Now you see it .... now you don't

Keeping the blog real.  Here is the dirty work.

Shed on the start of demolition day.

Shed at the end of demoliton day one.

Shed 6 days later at the end of demolition day two.

Sunday inspiration

I find, it's always good to start and end  the week on a high note.  As I mentioned our yard back and front is a mess at the moment.  And we are looking at the prospect of 7 more days of rain.  I need to have a "plan B" = exit the house as much as is possible with toddler and baby (no longer a new born at nearly 5 months old - it goes so fast!!).

Tomorrow's "plan B" is to visit my girlfriend, her toddler daughter and new born son.  Our toddlers can run around and wear each other out.  And I get to not think about the house and what I need to be doing to it for the morning. YAY!!

So as it'll be an early start over to my girlfriends, I've packed tonight for it.  Kids needs, milk, food, nappies and change of clothes.

But back on title point.  My Sunday inspiration, is this beautiful house spotted on Livingetc.

I just love the seamless transition from indoor to out.  The colour palette of white and wood, the simple landscaping and the clever use of light.  Beautiful!

More driveway research

As we are in such a mess at the moment, there's been quite a bit of frantic research this week. I thought it would be hard to get excited about concrete.  It's not very sexy.  But actually concrete aggregate can be really beautiful (especially compared to the mud we currently have). 

Here are my favourite colours, which I mentioned I want to border with granite cobbles.  Colours are sourced from Dambra.  I love their lightness, which I hope will blend in with the colour of our house (Dulux Barrister White).  I hope the picture in my head will translate to reality OK!



BARWON
Beachy comes to mind. This mix has a beautiful white to biscuit colored quartz pebble in a beach coloured sand base. Looks great with sandstone and light pastel colours.

BURRINDI
A stunning blend of quartz type smooth pebbles with a scattering of black basalt throughout. Featuring a bone coloured background, highlighting a brilliant stone colour. Can be bordered with sawn bluestone to create a unique look.

Unintentional blog break .... arghhh

So you may have noticed that I haven't posted for a while.  Well our dear demolishers took our shed (good), our driveway (not planned, but semi expected), and our phone line/internet (bugger!).

You may be wondering where things are up to with the reno's.  We'll I'm pleased to report, that things are really really really messy, but we are finally making progress.  Very important.  So my new goal, is to have the backyard and front yard done for Liam's 3rd birthday.  He's asked for a Thomas party, and as we didn't have a party last year (we had no kitchen, I couldn't even bake a cake), we feel we really should deliver something better this year.  And the fact that he's already telling everyone that he is having a Thomas party, bless him!!

Here's my plan for the front yard.  Now lets pray for some good weather and a plumber who'll respond, so we can get cracking!!



The Block finale

I'm not sure how I feel about the block finale.  On the one hand, YAY for Neisha and John.  Their apartment was beautiful and with the stunning north facing courtyard, it was the pick of them all for a family (that's how I think these days).  On the other hand, I did prefer Erin and Jake's design ethos, though at times it was a bit too matchy matchy for me.

And I really do feel for Chez and Brenton, who were so much fun the show.  And I loved the boys infectious laughter and thought they all deserved to earn a lot more.  Reno's are hard work!!

As for my favourite room from the series, it would have to be, this one.  I feel in love with these tiles from the moment they aired.  Hmmm .... possible future ensuite perhaps? :)

Trying times .... bad weather and broken machinery delays

We are in the middle of pulling down our old garage.  I'm really really excited it's started!  As we started the process 6 months ago.  So that's a long long time to wait.  The progress on day one (last Wednesday) was fantastic.  And there was good news at the end of the day, that they'd be back to finish the job the next day.  "Awesome!!", I thought, they started on a day that Liam is in creche and they'll finish on his next creche day, so I won't have a 2 year old begging to go outside when it's unsafe.  Alas, the euphoria didn't last long.  It's now Monday night, and I'm still waiting for the builders to come back and complete the job.  I'm told each day that it will be the next day.

So how do I cheer myself up on these days.  Shopping of course.  Keeping my eye on the prize, I've been researching granite cobbles.  We are planning on ripping up the driveway, as it's rapidly turning to concrete rubble, under the weight of anything on it (it's that thin and old - remember original everything!!).  So the plan is to lay a new light concrete aggregate bordered with granite cobble driveway.  Hopefully these beautiful sesame ones I've found will be the border.

House transformation in South Africa into Indoor Outdoor Family Home

This house is simply stunning.  I smile everytime I look at it.  It's a very lucky family who get to live here.

This quote also sums up the perfect house to me too.

"The house accommodates their differing personalities and needs perfectly. At any time, Joy can be on the deck, Lucien in the kitchen, Ben in the pool and Stella watching TV; and yet they’re all together and within view of each other. It’s what I love most about this house – 'it has given us room to be ourselves, and use the space as individuals, yet share it as a family', says Joy."

Photos and quote from Livingetc

Midweek cheeky treat

I decided to get myself a cheeky treat today <grin>.  Instead of spending a 30% off book voucher on the one of the boys, I spent it on me.  Cheeky!  And it's had me engrossed from page 1.  I'll confess that I'm usually a picture person.  I love magazines.  But when you get to experience an insight into the wonderful mind of Kevin McCloud, I read every word, some times several times over.  His book "Kevin McCloud Grand Designs Handbook", has several great points, and here's a snippet, his Top 10 Tips.

And this is one of my all time favourite UK series Grand Designs (I told you I was an ad for Foxtel!), The Killearn: Loch House.



About the house: The house is L-shaped, and the main living area and master bedroom extend out over the water. Floor-to-ceiling glazing not only maximises the amazing views towards the hills, but allows reflections from the water to bounce around the open plan living areas. Simone believes that living over the water will create a very calming atmosphere in the house. The other wing of the house will have a double height living room overlooked by a glass balcony on the first floor.