Seeing Stars and Enlightenment!

 Being an admirer of Minosa product and design for quite some time, I was very excited to see their promo, below, pop into my inbox. In home design sessions? Free? 

Before I could say 'Yee Ha!' came the catch. Sydney Metro Area only. Damn!

 I first became aware of these guys when we renovated our previous home (posted HERE and HERE). Unfortunately the product didn't fit within our budget then but they were on my radar.

 I next saw their products first hand, utilised in the award winning Avoca Beach Project that my husband built. Designed and decorated by Architecture Saville Isaacs, Minosa products clearly enabled the architects to achieve their vision.

Anyhoo... 

I sent an innocuous e-mail off, encouraging their new endeavour and which resulted in a serendipitous meeting between Darren Genner and I at Le hacienda!

I must admit, I was a wee bit apprehensive of our meeting... but was quickly put at ease.

I really liked Darren. 

He was no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point, easy to talk to and non judgemental. He was full of suggestions and made me feel like an intelligent participant in our conversation. 

Arriving with enthusiasm despite the challenging wet weather encountered and distance travelled,

he gave positive reinforcement to previous design decisions we'd made (Thank, God!) and constructive advice for others. Above all, there was honesty in his opinions and his passion for design was palpable.

The upshot of the meeting? I'm taking our joinery ideas back to the table but with much greater confidence and clarity.

Should you require it, and are within the Sydney area, I highly recommend utilising this incredible service, details of which can be seen on the Minosa flyer pictured above.

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

In my world this week....

J's been trying to help David at work to earn some pocket money. They sent me the top left picture. O.M.G! Apparently a staged shot with no power to the saw. Funny. Not.

One of my dearest friends has welcomed her first Grandson to her family. Hello Mason! Never ceases to amaze me how tiny a newborn looks!

Had a fabulous day at a friend's farm that needs some 'zushing'. We flew there and back in their helicopter and I was in awe of the scenery...wish I had more than my old iPhone for picture taking!

In a rush to get J to school on the flight day I forgot breakfast. No problemo thinks I as I sweep past the local bakery and send J in for a fruit muffin. "Check out the croissant I got!" he exclaimed as he slipped back into the car...(looking most pleased with himself) Mmmm. Apple; tick. Custard: OK. Monster Flaky pastry apple turnover for breakfast? LOL! 

Mother of the year!!!!!

x KL 

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

A house update

 Have been busy with 'life' lately and haven't had much time for this here wee blog. I've kept up with reading all my favourites though!

Thought it was time for a la hacienda update.....

Whilst waiting for the professional plasterers to get here, David has done as much prep as he could manage confidently. Below is where the upstairs plastering is up to. The first four pics are of the lounge and dining rooms, the three below that are of our main bedroom, WIR and en suite.

 As there's little more we can do here other than show patience....David made a great start on creating a walk in linen cupboard under the stairs on the middle level. He plastered, set the walls / ceiling and laid flooring before sealing, painting and installing lighting. LOVE the quick installation of the pre-finished oak flooring we luckily scored from a job as left-over material. It means we save on using our expensive marble in there too. Win - win! The fluorescent light fitting is one left over from the garage / storage area fit out.

Now we just have to order the fit-out shelving and get an electrician to tidy up that wiring conglomeration and we'll have the first FINISHED and FUNCTIONING room!!!! 

OK, well it is technically a cupboard...but HOORAY anyhows!

Oh, and a very happy, belated Valentines Day!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

Clever Reno: updating for resale (PART ONE)

Some wonderful, dear friends of ours recently embarked upon a home renovation project that has impressed me no end. As potential 'empty nesters' (a few years still to go though) they decided to update their existing 20 year old home to suit the current market anticipating a sea change scenario.

20 years ago they built not one but two Huxley Project Homes. Their first, above, still looks like the day they built it. It is Colonial Ranch Style as was the height of fashion when first constructed.

Above is their second home (photo taken about 9 months ago), which is exactly the same design but mirror reversed and below, is how it looks today....

Impressive transformation isn't it? On a strict budget, they have made the house look more contemporary in style. A simple face-lift that has taken decades off it's age! They removed the stuck-on window grids and veranda finials, added interior plantation shutters and replaced the entry and garage doors with up-to-date styles and colours.

I think that they have been very clever with their moolah. They've spent where needed but recognised that updating a house doesn't mean changing EVERYTHING; a good eye has seen them retain inherent features which they have worked with well. The brick facade, a case in point.

Little details were not forgotten though and make a big impression relative to outlay.

 

New lighting fixtures, house identification and a shuffle of landscape features like the stone urn and pedestal have all contributed to a fresh new look without breaking the bank.

And inside they worked their magic too....

(Part Two post to follow!)

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

Noah Today

 

In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in  Australia and said:

"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another  Ark  and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

 
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:

"You have 6 months to build the  Ark before I will start the unending rain in Queensland first for 40 days and 40 nights."

 

 

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah
Weeping in his yard - but no  Ark

 
"Noah!," He roared,
  
"I've started the rain in Queensland! Where is the Ark?"
 
"Forgive me, Lord,"  begged Noah, "but things have changed."

 

 

"I needed a Building Permit."


 

"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector
About the need for an on-board sprinkler system."



 

"My neighbours claim that I've violated the
Neighbourhood By-Laws by building the  Ark in my
Backyard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to
Go to the Council Planning Committee for a decision."


 

"Then the Local Council and the Electricity Company 

demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power
Lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the Passage for the  Ark's move to the sea. 

I told them That the sea would be coming to us, but they would
Hear nothing of it."


 

"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban
On cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Mopoke.
I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the Mopokes - but no go!"


 

"When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA took me to court. They  insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. 

They Argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and
It was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in
A confined space."


 

"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the    Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study
On your proposed flood."


 

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the
Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm
Supposed to hire for my building gang."


 

"Immigration are checking the
Visa status of most of the people who want to work."


 

"The trades unions say I can't use my sons. 

They Insist I have to hire only Union workers with
Ark-building experience."


 

"To make matters worse, the Australian Taxation Office seized all my  assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally
With endangered species."


 

"So, forgive me, Lord, but it will take at least 10
Years for me to  finish this  Ark."


 

Suddenly the skies cleared over Queensland, the sun began to shine,
And a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked,

"You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

 

 

"No," said the Lord.

 

" The Australian Government beat me to it."

Hi all; hope you're dryer than us. Wet, wet, wet here. 
Received the above as an e-mail but had to share ... it sums up how we're feeling about the weather, the building industry and our current Government perfectly. Hope you appreciate the humour as we did!

x KL 

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!