Goodbye 2013...

The time has come to farewell another year. 

2013 has been a mixed bag for us, with lots of highs but also a few terrible lows, one of which was the sad passing away of David's father.

David and I celebrated our 50th birthdays, whilst daughter No. 2 celebrated her 21st and moved out of home. Mum turned 80 and we had a few months worrying about Dad's health but after some recent successful surgery, his recovery is looking very positive.

S, David and J learnt to knit!

The house plastering was completed this year, and we added a walk-in linen cupboard, main bathroom, guest bedroom ensuite and outside pool W.C to the list of finished rooms. I had an entertainment unit custom made and installed and started a coffee table project.

I shared a few client's projects with you, the most exciting one being Mum and Dad's home renovation. Oh, and David's Avoca Beach Project making the cover of a major magazine. That was pretty awesome too!

That pretty much sums up this year....

Thank you for following my blog, taking an interest in my life and home construction, and for taking the time to leave much appreciated comments when you can.

2014  here we come!

x KL

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A speedy reno....

 What seems like an eternity for my parents, has been the speediest renovation project for us!

The new kitchen cabinetry is 95% installed with a few minor tweaks / adjustments still to come. The bench tops and splash backs are being installed Wednesday with the plumbing being completed then too. The new Limed Oak flooring looks fantastic!

Paint colours have been updated, Mum selecting various strengths of Dulux Hogs Bristle throughout and built in robes created in all bedrooms; the joint wall between Beds 1 and 2 cleverly sharing the space to actually increase floorspace in both rooms.

The main bathroom has had most fixtures installed, Wednesday will see the vanity top arrive along with the custom made mirrored shaving cabinet.

Carpet laying is scheduled for a week's time, curtains due and then the outside deck will get a minor spruce up. Whew! 

Mum and Dad are true troupers, tonight 'glamping' in the home they've very comfortably lived in for 50 years, temporarily without kitchen bench tops or sink and without a word of complaint!

My hat's off to you both...

....oh, and Christmas can be at your place!....

x KL 

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

V.I.P project update

Work at Mum and Dad's is gathering momentum.

We've added internal house access to what was the laundry and included a W.C and vanity, creating an ensuite. A new northern window floods what was once a dark room with gorgeous natural light.

The rear door and window have been exchanged for a new sliding door unit which increases the light and visual space in the kitchen / dining area. This room has also had the original timber sliding doors replaced with cavity sliding doors for the same reasons.

The bathroom is getting closer to completion; waiting now for the custom built vanity, mirrored shaving cabinet and shower screen. The original feature tile from the bathroom has been carefully salvaged for a creative project. It has much sentiment attached to it by my sisters and I who bathed beneath it ever night!

Next week David is creating built-in robes to the bedrooms, painting is commencing and prep for the new kitchen will start. Phew! 

Mum and Dad are faring well with the stress of the renovation...they're staying with us when the loud and really dirty work is done and go home, when they can, to the chaos! I have to say I'm loving every minute spent with them; we've been blessed with gorgeous weather which has facilitated many ocean walks and leisurely lunches!

 

Mum and Dad have chosen a neutral new palette, Smartstone Botticino stone countertops, Dulux Natural White joinery and various tones of Hog's Bristle walls throughout. They're still mulling over carpet choices but Godfrey Hirst eco+ Silk Bay is the current top contender!

That pretty much sums up this very important project's progress. I'll look forward to posting some finished pics in due course!

x KL

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

Stuff.

I've been M.I.A.

 Busy with life. Here's a brief synopsis.

 I'm no Royalist, but have really enjoyed the excitement surrounding the new Princes' birth.

With two 'spare' bedrooms, am becoming obsessed with setting up a guest suite. Harvey Norman full bed V's Recollection's Bedhead. Taupe V's Charcoal. Mattress only V's ensemble. Still doing the sums! Opinions?

Scala Spa spout; RR $200! $20 'excess stock' score! Whoop whoop!

LOVE this Sass & Bide Tee. Exy. Doesn't fit. I've noticed as I've grown bigger that the L and XL sell out first. Dear Heidi, Sarah-Jane & Co.:Make more. Make in larger sizes. Make more moolah. Duh!

Having a Butterfly moment. Want a huge collection!

 

Doing lots of research into toilets. Exciting stuff. 

Above are the Ideal Standard Concept suite and pan I'm considering for Mum & Dad's Laundry / Bathroom renovation.

TIP: If you've a bad back, mobility issues or aging, consider an easy height W.C. for your Reno. There are access and mobility standards to consider in specific situations, but surprisingly there's allot on offer that ticks boxes for the domestic market with a look that's quite palatable!

x KL 

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

7 days

It's been very flat around here after the sad passing of David's father. 

J has been sick with a terrible flu and ear infection, so we've been hanging close to home most days.

Today provided magnificent weather so we spent a few hours soaking up the sunshine at Terrigal, enjoying a hearty winter lunch. I think it was just what we needed.

I've been spending time at home helping my Mum and Dad with their renovation plans. So far we have nutted out the bathroom and kitchen layouts via email and one mammoth four hour phone call!. We went to visit A in her new apartment last week and I realised that the space-saving solution to the location of Mum & Dad's microwave was in one of the snaps I had taken! Serendipity!

I have to make a decision this week about our kitchen benchtop material too. I've scored a Honed Carrara Marble benchtop. It will cost $500 for re-polishing and re-cutting new sink holes only. It's not the most beautiful piece of marble nor the extra big size I was planning but at this low cost, I'm VERY tempted! Thoughts?

Snapped (LOL) up the toothy croc skull from Harold's Curiosity Cabinet. L.O.V.E! 

 And updated J's bed linen, yet again! I think this is my fave so far... 

I tried my hand at concocting a recipe-less, retrolicious Nachos too and it was yummy! So pleased with myself!

In housey news....the main bathroom vanity is in! I'm thrilled with my choice of white for the top (Ceasarstone Snow) and cabinet (Dulux White on White - satin finish) and also my last minute decision to delete the second bowl to allow greater storage both on and under the bench. The mirrors have been ordered too so we are now close to finishing this room. Hooray!

My blog make-over is just about complete I think....any suggestions are always welcome!

Unfortunately I 'lost' my blog roll so if you're missing let me know so I can add you back!

Looking forward to your comments about the benchtop!

x KL

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