Better Late then Never....

So it has been a while and there has been so much progress.

We are at fixing and just now onto fitting off. The electrician and plumbers have started downstairs as painters have now finished and moved onto upstairs. A few things still to be done on the exterior such as painting, balustrades and battens. Internally just some plumbing and electrical plus the stone wall installation for the fireplace.

Every time I walk in I love it more and more. So here are some photo's my teenage daughter took this morning. External - loving how pretty it looks front and back.

The entry is looking great, I think it is welcoming. I am starting to think of rugs and console tables, loving Max Sparrow and Pottery Barn at the moment..... and yes, the front door will be painted white as well.

The powder room is located on the ground floor just off the hall... I still think I will wallpaper for some bathroom bling. The wallpaper is the same one I have been in love with all year. Everything looks like a scene out of CSI with the plastic, have to say the painters are extremely thorough. Underneath the plastic is a beautiful silver travertine in a French pattern... it's been used in all the bathrooms and balconies and will continue to be used externally as well.

 

I have more photo's but will load them on the gallery. However to finish off with my #homebeautiful #countryliving fireplace, this has been something we have loved since design conception.

The stone wall should be completed by Wednesday and will load the finish product.

Until then.
Sx

Wow and let there be Windows!

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“A house without books is like a room without windows.”
― Horace Mann

Our windows have arrived and are installed, a shout out to the amazing work by Timberware, the craftsmanship and quality is exceptional http://www.timberware.com.au/. They are all custom and beautiful, and I adore every window. We decided on double hung windows as we both grew up in bungalows and love the idea giving a "nod" to our childhood, not to mention I adore the character that comes with them. Since they have been installed I am now starting to thinking about how to dress them. Plantation shutters, roman blinds and beautiful sheer curtains.

I have been inspired by Gav and Waz's Byron Bay renovation, the design boys have just nailed it. I love looking for inspiration and there are so many wonderful projects out there. For some eye candy check out..
http://uniqueestates.com.au/Homes/Detail.aspx?id=ue329&wlid=b598392c-ab97-4d95-a322-0339bda6c8bf

Our cladding starts today and all the doors are delivered tomorrow.
I take a step back each time I do an afternoon inspection, as it now starts to feel like a home.

I just keep pinching myself.
Sx

Movers and Shakers!!! I love love love shaker doors

So it's been a while in between posts but I have myself all shook up over cabinetry. We had the final check measure yesterday and I do believe the kitchen and wet areas need to be loved, we use them everyday and as much as we want beautiful we also need practical.
So the below kitchen eye candy below that has inspired me. And "yes", I am having a white kitchen but plan to play with colour in the bathrooms and laundry.

Picture sourced by Houzz, Traditional Kitchen by Saint Louis Architects & Designers Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design 

 

Traditional Kitchen by Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers Venegas and Company
 

Traditional Kitchen by Flemington Architects & Designers Pickell Architecture
 

The kitchen is the hub of the home, and I love a traditional classic style which just invites people to gather, take a seat and break the bread!

I adore the easily achieved character found in simple things such as doors.

We have a shaker door profile going in with Caesarstone Frosty Carrinan 5141. After much deliberation Judy from Verandah House gave me the pro's and con's of marble and at the end of the day we want the kitchen to be practical. We have used Caesarstone before and were extremely happy with it. The edge will probably be a standard pencil edge which is also rather classic. There is a deeper grey product by Caesarstone called London Grey which I think is great as well.

Other by Other Metro Tile, Stone & Countertops Laura Bolen, Sales Associate at OHM International
 

My next favourite part of the structure is that all the cabinetry is seamless into the butlers pantry and back through to the outdoor BBQ area.

With a little bit of blackboard fun that will be on the door between the pantry and kitchen. Our internal doors are also a shaker profile.

 

And so the final picture should look like this.... yeah! Well in my head.

Contemporary Kitchen by Toronto Photographers Joanne Tsakos

Enough shaking for one day.
Sx

Beam me up Scotty! The Light plight

So I still have my head spinning with selections, and I was slightly panicked when I looked at our calendar and realised we have the electrician meeting for " rough in" next Wednesday! Sheesh .....

Kitchen pendant lights are my first priority, and I adore the below pictures for inspiration.

I have been in love with these bell pendant lights on the Pottery Barn US site for over 6 months, unfortunately they are not available in Australia, however I am still inspired to try and find something like this for over our kitchen bench. We have a rather large island bench going in and think 3 would look amazing.

 

Images sourced from www.potterybarn.com

I saw some amazing green pendant lights on a like minded bloggers site here
http://bungalowbliss.blogspot.com.au/

The other factor is the dining room/area, we are in search of something "rustic" that will flow with the house however not compete with the rock feature wall which will hold our heater. However the more I ponder, I think we will just keep the dining area free of distraction.

You can see what I mean by our floor plan, as the back of the house will be such an open space, I don't want anything competing or being too "busy". Reynolds Design http://www.reynoldsdesign.com.au/ has created an amazing floor plan, see our ground floor space below.

Next entry lights.... that will have to be another blog away!
Sx

Wood in the hood!

So I am in love with architectural detail, and simple things can make a huge difference to the character of a home.

We are using these mouldings in our new house, on the grounds floor entrance, hall, stairwell and living.... what do you think? 

Traditional Entry by Cambridge Architects & Designers LDa Architecture & Interiors

Traditional Hall by Newport Beach Home Builders Spinnaker Development

Traditional Entry by Chicago Architects & Designers Mandy Brown

Gloss white from skirting board to the chair rail will be Dulux Lexicon. The wall colour will be Dulux Ghosting.

I just need to powder my nose!

Powder rooms are the one bathroom that guests use regularly, so they need to be a little special. I love clean lines but also embrace traditional style. 

Traditional Powder Room

Traditional Bathroom by Philadelphia General Contractors Hanson General Contracting, Inc.

Traditional Bathroom by Portland Maine Interior Designers & Decorators Design For Less

When looking at the style for our house, we decided on an overall "Hamptons meets Rustic Country" however with the contemporary niceties. 

Budget also comes into play, and for such a small room I think this is where a splurge is very worthwhile however luckily pedestals are actually cheaper than vanities and everything else just fell into place.

My inspiration board for the powder room were made up of things that make me smile. A pedestal basin takes me back to my childhood, duck egg blue reminds me of my mum's spare bedroom and well subway tiles for a nod to the bungalow I grew up in. Our house is still having foundations laid, but all the selections have to be done now...... that being tapware, basins, baths, tiles ...hmm the list goes on. To make sure a look was put together, the lovely Judy at Verandah House made the selections based on some concepts I shared. Judy and Jess are amazing!

So bring back the pedestal basin, and we should never avoid powdering our nose if the bathroom makes us smile!

First Impressions

Have just finalised our selection of amazing cedar windows and french doors, and now contemplating the massive decision of colour. I am inspired by black doors at the moment and "yes" I know it sounds rather oppressive however.... I think if done right, it has the potential to look amazing.

Black for the front door only, white for all the trims and fascia's and a gorgeous gum grey for the external walls.... 

An important decision, even though a single door.... it can provide a sense of welcome and presence. In love with the traditional door, can I say anymore?

Traditional Entry by Peachtree City Architects & Designers Historical Concepts

Traditional Entry by Millbrook Architects & Designers Crisp Architects

Traditional Entry by Seattle Architects & Designers Paul Moon Design

Traditional Entry by Tacoma Interior Designers & Decorators It's The Little Things...

Demolition Edition

I have now been researching pools and I am completely inspired by the old fashion pools with soft landscaping, aka grass to the coping. Sometimes pools can appear too hard, and the pool is the water feature of the backyard and needs to entice you in. I just love love love these pictures, think they offer some relaxed pool time fun... hmm dreaming of summer on the pool lounge with a mojito.

Picture sourced homes.ninemsn.com.au

Traditional Pool by New York Architects & Designers Wettling Architects

Traditional Pool by Greenwich Landscape Architects & Designers Conte & Conte, LLC

So our demo began and earthworks are complete. Everyone does say demo is quick, and now I truly understand how quick. In the last week, the site has been prepared and the pool excavated. The pool has provided some challenges, however some creative thinking by our amazing pool contractor and presto, the shell is complete. So our pool is a rather traditional shape, however the depth is somewhat unconventional, we have opted for a deep middle. The picture below shows my gorgeous girls standing in the shallow end, which is not so shallow..... 

My Paint Pots

From the Ground Up My knee's have began to shake as we start the journey of building a home. This is where I am going to begin my journey, write down idea's, cross out idea's, talk about latest styles, share interior design thoughts, debate on latest trends, and just brood over things that I absolutely love....