Progress...

Thought it was time again for an update to what's been happening at hudsons house... 

About 2 weeks ago we decided to take the plunge and start work on the resurecting the front butterfly stairs and building a back deck.  They had always been high on the agenda, and with Christmas fast approaching we thought why not! 

We decided to put a slab underneath it as we use that area to gain access to the laundry, and we hated that the last house had dirt under the deck esp when the puppies wee'd on it - not a pleasant door :-/ 

Once we had the slab down the blocky cane and built a retaining wall so that we could defer the water away from running under the house when it rains.

Next we ordered the timber, as we were doing the stairs as well the cost was quite high but after sourcing many quotes maxum was the best.  I found the easiest way to source quotes was to email the cut list to the suppliers and wait  for the price to come back - then haggle :-) 

Next the work commenced.  The idea behind doing both jobs simultaneously was that whilst the boys had down time waiting for posts to set (on the stairs), they could work on the deck. 

Hudson loved having a front row seat to all the action everyday.

We are not totally done still have to pop stringers on the sides of the stairs and then balustrading, the end product should look something like this 

We received a number of quotes ranging from 8.5k to 14k to make and fit the stairs inc balustrading, but we managed to be given enough 2nd hand treds from friends and our amazing house raiser to do the job.  After cleaning them up they were in really good condition so all up saved us about 2k.

For the back stairs we decided a really wide set like this would be best.  I have become obsessed with these stairs ever since I saw them on fun & Vjs blog.  Jeff wasn't to keen cause if the price per lineal meter of treds but I think it will be worth it in the end.

We also managed to get a bargain with the balustrade for the back deck. I won around 12 lineal meters plus gate of very good condition hardwood balustrading for $150 on eBay. 

Again it requires a sand and paint but u defined can't argue at that price! Here's what it looks like up so far - only half is installed... This is the view from my parents 

Funny I took a similar photo 6 mths ago when we were moving in - looks so different! 

Hopefully I can share some completed deck and stairs pics in the coming weeks ... 

Girls weekend at Byron

My girlfriends and I spent the weekend at Byron last weekend and I honestly forgot how much I love the place! I love the happy people, beautiful scenery and zen way of life.

We stayed in the most beautiful refurbished "old dairy" in the hinterland of Byron Bay, that was the cutest place I have seen in a long time.

Very much want to take Hudson and Jeff here soon - I don't know if he would know what to do with all the open space. 

Whilst away Jeff and Allen (our cabinet maker) had installed the kitchen island, as soon as I saw it I squealed with delight.  It's even more beautiful and perfect than I imagined, and now can't wait to get the remaining in.

We are now hunting down some marble for the tops and knobs/handles for the drawers.  Love this kitchen from verandah house - might contact them about sourcing some handles like these...

Other than the above I have basically been kept busy setting up more nooks around the house, j constantly says "stop buying pretty things and but stuff we actually need like timber and concrete blend" (for the driveway) - but where's the fun in that!!!