Friday 3 January 2014

Reno - Weeks 29 & 30

Just when Christmas kicked in and most people took some well-deserved time off, the painters kept the renovation momentum going at the West End Cottage during the holidays. But everyone is back on deck come Monday so we should see a few more of the outstanding jobs being finished very shortly - and there are quite a few to get through before we can move in.

I'm going to show some before/currents again this week to show just how far we've come in six months. This room (previously a living room) is now the space for the kitchen/dining room:

Before
Current
Most of the kitchen joinery has now been fitted. The marble benchtops have been sealed, but we are still keeping them covered up. A bespoke utility rack that was built some time ago has now been painted, but it's not totally complete yet. A panel of decorative glass will stretch across the middle third of the frame and will be backlit (you can see the wires protruding from the wall at both ends). You can't have too much kitchen storage I say.

The original window on the right-hand wall was removed and replaced with an opening that leads into the scullery.

As you can see we've also created an opening in the wall on the left that provides access into the Sitting Room.

The joinery in the Sitting Room, a former bedroom, was also painted during the week:

Before
Current
We still have to install the blackbutt kicks and banquette seat cushions. And to finish the room off I've ordered an armchair and a George Nelson Bubble lamp to hang in the corner of the room, creating a cozy spot to sit and read (if that's at all possible with four small boys.)

Love the detail in the joinery here, including the criss-cross decorative shelf framing:


The painters also undercoated the FC sheets that line the walls on the terrace:


This grey-coloured undercoat is what is usually used when your finished topcoat is a dark colour (i.e. black.) And speaking of black paint, that will be a job for next week - finally getting another coat of black onto the weatherboards at the back of the house:


I've made a few minor alterations to the landscape design I put together a few weeks ago and eleven advanced trees have now been put on hold, waiting for our landscape contractor to commence and plant them into position.

I've even played around with some more fort designs - this one is Option No 2, and is based on a Scandinavian-style Summer House that also mimics the rear elevation of the house. It is perfectly scaled for little people and has a large awning window that can be used for role play (i.e. shop/cafe) and also includes a loft.


I'm thinking about using the above fence detail for the front fence (to replace our old falling-down picket fence which has since been removed.) The question is - should I paint it white or black?

18 comments:

  1. All the built-in shelving and storage is looking wonderful. I can see all the thought and planning that has went into its design.
    As for the front fence I do like a crisp white picket fence.
    x

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    1. The architect has made this relatively small house work really hard. The storage options in the house are great.

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  2. Looks great Caroline - a white fence would be a nice contrast to the beautiful black weatherboards.
    Cheers, Col

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    1. The weatherboards on the front (old cottage) are painted white - so I thought a black fence might look cool, but I'll probably stick with white.

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  3. Wow I'm loving the black weatherboards, the interior is quickly coming along too. Won't be long now!

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    1. I never dreamed that I would opt for black - took a little bit of convincing but I'm glad I took the plunge. When it's finished I'm sure it's going to look great.

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  4. was thinking the same, white fence provides nice contrast against the black and also with any greenery that might grow in front/behind it.

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    1. The reason we were toying with a black front picket fence was that it was going to tie in with the side boundary fence made (which was going to be black).

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  5. Looks absolutely amazing. You must be so excited.
    We have a handover date for the 24th of Jan now, busy times ahead.
    Can't wait to see more pics.

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    1. Thank you. Your house looks fantastic - once you get it landscaped that will be the icing on the cake. You must have your bags packed already - we have already started. xx

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  6. All of that storage is amazing…and the fact that it is all so beautiful is even more amazing!

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    1. This house had zero storage to begin with. We don't really have lots of furniture (great when you move around a lot) so having built-in options, including built-in banquette seat, was certainly the way to go.

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  7. The kitchen is looking gorgeous Caroline, can't wait to see the glass go in. O+V's details are just perfection, all the arcs and criss crosses really just make the room You must be so excited! Regards the fence, can I make another suggestion? Given that the front facade is white and the back is black ( I think?) would you ever consider doing a timber fence as a feature? As in contemporary timber with clear laquer? There is a qldr around the corner from me that is painted white with black trim and they have done a timber fence and it really makes the house and garden stand out beautifully. Can try and send you a pic to explain if you like. Love your fort designs, they are fantastic, I don't remember seeing design 1, I must have missed that post. The fact that it has a shop is gold in my opinion, Liongirl and I are happy to come over any time and set it up for the boys and show them the ropes. Just this week in fact we have been running a beauty therapy spa (complete with purple and yellow eyeshadow), a cafe with confetti milkshakes and even a face painting enterprise. mel x

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  8. Hi Mel - our last house had timber doors and windows that were finished with Sikkens (that required annual painting) so I don't really want the maintenance this time round - although it did look very nice. I didn't post about Fort Option 1 - but there was discussion with our architect and builder about it - still very much on the cards though. My boys are very good at setting up shop/cafe - not so good at the beauty therapy spa option (which personally I would much prefer.)

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  9. Gosh, it's looking schmick! You can't go wrong with a white fence in my humble opinion...Very jealous re your bubble lamp too. What arm chair did you order btw? Loving all your choices. xx

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    1. Thanks Anita - I've ordered an Archie armchair from Jardan (so comfy!) I'm hopeless at choosing fabrics, etc so I'm hoping that it looks good - an interior decorator I am definitely not.

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  10. Wow-it looks amazing! I love that criss cross feature, and that cubby!! It all looks incredible! x

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  11. Hi Caroline! Your kitchen is coming along quite nicely. I’m liking option 2. I’m eager to see how it’s going to look like once it’s finished. How many options do you have lined up?

    Joann Winton @ AJCRoofing.com

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