Thursday 1 August 2013

JULY RENOVATION PROGRESS

It feels like we haven't achieved anything this month, yet it also feels like we have done so much. And we have, we just haven't been able to tick anything off our list, but a lot of projects are nearly complete.

We installed the french doors in the study/4th bedroom


We plastered the walls in the study/4th bedroom. You can see the original french doors that were purchased. These will be repurposed for the formal lounge.


We plastered the old hallway


We created the new entrance hallway, which meant we had to demolish the walk in robe in the nursery and build a cavity wall to keep a section of the old walk in robe for the nursery built in robes.




We undercoated and put a first coat of colour on in Israel's bedroom.

We are now just waiting for our windows for the formal lounge, and then we can install them and finish plastering that room. We can then stop up all the plaster which means that we can then paint and decorate. We can then also hang the doors in the nursery, Israel's room and the study/4th bedroom. We need to also choose a front door to complete the entrance way. We can then render the front facade. So infact we are nearly done (although it doesn't feel like that at all).

We have had a few set backs this month which meant that a few things couldn't be completed.

We encountered a load bearing wall in the new entrance hallway which meant that we had to change our plans slightly.

We had purchased beautiful tall french doors for the study which would complement the doors used throughout the house. When we first went to install them upon removal of the plaster we found that half the house's electrical wires ran through that wall. So we had to wait until an electrician came out to rewire that section.


On the second attempt we discovered that although the doors fit inside the house, they do not fit externally due to the lintel being too low.


After purchasing new shorter doors we were finally ready to install them, this time with success.

We also had to deal with some drainage issues which took longer to fix than anticipated (and is still not fixed completely). We have always had an issue with some of the guttering overflowing when it rains, which caused water to pool under the house and ultimately the stumps to rot. The previous owners had build the alfresco areas roof over the gutter making it impossible to deleaf. This caused a blockage in the gutter, when we tried to remove the leaves in a downpour, this caused a blockage in the drains, not helped by them being invaded by tree roots, and years of neglect. So we are in the process of replacing some of the old plumbing and I am hoping this solves the water issues of this house. That means we won't be in such a hurry to rip out the alfresco area and it can last us a few more years so we can do it properly and design it the way we want instead of on an incredibly tight budget.


We were also all struck down with a nasty cold and cough for two weeks, which meant that we needed to take a weekend off. So hopefully in August we can cross a few more things of our list and be that much closer to having half the house complete before bubba Will comes into the world!

18 comments:

  1. I love the French doors - what a bother about the first ones! I admire people who renovate - such a lot of work but I'm sure the final result will be well worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you, looking forward to being in my office with the doors open on a lovely warm summers day! It is definatly a lot of work, and I am looking forward to the end which is far off!

      Delete
  2. Oh, I will have to keep up with your progress! It's going to look fab! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will continue to post all our progress so please do! Thank-you looking forward to the day it is all finished, but I am sure we will then move on and start another project.

      Delete
  3. Wow - what a huge job you have taken on. It's all looking fabulous and it looks like some real progress is being made. I love french doors so I'm glad you were still able to have some. You must feel like you're on a reality show like 'the block' or something! lol Keep up the great work xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sure is a huge job! Definitely making some progress, I can't wait to post a before and after of some of the rooms! The doors are sensational aren't they it was a lot of mucking around but we finally got there! Some days it does feel like that, and we have been tempted to enter although I couldn't leave my son and I am due to give birth when they start filming the next series (although I think that would make interesting TV!) I just wish we had their budget ;) Thanks heaps for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Nathalie, you must have a fantastic marriage to get through all the stress that goes with renos!! French doors, a dream of mine! x Emily

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thank-you Emily, there are days when we works so well as a team and then there are days when we just cannot agree and bicker at the smallest thing (and then add pregnancy hormones into that!) Renovations are definitely a test of marriage, but it's also been a great building block too! French doors are just devine! I cannot wait to use my office in spring and summer with them open!

      Delete
  5. I am obsessed with those French doors.
    You are living your very own Grand Designs episode!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you I am very happy with the way they turned out (although the tall ones would have looked sensational)! Yes we are it's lovely seeing your dreams and visions for a place take shape!

      Delete
  6. Oh god. That makes me feel so tired. Do you have any downtime? I don't think that I will ever be suited to renovations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it can be incredibly tiring! Renovations are my down time, I find it strangely fulfilling and enjoyable, although we try not to work on a Sunday (sometimes we find we have to). We are also taking a break over summer as my husbands work gets too busy and he is often home late. We also take long weekends off and take a long summer holiday to rejuvenate :D Not everyone is suited to renovations, not only is there a lot of skill required (something I do not have on my own), but time, patients and funds (something that is tight as I am a stay at home mum) and the ability to live in a half done house for years.

      Delete
  7. Oh I love french doors!
    What a massive job!
    Love your blog too by the way, its gorgeous! XX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are great aren't they! I sure is a massive undertaking, hopeful that by the time I am 30 it will be complete (3 and a bit years) :D Thanks heaps and thanks for stopping by :D

      Delete
  8. Love French doors! Sounds like a massive job
    Good Luck
    Visiting from FYBF and Sweet Little Pretties

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you :D It is a massive job! Thanks for stopping by :D

      Delete

Please leave a comment :D