Sunday, September 8, 2013

Show me the marble - Reno day 108



Well, this post has taken me a little longer than anticipated to write as there have been some dramas with the reno in the last two weeks that have kind of taken over the joy of new bench tops. It seems that while we had the finish line in sight, that did not mean we were home and hosed with an problem free renovation. 

It seems we have hit two snags, one just because we are very unlucky and the other because of some poor decisions by people who should know better. One of these issues is still unresolved and has created significant stress as well as delaying our return home. I have been reluctant to blog about the problems until a solution is found and it has also tempered my enthusiasm over posting about the progress as well. But in an effort to focus on the fact that this will end, we will go home and there are much bigger issues in the world (is anyone else worried for the safety of all those budgies now that we have a new prime minister?), I will push on and show you some marble.

This slab in fact, that was so heavy that the three stonemasons were able to get it up the front stairs, rest it in our entry room and then discover that they were unable to lift it again. So there it stayed for a few days until they could bring a fourth bloke back to get it down into the kitchen.




There, much better. I'm super duper happy with the lovely grey of this stone and for a tactile person like me, it is beautiful to touch too. I cannot wait to roll out some dough on here. 





The kitchen feels like it is starting to take shape now. The overhead shelf and rangehood cabinet are still two weeks away but I don't mind seeing it come together in stages, makes you appreciate each bit of the transformation. For those who have been on the edge of their seats for seven months wondering which stove we chose, as you can see in this pic, the Aussie Rogue was the overall winner. If it performs as well as Hugh Jackman I will be a  very happy girl. (Click on the link too if you are from the northern hemisphere and need to understand about the budgies mentioned earlier in this post).




The pantry/office nook is coming together too.




And while they didn't have enough of our grey slab to finish the laundry, I actually really like this off cut of a much whiter Carrara that they managed to fossick up.




Fingers crossed for some luck on our side this week, we hope to be home before school holidays.


34 comments:

  1. Well, I LOVE the marble benches, but I really love being able to say benches to someone who knows what they heck I am talking about - they call them "worktops" here in England. They call loads of other things benches, but apparently in a kitchen it cannot be a bench. Sorry, just had to get that out! I've been holding it in for about 3 decades now...
    Hope that you get back home soon and that you love the new oven. I have to say that I would have gone for the Smeg because of the backsplash bit. We had a new oven earlier this year and it blows steam out of two vents on the cooktop and I wish there was a backsplash to protect the tiles. Oh well.
    Sorry, I have gone on here, didn't intend to when I started. Anyway, benches lovely, hope that the new oven is great, and hope that you get your problems resolved and that you are back home soon.
    Off to find out why the new PM is against the budgies!!

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    1. Good to hear you have released all those years of pent up bench angst. Worktop? That sounds like something in a shed/mancave/gymnasium. I was all for the smeg until Legoman pointed out all the flaws and made me un-like it from a functional perspective. We had the backsplashy thing and took it off, might be steaming up my window! mel x

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  2. I am drooling over your lights!!! The shape and colour is gorgeous and exactly what I would pick. Hope all the issues get sorted quickly. Have a great week Mel xo

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  3. Hi, in Scotland the traditional name for the top of units in the kitchen is bunker, which I love. Understand benches too of course. And what fine bunkers/benches they are, just beautiful. I am loving the lights too, such a great 1930s colour. A great find. I wish you a speedy return home and I hope your 'big thing' sorts itself out soon, weeks can feel like forever sometimes, can't they. Keep on going, how's the decision fatigue? Any better? Katie x

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    1. Are you serious? Bunker? Isn't that something underground where you go if there is a bomb or a tornado? Gosh who new there were so many global names for the horizontal surfaces in a kitchen! Decision fatigue is all sorted, not a single one left to make thank goodness! mel x

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    2. Hooray, what on earth are you thinking about now? The small matter of moving back in perhaps? So glad you're getting there, Katie x

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  4. Wow! So much is happening over a your place! It's all looking so great and I'm serious adoring those lights! The colour is just fabulous! Wishing you a most wonderful week.
    Sophie xx

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  5. That marble is gorgeous, such a great grey. It's all taking shape so nicely :)

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  6. Oh Mel, I just want to run my hands all over that bench top! It looks so beautiful!!! As for snags, I've encountered a few of them myself and they have kept me awake for nights while I have tried to resolve them. Even with the most meticulous of plans, renovations do not always run smoothly BUT the problems will eventually work themselves out. I hope you are not getting too many callouses on your fingers due to the mountain of painting you are doing at the mo. xx

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    1. Still amazes me how many issues can crop up every week, these last two were doozies - the sort involving conflict and extra cash. Not fun. Hope there are none like that over your way. No callouses yet, very dodgy nails though and hoping my wrists hold up for the weeks ahead! mel x

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  7. Oh wow! The bench tops are divine. Sorry to hear about the snags. Hope all is resolved quickly so you can return to your beautiful home.

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  8. Ohh the mint green is a match made in heaven with the grey marble!!! So serene. I love it all. Marble in the laundry! A girl can dream!! It is moving a long nicely. The end is in sight hopefully.
    www.lasscreative.com.au

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  9. Gosh the marble is amazing. I want marble benches now. I guess the marble-look laminate bench tops will have to do for now.
    Hope these issues sort themselves out, being so close to the finish line you really don't need these troubles. x

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    1. Zara I thought you already had marble benches from your pics, the laminate is very very good as a copy. mel x

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  10. LOVE the marble. LOVE! Hope the snags work out, without causing you too much more stress, and you can move in soon!

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  11. Love!! I am just about ready to move in, so whenever you are done, just let me know!
    Great to see it al coming together, despite the snags. There are always going to be snags I guess, that is what I call 'thinking outside the renovation box!' They can be such a pain, but dont lose sight, you will be there soon!!

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  12. I am in love with that marble...that grey with the green...perfection!
    I hope that the issues get resolved fairly quickly and without causing you too much more pain and frustration.
    As for benches, I might as well chime in and say that in the States they are called counter or countertops. I was so confused when I first moved here and people told me to "put it on the bench" as at home a bench is only for sitting on!

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    1. So funny how we all call them different things, I ofen say I speak three languages, English English, Aussie English and American English!!

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    2. I am still chuckling over this worldwide debate over my kitchen benches/bunkers/counters/worktops. Who knew?!?

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  13. Everything is coming together so beautifully! I love the kitchen already.

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  14. I reckon in building/renovation there will ALWAYS be A) at least one major cock-up by someone, B) an unexpected major expenditure and C) it will always take way longer than you expect!
    However, it is all looking so lovely. That piece of marble in your kitchen is just beautiful, and I think Betsy will be a wonderful wonderful place to live!

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    1. Oh yes, you are spot on. For us A and B are the same thing and are then causing C- well only an extra week hopefully! mel x

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  15. Betsy's looking fab, love her new lights and love the brightness of her pantry esp. Not long now, hope those hiccups turn out to be minor. Ps. love your blue Casey Ware vase, I have a small size in green, CW is my favourite Aussie pottery maker.

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  16. Mel! You picked the pendant lights I was looking for!!! I was on the hunt for green pendants for months. In the end I chose cream because we are painting the pressed metal ceilling grey, but wow. I love those lights. xx

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  17. Mel, that huge chunk of marble is to die for! And as for those lights, just gorgeous. You are doing Betsy proud. I'm sure it feels like it's been going on forever, but It's all coming together so beautifully. Loving all the different names - bunkers, counters, worktops - who knew! Hope solutions have been found for the hiccups and you can all be back home to enjoy it asap. Mel x

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  18. There's always snags in renovating whether you DIY or outsource. Always. Focus on those gorgeous marble benchtops (tossed in another alternative for you)and cross fingers you get an adequate resolution to your issues. xx

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  19. You have just inspired me to go with marble. I have just discovered your blog and LOVE it. Meeting with my cabinet maker next week, thanks for the inspiration!!! Looks amazing.
    www.mypaintpots.blogspot.com
    Sarah x

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    1. Sarah, I love the look of the grey carraras and was also reassured by a recent post by Georgica pond who has had similar benches for about 18 months and has three little kids. We have had ours sealed against most staining, still some risk of etching but it is less visible with the honed. Go have a look at snb stone- their range is fab. mel x

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  21. I think your blog is just terrific and I am enjoying following your journey. You are a terrific photographer. Thanks for sharing the photos of your children, who are beautiful. I love the timber floors . . . you have inspired me to bite the bullet and rip up our carpets. I hope your set backs are resolved soon.

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  22. Thanks for popping in and leaving such lovely comments. Definitely rip up those carpets, you won't look back. mel x

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  23. That marble is absolutely gorgeous - it's going to be perfect for making bread, pastry, pizzas - anything, really! x

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  24. Finally I am catching up on your renos all the way from the coast on my sons out of charge laptop. Oh the spotty planks, the shiny floors, the marble!!! It is all to lovely and exciting for words. Such a grown up house, Mel! I'm off to continue through your archives on 1% charge.

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