Ikea

Took my parents to Ikea today, they are looking for ideas to renovate the bathroom, laundry and kitchen in their rental property - after the last tenants left the place uninhabitable.

Had a look around and have a confession to make ..... I actually enjoyed it. Until I went downstairs and had to make my way through the maze, passing every single product Ikea made just so that I could get to the checkout.

But the top section was cool, I especially liked the little display cubicles (Okay, 22, 35 and 65 square metres are a little bigger than most cubicles) which incorporated, kitchen, laundry, bed and living areas. I am not sure that it would be suitable for anyone but a single person ... even a cat may take up too much room. But as exercises on what can be done in a small area they were very interesting. Which is probably a bit rich coming from someone who is building a 315 square metre home.

Got some ideas for the study and my computer room; I am not using the designated study as my computer room - I make too much mess and by migrating to Bedroom 2 I can always shut the door if I don't want anyone to see how untidy my desk, room, bookcase, cupboards are!

Was an interesting day, not so sure I want to go back in a hurry though :)

Colours ... from the top! Part II

What would I know?? :)

The final (for now) choice of roof tile is .... (drumroll please) .... 'truffle'

The usual disclaimers about being subject to change still apply.

Famous (by) Design

The display home Rayleen and I have fallen for is an entrant in the 2009 Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards (that will need a large trophy to fit it all on!). It featured on pages six and seven of "Home" - a supplement to the Sunday Times over here in WA.

It's also appeared on the interweb here:
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,24033957-5013243,00.html

Signs of Life

I have been stalking the letter box for the last week or two, probably longer than that to be truthful. Waiting for 'the plans'!

Received a letter from SPH today ..... yippee!

..... your preliminary plans and other relevant documentation have now been completed ..... yae!

..... take approximately two weeks ..... d'oh

..... provisional sums will be adjusted accordingly ..... hmm

So, basically SPH sent Rayleen and I a letter saying that they're not finished yet and that we have to wait another two weeks. Oh well, I have been told that this is the boring part of the build process, just hope the adjustment to the provisional sums isn't too drastic!

Colours ... from the top!

Part One of many.

Rayleen has rethought the colour scheme for our new home, originally we were going with a graphite coloured tile roof, with charcoal guttering and fascias and a dark, dark brown over light brown render. Now, after a re-think we both decided that maybe we could step away from that colour scheme and try something a little different.

So, it's time to pick the new colour for the roof tiles. On the left we have 'sandalwood' and on the right is 'truffle'. At the moment 'sandalwood' appears to be winning, but that may change ... and I am sure it will.

The actual colours are a couple of shades darker than they appear here, the flash has washed them out a little.

The House in Question

Rayleen and I have decided upon a design called "The Sovereign" by Scott Park Homes, a West Australian builder. A company who incidently built the home we are in at the moment and built my nephew's and his wife's current home for them. So, from what we have learnt, it should be a good build - but will keep my fingers crossed.



The dotted areas are where we have up-specced to high ceilings, 31 course instead of the usual 28 (I think)

Looking Out Our Front Door

... to be.

This is the view we're going to get from the front door of our build.

Lawn, grass, walk paths, bridges ... much better than looking straight into the front door of the neighbour across the road.

The landscaping hasn't been completed yet, but by the time the house is completed everything should be green (depending on water restrictions here in WA)

The block is on a bend in the road and we were originally concerned about car lights sweeping across the bedroom windows at night, but as we chose a home with the master bedroom at the back this became a non-issue.