Edging towards lockup

The house is really starting to take shape now.  Over the last week, the ply bracing has been constructed along with all the bottom storey cladding.  The best moment of the week was looking outside to see the glass doors on the front of the house going in.   The doors which looked small on the ground seems as though they have doubled in size!   I can't wait for the deck to start going on in another few weeks.  

The week ahead will bring kitchen planning, a colour consultant, scaffold installation, the start of the roofing and more cladding - exciting times ahead.

The house is starting to gain some personality

The living spaces are starting to close in and we can picture what life will be like

Dining room corner taking shape - spot Gemma!

Doors onto the back deck

Bottom storey cladding and the front door to be

Playing 'Knock, Knock' at the front door

That is one tall wall!

Vintage Revamp

My interest in vintage or retro furniture has continued to be inspired over the last two years.  At a garage sale a few months ago I picked up a 50's lowline dressing table for $15.  The owners were clearing out their house ready to head off on a round Australia trip.  Whilst there were some rather interesting 70's gems (red porcelain bull figurine) this little cabinet had potential.

The original cabinet included a shield shaped mirror mounted from the rear of the dresser - not particularly attractive! A little bit like this one...

Rob was left wondering what on earth I was thinking! While I love vintage furniture, for me it is about re-styling it, or mixing it up with a modern look.  With some inspiration from vintage upcycling articles from my magazine collection, my revamp project has taken shape over the last few weeks of maternity leave.



A good sand back to get rid of the 70's mission brown stain



White paint on the draw fronts - four coats.  A furniture paint roller was the best thing to use in the end.



My design for the revamp was simple - white draw fronts, white top, sides and back and timber handles, trim and legs.

The finished product!

A funky new cabinet for baby clothes - not bad for $15

I'm not sure what I'll use if for in the new house, we'll find out when we move in.  Rob's conclusion - 'You did a great job'. Not a statement that says 'mid century is for me', I'll have to work on that if I want more pieces in the new house. 

Framing is finished!

The last of the framing went up this week! The pavillions are now all joined together and for the first time we can appreciate the design of the house as a whole.

The hallway running from the top pavillion through to the front of the house is pretty special.  It is one of the spaces I have been looking forward too the most.  The hall frames the view out over Cockle Channel beautifully. 

Staircase from top pavillion down into living spaces

The pavillions are now linked together

Large fixed glass windows will provide a sunny view through to the other side

Another great success of the design is the windows in the top of the entry stair well. The south facing window provides an unexpected snapshot of the view.  The western view isn't so great, but the large window will let in lots of much needed sunshine. 



Gorgeous snapshot out to the south through the entry staircase

A not so great view out to the west - we'll be cutting this window down to block the shed next door!



Capture the view from the hallway through the top windows in the stairwell

All in all, another successful week. We are edging closer to lockup and the sunshine is expected to be around for a while yet.