WE ARE IN.

Thanks to many hands making light work - (or is that Manny Hans made the lights work judging by the photo) we moved into the house over the weekend. The above photo is taken from the property at the rear looking towards (from extreme left to right) the BBQ area, kitchen, meals and living area. If you double click on the photo you will be able to see Lee in the kitchen, and the TV on in the lounge. The fact that Mike's glass fronted beer fridge is full means that we are officially entrenched. Thanks to the Luke, Jess, Brenton, Kaitlen, Jai & Jan and Keith for helping with the move. Now all we have to do is declutter the garage and move Mike's office....................now there is yet another challenge. Thanks to those of you who have followed this blogsite and our progress from the turning of the first sod of dirt to this. Stay tuned as we continue to complete the house by doing furhter landscaping and take some photos of the furnished rooms.

The rear area is nearly completed. Glen (backhoe operator) was in last saturday and cleaned up the rear area and installed the mudstone and the area is now ready for planting. The zincalume miniorb (small ribbed corrugated sheeting) has been installed under the kitchen servery window and to the base of the BBQ (out of shot). Andy and Chris will be back next week to complete the screen to the BBQ. We are moving in this weekend and Mike's office will move next week - nearly done. Just a few weekends of gardening to do to complete and then maybe just maybe we can sit on the deck and count the kangeroos in the bad paddock - although I don't think Mike has too many kangeroos left running around in his top paddock if you know what I mean - we are both looking forward to our first weekend to enjoy the tranquilty - "ah yes and the serenity"

Mike's arty shot of the central courtyard. The planting has been done and the rust walls to the upper area also completed. The courtyard is a lovely quiet space and sheltered from the wind which can play havoc on the rear decking at times. Next will be the pond plants and pump to the water feature - the sound of running water will be a lovely addition (as well as some warming sunshine)

Another photo of the courtyard showing the pond (more water plants to come) the weekend planting done, corner pots and pool edging - not too shabby really. Even the water feature is starting to rust up nicely - yes it is supposed to be rusty. The main bedroom is on the right hand side, the library in the centre (behind the ochre doors) and the lounge on the left hand side.

The sandstone wall to the outside entry area - not quite 100% completed yet (being held up by this wet weather) but you get the idea. All the ponds are full, rust walls done, front door in on and the cleaner is working hard to clean the floor tiles. With a few plants the entry will be complete - it needs some green don't you think?

This photo is a little dark but if you look close enough you will see that the stair balustrade has now been installed - that will help to stop Kaitlen falling off the side of the stair - as for falling up or down the stair, that will be up to her.

What a difference the carpet makes - there is a cover to go over the air conditioner and wall paper to the wall below it and the room will be completed - always looks big before furniture.

With two weeks to go to completion, it is all happening. David the painter is nearing completion on the external feature walls (rust), pond capping about to be installed, building surround prepared for garden paths and planting, ponds being topped up by the rain, feature sandstone wall (currently blue) due next week, electrical fitoff nearly done, plumbing ditto, towels rails etc all to go in tomorrow, internal glass work (mirrors shower screens) to be completed early next week, all internal tiling is done, all connections completed, air cond installed, heating due next wednesday, carpet the week after and clean and window blinds that same week - then in will roll the trucks!!!!! Are we really that close to completion???? Phew.

The "rust" feature panels to the front elevation. David the painter is doing such a terrific job he is now known as "RUSTY". Even the galvanized chain downpipe has rust forming from the over flow off the roof. I wonder how long it will take for the roof to rust through??

A closr look at the rusted panelling adjacent to the front door. If yu click on the image it will enlarge it further. By next week the front door will be in place.

By Monday morning these panels on the garage door will appear 20 years older - rusted and looking ready to fall apart and be replaced!!! Character adding all the time with these different finishes but driving Dave looney in the process.

Out the back, the two piers on the sides of the bi-folding doors have been "rusted up". The dance floor decking has been inundated with dust laden footprints. Pond is full and the top edging completed as well as the fire pit area (extreme left of the photo)

The temporary builder's loo has been moved (yet again) and now sits proudly as the maoin feature at the west end of the decking. Maybe not such a bad idea having an outside loo close to the BBQ (drinking) area. Maybe Dave can paint that in rust as well.

"Does my arse look big in this photo?"

A view of David from his best side or is that backside. Putting a clear coat on the stained timber stair treads. All that is missing now is the balustrade and wall trim. Notice the work safe practices in place here - handrail and safety socks!!!

What great light and sky in this photo - oh and the building is not too shabby. Pity about the fence, the toilet, the clay mounds and the unfinished walls at the upper level - apart from that this is a great shot. Only 3 weeks to go until we start moving in - WILL IT BE FINISHED IN TIME???? Stay tuned.

Mike finally got himself into a photo - he is only a shadow of his former self and a one handed photographer at that. It will be good when the beloved dunny goes and the dirt becomes garden - soon I am told, soon.................

WOW is that a deck or a dance floor. Just a week ago this decking looked 100 years old with all the tradies doing a bit of boot scooting over it. Now it looks ready for ballroom dancing. This may be a case of shoes off if you want to go outside!!!

The completed sandstone feature wall in the entry - or at least part of it. Wes is back in a couple of weeks to complete the job on the outside of the entry area. Looking great so far

A close up of the unbelievable painting job being done by David on the front door. There is an inlaid aluminium strip with "Monument" (matching the roof colour) on the right hand side and Porters "Liquid Copper" on the left hand side. Looks great and when the painter told us how much it was per litre we thought that it must be REAL liquid copper. But how good is it? Wait until you see the door hanging on the front of the house..............

The feature wall behind the bed head in the main bedroom. David (the painter) is doing a great job. This wall is Wattyl "Gilded Gold" Pearl Finish and has one coat to go.

The plumber has progressed this week and has started installing the fixtures. This shot is in the master ensuite with his and her basins. The cupboard over will be mirror faced. I sure it will look very different by the time it is all done and cleaned - oh the cleaning!!!

The final coats of paint are going on now with the colours getting richer. The floor will be carpeted and the carpet colour is (you guessed it) charcoal. In case you are wondering, the two holes in the wall are for the TV connections and the glass cupboards at the base are to the equipment cupboard. The 3 white rectangles on the seat are the notices saying 'Keep off the seat"

WOW!!!! Wes the tiler has started installing the sandstone in the entry foyer. The blocks are 600 x 400 x 32 and weigh a lot - just ask Wes. This feature is repeated under the stairs and outside the front door and by the time Wes has finished his biceps won't fit in his shirt sleeves!!!

Not a great photo - the setting sun streaming into the kitchen area - but it shows that the island bench has had the stone bench installed as well as the upsatand wall at the right hand end (to hide toaster kettle etc.). The under bench knee space will be lined with brushed aluminium. Also if you look closely you can see that the stainless steel top has also been installed along the back and left hand side. Kitchen is now getting closer and Lee is very excited!!!

Kaitlen getting excited by the feature wall colour in her bedroom "I thought it was going to be a light colour?" It will be Kaitlen - it has not yet been finished and you did say that you wanted blue!!!

Caesarstone Raven benchtop has now been installed in the master ensuite. Now Wes can complete the surrounding tiling to bring the ensuite closer to completion. So much work and so little time.........

The water storage tanks have arrived and been put in place at the west end of the lounge area. There are two large and one small tank with a total capacity of 19,000 litres. The tank water is used for the toilets, the ponds and the external garden taps. They also give some protection to the west wall of the house from the hot setting sun................mmm sounds like an architectural magazine submission

View of the rear of the house as it gets closer to completion. The galvinized water tank on the right will be mirrored on the left with galvinized mini-orb cladding under the kitchen window and around the BBQ.

From this angle you can see the rear of the metal sculpture in the pond and on the left of that is the fire pit area - refer to the next photo for the fire box for this area.

Steel fire box designed by Mike and fabricated by Ross of Valley Steel - was that another ad???

Although this is currently sitting in the lounge room, it is destined to live outside, near the rear water feature - for those cold nights when Mike is cooking on the BBQ and feels the need to have a cold beer by a warm fire!!!!

The idea is for the steel to rust and match in with the rusted steel sculpture in the pond............

View of the front entry area. The driveway has been poured along with the step pavers leading to the drawbridge over the pond - bring your waders when you come to visit. The "washboard" water feature (designed by Mike) has been placed in the pond. What is left to be done, the front door, the sandstone wall, the rusted steel panels, the dark monument paint to the soffit, the planting. the water feature water works and the fish - not much really and this is only the entry. The end is near and we should be close by the end of July and planning our move in early August - not long to go now..................

View of the central courtyard gradually getting closer to completion with the paving done, pergola, steps and water feature all in place. A couple of garden edging pieces and then ready for planting AND fish. The addition of the greenery should really add to this space

Closer view of the water feature in the pond in the central courtyard. Eventually the water will run down from vane to vane once Mr. Keef the water expert gets to site

It is a little difficult to see the detail (refer later photo from the outside) but the slump glass panels have safely made it into place after travelling all aorund Melbourne in the process of their fabrication. The panels were designed and fabricated by Mike's sister Marguerite and they look fantastic. This panel is in the ensuite shower area.

The slump glass window panel in the powder room. The surrounding tiling has yet to be installed. Marguerite has done a great job on the design and fabrication of the glass - contact Mike if you would like to contact her about some for you - HEY our first advertisement on this blogsite!!!!

The view of the slump glass from the outside. This one is in the master ensuite and looks great - not sure how much will be seen from the outside but what the heck - it is only the shower on the other side!!!!

Looking from the front entry towards the meals area at the far end. The painting to the walls is nearly completed and the floor tiles to the passage have been laid. Green wall = sandstone later this month

The joinery in the office is done and ready for the beer oh sorry I mean books. The shelving is ready for the books/ View is looking towards the front entry and the "green" wall will soon be clad in sandstone

View from the library towards the central courtyard. The doors have been painted and re-installed. The joinery is completed and the fish tank (photo central) is due to be measured

The bamboo flooring is OUT and the ceramic floor tiles are ON. Wes powers through the installation of the substitute flooring which is looking good. The bamboo installers would not guarantee their product if installed over a heated concrete floor - so therefore the substitute.

The boss runs a keen eye over the workmanship. The kitchen cupboard installation can be seen in the background with caesarstone top to the island bench and stainless steel to the back benches yet to be completed.

Feature tiles at the end of the bath in the upstairs bathroom.

Finished tiled feature wall in the upstairs bathroom. As can be seen by the shower waster location, the shower is to the left of the bath hob. Wes is doing a great job on the tiling with the setout being a priority.

More colour being added to the house. The end wall of the lounge has had each side panel painted to match the main passage. The wall between is the TV wall which is to be wall papered with a dark patterned paper.

Looking out from the dining area towards the rear decking and Mike's attempt at a sculpture for the rear pond - albeit currently done in plywood.

If approval is given by the boss then it will be laser cut from mild steel and installed in the pond to rust away to nothing.

Next on the list for metal design is the external fire box and letter box - stay tuned for more.............

Wes the tiler has started laying floor tile in all the wet areas and this photo show the entry foyer. The tile is called wet cement which is certainly appropriate given the look of it.

Finally some colour on the walls to add something to the house other than black, dark grey or light grey. This shot is taken from the upper level bedroom door looking down the double height stairwell. However, once David had painted the wall we realised that it was too pink so Raphael or was it Donatello? remixed the paint to take out the pink and put in some "rust" - now for the repaint and final approval.

The Chief closely inspecting and checking the feature wall panelling to the kitchen and bar area. The first of the cupboards in this area have been installed in the bar and a couple of wines followed shortly thereafter.

Some of the kitchen colours are now starting to appear. Balance of kitchen joinery is due this week and then the flooring goes in.

Shelving has been installed to one side of the garage and no sooner was it installed than it was being used to store old take away coffee cups and left over material which did not quite make it to the skip

Materials stored in the garage ready for installation including more floor and wall tiles and the 30mm thick sandstone slabs. I could hear the tiler's back crack when I told him that these are destined for the high side of the garage wall.

Photo of the main bedroom with David the painter sitting down on the job - I think it is because he is stilltrying to work out what colour goes where - in this main bedroom alone there is 6 colours alone - and I think David has painted seven colours - even I don't know anymore - but it does look good. The yellow panels are the doors - and I have been told that I must take after my dad (he is colourblind)