The Pottery Barn comes to Sydney

The count down is over, the Pottery Barn opens its doors tomorrow 2 May 2013 at Bondi Junction.

Exploring the website I discovered a potential dining table, dimensions 122 cm diameter, 76 cm high; extends to 183 cm long.

http://www.potterybarn.com.au/Sumner-Extending-Pedestal-Dining-Table.html

Georgica Pond was lucky to attend today's viewing at the Pottery Barn, here is her blog post about the experience http://georgicapond.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/open-for-business-williams-sonoma-inc.html

 

 

 

The world of Kitchens

The past few nights have been spent working on the kitchen in 3D land, trying to maximise the most out of the pantry.

Today, Better Homes & Gardens posted an article on organising your pantry. I thought I best keep this for when I eventually move into the house, as there are lots of great ideas.

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/diy/photos/p/16869213/declutter-your-kitchen-in-15-minutes/16869214/

Another 3D Design from Space Designer 3d

Studio M provide a great Gallery for Kitchen Inspiration. This would be close to the ultimate kitchen, with the maximum use of the island bench.

Designer3D

I've spent the evening playing around with Designer 3D.

Here is an example of a possible kitchen layout to sort out the issue of 'annoying' pantry. A corner pantry!!

I couldn't add an island bench unfortunately.

Bathroom

It's not long now until we have to make a decision regarding the bathroom, kitchen and overall colours.

Going over the images on Beaumont Tiles, the following appealed to me.

The first and second image, has light tiles and features opening up the room. Whilst I added the third image for the shaver mirror, which I hope to add to the ensuite to maximise storage.

Land Registration & Colour Choices

Land Registration
Since the last post our land has been registered and we settled on 23 April 2013. We are officially owners of a bit of dirt.

Landscape Plan
At our tender appointment we were asked if we would like to be provided with a landscape plan for $800. My imagination went wild with thoughts of sitting down with a designer and putting my ideas on paper, I also thought for that amount of money Dean from Rolling Stone Landscapes would be there with suggestions. The biggest rookie error I made and I suggest to anyone that is going through their build to ask "What do I get for my money???"

So what do you get for $800??

An email with 3 generic plans suitable for your estate guidelines. You chose one and they modify it for your block/house. There is no description of plants or pictures provided, which resulted in consulting with Google for an idea of what they have suggested. If you would like a consult with the company providing the plan that will cost an extra $200.

My suggestion for Fernville is to grab some pencils (most green) and design your own based on the example provided in the Guidelines. Here is a fabulous example of a Landscape Plan by The Garden Planners. Unfortunately, when I emailed them they don't have availability at this time to provide a landscape plan (for less than half the price of EB).

Lesson learnt.

Decisions
In an effort to be prepared for our 'colours' appointment we have been frequenting the Estate for inspiration for our facade colours just to make sure we're happy with the choice we made at PGH.

We have also become frequent visitors of Home World at Kellyville inspecting the colour combinations of the kitchens and bathrooms.

27 April 2013
A good part of the afternoon was spent at DiLorenzo selecting our flooring and tiles.

Tilly in Flooring and Carpets is ever so helpful and assists above and beyond her sales role to include assisting with colour choices and how everything will work together. I'm very appreciative of Tilly's advice.

The easy decision - Flooring. We have chosen Bamboo Floors for the majority of the house (excluding bedroom floors which will be carpeted).

Bamboo Floor: Coffee
Bed1: Redbook Green Oyster
Bed 2, 3 & 4: Evolution Porter Quest, solution dyed Nylon.

I'm not exactly sure on the 200x600 tiles. Di Lorenzo couldn't provide an example of the finished look of the tiles. However, we stopped into Beaumont Tiles at Bella Vista and their website has a Gallery of options http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/RoomIdeas.aspx.

  

 

 

The below tiles have been added recently to the DiLorenzo collection. This was considered for the main bedroom. I like the funky circles.

 

 

 

For good measure following our DiLorenzo trip we stopped by the Estate for more inspiration and I discovered a house I hadn't noticed previously on The Cedars Ave.

 

 



28 April 2013



We started the morning at Freedom Bella Vista, who is currently having a closing down sale. I picked up a few goodies including, a hat rack; a cushion featuring Georgie (the electus parrot); a vase; a pitcher vase; and some other various decorative items.

 

 



 

 

I'm tempted to go back for the wall clock in the middle "Paris Hotel". It's a matter of knowing where I can place it in the house.

 

 

Beaumont Tiles



 

 

Following our trip to Freedom & Beaumont Tiles, we stopped by AllCastle Homes at Kellyville Home World.

 

 

 

 Ending the day I'll be studying the Gallery from Beaumont Tiles

 







Facade Colours

12th April 2013

In addition to attending our contract appointment, I stopped by PGH in the morning to visualise the colours for the house.

This is what I came away with:

Bricks - Vanilla
Mortar - Off White
Joint Type - Ironed
Roof Colour and Profile - Woodland Grey Colourbond
Gutter - Woodland Grey
Fascia - Surfmist
Windows - Pearl White
Garage Door - Surfmist
Driveway - Woodland Grey or slightly lighter

The colours were based on my design brief of wanting white window frames

Combination Facade - Harvard Porch and Birmingham Windows 

Contract Signing

12th April 2013

Today we had our contract signing. Earlier in the week I was provided with a copy of the contract to review prior to the meeting. It was reaffirmed to me that I'm a visual person. It was much easier having the measurements to go over to understand the overall affect.

A few things I picked up on prior to the contract meeting
* The windows in Bed1 were awning, an email to our contract presenter rectified the windows to double hung
* I also clarified at what stage we select the type of roofing i.e. tiles or colourbond. We should have selected the roofing at the initial consultation.

I took in some notes for discussion:
* Shaver Mirror in the Ensuite
* WIR opening
* Gas Point location
* Kitchen Design
* Entry Door
* Bath Size
* Frosted Windows to Bathroom/Ensuite
* Whirly Birds
* Extension of slab (2.5m) behind the house to allow for an awning in the future

In response:
* If we are to put in a shaver mirror post handover, we can provide the measurements to allow a niche in the wall.
* Somehow the square set opening to the WIR had been removed. It is now re-instated
* On the drawings the Gas Point was located on wall of the family room which backs the hallway to bedrooms 2, 3 & 4. We have now located it at the corner of the family and rumpus room.
* It was reaffirmed that the kitchen design will be discussed at the Kitchen Culture appointment. I'm still concerned about the pantry. Ideally, I have the Hawthorne or Cambridge kitchen design in mind to maximise the pantry space.
* On our plans, an 820 wide door was allocated. As we're wanted a grand entrance we wanted a door similar to that on display at Spring Farm. In order to have 1no. Eden 3G "2040x1120" front entry door, we now have to increase the width of the front entry/porch by approx. 180mm and reduce Bed1 retreat/entry wall to line up. Note: The door on display for the Sheffield23 is 1200 wide.
* Bath size can be confirmed at Colours
* Translucent glazing to ensuite and bathroom in lieu of standard (ILOS) will cost $275
* Eden Brae do not include whirly birds to the Sheffield.
* Eden Brae are able to increase the slab to accommodate for the awning post handover.

Overall, the contract signing process was a positive experience. It allowed the opportunity to discuss concerns. Signing two lots of 98 pages of the contract wasn't so bad considering the poor presenter has to sign it as well.

The only point to follow up on is the 'moroka textured paint finish to front facade brickwork in lieu of standard' that has managed to creep into our tender. I can only assume this may have been suggested in the package between Eden Brae and the developer. For the cost of $2,500 to provide the moroka, I'm happy with the standard.