About Me

My photo
EDIT - Now a 'work at the local school' mum a few days a week while juggling the job of parenting 3 teenagers! I am a SAHM who does work from home occasionally, dedicated to raising 3 Godly, independent, healthy children. Loving the home building process though it is not without challenges. I have fairly free reign over the creative aspect of the project...just not the financial side!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Update post on wardrobe & splashback

I received a phone call today from the owner of HOG, Alan. A lovely guy and very easy to chat to. He was keen to work out a solution to THEIR problem (he stressed this LOL). Alan is going to come up with a sketch of a possible solution using melamine only in conjunction with Wardrobe World or some other company who may complete the reachins (Fab Kitchens or Stegbar) Alan thinks the sliding doors we added may be the issue though Giovis, the installer did not think so when I spoke with him. I will leave it in Alan's capable hands.
I also spoke to him regarding the splashback issue (tiling not going up to the bulkhead behind the rangehood) I mentioned a checklist for consultants of items to suggest/discuss would be a beneficial tool to ensure consistency across clients/consultants. Alan has offered to raise a Building Variation to get the splashback tiled at cost price - I will be happy to sign that one off. Thankyou HOG.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Wardrobe update

I spent most of the morning out on site today, either waiting for someone or meeting with someone. Troy and I had a chat in the house whilst we waited for Wardrobe World who were running quite late.
We looked at the kitchen splashback. After looking at another blog, I was told that tiling behind the rangehood is not standard. We need to ask for it. Personally, I think it looks incomplete. When overhead cupboards are requested, a quick question of 'do you wish to extend your splashback?" should not be too hard?! Or even at the DiLorenzo appointment when you select the tiles for the splashback. Troy is going to investigate options for me.
I met with Giovis and discussed some additions to our wardrobes (extra drawers and shoe racks). Payment to be made directly to him for that.
Giovis ran through the issue with me that he is experiencing a little of late. The reachin wardrobes selected (melamine shelves) need to have a depth of 600mm or a door height of more than 2200mm. It is clearly stated on the document that HOG have but it is not being addressed when selections are done. My option is to go with wire shelving with some melamine but this is not acceptable to me when I have deleted wire shelving throughout the house and paid for a premium product. Troy is going to talk to Customer Service to see what our other options are. Possibly another company can supply the reach-ins.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Problematic wardrobes it seems


This morning I finally heard from Giovis the rep from Wardrobe World. I have put in phone calls and many emails as I wish to discuss adding in some more drawers to each wardrobe - 2 is not enough for our needs. Well, unbeknownst to us, there has been a lot of discussion behind the scenes over the last month as this wardrobe design does not fit in our 3 reach-in wardrobes. Not sure how this happened as this is the only design we were offered AND our wardrobes are standard apart from the sliding doors. It seems no-one is accepting responsibility, no-one has informed us and it has been left to the installer to work out an acceptable solution with us the client. Not sure how this won't fit into the wardrobes but I will find out when I meet him on site on Monday at 11am to discuss our options.

How is it that I have not been contacted about this until a month later and not by Eden brae????

Thursday, August 8, 2013

GUEST POST from re-do my space


Hello EB followers this is AJ from re-do my space!!
Today I'm going to update you with what's been going on with the decorating side of things for the house.
The time has finally come to start putting together the right mix of furniture and accessories, so it's all very exciting. Before I do, let me take you
back a little to how we got to where we are today.

The lovely Kerith had asked some time before demolition if I'd help put together the finishes and furnishings for their new home. I was more than happy to offer
my assistance to help bring their home to life. When I start with a client I need to get an idea of what they like. Favourite colours, looks, textures etc.
I have always believed a home needs to hold with the things that THEY love and treasure and be a place the whole family can relax and enjoy.
Of course I guided Kerith and gave her choices but at the end of the day it needs to suit their style as whole family.
I usually love working with what people already own but in Kerith's case she has had her exisiting furniture for so long that she wants a fresh start in their new place.
Some items have great potential so we are going to revamp them and mix them in with the new.

I remember our first meeting when we picked all the finishes was hilarious!!! It all started with the toilet ………….
When we saw that toilet we looked at each other, chuckled, popped a Mintie in our mouths and said to each other "this is going to be a looonnnng day".
Some things I wasn't prepared to back down on and neither was Kerith. So we tried to meet in the middle most times and we knew that with every change meant
more $$$ so we compromised.

This is the first picture that Kerith gave me. She liked the tones and the colours and this is where I started from.


This is where we are heading


My aim is to give the house a lighter feel whilst still incorporating Kerith's love of darker finishes.  I'm bringing in some
Turquoise blue that Kerith also liked so we create a lovely flow inside and out. It will be a work in progress and a finished home takes time.
A well thought out home cannot be rushed so I recommend doing it in stages. Let one piece at a time compliment the other and it will all melt together.

Actually after talking about having a lovely flow I better go as I need to follow up with Kerith what colour the pool is??

Thanks for taking the time to read today and if you have any questions please fire away. See you soon with some more updates.

AJ

 
 


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Landscaping









Above you will find our landscaping scope of works carefully prepared by Tim of Hayward Landscaping. He cannot be faulted for the time, effort & sleepless nights that have been poured into the job already. Tim has worked hard to reduce costs yet ensuring that we have a design we will be happy with in the long term and one that meets all the standards that the private certifier will be happy with too. The work will take approximately 2 months, depending on weather. Let me know if you have any questions about the work above.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Scaffolding gone

Pretty hard to blog anything at the moment being restricted to this side of the fence. Stackstone is finished and the scaffolding has gone along with the portaloo. Not sure how the tradies are planning on relieving themselves as we have no toilets or plumbing.
Inside, the wet area tiling has finished and the painting has started. Not sure where they have gone but there has been no painting for 2 days now. 
Behind the scenes, I have been selecting furniture pieces with re-do my space's help and looking at landscape design. I will post more on those aspects of the build very soon.



Friday, August 2, 2013

Next screenshot


I received an email from Troy this morning which included this screenshot of the program for the next 2 weeks. Looks like a lot of it depends on how the painters are going.

Email from Troy.....

"Another good week on site. Tiling to wet areas complete and painting has commenced. We did have a bit of a hiccup with the stone tops to the wet areas having to be replaced because a hole was drilled behind the basins when the taps are wall mounted. They were replaced pretty quick and didn’t hold up progress though.
 Did have a complaint from a neighbour re rubbish on site. I explained our policy and procedure regarding rubbish. I had previously scheduled a Yard clean which will occur today. I explained to to the neighbour that we have milestones when rubbish would be removed and it is impractical to have the rubbish removed on a weekly schedule. I also asked if there was any rubbish outside of the site, to which she said “no”. She was purely concerned with the volume of rubbish on site. Just thought I would give you the heads up on this."

Sounds like Troy dealt with the issue. The neighbour is going to have to deal with more building on the other side of her house when it gets developed soon.