Digging Up the Past

Ever since we purchased our house back in 2007, I've wanted to found out about it's history. And being located in West End, there was a very good chance it had a colourful past. In the good old days, West End was considered the "wrong side of the river" and I am told it remained that way until it's recent gentrification.

Like many areas of Brisbane, West End started off as farming land. In the 1880's, there were market gardens located on Montague Road as well as plenty of cereal crops and a strong timber industry. In fact, West End housed a number of different industries, including a gas works, a concrete pipes works, a boot factory, an iron/steel works, a soft drink factory and an ice cream plant.

These industries have been steadily weeded out of the area as West End has been developed into a trendy inner-city suburb.

Thanks to the blogosphere, I recently crossed paths with Magnus from A House in Auchenflower. Magnus very kindly offered to carry out a bit of investigative work regarding our cottage's history, and I gladly took him up on the offer. You can read all about it over on his blog here.

Edward Robert Drury - former land owner

BRIEF HISTORY
Our 405m2 block of land was once part of a 27 acre parcel that was purchased back in 1850 by a Scottsman, Adolphus McWilliam, for a meagre 54 pounds.

It changed hands a couple of times, but continued as farming land until about 1884 when Edward Robert Drury, the landowner at the time, subdivided and sold it off in 80 separate transactions over the next six years. It wasn't until this time that West End became a suburb in it's own right.

Early records show our house was constructed prior to 1927, but that is as much as we know about when it was built. It would appear that the cottage was first constructed as a rental house, and it has largely remained one since that time. It's rather amazing that the house is still standing in it's original condition. While we are renovating and extending the house, I am proud that we are retaining the cottage as close to it's original form. I hope that it is seen as a beautiful and special home by future occupants over the next 100 years.

10/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2013." via  Che and Fidel

Jack: "No, not another photo!"
Harry: The Entertainer.
Charlie: The cheeky one, with a grin to match.
Oscar: He laughs at the silliest things.

Another bunch of indoor photos - the rain here has been relentless.

Nine years ago today...

Exactly nine years ago to the day, at the ripe old age of 33, I become a mother. Little did I know back then how my life was about to change.

Reading cards and opening presents in the early hours of this morning

This little kid with his infectious smile is one of the happiest boys I know. He has taught me a lot about patience, understanding, forgiveness, tolerance and hope. He has stretched me to my limits and brought me so much joy.

Happy Birthday Jackaroo!

9/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2013." via  Che and Fidel

Jack: Deeply engrossed. This rainy weather is perfect for kicking back with good book.
Harry:  Airborne. This is my favourite holiday shot, captured on an iPhone.
Charlie: "Look, I can fly!" Playground antics.
Oscar:  My brown-eyed boy. I think it's almost time for his first haircut.

Lighting - what's your favourite pendant?

When some people engage the services of an architect, they provide them with a brief of their requirements and the architect does the rest, which includes selecting all of the finishes, fixtures and fittings. Most people don't have the time nor the inclination to fuss around with all the details.

I, on the other hand, have been heavily involved in the entire process (so I hope that I haven't been too much of a pain in the butt!) I think I'm on to my fourth kitchen tap already - but I promise there'll be no more changes :)

However there is one item I have left largely in their capable hands and that is the lighting and electrical fixtures. Luckily there is one thing we did agree on: no downlights. Not just because they are a visual eyesore (I hate ceilings that are peppered with downlights, smokes detectors, heat sensors, vents, speakers, etc) and with 3m high ceilings, I certainly don't want to be climbing up a ladder to change them when they blow.

One thing O+V+P are particularly good at is designing interesting lighting solutions, not just illuminating spaces but also stimulating the senses with both light and shadows. We have a wide range of lighting solutions throughout the house ranging from concealed batten lights, wall and pendant lights.

The dining area will be located in the original cottage, complete with high ceilings, timber floors, VJ lined walls and ceilings. As the room is also highly detailed, a simple pendant light hung over the dining table is all that is required to finish off the space.

Our architects have provided a number of options for this room, the first of which is bare bulbs. As we are dealing with a worker's cottage, making a feature of the bulbs symbolises the paring down to basics which harks back to days of old-fashioned simplicity.

Now this type of lighting is highly contentious - a bit like abortion or vaccination. You either fully support it or you are completely against it. I must say I wasn't a huge fan at first, but the idea is slowly growing on me. The idea is to hang them in a pair (or perhaps three) to fill the space and make a dynamic form. And another major benefit is they produce a lot of light and are very cost effective (eg $30 each - now that is a bargain.)

The next option is the Artek Golden Bell, designed by legendary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto:

Now I like this one for it's simple form and it does look rather elegant in this dining room:

But being made of brass, will it tarnish which may result in some regular polishing perhaps? - remember I'm all for low maintenance. However my allegiance is to all things silver, and all the other fittings in the house are either pewter, stainless steel or chrome. Fortunately it also comes in white, which could be quite nice too:

Then there's the George Nelson Bubble Pendants - I believe the Pear Criss Cross has been selected, but  then any one from the range would look great:

I'm afraid I'm still a little undecided. What have you got above your dining table and what are your faves?