Bloody Windows!

I think I should start by saying - I may well truly be over reviewing plans. I mean, you get the FINAL plans, you look at them and realise they are all wrong. So you make a list of changes, and then they send you back the new FINAL plans and they are still not right. So you fix them up finally and then you get back the new new final plans and guess what. Some of the old things you have fixed months ago are back again.

However, on a good note I am down from 84 changes / revisions to 12 changes / revisions, hopefully in the next month we may finally get a correct drawing. Saying that it may well be my fault. The more I look at the plans the more I think "that would really look better if..."

The one major dilemma I have been having is with the windows in the master bedroom. The original plan was to have 2 lots of 3 wide floor to ceiling windows on one side of the house. And then I found that the lower storey roof does not allow for the second set so they made them highlight windows. Well I just can't see this looking any good. i think it will break up the wall in the worst way, and how am I supposed to curtain them.... way to hard. So I think I have it sussed..... what do you think? Will this look OK? I hope so because if I never have to make another window decision again it will be way to soon. I am OVER windows.... and doors!

Before the changes to windows

After the changes to windows

Sorry the pics arnt to clear - I was trying to take them off a PDF and it didnt turn out so great but im sure you get the picture

Pool Drama Update

Well It looks like the pool still isn't approved by the shire... sigh.

I am very disappointed in my pool company at the moment and I even wrote them a letter outlining not only my concerns but also the trials and tribulations I have already gone through...

Admittedly there are now being proactive about fixing things but when did it become so hard to just say "I'm Sorry". No one seems to say I'm sorry anymore

"I'm sorry my company has caused you stress, heartache and delays."

"I'm sorry we have not lived up to your expectations"

"I'm sorry I didn't know about this earlier"

But no, nothing at all and I don't know what I'm more disappointed about, my treatment thus far or the lack of a genuine apology over said treatment.

I have one more thing to say on this subject and then it will forever be closed. I think that mistakes happen, all the time and I don't judge people by mistakes but by the way they handle them. this company is not in my good books.

Back to the house - its getting damn close and all I can really say is that I want concrete.... I desperately madly want concrete.... bring it on.

New year New Start!

On another note what do you make of these - graffiti or art? Most of them I kind of like but would I accept these on my wall.... I really don't know.

Wood Walls

Inspired by that amazing wood feature wall in yesterday's post, I googled and googled (probably didnt need to write it twice but the word "google" is so much fun to say and write I just had to) Anyways - I googled (he he he) found some amazing ideas. Why just stick to wall paper and paint when there are so many other interesting ideas I can use. These are a few of my favorites.

More on Lighting

Well not only do I love ornate light fixtures but I also have just as much love for table lamps. How lovely are these...... lots of different colours and bases, different heights and even different light globes colours but each one manages to infuse the spaces with that something a little bit special.

(oh and don't you just LOVE the wooden cladding on this first picture wall. For me this is heaven)

Lighting The Way

The luscious orange light I blogged about yesterday inspired me to search through all my inspiration pictures for some amazing lighting options I have found over the last year. Not all to my taste but all of them really bring WOW into the room....

This just goes to show that when you add more than one of something the room instantly looks expensive and put together. These lights could be $5 each but when you put 7 in a row they are bound to look like a million bucks....

This light is not really me, its a bit rustic but I still adore how it sits in the room. It just seems to make everything else that little bit more interesting. Oh and I love the contrasting fabric on the back of the dining chairs.

Ahhh, this light used to belong in a holiday home on the beach, it would tinkle gently on the breeze and just add to the lovely cheap tackiness that always seems to epitomise the Australian "shack" however add some glitzy mirror, some lovely upholstered chairs and suddenly this light looks expensive and not only that, it fits into the space.

Again, its all about multiples, however in this one they have thrown out all the rule books and have them randomly spaced and hung at different heights. I think this is very successful and its interesting, your eye is drawn down the length of the stairs without feeling overwhelmed.

My Name Is Miss V & I'm An Addict

Ok - not quite what you think but I am totally, completely 100% addicted to home, design and renovation shows. Missing an episode of The Block upsets me greatly and even the idea of series link not working on Grand Designs Australia would send me into a rash.

BUT on the weekend I discovered another show I quite like - its called Design Star and its very cool. The latest episode they each had a white room with a couch, a coffee table and book case - all white and had to create an amazing designed room using only paint and items you could purchase.... at a supermarket. Well I am totally amazed at what they achieved....

This is my favorite, firewood and apples. So so cool. So so clever and I love the design on the wall out of the firewood. I want this in my lounge room.

This one they mixed milk and paint primer together and dribbled it down the walls - plus look at the orange chandelier - beautiful.

These two have the mist amazing paint techniques I have ever seen, I love the idea of a feature wall but extending it down the sides of the other walls - brilliant.

Finally my worst pick room wise. This is horrendous and mismatched. It just doesn't work, there is bit of crap everywhere and in now way do I think it looks even slightly cohesive.

So - a new show to lust after - YAY to Design Star.

The Block - My Verdict

I am an avid follower of the channel 9 show "the block" and while usually I would be quite happy to keep my two bob to myself I felt myself screaming in shame the these people made so many mistakes. So I thought I would give my verdict on the lounge rooms they produced in Wednesday's show. Obviously my opinion doesn't mean much but its my blog and I can and will be disparaging if I want to.

So lets start worst to best.

The Winner of the Overall Worst room is - Mark and Duncan

They had the right idea, they really did, it looks calm and pretty, the colours are right and the bulkhead i really really like BUT two big mistakes, they used the horrible white TV unit with the lovely wooden coffee table, it just looks bad, really really bad. To many different materials in this space and I'm sure they could have found a TV unit to match ... if not a buffet would have looked great and given the room a bit of height. The second BIG mistake what - never ever ever put a lounge in front of the window. Not directly in front, if they had of left a bit of a walkway it wouldn't have been so bad but this is just tacky and unattractive 101.

The two in the Middle are really just in the middle. There wasn't alot of wow in these rooms and I was quite disappointed at just how bla.... they were.

The winner in 3rd Place is - Neisha and John

The layout just doesn't work for me. They are portraying this as a warm family home, imagine one or two kids, you would have to really stretch your neck sitting on the couch in this room if you wanted to watch tv. Also I felt the colours just left me for dead, boring ... bland and just uggh.

The Second Place Winner is - Brenton and Chez

I liked this room, it was a strong contender, I love the two armchairs, I love the way they used a glass hall table with the glass and stainless coffee table without looking two matchy matchy. My biggest disappointments in this room were number one - the rug. Way way to much, it takes away from all the lovely furniture in the room, it should have been simple and in a lighter colour. The second disappointment was the TV area. COME ON. I am 100% sure you could have come up with something better than this .... Pulllease.

The Winner in my book this week is - Erin and Jake.

Let me start by saying, in no way did they deserve the $5,000. You don't get told not to do something and then do it anyway and expect to be able to talk your way out of it. BUT their room was my favorite, I kind of wish the black sofa was a little bit more of a dark grey than black but it works, the pivoting TV is a clever idea meaning the space can really be used as more of an entertaining area instead of a big black screen dominating the space, I love the colour of the walls and I love love love the two arm chairs. Well don't to Erin and Jake for an amazing room. Also, I am really disappointed in them as team players.... get your act together guys and you may have a chance to win.