Metricon Hudson KDR in Ryde - Landscaping

Sheilzy · Jul 09, 2014 10:39 pm

Hi all, I thought it was high time I started my own building thread after lurking and randomly commenting on other members' threads. This forum has been an invaluable source of build/design know-how, inspiration and feedback. I've learnt so much from this community and I hope to share our building journey with the forum.

We are building a modified Metricon Hudson 42+. After a dream start exchanging contracts on the KDR site, paying initial deposit through to tender and contract in very quick time, it's been almost a month since contract presentation and we're only now ready to sign on the dotted line. The lost of momentum has been largely due to my neurotic attempts at customising the design to our own personal taste and a lot of to'ing and fro'ing over the kitchen and butler's pantry designs. It's been quite a frustrating process but I figured we better get the design to a level that we're happy with rather than make changes later down the track and be slapped with a variation fee!

Floor Plans
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Elevations
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Here's a link to our external colour choices.
http://ourhudson.wordpress.com/external ... elections/

Facade
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It's taken 2 long months and 5 quote revisions before we finally signed off on our internal colour selections. The drama over the kitchen that held us up at contract stage reared its ugly head and we spent a loooooong time going back and forth trying to make sense of the design/price. In the end, we're still not convinced that Metricon got the price right but it wasn't worth arguing over it any longer. So without further ado, here are the final selections.

Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry
Benchtop and Island including waterfall edge: 40mm Caesarstone Organic White
Overhead Cupboards: Laminex White Natural Finish
Base Cupboards, Microwave/Oven Tower and Island Cabinetry: Smokey Sapelle Crystal Gloss
Splashback: Colombia Clear Tough Glass

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Flooring
Ground Floor: 1-strip, 14.5mm Spotted Gum engineered timber floor (we paid extra for no scotia beading)
First Floor: Lasting Impressions ‘Cloud’ carpet
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Front Door
Hume Savoy XS26 – 2340mm x 1200mm with translucent glass
Lanes 316 Round “T” Handle in Stainless Steel – 900mm back to back
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Powder Room 1
Benchtop: Caesarstone Walnut
Wall Hung Vanity: Laminex White Silk Finish
Basin: Ideal Standard Active Above Counter Basin
Mixer: Phoenix Cruiser 3-piece wall hung set
Toilet: Roca 'The Gap' Toilet Suite

Powder Room 2 and Kids Bathroom
Benchtop: Caesarstone Linen
Wall Hung Vanity: Laminex Milano Walnut Natural Finish
Basin: Ideal Standard Active Above Counter Basin
Mixer: Phoenix Cruiser 3-piece wall hung set
Shower Head: Alder Eco Dual Rain Shower
Toilet: Roca 'The Gap' Toilet Suite

Ensuite
Benchtop: Caesarstone Wild Rice
Wall Hung Vanity: Laminex Avignon Walnut Silk Finish
Basin: Ideal Standard Active Above Counter Basin
Mixer: Phoenix Cruiser 3-piece wall hung set
Double Shower: Porcher Cygnet Square Twin Rail
Toilet: Roca 'The Gap' Toilet Suite

To end this post on a high, this gorgeous stone bath will take centre stage in our luxe ensuite. WOOHOO!
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Shambini · Jul 10, 2014 7:43 am

The render colour looks a bit dark in the jpg. What is it like in the light? Right idea to keep the downpipes and render similar colours.

Did you end up using Hebel wherever there is render?

Sheilzy · Jul 10, 2014 9:42 am

I'm worried about that Monument will be too dark and seeing as our bricks are dark we won't get much of a contrast. The studio M consultant suggested using the same colour as the cladding (Saudi Sands) but personally not a big fan of this look. What a dilemma! I guess we can always re paint if we absolutely hated it.

Shambini · Jul 10, 2014 11:47 am

Sheilzy

I'm worried about that Monument will be too dark and seeing as our bricks are dark we won't get much of a contrast. The studio M consultant suggested using the same colour as the cladding (Saudi Sands) but personally not a big fan of this look. What a dilemma! I guess we can always re paint if we absolutely hated it.

The last house we built a colour consultant recommended the external paint colour. We intervened when we saw it on the wall and had them change it. We couldn't stand the colour when we saw it on the wall.

Sheilzy · Jul 11, 2014 7:56 am

Finally, 4 weeks after being presented with the contracts I'm on way to Metricon head office this morning with the signed contracts and handover the first substantial wad of cash! I'll also be spending some time at studio m and Di Lorenzo to take same photos and samples for our much awaited colour appointment. Now the fun time begins. Happy Friday everyone!

Shambini · Jul 12, 2014 8:24 am

Sheilzy

Finally, 4 weeks after being presented with the contracts I'm on way to Metricon head office this morning with the signed contracts and handover the first substantial wad of cash! I'll also be spending some time at studio m and Di Lorenzo to take same photos and samples for our much awaited colour appointment. Now the fun time begins. Happy Friday everyone!

Great news, that you finally got the contract signed. Has your plan gone to council?

Shambini · Jul 12, 2014 8:26 am

Sheilzy

Finally, 4 weeks after being presented with the contracts I'm on way to Metricon head office this morning with the signed contracts and handover the first substantial wad of cash! I'll also be spending some time at studio m and Di Lorenzo to take same photos and samples for our much awaited colour appointment. Now the fun time begins. Happy Friday everyone!

Did you manage to work out an arrangement regarding the deposit or did you pay the full five percent?

monalisa · Jul 12, 2014 7:59 pm

Congratulations

this is very exciting!

Sheilzy · Jul 14, 2014 8:13 am

Shambini

Sheilzy

Finally, 4 weeks after being presented with the contracts I'm on way to Metricon head office this morning with the signed contracts and handover the first substantial wad of cash! I'll also be spending some time at studio m and Di Lorenzo to take same photos and samples for our much awaited colour appointment. Now the fun time begins. Happy Friday everyone!

Did you manage to work out an arrangement regarding the deposit or did you pay the full five percent?

We paid the remainder of the 5% after M didn't agree to our request to pay less. It's quickly become a pet peeve of mine that there is no consistency in Metricon's processes across the states. It seems that the Sydney office isn't as flexible as they could.

We've also been told they need 15-20 working days to amend the plans and drawings and finalise all the BASIX and other reports needed for the DA. So it'll be early to mid August before we submit!

Sheilzy · Jul 14, 2014 8:14 am

monalisa

Congratulations

this is very exciting!

Thanks Mona. It's a relief to finally get back on track. Good luck with your tender appointment

Shambini · Jul 14, 2014 8:18 am

Sheilzy

Shambini

Sheilzy

Finally, 4 weeks after being presented with the contracts I'm on way to Metricon head office this morning with the signed contracts and handover the first substantial wad of cash! I'll also be spending some time at studio m and Di Lorenzo to take same photos and samples for our much awaited colour appointment. Now the fun time begins. Happy Friday everyone!

Did you manage to work out an arrangement regarding the deposit or did you pay the full five percent?

We paid the remainder of the 5% after M didn't agree to our request to pay less. It's quickly become a pet peeve of mine that there is no consistency in Metricon's processes across the states. It seems that the Sydney office isn't as flexible as they could.

We've also been told they need 15-20 working days to amend the plans and drawings and finalise all the BASIX and other reports needed for the DA. So it'll be early to mid August before we submit!

Seems to be a problem in most large organisations. Policies are sufficiently broad to allow different interpretations and then it ****** with the person holding the delegation in the office to set their own policy within the broader group.

Our plans have been with the council for two weeks now and from what I can gather, they have not gone to notification of our adjacent neighbours yet, so there is still quite a bit of waiting to go.

Sheilzy · Jul 25, 2014 5:39 pm

So, after weeks of our file sitting idle we are now in design getting our contract variations drawn for council submission. We have also signed off on the demolition job and had our first meeting with our landscape designer to prepare the landscape plan for the DA. It's such a relief to finally see some action! Anyone on the forum building Metricon in Sydney? I'd love to hear from you

Shambini · Jul 25, 2014 9:31 pm

Sheilzy

So, after weeks of our file sitting idle we are now in design getting our contract variations drawn for council submission. We have also signed off on the demolition job and had our first meeting with our landscape designer to prepare the landscape plan for the DA. It's such a relief to finally see some action! Anyone on the forum building Metricon in Sydney? I'd love to hear from you

Getting close! When are you scheduled in for your selection appointments?

Sheilzy · Jul 27, 2014 10:50 pm

CSC told me they would have the redrawn plans and contract variations sent to us for sign off early next week so I'd imagine they would book us in for studio m soon. I've been in touch with the studio manager to discuss the kitchen redesign. The external consultant that Metricon uses is either very busy, disorganised or hopeless at communication. One of the things that held us up at contract stage was due to his slow response! Anyways he finally emailed the draft drawings which we are 95% happy with. I just assumed he would have sent this through to Metricon so they would have this in our file for our appointment. So imagine my surprise when our CSC called me to question about the window to the butlers pantry that was included in the contract variation. It turned out the kitchen redesign had not been sent to M! Seriously it's so frustrating. You just can't make any assumptions or take anything for granted! So the studio m had followed up and I've been reassured that they would have the amended plans soon.

Ps, I also asked her about the new Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo that I'm in love with and it's a category 6! In fact it's the only one in that category so will be super expensive. I might have to settle for one of the other faux marble inspired colours but even they are a category 5:(

Shambini · Jul 28, 2014 8:24 am

Sheilzy

CSC told me they would have the redrawn plans and contract variations sent to us for sign off early next week so I'd imagine they would book us in for studio m soon. I've been in touch with the studio manager to discuss the kitchen redesign. The external consultant that Metricon uses is either very busy, disorganised or hopeless at communication. One of the things that held us up at contract stage was due to his slow response! Anyways he finally emailed the draft drawings which we are 95% happy with. I just assumed he would have sent this through to Metricon so they would have this in our file for our appointment. So imagine my surprise when our CSC called me to question about the window to the butlers pantry that was included in the contract variation. It turned out the kitchen redesign had not been sent to M! Seriously it's so frustrating. You just can't make any assumptions or take anything for granted! So the studio m had followed up and I've been reassured that they would have the amended plans soon.

Ps, I also asked her about the new Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo that I'm in love with and it's a category 6! In fact it's the only one in that category so will be super expensive. I might have to settle for one of the other faux marble inspired colours but even they are a category 5:(

All I can say is good luck with your variations!!

cat_dunc · Jul 29, 2014 11:45 pm

Hey was just looking at your blog and comparing your changes to the standard plan on the metricon website. It all looks great. Where will you put your masterbed if you've taken out the wall and put another robe in on the left wall?

It will be such a lovely house when you're done. I'm now keenly following!

yvonneh · Jul 30, 2014 10:30 am

I'm following too!

Sheilzy · Jul 30, 2014 10:33 pm

cat_dunc

Hey was just looking at your blog and comparing your changes to the standard plan on the metricon website. It all looks great. Where will you put your masterbed if you've taken out the wall and put another robe in on the left wall?

It will be such a lovely house when you're done. I'm now keenly following!

Hey cat_dunc, thanks for the lovely feedback. I've put a lot of thought into how I want the house to look. I've just discovered Pinterest (I know a bit behind the times!) and my boards are full of inspirations and ideas for every room in the house. Re master suite, we deleted the stud wall dividing the master from the WIR on the back wall so the bed will be positioned adjacent to the robes overlooking the balcony. I've been trying to upload/insert floor plans on the forum to no avail. I'm a bit of a non-techie so if you have any tips pls feel free to share. I will post the floor plans on the blog when Metricon sends through the revised version.

Sheilzy · Jul 30, 2014 10:34 pm

yvonneh

I'm following too!

Thanks Yvonne, I'll be following your journey. I'm very jealous that you are starting your build:)

yvonneh · Jul 30, 2014 11:20 pm

Sheilzy

I've just discovered Pinterest (I know a bit behind the times!) and my boards are full of inspirations and ideas for every room in the house.

have you looked at houzz yet? http://www.houzz.com (also an app)

Quote:

I've been trying to upload/insert floor plans on the forum to no avail. I'm a bit of a non-techie so if you have any tips pls feel free to share. I will post the floor plans on the blog when Metricon sends through the revised version.

I see you have a blog... what i do is use the images i have on my blog... basically you need to host the file somewhere first -- people on this forum use Photobucket, but you can use dropbox, google photos or whatever as long as it's got public permissions (ie anyone can view it) then you are fine. Just grab the URL by doing a right click on the photo and then do the "Copy image URL".

Then on the Homeone forum box where you type above you will see there are all the tag such as B for bold and I for italics etc. There is one that is "Img" -- use that. And paste the copied URL in between so it should read something like this

Code:

[img]https://ourhudson.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/alisalys-bathlaundry.jpg?w=300&h=168[/img]

So I grabbed from your blog the first photo I saw and here it is:
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