The Houzz Discovery

I had noticed posts in my Facebook newsfeed from Houzz.  I decided to explore and I liked why I saw. Houzz continues to be a great source of inspiration to me.  

Ever since building the first house I have always had ideas in my head for the next house.  Originally I had sketched a sprawling split-level house - I love split level homes, but the last incarnation was a three level split level house (so six levels) plus a basement garage.  I had the side elevation and floor plans all mapped out.  If only money was no object!  That is when I started creating idea books from some of the thousands of photos I have looked at on the Houzz app.

I thought the next house was not going to happen, we'll not until the kids were all grown up, as we were very settled into house two and built a network in our local area.

Let's Move!

After much umming and ahhing we decided to move suburbs.  We were outgrowing house number two and our location needs had changed.  We made a plan to start getting our house ready to go on the market.

My husband was keen to buy an established house.  After looking in the area for a house that suited us I had convinced him to think about building again.  We went looking at display homes, ending up at the Williams Landing display village.  Dangle a carrot and I am going to grab it!  

It was love at first sight when we walked into the UrbanEdge Autern!


   

This house has serious wow factor.  We spoke to the sales consultant and got a rough price estimate but my husband was not convinced.

The floor plan was great, the kitchen obscenely long, I loved the servery to the alfresco but it meant that your pantry had to have cupboard fronts on it otherwise the contents would be in clear view, I thought it would be annoying to go into the pantry and then have to slide cupboard doors around to get what you need - not very practical.

We checked out some other displays and stumbled on the Waldorf.  I still had stars in my eyes from the Autern so did not fully appreciate the Waldorf.  My husband saw the potential of the Waldorf from the start!

Dangle a Carrot!

We debated for a few weeks about building with Urban Edge or Porter Davis and finally went to the another Waldorf display and spoke to the sales consultant to get further info and ask about land requirements.
  

Before we agreed fully I went and priced up a Waldorf adding in the first of what would be many changes to see if it was viable.  The major structural changes we wanted were the garage workshop option, an extension to the theatre room (so the pool table can fit), and adding big timber sliding doors and windows from the living areas.

We also added a 4x4 extension to the home theatre.

I love the windows on the Kingsford facade, and the way the piers and balcony are multi-dimensional.

 

Well it all moved pretty fast from there as I started looking at land and before I knew it we had found a block the right size in the right location.  So I made an offer...

Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes made of ticky tacky...

Our house went on the market right before Christmas after finishing off all the little things you never get around to fixing or finishing (our timing is never the best, always too many things going on at once).  So since Christmas it has all been about the tender and researching design ideas and appliances and since we have sold our house we have added researching removal companies, researching rental houses, organising finance and conveyancing to the list.  No sooner have I sorted through all the masses of paperwork, more has appeared in its place.  Just as well I come from a secretarial/admin background.

 

On the plus side I was excited to buy a 115 metre roll of bubble wrap, then a 100 metre roll of polyfoam, and another roll of bubble wrap as the first one ran out.  Gradually packing the house up but I feel like I have only just scratched the surface.  Even with constant clean-outs over the years the amount of possessions you accumulate is phenomenal!

 

Last Chance Project - A Cabin

We were lucky enough to find a riverside holiday spot with an old permanent caravan and annexe on it.   I was so excited as this was my chance to create and design a mini house, as I was sure we would not be building again if at all for a long time.  

I set to work designing the cabin using the room planner app.  It had to be a simple design with sleeping rooms, bathroom/laundry and living space, with pergola and an external kitchen to be added when finance allowed.  

Due to timeframe I only had a couple of days to select colours.  Lucky there was not much to choose from regarding windows and external surfaces.

While it was being built I set to work sourcing inexpensive furniture from eBay, various sales on online shops, and IKEA to deck it out.  I wanted to have a little fun with it.  I called my theme "quirky/nature"!  I searched for anything with animals on it, and colourful furniture items.  I love shopping when I know what I am looking for.

The very first purchase I made was this moose head ...

... It lived on the wall in house two until the cabin was ready but I was tempted to just buy another one for the cabin as I had grown quite used to it.

Some interior pics of the cabin :  

We have since built a deck out the front, added a shed and turfed.   Have added some more furniture and bits and pieces but I think I will move on to the actual blog subject which is probably the reason you came to my blog!

House Number Two

House Number Two

I think this is where my love for things big started!  A 37sq Metricon "Panorama".  It was considered huge when we built it, but not like the McMansions or McWaldorfs of today ;). 

This house is on a quarter acre block so spent the most part of 10 years doing the gardens, pergolas, landscaping (I think we re-did the front garden layout three times!), putting in a pool and most recently renovating the kitchen.  I will miss my kitchen, but all my favourite parts will be in my new Waldorf too. 

Currently packing & looking for a rental property as we sold this house at the start of the year. 

I don't think the house has ever looked so clean and tidy as it did for the real estate photos!

In the Beginning - House One

In The Beginning...

The Block
 

The first house we built with Hamlan Homes in a nice new estate. A very small (11-12 squares) 3 bedroom town cottage with walk through bathroom/semi-ensuite.  Suited us perfectly back then!  Pic is pre-garden.  But the family grew...