Another Busy Week

House Update

The remainder of the Cabinetry (under the builder's contract) was installed this week, including the curved stone Kitchen benchtop in "Mangrove", which blends in beautifully with the natural colours of the site: The rest of the appliances were also installed: Most importantly, Mike was keen to check out the new Smeg gas cooktop, where he is bound to spend many an hour to unwind from the day's work!

Upstairs, the vanities and shaving cabinets were installed in the Ensuite, and the main bathroom: The small coffee making area outside the home office also had the benchtop and little sink installed:

For the first time, we got a glimpse of the Laundry, which we had redesigned during the year:

With the fernery outside, it looks like it will be a pleasant place to do chores!

Unexpected Visitor

While packing up at the rental yesterday afternoon, we had the back doors open, and the local Blue-Tongue Lizard wandered in and started helping himself to the cat food in the Kitchen:

If you notice he was heading towards the dishwasher as we were trying to take a photo of him, and before we knew it, he had flattened himself and slipped through the small gap under the door!

So we had to pull the front off the dishwasher and entice him back out again with the cat's meat.

He was a beautiful specimen, and Mike bravely picked him up (with a towel) and safely returned him to the garden.

Cook Community Awards

After 25 years of collecting and delivering bread to the poor (including us!) Granny and Poppa were recognised by our Federal Member for their services to the community.

Both Jess and Jake have given them a hand at times over the years.

Click the play button below to view the short video of the presentation at Sharks Leagues Club:

Congratulations to you both for your efforts!

Kitchen & Colour

Our new kitchen started going in yesterday:

Here's Jess testing the big drawers...

and Bin system:

Our rainwater tanks have also arrived, and now that the bridge has been built and formwork removed, they can be set in place under the garage and the stormwater pipes connected up:

Upstairs, the painting is almost complete, and the colours started going on the feature walls. Here's the "Donkey" in the master bedroom:

We let the kids pick the colours for their own rooms.

This is "Michael" (probably not his real name!) the painter edging for the rich, dark chocolate brown colour "Cafe Noir" in Jess' bedroom:

While Kate and Jake look on, in awe at his speed and accuracy:

We like work (could watch it all day!)

Within about 20 minutes, here's the same wall after the first coat. Beautiful.

Jacob has always wanted an Orange Wall, for the full 5 years we've been planning this project - we were thinking more a Rust or Burnt Orange, but he has picked "Racing Orange" (How Appropriate!)

This one needed a special undercoat, and Jake watched with extreme interest as the long awaited feature wall appeared before his eyes...

And was very happy with the result.

Next week the rest of the cabinetry for the bathrooms and laundry will be installed.

Watch this space for more updates.

Granny Blankets

Over the past few years, Granny has been making everyone their very own fluffy blankets in their own special colours. In our house, they have been coveted by Phantom our Cat.  

So today Granny presented him with his very own mini blanket made out of extra fluffy wool.

He has spent at least 4 hours cuddling into it this afternoon. It is another hit.

Thanks Granny!

A kaleidoscope of tradesmen

This project has been truly a multicultural effort. We have often mused at the wide varieties of cultures on site. Many of them share the name "Michael", although we're not sure for how many that is their real name! After the master craftsmanship of the Chinese timber layers, here is "Mario" the floor sander at work:

And here's Ray & Al at work giving the boatshed its foam cladding:

They've also installed Phantom's very own cat door into the Laundry:

Inside, the floor has had its first two coats of Tung oil:

And the flight of stairs up to the garage is looking much brighter:

Next week the Kitchen Cabinetry will start going in.

Pool Shell

Today the concrete pool shell was poured. The guys all went to great lengths not to damage the existing construction on the house. This is how it looked from our Bedroom balcony: And here's the result: The tubes sticking out of the wall are for the lights, return water and blowers for the spa seat: After curing for a few more weeks, the interior of the pool will then be finished with black pebbles. This is how it looks from inside the family room: And this will be the view when you are swimming in the pool (minus the scaffolding of course, but you can see here how much lower the new boatshed sits compared to the old one):

Can't wait. Roll on summer!

On the downhill run...

The site continues to be a hive of activity. We feel like we've turned the final corner and can see the finish line down the straight! The painters have been putting in long days finishing off the inside surfaces. A team of electricians have been installing a multitude of light fittings, switches and power points, and we didn't anticipate just how much these items start to make it look like a finished house. Even the fan in the bathroom: The ensuite shower: We also have the toilets in now: We only hope we can get the sewer connected UP to the street, otherwise we might need to hang onto the builders portaloo for a bit longer!