Bathroom Floor Tiles Rethink

I've always liked the colour "green" - in fact I could probably say that it's my favourite colour of all. When we first started thinking about floor tiles for the bathrooms, I was happy to go along with our architect's suggestion of a pisatchio green unglazed porcelain floor tile which was similar to one that they had used on a previous project. Our worker's cottage came from humble beginnings so I wanted the bathrooms in the house to pay homage to the fact, and not use any "flashy" tiles and fittings which would look out of place.

Here's what the tiles look like laid:

I like the way the floor tiles have been used as a skirting along the walls, and we are doing the same. However our floor tiles will be laid in a grid pattern instead:

We are also using white glazed ceramic wall tiles laid in a horizontal stretcher bond pattern (some refer to them as subway tiles) which I absolutely adore. There will also be a small section of the original VJ walls in the ensuite.

I recently came across this image (from Real Living Magazine) which got me thinking about about using a charcoal hexagonal tile on the floor instead:

I like these hex tiles - they create a bit of texture and visual interest on the floors. They too are a traditional floor tile so they would work nicely in an old house. Is it better to keep the bathroom relatively neutral and add colour with accessories? Do you think charcoal tiles are "dull"?

17/52

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

Jack:  A t-shirt he picked up at the West End Markets this morning - all for a good cause.
Harry:  Daybreak - we are finally digging out our long-sleeved PJ's.
Charlie:  Obviously the scene in this G-rated movie was a little scary for him.
Oscar:  His "raggy" and his dummy fingers are his only prerequisite at bedtime.

Vintage 'Pins

I was in Paddington the other day and popped into the Antique Centre which I haven't visited for at least ten years. I was hoping to find some things I've been wanting for the kitchen, in particular an extra large rolling pin. I've been struggling to make do with my small, crappy one for years so it was high on the agenda to replace it with a much larger version.

And I just happened to stumble across this beauty:

It doesn't look particularly impressive, but it measures in at 60cm which is almost twice as long as the one I currently have at home. I saw a similar one in another store just the other week which cost more than double, so I immediately grabbed it and headed for the counter. And on the way, this 1950's rolling pin with green handles caught my eye, so it also ended up coming home with me:

I couldn't wait to try out my new piece of equipment and with a bowl full of lemons, it seemed fitting to knock up a lemon tart using homemade sweet shortcrust pastry:

That big boy worked like a charm - rolling out pastry has never been easier! We have marble bench tops specified for the kitchen in our soon-to-be renovated house (the reno commences next month, but more on that later.) I believe marble is the surface of choice by all the best pastry chefs - it's supposed to be the ideal surface for rolling out dough as it remains cooler than room temperature, which helps to keep the dough firm and therefore easier to handle. Plus it will make a fabulous backdrop for my food photography. So tell me, am I the only one still making pastry the old fashioned way?

16/52

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

My crew enjoying the last of the sunshine, swimming and frolicking by the poolside before the cool Autumn days are upon us.

Oscar:  Your naked, little body is just so cute!
Charlie:  Warming up using the heat from the pavers now that the pool is below what I consider a comfortable temperature. I remember doing the same thing when I was young.
Harry: You, like the other three, have loved the water since the day you were born.
Jack: Erm, someone forgot to bring the swimmers! Do you think it really mattered?

15/52

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

HOLIDAY AT AMMAMEAD

Jack:  The rain finally let up, so outside we went to explore the 2 acres surrounding the house.

Harry:  The exhilaration of running down the rolling, green hills was written all over his face.

Charlie:  Still in his PJs, the cool morning air and wet dew on the grass - nothing was going to stop him from playing with his favourite truck.

Oscar:  Fascinated by the blades on the louvered windows, proud that he could open them himself. And I accidentally captured myself in my PJs - oops!

Pre-Construction Clean Up

I'm back home after a short holiday spent in the beautiful Byron Bay hinterland, but prior to leaving I arranged to get the gardens at the West End Cottage cleaned up as the tenants had left it a little overgrown (huge understatement.)

The kids were very eager to help out:

You'd be forgiven to assume this was an abandoned rural lot, not our inner city backyard. This is how our tenants maintained the gardens:

However the scary part is we actually paid someone to manage the property for us. I'm still wondering what it was that they did other than take a percentage of the rent?

So now that the yard is mowed and pruned thirteen cubic metres of green waste later, the kids have a place to romp around before construction commences. We hope to have a signed contract along with a confirmed commencement date with the builder in the next week or so. 

And during my holiday, I changed my mind and have decided upon some different floor tiles for the bathrooms. (Note to self - change these on the schedule.) I'll let you know about them later.

Our glorious hinterland view! We made the most of the pockets of sunshine despite the daily downpours. 

14/52

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

Jack: Sporting his finest milkshake moustache.
Harry: Looking bright as a button. Who'd have thought he was about to spend the next 3 days in hospital following a bout of asthma.
Charlie: This bright orange cup is hiding the carpet burn on his nose - how on earth does that happen?
Oscar:  Peanut butter and jam is a favourite topping on toast.

New Society Bedroom Range

I'm still on the lookout for some new bedlinen - here is just a small sample of the Society 2013 Spring/Summer collection: