What a difference a couple of weeks makes...

It's beginning to look a lot like xmas, and our house is beginning to look a lot like a proper house.  We've been flat out for the last few weeks (what else is new!) and haven't had a chance to get out to see our future home.  On a whim this afternoon, following a morning spent helping Sare's sister move into her new home, we decided to take a left turn off Eastlink and head out to have a good look around.  Not expecting to see much up close, what with the place being locked-up and all, we were surprised to find the back door unlocked, allowing us full access to the place.

The front of the house with the brickwork now all completed

The rear corner where the verandah extends out past the rumpus

Sare standing near the al fresco, pondering how we should deck it and where to put the BBQ!

Overall, the place is looking fantastic!  The completed brickwork is great, with the colour exactly what we were hoping for.  I think it matches perfectly with the roof colour as well.  We can really get a feel for how spacious it is going to be in the living areas, and I guarantee we will not regret going for the high ceilings throughout.  Our entrance hall is larger than some bedrooms we've had in other houses and the kitchen, well, it is a work of art to be certain!  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face at seeing the size of the pantry, the great layout of the cupboards and pot drawers and getting to test the soft close drawers for the first time!!  The sink is currently in a box where the oven will be going, so it can't be too far away from having the caesarstone benchtops installed.

 The view of the kitchen from the main living area

The side of the kitchen where the oven and cooktop will be placed.  Love the size of the pot drawers!

The main bench with space for the dishwasher and microwave (or more likely space for the cookbooks!)

 Notes from the builder in the dishwasher space, which will probably be discovered again in another 50 years or so...

Sare wondering about the size and number of plantation shutters we'll need to divide the rumpus from the living area.

The vanity basin and cabinet in the main bathroom

Our front door, pre-stain and installation

Having spoken to our site supervisor during the week, we can now expect the painting to be done in the next week leading up to xmas, and apparently even having the tiling done in the three days leading up to the new year.  At this rate, the house will be ready to go sometime in January, even earlier than we optimistically thought we could expect.  I was also advised that we would be getting a new site supervisor from this week as the current one is changing the region he works in.  Whilst we never got the chance to meet with him, hopefully our replacement can keep the wheels rolling along nicely!


In addition to the work that has been completed, we've even had another fence built on the other side of the house and had two more progress payments made.  Big shout out to our friends at the NAB who have been flawless so far in their handling of our progress payments and have even been kind enough to drop their rates a couple of times in the last few months!  (Too blatant a plug do you think??)

It's looking like it will be a busy summer period for us in advance of the completion of the build with so many things to organise.  Our list currently includes concreting for the driveway, decks for the al fresco and verandah, shutters for the rumpus, blinds for the rest of the house, dishwasher, rear fencing and gates for the front, a letterbox, clothesline, tv antenna, furniture (we've fallen in love with the Bay Leather Republic couches!), landscaping and lighting throughout the house.  Looks like some of these things are going to become a longer term project as we settle into the house and get a good feel for exactly what we want!

Anyway, I probably won't have a chance to update the blog prior to xmas, so I hope everyone has a great xmas and new years.  For everyone celebrating this year in a new home, I'll admit I'm jealous, but also can't wait to experience it next year when I'll definitely be doing the catering!!!