I couldn't resist...

I went to the house this afternoon to look at some blind fabrics up against our wall colour.  It was mighty overcast, so I had to have the lights on.

This space just jumped right out at me, all lit up.

It seems a shame to move in and get it messy!!

We're so close that we went shopping

The kitchen is nearly finished!  Just awaiting the glass splashback...

Here is the mini-LED in one of our Entry niches.  $$$$$$!

And, to the most exciting bit.  We did a little bit of shopping at Ikea!  With the kids locked-up enjoying themselves in Smaland, we had an hour to pick up everything on our list.  Isn't it great that you can print off your Ikea shopping list and then just go around and grab what you want!!!  We made it back with two minutes to spare, and then stocked up on chocolate, donuts, hot dogs and ice cream on our way out.  Yay for Ikea!

Our walk through is scheduled for Monday morning, so today and tomorrow will, no doubt, see the glass splashback, shower screens and mirrors installed.

We went to the house last night, to play with the lights, and it really felt like the place we're going to live in.  So exciting!!!!!

Husband is on the phone as we speak, looking to sort out the exterior paint issue...

Have a great Thursday!

Recent Happenings

Here's a little photo update for your Easter weekend..

Ensuite

Main Bathroom

Main Bathroom Vanity

I really have to remember to take the good camera with me, the iPhone just isn't cutting it lately.

We had a few tile layout issues (thanks partly to the useless tile shop consultant), so I had to think about the Main Bathroom on the go.  What I've done is fine, but not as WOW as what I initially had planned.  Oh well, there's always next time!!

I hope everyone's enjoying the Easter weekend festivities.

A little bit of tiling. A little bit of cabinetry.

Due to popular demand, here are some pics of the cabinetry, which landed and was installed at our place today.

Kitchen (sans benchtop and looking quite 'blah', really!)

Back wall of kitchen

Lift up door to appliance cupboard

So, you may have read previously that our builder wouldn't allow the gloss finish to the white cabinets.  We had decided that we'd just replace the drawer and door fronts later on.  However, it doesn't look as bad as I anticipated, so this job will fall out of the 'straight away' category and onto the 'to do later' list.

The tiler also got started today, and was really knowledgeable, and nice!

Ensuite shower floor

Laundry cabinet and floor tiles.  We didn't opt for stone in here, as most of the slab would have been cut out for the tub.

The floor tiles in the main bathroom, which were still being done as we were leaving this afternoon, were looking a little bit anaemic, but looking at the photo above, they look great once they meet up with the woodgrain cabinetry.  (Note: They are a bone colour, but look almost white in this pic)  I am also feeling quite confident given that the laundry cabinet is quite similar in colour to the main floor.

So, it really is starting to look like a real house!

The painter will start prepping on Friday, pending the completion of his current job.  Wow!  I can't wait to see the wall colour!!!!!!

PS: Welcome to our newest follower, Em.

Rockin' the render

Thursday saw the renderers rockin' their work!  I drove past at 8:39am and they were literally nearly finished the job!  Granted, they were only required to do the front facade, but seriously, that's commitment.

No internal shots, as the chippie was still working when we did our afternoon drive-by.  Hopefully we'll be able to take share photos of KITCHEN CABINETRY!!!!!! in the next post!

Welcome to our newest followers, Lizzie and Nellie.  Welcome, ladies!

Stay dry, peeps!

PS: Pillars are looking better already.  Thanks for all your words of encouragement on the last post.

Kitchen Appliances

If there's one thing I'm not, it's a pro cook!  Husband is pretty good, but is also good at using whatever tools he has at his disposal.  So, for that reason, we've stuck with the standard appliances provided by our builder.

These are they...

Blanco FD9045WX Freestanding Cooker

In our last house, we had a glass and stainless steel canopy rangehood, but have reverted to a streamlined, easy to clean, slide-out rangehood this time.  Obviously, it will also result in additional cupboard space, and help the kitchen blend into the landscape.

Blanco BRS902X slide-out rangehood

Is it weird that I'm excited about having an integrated microwave?  Really, is it??

Blanco MF29SX Microwave with trim kit

There is also a dishwasher included.  We'll run with it for a while, and then maybe revert to our old faithful F&P Dishdrawer...  We'll see...

We are also in the market for a new fridge.  This one is the current front runner.

Kitchen.  Done.  Yay!

PS: Have reverted to Polar White for the kitchen cabinets.  But, you knew I would!

Finishes Appointment - Kitchen Selections

As promised, here are the kitchen outcomes of the finishes appointment.

Excuse my terrible photography, as I had to it tonight and couldn't get the lighting right.

Also here

I was hoping to do the cabinetry in a gloss finish by Formica, however was informed that The Builder wouldn't use that finish.  Ugh!  So, instead of choosing a plain white, I went with Alpaca, which is a very light taupe/grey.  I like it, but it wasn't what I was really after.  What do you think?  Would a straight white laminate look really cheap and horrid?  Would it be better to stick with the Alpaca?  Help, please!!

Our splashback is glass, and will be painted White Duck like the main walls.  Have I mentioned before that I really like the house to be a blank canvas?

Also pictured is the main floor.  Gooooorgeous bamboo!  We haven't finalised the supplier for this yet, but will provide details as and when.

Phoenix Argo Tapware

Lovely sink mixer, that matches the bathroom tapware.  I initially had my heart set on a huge industrial mixer, but now I think I'm happy to stick with this guy.

The handles were another bone of contention, as they only do one length.  Seriously, peeps!  So, this is what I chose.  I am still considering whether to go without handles and have Husband fix them later.  However, that would just be another task to add to his perpetual list...

Tekform handles

So, what do we all think?  As always, fingers are crossed, hoping it all works out!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

New Caesarstone(R) Colours

Long time, no blog, peeps!  I hope you've all been well.  We have been living a life of sickness and work, and zero house progress.  However, it looks like that will all change within the next week, so we're gearing up again!

The latest edition of Australian Home Beautiful tells me that Caesarstone has released five new colours in the Classico range!  Why does this always happen just when you think you've made a decision???

Of course, I was straight onto the Caesarstone website to find out whether they were part of the Standard, Deluxe, Premium or or Premium Plus, because, of course, the builder only provides 'standard' as part of the base price.

Shock horror, the colour that we liked is in the Deluxe range.  Oh well, we might just have to splurge...  It looked a lot better in the magazine than on the computer monitor though, so I'll order a sample.

Caesarstone Classico - Shitake

You can see the other new colours here.

In even more interesting news, or so I think, I was reading a magazine that said thinner benchtops are the trend for the coming season.  We were going to go 40mm on our island bench, with waterfall edges, and then 20mm on the bench along the wall.  Again, you make a decision, and then things change on you!  I think this may be a case of going with our hearts, rather than the trend though.  We never have been particularly trendy...

I would love to hear your take on the bench thickness debate.  It might just help us get a decision made for sure.

PS: Let's go, Broncos!