Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 23, 2008 3:15 pm My move was not without excitement. It started raining heavily on Friday night, with the move planned for Saturday. My driveway was only completed on Friday at lunch time so I was advised that I wouldn't be able to drive on it for a further 7-10 days, which made the move a little difficult. The mud/clay pile in my front yard also didn't help matters. My poor sister tried to walk through my front yard to get to the porch and sunk up to her ankles
We managed the move, but it was slow going and a wet, muddy job. We ended up having to walk on the driveway and hope it didn't have any lasting effects as it was the only safe way to get into the house. By Saturday night, the furniture was all in place and it was just time to start unpacking boxes. My brother in law worked so very hard, moving my furniture, assembling anything that needed assembly, putting up curtain tracks, etc. Monday morning I had the blinds installed in the few rooms that were having them and Tuesday/Wednesday my mum and I focused on doing something with the mud in the front yard. Here are some pics - it's not all the rooms, as it is a lovely sunny day here and my camera is having issues taking photos of the sun filled rooms (the camera just has issues). The photo taking project is also being hampered by the fact that my rechargeable batteries are only retaining enough charge to take and upload 5 photos before they die . My Bedroom (bedside tables not here yet): http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff65/colleenmo/000_0492.jpg My Ensuite http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff65/colleenmo/000_0493.jpg Family Room Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Spare Bedroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bathroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Study Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Side yard - for when the big yard is too muddy for Flynn, he can go in this clean area Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Front of house Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Front yard Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ On my screen, it doesn't look like the colours are coming through properly. Maybe that is another issue my camera is having Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: Home at Last 7May 23, 2008 5:19 pm Very nice Colleen....looks like pooch doesn't think the room is "spare".... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Home at Last 8May 23, 2008 5:36 pm Hey Colleen,
Love your house!! The bricks are gorgeous - I think I remember you saying they are Port Phillip!! We have looked at a few houses with these bricks - sometimes they look more brown, but on your house (well on my screen anyway) they look a stone/light colour - which is exactly what I am after! Great job!! My karma ran over your dogma Re: Home at Last 10May 23, 2008 8:31 pm Congratulations on surviving the move
I love the feature wall colour in the bedroom - very nice Flynn looks very happy in his spare room and I'm glad that despite the weather everything went well for you Dana -------------------------- Building with DFH - carpet installed! Re: Home at Last 11May 23, 2008 8:39 pm Someone looks happy!!! How exciting for you Colleen, it looks great! Enjoy your new home you deserve it. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Home at Last 13May 23, 2008 10:15 pm Congratulations, Colleen!
Lovely house! LIke the colours of your feature walls! Must be exciting to finally be in your house! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Home at Last 14May 23, 2008 10:54 pm Thanks everyone. Yes, I love my colours. They are actually burgundy and a plum/purple, but they are not coming out right on the computer. And yes, Flynn is very happy and relaxed here.
Although the spare room photo looks like he was on the bed for hours, he actually only jumped on it 10 seconds before I took the photo. I think he was reclaiming the space - my mum stayed with me for the first week (she went home today), to help me with things like getting the front yard finished, and she slept in that bed so I think he was taking the bed back. He has also been curled up asleep in "her" chair all night. Tonight will be my first night sleeping in the house with just Flynn to keep me company. Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: Home at Last 15May 24, 2008 12:27 am Very nice Colleen!
I remember you saying you were a first home owner so hope you are enjoying your first nights in your very own home! I like the burgundy and cream colour scheme. Do you have that colour in your kitchen too? We are having a kitchen with a sort of burgundy bench top (rosso arcante - sort of a cross between dark burgundy and ochre red) and cream background colours. Haven't heard of anyone else doing similar but I think it looks great together. Re: Home at Last 16May 24, 2008 8:55 am The kitchen is just plain colours as it is in the same room (open plan) as the purple/plum wall. When I was shopping for "accessories" though, I did find a lot more in the burgundy for the kitchen/meals than I did for the plum, so I think you will be able to get items that won't clash quite easily.
I did enjoy my first night alone in the new house but as it was the first night completely alone, I armed the security system before going to bed. What the alarm installation guy didn't tell me is that there is no delay to disarm the alarm if you breach zones 2 or 3. So if I come in any door other than the front door, the alarm goes off instantly. This morning, I got up, walked out my bedroom door, into zone 2, and the alarm started screaming - at 7 in the morning I'm thinking maybe the neighbours already hate me Thank goodness we had the alarm discussion here prior to my alarm installation and I knew to ask for a key fob - I only chose not to use that this morning as when I use it, the siren makes a little noise and I didn't want that to annoy the neighbours . I think I'll be disarming the alarm with the key fob from now on Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: Home at Last 17May 24, 2008 9:30 am Colleen, thanks for your reply.
Can you post a pic of your kitchen - by itself or in a larger shot showing how it adjoins the family room? I hope this isn't too personal a question, but did you live by yourself before moving into this house? Your dramas with the alarm - is it just getting used to the new place, the alarm system, or living by yourself - or all of the above? I don't live by myself but I do have a husband who works shiftwork, I know I am more concious of security when he is on night shift and I am home alone. Re: Home at Last 18May 24, 2008 9:39 am haywgl Hey Colleen, Love your house!! The bricks are gorgeous - I think I remember you saying they are Port Phillip!! We have looked at a few houses with these bricks - sometimes they look more brown, but on your house (well on my screen anyway) they look a stone/light colour - which is exactly what I am after! Great job!! I wonder if the brick colour is looking different to you because of different mortars and other external colours? Maybe take note of what colours people have used for windows, guttering, downpipes and mortar and see if you notice a common theme with the ones you do and don't like. I think with this particular brick, those selections would make a difference. Also, light/weather conditions make a difference. The bricks look different on a bright sunny day in full sun to how they look on the dark & dreary days (probably true of all bricks). I don't have any photos of how the house looks on horrible days so I can't show you How are you going with finding a block Bel? Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: Home at Last 19May 24, 2008 9:50 am Thanks Colleen
We are actually a step closer with the block - waiting on a section 32 and if that is approved by PD we can put in an offer So exciting!!! I agree with you on the bricks - I like lighter bricks and I think yours look a really nice colour in your pics, I understand what you mean about looking different in different weather conditions etc. I'm also having white windows and I think that helps break them up a bit like with your lighter windows Great job you have done on your house!! Love your alarm story too My karma ran over your dogma Re: Home at Last 20May 24, 2008 10:04 am Helyn Colleen, thanks for your reply. Can you post a pic of your kitchen - by itself or in a larger shot showing how it adjoins the family room? I hope this isn't too personal a question, but did you live by yourself before moving into this house? Your dramas with the alarm - is it just getting used to the new place, the alarm system, or living by yourself - or all of the above? I don't live by myself but I do have a husband who works shiftwork, I know I am more concious of security when he is on night shift and I am home alone. I have lived alone for years, but in the family home where I grew up and with the same neighbours who've known me since I was a kid - so they always looked out for me. I have always slept with the alarm armed overnight, even in the old house. My dad worked shift work from the time I was 16 so I started sleeping with the alarm on at night (we had some mongrel kids going around setting fires in people's yards and there were a few attempted break-ins in the street) and now it's just part of my bedtime routine. It just helps me to sleep knowing that I don't have to be semi-conscious all night listening for noises. And if I do wake up in the middle of the night because I think I've heard something, I can get myself back to sleep by assuring myself that if someone was out there, the alarm would go off. I also sleep (sometimes) with earplugs in, as I'm a light sleeper, so I need the alarm system to be "my ears". The drama with the alarm - in my old house there was one zone which, if breached, would instantly set off the alarm but it was a choice to have it that way. I expected that this alarm installer would ask before making any zones instant alarm zones but he didn't. I did explain to him prior to him installing the alarm that I would probably need to be able to get to the alarm panel from each zone (zone 1 is the front door, zone 2 is near my bedroom and zone 3 is outside the laundry door which is convenient if coming in from the garage) so I thought he would set a delay on all zones. I actually feel quite safe and secure in the new house. The court is very quiet and peaceful and my house feels safe. Flynn also sleeps in my room (he has a bed on the floor beside the bed) and I know he would protect me if there was trouble. The alarm being on is just for that extra bit of security... it probably doesn't help that I read crime stories all the time and give myself the heebie jeebies lol. Here's some more photos, the colours still aren't coming out right, I think it's time to ditch this camera! Kitchen Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen/meals/family room Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Lounge Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16288 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10639 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110576 |