The Block Ep 3

I watched The Block last night….. HOW HAPPY WAS I that Neisha and John won!

The room was very lush!!!! Loved the use of the “putty” palette of colours!

Awesome space saving idea with the desk in the wardrobe!

Mark & Duncan

Well the 2 Fat Tradies out did themselves this week – they used their resources and had Freedom’s visual merchandisers come out to give them some tips.

I did like this room – the only thing I wasn’t a fan of was all the techo gadgets on the bedside table…

Jake and Erin

I did really like this room – except for the colour on the wall – I thought it was a little too dark for a study…. I loved the furniture!


Brenton and Chez

What can I say…. They started to RE-DO their 1st bedroom because they weren’t happy with it so effectively they were doing 2 rooms this week…. Then Scotty told them they could start on the ensuite early for week 3….. So these guys were doing 3 rooms!!!! Brenton looked stressed out!

As for their reveal…. It was the most expensive out of all 4 rooms….. For me it doesn’t have the WOW factor – its nice but not my style.


Chez really needs to get some interpersonal skills and build better relationships with people… I don’t know if we only see her cracking it or sulking on the show – but seriously…. If you throw a tub of stain with water over the balcony how can you not think that it is going to stain the wooden balcony below?

If you missed the show you can view full Eps online at http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/theblock

Handover – Lock it in Eddie!

We have received some great news!

We now have our official hand over date of…..

Thursday, 21 October 2010!

That is 13 days ahead of schedule!

Now for the coordination of more trades, moving and landscaping begins!

Shedding Some Light on Things

We met the electrician onsite last week for the light fitting (well some of it) we are having the majority of the lights done after the build.

Here are some sneaky shots I got over the weekend.

Kitchen Woes

You may recall a post The Big Bin Quest…..


We searched high and low for a bin draw that was big enough for us….



The designers advised that it would be better for them to purchase and install the bin that was it comes with the kitchen and less drama for us to install later down the track.


When Brett and I were out on site last week – Brett remarked that he thought that the place for the bin draw looked too small…


I thought well they are the professionals maybe it is right?


We received a call late last week saying that “drafting” had stuffed up the kitchen plans that then cupboard was too small by 7cm!!!!!!


The first option that was suggested was that they find a similar size bin draw – I said…. Yeah Good Luck With That!


Turns out that the space that is there would only accommodate half the size of a bin that would want.


So I said NO!


The next option was to re-do the whole Island Bench – stone top, tiling, pluming, cupboards etc… Which is not ideal! Not to mention time consuming!


Yesterday SS rang up and wanted to know my thoughts on changing the bin draw to the cupboard to the right of the dishwasher (under one side of the sink).


I am open to the idea as long as:

1) it is a bin draw (not cupboard).
2) it is enclosed and not open to the other side of the cupboard.
3) that we get shelves and cupboard door back on where it was originally to go.


I hope this can be sorted out….


I did raise that perhaps the bottom of the sink may be an issue with regards to the internal workings of the bin – I guess we will have to wait and see.


Our build has been so great up until the end of last week with the paving colour issues, paving pattern problem and the bin debacle….

SS and Admin have been good trying to mitigate the situation.

Interest Rates On Hold!

A reprieve for homeowners as the RBA leaves rates on hold!
http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8099187&rf=true

Paving Colour Problem

I am writing this post retrospectively as this issue has since been resolved.

I received a phone call last week from one of the designers advising me that the border paver (Rumba) we had selected is not going to be available till late October, early November - well more like some time in November.

Needless to say I wasn’t too impressed!

The option that was suggested wasn’t going to have the same effect and fit in with the house. The thing that I was annoyed about was that I had to get back to her by Monday.

Brett and I both agreed the “coffee” colour was not going to be the right substitute colour and that we would be prepare to wait.

We haven’t gone through this whole process to not get what we want.

We picked these colours back in April and there was no way we were going to spend the 25 years (or so LOL) not being happy with the driveway.

The issue for our builder is that the contracted date for hand over is 3 November as we have a guaranteed build time - so if we wait then they have to start paying us (obviously why they were pushing the coffee colour).

So we were at a stale mate and were trying to figure out the best way forward – accept a colour we don’t like, wait or removing the paving from the contract and try to sort it out at a later date…

Luckily our SS was able to track the Boral Rumba Colour down, so as far as the colour problem with the pavers is concerned that is fixed, however we still haven’t made a decided on the paver pattern debacle as yet.

Paver Pattern HELP!!!!!

I just got a phone call from “S” the paver dude asking why we have picked the 45° Stretcher Bond with flat header course pattern?

I asked why?

His response was that the has only laid that pattern ONCE in 16 years and the solders (border) isn’t strong with only being 1 brick wide?

To which I say – well why do Boral have it down as a popular pattern?

He has told me to meet them out onsite to have a look at another one they are doing tomorrow. He says that that the pattern can look too busy and they we should look at either the Basket Weave or 90 degree Herringbone.

He also asked me to look at the one 2 doors down:


I am not a Herringbone Fan – it seems like everyone has Herringbone… I told that I like to be unique – hell I have a black water tank!

The concrete driveway has been poured today.

These are the options we have – would love some feedback....

Any feedback would be great – feeling uneasy about the choice we made…..

The Block Ep 2

So what did everyone think about the first room reveals?

This was the winning room – won by the “under dogs” (Erin and Jake).

I do like the décor of this room – it’s very my style.

Good on them – they worked hard and it showed. They only spent just over $4k.

The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the Bentwood Chair – I would have preferred something more shabby chic or French Provencal.

Mark and Duncan had a shocker…..I did like the ceiling but the decorating was tragic…. Poor guys! They spent over $7K on the smallest bedroom in the house.

I think they needed to fill those book shelves – it just looked bare. I hope they have a better run this week coming.

Neisha and John - I really liked their kid’s room – very neutral and I couldn’t really fault it.


I don’t know what it is about this couple (Brenton and Chez) well more to the point Chez… I just am NOT A FAN….. maybe once the hallway is completed those big overpowering sliding doors may look good – but it just really did nothing for me…. The room was really bland; it almost reminded me of a hotel room….


If you missed the show you can view full Eps online at http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/theblock

Its Oh So Quiet… shhhh shhhh

I must apologize for the lack of blogging…..

The last week and half hasn’t been the best for us. It’s been really busy, stressful and full on…

I even had to get the Zovirax out LOL

It all started with Princess Lulu, a week and half ago she was yelping and we couldn’t figure out what was wrong 2 trips to the vet found that she had either a slipped or budging disc in her spine and that we needed to keep her still, quiet and rested to help heal it…

Now if any of you have ever met Princess Lulu, you would know she is a totally excitable, overactive toy poodle!!!

So this was no mean feat…. Brett and I have slept on the floor, sent hours sitting with her on the floor and Mum and Dad have also been looking after.

We have about one more week of tough love – hopefully in a week she won’t have to be on a lead and kept calm….. She has been pretty good I think she knows it’s for her back and she is starting to feel better.

I have had such a busy time with Work and Assignments – it never rains it pours… only 3 weeks left of my course and then I vow no more higher education for the next 10 years!

Brett has also been manic with his job trying to get his targets in for end of year etc.

We have a few issues with the build which I will blog about later in the week.

So... sorry for being quiet I know how much you all love the blog LOL ha ha who knows who even reads it but anyways – so sorry just the same!

Black Tank!

Check it out our black water tank has been installed!

Before Plumbing:

After Plumbing:

Using Your Points

One thing to remember when you are making all of these house purchases is to redeem your points on your credit card or even on your Fly Buys card.

You may be surprised at how many gift cards you can get for different retailers!

We have cashed ours in for Bunnings Gift Cards!

Feeling The Lock Up

When we visited the house last weekend we are now in full lock up stage with the garage door on!

Looking good!!!!!

We seem to think we have another 4-6 weeks left – coming in earlier than the contracted date if all goes well!

The Block Ep1

Well as previously blogged so happy to see that Channel 9 has come to its senses and made another season of The Block.

I seriously wonder if some of the contestants have ever seen the previous seasons – some really seemed like they didn’t know that is was going to be a complete dump and really bad?

The Pie Warmer brought in by Mark and Duncan totally cracked me up… Also 10 points for the boys doing some market research before starting – good idea!

I also really like Neisha &John – they seem down to earth and ready to give it a real go. Neisha had some great vision and loved that she thought outside the square to get some bargains out of the Trading Post!

Erin and Jake may be the under dogs with little experience of having a trade – but at least they are the first to admit that…. Although perhaps if were going on a reno show I might have thought about doing some DIY courses before starting????

I haven’t decided on Chez and Brenton yet…. Couldn’t believe Chez didn’t think it was her problem that her floor was leaking down into the Mark and Duncan’s Unit – HELLO I think it might be just quietly! Brenton seems like a hard worker!

Good luck to them all – it will be full on!

Looking forward to next weeks room reveals!

Anyways if you missed the show you can view full Eps online at
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:a6fa89d9-2a00-4f62-9ab7-635ba5653f2d&showPlaylist=true&from=entertainment&fg=channelnine^showtheblock

New Construction Administrator

Well we had some bad news on Tuesday….. Our Construction Administrator “W” has taken a promotion within Plantation Homes….. which means with less than 6 weeks to go we get a new CA……

Congrats to “W” for the promotion – she was great and on top of everything so she will be missed.

Our new CA has rung me today “R” and luckily while “W” was away early on in our construction “R” helped out…. So we aren’t starting new from scratch with everyone.

The Block 2010

Well to say that I am excited that the new series of THE BLOCK is on would be an understatement!

I totally loved the first 2 seasons although all the promo clips I have seen indicates that everyone might be very nicey nicey…. Let’s give that a week and see if the claws come out!


I think watching Mark and Duncan will be a bit of a treat – they are both carpenters so they should be able to build but I can’t wait to so what décor items and elements they use – could be a blokes paradise??

Website http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/

Get ready for action, drama and plenty of tears and laughter when the hugely successful realty-renovation competition The Block 2010 premieres on Channel Nine on Wednesday, September 22, at 7.30pm.

Hosted by Scott Cam, The Block 2010 introduces four couples who are taking on one of the toughest but potentially most rewarding challenges they will ever face. The couples will move into four identical and near-derelict apartments in the same building, with little more than the clothes they are wearing. http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1070838

Heading to DayDream Island

Brett and I are heading to the Whitsundays for the next couple of days to celebrate my 30th Birthday (on Thursday).

Looking forward to the break!

DayDream Island http://www.daydreamisland.com/ is our Destination via Hamilton Island.

Will update you on the trip and on the house when we get back!

Painting the Town Manhattan and Athena!

Here are some drive by pics of the house – which is starting to get some colour!

Downpipes will be the same colour as the house.

The inside has also been painted in Martini!

Here are some drive by pics of the house – which is starting to get some colour!

You can see our neighbours have cut their block – so things are moving along in the street.

Good News on the Chip

Was informed that the SS had already picked up the issue of the 20mm chip and it will be rectified!

Fingers crossed that it isn’t long to go now.

Bellini Food Processor

Got this great Bellini Food Processor for the kitchen!

The old one I had wasn’t stainless steel and I had it for about 10+ years so I thought it was time to upgrade!

The Right Decision

Do you want to know what were originally looking at?

Mossvale on Manly (Mirvac) http://mossvale.mirvac.com.au/

I had found a 5 year old home that was up for sale in the Mossvale on Manly estate – we went to have a look at it…. It was obviously a ex-rental and needed a massive amount of work inside and out to get it up to scratch.

What struck me as weird was the price they wanted for it – High 5’s even into the 6’s (tell them they are dreaming)!

We left that house dumb founded and went to have a look at the new stages display homes.

We could get a house and land for nearly the same price as the run down rental in the earlier stage.



We loved The 1209 house which was designed for contemporary indoor/outdoor living and entertaining.

http://assets2.mirvacdevelopment.com.au/assets/mydQZkLuxLEOcj2/1209.pdf

With Mirvac houses you can only build on Mirvac Land and we wern't 100% sold on the location.

That is what lead us to Plantation Homes. We like the style, finish and transparency pricing and it didn't matter where the land was located.


I think in the end we made the right choice and we are overall very happy with Plantatin and the process thus far.

A Lick of Paint!

The house has had its first coat of external paint!

The front door has had its first coat of black paint!

Render Over Reaction?

Brett and I visited the house over the weekend and noticed that right at the front of the house there is a about a 20mm chip in the render.

Are we over reacting to think that we will not accept this?

The issue we also face is that they have done the first coat of external paint – so we have no idea if this can be fixed without looking like a patch up job?

Good News

The kitchen cupboards above the fridge were meant to be in Burnished Wood as per the contract so we are getting that fixed up and the bizarre door that opens onto the kitchen cupboards is being switched over for an extra $100.00.

In the scheme of things I am happy with everything; however, I would have thought that if a customer wanted to add a door someone in this whole process of building a house would have thought…… it seems weird that the door opens onto the kitchen cupboards?

It’s a little disappointing that through all the checks of plans in drafting and meetings with interior designers and even the guy that actually hung the door didn’t stop and think – that isn’t going to work on that side?

Anyway good result to be able to get it changed over and it should be done by today.

Gatekeeper

We really like this style of side gate/fence the Horizontal Slat style!

Our 4th Anniversary

Today 4 years ago Brett and I got married in Vanuatu! http://eventthis.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-very-own-destination-island-wedding.html

It’s hard to believe that 4 years has gone by so quick!

So tonight is dinner and a movie (The Killers) and no doubt continual talk of the impending build!

Pipin Hot

Love these cast iron casserole pots..... Not to mention the colour of them!