of winter! Yes, I just got back from the sunny Gold Coast today. The weather was superb with the kids swimming at the beach throughout the week. Had a blast at Movie World and overall enjoyed the break from reality and 'the house'.

So what happened at the house whilst I was away...Painting continued. Apparently there was painters there everyday but there is still a fair bit  lot to go considering it was meant to be finished last week. Some more external painting happened. Our feature Charcoal/grey colour, Dulux Western Myall looks fab. Unfortunately they didn't paint the outdoor room piers in this colour as they were supposed to, so this will need to be fixed. Downpipes went on. Unfortunately these have to be painted in surfmist, which will look very average next to our Lexicon, so we will just have to repaint these later. The ones that go down the outdoor room piers will also be painted sufmist but should be western myall, so another paint job for post handover.

Unbelieveably, trim on the front feature projection won't be painted western myall either - it will be monument, same as the gutters. This will look ridiculous. Not even sure what colour they will paint that timber bit in the front, but again, this was very glossed over during our external colour app. Looks like we were incompetent in our colour selections and it makes the builder look bad too. This building company really needs to get their act together in terms of their consultants understanding this stuff better. No one explained or pointed these items out to us - and really it is their job to do that. Hopeless, not happy Jan, unacceptable etc.

Bi folds stained...looks better in person

Doors to our bedroom, these look great too

Next topic: tiling. It started back on the 7th of JUNE. One month on and we are still not done. What a joke. I have one small bathroom, with a seperate toilet, one laundry - only floor and splashback tiles and one ensuite to be done - not exactly a massive amount of work. To say that coming home today to find this not completed is disappointing, is an understatement. They ran out of tiles which were due to be delivered last Tuesday...

Kitchen bench has not been removed to be fixed.

Electrician is due to be back this week but that can't happen until painting has finished.

Are you starting to see a trend here? Are you feeling my pain? Not the 'happy, look at everything that's been done whilst I've been away' post I was hoping to write.

Let's hope this week is a better week. Apparently SS was handing over 3 homes yesterday so I'd say they took priority (and most of his time). So hopefully this week more will happen...won't hold my breath.

In the meantime, I'll close my eyes and pretend I'm still here:

Cheers Kylie





Mini Update

I felt the need to make one more little update before departing for the Gold Coast tomorrow - not on Tiger Airways thank goodness! Weather channel is telling me to expect sun all week with a couple of days being 23 degrees:) Fingers crossed.

Painting has continued the last 2 days. A full day today - great work for a Saturday! It's all very white. Again, not everyones taste but I do love the clean crisp lines - my decorating blank canvas! Because we don't have a huge amount of natural light, it really helps brighten the place up. Throw in furniture, artwork, a rug, a feature wall or two and it will be lovely.

The dark bamboo floors and asian night island bench will add warmth to the room and totally change the look here.

They have done 1 coat of stain on the pantry doors. I heart my pantry doors. Can't wait til they do the bifolds and front door as well.

Our master bedroom. I think the whole house may actually have 1 coat now. Plus the doors were done in gloss yesterday. 

Late this afternoon they were sanding the trim which they'd filled in nail spots etc earlier in the day.

I'd been there since early morning having the proper check measure done for the shutters. I also went to the showroom and chose the material for the other blinds. Went a touch over budget chosing an upgraded fabric for the rumpus but I do love what I chose. All in all it was a good day.

No news yet on the kitchen bench situation. I really am not too worried - it is sure to work out.

I really hope to see that the tiling is finished by the time I get back. Won't be happy if it's not. I guess painting should be done by then too and hopefully some more of the exterior painting soon.

Have a good week everyone. I will keep in touch with your blogs while I'm away as I love hearing everyones progress.

Cheers
Kylie