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.

Tender

Today we went to Tender with Eden Brae.

[Insert post when less stressed]

Update:
We had the pleasure of having Tanya as our Tender Presenter. It was the greatest blessing thus far in the process. Tanya is very knowledgable (and if she doesn't have the answer on hand, is timely in responding with an answer) and is very organised.

We went through the Tender with a fine tooth comb, stopping every time I needed something clarified and cross referenced to my notes.

Some points that were added to the Tender included:

* Increase shower niches to 330mm, this will allow for approximately 300mm niches once the gyprock and tiles are in.

* Added flyscreens to all windows

* High raised ceiling to entry (this also includes Bedroom 1)

* Sliding doors to robes in Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4

* Provisions for Kitchen, Flooring and Electrical upgrades

Needless to say, I went home and didn't want to think about the house or the costs involved in having a finished home on completion.

After cross referencing my notes with the Tender and knowing that no structural variations could be made to the house after signing the Tender, I started researching the practicalitiesof the windows.

Windows

Bedroom 1 - Eden Brae use awning windows as their standard windows for panel type windows.
After much debate about how the plantation shutters would work with these windows and the ventilation, I asked the possibility of having double hung windows. For a small cost, I've changed the windows.

Living Room - Instead of two panel windows in the living room I requested ASW1018. This will hopefully allow more light into the room and into the entry/hall way.

Bathroom - The window on display for the Sheffield 23 at Gregory Hills has been increased to 1600mm in depth i.e. the window and the bath meet. All I could see what water being splashed on the blinds and window.

The standard window is 1000mm high x 1400mm wide. I agreed to have the standard I just hope that the tiles to vanity will look okay, as opposed to having the window at 900mm high x 1500mm wide as selected by another Sheffield builder.

Window Splashback in Kitchen - The standard for the Sheffield 25 is 1500mm wide, as opposed to the 3200mm window on display.

Today is the Day! Signing Contracts

12th March 2013
Tonight we go to the Solicitors and sign our lives away. Hopefully there are no more issues with the Contract of Sale re: land.

Next stop our Tender Appointment on Friday 15 March 2013.

Registration of Land - We were advised that the registration of the land would happen in March, however that appears to be extended by 5-6 weeks.

Eden Brae are also advising 28 weeks (7 months) to build a single storey home.

Websites

Blogs - Keeping Up with the Joneses
             Young House Love

Blum - Blum is an international company that specialises in the production of functional furniture fittings. The company's main product groups are lift mechanisms, hinges and drawer systems for furniture - in particular for kitchen furniture.

Cooks Plumbing -

DiLorenzo - Tiles, Floor Boards and Carpet selection for Eden Brae

Eden Brae

Electrical - Home Smart Innovations  

Home Option Gallery

Houzz - Create an Ideabook for your next remodeling project!

Interior Design - Redomyspace

Kitchen Designs  on realestate.com.au

Kitchens - Brindabella Kitchens

PGH Bricks - Brick selection for Eden Brae

StudioM - Design A Room Online with Envisage
The online selection centre from one of Australia's leading Builders - Metricon
Envisage: To conceive an image or a picture of, especially as a future possibility.

The Block - All Stars 2013 Supply list

Helpful Hints to Remember

This post is to be referred to as we get further along the building process. The Home One Forum has been a god send. So many helpful hints and tips from those who have been there and done that. I'll update this as I gather more information.

Bathrooms
Ensure that the niches in the showers are completed at 300mm to allow for shampoo and conditioner bottles to fit. Some people have experienced after the gyprock and tiles the niche becomes 270mm, creating a tight fit for the bottles.

This photo shows the niche, the purpose of the picture was the shower head (it'll do as an example)

I also need to remember frosted glass windows for both the bathrooms.  

Painting

A contribution made today on the Home One Forum

Only hint for pci is turn the lights on in each room, we noticed alot more bad paintwork with them on. Also look above door frames as you walk into a room, our main bathroom had half a coat on it.

Home One

'Things you Forgot' Page 27 Summary  - This page will certainly get a work out. So many helpful tips to see us through our build.

Water Temperature Adjustors

Apparently with the Hot Water System temperature controls are not included. It has been suggested getting the Rheem Integrity Temp Deluxe Control (cost approx. $200).

Kitchen

A few people have been having issues with their kitchen island bench.

At the Tender Presentation I need to ensure the bench in the Sheffield is 1100mm wide with a 300mm overhang.



The finer details of Display Homes

Today we visited Spring Farm to look beyond WIRs and Kitchens (the first two things I look at when viewing at Display Home). I particularly wanted to see the towel rails in the bathrooms and how many down lights were included throughout the Sheffield.

Gary was helpful as always and available to answer our many questions, FYI stone bench tops in the kitchen are included in our package.

Down Lights
In the Sheffield 23 there are 79 down lights. At approximately, $129 per LED light that's a total of $10,191.00.

Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 have 4 down lights per room.
Bathroom - 5
WIR - 2
Ensuite - 3
Main Bedroom - 8
Hall Way - 5
Laundry - 2
Rumpus - 8
Alfresco - 4
Entry - 3

The dilemma of the towel rails
After our last visit to Spring Farm we were driving home and I couldn't recall where the towel rails were in the ensuite. As it turns out there are none on display in the Sheffield 23. The only available space is beside the toilet, which I'm not keen in doing. I've drawn up a plan for a change in the bathroom, which I'm yet to hear if it is possible and the cost involved. This will reduce the size of the shower and provide a wall space for towels to hang.

Sheffield 23 Ensuite, Spring Farm 

 

 Sheffield 23 Ensuite, Spring Farm

 

 

Shaving Mirror

Hopefully we'll be able to have a shaving mirror in the ensuite. This will maximise storage.

At this stage, we have to look into getting it through Eden Brae and having it recessed into the wall or doing it after hand over.

 

 Drysdale, Spring Farm

 

Bathroom

I'm not particularly keen to have the window in the bathroom to meet the bathroom. I've requested the window to be adjusted.



 



 

 

Provision for a hand towel? 

 

 

Again, the towel rail is in close proximity to the toilet. I was thinking that a towel hook could be placed next to the shower and the towel rail could go above the bath.



 

 

 

 

On a side note, it is preferable to have floor to ceiling tiles around the shower.

 



 

Another location for the towl rail, above the bath.

 

 

Height of tiles in bathroom

 

 

Drysdale at Spring Farm

 

 

The tiles we narrowed down at DiLorenzo's are similar to those shown above.

 

 

An example of towel rails above the bath

 

 

 



McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 

Decisions Decisions 

I like the tiles in the Lincoln 35, Gregory Hills. Next time we're at DiLorenzo they'll be able to tell us what tiles they are and how much... then it'll be a decison between floor boards and tiles. 

 

 

 

Kitchen Appilances

This is the 900mm oven provided in the kitchen upgrade, as shown in the Lincoln 35 at Gregory Hills. We've requested a plinth instead of the legs.

 

 

Lounge

As a result of extending the WIR, there will be a niche in the lounge room similar to the one shown in the Lincoln 35 at Gregory Hills

 

 



 

 

The TV and Entertainment Unit look a bit bland, the below display could be incorporated into the niche. I'm not sure about the above shelving, but the down lights and Unit are appealing. 

 

McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 

Laundry

The below laundry is on display for the Sheffield. Given there is no Sheffield 25 on display it is difficult to know the extact size of the laundry.

 

The decision of having a sliding door or hanging door has it's pros and cons. After seeing the McDonald Jones fit out I think I would prefer the hanging door to allow for bench top and cupboards. The only changes I would make would be a broom cupboard. If this is possible it is yet to be determined.

 

 



 

McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 



Other considerations

 

Stacker Doors

I'm hoping to have the frame level with the flooring. My reasoning? To be able to transport George (Electus Parrot) in his cage into the house. Not sure if this is possible, but it's a compromise. I would like George inside the house, however he is so messy with his food Mr H would prefer he stay outside in the new house.

 

 

 

 

To increase or not to increase, that is the question??

Once you've been shown the alternative, it becomes a focus when viewing Display Homes. The biggest one is the Entry (and the waterfall edging on the island bench).

 

The extended height of the ceiling in the Entry - yes or no?

It makes the enterance grand, but one change creates more changes... changes to the height of the doors in the Main Bedroom and the size of the entry door.

 

Question: Does changing the height of the entry ceiling also result in a height change in the facade? 

 

 

 

Walk in Robe

One of the first changes made to the design of the house was the WIR. At our first consultation the length was increased by going into the lounge room. After our next consultation which was unplanned at Spring Farm, Gary suggested reducing the Main Bedroom door opening and extending the WIR further.

 

It would be so much easier if I could see the results of the modification before going ahead with it. Preferably, I would like a king sized bed in our Bedroom.

 

On the To Do List measure out my existing wardrobe space to see how it compares with the new WIR.

 

 

Another alternative

My clever Aunty suggested moving the adjustments along - who needs a rumpus, family and lounge room???

 

This would allow for alternative design for the ensuite and maintain the original size of the lounge room.

 

The only 'con' would be preventing the rumpus room to be closed in (i.e. creating the ulimate man cave).

 

Hopefully we'll be able to discuss the possibilities at the Tender Presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never a dull moment

Land Valuation
Lindsay and his team at Aussie Home Loans have been very supportive during the process of purchasing the land. The levels of communication and follow up have been greatly appreciated and beyond expectations.

Today an on site bank valuation occurred. Thankfully the bank agreed on the value of the land, however they determined the land to be in a bush fire zone. Instantly, I began to see the upgrades to the house fading with the costs of compliance for fire hazards.

Thankfully, after speaking to the Sales Consultant for Vermont I was assured that the estate is not in a bush fire zone.

By COB Friday 29 February 2013 1 March 2013 (edit: whoops! there's no 29th Feb this year), we will know if we have the go ahead for the loan.

On another note the solicitors also received the amended contract for the sale of the land today, hopefully there will be no issues there.

Tender
Hopefully tomorrow we will have a date to attend our tender appointment.

It seems the individual hurdles have been a blessing to align the approval of the loan, signing of the contract of sale for the land and the next stages of the house.

Kitchen Inspiration

Blogs Blogs Blogs and more Blogs

Thank goodness for Blogs. I've learnt so much by reading other people's experiences.
If there's something I would like to modify with the design of the house, help isn't too far away for an alternative.

I came across The Radds Blog who built the Cambridge 34. The kitchen design will work in the Sheffield, especially given the pantry had one door opening which prevented access on the far side without having to take everything down first.

Sheffield 25

 

 

Sheffield kitchen as displayed at Spring Farm

 

 

Cambridge 34



 

Hopefully, the kitchen design will work for us without costing a small fortune.

The Cambridge 34 Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Remember power point on island bench

 

More Inspiration

 

realestate.com.au

 

Aren't the floors boards to die for?

 

I could spend hours on StudioM, the images make styling seem so effortless. Again, loving the floor boards.