Landscaping Phase Two

So Phase One is 99.9% complete.

The renderers came and did an excellent job on the wall and post box. Then just as they finished it began to rain so they had to scramble to cover everything up. That huge orange tarpaulin from the concreting came in very handy!

We had our quote for Phase Two and that starts this week and then with fingers crossed and a following wind we should have our landscaping finished in a fortnight. I have already been out to look at self propelled key operated petrol mowers for me in anticipation.

However as I think I have only ever mown the lawn once in my life this could prove interesting. I’ve decided that as I am now a lady of leisure I should take over this task from my hubby who is working his socks off. Our 21 year old did do it when we first arrived in Australia but after catching him mowing in thongs I lectured him on safety and the importance of wearing closed shoes against blades, spiders and snakes and he never did it again…

The landscaping being finished also means that I can have a drying area again. So off I went to Masters and came back with an iconic Hills Hoist dryer and it is a monster!

So that’s two Aussie icons a Victa mower and the Hills Hoist. How long until I find my sons eyeing it up for a round of Goon of Fortune?

Goon of Fortune

Speaking of icons we had a short break up to Coffs Harbour last week and came across this Aussie Icon

I’ve added it to my list, so far I’ve seen

Speaking of Goon of Fortune here’s an icon I’d like to visit:

Picture courtesy of fivedollartraveller

 

Laundry and Bathrooms

aka ‘the wet areas’.

These were also chosen at the Timpelle kitchen meeting.

Something I forgot to mention previously was that it is an upgrade to have a two-tone kitchen with Wisdom. It is also standard that all wet area benchtops and vanities be the same colour. Having splurged on the upgrade to Supernatural Caesarstone for the breakfast bar we were happy to stick to one standard colour for the wet area benchtops. However we did a small upgrade to Lamiwood from the standard Laminex vanities and have different colours between the different areas.

Laundry 

The laundry is a decent size even after we shaved off a bit to extend the Butler’s Pantry. As standard it comes with a built-in laminated Laundry unit with a stainless steel drop in tub and 20mm Caesarstone top.

We are putting in a broom cupboard with shelves inside at one end and the Laundry unit with a double cupboard over it at the other end with an extended benchtop between. There will be a hanging rail between the broom cupboard and overhead cupboards for ironing. At home we had a Sheila Maid which was so useful, so the rail will be my version of it.

 Sheila Maid

The washing machine and tumble dryer will be under the bench plus there will be an extractor fan as well. We plan to have the classic Australian Hills Hoist Rotary Dryer outside as I like to line dry most of the time. Having just seen the price of it ($500+) it could well become our garden feature too! Think I’ll train the security cameras on that instead of the doors! I’ll forgo the package with 100 pegs as well – I’m OCD enough about hanging the washing out as it is – each item must have the same  type of peg. Not quite as bad as my sister where they have to colour match too….

 

I forgot to mention that I love the Aussie design feature of bulkheads over the overhead cupboards. They eliminate the gap between cupboard top and ceiling and stop the need to clean all the dust and grease build up. However I did eventually get wise in the UK and lined the top with newspaper that could be replaced regularly. That is one instance where it pays to be vertically challenged – you can stand on the benchtop and clean the top of the cupboards!

For the Laundry and Main Bathroom:

Vanities in Lamiwood

Benchtop in

 

For the Powder Room and En-Suite:

Vanities in Lamiwood

Benchtop in