Browse Forums Building A New House Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 41May 31, 2014 4:21 pm Thanks joannek and cat_dunc! It's all starting to come together now. (ETA - I've now subscribed to my own thread so I get notifications ) There's a Beacon Lighting on the highway where we went and had a lighting consult late last year which was really helpful but we actually bought our lights at Local Lighting in Hoppers Crossing. I'm currently trying to work out what sort of wall sconces I want for the family room. I've seen some I like but unless we get a decent tax refund/FTB payment they might be beyond the budget. As for building progress, we're now at lockup! We had a meeting yesterday with the electrician which was really helpful. The position of light switches, etc, makes a LOT more sense when you're standing in a room and physically walking through a doorway instead of looking at a plan. We made a few tweaks here and there but nothing too drastic, eg, we made the entry a 3-way switch, moved the pendant switch to the middle of the kitchen, moved the external powerpoint to where the deck is most likely to go. I keep having a niggling feeling we've forgotten something major but I think it's just my perfectionism making itself felt again. We actually discussed how you tend to overthink things during the process and then once you move in, unless it's something REALLY obviously inconvenient, you tend to just accept things as they are. My parents had a great example of this. Their kitchen and dining light switches were the wrong way around for nearly 30 years (the kitchen was on your right but the switch was on left-hand (dining room) side of the plate and vice versa). They fixed it when they renovated their kitchen a few years ago and I STILL turn on the dining light when I want to turn on the kitchen light (and probably will forever and ever as when I was growing up, that's just the way it was) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This week we've got our independent preplaster inspection and then our guys are coming in to rough in the heating and cooling - so thankful that our builder is allowing this as I know some don't. They'll come through and finish off after handover which is when we'll also get the vinyl planks installed. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 42May 31, 2014 5:29 pm Looks good. Yours is just a tad behind our build. We just had our plaster put up but it was only 2 weeks ago we were at your stage. Keep the updates coming. Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 43May 31, 2014 8:26 pm Heh heh funny you say that about the switches, ours were back to front in our old house too, and it's just how it was. You get used to it and don't think any differently! You're so lucky that they're allowing you to rough in heating, that's a lovely builder right there! It's looking great, I love seeing these build photos. Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Kitchen meeting tomorrow 44Jun 17, 2014 12:29 pm GAH - still not getting notifications of replies! Yes, our builder is great. We were fully prepared to have to wait until handover to get the heating and cooling done. Then at one of our meetings (either tender or contract) we mentioned something about it and he asked which company were doing it. When we told him, he said, "no, that's fine, they can come in and rough in before we do the plaster if you like". While I love our brickie and the work he did (his next job is at our builder's own house so I figure you can't get a better recommendation than that ), it's SOOO nice to see things moving along more quickly now there are actual teams of people working on the house instead of one lonely bloke. Outside, the backing board for the cladding above the render was put in last week as well as the downpipes. After handover we'll grab some spraypaint to cover up the galvanised heater flue sticking up there. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The plastering is coming along nicely as well. It all looks completely different again now - or at least what we can see through the windows that are covered in plaster dust! This one is taken through the dining window towards the kitchen, family room and study nook at the far end. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And this one is the reverse direction looking through the family room towards the dining. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Tomorrow afternoon we've got a meeting with the cabinetmaker. We'll mainly be discussing the kitchen so we've been doing some last-minute finetuning of how we think we'd like the cupboards and drawers laid out. But we'll also see if he has any ideas - if it's the same guy who did the kitchen of one of our builder's houses we saw last year then fabbo because it was only half done and was gorgeous. I also need to remember to have a quick chat to DH tonight about bathroom cabinets as well though they're not tricky as I think we're pretty clear on what we do and don't want there. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 45Jun 17, 2014 1:07 pm And for a laugh, here's some photos of our OLD kitchen. This was back in 2001/02 just after we bought the old place - the off-white painted timber doors were horrid and I decided to brighten them up with a slap-dash paint job until we could afford to do up the kitchen..which we did in 2006. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Of course, the "best" bit was the way the stovetop was set up with the controls on the right. You had to reach OVER the flame to turn them off ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 46Jun 17, 2014 1:54 pm You'll really appreciate a new kitchen. Are you going for the multicolored look again lol? Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 47Jun 17, 2014 4:28 pm I suggested it to DH but he wasn't keen for some reason It was definitely handy when describing where things were kept: "Honey, where's the doohickey?" "It's in the blue drawer" Much less fun when hungover though. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Lockup! 48Jun 27, 2014 1:40 am How's your progress been lately? Do you have any cabinetry in yet? Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Fixing cont 49Jul 05, 2014 8:29 pm Every time we go up to the house, it looks more like a house and less like a building site - on the inside at least External doors except for the front door have been installed. They made a small mistake by installing a half glass door on the laundry but that was fixed with a quick call and email to the builder - apparently the working drawings weren't updated when we changed it to a solid door but the specs were. Internal doors have also been installed except for the slumped glass one between the entry and family room. All the cornices, skirting and architraves are done now as well except where we're having a bulkhead above overhead cabinets. Early this week the robe/linen/pantry shelving was done as well - I can't wait to be able to get in and have a proper look! Peering through windows covered in plaster dust will have to do for now. WIR Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Linen/store room Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pantry Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ No one's been up there since about Wed so I expect they're now waiting for the cabinetmaker to come back with the cabinetry. Today we had a bit of a roadtrip up to Melbourne to look at lights as choices here are basically Beacon or gorgeous-but-way-beyond-our-budget shops. I've noticed that lights in particular can look very different in real life than online so off we went. We ended up really impressed with Light Up Australia - huge range on display and they gave us about an extra 10% off the nine lights we bought. We found wall sconces really hard to decide on - a lot of them just weren't to our taste or didn't suit our relaxed/contemporary style. Plus the walls they're going on aren't overly wide so we had to keep an eye on that as well. We ended up with these Sibel lights Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ which are nice and simple and not too big. We're having built-in shaving cabinets behind our mirrors and they will stick out about 5 cm so that added an extra complexity to finding lights for above them as well I can't find any decent photos of the ones we picked (Spada by Telbix) but they're chrome with a flourescent tube behind a flat opal diffuser. Best bit: RRP is allegedly $340 but we only paid $110 each. Win! We've still got more lights to get (dining pendant, entry, etc) but we'll do those after handover anyway. The main thing is we now have all the lights that we are supplying for the builder to install. Now the plastering is done, we need to get onto the flooring people to do a proper measure (they want to double check instead of just going off the plan). I also need to start thinking about blinds and curtains and the bazillion other things on my list that have always been "I can leave that until later..." ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Painting 51Jul 12, 2014 9:31 pm The painting is nearly done and it looks great - the rooms look so much lighter and brighter and should look really good once we get the flooring in. For those playing along at home, the colour is Haymes Imagine. We can really notice now what a cold, stark colour they've used in the rental here - it's not much different to the ceiling white. Great room Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Family room TV spot Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bed 2 - probably the most accurate photo in terms of colour Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Garage - the only place we can see properly without grotty windows in the way. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We also got a peek at our front door and the glass door that will go between the entry and great room. Love how the slumped waterfall glass looks Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Painting 52Jul 13, 2014 9:07 pm Beautiful door! I love slumped glass Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Cabinets & a mystery 53Jul 15, 2014 11:50 pm Thanks HomeAngels. I'm really pleased with how it's come out. I would have liked the slumped glass on the front door too but we couldn't have it for some reason - I think either because of the size of the panels or it would have gone in horizontally instead of vertically. I didn't want more glass in the front door, though, as it faces north. I love the slumped glass splashbacks from Wauthaurong as well but that's on my list for my upgraded dream kitchen in a few years Got a lovely surprise this afternoon - cabinetry installation has started I can't wait until I can get inside and have a proper look but until then I'll have to make do with peering through dirty windows in the half dark Ensuite Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Laundry - The trough cupboard at the far end will have doors, then there will be our washer and dryer and then the section closest to the camera will be open for a hamper or the dog's bed or the cat's litter tray. Something will go in there, anyway LOL Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen beginnings Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Top end of kitchen with benchtop which will go in pantry (kitchen itself will have Caesarstone) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We also have a mystery... We're having our heating and cooling done independently to the builder and he allowed them to come and rough in just before lockup. He asked if we wanted them to come in and do the vents before painting but we checked with them and they preferred to wait until after handover and do all the remaining work at once (connecting to utilities, etc). Today we noticed that all the ceiling vents are in and the controllers have been put on the wall where we asked. *cue Twilight Zone music* Dad went past this morning and saw a van and someone on a ladder in the bedroom as he drove past so we're wondering if perhaps they were in the area doing another fit out today and organised access to save time down the track. *shrug* I was going to have an early night tonight as it's a rest day for le Tour. Well, I suppose midnight is earlier than 2am ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Cabinetry started 54Jul 16, 2014 8:51 pm The birth of your kitchen, how exciting Perhaps the heating and cooling guys decided it would be easier to do now. Either way its better to be done sooner rather than later Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Cabinetry started 55Jul 16, 2014 11:09 pm DH spoke to the builder today to organise access for the flooring guys to come in and measure and he's expecting completion to be only 6 to 8 weeks away A bizarre mix of excitement that it's so close but disappointment it's so far away (for the exact same time frame - can you say "cognitive dissonance"?!?) and panic at how much we need to organise. Today the overhead kitchen carcasses went up and the tiles were delivered. It's all systems go now! I'll be able to get decent photos next week as I'll go up and measure windows for blinds when the flooring guy is there - it was just too dark today by the time I got up there for clear photos. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Powering along 56Jul 17, 2014 11:24 pm I'm loving this week as things are changing every day - reminds me of back at the very start of the build. Our cabinet carcasses are all in and things are looking good. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The Mushroom Linea open shelves look a lot darker here in the photo. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ BONUS! We knew the tiles were being delivered this week but they've started laying them as well. I'm really really pleased with how the darker kickboard looks against the dark tiles though I wouldn't want them with pale floors. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Every time I see the laundry for a split second I think "gosh, it's a bit dark in there. We should have had a glass door". Then I get back to reality and remember that it faces west and cops a LOT of hot sun in summer (especially as next door has a flat roof so the only shade is from the fence you can glimpse through the window) and that's why we swapped back to a solid door. Adding a shadecloth cover over that side walkway is a fairly high priority! ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Full steam ahead - ti 57Jul 18, 2014 9:18 am Steaming along!! Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Full steam ahead - ti 58Jul 18, 2014 11:07 am Wow so much storage in your kitchen and laundry. Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Full steam ahead - ti 59Jul 24, 2014 10:44 am LOL Joanne - storage is one thing you can never have too much of - though given the ratio of storage space to living and bedroom space I might be getting close to the boundary! The old house had a single-door linen cupboard, the bedroom the boys shared had a single-door robe and the original pantry before we renovated it had a single-door pantry. We had a triple-door robe in our bedroom and a double-door one in the nursery/spare room but that was about it. I am looking forward to being able to organise things and find them without having to go looking under and/or behind boxes and tubs. Might actually finally be able to overcome some of my hoarding/clutter tendencies because I won't have to constantly buy things that I know I already own four of somewhere around in the house. We had the vinyl guy out on Tuesday morning to do a final measure. We had always planned to install it after handover but he said they prefer to do it before the carpet goes down as they use the same edge as tiling and the carpet can just go up to the edge of it. DH has spoken to the builder and he's happy for this to happen and told us we can book them in for three weeks' time, then they'll do the carpet and that should be about it. After planning and thinking and dreaming about this for so long, how come the thought of actually getting "custody" of my brand new house feels so scary? I think part of the issue is that our 7-year-old was confirmed as having high-functioning autism (Asperger's) a couple of months ago so we're also dealing with trying to fit in speech therapy and OT and psych and everything else for him. And deal with a moody 9-year-old. Thankfully we've been able to pretty much split things down the middle with DH taking on dealing with the builder and tradies while I focus on DS7's appointments, setting up routines, etc. Life is pretty full on at the moment so once we're in, hopefully things will settle down a little and we won't have to divide our focus between quite so many different things. *Deep breath* We've had a small hiccup with the kitchen doors - the doors next to the open shelving were supposed to be the same colour but they're white. No dramas, the cabinetmaker can swap them over which is good (I think there was just a bit of miscommunication or misreading of a sketch I gave him). The stone benchtops are apparently going in today so I'll try to get up there a little later with the excuse I need to measure the windows for blinds (which I do). I added a few photos to the blog the other day and will try to add some more on here tonight. Better go and do some cleaning to get a headstart on our rental inspection in two weeks. And catch up on last night's Tour de France as I couldn't last the distance. And maybe a nanna nap so I don't crack tonight either. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Re: SR's KDR/custom build (Lara) - Full steam ahead - ti 60Jul 24, 2014 3:28 pm A couple of quick pics while the cabinetmaker and his dad were there this afternoon. He was working in the bathroom so didn't get in there. Ensuite with handles Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ . Kitchen stone is in! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ You can kinda see the sink under there... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37143 The biggest challenge will be if you take out a loan and then run out of money - you'll have an incomplete security and lenders do not like this so you can get stuck.… 2 19097 Hi, I am looking into doing a KDR in Melbourne and am contemplating using Kialla Homes. I am looking for feedback on them from others who have built with them. 0 13444 |