Showing posts with label outside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outside. Show all posts

26.8.15

The grass is always greener....

...when it's F A U X !

My last post detailed where I'm planning to place a small area of Artificial lawn.
This product has come a long way since first developed as ChemGrass in 1965 and marketed as Astro Turf a year later!



Although short napped versions are still used, as originally intended, to provide easily maintained indoor sport's fields, today's options include longer lengths which are visually more appealing to the domestic market. They are softer, more natural looking and are a great alternative for areas where natural grass is difficult to either grow or maintain.

 I met with a local Artificial Grass supplier today and chose ours:


It's a longer napped brand and feels very soft and dense.
We chose to go this route for several reasons:
  • It was more cost effective than the travertine tiles thus lowering the overall deck cost outlay
  • Visually broke up and softened this very large expanse of hard flooring;
  • I'll get allot of 'green' without multiple weighty pots
  • No maintenance!
The only negative is the heat. Being 'plastic' it will get hot underfoot. But, no hotter than the travertine tiles. Aesthetically, it will look cooler....

Anywho, with an acceptable quote expected tomorrow and, with some sunshine predicted for next week, this will be another tick we can make, signialling our getting closer to completing SeaSpray #2!

Here are some of my favourite inspiration pics from my Pinterest boards which I've pulled out many, many times in order to finally convince David, that this was a good idea!....





via: The Block


And the image that started the concept for me:

Matt Leacy's Green Rooftop; Landart Landscapes
Looking forward to the 'green' light on this one!
*cough!*


x KL

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3.7.15

Year of The House: update

Half way through the year, we remain committed to our January pledge to action some major progress at La Hacienda.
And I probably should stop calling it that, as there is nothing remotely Mexican about the house.
When we bought here, the existing house (now demolished) was called Sea-Spray and we kept the house-name sign to restore and re-badge the new build...
 
Sea-Spray #1!

So...., here's the latest #YOTH15 update for Sea-Spray #2: 

 JUNE
 Continued to seek quotations for joinery...
J's bathroom / powder room, shower screen and mirror installed.


 P.C.s fitted to J's bathroom / powder room. Room complete! YAY!
David & I tiled our main bedroom en suite walls. *pats self!*
Custom shaving cabinet and vanity installed to main bedroom en suite.
Main bedroom en suite, Shower screen, niche shelving, W.C door and mirror ordered and installed.


Rendering quotes received and one accepted.
Scaffolding erected to rear of house.


Electrician installed data points throughout house.
Decided on, and ordered carpet. 6-9 week lead time! WTF!?

Cavalier Bremworth Inscape and Verve: in Slate, Carpets
Main bed wardrobe fit out complete. Yippee!!!!

 
Bath installed to Main Bedroom En suite.
Joinery quote received for custom entertainment unit for playroom.
Rendering starts and coat one complete!


Finally found a new tiler!

ON A ROLL......!!!!

Renovating? Building? Got some House Projects to complete?
Join in! #YOTH15
(also on instagram of course!) 

Missed the progress? Catch up here:
February / March
January / February



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

26.6.15

Bits 'n Bobs AND a progress report


 School holidays have started here (Whoop! Whoop!) and my gorgeous nieces, aka the Glamourzons, nephew and SIL are visiting. YAY!
We're in a mess house wise, but who cares? ! We're planning on an overseas jaunt to Asia with them next year so we'll be dreaming and scheming....


The house progress is continuing. I'll do a YOTH update soon. At this point there's lots of quote gathering and budget balancing. Boring but practical foundations for getting the house finished! 

The carpet has FINALLY been ordered and although the 6-9 week lead time seems excessive, (slow boat from from New Zealand!) the time frame will probably suit us well.


I chose Cavalier Bremworth Inscape (pictured left) for all the upstairs areas and also for the insert piece in the family room, located on entry level. A less dense, shorter napped version called Verve (above, right) will go in the downstairs bedrooms to help us stay within our newly formed budget. It's the same colour (why they look different in the pics is beyond me) and both are solution dyed nylon for colour fastness and durability.

 The main bedroom robe fit out is complete and I'm slowly 'moving' things into it and unpacking stored clothes (many which no longer fit me...*sob*) 8 bags for Vinnies and counting!


I decided on simple white laminate, without drawers, which was cost effective. I added one drawer only to a 'dressing table' area. (The missing bit on the left in the image above is now fitted!) The drawers in our last home's WIR were used mostly for shoes and since we I have a designated shoe cupboard, I thought the open shelves would suffice. And of course we have bedsides and a beautiful bone-inlay chest in the main bedroom too!

I'm considering fitting the dressing table drawer with jewelery trays for ease of access. The pics on the left below, are from the 'Stackers' range available from Howard's Storage World. My inspiration  image is on the right...


 The range from HSW is limited, but an online search revealed a plethora of configurations available from UK and US stockists via Fishpond.com.au. Has anyone bought via them? Comments?


Some artwork has arrived here too in readiness for the project wrap up....(LMFAO!
Frustratingly, I think it's wise to not unwrap the African painting (had been on layby for eons..) nor the recently framed Kara Rosenlund print as they're better protected from the persistent dust as they are. 'Gilbert' has been slotted into a cost-effective  Country Road ready-made frame in preparation for J's bedroom.

Calm Before                                                                                 Muhammad Ali Miami 1961

My recent infatuation with Trevor Mein's photographic artwork and our fiscal predicament led me to purchasing 'Calm Before' on a whim (well, not really... I posted about it HERE) and, oops! 
 It's OK, and will fill a spot, but ultimately, I already know it's no substitute. Which leads me to the Powder room art quandary I posted about recently. 
What do you think of the Muhammad Ali underwater, boxing training artwork??? 
Ticks a few boxes....?

We have found a new tiler (Alleluia!) and I am SO excited about him starting in a few weeks. All further progress seems to hinge on him doing his bit - first! 
Renderers are engaged to start in a week and the scaffolding has been erected in preparation, so we are all systems go with finishing the exterior.


And on a family finale...both our nest leavers are on the move again, so we'll be shuffling and storing lots of additional bits 'n pieces. Gotta laugh....
Never a dull moment!


x KL

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22.10.13

Grand Designs - 2013

David and I attended Grand Designs Live 2013 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday courtesy of Cafe Lighting. (Thanks guys!) We thoroughly enjoyed the 2012 exhibition and really looked forward to attending again.
As last year, the displays were arranged in four zones: Building, Kitchens, Interiors and Outdoors.
Unfortunately, some of the exhibitors we looked forward to seeing (Engineered stone displays to be specific) were absent but surprises were provided by others. 

Add caption
The creative stand designs provided some of the best inspiration. (above)
We liked being able to 'touch / feel / play' with new Hettich products though frustratingly, found the reps uneducated and therefor unable to provide any meaningful information for the newest products on display.
 

Loved the House of Bamboo stand. It showcased creative applications of their product.
How clever is the slat-look screening? (Left & middle below)


Last year we were very enamoured with the Rolling Stone Landscapes expansive display. This year it was equally visually arresting though disappointed on a few levels. I love being inspired by creative design but placing the focus on a single $9 000+ priced item (show 'special' price too!) is a turn off for the average Joe-blow.  The weathered paling fence walkway (a more budget friendly concept)...looked good but by day three of the exhibition (the day we attended) was an auditory migraine. Eeeek!

We also liked their application of synthetic grass but....the representative couldn't tell me what it was because "they got it free for display and the supply guy doesn't want the work". W.T.F.? Grrrr.


Lurved this light fitting.....and all the stand employees at Lewy. They were so enthusiastic and excited about their new products it was infectious....and we saw them on their final day!
Exy but worth every cent; Australian made / manufactured quality... *sigh*


Bonsai (O.M.G. impressive variety), cool art and arty-farty chairs from Chair Candy were surprising exhibitors.


Davey found some building 'stuff' that piqued his interest for, like, 30 seconds. Impressive!  
(Honestly, NO sarcasm implied)


And we were both really impressed with the products seen L - R above.
Modular Wall Systems, Landscape Tanks and
 Historical Timber Floors.


I drooled over the Enzie Spiral Staircases and got a glimpse of the Mr. Kevin McCloud!


 Not a bad day, all in all!

x KL

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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

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