Showing posts with label pool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pool. Show all posts

24.8.15

Detailing: The Cabana

"At the Copa, Copa-cabana!"

It's funny to be detailing The Cabana. At Copacabana...
It is actually a patio / veranda area that is partially covered by the overhanging dining room above.
When we initially applied to council to build, we had some difficulties with our floorspace ratio, until we renamed this deck area a 'cabana'. Problem solved. It's all in a name...


I've mentally divided this area into four zones:
1: The pool. 2: The pool deck. 3: The Cabana and 4: The deck.

The pool zone will have the pool...duh! and a high wall to the left for privacy. I wanted the wall to be dry stacked stone but slate tiles are the fiscal compromise.

I wanted Alpine Dry-stacked stone (above)                                 The budget determined Lichen Split slate tiling...

 I'm planning a bridge / deck area at the end too; something like the Pinterest image below, but simpler...


The pool will have travertine coping which we've already bought and can be seen below:
 

We had the pool form work done a few years ago but illness delayed the concrete pour. Now the steel is too rusted so we need to remove it and start again. Ooops!


An expensive mistake! Hopefully this will happen next month so we'll be swimming by summer! The front wall will be solid masonry with a slither of glass on top so we gain swimming privacy without losing the view when dining. Something like this:


The pool will have a nifty little beach area too, similar to the image below.


We would prefer to tile the pool interior but pebblecrete might be more money wise. That decision is still being debated! If I had no restrictions, I'd tile the pool with slate al-la-bali-style!


The pool deck is to the right of the pool. Both areas are isolated from the cabana and house by a combination of solid walling and frameless glass.

 
 I added the solid walling (shown on the plan in red) to create a niche into which the BBQ can sit.
 I'm planning on inserting a patch of faux grass to soften and break up the large expanses of travertine tiling.

I'm currently 'playing' with cute little faux grass samples
As there are no garden beds on this level (All this area sits on top of the Garage / storerooms) the grass will add some much needed green too!


Above is my all time favourite example of how beautiful faux lawn can look!

I have purchased a lounge for this area too.

My bargain Myer Vue Sunlounge!
The Cabana itself is covered by the top storey of the house. The three big stacking doors between it and the family room retract completely into a wall allowing unfettered access between areas. The television is easily viewed from outside if required. The laundry / kitchenette / bar room opens onto the cabana, via bi fold windows. and the bench top will run through to outside creating the 'bar'.

via Pinterest
 I've just ordered the joinery (Whoop whoop!) and these stools for this area:

There is also a mini bar fridge, accessible cabana side, for refreshments when the bartender is having a dip! LOL! The area will be furnished with one of our existing day beds, a dining table and chairs. (I'm thinking the chairs will need to be replaced...)

We have two day beds to choose from. Images above are of our last home.
The flooring in this area, as elsewhere, is French pattern Travertine which has just been completed.

Half way and ungrouted. All the Cabana floor is finished now!
 I'd like to add just one or two big pots with statement plants. Simple and contemporary. So far, the only really BIG planters I've found are  w a y  out of my budget (try $4K!) so not sure if I'll achieve this!


The deck is a small area providing the laundry with access to the rear clothes drying area and guests access to an externally located bathroom when wet from the pool. 

The deck off the Laundry / Pool W.C.
Finished Pool W.C.
We have decided to screen this area from the Cabana to create a windbreak from the South. (Shown in red on plan above) Copacabana is notoriously windy with most of the gusts coming from the South. As we face North, we are well protected by the house's bulk but this opening was creating a wind-tunnel that needed to be addressed. We'll use timber to match the lower bar area.

the completed bar front
Well, that's this area detailed. There was a myriad of decisions in this zone alone and I'm really looking forward to seeing it all come together. Rain is forecast for this week so that will slow us down but then we'll be full steam ahead again!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog.
You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

29.3.15

GONE before you could say "for sale"!

Some wonderful clients, who are now firm friends, recently placed their Copacabana holiday home reluctantly on the market. David built the house a few years ago and we feel privileged to have had the opportunity to also work with them on two other projects. They are marvelous entertainers and we have enjoyed their generous hospitality at this property many times. 

The rear of the three storey property. Top deck with Vergola roof.
I thought it would be appropriate to post the home on the blog for those interested in having a peep at a truly beautiful beach home. For those in the market for such a home, designed with flexibility to cater for permanent residency, holiday letting or as a personal retreat, I am sorry to advise that it has sold.


 It was always, all about THAT view! And no, these pictures are not doctored; that sunset is regularly enjoyed! (Ticks to the photographer who has captured all its beauty!)
How do I know? Because we have the same view from the rear of La Hacienda!


Here are some more images to taunt potential buyers with what they have missed out on....
One week on the market! Sometimes its pertinent to make haste...


 And, yes...there's a pool! The sweetest plunge design with a glass front wall, no less! So proud of my hubby for integrating it so well within the fabric of the building.



Here's what the agent had to say:

Panoramic Elegance
Ideally located in Copacabanas dress circle with level street entry is this 3 year young architecturally significant beach house basking in sunlight throughout, all while enjoying grandstand views of the beach, lagoon, headlands and even Sydney in the distance.
A cutting edge design over three levels with entertaining in mind, the main living area is an open plan concept spilling out towards the undercover entertaining area with electronic vergola ideal for climate control.
Design features include detailed stonework to the entry and pool deck and beautiful limed oak floors throughout the living areas.
The central open plan kitchen offers induction cooking, Miele appliances, a large island bench made with Caesar stone benches and walk in pantry.
Other features include:
-4 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 powder room, 2 living areas
-3 expansive entertaining decks
-Fully tiled glass edged plunge pool with solar heating and automatic salt water chlorinator
-Outdoor hot and cold pool deck shower ideal for when you get home from the beach
-Multi zone ducted reverse cycle air conditioning
-Main bedroom and ensuite with extensive views
-3 large storage
-Solar hot water with gas back up, security alarm, rear lane access
-Landscaped low maintenance flowering native gardens
-22,000 litre rain water tank supplying 3 WCs and gardens
-Double remote access garage, satellite Foxtel 
 

I posted about the entry of this house when it was being constructed HERE. It's a reminder of what we had planned for our own home but we unfortunately had to compromise. Poohey. 
So happy to see a great idea fleshed out though for someone else!!


Magnificent!
(If I do say so myself. *cough*)

 Want to see more? Plans, extra pics and full description can be seen HERE.

Congratulation to our wonderful friends too, Y and S!


x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 
You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

4.1.14

New Year's First Purchase!

 Have you been shopping the New Year's Sales?
 I have avoided them completely; and have surprised even myself, by my lack of bargain-hunting interest. I think I'm really happy with 'what I've got' and would like to focus 100% on the house this year...although it's always possible that I'll contradict these words tomorrow! LOL!

What I have bought though, is super exciting....


170 square metres of French Pattern Tumbled Travertine and matching pool coping pavers.


 It wont be laid immediately but it is a major purchase ticked off our very long house completion list. (8 pages long in fact!)

Slow, baby steps still, but they are starting to build up. Next major decision is the upstairs, study and stairs flooring. Parquetry? Solid timber? Pre-finished boards?


x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback! If you enjoy my ramblings, perhaps consider following by Email, Bloglovin' or Google+. Join this site via Google Friend's Connect so I can follow you too!

18.3.12

External flooring & pool surrounds...


We're still a LONG way from pool surrounds (Here's where we're at) however to complete other external areas, the outside flooring needs to be decided upon. Whilst scouting for tiles for The Terrigal Project I came across these Travertine tiles in a 'french' pattern.
Talk about L.O.V.E. at first sight!
They will butt up against (proposed) charcoal coloured carpet (play, dining and main bedrooms) and  the 600 mm square marble tiles in the family room.


400 mm square format marble in our guest bedroom en suite.

I know they can't 'match' the marble; it being unsuitable for outside and around the pool. 
I considered, very seriously, grey basalt, but it absorbs heat and becomes too hot to be considered as a pool surround. Likewise, sandstone and light hues can be too reflective and therefore blinding on a hot Australian summer's day.

I considered timber (over the existing slab) too, but heat was also no-no too in this case.
Any ideas?

What do you think of the travertine? In this pattern? (In a contemporary home)

All input greatly appreciated....

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!

2.3.12

Fairs, fabulous freebies and frustrations!

 I visited the Reid Gift Fair on Monday (a gift and home wares industry event). I haven't been for a few years and I invited a non - industry girlfriend along for company. It was fun to re-visit with 'fresh' eyes and although it took longer to navigate, we had a ball.

After getting my knuckles seriously wrapped for taking 'unapproved' i-phone snaps on one exhibitor's stand (so embarrassing), I was reluctant to take any others (approved or not). So 
i have little to share visually. In defence though, I was so excited to see something new and appropriate for a current client that I whipped out my phone, clicked and forwarded before gaining permission (which I'm sure would have been granted had I shown some simple courtesy). Eeeek. So not me...


Anyhoo....I ordered a few things from some favourite suppliers (coral art pieces mostly) and added again to my order placed at the Decoration & Design Fair with a tribal cowrie shell neck piece. I fell in love with it on first sight but as David was with me then, I didn't want to 'push' the limit after he had generously agreed to THE skull purchase.  Last Sunday (the day before the Reid Gift Fair) J, David & I caught the ferry to Palm Beach for lunch at Barrenjoey House. Inside I found this display....


Ahhh... THAT neck piece again! Displayed with skulls and shells and coral....it was like someone had stolen my thoughts and displayed them physically for me! Absolutely serendipitous!!!

I find I'm not posting as often now as I am busy with The Terrigal Project. As mentioned before, I am not an Interior Designer and am now convinced this is not a career path for me to pursue. It is  becoming increasingly obvious that I lack the patience and tact required as I struggle with frequent brief changes from this client. How anyone does this for a living is beyond me.

An update on that project though is shown below:



The roof is off.... and it's pouring! Yes, everyone on the east coast of Australia can blame us. Happens every time!
So the boys are looking for 'inside' work which means it's Gun-ho with two of the three bathrooms. 

As for progress at La Hacienda, we have the nearly free, pool W.C, nearly finished. Toilet roll holder and hooks were found in the garage detritus from ?



The tiles on floor, wall and feature wall were all tiny quantity left overs from previous jobs.


The vanity was another 'freebie'. Incorrectly made for a project and rescued from the rubbish skip. After modifying to suit this area, David decreed it would've been cheaper to have one custom built. (I still need to get customised two-pack doors made) Mmmm, some times you win, other times.... you suck it up and learn a lesson! I got the bowl on sale two years ago for $220.


We couldn't use the quartz / marble top but luckily our stone supplier cut some 'off cuts' of ceasarstone for me and polished the edges for free! Yay!

The W.C (our only big purchase) will be fitted next week and the mirror has been ordered too.
Baby steps, but exciting nonetheless!

It's pouring here, cold and miserable. My lounge for the playroom is being delivered tomorrow. Might be time I told hubby about that one! He He!

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!

31.1.12

Mixed feelings today!

By Ashley Goforth

 I love this dark moody bedroom offset with crisp white. And the touch of leopard! Perfect. I found it via one of my favourite blogs The Lennoxx.


I'm sitting at home today waiting for a Plantation Shutter salesperson to come and give me a quote. The appointment was for 11:30 am and it's now 1:30pm. What happened to professional courtesy? I'm thinking I need to find another company. Grrrr!  In better news though the pool W.C tiling is finished and ready for P.C fit out. Yay!

  Hope you're having a more productive day than me...

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!

15.10.11

Gel nails & pool progress!

Please ignore scaly old hand!!!
  I went to 'The Big Smoke' on Friday. I accompanied a friend to a specialist doctor's appointment and then we hit Ikea... as you do! AMAZINGLY we spent very little ( but of course we didn't leave empty handed! Duh!) and we then had time for a mani and pedi. Yay! I love having a regular pedicure in spring / summer. (I can't see the value in winter! Hello.... boots, sneakers & uggies!) I never have polish when I have a manicure though because within 2 hours I've chipped it! (Sorry, FF!) Always! And I hate chipped polish more than I hate hang nails! So, on Friday I tried a 'Gel nail'. See pic above - it's Saturday night and they're still intact! Amazing. I'm a convert!And they reckon they'll last two weeks! Wow! I do look so much more posh! Ha!  They took AGES to do though, and I was so over-it by the end! LOL!!!

 And.... this is what the hubby's been doing today... steeling up the pool! Major Yay! First time there's been any action at e ol' hacienda in yonks!!! 
What are you up to this weekend???
  x KL