What are we building?

Since the last post about the house design, the final design for the house has changed quite a lot.  In comparison to the first draft design, the house is a little less contemporary, simplified and cheaper to build.  The design includes lots of windows so to minimise the heat loss, we've opted for low E glass.  Our exposed location also means that there is lots of weather to contend with, so on the south side of the house, the windows are either fixed or louvre windows which can be left open more often.

The cladding will be weatherboard, focusing on lightweight construction due to the slope of the site (although this hasn't meant smaller piers!).  Originally we decided on vertical weathertex panelling, but of course, I have since changed my mind and we're going to use horizontal boards, with maybe a modern take on fibro on the lower storey and bay windows sections.  The posts shown across the front of the house will now be partially retaining wall. 

Ignore the colour and cladding on the picture, they are just the basic program choice.  My thoughts on colour schemes to come in another post!

The New House Design

After buying our block of land in October 2009 we have been in the throws of designing our future house. To put it bluntly, over the last twelve months we have completely stuffed it up.  After many months of working through house plans and a DA approval we were confronted with builders quotes that we could not afford.  What to do??

Start again.

With a new building designer on board, the preliminary design has been developed at a very fast pace in comparison to last year. The preliminary plans are off to a series of builders for estimates so that we don't make the same mistake as last time. Exciting times? I'm not so sure. I have remained hesitant, pessimistic and unsure.

The new design is so different to the DA approved plans that a comparison can not be drawn. Think Hamptons style contempoary cottage and now try and switch to pavillion style modern contemporary.  The picture below is a preliminary image of the front facade.

Overall, I like to new design. I love the floorplan but I think that the outside needs some personalising and perhaps some privacy.  Working in my new found love for modern mixed with vintage will also be a challenge and one that will require some changes in the exterior design of the house. A little less contemporary, a little more rustic.

For the moment, I am just trying to hold on to the dream. One foot after the other and we may just get there.

Ikea it Up!

Faced with the glee of a day off from being a mummy on Sunday, I heartily headed off to Ikea with my beloved sister.  We did have a bit of a laugh at ourselves, what would you do when offered a day of freedom from little people? A day at a fancy restaurant? The Bronte to Bondi walk? A day trip to the Hunter Valley?  Our bliss was to head to cheap homewares heaven, where the crowds are thick and the husbands whinge.

Beach Style Room - loved it but not

sure if it will work

with the house design

 

We planned our day in homeware heaven many weeks ago when I was going through a bit of a rough patch with the progress with the house and needed some motivation and something to look forward to.  Progress has been made with the house plans and I was not feeling glum in the lead up to our day out, instead I was rather excited at sourcing some inspiration.  Re-starting our house plans has meant that the design slate has been wiped clean and I am now floundering to find the sense of individual style in my new home that I have been longing for over the last two years.



This couch was a hit, very

comfortable and nice and compact



Upon entering Ikea I was not disappointed, the individual room designs were gorgeous, clever and affordable. I could walk in there and buy the whole room in one hit and still come out with some change (ok, maybe 20 cents). So that I wouldn't forget what I liked, I snapped a few pictures during our meandering walk of homeware heaven.  The greatest benefit of the photos has been to look back and try to decide which style I prefer and where to head to from here.  I have a bit of a passion for vintage furniture mixed in with everyday furniture, but after seeing some pieces in person, I am not so sure.





Cosy home office designed with repeated
bookshelf units.
 Black really set off the books



I was really drawn to the rooms done in green, grey and cosy homey style, and was put off by the ultra modern.  There were a few things that I can definitely cross off the list.  I was not impressed by the bathroom cabinets or the dining furniture.  I was impressed with the storage designs, small storage items and gadgets and the kitchen gadgets.  I think that I would definitely go back for the couch for our family room and will keep in mind all the gadgets and fittings which make it so cheap to fit out a kitchen.



If you wanted to order your kitchen or wardrobe through Ikea, I think you would need to have a high level of patience if you decided to tackle it on the weekend.  The counters were enormously busy and I don't think it would be fun to try and take that through the checkout!



Wardrobe Bliss



At the end of the day I left with some great ideas, a bag full of small storage gear for the cottage and a bit of a re-think of what I like and don't like in a home.

Nothing to something mantra:

Nothing:

• Lack of motivation following a re-design of the house plans
• A messy house!



Something:

• A fun day with my big sis
• Lots of ideas on how to get the most out of cheaper furniture and using small storage ideas
• Some direction for the next store to visit to get some ideas
• A very tidy looking desk in the cottage after using my new small storage gear
• A happy toddler when mummy got home!