Taking stock

I think we are getting somewhere lately...

Somewhat at a two lolly-pop steps forward and one step back, kinda pace!

Keen eyes would have spotted in yesterday's post that underfloor heating has been installed in the two upstairs bathrooms. If I can get a crane here to lift the palettes of travertine off the driveway then I can order sand. Those floors can then be screed-ed and prepped for tiling! Yay!

Of course nothing much has gone to plan though. Our crane guy keeps cancelling. 

One of the recently installed dining room lights is 'crooked' and needs to be replaced. 

The dining room table saga continues; it was eventually delivered but with the wrong legs. 

David finds the new mattress too hot so we need to address that issue.

 I finally ordered my dream, bone-inlay chest of drawers but it's out-of-stock. 

The fabric for an upholstered bed I wanted has been discontinued.  

Ahhh. Life!

You may have also spotted in yesterday's pics some repair work to the upstairs hall area too. Unfortunately the dark colour we painted in this area showed up imperfect plastering joins. David is quite the perfectionist so sanded the area and re-skim coated the wall. Re-sealed, re-undercoated and re-painted too. One more coat to go... Whew!

I am soooo itching to get decorating and start living in this house!

Anywho, in amongst this I decided to unpack all the art work I have and take stock. This is as a result of being quite aghast that a key piece I'd anticipated in the hall, looks less than impressive in it's spot. No dusting is going to make this light box look better. Wenge + Grey =   #$@*%!!!

I really thought I could 'visualise' well. Obviously, I'm mistaken! 

So before we finish painting I need to ensure the pieces I have, have a correct 'home'. 

Some need framing so that's going to be my next project!  

Then to work out what's going where!

The items in the above images (with the exception of the OFFS tea-towel) all require framing.

 'Art History' silk scarf by Vuk Vidor. More info HERE

'Constellation - Explorer; Compass to The Southern Sky' Municipal Prints Company. Deets HERE

A new purchase: Archival Print 'Moby Dick' by Lisel Ashlock via Etsy

'Union Jack' wallpaper by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company. Info HERE

As do two David Bromley Quilts / Throws and a cheap Bali knock-off of some lass!

Not sure if I'll hang any of my own paintings. The colours are wrong and the big monochromatic piece has stagnated. Like wise, some favourite prints from previous properties are too 'beige' to work here.

Am unsure about the Marimekko fabric pieces as art...they'll be OK as 'fillers' if needed but I'm aiming higher now. The middle image below is a Rude Rider's Scarf which I'm considering framing for J's bedroom. ?

And I still need to find a location for my 3D pieces; skulls and Bamileke Headdress.

 And Mirrors! Don't forget that collection! Eeek!

 Glad it's a big house with lotsa walls!!!!

x KL 

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if a picture paints a thousand words...

..here is a forty-thousand word essay on 'what we've been doing'!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

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

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

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

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Detailing: Dining Room

 Decisions are being made thick and fast around here. David and I have agreed on a plan of action for the upstairs plastering and it's proving to be more complicated than I thought!

He worked like a Trojan last weekend to prep for the plastering....apparently some walls needed to be thickened because of steel bolts in the frame and such. *Yawn*  (He he)
And there's still allot to do....

And then he asked me what sort of lighting I wanted over the dinning table.

Actually - the SPECIFIC light so he could block out the joists appropriately.

W.T F?

Yes, there will be lighting. DUH!  

'Maybe a pendant' doesn't cut it apparently....Eeeek!

Detailing urgently required...so....

Where we're at and the view from the dining area is seen in the pictures above. The kitchen is on the LHS of the picture (above left) and you can just see  the lowered ceiling I added over the proposed island to delineate the space. A milk glass louvre window and door were also added to the plan. The door allowing access to a return veranda which will house a BBQ for upstairs convenience; the glass chosen to obscure the neighbour's roof but not the natural light.

I'm not going to add a curtain or blind 'slot' to this room (like HERE) because I'm not sure any window coverings will be necessary and, if they prove to be required, I can add them so they're flush with the ceiling.

I'm intending on painting the door / louvre window wall black (Dulux 'Domino' as used HERE) and might have some Roman Blinds made in a similar colour for aesthetics during the evening. ?

So, now - the lighting choices!

Currently the space is wired for 3 x down lights over the table with a wall washer to spot-light art or a mirror on the end wall between the door and louvre window.

I'm thinking a BIG pendant over the table with separately controlled down lights either side - all on dimmers. I can't have pendants over the island as I've lowered the ceiling there to do some swishy 'glow' lighting that looks good in my head. (Um... Time will tell!)

Inspiration Piccies:

I like the idea of a chandie but David is dead-set against it. I first suggested one for the lounge room but lost the argument there too! I've suggested the Chandie-hidden-in-a see-through-drum scenario. Pfttttt! A simple drum was like-wise eliminated (this time by me). The mirror balls were a contention until we looked at the $ sign and then 3 x down lights were David's conclusion. !!!! Humph. Compromise? This:

Marcel Wanders Sky Garden (900 mm diameter)

Black and White.

Old and new

Contemporary and traditional

Authentic or replica

 Mega dollars or budget friendly!

I know there are others who are currently facing this same lighting dilemma. (Hi, Giulia!)
All suggestions and feedback welcome, as always!

x KL 

 

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I've taken a shine to these...

Lighting by Lee Broom

Beautiful, aren't they?

x KL

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Main bathroom wall lights....Take three!

 I'm still struggling with the selection of wall lights for the main bathroom. After previously purchasing these and realising they were wrong, I tried another style.

No matter whether placed horizontally or vertically, they too weren't right so back they've gone.

 So now we're at Take three. I'm wondering if they're even necessary at this point and am seriously considering just giving them a miss.

Or....

do I slowly work my way through these to try and find 'the one'?

I wonder if I printed out a scaled picture and stuck it on the wall, would it help give me the correct feeling to help me decide. (Without the buy, try and disappointing return scenario on repeat!)

What do you do when faced with a decorating quandary?

Any suggestions????

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!

Why am I in the dark with lighting?

Assisting with the planning and implementation of ideas for someone else's renovation has made me want to see some progress here. I thought that if I finished the downstairs rooms, one at a time rather than tackling the enormous upstairs area, I might make some quick progress. (Visually at least!)

Starting with the main bathroom, I needs a custom vanity (I already have the 2x sinks and tap ware), a mirror wall and two wall sconces. Easy Peasy eh?

 I measured and sketched, then Davo got involved and he re-measured and then I re-sketched (LOL!) how the 'floating' vanity was to be constructed. Off I went to our joiner and....he's closed down!!! Now I need to find someone new, get quotes, etc...Grrrr.

OK, not to be thwarted (mirror can't be actioned till after vanity installed), I thought I'd purchase the wall sconces for either side of the heated towel rails.

This is what I chose:

Ordered, brought home and Eeeek! they looked really wrong in the room! Back they went and now I've ordered these:

And of course they were 4 x the price! Not feeling too confident if truth be told!
And the major bummer with all this? Still not one room finished!

 

 Couldn't even be bothered with tidying up the mess that the temporary arrangement is in so I've returned to my Mantra (or a variance) yet again.....

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!