My NEW Dining Table....*

A recent yard clean up unearthed this massive Oregon beam (THE Plank*!) salvaged from a house demolition eons ago. We had completely forgotten about its existence as it was literally 'buried' amongst building crap supplies! Before heaving it onto Dumpy (our truck) to go to the tip, David asked me why we had ever kept it. (Davey's a hoarder but occasionally 'lets go' and culls like a madman!) I couldn't remember but as a fellow hoarder (except I rarely cull; LOL) I quickly eyed off that baby's size....

A tape measure confirmed that my silent prayer had been answered.

We were staring out our new dining room table!

Some background info: We already own several tables, all of which have made appearances in previous properties. We did not want / could not afford to buy a new one for this house!

The largest we have is pictured above, in it's unexpanded form; an antique Kauri Pine, Edwardian Banquet table. Extended it seats ten comfortably, twelve at a squeeze. I quite like the contrast between the old table and contemporary chairs but I still have misgivings on the size appropriateness for this build.

 Those misgivings were started when we stored my daughter's eight seater table for a short time in our proposed dining space. Posted about HERE and seen above. 

It looked Incy. Wincy. Eeeek!

Enter THE PLANK*! 

At 6 metres long and 100 mm thick, I should be able to get it re-milled to make four 300 x 3000 x 50 mm thick pieces, perfect to biscuit together to give me a 1200 x 3000 mm table top! I'm thinking of sandblasting the top and waxing it a-la Mark Tuckey style. And remember my coffee table project? It is still waiting for a top but it will be my inspiration for a custom made base. Kinda like these... 

Don't hold your breath....but stay tuned!

* THE PLANK (1967) is simply British humour at it's best. Written & directed by the late Eric Sykes, with a cast of well known actors in their early days....well worth the watch....

Link HERE.

You're W e l c  o m e !

x KL

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Infrared Control (IR)

When I told friends about my entertainment unit design, many queried my specification of solid doors. Doors were chosen over drawers for the storage sections only to save cost. I then went for uniform door material for aesthetics. This raised the question regarding the use of remotes through solid doors and I thought I'd share with you a clever little device called Infrared Control (IR).

David 'discovered' this nifty item to solve the same remote use problem in our last house, pictured above (sorry for the very dark, dodgy picture!). We installed all the T.V.  and stereo equipment behind a section of wall with a 'hidden' door to access it, leaving us with remote operation difficulties.

Enter the IR!

Popping an IR Target discreetly into the wall means you can operate all that hidden equipment without having the doors covering them open. Renting? Hide it in a pot plant!

 I'm no boffin so if you're interested, read this great article HERE which explains all the details and further benefits of the system. (Like operating your gear from another room!)

Problem solved! Yee Ha!

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!

Bits 'n Bobs

 We are in the middle of the first week of school holidays here. Holidays = Sleep-ins = Bliss. 

J's been busy with 'sleepovers' which seem to be the 11-year-old thing-to-do. I miss him.

 David and I took J and a mate to Singleton to visit the Australian Army Infantry Museum (David taking a day off work to do so) on the recommendation of a fave blogger. Might've been a good idea to check their opening times....closed on Tuesdays nearly caused bloody WW3!

Anywho...the four hour drive included a lovely lunch at the Potters Hotel Brewery. Open fire, great food, a game of pool, choc tops...no more needs to be said, really.

 The steel base for my 'wish-list', family room coffee table is complete! (planned way back HERE). Now I need to get it powder coated and the timber top made. (Might not be pressing Davey for this ATM....LOL!)

The Main Bathroom mirrors are in; there's NO hiding! (1) but I'm yet to clean and style...

Still sorting through Ray's belongings and preparing a worthy Memorial Service (2 & 3)

(4) Hello George! Considering these tiles for a feature wall in Mum's bathroom. ?

Skeletal baby bird. (5) Thanks David, but I like my taxidermy free of 50 years of cobwebs!

My heart melted when my son gave me these after a play day at a mates. 11 years old and 'man' enough to give these to me in front of them. Mwaaah! (6)

(7) How can THIS baby be one?

Over joyed when Davey offered to cook....(8) but W.T.F has he done to my oven?!

(9) A local riding a 'static wave' as Avoca Lake burst through it's bank into the sea. Amazing!

Boys. Mud. Mates. (10) Evidence!

x KL

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

Thank GOD they're not suggesting it's child D.I.Y!

We are very big on Do It Yourself here. Which is probably understandable given that my darling husband is a builder however I am a bit of a DIY-er too; even before I met David, I donned an old tee and painted my house; inside and out...I installed timber blinds, made-over stuff and changed drawer handles, taps and washers. (OK, Dad might've helped a bit with those last two...)

I would encourage anyone to have-a-go if they felt confident and were a handy 'type'. The thing is, know your limits! (I paid a professional painter to do all my ceilings!) The plethora of DIY home renovating shows on telle, and their popularity, tell us we are a country keen for dollar stretching home improvement. BUT, they often don't show the 'behind the scenes' tradie assistance and give the impression that all renovating can be achieved by anybody with mammoth effort, little sleep and in a short time - frame. It's T.V people!

SO, why the rant?

 David and I were a wee taken a-back by an innocent looking one-hour workshop advert at Bunnings titled "How to seal and waterproof wet areas"

Um....you employ a LICENCED, QUALIFIED trades person who will provide you with a certificate of compliance and therefor warranty. Last time I checked, you can't DIY one of those yourself. 

(In NSW for example you need (1) Completion of CPC31411 Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing OR (2) Completion of one of the following qualifications: CPC31408 Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing. BCG31403 Certificate III in Waterproofing (General Construction). Qualification 90464 Certificate III in General Construction (Waterproofing), TAFE course #8126.)

"Waterproofing of wet areas, such as
shower recesses, has consistently been
among the most commonly reccurring
Category One (major) building defect.
Homeowner complaints about defective
waterproofing are consistently in the top
ten received by the Building Services
Authority (BSA)."       www.bsa.qld.gov.au

TIP: Waterproofing needs to be completed by a qualified waterproofing professional, otherwise warranties & insurance will not cover it – if you're buying an older home with a new bathroom ask for the certificate of compliance / warranty or beware!

 I'm off my soap box now. Bye-Bye!

x KL 

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

check this out....

  Spotted this very cool idea over at signed by tina. 

Poor Davey. Another project added to his very long, 'In My Spare Time' list!

x KL

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