Review the Journey

As we kick off 2012, there is still a few bits and pieces to complete on the reno project. Mainly Deputy getting busy with the paint brushes and rollers inside. Thought it time to do a bit of a check point of where we have come from to now.

Of course, start at the beginning, the front of the house. Before we kicked off the reno.

And now. You can see the essence of the old house however it has had major surgery.

The view from the rear of the house is even more of a contrast. Before.

And now, with the new family and alfresco area and you can clearly see the second story.

To complete the outside tour, the new entrance way. The old entrance was pokey and the old door a nightmare.

Now, the entrance is wide and we have a door you can open and shut without pulling a muscle.

Inside, some of the changes are dynamic. Our old bathroom. Seems like an eternity ago that this was our bathroom. Love the colour ...... not!

Now we have 2 bathrooms, though that does mean 2 to clean! One for the kids upstairs.

And one for Chief and Deputy, their own en suite!

The kitchen is unrecognisable. Opened right up, the stupid fake brick wall gone, this is one area that is hard to get your head around the transformation.

And now, yes, it is the same room!

There is the new family room that has been getting plenty of relax time.

And for the 2 boys, the difference in their rooms is vast. They are both really appreciative of their new surrounds. For Brendan, we can only pray that it allows him to get stuck right into Year 12 this year.

Joel and Brendan's rooms now.

Marissa always had a good size room however she even feels like she has more room upstairs. The old room.

And the new ..

Chief and Deputy's room is larger, has an ensuite and walk in robe however we'll hold until Deputy has finished painting the room. Though they do like the ability to sneak away and watch their own TV show in private.

The outdoor entertaining area is a winner so far. The BBQ getting fired up regularly and eating as a family.

And of course, the study, set up so we can blog so much easier. Shame that the project is pretty well done and dusted (and hasn't there been some dust folks!). 

 Anyway until Deputy starts painting, bye for now!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year folks and welcome to 2012. 2011 was certainly a big year for us in many ways, not least of which was the transformation of our house. There was work in the last week of 2011 and as we kick off 2012, it is nearly finished, lots of little things to tidy up however we are using the new home as it was intended.

After new years eve, Chief and Deputy decided to continue using the food left over from Christmas. No shopping required yet, Chief really did buy enough food for the street. Fire up the BBQ, yogurt, toast, muffins, juice. It was very pleasant just opening up the windows and eating outside. In fact we have been having all our meals out side in the new alfresco area since Christmas.

The big work the last week of 2011 was the painting. The render has now been painted and the entrance way completed. This is how the house looks now. The front needs some grass and a new driveway to complete the transformation.

The blue of the gable has been toned down and followed through to the veranda post, new entrance landing and also around the alfresco area. The new entrance way changes the look completely.

And of course it wouldn't be complete without a statement door. Wayne has always talked about a statement door, so we followed the blue and have a Notting Hill door ...

The stairs were completed, stained with a natural stain so the colour of the wood comes out. The stairs are beautiful, lovely colour and Marissa has decorated the stairs, getting all patriotic for the cricket on the 3rd day of the New Years Test which is Ladies Day and McGrath (Pink) Day. Marissa likes to attend with Deputy and have a Daddy day.

It wouldn't be the Christmas/New Year which having to put something together. Brendan had chosen his new desk so it required assembly. Hint, don't look up when your name is called ...

The finished product matches his bed and then resulted in a re-arrangement of his bedroom. Brendan has finally finished his room.

Brendan being upstairs has freed up his old bedroom to become the study. Deputy had a new desk to construct which took hours with all the bits and pieces. The result is our new desk in the study, finally we have a proper study to work in. Chief decided to get an early start on the blog at the new desk. The new desk chair is on order to complete the room.

Marissa has been busy shopping, finding a new quilt cover that she liked, and then reading that it was Marissa White. She was rather chuffed. It looks great on her bed and with her new Christmas chair, we haven't seen a lot of Marissa as she has been enjoying her new, own space and reading a lot of books.

Well, there ends 2011. It has been a very busy year and as we relax in the new space and enjoy the finished work, the dark, cold days and nights with no lights, no break from the outside wind seem like a distant memory. Has definitely been worth the effort.