Saturday 21 September 2013

The new house update!




The project steamed along during our absence, albeit supported by numerous emails/Face Time communications!  The exterior looks almost finished and the back yard has been cleared and mostly levelled.  The exterior painting is also almost complete!  

When visiting the site this week,  I decided that the windows needed a contrast.  I had originally thought walls, windows and architraves should read as one, as there is a lot going on externally - painted brick, weatherboard, peaks and valleys,  but on seeing it, I think the architraves could perhaps be in a contrast colour.  I visited the local paint shop and chose a few variations of green/grey and will hopefully see this applied on Tuesday and will have to make a decision.  Any suggestions would be most welcome! 

We have also had the issue of Solar panels to deal with.  Mr R-I feels very strongly that we should have as many as possible and there is a strong argument to have them installed on the western roof of the garage.. (See photo above).    I have been dead set against this for aesthetic reasons,  although I understand the argument for the installation and we do have Solar panels installed on another western portion of the roof.   I love the Cupola and that whole elevation,  and know that the panels will look awful!.... 

The internal cladding is almost complete and the exciting phase is about to begin.  I am in the process of working on lighting choices, and need to spend the weekend pouring over the final joinery drawings, making sure they are all correct..

The progress has been excellent and although we won't be in for Christmas,  I now think that early in 2014 is a reality. 

The garden is also continually on my mind.  There is a dear little Japanese Maple which I am hoping to "save" for the new garden.  Excavation for the driveway is being done next week,  and although it's a bit late,  we are going to lift this little tree and bag it.  I want to position it in the rear courtyard in a big pot.  The whole root-ball needs to be carefully managed and continual watering afterwards until we do the potting up... 

I am very excited about the commencement of a little potting shed in the back yard, built from hardwood which will grey off naturally.  Filled with  clay pots, plants, and garden paraphernalia and will form a boundary for an outside sitting/eating area... just off from the breakfast room.

The four front pillars which support the small veranda roof were being erected.


The view to the back yard from the entrance hall.


View from the dining room to the living room on the left and the kitchen/breakfast beyond

The breakfast/living room off the kitchen

Rear of the house

Outside of the kitchen/breakfast.. to the left is where the potting shed is going

Position of the potting shed




View from the street

The "Cherry Walk" at the bottom of our street ... a paved walk-way which is literally kilometres long all through and around Bowral.


It's the Southern Highlands Annual Tulip festival next weekend and Corbett Gardens has this mass display of tulips perfectly ready!



There were Bluebells too

A magnificent giant Himalayan Cedar in Corbett Gardens




Have a great weekend everyone!


31 comments:

  1. Love the update and progress - it's come a long way since the last time you showed us. The town looks stunning - never been to that bit of Oz but I can see why you chose it. PS where are the pics of Steve?? xx

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    1. Steve - is no longer part of the team Naomi... !!! The Highlands has a wonderful climate - much cooler in Summer and very cold winters. It's also 1.5hrs from Sydney, which is good for us. Have a great weekend! xx

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    2. Oh no! Oh well we have pictures to remember him by :)

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  2. I cannot believe your progress!! I was completely shocked when I saw the photos of the exterior so finished... meanwhile, back in SA the rain continues....
    It's looking stunning - I love the variation in your facade with the punch out of the windows, the contrast between brick and weatherboard, and the various roof lines. Just beautiful.
    Looking forward to seeing all the progress continuing. xx

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    1. I was also shocked and silenced when I stepped out of the car. Although we had received plenty of photo updates, it was still a huge surprise. Thank you for the lovely comments Heidi! xx

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  3. You must be thrilled that so much progress has been made in your absence and your house is looking wonderful and such an interesting design. I have mixed feelings about solar panels too but I know that it is the sensible option. I'm looking forward to seeing your garden and I hope the Japanese maple survives!

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    1. Thanks miss b! The Solar panels have been the source of MUCH discussion this past month! I am worried about the Maple but it's better to give this a try, rather than just get rid of it. It is currently planted on the street boundary amongst a very strange assortment of plants which have to be dug out next week for in preparation for the new fence. Fingers and toes!! xx

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  4. Looking gorgeous. I love the double hung windows - a bit retro. The house is very classic looking. Will you use your furniture that you already had at the farm? I love your upholstery ideas. Struggling with recovering my 1930s club suite which is soooo comfy but I am hopeless at making the fabric decision!! I keep looking at yours for inspiration. My suite is huge. Three seater sofa and three armchairs so will cost a bit and I don't want to make a mistake. Any tips? Kindly, Tonkath.

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    1. Thanks Anon ...I am definitely re-using the furniture from the farm with a re-cover here and there. Your sofa decision!.... Will it be heavily used? ... if so, I would have loose covers made in a pre- washed cotton .. meaning you can whip them off, launder and refit. I did this with furniture for our beach house that gets lots of dogs and littlies all over it. The cotton range comes in many colours. As a rule, I like to use linen and then depending on the scheme of the room, like to choose lovely fabrics for the decor cushions and try to tie the scheme together in this way. I'm by no means a trained decorator, but I usually fall in love with a couple of fabrics in the colour choice for the room and go from there.... sometimes it's a plate/painting that sets the scheme. Not sure though what your sofa looks like and whether it would suit loose covers. Why not send me a pic? Thanks for stopping by! xx

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    2. I've done it! Had the upholster out to measure and select some fabrics. Tell me what you think
      Warwick in Doyle Seafoam, Bronte Seafoam, and Mansfield Seafoam. Sofa in plain with a chair in each of the others - and some cushions. Too matchy match?? Thinking maybe plain linen for the sofa may have been better. Having a crises of confidence in my decision making!! Cheers, Kathy

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    3. Hi Kathy!!.. Well done!!!... PLEASE send me pics of choices and your sofa, and fabrics... Would LOVE to see..!!

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  5. Thanks so much - now a follower of your post and I took a couple of shots this morning. Will email later today. Off to the nursery to put in the seedlings and fill some blanks spots in the garden. Twelve weeks now until our home wedding and things are hotting up on the renovation/garden/painting scene! Spent most of the weekend precariously high on scaffolding and painting. Today will be a reward day in the garden. Isn't spring glorious!! Kathy

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    1. Thanks so much for following Kathy!! I adore spring in the garden and would love to know more about your wedding plans for home and garden! You definitely deserve a day in the nursery/garden after such precarious painting! xx

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  6. Sorry to post under anon - can't work out how to do otherwise! Kathy i.e. Tonkath

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    1. I think there is an option for you to click on name/URL ... then just type in your name.. not sure as I always comment using my Google profile! xx I don't mind you being Anon!!

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  7. It looks fabulous Jenny! Love it all. What a lovely surprise to come home to. (As opposed to some of the less lovely building surprises that are possible....)

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    1. Thank you so much and yes it really was a lovely surprise to come home to particularly as we hadn't had photo updates for about 10 days!.. the weather has also behaved and I think all the rain has been with you!! xx

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  8. Jenny,
    Your new house is fantastic ! Yes of course I would like to paint it soon...
    Have a nice day !
    Céline.

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  9. http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_toolframe.aspx?action=coloriq

    Thought you might find this test interesting and a bit of fun xx

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  10. Dear J, I luff it all and am so jealous of the potting shed! and the sun. It is sad about the solar panels looking uggers but my dear you simply must Deal. To say no would be wrong. With the electricity savings you can buy more bulbs clothes and presents. One day, you will thank me. And send me a present for this comment xxxx

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    1. oh FF.... that ship has now sailed... :( I've also just read that there is a gas shortage in NSW... and our central heating (necessary in Bowral) is gas powered... might have to resort to candle-light and Michelin Man style dressing in winter... Confused by your being jealous of the sun... surely you have lots of that in Queensland? xxx

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  11. “I have been dead set against this for aesthetic reasons…”—I can hear your sentiments regarding solar panels, Jenny. The panels looked a little different to the overall design of your home. However, it’s practical to have these for your home. There may be some changes that can affect the aesthetics, but if it'd be for the good and improvement of your house, why not, especially if it will benefit you in the long run?

    Paul @SheltonRoof.com

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  12. wonderful house!
    great documentary photos too

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  13. Congratulations on moving in to this beautiful town. The house looks stunning! And the view around your house is quite scenic. I’m sure you had no problem adjusting and settling in to this lovely place. Cheers!

    Naomi Walters @ Chicora Real Estate

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