Light it up and plumb it in- Reno day 101

We have lights. The exciting pendant variety that is. Please excuse the terrible custard backdrop, once I have whited it all out I will get a much better pic of this beauty. We decided to swap them around and put the colourful one in the hall.


We kept the plain white one for the entry space so as to not compete with the leadlight.

Most exciting is the installation of those three mint green pendants that have been snuggled up in their boxes for the last 15 months. They are  still hanging  a little low but you get the idea. That's our fridge, all wrapped up in a protective vintage blankie.

And those industrial pendants we found at the demolition yard are in as well on the deck. They have a few bumps and dings, but I think it just adds to the charm.

The electricians suggested some up lighting on the expansive deck wall. We found these spotlights but turned upwards they should do the trick.

Meanwhile the plumber returned and in between uninspired jobs like installing downpipes, he popped a new toilet and pedestal sink into the second teeny tiny bathroom. This is the only room in the house without vj walls so I am pondering whether to sneak some wallpaper in here.

Several of you were wondering what the heck an ironing station was? I had no idea either until our cabinetmaker suggested it. We had been considering a pull out ironing board in a drawer but apparently these wall mounted options are much sturdier. It has a shelf and plug for the iron and the board folds down and swivels so there was just enough room to fit one in the laundry.

And finally, this week we had some resolution to the ongoing issues with the kitchen window. Despite the window company being aware from the beginning that this window was to be installed flush with the bench top, this simple request turned into a huge palaver.

In the end (at the builders suggestion) we were awaiting a final frame to be installed to cover over the main frame and reveal. Now that this is finally in I can see this room actually getting finished properly.

Next up it's kitchen benches and a few final jobs for Betsy.

Luscious laundry love - Reno day 91

We managed to get two coats of undercoat  on before these beauties arrived. Yep, that would be all the cabinetry for my new, real (not in a cupboard) laundry. Now, I grew up with a laundry down in the dirt under the house so a laundry in a cupboard, inside the house is not something to be sneezed at and for the last 11 years was much appreciated.

However, a laundry in a cupboard, in the lounge room is another thing altogether. Remember this little box of custard?

Now, it looks like this. A lovely set of louvres that open up onto a huge old frangipani tree and the north facing sunshine.

And the laundry has been moved to the southern side of the house where it also forms our main back entry inside. We have included a broom cupboard, linen cupboard, stacking washer/dryer, sink cupboard, large drawer for miscellanea and two large pull out laundry hampers. We chose a low sheen white laminate for this area as it is hard wearing and less expensive. If all goes to plan, we will be using remnants of the kitchen marble for the bench in this space as well.

There is just one small problem.

Yep, that back door handle will have to be moved if we want to be able to open this drawer, and the laundry hamper underneath. Just another one of those things that no one sees coming until it's all done. Legoman has been wandering around muttering "epic fail" under his breath as a testament to the slow descent to insanity that goes hand in hand with the final weeks of a renovation. I have been trying to use a soothing tone whilst avoiding wearing red or making any sudden movements.

At least we saw some positive progress elsewhere, there are now shelves in the nook of the old bathroom window.

And the electrician has made a start on all the fans, downlights and switches throughout the house. Not particularly inspirational but once these are in he will probably hang some pendant lights and that is a whole lot more exciting.

It was however, exciting to discover that you can put downlights into horsehair ceilings, so we were able to banish all ugly fan-light combos from the house. (And yes, that is yet another cream ceiling that needs to be painted white. Just add it to the list.)

So while we continue to paint the world white, it's only a matter of days until the pantry and kitchen cabinets are installed. Exciting times.