We know that the show must go on… but was it the best day to take out the front door with the forecast of westerlies on their way and temperatures dropping?

All good and secure by the time to get to the beach for sunset.

Peter’s created the frame for the louvre window to the bring in the breeze, and left a space for the 1940’s french doors we’ve picked up. The french doors will define the two areas…  the ‘sleep-out verandah’ entry and the upstairs living area.

Here they are patiently waiting in the garage for their rejuvenation.

Expecting a big day this Friday with the stairs arriving, the plumber, electrician and kitchen cabinet maker all on site through the day.  Keep you posted

It’s not ’til we have visitors that we realize that things really ARE going ahead.  The panelling is going up in the downstairs area (super work Peter).  And with the ceiling being painted (very slow going Margaret), we are feeling like we are moving the proverbial deck chairs on the Titanic as we both manoeuvre around the kitchen cabinets, lounge furniture, tools, ladders etc.

The kitchen window with external sliding screens are in and now we’re on the hunt for a lovely piece of hardwood to create the outside serving bench/bar out to the deck.  This will be sheltered by the amazing hood Peter installed last month.  The stain-glass window has been replaced by louvres.  We are really impressed with how great they look and the natural light they give to the dining area.  And what sort of beach house has a stain-glass window?

The internal stairs are ordered and will be an outstanding addition to the renovation, as well as a relief to have that job completed.  Thanks to Bruce and Allen of NorthCoast Joinery for coming out to check the site and work out how to finish the treads that open out into the dining/lounge area.

Now’s the time for the kitchen deliberations to become decisions… splashback, benchtops, handles, tapware… already have had the lighting consultation and made those decisions.  You’ll see the wiring in the photo above – that was the slow part of the panelling – making sure the right wires come out at the right place.  We’re sure our sparky will be grateful.

Concrete Taxi

Heka Hood

no need for the gym today

So… last post we boasted about getting the windows in, the window hood up over the kitchen window that faces onto the deck.  One out of two’s not bad!

Though what is bad is a window supplier that a) doesn’t turn up on Monday but makes it on Thursday after a phone call from us, b) arrives on Thursday with the kitchen window with no sliding fly screens on, (the one’s supplied were the wrong size anyway), and the dining area louvres with no reveals attached as ordered.  A visit to the supplier was in order and a promise to be here this last Thursday.  c) Hmmm… no show!

On a positive note the Heka hood is up and looking tres schmick.

Dan arrived Saturday morning to help with the concrete pour for the slab under the internal stairs.  Thanks so much Dan.  It’s a long way from the road, down the driveway, across the front of the house, along the verandah, and into the house, to drop the concrete and then back for more.  Rick from Concrete Taxi enjoyed showing Dan a few ‘insider tips’ lol.

Since then Peter’s built a block wall on top of the lower slab up to support the upper slab, before the framing gets built to support the stairs.  The 5 second brilliant idea of recessing the stairs between the two levels has become a massive engineering challenge.  It’s the focus at the moment.  It will be soooo worth it as it will open up the living area downstairs and makes good use of a ‘dead’ space.

It’s step by step and the walk to the beach at the end of the day is always calming and balances work with what’s important.

Our noisy friend Rick terrified the cat and made a right royal mess of the house this week as he cut through the top slab to make room for our internal recessed stairs.  This is probably the most ambitious part of the reno to date, and has been taking an exhausting amount of time and energy… especially as all the bricks, concrete, blocks and sand has to be wheel barrowed out! (Great exercise for Peter’s recovering shoulder???)

Hoping for an unexpected find of some treasure, gold bar, cash, to ease the pain.  (Ah… dreaming of staying in 5 star comfort instead of living in the middle of a work-site.)  All that’s been uncovered so far is a 10 cent piece and some broken glass (almost an antique but worthless).

Work is still slowly going on painting the ceiling.  We are at the stage of seriously investigating flooring, kitchen splash back and bench top decisions.  The wiring’s in for the kitchen and VJ sheeting arrived through the week.

Hard to fathom how Peter keeps all this time frame and detail in that handsome head of his.

This coming week – installing kitchen window and louvres for the dining area; installing the bespoke window hood.