Tender and Plans Signed

Ok…we signed on the dotted line with Fairmont last Saturday and… *holds breath* …they are still great at getting back to our (poor Daniel) millions of questions quickly and fully.

We received the plans on Saturday and from there we have a few more changes to make as well as external colours to choose. We’ve had to completely re-think the colour scheme from our previous design, and as such we will be looking at bricks and roof tiles this weekend.  We also have an appointment with an interior designer next week, Michelle from De Novo Concepts (who came highly recommended by another couple building with Fairmont), to put it all together and just be sure that we’ve chosen well. We’ve never built before and I have never in my life really noticed external finishes on houses. Adding to that, Mick is hopelessly colour-blind and we have Estate Guidelines to adhere to and the Developer to please… so, I’ve been researching like a demon and look forward to our appointment with Michelle next week.

Ok, what we’re thinking so far colour-wise…

Facebrick: Light Brick (Currently leaning towards Austral Urban One Almond)

Cladding: This is the main element I am unsure of. It will be a light, Wattyl exterior paint colour and must go with the render and brick colours.

Bagging and Paint: Wattyl Vintage Plum (it will match the ornamental plum we’re planning to have as our feature tree)

Roof: Monier Elebana Charcoal Grey

Gutter:  Colourbond Woodland Grey

Facia: Colourbond Surfmist

Balcony Railing: Colourbond Surfmist

Downpipes: Colourbond Surfmist

Windows and Sliding Door Frames: Pearl White (aluminium)

Garage Door:  Caprice (style) White (colour)

Driveway: Charcoal (coloured concrete)

Front Door: Hume X24 1200 - Dark Wooden Stain (to match floorboards…when we’ve chosen them)

The following is quite similar to the colour selection we want to make. The driveway will be a dark grey to match the roof and the garage door will be white, but it still gives a sense of how the colours will work together.

I’ve also included the new plans below, but they are going to change slightly.

We can’t have the long feature window in the bathroom L The roof profile simply doesn’t allow it. We’re going to change the alfresco sliding doors to a six-stacker door (which is what I have been envisioning all along). We also may need to move/change the water tank as there isn’t much room to get past it. The fence is set up higher than our block so there will be a retaining wall next to it. We’ve asked Fairmont for the distance to the fence to see if we can scrape by or if we have to move the tank.

We will also be getting two velux skylights in the Kitchen/Meals area. Aside from the fact that they look great and we have been toying with getting some from day one (and if they were cheaper, we would get more), they will bring natural light in. That room is large and the only windows are the sliding doors from the Alfresco area which is fully roofed and the windows in the Media Room (not a very bright source, especially when the bi-fold doors are closed!). I think the skylights will add a wow-factor as well as being practical.

We’re also looking at replacing the window in the Powder Room with a longer one that extends from the Laundry wall to the shower. We would then put a narrow mirror the full length of the wall on the opposite (Kitchen) wall.

Next step is to contact the Landscaper as we need a plan for Developer/Council submission and there will be some things, like clearing plants and delivering soil, that ideally should happen before the slab is poured.