I bought this folder from Kikki K earlier this year and have just become motivated enough to start filling it. My 10 year old and I sat together yesterday afternoon ripping out pictures from magazines (I am a magazine junkie!) and putting them all in their sleeves. It's getting really exciting around here. Met with my …
I bought this folder from Kikki K earlier this year and have just become motivated enough to start filling it. My 10 year old and I sat together yesterday afternoon ripping out pictures from magazines (I am a magazine junkie!) and putting them all in their sleeves.
It’s getting really exciting around here. Met with my builder and draftsman on Wednesday and we all went up to my block to discuss. Husband came too. I’ve drawn my plans, but we’re making some changes and flipping the garage to the lower side. I wasn’t too precious about that part, but I really want the laundry and pantry to be right near the garage as you walk in with the internal access. The things I bring home EVERY day are school bags and groceries. So my laundry will be a bit of a mud-room too with storage and I also want to easily dump my groceries inside the door without having to walk through the entire house.
The other thing I’m particular about is where the western sun will be. I don’t want it anywhere near my living/outdoor area. So I’ve drawn the plan so the sun will hit the ‘dead’ side of the house when it’s setting.
I also really really want a double sided wood fireplace. It’s been drawn in, but I am yet to price this little exercise. You know, you have to start BIG and then scale back. Fingers crossed that stays. I’ve also got to look at it’s ongoing efficiency.
I’m not having a formal lounge room and not have a huge study. At this stage we’ve put a ‘study nook’ or area off the family room that you can close behind sliding doors.
I am not wasting one bit of space in this house. This is our 3rd new house build (plus I used to work for a building company), so I’ve see a lot of houses. I finally think I understand what will work for US best.
Below are some cool pictures I saw whilst flicking magazines yesterday (all taken on iphone so quality is average)….
Here is son and I flicking together. He picks out lots of good ideas. He has a real eye for it. He gets really exciting about anything interiors…
Animal print ottoman? Nah, just kidding! No, I won’t do that to my family… Speaking of leopard print – Tania (from The Block) text me about 8 photos yesterday of her friend’s house – she has a bigger obsession than me with the leopard print. She had shoes, rugs, sheets, pillows and the best one… house keys cut on leopard print!!! LOVED it and laughed and laughed. So cute.
Definitely putting this somewhere (chalkbaord calendar). Biggest son wants it in his bedroom…
Check out this magazine trolley idea. Very different. I would never have thought of that. My husband has a printery so these trolleys are everywhere. Maybe I could nick one!
What else can I tell you about the house?? Ummmm… did I tell you it’s weatherboard and cottagey? I’m not going ultra-modern. I’ll have some modern features inside, but I’m mostly doing classic.
Builder said “if you didn’t change things and we got a good run, you can be in the house in October.” I nearly choked with laughter! I only laughed because as if I’m NOT going to change things! Haha! Plus, we’re not on The Block now, so there is no 8 week race until the finish. We have a lease on this rental until January anyway, so let’s see if we can get this done before then. 🙂
In the last post I wrote about the house, I asked if any suppliers/contractors wanted to come on board. I’ve had some great interest. I have put together a brief outline about what’s in it for you if you come on board. Email me if you want to get involved. There is lots of advertising, promotional, general media and social media kick backs for you.
Happy Friday everyone! I’m working on The Media Maid stuff today. Busy busy!
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Comments
A-M
Oooh it sounds fabulous… a double sided fireplace… love it. Like the trolley idea! Even I have one of those in my shed! Hmmm. You might have a little interior designer in the ranks.. that’s so gorgeous! Garages… yuk, they have to go somewhere don’t they. I want to put mine out of the way but where I want to put it there are council trees on the footpath that cannot be removed… so where do you put the driveway…. and don’t get me started on the whopping great telegraph pole right smack bang in the middle of my front elevation! Have fun! A-M xx
Katrina
Yes, I have the light pole thingy too!
Kek
I LOVE those Kikki K folders…. wish they’d been around when we were about to embark on building five years ago.
I do the magazine “rip and keep” for all my projects and it really helps to narrow down what you like. I remember when we met with our landscaper, I was able to show him exactly what I wanted, no dithering or “I don’t know”s and he was able to give us an accurate quote. So much easier for everyone.
I’ll be stalking your house build like mad. LOL 🙂
Katrina
It’s weird reading magazines though when we’ve got Pinterest. But I need to have these clippings because can you imagine asking the chipping to look at a photo I email him from Pinterest?? LOL!
Michelle Hayward
Hey Katrina
In terms of ’emailing’ the chippy or builder photos we’re putting ours into a file and having corresponding numbers on our plan so they can see the photo and the marry it up with the number and get the idea. I can send you our file so you can have a look if that helps!? My husband has done it in a word doc at this stage. 🙂
Marnie
Looking forward to seeing your project come together. I wish our extension/reno only took a few months…we’re doing owner/builder and still going 14 months later…nearly there…getting stairs next week.
I’ve been blogging about it too if you’d like to take a peek … http://3pickles.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/on-fence-house-renovation-update.html
xMarnie
Katrina
Thanks Marnie, I’ll pop over and look!
Deanne
It would be fun to design a new house from scratch, look forward to seeing it.
workingwomenaus
Will this be your last build 😉 lol
There’s a gorgeous cottagey house here in Bright (called Bright Bliss) and she sourced some bits from AM as well as a gorgeous shop called Gallery 90. They’re both online. Great source of inspiration for what you’re thinking by the sounds of it.
Can’t wait to follow this building journey
Katrina
YES! Last one!!! I promise 😉 I have seen Bright Bliss – gorgeous.
Penny
I posted the chalkboard calendar on our FB page yesterday. Totally in love with it.(AND REal Living!) Am going to do it in my home office but in place of all the flipchart paper stuck to my wall with Blue Tack. Much more stylish. Lovin your house porn folder.
Katrina
Send me a photo when you do!
Tegan @ Style Chic
Off to find me one of those organisers pronto!
Such a good idea x
Scandi Coast Home
I can so relate……
We designed our house and then scaled it back to what we could afford ;o) In some ways it’s good to have restrictions. If I had an endless budget I’d still be planning it. We can be happy with our decisions because they were all made for a reason.
I’m still planning my double sided fireplace. It was always in my scrapbook!!! One day ;o)
I LOVE the sound of what you are planning so far and I can’t wait to see more……
Have a great day!
Tania xx
Michelle Hayward
Hey Katrina
I can tell you from experience (two builds now and hopefully a third coming up) that the garage/laundry/pantry thing with internal access is the BEST thing I ever did. I can email my plan to show you what we did, and the new plan we are currently drawing as well if you want…but I am sure you have it all nutted out. I can reverse my car in and take the groceries straight to the pantry without struggling, it’s awesome. And the laundry is right there behind the kitchen too. You won’t regret it. It saves so much time and energy!
Enjoy your build! It’s such an exciting time!
Katrina
Oh YES! Send it through! Dying to see!
Michelle Hayward
No worries. I have to hand the plan to the real estate agent today on the current one so he can copy it but I’ll have it back tomorrow. I’ll definitely send them both through for you to look at 🙂
Rebecca Weir
Hey Katrina. Well it sounds like we might be building the same house! We too looked at double sided fire places for our house, but my concern for us is that it will be our only source of heating as we are on land and no gas supply. What sort of weatherboard are u using? And what colour!!!!! This is my dilemma at the moment.
Sally Bullock
Hi Katrina,
I love following your posts and couldn’t help but to tell you about my laundry. We owner built 4 years ago and i also have 4 kids so really wanted a well organised laundry.
Each of the kids has there own shoe box and shelf for their bags etc.. So they can walk in and take their shoes off and put their bags away.
Also have 4 sorting drawers – towels/socks/undies, whites, shirts/hand washing & darks.
Above the bench top i had a roller blind installed which is hidden under the above cupboards so if i have a lot of ironing/folding i can pull down blind and no-one can see my mess.
I am totally in love with this room.
Good luck with all your building
Katrina
That sounds PERFECT! Do you have photos/plan?
Sally Bullock
I do have photos and plans from the architect. How can i attach them to this blog?
penny barns
my kids all want a blackboard wall in their rooms. I think they are really cool.
Just not sure if i am game enough yet
Pen x
Jode
You have it all together, this is exactly what I tell clients to do, gather and sort their ideas, wish lists and designs. So everything can come together and your house will have some order and symmetry! Gold star for you & son!
I am looking forward to going through it all with you!
x Jode
Cathy
Sounds like fun! Our next one will be our third one we’ve designed and built too. First was very country, second very modern lol. Third, will probably stick to modern because I can’t afford a whole new furniture buy!
Karen
Late last year we built a study nook into our existing house by pinching a bit of space from our meals area and I am totally in love with it and think you would be crazy to do a new build with out one!! My only regret is that we couldnt have made it bigger as I have drooled over a friends for years that is big enough to have a bench running around 3 sides which would be perfect for a family with kids so there is more than one work station not to mention all the electronics and chargers!
Anita
U and ur animal print lol I’ve heard they say you have to build three times to get it right and u certainly sound like u know what u want. I love ur ideas that fireplace sounds awesome!!!! are u a fan of ensuites?? Can’t wait to hear more
Jo
Totally agree with lugging the shopping through the house. Our plan was for that never to happen,but will my husband knock the old garage down and build the new one? No, of course not. Maybe I should be sending him out to the supermarket, then I’d get the new garage pronto!
Love the fireplace idea, and the study nook. I’m on the computer all the time and it’s great to still be a part of what’s going on in the house. Can’t wait to hear more. Good luck.
Debs UK
Hey Katrina,
So excited we get the keys to our renovation project today! Just had the call to say the money has been transferred. Cant wait to get started and share your inspiration. First of all i have to get rid of the dead bird in the lounge, wasps in the roof and mouse poo in the bathroom. Lovely xx
Rachael
I would so have that leopard print ottoman. I must show you MY animal print collection one day! Adore it! xo
Amanda
I love that your son helped you flick through magazines for ideas 🙂 A double sided fireplace would be bliss! Ours is just one sided and I love it, one of the best things we invested in here. And I think not having a formal lounge / having a study nook vs a large study are sensible ideas – you definitely have to go with what works best for your family. I LOVE the weatherboard cottage look and can’t wait to see your place take shape here on your blog. Be sure to share lots!! x