Kitchen Planning

I'm having withdrawals from the floor plans right now. I didn't take a photo of my compiled floor plan for me to look at (I mean so I can obsess over it in a moment of procrastination from other tasks) or to show other people in the family what the current plans are before the architect took it. So not only am I missing looking at the floor plan I'm kicking myself for not making a copy of it.

I keep telling myself it's good that they have my floor plan because it means progress is being made on coming to a final design. But this doesn't make up for not having the tangible paper in front of me. So to make up for the missing floor plan, I decided to refine the kitchen layout.

In my version of the floor plan, I did a different layout to what the architect had done. But I was never quite satisfied with its functionality. And I forgot to put a pantry in. In my defence I thought there would be a walk-in-pantry from the door you'll see in the elevation I've included. Except that room may now become a store room. This gave me all the more reason to rejig the floor plan as opposed to just wanting to swoon over architectural plans (I'm actually obsessed with floor plans. Can you tell?)

So this is what I came up with:

It's super super basic, but it helps with visualising the floor plan. I used EZ-Archietct to create this.

I just wanted to document my feelings right now and share them with you. I'm also curious to see how close the finished kitchen will be to the one I've designed. This is probably more interior design focused than floor plan configuring, but I've enjoyed both so far.

There'll be another post in January about the architect's consolidated version of my combined plans so look out for it in the new year.

Six sleeps til Christmas!

Xo

Consolidation Phase

The architect came to our house this morning to discuss the plan to be refined and consolidated. Out of all four concepts we were provided with, I combined #1's upstairs, #2's sitting room, and #3's main living extension into one. I designed the front part myself, as the previous post tells you in extreme detail.

However, despite my efforts to combine everyone's favourite aspects, there are some elements that haven't been incorporated in a way that is practical and compact. For instance, a linen cupboard, laundry counter space, or a utility closet (for the vacuum, etc). As well as that, everyone except my sister and I seems to think the WIRs I have designed for us are "too indulgent" and excessive in space. Of course I disagree. I'm so hung up on these wardrobes - no pun intended - because I have had a bedroom in 3.6 x 3.6m room before and it was cramped. And that was when I had a double bed, not a queen. Wardrobes and other bedroom furniture take up a lot of space. I don't want my room to be claustrophobic and everywhere else to be spacious and grand. 

There are multiple options to solve these small issues, it just comes down to finding one that pleases everyone and doesn't compromise anything important (to me, wardrobe space). The architect has taken my plans that I hand drew to "consolidate" and hopefully incorporate solutions that are satisfactory. We get to see them next year in early January. Then, fingers crossed, if we love them they will be submitted to council and all of the necessary advertising and approval will go ahead.

The overall time frame could still possibly be til the end of 2014. Right now I'm looking forward to seeing final plans go to council.

Enjoy the holiday season everyone!

Xo

Designs to Refine

I have just come back from seeing the architect's four different concepts for Almora, and they are totally not what I expected - in a good way! Each design has its own different attributes, but there are a few constant similarities between them all because the site is difficult to work with. In a sense that is a positive thing, because we won't get carried away with hundreds of different options. We've been limited to the four created by the architect and her colleagues, and now we have until Friday week to choose our favourite to refine (which means build upon, develop, perfect, etc.). 

Out of all of the options my favourite is number three. I'll give you a little visual of one area of the design:

 I love this extension the most. The kitchen being in the centre of the south wall as opposed to right at the back squashed into the side wall seems much more balanced and functional. I love how the living area peninsulas out from the dining area. I love the flow from laundry to kitchen - something about the circular flow is really appealing. And having extra storage right next to the kitchen is a bonus too. But I feel like the island is a little small, especially compared to my design of the kitchen. I'm thinking the dining area could be less wide, and maybe also have an inward jut of about 1000mm to fit a light-well, instead of the cupboards. I had this idea in my own plans and I really like the extra light plus a vertical garden.

It's hard to try and somewhat let go of my own design for Almora. I have to understand and accept what is more likely to be possible and more economical (financially) for the site and its surroundings, plus be flexible in exploring other design possibilities. However, I don't favour any of the designs for the heritage rooms at the front of the property. This is where I am bringing my own design to the table. Most of the architect's concepts have a bedroom, a bathroom/laundry, another bedroom, a living space, followed by a light well. But I am not a fan of this configuration. I don't know if I have mentioned it previously, but I have my heart set on walk-in-robes for the front two bedrooms, and I will fight to get them (despite one parent saying 'no' already, but here's my argument). Because the current bedroom sizes at the minute will be about 3800mm by 3800mm, floor space cannot be eaten by wardrobes, and two rooms have a fireplace that I want to get rid of for the same reason. They're lovely pieces of history, but so redundant in this day and age. So I want them gone, and I also don't want wardrobes to flank the fireplaces either side. This configuration is SO common in heritage houses but SO unaesthetically pleasing. You see, fireplaces usually jut out 400 or 500mm from the wall. Wardrobes require a depth of at least 600mm. Therefore, there is a discrepancy in how flush the wardrobe and fireplace are, of about 200mm (20cm). And it is ugly. I will not allow it in my room. As an Interior Designer (as I like to think of my self) I am putting my foot down. (What happened to being flexible? Hey, interior designers are supposed to develop better functioning spaces, i.e. a WIR.)

When I came home I immediately scribbled down all of my ideas onto a piece of paper, then refined it on EZ Architect. I've since printed it and annotated the changes I want to incorporate into the option above. Mainly the changes centre around the front. I've drawn the first bedroom, followed by the WIR's , the second bedroom, then entering the current lean-to, a WC down a short hallway and the bathroom. After this, hopefully my most favoured extension will follow. I've eliminated the living space and light well for the front of the house because the main family area will be down the back and a sitting room will be upstairs. I think three is a little excessive for our household. But if the site length allows, then the third living area and the light well that the architect wants to accompany it with can be incorporated, I won't complain. I just see the WIR's (which I plan to fit a desk in that can be either for study or make-up) as more of a priority than a third TV-watching area. And if someone argues that it would be used a spare bedroom for guests, well what's wrong with the sofa bed in the second living room upstairs that can be sectioned off with a door? Besides, guests usually only stay for two or three nights.

I haven't quite discussed this in as full detail with my family. I see that my opinion is really of  lesser value than the bill payers' of this project, so I wonder if my thoughts will be considered seriously. I think they have good merit and reason, but I guess I'm biased. You know what, I'll get them to read this blog post. Hopefully they listen to me and take what I have to say on board, because I really want my big wardrobe that I can use for storage and study, and a bathroom that isn't partnered with a laundry. I always believe, "Go hard, or go home." This house has to feel like our dream house, and shouldn't involve compromises that we will regret later and make us unhappy or unsatisfied. I know it's not my house that I bought, but I get to live there. It would be nice if my bedroom gets to be a space that I can design and decorate however I like. Does anyone else agree?

Thank you to those readers who check back frequently and enjoy reading about Almora's progress! I know the length of my blogs are quite long but I want to remember every detail and have an archive that I can come back to for advice I wrote for my future self or just a trip down memory lane. It will be amazing to read over these past few posts in a couple of years...

Have a fabulous week everybody. Hopefully I can show you more plans soon!

xo

Quick Update

So today, my family met the architect for the second time. I was absent regrettably because I had to be at school in the morning. But my mum has filled me in one what was discussed.

Basically the architect walked through our current house and saw how we live. Together they talked about what we liked and disliked which lead to what we wanted in the new house. My mum described the style she wants as "plain". I certainly hope she means a blank canvas with traditional fit out because I am quite opposed to more modern styles. The architect also presented the current conditions of the house (a site plan) to us to give a visual depiction of how our house and surrounding neighbours are situated, and what of our extension could go where.

Next week we are all going to the architect's firm to look at the options she will have developed. This is what I'm most looking forward to at the moment. Like I mentioned in my previous post, there are certain elements and ways of doing things that I didn't fully explore. (I'm learning not to be conservative). There are also parts that I don't favour if I'm completely honest. The design is constantly evolving so I wonder how it will end up.

Things are starting to gain momentum!

Xo

Progress: Architect

Yesterday morning my family met the architect I did work experience with back in April. She has been designing houses in and around our suburb for years and runs an established architecture firm. Despite wanting to pursue Interior Design when I finish school, I wanted to expereince what I could from the architecture industry. After completing a week's work at her firm, I said to my mum, "If we ever have to renovate or build a house, I've found us an architect." My praise of this architect and her business ethic led us to a consultation with her, seven months on, at Almora.

This is the current condition of the house:

The reblocking guys are supposed to have finished their work yesterday. The floorboards are covered in dirt, and the walls are still yet to be plastered. Nevertheless, the house is definitely levelled out now, and stands almost as tall as the neigbours.

We met with the architect yesterday because we weren't sure whether to go ahead with fixing up the current conditions so that we can rent it out, or to take a hiatus. We would complete plans, permits and all the rest that comes along with a renovation, completely skipping the tenants idea, because what would be replastered now is likely to change when the real renovation happens.

At the minute, since meeting the architect,  it sounds like we are more likely to do the latter. We didn't intend on the asbestos removal, the reblocking, replastering, or any rewiring until another year. But becuase the walls were in such bad shape we had to redo them so it would be livable for tenants. However, that lead to the asbestos, then replastering required reblocking. The architect has said she can get plans done within the next two weeks, advertise the permit until next January and, fingers crossed, begin construction! To me it sounds slightly ambitious, but this is my first renovation experience.

At the initial consultation we discussed vaguely what we wanted, learnt about how the general process works, restrictions, neighbours, past projects, and what will be happening in the near future. I showed her my plans (above) that I've been working on since before we bought Almora. They're basically a guide for her that shows the type of extension we want to achieve. It's not extensively detailed, however, as they are just floor plans. So we have arranged for her to meet us at our current place so she can see how we live at the moment. Then we will do a full design consultation where we will decide our brief (traditional, four bedrooms, etc.), and she can show us some basic ideas. We will shortly choose one of her four concepts she develops, then refine it to exactly how we want. That's when the plans will go to council, and will hopefully be approved! She said the fastest she can do is have us move in this time next year! But I won't get my hopes up - I know time frames don't really come with guarantees when renovating.

I'm so excited to see the various designs she presents us. I hope they reflect what I designed in my own floor plans becuase I worked so hard on them, anyone can tell you that. I want to see the different ways of incorporating our wants and needs, in a style that I didn't explore. I hope that I learn new ways of designing by expereincing the process first hand.

There will be more news to come this week when we meet up with her again. 

Keep checking back!

xo

No more walls!

Yesterday we visited Almora for the first time since the asbestos removal. As expected, there's no more walls in the first three rooms! The hallway remains intact, as does the rest of the house, but the current bedrooms stands as a skeleton.

This is the view from one bedroom into the next. Even the fireplace has been stripped.

 In this photo you can see the damage from a fire. We reckon it was a bedroom fire decades and decades ago from a candle. I really love the history that has come along with this house.

We have an old corrugated iron roof here; we hope to have it cleaned up so that it doens't need to be replaced. The quality is apparently much better than modern manufactured roofs nowadays.

While I was taking these photos we had a restumping duo check out the current status of the house's foundation. Surprise, surprise it's completely shot. (Remember the warped hallway photo?) We were given a quote for the work which should take about 7-10 days. So in the next few weeks the house will be raised and levelled.

 

The laundry had a small amount of asbestos that had to be removed. The big sink was taken out too.

The handyman that completed a few jobs the other week replaced the powder room door. Painting it, and the front fence, will be a job for next weekend.

Now finally, some long awaited garden photos:

 

This is the view from the start of the garden right down to the garage (the grey building). The length of this area is approximately 20 metres. My current designs have it shortened to 10 metres, however this is likely to change. The garden is North-facing so it is very sunny.

 

We have a massive palm tree smack bang in the middle of those 20 metres. It is huge. When the garage is demolished to make access for big tools needed in the renovation we will have this tree reomoved - subject to council approval. Perhaps it will require a crane?!

 Look at this greenery! It is a mature garden, but it needs a lot of tending to for it to look neater. It was a jungle a few weeks ago, so it's a sure work-in-progress.

Thanks for checking back here! Stay tuned for the next project: restumping!

xo

Asbestos

Over the past few days Almora has been undertaking some construction work! Nothing in the way of major alterations as our plans have yet to be finalised. However, a handyman earlier in the week has done some touch-up jobs to the fence, doors, locks, etc.

But the biggest job happening right now is asbestos removal! Some samples from the walls tested positive for asbestos. So, the main rooms of the heritage part of the house, and the bathroom in the extension are currently in the removal process.

The house has been taped with "DANGER ASBESTOS" to prevent unauthorised persons apporaching the site in its hazardous state. The professionals must suit up and execute safe practices to remove the affected plaster in a manner that doesn't threaten exposed lungs.

This process has been going on since Thursday this past week. It is supposed to be finished next week, then we are getting a quote for re-stumping the house. I've aluded to this before - most of the house is on a lean. The piles have sunk to the ground, and this is a common attribute of old houses in the area because of the earth they are built on.

Due to the asbestos being removed at this stage as opposed to when the proper renovation begins, new jobs have come forward to possibly complete now. Remember, we plan to rent the house out whilst plans are made and council permission is obtained. The restumping is one potential job becuase the walls will need to be redone (ideally in level condition) after asbestos. Others include rewiring the house so that the electricity conforms to modern standards. The walls will be lined with sound-proofing insulation. And because of the current no-walls-situation, some features like skirting, architraves and ceiling roses may need to be replicated and replaced.

We haven't been inside so we don't know the full extent of everything just yet. But I know there's lots of painting coming my way! Enjoy your week.

xo

It's my birthday!

I turned 17 today! I've received some lovely gifts and spent the day with great friends and family. I'm looking forward to my 18th year and all of the exciting prospects ahead of me!

Last weekend my family tidied up the garden at Almora - lots of weeding, pruning, trimming and some replanting. We are preparing the house for tenants, but that plan will be on hold for a bit longer than anticipated because...the house is lined with asbestos.

It's important to remove the asbestos immediately especially since the plaster is already cracked and falling off, and we want it to be safe for the people who rent it. If you don't know what asbestos is, it is basically an ingredient that was used in building materials three or four decades ago. Except now, it has been discovered that when fibres from those materials (e.g. from cracks in the wall) are inhaled, they can lead to serious illnesses decades after they are breathed in and can sadly cause death. It is imperative that the house is free from the toxic material and fitted with safe plasterboard.

I'm not too sure how the whole removal process works, but you can be sure I will document it!

I thought I'd give you an insight into my Art that I do at school. Our latest outcome had to involve a canvas, but not be a conventional painted landscape. I opted for an installation, with the canvas being the surface. And I always do something involving interior design or decoration.

 

 

As you can see in the above photo, I painted a wooden effect onto the canvas. This was achieved with a wood grainer - my new favourite tool! It's rubber and is simply a ridged version of a squeedgie. It has curves and loops that create the grain effect when used.  I painted the base coat of the canvas in a sandy acrylic paint, dried it, then did a quick coat of watered-down brown acryclic over the top. I pulled the wood grainer down the canvas, and you have to rock it to get the "holes". Go google it! It is such a neat tool.

 

So my installation is a table setting! I went to IKEA and bought everything that you see on the canvas. I didn't have a theme in mind, I just knew I wanted it to be pretty, have the pieces work together but not match, and look realistic - hence the Nespresso capsule on the coffee cup and the ready-burnt candles. I can imagine this setting being on the balcony or deck outside in the Summer. It was so fun to put together. I didn't glue anything down to the canvas becuase I want to be able to recycle it all for next year in Art.

I hope you're enjoying this blog! I am looking forward to when I can tell you all about the construction side! 

xo

A foot in the door to Architecture

Most of my readers would know that I have designed the plans for the renovation. Architecture is a passion of mine, and it complements Interior Design. I have a CAD architecture program that I use to create floor plans called EZ Architect. It is basic software that has allowed me to draw up countless versions of the extension to the house (and to many others that I have played around with). It doesn't automatically show elevations like ArchiCAD does (a very high-tec software) however, but in my mind I find it easy to picture the different angles, dimensions and basic form.

Yesterday, Thursday 12th September, 2013, we met witht he council to discuss my plans. We also talked about how to go about getting final approval. The heritage advisor and a town planner were in attendance. They asked us if we were the design team becuase I had the floor plans with me. I took it as a compliment! The whole meeting was like having a vision into the future for when I am a professional designer. The council duo looked through the house briefly before we discussed the plans. We stood around the kitchen bench - here:

I realised I hadn't included a picture of the kitchen. It looks pretty neat in the photo, but don't let the light fool you, this room is as poorly maintained as the rest of the house! You can sort of the see the garden through the French doors, which I will blog about later I'm sure.

In regards to the plans, some things we learnt about include:

• Boundary lines and how much room to leave between neighbours (one metre on the second storey). 
• A new roof guideline for between the old and the new parts of the house, i.e. there must be a one metre flat roof under the eaves between the heritage building and new extension. This simply distinguishes between old and new.
• The internal walls of the heritage building can be moved wherever.
• Existing additions from decades ago to the now heritage building can stay if they are restored, but not enlarged or altered, e.g. highlight windows.
• Potential objections from neighbours and possible processes and time frames for complaints.
• Specific site lines from the street which impact the height of the second floor.
• And, the town planner said a smooth sailing application will take about 3-6 months for final approval. I am optimistic and hope that is the time frame for our plans!!

We will take my plans to an architect soon to get the profesional drawings developed (which will include elevations, the streetscape, etc.) as they obviously need to be done correctly and properly. But in a few years, I will be capable of such technical drawings and will be creating them for my own clients.

As we were leaving the meeting it had just finished raining heavily, and we suddenly noticed a puddle of water coming from the living room ceiling. There's a big a hole from an old fitting next to the current light that has been left open, allowing water to run through. We've had to catch the drips with a bucket and newspaper. So, we'd better get a move on with the planning permits!

TGIF

xo

Take a tour

You have waited long enough to see the photos of the house! I have anticipated even longer being able to go inside and take my paparazzi shots of every detail. And now, I can share them with you.

This is the front of the house. Can you see already what I mean by dire? The rusty tin roof is the biggest giveaway. But you need to look beyond the maintenance issues and imagine this house restored to it's orginal beauty. The facade's colour palette will work in harmony, the roof will be silver, the garden will be manicured, and the chimney will probably be non-existent. I'll keep you posted on that detail. You can see the sign "ALMORA" I told you about in my previous post. As soon as I saw it I said, "Almora! I'm changing the blog name!" I want to find out more about Almora - were they first owner? Is it more than just a town in India? What does it actually mean?

 

The lace iron fretwork I really like. I think it plays a big part in identifying the house as part of the Victorian era. Can you see the subtle Givenchy style in the design? 

The hallways is about 14m long. In my plans, there are three skylights to make it brighter and give it some interest. You can see in the photos how warped the floors and walls are. The first thing we will do in construction is restump, to level out the whole house.

 

 My old Victorian house (a double fronted one) didn't have it's orginal hand-carved archway, instead a door frame. I've always wanted pretty scrolls on an archway and finally I do! 

The fireplae in the main (and very pink) living room is quite tall, and I don't like the simplicity yet obscurity of it. To me, it just doesn't scream Vicotrian (elaborate, exqusitely carved detail), so I think it will be removed. However, I would replace it with a more typical Vicotrian-like mantel in a heartbeat.

 

The plasterboard is falling off everywhere in the heritage part of the house. How does it get to such a state without repair? Then to my surprise, I discovered the skirting boards are high! I LOVE tall skirts, they match the high ceilings and enhance the grandeur. I measured them, and they are 27cm tall! They're in all of the heritage rooms and have become my favourite detail.

The doors are all stripped bare. I don't like the exposed wood here. I want to see if we can replace the interior doors with exterior-grade doors to make them soundproof. It's annoying being woken up in the night by someone's late arrival back at the house and hearing them trapse down the hallway. The doors are shorter than modern versions as people 100 years ago were in fact a lot shorter! These ones measure 1900mm, where as they're normally 2000mm. Those 10cm actually make a big difference.

Know what I mean by "plasterboard falling off everywhere"? It's even (not) on the ceiling! And there's a close-up of the scrolls on the archway.

The front door features red stainglass windows which are sweet. The hallway door is, according to previous owners, really expensive glass and smashes easily. At first I thought it wasn't that gorgeous but it's growing on me. I imagined having a single French glass door here. 

There are ceiling roses in two of the heritage rooms, and they also comprise Victorian style fireplaces! I love the sprawling ceiling rose. You'll notice the torch spotlight in the photo. We visited the house in the evening and there was no electricity so it got a bit dark - more obvious in some photos. Out of the three fireplaces in the house, the one on the right here is my favourite. I like the squareness of the mantel. And there's no offending tile in sight. Until the bathroom.
Note: when renovated, none of the original fireplaces will operate.

  More cracking plasterboard. This part of the wall will hopefully have a door into a walk-in-robe (WIR) when it is renovated.
I love the window design. I hope they can be kept or replicated to make them double-glazed for climate control and sound proofing. There are radiators in three of the rooms - probably the most modern asset of the whole house!

The transition  from pine floorbaords in the heritage part to the 80s add on. I want to continue the pine, but restain it somewhere between blonde and dark colouring.
 

 Check out the bathroom-come-laundry! This bathroom should be in Belle magazine!
Said no one, ever. There is so much mould above the shower!

 

 And we return to the front of the house. It has so much charm! But the verandah overlaps the glass above the front door. I wonder if this was how it was origianlly done? Check out that gorgeous lamp. It is so large and beefy and adds total grandeur. It will be enhanced when the front of the house is painted.

  

The front yard is grossly overgrown, but nothing a little garden tending can't help! There's a tall, skinny gum tree growing here too. We will remove it ASAP becuase it is so out of place and apparently they kill everything around it to survive,  not to mention the roots that will move the house.

  

So there you have it! Do you like it? Can you see the same potential that I can? I can tell you now that the extension will not be modern (minimal, stainless steel, hard edges, sterile) becuase no one in my family is a fan of that style. We also believe that it is becoming a cliché because there is so much sameness in the house market with that style. It goes off trend too quickly and we want our house to cater to our likes and needs. But remember, for resale, you should always keep elements that cater to the needs/wants of the greater market, i.e. extra bedroom, bathroom, study, etc. Just don't make your house completely for the next buyer becuase you are the one living in it right now!

I hope you enjoy this journey along with me, so keep checking back here!  
xo

Casa Almora

We have officially obtained the keys to the house! That's right, it's the settlement day, Friday 6th of September, 2013! I have just come back from visiting the house and I took a whole bunch of photos becuase I was super excited. I am currently in the process of uploading them to my computer so that I can share them with you. I will make a new post tomorrow with the first photos!

You may notice that I have changed the blog name from "A sweet little rose" to "Casa Almora". Why? Well firstly, the original name I felt had little relevance to the blog. Then, upon visiting the house, I took note of the name on the plaque that is displayed on the heritage facade, "Almora". Usually the names of these houses belong to the original builder. So I believe that it is a nice tribute and acknowledgement to my house's history. "Casa" comes into the blog's name simply due to the mammoth sized restoration, renovation and extension this house will undertake.

The plans I have designed are almost finished. I took some measurements so that I could ensure my dimensions are accurate. I need to make a few alaterations, but hopefully I figure it all out. That's the fun of designing. I love the problem-solving becuase I explore so many other potential concepts.

I hope your Friday has been as fantastic as mine has!
xo
 

Guess what

...it is ten days until settlement! In just over a week I will finally be able to show you the photos of my house and begin to share my massive plans (it will be a big renovation/extension) and design inspirations.
xo

Countdown: 39 days

I thought 120 days would seem like an eternity, waiting for something so exciting (settlement, duh) to finally happen, and now there's only 39 more days to go! Time flies...

Yesterday my family visited the house we will soon renovate and call home. To my mum's dismay, the agent wasn't there to take us through. Instead, the owners were home. Whenever I go to an open-for-inspection, I hate seeing personal photos or the like throughout the house. It's one thing to make the place feel homey, but when you can see people (that aren't you or your family) living in the space or even worse recognise the people who occupy the home it's a big turnoff. It's like they are marking their territory or something. Do you agree? Selling houses is difficult in that respect I think. Because you don't want the place to feel sterile, but not too personalised either. So my family and I were slightly apprehensive in that respect about meeting the owners. "What if they are really defensive and unwelcoming?" and "What if the whole expereince is unpleasant and awkard?" were some of the thoughts racing through my head.

Lo and behold, despite feeling inevitably intrusive to their Sunday morning, it was quite beneficial to have the current owners there to talk us through the house's history (one attribute I LOVE about it) and some of the cool feats that the agent didn't advertise! The friendly middle-aged, downsizing couple toured us through the rooms we hadn't seen in a few months. Some of the hidden gems were the blue stone foundation (that the convicts to our area quarried), and they were really honest, a nice change from the sometimes cocky, word-twisting agents - come on, you know the type - we have all encountered. The couple have grown mature front and back gardens. The front comprises a quince tree (of all trees), but the real surprise was int eh backyard where the wife informed us of her 1. banana tree, 2. grape vine (that unfrontuantely doesn't flower, but looks pretty), 3. almond tree (I didn't even know almonds grew on trees. Actually, I never gave it any thought), 4. lemon tree (we can give it some company with our lemon and lime trees) and there were a few more I believe, but I was blown away by the almond and banana trees so that was enough. Ha ha. You are probably wondering if we will keep these plants - YES! How cold one dispose of an almond tree of all trees? The novelty will wear off quickly, any bets.

I always knew the house was on its last legs (actually I'm pretty sure the stumps disintegrated a good decade ago) and would need serious maintenance ASAP, but I think I wiped from my memory just how dire it really is! The 80's extension isn't in too bad shape, save the bathroom-come-laundry with its mouldy, bubbly, paint. It's the heritage front that makes me nervous. I remember the huge plasterboard chunks on the wall cracking off. But I was reminded of the exposed ceiling patches in the bedrooms and cracked walls. I think what will have to happen is a massive (100%) stripping of the interior, leaving the frame of the structure, which will probably also have to be replaced somehow. Does all of this mean, it is not all heritage, but instead "restored"? We must sign a builder who has some serious experience! This is the biggest renovation and extension project anyone in my family has undertaken, so I hope it all works out. I know it will.

I really wanted to take pictures to upload here and measure a few things to clarify my plans I have drawn up (and constantly tweak - but that's what the planning stage is for!). However, being toured through by the owners, it seemed inappropriate to photograph in their presence - it was just awkward. So, in 39 days I will take a gallery of photos and share some of them with you. And you can be enlightened with the horrors of this dump-come-dream-home.

Once the plans have been approved and the building begins I will keep a more regular and consistent blog of updates and progress. I'm doing this so I can read over these entries in a year or so and look back over my progress as designer (before my degree) and also the development of the house. I know I've said it before but I really am so excited!!

Happy Monday! xo

And the journey begins...

I have put today's event into my phone's calendar because today, Saturday the 18th of May 2013, my family signed a contract for the sale of a house. This is a HUGE milestone for us! We have been house hunting for over three years, and it seems so surreal that the deal is done. I know it sounds cliched but my dreams have come true! I am going to renovate a house!

It is of the Victorian era, a typical single-fronted, detached house, totally dilapidated. Currently it comprises three bedrooms, one shoddy bathroom, one living area, ROW, and all the other usual commodities. It is honestly in pretty bad condition - for example the plaster on the walls is flaking off in metre squared chunks, it needs restumping, and I think it was last maintained over twenty years ago. From the house it is a ten minute walk to the shopping village, five minutes to the train station, and one street away from the beach which is nice. Our location is ace.That is probably all that is going for it at the moment. The block is almost sixty metres deep though, so that's a bonus.

I am multitasking as I type this between my phone and blog. I am on Houzz.com trolling through the pictures, saving all sorts of styles to my idea book - a collection to send to my "clients" (AKA my parents) so they can decide what it is they are wanting to achieve in terms of aesthatics and architecture. I am cutting straight to the chase with this, I have waited years for the opportunity!

I will be living in the finished house, so I hope I can contribute to decision-making. I should probably add, we are not enlisting an architect at the moment. Instead, my family have given me the role of creating a new floorplan for a draftsman to draw up professionaly. I accepted this in a heartbeat.


This will be my family's first time renovating a house. I am looking forward to seeing the vision in my head come to life. My favourite style is what I like to describe as "Traditional American." Do you know what I mean by that? I am thinking: Colonial windows, French doors, shaker style cabinetry, Cape Cod architecture, weatherboards, high ceilings, high skirting boards, upholstered and tufted furniture, grandeur, fireplaces, The Hamptons... I think that grandeur is the overall sense that needs to be achieved.

Oh my, I cannot wait to get started, to see some demolition action then the first stud wall go up! I'll have my camera ready each site visit I take! I intend to keep a blog as I go through the process of renovating and designing this house. I am so excited, and totally ready for challenges ahead. I'll eventually attach photos to my blog posts for some visuals when I figure out how to source the images.  I'll bet it is super easy and look back on this post shortly and think how much of a luddite I am.

In the mean time, I'll wait for my mother's reply to the bombardment of photos I just messaged her!
Have a lovely weekend everyone! xo