"Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures."
photo: pinterest
Showing posts with label living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Goodbye internal access, hello wall-mounted plasma!
It is just over four weeks till the big R day! We had the carpenter come by last week to go over the plans and nut out the details and we are feeling really pleased with what we came up with.
The floor plan is finalised - hooray! We haven't changed much since I last posted about it but we did make some decisions about the finer details.
One of the things we added to the list was to lose the internal access door from the garage. The wall it's on (adjoining the living room) was partially filled in as a false wall so is going to be rebuilt properly and we're also going to have a small portion cut-out so that we can fit some of the audio visual equipment (dvd recorder etc). The plasma will be wall-mounted above on a movable bracket so that we can swivel and tilt it to our hearts content AND the best part is all the power cords will be hidden behind the wall in the garage. Win win!
We are also going to have insulation put in the wall so hopefully that will buy us an extra degree or two in these cold Winter months.
The floor plan is finalised - hooray! We haven't changed much since I last posted about it but we did make some decisions about the finer details.
One of the things we added to the list was to lose the internal access door from the garage. The wall it's on (adjoining the living room) was partially filled in as a false wall so is going to be rebuilt properly and we're also going to have a small portion cut-out so that we can fit some of the audio visual equipment (dvd recorder etc). The plasma will be wall-mounted above on a movable bracket so that we can swivel and tilt it to our hearts content AND the best part is all the power cords will be hidden behind the wall in the garage. Win win!
We are also going to have insulation put in the wall so hopefully that will buy us an extra degree or two in these cold Winter months.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Final Floor Decision
It's seven weeks till the start of the big renovation and I'm using this time to finetune the details.
The flooring will go in last but I want to be sure of what we want before any of the work gets started. I was planning to do timber floors in the downstairs living area, tiles in the entry, kitchen and sitting room and carpet in the bedrooms, but I've decided that for a small house, that's too much interuption.
Now I'm chanelling Scandinavian design and planning to put in light timber to all the living/entry/kitchen/hallway areas plus the new second bedroom, and carpet the main and second bedrooms and walk-in-robe.
Much happier with that decision - I think it will flow better and since there's not a lot of natural light, give a feeling of warmth.
The flooring will go in last but I want to be sure of what we want before any of the work gets started. I was planning to do timber floors in the downstairs living area, tiles in the entry, kitchen and sitting room and carpet in the bedrooms, but I've decided that for a small house, that's too much interuption.
Now I'm chanelling Scandinavian design and planning to put in light timber to all the living/entry/kitchen/hallway areas plus the new second bedroom, and carpet the main and second bedrooms and walk-in-robe.
Much happier with that decision - I think it will flow better and since there's not a lot of natural light, give a feeling of warmth.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tweaking the renovation plans
So I have the quote back from the carpenter and things are progressing (yay). We're at the tweaking stage; thinking even more carefully about exactly where the new walls are to go and which ones to remove. We want to make sure we get it right and maximise the space in a way that suits our needs but also appeals to potential buyers when we eventually sell.
I think we're about 95% there. I decided to carve a bit of space from the WIR-to-be and put a study nook on the other side. I'm super happy with the idea because the newly created hallway won't be wasted space and the living area with the tv will be far enough away that the study area can be used without it being too noisy. I haven't seen any ideas that quite match what I want but here are bits and pieces that I like.
I am going to ask for a quote to add a window seat at the end of the new living room. I was planning to use that end for the couches/tv but I've decided to swap that with the dining area and I can see already that it will work much better.
However, it led me to re-consider the flooring. I had been imagining carpet because I've heard people say you should at least have carpet in one living area. But I think I will go against the grain (no pun intended) and lay timber laminate or floating floors and just add a nice big rug where the couches will be. I don't want to be stressing about food being dropped and I can only imagine it will happen more than once - there's a step leading from the kitchen to the that area. My first preference would be to go with a light oak or similar but my husband only likes the darker woods so we'll compromise and probably go with a spotted gum or similar - like this.
I think we're about 95% there. I decided to carve a bit of space from the WIR-to-be and put a study nook on the other side. I'm super happy with the idea because the newly created hallway won't be wasted space and the living area with the tv will be far enough away that the study area can be used without it being too noisy. I haven't seen any ideas that quite match what I want but here are bits and pieces that I like.
I am going to ask for a quote to add a window seat at the end of the new living room. I was planning to use that end for the couches/tv but I've decided to swap that with the dining area and I can see already that it will work much better.
However, it led me to re-consider the flooring. I had been imagining carpet because I've heard people say you should at least have carpet in one living area. But I think I will go against the grain (no pun intended) and lay timber laminate or floating floors and just add a nice big rug where the couches will be. I don't want to be stressing about food being dropped and I can only imagine it will happen more than once - there's a step leading from the kitchen to the that area. My first preference would be to go with a light oak or similar but my husband only likes the darker woods so we'll compromise and probably go with a spotted gum or similar - like this.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Back to Black
Yes, I am fully intending to take the plunge and paint a wall (or two) black. Most people I have told think it is a terrible idea but I've seen it done well and I'm hoping to prove them wrong.
My chosen wall is a 6.5 metre wall with a double open doorway through to the second living area. I'm even condsidering painting the ceiling of that room black - although I'm a little worried it could look like a nightclub. The adjoining walls will all be painted white although I may use fabric or timber panneling on one of the end walls too.
I can't remember where I saw the original photo that inspired me to paint a wall black but here are a few recent ones I like.
My chosen wall is a 6.5 metre wall with a double open doorway through to the second living area. I'm even condsidering painting the ceiling of that room black - although I'm a little worried it could look like a nightclub. The adjoining walls will all be painted white although I may use fabric or timber panneling on one of the end walls too.
I can't remember where I saw the original photo that inspired me to paint a wall black but here are a few recent ones I like.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Make a wish...
Ok, I have five minutes till I need to head to bed but I really wanted to share my exciting find with you today. You see, for several months, I've been trying to find a dandelion canvas or print but nothing I have seen has been quite what I'm after.
However...I was flipping through a magazine earlier and saw this gorgeous dandelion light. I nervously checked the price and discovered ikea call it the Maskros pendant lamp and (hoorah!) it has a somewhat reasonable $199 price tag. Forget the print, I'm getting a new pendant light!
Not sure where it will go yet...
I love the pattern it casts on the wall.
However...I was flipping through a magazine earlier and saw this gorgeous dandelion light. I nervously checked the price and discovered ikea call it the Maskros pendant lamp and (hoorah!) it has a somewhat reasonable $199 price tag. Forget the print, I'm getting a new pendant light!
Not sure where it will go yet...
I love the pattern it casts on the wall.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thunder and burnt orange
We've only made one change to the house since we moved in. The previous owners had built a garage extension behind the single garage, a 3.5 x 8 metre room. The only access to it was from the patio so we had a double doorway cut through from the existing dining area, gyprock and plastering around the walls, and the old steps pulled up and a new single step put in the width of both doors. It's nearly finished (just needs the old stove removed and carpet put down) so I'm trying to decide how I will decorate it.
We already have some furniture that we intend to move into the room which limits the colours I can use. The colour of the lounges is called 'Storm', which is a dark bluey-green. We will also use our oak coffee table, side tables and entertainment unit.
I want the room to feel warm and cosy so I'd like to incorporate some 'warm' accents. I found a few pictures along those lines. I was originally planning to use red splashes but I think this look is a bit more unique.
We already have some furniture that we intend to move into the room which limits the colours I can use. The colour of the lounges is called 'Storm', which is a dark bluey-green. We will also use our oak coffee table, side tables and entertainment unit.
I want the room to feel warm and cosy so I'd like to incorporate some 'warm' accents. I found a few pictures along those lines. I was originally planning to use red splashes but I think this look is a bit more unique.
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