The House

Finally, a year after first talking with the builder, and 9 months since signing the contract, we are almost done! 

The last little things should be tidied up next week and then we can have it all signed over to us, and pay the balance I suppose.

Such a long journey it has been, with much knowledge gained, about myself and also about the building industry.   I really enjoyed the material selection and finer detail fitout.  I was very meticulous about certain things, most of the tradies thought I was mad at times, but in the end they could appreciate my original vision.

Here are some photos of the (mostly) finished product.

 Downstairs rumpus room.

Downstairs rumpus.

Downstairs deck and view from rumpus.

 Downstairs bathroom.

Downstairs bedroom hallway (bathroom to right).

Downstairs bedroom.

 Taken from bottom deck.

 Outside dining.

 Top deck.

This part was the original lounge/dining room.  Through the doors we have a 'Loggia' which is an outside undercover room.

 Kitchen. Most people questioned my decision for a black matt finish on the cupboards but it turned out so well and really surprised alot of people.

Kitchen, with dining to the right.

 Island lights.

Concrete pendants that hang above the Kitchen island.

Master bedroom.   The middle door of the wardrobe hides the entrance to the en-suite.

En suite. This was taken before it was completely finished.

Bath.

This was the old kitchen, now a bedroom, complete with ridiculously difficult to build Odessy loft bed!

Today I link up with Essentially Jess for IBOT (I blog on Tuesdays).

Extension/Renovation update

I always wondered how people rated renovations to be a close second to weddings on the stress scale.  I scoffed at that.. yeah right, that's not true! 

Well not being able to write anything for 3 weeks has definitely proved to me how involved a big reno can be.  I really don't think people understand unless they have been through it themselves.  

It wouldn't have been such a big deal if we weren't living in the space at the same time.  It has been hard work.  There is only one room of the old house that did not need to be touched.  And actually, even that currently has no door.   As a bonus, it is the old bathroom, where we have to shower, so that's fun.  No showering after 7.30 am or you'll have a peanut gallery of builders.

We also just spent 2 weeks in Broken Hill again, which meant I actually didn't have to deal with the early morning intrusions (except for those little people 7 years and under who all radiate to my room in the mornings when we are on holidays!).

We have had 3 birthdays here that I haven't had the chance to mention.  It has even snowed on our little hill and we even have a new car!  

So I am feeling very behind.  

And I am feeling very guilty.

Sorry to my family, extended family and friends that probably think we have fallen off the face of the earth. 

We haven't.  We are just living in a construction site.  And we don't like it!

Good news is that the house is coming along awesomely!  Even better news is that it should be all done by the end of November!  Touch wood.. lots and lots of wood.  Especially considering we have big plans for Christmas, and lots of house guests arriving mid December. 

My new kitchen is in, but not functioning until later this week sometime, so you will have to waif for photo's of that.  But it is pretty damn awesome if I do say so myself.

The old and new have been merged now, and all of the wooden floors have been laid.  Painting is almost all finished in the new extension.  

The decking will commence at the end of October and the carpet for downstairs is booked for the beginning of November.

 Upstairs

 Upstairs before kitchen went in.

Downstairs bathroom

Downstairs Rumpus

Ensuite

Ensuite

Feels good to be able to link up with Essentially Jess for IBOT (I blog on Tuesdays). And a big thank you to the lovely Team IBOT ladies for covering my slack the past few weeks.

House extension update.

The house extension is progressing at a steady pace.   It is keeping me busy, there is so much to do!  I had fun designing the kitchen, spending almost 3 hours there one day, and 2 another, luckily I had planned this on Oshawott's Kinder days, so I only had Pichu with me, and he was a champ! 

There has been much browsing the web, and also much running around visiting local businesses. A spot of shopping here and there means I now have all the new kitchen appliances ready in the wings.  I have picked tiles, carpet, fittings, handles and toilets, and all of the bits in between. 

I am now trying to decide on paint colour, and we still have to finalise the stain for the floor.

 The day the roofing started.

This opening will be a 4 sliding door out to the top deck.

 Taken from the new kitchen location looking towards new living space.

 Master with the robe partially built which will go across the room and conceal the ensuite with a fake wardrobe looking door in the middle.

Some of the glass is in on the bottom level.

 Bricks!

New doors on the back of the existing potion of the house.

Looking out to the 'Loggia', which is an architectural feature that refers to a gallery or corridor of light and air.  So, basically like a mud room.

 

I am linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT (I blog on Tuesdays).

Bringing in the big guns.

You might remember the dilemma we were having about a boulder disrupting our build?  Well I thought it would be a good idea to give an update on that situation.

We decided to bring in the big guns, and not in the way of explosives.  A 22 tonne excavator came onsite to intimidate that boulder right out of the ground.

The moment of truth finally came, when it was time to have a crack at the boulder.  Seeing as it was literally right outside our dining area, we had to move to the other side of the house in case he lost it from his bucket and it crashed through the house.  That thankfully did not happy and the boulder was moved and is now a founding part of the new retaining wall. 

It was a pretty awesome sight to see, the operator of the excavator had such a fine touch and it was like watching a ballet of sorts as he moved one gigantic rock after another, creating a retaining wall of rock to then build up to an additional level space. 

The rest of the build has been moving along at a steady pace.

This is the bottom level, rumpus on the left, bathroom and bedroom on the right.  The level above will be living, kitchen, master with en suite.  A deck will go around the top level and a small deck at the bottom. 

I am joining Jess and all of the fellow IBOT bloggers.