Bricks, Tiles and Harleys

Mick and I had a very busy weekend choosing tiles for the unit and bricks and roof tiles for the new house. We also had a colour consultation for our external choices last night and it went well. It’s always nice to be reassured of your choices and have other options presented. I’ve sent away for a photographic image of our façade to be drawn up. I’ll keep you posted…

Mick and I looked at a lot of bricks on the weekend (and our pale skin did not enjoy the sun, though it was great for seeing the colours) and took home a lot of samples…I guess that’s our letterbox sorted!...and we absolutely fell in love with a Boral brick called Rose Cove. It’s a swirl of rose and cream and looks lovely in any light, from any angle, and isn’t at all boring (we also need to consider the monotony of the back and sides of the house which don’t have render feature columns to jazz it up). I’ve included a couple of pics below, but they don’t do the bricks justice. Oh, and we forgot to look at driveway colours, so we’ll be doing that this weekend.

 Rose Cove

 Rose Cove

 Our roof tile is the one in the middle called Barramundi

 Rose Cove is in the middle there

 The awesome Harley at the servo we stopped at (couldn't help myself, I had to include it)

The floor and wall tiles for the bathroom and W/C in Mick's unit (gloss white for the walls and matt black for the floor - neutral and stylish, perfect for re-sale)

We’re also waiting on landscaping plans and quotes and we hope to have everything ready to go for Developer and Council submission next week. We also hope to have the tiling started in the unit next week but Strata is taking forever to decide on a tradesman!

And as always we’re still finalising the plans. We’ve asked for the central pillar in the alfresco area to be removed (the steel beam required for that is expensive, but I think we would regret it if we didn’t do it), the four stacker door to be replaced with a six-stacker door (bi-folds are too expensive) and a few other niggly changes. Luckily Fairmont seem to be reasonable with their prices and I like that they can justify everything and if something isn’t a big change (i.e. slightly bigger window means more glass but less bricks), they don’t charge.  Makes a change from Rawson who I’m sure couldn’t lie straight in bed!

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.

Drafting Fees Paid

Well, illness has struck and we were unable to sign on the dotted line with Fairmont yesterday. We have however paid them their drafting fees and apparently they had some drawings ready for us on the weekend. Never mind, we will head out there next weekend to "seal the deal."

In the meantime, Fairmont have continued to be great to deal with. We've been quite fussy, even changing the way some doors open and changing the doors in the Powder Room to cavity sliders. We've also asked for a waterfall edge on the Alfresco-side of the kitchen island (it is important to achieving a 'clean' look in the kitchen). I know there will be more changes when it comes time for full colour and kitchen selection, but hopefully we now have all of the structural changes made.

Just to keep the fun rolling, here are links to, and pictures of, the Smeg appliances we're getting:

Cooktop:

PSA906 90cm Classic Gas Low Profile Cooktop

Technical Specifications

We couldn't justify the price of an induction cooktop and gas is cheaper to run than traditional electric cooktops and provides more even cooking with greater temperature control. The main issue I have with gas (from when my parents used to have a Smeg gas cooktop) is the cleaning. This unit however is shallow and the trivets are in three 'low profile' pieces that are dishwasher-safe, as are the ceramic tiles. So, cleaning will be much easier than it used to be. This unit also looks really beautiful and had the most 'user-friendly' design with the burner placement. I like that I can comfortably fit three large pots on at the same time. The only down-side is that the knobs are forward-facing (bit of an issue with kiddies), but we don't have children and if that changes, the kitchen isn't a safe place anyway and will need to be 'cordoned-off.' (That takes me back to the partitions we needed for my curious little brother when I was growing up...A stern warning was enough for me to stay away)!

Rangehood:

K9399R 90cm Wallmount Rangehood with Brown Crystal Glass

Technical Specifications

This rangehood is odd-looking but when up (and when coupled with a french-glass oven) it looks like a piece of art. It's also really functional with a strong action and filter-change reminders. I think it's the most expensive appliance we've ordered but it's beautiful and practical. 

Oven:

SAP112-8 60cm Linear Pyrolytic Oven

Technical Specifications

My favourite piece. It is their top-of-the-line oven so it has all of the bells and whistles (Mick was instantly drawn to it!). The electronic display alone is gorgeous but the french-glass look of the unit as a whole is beautiful and it's self-cleaning! Smeg provides complimentary courses in getting the most from your Smeg appliances, which we will be doing because this oven looks like it might require a degree in rocket-science to use to its best. All part of the fun!

External colours are our next priority...I'll keep you posted!

Piccies

I wasn't able to upload pictures this afternoon and they are the best part of blogging! So, here are a few taken last weekend at Fairmont's display home Dominico, which our home is loosely based on.

Current plans for the colour scheme are wooden floors in the entry, hall, kitchen and meals with light carpet for the rest of the living areas, cream walls and some bold feature colours. The kitchen will (at this stage) have white laminate cupboards, white stone bench tops and a black glass splashback with Smeg appliances.

Our future Kitchen and meals area!

The view from our future TV Room to our Master Bedroom (though technically this is from their Master Bedroom to Bed 2):

Our Balcony...though ours will be 250mm bigger, but who's counting?

Our bath will have a fixed window from the top of the bath to the ceiling:

Our balcony...again!

Our facade will be similar to this except; the balcony will be across the garage and be roofed, there will be a sliding door from Bed 1 to the balcony with a fixed window on the other side, there will be matching big windows in the Living and TV Rooms (opposite side to garage) and the whole upstairs will be clad, the bricks will be lighter and the whole thing will be mirror-reversed...hmmmm...maybe our facade is not so similar to this after all...

Another shot of our Kitchen:

The feature recess in the hallway (where Mick and I will hang Mick's bday present, a beautiful piece of wood with a clock, thermometer and barometer set in it):

This one's for Mick, a picture (which he took) of our future a/c unit:

Now, some photos from the block on the weekend. I'm hoping that we can keep/transplant the trees with the white blossoms and the Red Hot Pokers. If they can thrive (beautifully) in their current conditions, then they deserve to stay:

Plans Finalised

Just a quick update to let you know that we have the most gorgeous house ever!!!!

Tom, Michael and especially Daniel at Fairmont Homes have just been wonderful to deal with. Very knowledgeable, helpful and fast. Their pricing also seems fair.

We are currently due to sign the tender on 3^rd September and pay for full plans to be drawn up as well as the required documentation for Developer, BASIX and Council submission. It will then also be time to approach a landscaper.

Below is the final draft of our plans:

Note: there will be a tall, fixed feature window above the bath, but exact dimensions can’t be finalised until the elevations are drafted. And we were so glad to find out that we can have the balcony extension after all. This was due to a clause in the fine print saying that the Developer Guidelines “trump” council’s.

How exciting! It’s nice to have the passion back after such a rough beginning, especially as we are about to enter a financial vacuum waiting for Mick’s unit to sell.

On the home-front, the tiling quote should be finalised this week (thank you Strata for lengthening that process) and work begin next week or the one after. Once complete, we will be putting the unit on the market (finally).

We’ve also been in contact with our future side neighbours regarding fencing. Between council regs, estate guidelines and personal budgets/taste, this should be interesting. We’ll also need to begin talks with our rear neighbours soon…Let the fun and games begin!

(I should note that it turns out that who we thought were building next door appear to have on-sold…for those who know what I’m talking about).

So long Rawson!

Rawson finally bothered to contact us, and what a warm and fuzzy email it was too <insert sarcasm here>. You know, my father had it right when he said that we shouldn't accept Rawson's invite unless it was from the CEO himself and he actually apologised and said he would fix things. All the manager did that we met with was basically tell us, "well, that's your opinion." and offered no helpful solution. So, here is our reply:

Good riddance!

Tender and plans nearly finalised

We’re nearly there people!

Discussions have continued with Fairmont, who have nearly perfected our plans and tender. Mick and I are getting very excited about the finished product and now just need to look at what little “extras” we want.

Fairmont have been great. Really quick to reply and they really know the guidelines! I also like that they are proactive and even suggested our external finishes to comply with the guidelines…and included the bagging in the standard quote!

Extras we’ve asked for:

-          Nice, large front door (which you can view by clicking here)

-          Gas-boosted solar hot water system (estate mandate)

-          Higher ground-floor ceilings

-          Glass kitchen splashback

-          Ducted A/C (And “damned if it isn’t the big one!” It’s epic and is our most expensive upgrade, but worth it)

-          Alarm

-          Automatic garage door with two handsets

-          Bathroom Upgrades Package (tiled shower niches, semi-frameless showers and higher tiling points)

We’re also getting costings on some nice little (unnecessary) features and we’ll see what we can afford…like a corner window above the bath in the main bathroom.

We’re also waiting on site costs (which we should have today), but we have a rough idea on these already because of Rawson’s quote.

Anyway, what a lovely house it’s shaping out to be…we can’t wait to finalise the plans and get the proper ones drawn up…though from there we need to wait until Mick’s unit is sold before taking the next step.

On the home-front, Mick is getting the last quote for the tiling tomorrow and hopes to have that work started next week. That’ll take a couple of weeks to complete and in that time we will continue packing and hope to have it on the market as soon as the tiling is done….and it’ll also be nice to be able to have friends over again. We’ve been turning them away left and right because the unit is a mess but, thankfully, it’s getting better every week.