Bits 'n Bobs

Davey has just informed me that as a result of my recent illness, he will need to 'catch-up' the time he lost on client projects, by working Saturdays. 

Fair enough. 

Then, I thought about it...

He is currently employed in Sydney (90 minutes south of Copacabana), and his 5:30 am start and 6:30 - 7 pm arrival home make Saturday his only day to tackle building work here at La Hacienda.

3 weeks = 21 days. 

Twenty-one Saturdays from now takes us into January 2015!!!!

I heard a casual statement ... but it was actually a loaded bomb!

There goes my fantasy of 'moving' upstairs by Christmas.

 *sob*

Anyhow,  s l o w  progress aside (nothing new really....) here are some pics of what has been happening about these parts ....

The two upstairs bathrooms are approved by council and ready for underfloor heating installation. After much debate and soul searching, I decided to purchase Carrara Marble tiles in the same size (400 mm x 400 mm) as the downstairs bathrooms for our ensuite. I just couldn't justify spending three times more for Calcutta or mosaics when we still have so much more to do. The marble is Italian and the white is really crisp though, which helped clinch the deal!

David decided that it was high time we bought a new mattress too. I wasn't much help as I was just out of hospital so couldn't lay on the display beds. He chose a Tempur one (without the folding base, which J loved!). It was a big investment so I hope it's comfortable! Our last bed was a top-of-the-line disaster because of the too soft pillow top.

 Been 'playing' with some decor pieces, motivated by a Country Road competition. If you want to enter too, click HERE.

Had a day of shopping with a girlfriend in Sydney last week. We popped into the newest Matt Blatt store in Castle Hill. I've seen their wares online but never in person. Most pieces were disappointing... but I liked this replica daybed and dining table.

We then headed to a Freedom outlet store my friend knew about. I snapped up this Freedom console which was a quarter of it's retail price!  Not sure where it will 'live' but there are a few suitable alcoves upstairs!

Newham Console from Freedom

Spotted these gorgeous external lights at Beacon Lighting. L.O.V.E. ! 

David liked them too, but we can't have them here. The finish is unsuitable for our seaside location, nor are they IP rated ie; they'll rust. Fast. 

Frustrating. Why manufacture an outside light that isn't durable?

South Hampton light fixtures

Have you started thinking about Father's Day?

I think this Bunning's Tool Chest is on David's 'wish' list. It comes complete with bar fridge, LCD TV and stereo. I think it would be too much of a distraction to work....

Keep dreaming darling....

x KL

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You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

3 weeks lost

 Losing three weeks of my life to sickness has been frustrating...most of all the inability to 'do' anything, go anywhere and feeling confined. I was pretty zonked on painkillers and one can only peruse so many magazines! Headaches made any indulgence in real literature impossible.

So, I shopped. 

Online of course...

....just a little....

Here's the deets....

My love of Camilla saw this long kaftan (which was on sale!) pop into my cart. Even though I'm a curvy girl, the style swamps me so I'm going to get it reworked into a sleeved dress.

New season Country Road tempted...and fed my continuing pastel pink obsession with these summer jeans and vase. 

The shoe height on these CR mules are just right for this ol' gal but I think I'll return them for the white colourway which is everywhere this season!

Ordered two of these light fixtures from Beacon Lighting for over the dining table. David picked them up and HATES them. . . Beacon have a great return policy but I'm going to try to 'sell' them to hubby first!

J is growing like no tomorrow. At 12, he is now as tall as me. He seems to have outgrown every wardrobe item in the past three weeks! New CR jeans (he hates the button fly) and a new Tee are a stop-gap till I can take him shopping. 

Whilst I was buying from CR I also grabbed this black smock which will hide my puffed up belly. I think it will look sweet over the pink jeans. The detailing is gorgeous!

My hospital admission was so hurried that I was admitted with only the clothes I was wearing! Mum grabbed these men's flannies for me from Lowes. Super sloppy, soft and warm. Perfect post surgery. Thanks Mummy!!!!

Harold's always has something I 'need'. Cough. A handful of porcupine quills and an emu egg have now been added to my collection of curiosities!

 There is one more thing that I bought from my hospital bed...

It's a biggie and I am very excited about it! I think it deserves its own post though, so stay tuned!

Here's a teaser...

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

bits and bobs

I have come to the conclusion that my blog will never be regularly attended to. Thank you to my regular readers for your perseverance with me...

 I do like having a record of this house's progress though (albeit slow) and life in general (whizzing by), so here's an update...

Both the Main Bedroom En suite and Guest / J's bathroom upstairs have been waterproofed. After a council inspection next week we can organise the under-floor heating guys to do their bit!

No pretty pictures - sorry!

The dilemma regarding black walls - where? was resolved. I said 'there, there and there' and the stark white is history! If I win the Lottery I might add a bit of feature wallpaper!

TIP!  Use a tinted undercoat for dark coloured walls to ensure perfect depth of colour.

Painting the dining area end wall means that I'm also committed to my black kitchen! Eeeek!

My wee upstairs linen cupboard is complete and will adequately handle the overflow from the larger / main downstairs version!

I've also discovered Gumtree ... and have / am having great success; saying goodbye to furniture from previous homes. It's also an excellent way of helping those starting out with cheap goodies or freebies! And it's more simple to list than eBay!

Bye-Bye Bali Style...

 The Gumtree discovery was prompted by the return of one of our nest leavers (yay!) who was accompanied by a house worth of recently purchased appliances and furniture (um...not so yay). Some major culling was required!

All listed on Gumtree!

Fast forward to now, just three weeks later and a new work opportunity has seen her announce she's moving to Newcastle...never a dull day!

 Her 3-month old fridge is still for sale on Gumtree!  (RR$700 $500)

P.S: NOW SOLD

 The Scalamandre Leopardo Silk Velvet fabric I bought on eBay arrived but was not the correct length. Given its poisonous value, I was very grateful that the U.S. seller replaced it. Equally disappointing was the arrival our long awaited dining room lights which were damaged. It is at times like these that I really appreciate honest vendors and good customer service policies!

J is on school holiday but has the flu. Again. After he received the flu shot. Humph.

He slept till 1:45 today....I was tip-toeing in and checking on him like a new born babe!

At least I got time to finish and frame, a trio of little artworks for a friend's daughter. They should sit above her bed nicely!

 Hopefully J and I can have some holiday fun together tomorrow...

x KL

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whatchaupto?

 We're approximately at the half-way point of the school holidays here. 

Christmas / New Year celebrations and catch-ups with family and friends have dominated the last three weeks, along with lots of lazy sleep ins.

Below is a snapshot...

And here's the extended version for those that like deets!.....

A very well priced outdoor modular from Myer...do I / don't I?
The black and white combo is hard to find, as is the compact shape...
BUT, will it rust....?

POK cutlery tray $199 now $39. Good protection for my new gold cutlery, no?

There are good mags and ho-hum ones. Same goes for individual editions.
THIS one, THIS edition...W.O.W.! Don't miss out!

My head's still being turned by round, equestrian hardware mirrors.....
Have tracked down a 'maybe'. . .

There's good bedlinen bargains to be had...Drooled over this set at Adairs before Christmas and now it's even cheaper. But do I NEED it? (I'm trying to be good!)

I didn't know I needed this ottoman till I spotted it in a wholesaler's 'super specials'.
I think it will look terrific at the end of the Guest Bedroom bed.

David and I are still debating the upstairs flooring choice. Balancing budget / quality / aesthetics and what the heart wants is HARD. An ongoing, and time consuming quandary....

We're still 'puppy-sitting'. No complaints here...am a bit smitten (am cooking the wee thing special meals....WTF!?) J is in LOVE and enjoying every minute...
and he's away from gaming. Hooray!

He even made a dog kennel with David. On the tools. Highly supervised.
Boy heaven!

David goes back to work next week and had intended on doing lots here in his break; but didn't. 
One 'top coat' on the plastered lounge room walls (the last room to be done) was achieved though. Puppy play, beer and chillaxin' (his term!) distracted him somewhat!

The girl's bedroom wardrobes received handles....yay! and I got to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.
Please note the carpet is temporary glamping....not the finished floor!

Daughter # 2 turned 22, which we celebrated at a Austrian Schnitzel hous and followed up with watching a new Disney production Frozen. Highly recommended.

"....do you wanna build a snowman...."

I've been trying to convince David that this method of Christmas Tree storage is the way to go since...I do it all. He thought I was nuts till I showed him this picture from a like-minded genius.
Maybe next year...

Congrats to my darling friend GB on his recent engagement. Woo Hoo !

Are you feeling pastels? Pink? Dunno why, but I am. Just a wee pillowcase indulgence ATM....

I hate finding a favourite dress is poor quality. I received a refund but I would have preferred to keep the dress. Even pure silk should be able to withstand more than one wear!

The investigation on main bedroom en suite flooring has begun. Marble, yes! White with black, Black with white..? Another quandary!

Nothing like celebrating the new year with an OLD friend! We've known each other for 48 years!
Emptied a few of these!

Love these pineapple lamps. Adairs tempting me again....

Camping; 'Over-safety cautious Mummy style'. Am I helicoptering? J and a mate didn't mind.
 It's a fun sleepover idea!

How's your break been...
Whatchaupto?

x KL

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Seeing the light....

 Well, the dining room lighting decision is made... finally.

...no more deliberating...I've placed the order!

I feel in equal parts, a bit sick and elated....

This particular interior specification process started waaay back with the embryonic house design in 2009. At that time, I envisioned a single stunning crystal chandelier over the dinning room table. A counterpoint to the proposed minimalistic architecture; a style I was personally unfamiliar with and a wee bit uncomfortable.

As posted HERE, David first vetoed, then approved of the idea, but only once I'd accepted it wasn't going to happen! The decision process thereafter has continued to be tortuous (a reminder can be found HERE and HERE)

As the house has formed though, and with growing clarity, I have learnt that I quite like clean lines combined with simply used traditional materials. The slow progress due to financial restraint, has been a blessing in disguise. . .

Sooo, here is a pictorial recount: the evolution of THE decision ....

Chandelier or Light Shade Shade Mooi

The initial concept was a traditional chandelier, then the combination of modern drum / chardy.
David disliked both. Humph.

George Nelson Pendants (love the Bubble Saucer)

I briefly entertained the idea of a Bubble Saucer fitting but when I realised they're made from fabric I shied away from the concept. A domestic godess, I am not!.

Dunlin Stanley Hammered Copper Pendant, Tom Dixon Copper Shade

My newly acquired love affair with brass and copper lead the search to these two beauties but I'm not sure they would look right as I do not have any other references in the half of the house already completed . ?

Roll & Hill Agnes. Jason Miller Modo. Bocci Lights

Ah....now these were all PERFECT....with the exception of their cost which was unfortunately, equal to a small nation's annual GDP. Damn that budget!

Christopher Boots Lighting

I didn't even investigate these stunning hand made pieces of art. I have drooled over them though. Lots.

Marcel Wanders Skygarden Luminaire

These then became the most likely contender. A nice mix of contemporary with the surprise traditional interior reference.

Revisiting chandeliers and a few other concepts...iron framed pendants, glass conical shapes and fabric drum shades.

More styles considered....if I'm still looking then I figure I'm not 100% certain...

Gold Lined, Black Drum Pendant Shades

...back to gold. This time for the interior. Nice. But a fabric shade problem again!

Tom Dixon Beat Light Stout

And then, HALLELUJAH! Modern  / Classic. Metal Durability. Gold interior 'surprise'.
Tom Dixon Beat Light Stout.

The search is over. I've seen and found THE Light!

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!