on the home stretch

We have been beavering away on the house, and it shows. We're nearly done. And it is a miracle we haven't gone spare, that is for sure. This renovation has tested me in so many ways. As a normally competent, capable person, it has been really eye-opening to rely on others for help and expertise. If I only had the time to learn how to do it all myself...but I don't, so I can't, so we have lovely Clark to help guide us. He hasn't steered us wrong yet!

I have a few pictures.

The tiler finally turned up. Two weeks and two days late. I tried to ignore him but unfortunately I had to let the benchtop guys know about the road resurfacing that was happening. Anyway, there he is. He's done, and we paid him. Thankful that's over with!

As I said, the benchtop guys turned up on the same day...with my gorgeous Caesarstone. How I love it. They set the sink in and the tap in but didn't install it, so those are just floating there, but dang. It looks so great. And it is SO cold - perfect for pastry!

I worked on the wardrobe in the master bedroom a bit, worrying over configuration of shelves, the trouser hanger (pictured), and the clothes rail. The wardrobes are 2.4m high,  but we have 2.8m ceilings so there is plenty of room for them...and a bit on top for my A3 box collection!

And we put in our new front door. I was outvoted on the handle - both Clark and Mr Poppleton thought it should go on the top of the lock! I protested but even though I knew it was wrong somehow, I was outvoted. The next day Clark sheepishly admitted that because the lock was so high up and the threshold a step up from the stoop that yes, I was right to want the handle lower! Thank you very much. :)

Oh. And I painted. We went with a glut of blues. As you progress toward the back of the house, it gets deeper and deeper. In late afternoon, the darkest room, the dining room, is where you end up. But during the day it's like looking down into a very blue tunnel.

And looking back the other way, toward the light.

Of course my hands were a casualty. I think I could be convincted of Smurficide with that as evidence, eh?

The study got a fresh lick of paint, too. Pink along three walls and the same deep grey along the back cabin log walls. It works so well, the pink and grey!

On Friday, I took a Tips and Tricks class at Cottage Quiltworks and my in-laws and husband took out the floor coverings. When I came to visit, I had nothing but bare floorboards to greet me. Even unsanded, they look amazing. This is Piper's room.

And our room (note the finished wardrobes, so super pretty)!

But the dining room didn't fare so well. It looks like the glued the vinyl down, and it's all hairy and stuck to the floorboards. I have been experimenting with getting that fuzz up, and it looks like a stiff brush  cleaned out often is my best bet. What a pai, though - it's a HUGE room.

But then I have the consolation of the gorgeous living room to think of. Oh how lovely it will be when they are all done!

And of course the loveliest thing of all - the dearest and sweetest girl in the world, my gorgeous Piper. She was so tuckered out the other day that she fell asleep in my arms - that NEVER happens. I took the time to sit and enjoy it!

Since the floorsander is in on Monday, we have one more day to finish everything up. I have trims to paint, and three ceilings, and fuzzy floor to rescue, and a hall cupboard to finish. (It was horrible just to get the frames done - I'm so grateful all we're doing to finish are doors and shelving!) After Monday, I get three beautiful days to spend at the apartment, packing. I want this place spick and span by Monday afternoon. Mostly packed and totally spruced up - the floors cleaned, the spots on the wall painted, the drapes at the dry cleaner, everything. I'm packing two to five boxes a day at the moment trying to get ready...because we move in a little over a week.

I'm not sure when next I'll post, so here's hoping it will be sooner rather than later, but if not...hang in there, I'll be back soon!

Lots of love,

Cheers. xx