Wow, what a couple of weeks it's been. And to prove it, here are a few pics of life as we know it.
We're still in that state of disarray that comes from moving into a renovator's delight. Paintings are hanging above head level on old hooks left from the last owner, the lounge room has some temporary curtains (that are on loan to us from a friend) that don't touch the ground (I kind of knew floor ceiling glass was going to have its positives AND negatives), there is literally mountains of washing just waiting for me to decide where to put it all. And one of the more interesting decorating challenges...how to hide a safe that you discover under layers of old carpet. Pity its not in the centre of the room under the bed, but no, it's right smack bang in the corner, in perfect line of sight, and too far away to stick the bedside over it.
On the up though, I'm finally getting to use some furniture I've had stored away for the new house. The brass and marble bedsides (which match up to an awesome coffee table that will eventually get used in the family room - once that's emptied of its boxes that is), the Lucite and glass shelves in the lounge room that one of my colleagues found on her early one morning walk which had been put out for the verge collection (yes, that would be a freebie. don't hate me for it), the Starck bubble club sofa outside (currently hiding from the rain) and my bentwood settee in the front entrance.
Speaking of the front entrance, remember those gates? Goneski. My ten year old took to those on our first day here. Boy's got talent. Mostly the time has been spent ripping down ten layers of window coverings from each window, ripping out feral carpets (and the feral bits underneath that had to be scraped off!), painting bedrooms, sanding the timber floors in the bedrooms, hanging $5 "temporary" blinds found in the clearance bin with just enough of the right sizes for all of the bedrooms (sorry Bunnings, but your idea of temporary is not the same as mine!), getting broken glass and burnt orange coloured glass (noice) replaced with sparkling clear, and best money spent EVAH - getting all the tiles professionally cleaned. This picture below shows a line where I told the guy to stop at (because the room behind is full of boxes) - see the difference. I swear, it was amazing. They did all the tiles throughout the house and also did both of the showers, so now I can feel ok about taking a shower without shoes on! And it was cheap.
Other things on the horizon? New electrical board and a few bits and pieces. No light changes as yet. I've ordered a pair of tolomeo's for my room, but they don't get dispatched until February (I know, I'm devo'd about that little wait). Removing two kerosene heaters that are plumbed in and opening up that fire in the first image and reinstating it as an open fire (nice copper though eh, oh and note that scented candle is burning every day, not just for looks, it's de-old man-ing the place). Repairs to the retaining wall by the pool which is, how should I put it, out of vertical - as we say in the trade. More and more and more painting. But thankfully the lounge room carpet needs ripping up too, so that's one massive room right there that I don't have to put down drop sheets in : ). Aircon, security, oh and a new bore pump. Peanuts really, and that's just the pre-winter stuff. Don't get me started on the roof. I'll freakin crack.
Bigger picture stuff includes knocking the tiny kitchen (which is brown and yellow!) through to the family room, a few new windows, some garden walls...etc etc etc.Yep, this is a loooong term project. Oh well, what else could I possibly want to spend money on right?
Hope everything is well in your neck of the woods, and I hope to drop in soon!
Images by The Diversion Project
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