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
