Create Home

Things That Make Noise

It has taken a year, two, or maybe three to design and build your dream home. Finally, you have moved in and are spending your first week at home. This is a week of truths as you learn how your home functions and how well it allows for peaceful sleep.   <br /><br />What about noise? While designing and building your home, did you think about all of the things in a home that make noise? From where will the noise come, what kind of noise will it be and who will hear it? This is an important step to consider when working with your architect and looking at the architect's floor plans.  <br /><br />On page 264 of my book <em><strong>Designing Your Dream Home</strong></em>, is a checklist of things that make noise. Some of these include <strong>appliances</strong> which are a big contributor of noise, especially ice makers. It starts off with you hearing the ice drop followed by water released to refill the ice making tray. If you have an ice maker in a bar, how close is that bar located to a bedroom? Is the ice maker located near your favorite chair or sofa where you take naps?  Believe me, it will disturb your sleep! <br /><br />What about your laundry room walls? Are they opposite any bedroom walls or media room walls? Would the sound of the washer and dryer or that of a person working in the laundry room disturb you?<br /><br />Don't forget about dishwashers and dishwasher drawers as well as the kitchen exhaust fan.  <br /><br />There is a great deal of noise that is generated from a <strong>bathroom</strong>. The toilet flushing, the shower water running, faucets running, the exhaust fan turned on, and hair dryers blowing are all culprits. Think about what rooms and areas of your home are next to, above, or below all bathrooms. Imagine someone being in one of the bathrooms shown on your floor plans using any of these items listed above. Who might be disturbed by the noise? <br /><br /><strong>Exterior</strong> noise such as cars moving on your driveway, street traffic, and HVAC equipment are major causes of noise. How does the location of all bedrooms relate to the driveway or street. Make sure HVAC equipment is not located under a bedroom window or for that matter outside your dining room window. <br /><br />Another common complaint heard regarding noise is hearing a person walking around on the <strong>floors above</strong> or hearing a person walk up and down the <strong>stairs</strong>. You certainly do not want a bedroom located next to the staircase. <br /><br /><strong>Garage doors</strong> opening are often a welcoming sound as it let's you know your love ones have arrived. However, if your love ones are arriving late at night or departing very early in the morning, perhaps you don't want to know. If there is a bedroom obove the garage, it is almost impossible to silence the sound of the garage door opening and closing.  <br /><br />One of my pet peeves is hearing the chime of the <strong>security alarm</strong> being turned on late at night by the last person home or turned off early in the morning by the first person up. Pay close attention to the electrical plans which will show you where these will be mounted. <br /><br />Lastly, don't forget about the sound coming from a <strong>TV</strong>, especially the media room which usually has a sound system that can produce substantial noise. Again, think of what rooms are above, below or next to the media room. <br /><br />Fortunately, there are various soundproof options on the market that you can discuss with your architect and builder. Some of these include acoustical wall products, sound membrane on the floor, fabric in the ceiling, floor floaters, silent joists, soundboards, and fiberglass insulation. Night Night!

Things That Make Noise

It has taken a year, two, or maybe three to design and build your dream home. Finally, you have moved in and are spending your first week at...

8:35:00 AM

10 Areas of Discussion When Interviewing Architects to Design Your Dream Home

Now that you have made the decision to build your dream home it is time to hire an architect. In my opinion, it is best to hire an architect before you purchase the land on which you plan to build, however, in most cases the architect is hired afterwards.  I have listed 10 areas of discussion for your interview with architects you are considering for your project. Comparing the answers to these questions for all architects you interview will be a tool in helping you decide which to hire.  <br /><br />1. <strong>Background and Experience</strong>  What is your educational background? What associations are you a current member? Are you licensed/registered in this state? How long have you been designing homes? How many homes have you designed in this municipality? How many homes have you designed in this homeowner association (if applicable)? Do you personally know the HOA's design approval committee's architect? If so, what kind of a relationship do the two of you have? (I know of situation where the HOA's architect had worked for the homeowner's architect and left on bad terms. The HOA architect made unreasonable demands causing costly revisions and delays which appeared to be out of spite).<br /><br />2. <strong>Compensation and Payment</strong>  How are you compensated?  There are many approaches to the way an architect is paid for his/her services. Examples include being paid a percentage of the overall construction fee (sometimes with a cap), a flat rate based on the square footage usually with a set number of revisions, a flat rate based on a mutually agreed upon number of projected hours with a per hour rate for hours exceeding that projected number, a flat fee for a complete set of architectural plans plus a per hour fee for site visits during construction, etc.  What is your payment schedule? <br /><br />3. <strong>Meeting Budgets</strong>  How accurate are you in designing a home that when put to bid will meet or come in under our budget? What percentage of homes that you design meet the budget? If your design comes in over budget, will revisions to meet the budget be free?<br /><br />4. <strong>What Role Will You Play</strong>  Do you personally design the house or do you have a staff that does most of the work and you oversee it?  If so, what is the experience of the person who will be assigned my project? May I have names and contact numbers of clients who worked with this person?<br /><br />5. <strong>Timetable</strong>  What is the timetable? How long does it take to see the first set of plans? How long does it generally take to complete all plans and put the project to bid? How many homes are you currently designing?<br /><br />6.<strong> Experience With Similar Homes</strong>  How many homes have you designed that were the same number of square feet as I want designed? How many homes have you designed in the same budget range as mine? If you have a challenging lot such as on a steep slope, on a cliff, in a dry dessert area, in an earthquake prone area, in a hurricane or tornado area, in a beach area with sandy soil, in a humid wet climate or a flood prone area, ask the architect what kind of experience he or she has in that particular area?<br /><br />7. <strong>Designing Green</strong>  Explain your approach and experience in designing a green home?<br /><br />8. <strong>Awards</strong>  Which design awards are you most proud of? How many times has your design been published in a magazine or book?<br /><br />9. <strong>Contractor License, Insurance, Contract and References</strong>  Please provide the following:  contractor license number, certificate of insurance, copy of the contract you use and the names and contact information of the homeowners of the last 5 homes you have designed.<br /><br />10.<strong> Miscellaneous</strong>  How do you stay current on residential building materials? Does a model of the home come with the plans? If not, how much would a model cost? (I have seen HOA's that require a model and the model ending up costing $25,000)  If you already have a builder in mind, ask the architect if he or she has ever worked with that builder.  it is best if the builder and architect have worked together before, though not imperative.

10 Areas of Discussion When Interviewing Architects to Design Your Dream Home

Now that you have made the decision to build your dream home it is time to hire an architect. In my opinion, it is best to hire an architect...

11:05:00 AM

Bar, Laundry and Wardrobes...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_blV7mXsizuos59eNFFH1rTVG89X-V1iBXz4hxDGgEXsSStu3Gsrcivtdz7ZkEcv_mZTcYw3Rtpl67dnI1YTRUJ2qLnkLTtELzGXlXsLmd-4NdUU4v9qLq_s2cZ4PL_52uPoaFYIbKLE/s1600-h/P1010280.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305108994596805586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_blV7mXsizuos59eNFFH1rTVG89X-V1iBXz4hxDGgEXsSStu3Gsrcivtdz7ZkEcv_mZTcYw3Rtpl67dnI1YTRUJ2qLnkLTtELzGXlXsLmd-4NdUU4v9qLq_s2cZ4PL_52uPoaFYIbKLE/s400/P1010280.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>The bar area</em></strong></span></div><br /> This is now the bar! I feel it has all come together and now complete. The top cabinets just make it look so much better and once again, I was seeing things half completed. The bar is upstairs as originally it was going to be like a second kitchen. I suppose it is in a way as there is a small oven going in, a round sink and a bar fridge. The back splash will be glass in Antique White USA (same colour as our walls) I am having a green couch in this area with gold and purple cushions! Don't worry everybody, the colours work really well together or they did in the shop LOL<br />I am also going to buy a big red vase of some description to tie in the red in the lounge area.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">RED....</span><span style="color:#006600;">GREEN....</span><span style="color:#663366;">PURPLE....</span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">YELLOW</span><br /><p>These are all the colours that need to work in the same room. Lucky I have white walls. I must also find a piece of art work that will tie all the colours together....Well I hope it will work!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEmQeXu0pfsDB_cc4MsIDWmzwFcwmrGpV1P1ORUEyppw9-SJVd-GOIA505EkC3GjEMLalFDrDFZNd5HzlrFVR9eb3CB2hEiFF2uvupDpJarwnI8V8ledBSR18bF9bMBCacQ5xDhnyi5o/s1600-h/P1010273.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305107428103278466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEmQeXu0pfsDB_cc4MsIDWmzwFcwmrGpV1P1ORUEyppw9-SJVd-GOIA505EkC3GjEMLalFDrDFZNd5HzlrFVR9eb3CB2hEiFF2uvupDpJarwnI8V8ledBSR18bF9bMBCacQ5xDhnyi5o/s400/P1010273.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#330000;"><strong><em> The Laundry</em></strong></span></div><p>A bad picture, but this is our laundry, I actually really love this room. So open with a lot of cupboard space. Our green doors are on now but still waiting for the wood doors below to be installed. The washing machine and dryer are on the other side.</p><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbPsUh0KWAPG1yzR5QuhlSNvqb-4AIixgelbrTBMKhOOk101oqoGnu_PB43AEagk-LOd8aC1Gfuy7K2iGu7zE2Oa1fdZsy0OFVLqGG7twJZD32p_PlSZjxbi-W89MHbl8Ixpc0YgZttU/s1600-h/P1010286.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305107426443460578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbPsUh0KWAPG1yzR5QuhlSNvqb-4AIixgelbrTBMKhOOk101oqoGnu_PB43AEagk-LOd8aC1Gfuy7K2iGu7zE2Oa1fdZsy0OFVLqGG7twJZD32p_PlSZjxbi-W89MHbl8Ixpc0YgZttU/s400/P1010286.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#330000;">Wardrobes </span></em></strong></div><p><span style="color:#330000;"><span style="color:#333333;">Here are the wardrobes completed. They look really nice but now we are both concerned that the kids wont look after  the doors but it is something we have to teach them. I already except the fact the doors are going to be knocked around but it is just part of family day life. The builder is putting in a lot of safety stoppers and the like to protect the doors. This doesn't worry me at all, this house is a family home and it is going to take knocks and scratches for many years to come.</span></span><br /></p><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_02CZpp9s3L1T5nJQT-EJpqorBl211OfdEuRQgh0R43q64VS7jIlD4PaIglTSj5r5sVAP95wv5yF5EywmZsPJs0jHlbaHgUWSg1ixdU7946FhnYTJc7OKb22jLS65ppbMrdi2hIp3eHE/s1600-h/P1010288.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305107422329513346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_02CZpp9s3L1T5nJQT-EJpqorBl211OfdEuRQgh0R43q64VS7jIlD4PaIglTSj5r5sVAP95wv5yF5EywmZsPJs0jHlbaHgUWSg1ixdU7946FhnYTJc7OKb22jLS65ppbMrdi2hIp3eHE/s400/P1010288.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Well that is all the pics for now. Still waiting for this kitchen to be finished, house cleaned and the plumbing to be completed before I can take some really nice pictures. Also, thankyou for all the thoughtful, nice and encouraging comments that people have made. I love reading them every day and if there is a particular part of the house you would like to see, let me know and I will try and take a picture for you. At the moment it is such a mess so that's why there has been no shots of entire rooms, just the clean bits!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B<br /></em></strong></span><br /><br /><br /></div>

Bar, Laundry and Wardrobes...

The bar area This is now the bar! I feel it has all come together and now complete. The top cabinets just make it look so much better and o...

8:39:00 PM

12 Questions to Consider for an Outdoor Fireplace

Having an outdoor fireplace area is like adding another room to your home. There are several key questions to consider that will help you maximize your enjoyment. 1. Do you want your fireplace located in a patio area connected to your home or as part of an open patio area located away from your home? 2. What kind of materials do you see being used for your fireplace? 3. Do you want a hearth as part of the fireplace? If so, how high would you want the hearth and how long? (I have seen hearths that extend out and around the patio area and are used for seating and storage). 4. Do you want a mantle on your fireplace? If so, made out of what type of material? 5. Do you want the fireplace to open on both sides? (If there is a scenic view behind the fireplace and the opening is large enough, being able to see through will enhance the setting). 6. Will you use gas logs or will it be a wood burning fireplace? If wood burning, do you want a gas starter? Do you want an area built into the design to hold firewood? 7. Do you want a TV in the area? 8. With the fireplace being the focal point, how large of an area do you need for patio furniture? 9. Will you need any electric outlets in the area to use when entertaining? (For a margarita machine, a slow cooker filled with chili, etc. 10. What kind of lighting do you want in the area? (waterproof floor lamps, gas lanterns, a lamp post, etc). 11. Will you need a storage area built into the design of the fireplace to hold cushions, entertaining pieces, etc. 12. Will you have large potted plants or flower beds in the area that need a drip system for irrigation? ...Susan Lang<br /><br />Mistakes to avoid:<br /><br />*The height of the chimney should be adequate to provide the best air flow to maintain a wood burning fire.<br /><br />*Consideration should be given whether or not the smoke that will flow from the chimney will bother your home or neighbors.<br /><br />*Consideration should be given to the direction the sun sets and how it might affect those gathered around the fireplace.<br /><br />*The depth of the mantle needs to be adequate enough to handle the items you want to place on your mantle.<br /><br />*If you like to use a decorative string of lights or tiny lights around your umbrella or draped around the fireplace, make sure you have an outlet nearby.<br /><br />*Be sure to specify that you want a faucet in the area for cleaning.

12 Questions to Consider for an Outdoor Fireplace

Having an outdoor fireplace area is like adding another room to your home. There are several key questions to consider that will help you ma...

7:44:00 AM

Kitchen and Wardrobes

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93tqbW4Y_JuxQSxF1KAjdBXZyYciB9XO2HuDXbGRIs5io9uVHp8dSwlRFjB8pcDBcm1GYRpf5c1lqTwxJWh49JRzkfwgER3y6JWuUg9mpbkIOxQ_9MGF3K1jOlWzj6eSm1116n3RL7ZI/s1600-h/P1010278.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421992736185826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93tqbW4Y_JuxQSxF1KAjdBXZyYciB9XO2HuDXbGRIs5io9uVHp8dSwlRFjB8pcDBcm1GYRpf5c1lqTwxJWh49JRzkfwgER3y6JWuUg9mpbkIOxQ_9MGF3K1jOlWzj6eSm1116n3RL7ZI/s400/P1010278.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Here are the pictures of my half completed wardrobes. It is unbelievable how much cabinetry there is just for these 4 robes. The pictures are my kids robes, ours are put together but not in yet, really big job for the installer. Our builder was there with us and he couldn't get over how nice they looked in the house. It is going to take a while to get use to this as we have never had anything like this before.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03z9gisknjFsh47Gl8BFoYuCOmu8jSTrqJMogBtluejjCyu-yPy6SJIjDIGtrgywQbC0Qu6rdJa-u4Z_rPUzG-uPKNiL1OqT-9iEWuiVcjwTg7F1ebz886uJP4UNvhmBO17gAJ0UmVxs/s1600-h/P1010274.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421989709607074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03z9gisknjFsh47Gl8BFoYuCOmu8jSTrqJMogBtluejjCyu-yPy6SJIjDIGtrgywQbC0Qu6rdJa-u4Z_rPUzG-uPKNiL1OqT-9iEWuiVcjwTg7F1ebz886uJP4UNvhmBO17gAJ0UmVxs/s400/P1010274.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqubxTsehjyQYrgAh9Xn0uB_W9h9HiV2Lk1bxnUwPoT5V-_D9Dz0fkjye73pe7lyTwFdcPg8IHh0ZLVcAlSVTmqr_HohUEeJGJ1ofmi7ZWmRoUMIS8WxC323PQ2zpC0AbBJ08FEmfROMU/s1600-h/P1010277.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421985387402770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqubxTsehjyQYrgAh9Xn0uB_W9h9HiV2Lk1bxnUwPoT5V-_D9Dz0fkjye73pe7lyTwFdcPg8IHh0ZLVcAlSVTmqr_HohUEeJGJ1ofmi7ZWmRoUMIS8WxC323PQ2zpC0AbBJ08FEmfROMU/s400/P1010277.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />The next few pictures are of my kitchen. Thank goodness John (my builder...I told him about my blog today but not the name and he reckons he will find it so lets see if he does LOL) quickly put my fears to rest about that draw, all it needs is to be adjusted and he told me just to wait until its all done!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYTAR8E4jIX7ILm2EYr7ABPs1PlLzEkkUrd0WzhagWHSYUki-KECNqHQG2PB9tllALvD1l3RCYK20NWkKpwXUoIGNMrKdAIoWZCoHQYttUffwe2m9Yzu8Csw3dzw-5FIV8dNPZ6U2hWw/s1600-h/P1010284.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421343532864098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYTAR8E4jIX7ILm2EYr7ABPs1PlLzEkkUrd0WzhagWHSYUki-KECNqHQG2PB9tllALvD1l3RCYK20NWkKpwXUoIGNMrKdAIoWZCoHQYttUffwe2m9Yzu8Csw3dzw-5FIV8dNPZ6U2hWw/s400/P1010284.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HotdMeCrASWEwC9TW5zcNFH6UMiUmrDDjOj2CSF_P9k82JTpkV5BSv3z90Hslt8wcJVzhmvDKiFnbuIFhNWOrFPBNFKM8GAcbD1tYFyjUBTBo-vQvEeo-UIDCnF8Jm30ia_JjEe_fGg/s1600-h/P1010282.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421335095865714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HotdMeCrASWEwC9TW5zcNFH6UMiUmrDDjOj2CSF_P9k82JTpkV5BSv3z90Hslt8wcJVzhmvDKiFnbuIFhNWOrFPBNFKM8GAcbD1tYFyjUBTBo-vQvEeo-UIDCnF8Jm30ia_JjEe_fGg/s400/P1010282.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This is my colour splash back, Mr B and John loved it! I don't know,  so I have taken a picture with the colour I had selected, in real life has got that wow factor (good wow, bad wow) I don't know....What is everyones elses opinions. Sorry I didn't take a further back shot but there is cabinets and stuff everywhere...its like taking a picture of a messy house to show everyone! Also this is the top cabinet I was talking about but you cant see the gap below in the picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvGUCHEhdnqxMKx2Sa5WtkfY_x3Jn_oxDAt_QuLw9j3WLyqmWzErI1quQ4gmlD43uQyP9Y2xRU1PNgXXrHG2T6-gz60l5YTyQxPw_1j1z1KqJDQWs9pI-VyO-vfizcf31nFP9f1hytyE/s1600-h/P1010283.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421330452705810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvGUCHEhdnqxMKx2Sa5WtkfY_x3Jn_oxDAt_QuLw9j3WLyqmWzErI1quQ4gmlD43uQyP9Y2xRU1PNgXXrHG2T6-gz60l5YTyQxPw_1j1z1KqJDQWs9pI-VyO-vfizcf31nFP9f1hytyE/s400/P1010283.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSdgZ2kEZeGl0VGLDKkasBQE3VdFw8s-Nm6mKEaY_E72jiu6KQYAuTYtq4vDs8sw3JXbcHnBsfS7ZFJ5D28WtiUHZbOPYXhSBQVb3GNRKijlquwpSsYOmrGtbd8jh6BeiqcSX_6o7Kjs/s1600-h/P1010281.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421326463818754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSdgZ2kEZeGl0VGLDKkasBQE3VdFw8s-Nm6mKEaY_E72jiu6KQYAuTYtq4vDs8sw3JXbcHnBsfS7ZFJ5D28WtiUHZbOPYXhSBQVb3GNRKijlquwpSsYOmrGtbd8jh6BeiqcSX_6o7Kjs/s400/P1010281.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Now you can see the top panel is just a little too high.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKXn8PXXMVBkys5ttpWBha7PpMryByktgHKDsO1BntjUWTqGAsB_54BqQqOjVlld0kvm7cIdCpU_LMvjgm_Isn1bRsZxDdNSRDEHOf1rz12FS1VQiUa97qLW1ES9P-KRAjvx2m3tZ8Ok/s1600-h/P1010275.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304421326433235186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKXn8PXXMVBkys5ttpWBha7PpMryByktgHKDsO1BntjUWTqGAsB_54BqQqOjVlld0kvm7cIdCpU_LMvjgm_Isn1bRsZxDdNSRDEHOf1rz12FS1VQiUa97qLW1ES9P-KRAjvx2m3tZ8Ok/s400/P1010275.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The Bar! Well, I wasn't going to put this picture in as it is not completed but I wanted to show you the colour....no need to comment as I want to wait to see all the cabinets installed above it...white and silver. One thing about this house is that it is showing my personality hehe parts of it are very conservative but then there is this creative, outrageous, funky element that just hits you when you walk into some rooms. Enough rambling, must press the submit button before I change my mind!</div><div> </div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#330000;">Mrs B</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Kitchen and Wardrobes

Here are the pictures of my half completed wardrobes. It is unbelievable how much cabinetry there is just for these 4 robes. The pictures a...

12:18:00 AM

Steel features

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK14KrKGijUPgEa-sSm2Rr07PiVTxbJv7ptrwuOj-LCHMQTlLZMFJ-sJoG7cmkbqy1EM7OSeSpuI_o3o2sXqJ_9lwdGmD9WgGMm99AveC9U28IHDd2HDzGbwnA1gtWHIGr7rbsf56e-Q/s1600-h/P1010290.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304412988650292738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK14KrKGijUPgEa-sSm2Rr07PiVTxbJv7ptrwuOj-LCHMQTlLZMFJ-sJoG7cmkbqy1EM7OSeSpuI_o3o2sXqJ_9lwdGmD9WgGMm99AveC9U28IHDd2HDzGbwnA1gtWHIGr7rbsf56e-Q/s400/P1010290.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Steel features on the outside of my house</span></em></strong></div><br /><p><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong></p><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#660000;">Victoria</span> from <span style="color:#660000;"><a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.com/">Design Ties</a></span> asked me for a picture of the steel fins that we have used on the outside of the house. Here is just a small sample of how it looks at the moment. Not all the house has its final render so I will<span style="color:#ffff00;"> </span>wait to take a really good shot when the outside is completed. I absolutely love this design as it <span style="color:#333333;">wraps</span> right around the house and gives what could of been a boring wall, some interest and definition.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;">Guess what everybody, the wardrobes are being installed...this time I took pictures, in a much better mood today haha</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span></p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>

Steel features

Steel features on the outside of my house Victoria from Design Ties asked me for a picture of the steel fins that we have used on the out...

11:49:00 PM

Read This Before You Drill Holes in Your Kitchen Counter...

Read This Before You Drill Holes in Your Kitchen Counter...

Kelly Morisseau, a certified master kitchen and bath designer posted a blog on her site KITCHEN SYNC titled "A Quick Tip For Faucet Lay...

9:31:00 AM

Reflection time again...

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPunzPDtmmv7jmK26GWIL-S7c0F-LP-wyT5YqyXPDzrCH3uqW67puuRv4nxWmhEPZDDRvg7mWqu_yQeYKb2e0TZKNHKfTvhhStg9eiJOd9tnmsAVAfES7FMzswQgC7R4OQdjtyoEjBGQQ/s1600-h/handles.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304046506110892946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPunzPDtmmv7jmK26GWIL-S7c0F-LP-wyT5YqyXPDzrCH3uqW67puuRv4nxWmhEPZDDRvg7mWqu_yQeYKb2e0TZKNHKfTvhhStg9eiJOd9tnmsAVAfES7FMzswQgC7R4OQdjtyoEjBGQQ/s400/handles.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#660000;"> Our inside door handles</span></em></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#006600;">Warning to all my readers, this is a long, completely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sooky</span> whinge....but this is a house build blog therefore us long suffering owners are entitled to a little whinge every now and then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LOL</span></span><br /><br /><br />It happened again. I went to the house for a quick brief visit with the sole purpose of taking a picture for <a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.com/">Victoria</a> but when we got there, our kitchen guy had been...so how excited was I! The builder opened the house for us so I went in to look at my 'dream kitchen'.<br /><br />I don't know how to say this but I was disappointed so much so that I didn't take any pictures at all. Once again, the kitchen is still only 3/4 finished with bits of panels missing here and there. that's OK, work in progress but what I noticed was that one of the cupboard panels had a large gap between the bottom and the draw underneath. Obviously, something did not measure right and it looked like they had down tools in order to come back with a solution. I suppose I am just sick and tired of everything in my house only being half finished all the time. Why cant my kitchen just be installed complete like a 'normal' house build. Also, our shower screens were installed, very nice I grudgingly admit but then I started to focus on the tiles in the powder room and how I don't like them. Mr B by this stage was used to my 'is this alright, or maybe I should have done this' type of conversation. Anyway, Mr B went upstairs to look at the red cupboards for our bar upstairs...all I could hear was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ohhhhhhhhhhhh</span> by that stage I did not want to go upstairs and see the rest of my choices.<br /><br />The bar, what can I say...I don't know if I love it or hate my colour choice. It is certainly different. Mr B was fantastic, he said it looked so funky and original, it is after all our family home and we need colour in our lives as all the walls are white. I just don't know any more. Part of me said I should have just gone all white and beige... but I felt it was important to inject my own personality into my home. Should I have gone safe...I think that is what I am struggling with at the moment. Anyway, the glass screens in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ensuite</span> and bathroom looked absolutely gorgeous so at least I am happy with those rooms.<br /><br />Tomorrow is the big day I see all my robes and walk in pantry totally decked out. Already I am fretting over my choice in wood. Every now and then I have this little 'meltdown' and I just wish I could just pick neutral colours, it would have made everything so much easier.<br /><br />On a different note, I was very sad to read today that <a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#006600;">The House that A-M built</span> </a>is going to close down and become private subscription only. A-M always leaves the most beautiful, positive comments on my blog and it is also the first blog I read every morning on my blog list....always a wonderful, inspiring picture or story to start my morning routine. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">That's all for now, no pics of the house but tomorrow watch this space.....<strong><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#660000;">THE WARDROBES</span> </span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mrs B</span></strong></div>

Reflection time again...

Our inside door handles Warning to all my readers, this is a long, completely sooky whinge....but this is a house build blog therefore us ...

11:13:00 PM

House Pictures...

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3GqdQ9rHnWNngKXYMBFsxtyQdhWfrh28aYEAd6OA7B-HULmb0_gXd0mPExKSeGCm-1I-61bwUwusVGvagZQSkDaFuGcCWnAt8xxe4voo5wmE_UTfhjXpIBsoMys0hDURYqyAOHi7Dgw/s1600-h/P1010280.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303632213711410722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3GqdQ9rHnWNngKXYMBFsxtyQdhWfrh28aYEAd6OA7B-HULmb0_gXd0mPExKSeGCm-1I-61bwUwusVGvagZQSkDaFuGcCWnAt8xxe4voo5wmE_UTfhjXpIBsoMys0hDURYqyAOHi7Dgw/s400/P1010280.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong><em> <span style="color:#660000;">Balcony</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"></div>The picture above shows the view we get from our balcony. The last panel on the right cuts out our view line of the park. I am not really sure why the council made us put up screening on that particular corner. Just a slight irritation as it doesn't look right but I will get use to it. At least it will protect us from the winds that come through around winter time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0quYexzwrPtaQXZmfTeSQZ07dfdla3gqOq_5_eciwauZlZMJfKL068afrr5_7YzxjPrt6RgMQpy7kIVW4oyf6zCDch2PM2OwxLVphg0As1JgvTK7MtsxtwqeoxTCRmMrVXLapaB2how/s1600-h/P1010276.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303632212906883826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0quYexzwrPtaQXZmfTeSQZ07dfdla3gqOq_5_eciwauZlZMJfKL068afrr5_7YzxjPrt6RgMQpy7kIVW4oyf6zCDch2PM2OwxLVphg0As1JgvTK7MtsxtwqeoxTCRmMrVXLapaB2how/s400/P1010276.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Children's Bathroom</em></strong></span></div><br /><br />I love this picture! my kids bathroom with their new carrara marble top. The whole room just feels right, I can't wait to see the basins, shower and taps installed. The basins are a beautiful round shape that will sit on top.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_WEF2fe233De_jyLRP-wgThv2yk9qFV90qUTByNPDaIjaGEGdqU9RJSOs0-x7KS0dGNP1fUtq4lnNCbSCYCvMjsbBdecCjj8_gsY-42hXosYBHM8SWSQ97Cw40_JNgKKeWlq1J0DPeU/s1600-h/P1010274.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303632207350423554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_WEF2fe233De_jyLRP-wgThv2yk9qFV90qUTByNPDaIjaGEGdqU9RJSOs0-x7KS0dGNP1fUtq4lnNCbSCYCvMjsbBdecCjj8_gsY-42hXosYBHM8SWSQ97Cw40_JNgKKeWlq1J0DPeU/s400/P1010274.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong><em> <span style="color:#660000;">Door Handles</span></em></strong></div><br /><p><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;">These are the door handles I have chosen...you can hardly see them. I didn't want the handles to be a feature and wanted a very clean look. At the moment, some of them are sticking to the granite but they will all be adjusted. My concern originally was that they wouldn't be easy to use but they feel really nice to open.</span></p><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu8bqR1ybJQPZKju2CuxWWeum4msEdPTcodzUUkc3Ra6sSymyGdcolmvnXbbcgrUnyRtv0tL0MTKQlra4H50ZwHP3KDywkSZVXt689YN24uQf55VVUiL9fsPfXrMMSdwbq0tP_8ANXMQ/s1600-h/P1010271.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303632206111328098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu8bqR1ybJQPZKju2CuxWWeum4msEdPTcodzUUkc3Ra6sSymyGdcolmvnXbbcgrUnyRtv0tL0MTKQlra4H50ZwHP3KDywkSZVXt689YN24uQf55VVUiL9fsPfXrMMSdwbq0tP_8ANXMQ/s400/P1010271.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em> Powder Room</em></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEU7XnjV8blyxi1m6JgRDOQa1lsebKBjIkgRbIirvR2WzRFtiOBNjuUAH2B-eMP6K6993Wue78n3dLVsOWqVi3bffrW0ha4Ys2Dc8MiD6HuhbH7wnEEaBBHc8Dw22_rmTCgHJppxARts/s1600-h/P1010270.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303632201191076130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEU7XnjV8blyxi1m6JgRDOQa1lsebKBjIkgRbIirvR2WzRFtiOBNjuUAH2B-eMP6K6993Wue78n3dLVsOWqVi3bffrW0ha4Ys2Dc8MiD6HuhbH7wnEEaBBHc8Dw22_rmTCgHJppxARts/s400/P1010270.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong><em> <span style="color:#660000;">Kitchen Detail</span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="left">In one of my favourite blogs <a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.com/">DesignTies</a>, Victoria wrote apost about a project she had been commissioned to do by a client. The major design was a magnificent fireplace that desperately needed to be remodelled, in keeping with a contempoary interior. Victoria used the combination of wood and steel strips placed horizontally up the wall. Anyway, I mentioned that there are elements in my home that have used steel as a design element. The first one is shown in the picture above. I wanted a steel strip right around the kitchen island between the granite and the doors...even though the cabintery is not on, you can still see how its going to look. I also have andoised steel fins as a feature on the outside that wrap right around the house. Of course silly me I forgot to take a photo but I might duck around tonight to take one!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span><a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.com/"><br /></div></a></div>

House Pictures...

Balcony The picture above shows the view we get from our balcony. The last panel on the right cuts out our view line of the park. I am not ...

9:12:00 PM

Utility Use Decisions You Need to Make Before Meeting With Your Architect

First, you need to identify which utility companies provide their particular utility to your property and at what cost. Hopefully during the due diligence process before purchasing your land this information was presented. Next, you need to determine how you will use each utitilty in the home you want to build.<br /><br />Will you use natural gas for heating, hot water, stove top/range top, oven, dryer, fireplaces, fire pit, grill, swimming pool, lap pool, hot tub, exterior lanterns, exterior lamp posts, or other.<br /><br />Will you use the cable for your internet connection and television? If so, which rooms or areas in and around your home will need access to the cable?<br /><br />What telephone service will you use? Which rooms or areas in and around your home will need access to the phone line?<br /><br />Will you want to bury the electrical wires on your property? What areas away from your home will need electrical power? Will you need more than one electric meter?<br /><br />Will you need water lines to go to areas on your property other than your home? Will you need a second water meter for your lawn sprinkler system, your swimming pool, or other water feature that does not involve sewer so that you will not be charged the sewer portion of your water bill?<br /><br />Does the size of the home you plan to build require special water features such as a sprinkler system or fire hose hook up required by the codes department?<br /><br />Knowing the answers to the these utility questions before meeting with your architect is a plus!<br /><br />You will find a checklist with some of this information on page 72 in my book, <em><strong>Designing Your Dream Home</strong></em>, plus other related information throughout the book. ...Susan Lang

Utility Use Decisions You Need to Make Before Meeting With Your Architect

First, you need to identify which utility companies provide their particular utility to your property and at what cost. Hopefully during the...

8:28:00 AM

My shopping trip....

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrcIUxC-nhHZUxfKbPABiJvMEETnHkvqR8h794vtdjEgvg0RvkqsqZRGs_FjihhAtrt4NDnZyY2FuE9vf1eEdECJkVgv8XVoDpb9zkQaKlTITMvGjig5NhhMB9KZrY6uLfV8sEs_7b0/s1600-h/55555.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302846942994070562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrcIUxC-nhHZUxfKbPABiJvMEETnHkvqR8h794vtdjEgvg0RvkqsqZRGs_FjihhAtrt4NDnZyY2FuE9vf1eEdECJkVgv8XVoDpb9zkQaKlTITMvGjig5NhhMB9KZrY6uLfV8sEs_7b0/s400/55555.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIprGO12Zdu0rl7qSd4SR9e-s8LI1mkUppJ1IDHQGJx9JgHMPQkyj4EmBHixKbTVgaiSnvyP-nJo0eq1soVZFniEQbvYxZgwBTeC5pechq-333JIleOKWbBmo6c4pfmSrOFh9OE-aYRtY/s1600-h/444444.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302846938426662002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIprGO12Zdu0rl7qSd4SR9e-s8LI1mkUppJ1IDHQGJx9JgHMPQkyj4EmBHixKbTVgaiSnvyP-nJo0eq1soVZFniEQbvYxZgwBTeC5pechq-333JIleOKWbBmo6c4pfmSrOFh9OE-aYRtY/s400/444444.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />I have just come home after buying my beautiful chandelier. The photos is actually from the showroom and the sales assistant wasn't really keen on me taking the photos. I have noticed a ever increasing trend of shops having a no photo policy. The photos do not show how nice it is in real life,  I am not the best photographer, point and click is my style! The crystals you wrap around yourself so you can create any design you want. My dream has come true....I have always wanted this light fitting and now it is going into my new home.</div><div> </div><div>Isn't it funny how we can get all excited over finding that one special piece. It makes the wait and the search all so sweeter. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#993300;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span></div><div><div> </div></div>

My shopping trip....

I have just come home after buying my beautiful chandelier. The photos is actually from the showroom and the sales assistant wasn't real...

6:31:00 PM

Tagged

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOXVbEBWLHrBTnO0yBKPqHKAJovXLn7Vv9BAn-vRa7LNgNPAXHE-Tn90nwd8JBdh9MJX2jP7bh1g6YYswDLcv-7KTIqaDgckn2ZzeoztemxnfzS7ikYeGrbm_l2jBUj4H9dhRkH_IPLw/s1600-h/P1010289.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302608543638772642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOXVbEBWLHrBTnO0yBKPqHKAJovXLn7Vv9BAn-vRa7LNgNPAXHE-Tn90nwd8JBdh9MJX2jP7bh1g6YYswDLcv-7KTIqaDgckn2ZzeoztemxnfzS7ikYeGrbm_l2jBUj4H9dhRkH_IPLw/s400/P1010289.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> First time I have been tagged! <strong><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">L</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">ee</span></em></strong> from <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong><em>Glimpse of Style </em></strong></span><span style="color:#333333;">has asked me to show where I blog and a little bit about my space.</span><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </p><p><span style="color:#333333;">Well, here you go guys...what a very, very sad blogging space hehe! definitely not home beautiful material but rather a lovely 'before' shot of a room that desperately needs a make over. </span></p><p><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><em>(maybe I should  invite Colin and Justin  to make over my house! Even if it meant I could just stare at them as they are just soooo gorgeous....ok, must get back to reality!)</em></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;">So, my blogging space is actually in a rental property that we have been in for about a year. To say that I just want to get out and move into my beautiful new home would be an understatement. Unlike </span><span style="color:#33cc00;">Lee </span><span style="color:#333333;">who has a lovely, creative space, my desk is purely for my laptop and other papers and junk with no order or even purpose. I do not like renting and it was only suppose to be for a few months therefore I never really settled down and made it into a real home. Well that is my excuse LOL</span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;">So there you go! I  promise in a few months time I will revisit this post and update my new blog space!</span></p><p><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span></p>

Tagged

First time I have been tagged! L ee from Glimpse of Style has asked me to show where I blog and a little bit about my space. Well, here y...

3:06:00 AM

What is the most basic information a residential client should be ready to give their architect?

If you have a goal of building a functional and beautiful home that fits your lifestyle, you must be willing to do your part in identifying your needs. Before meeting with your architect, create a basic fact sheet to take with you. This should include the following information: your budget, the approximate number of square feet, break ground date, and move-in date. Do you want a single level home or a two or three story home? If a multi-story home, do you want the top floor to be a complete floor with an attic above or the top floor to be located within the roof with dormers? Do you want a basement or attic? Name the rooms you want in your home including the approximate size of each room if you know it. Note which level of your home do you want each room located. For bedrooms, list the occupant(s) by name, size and number of beds in each room, and if there will be a bathroom attached. Do you want windows on your headboard wall? List all closets you want in your home and what level those closets should be located. Identify by name, age, sex, height, weight, left or righ-handed, shoe size, and special needs all occupants of the home. Additionally, identify by name, type, age, weight, indoor or outdoor pet, weight, and special needs of any pet in the family home. Building your dream home is an exciting time and an incredible opportunity. Please make the most of it by doing your homework!<br /><br />The above list of information is a start, however, there is much more information I will discuss in my next blog. For your convenience, there are eight pages of basic information checklists in my book <em><strong>Designing Your Dream Home. </strong></em>

What is the most basic information a residential client should be ready to give their architect?

If you have a goal of building a functional and beautiful home that fits your lifestyle, you must be willing to do your part in identifying ...

3:02:00 PM

Kitchen and wardrobe fitouts...the start

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V4ZeW1-R2ckUhI3jC9jDowh-8VQh647FVLIX7WeIyJMuyFMZ8Ma9Olm0HC5vBBR15UyldN-a-KvA3mW0lxTorwh9ZRaJYgZbJjU4SjfjCeaT9-YYUuphJz9nLV4Qm8nXgNxQfRTZpcs/s1600-h/feb+11.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301475588025157074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V4ZeW1-R2ckUhI3jC9jDowh-8VQh647FVLIX7WeIyJMuyFMZ8Ma9Olm0HC5vBBR15UyldN-a-KvA3mW0lxTorwh9ZRaJYgZbJjU4SjfjCeaT9-YYUuphJz9nLV4Qm8nXgNxQfRTZpcs/s400/feb+11.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Back to blogging about my house! One exciting thing that has happened is the Bianco Romano stone is now safely on my kitchen bench, exactly how I imagined it to be. There was part of me that wanted to wait to show you my kitchen when it was all completed, pretty and clean but as I have said once before, this is not a 'home beautiful' magazine but a builders blog...the good, the bad and the ugly! I think its important to keep a record of how my house is built  so if my kitchen looks half finished then that's the way it is LOL The problem with me, as you can tell from previous posts, is that I focus too much on the mess and aspects of my house that are only half completed. Anyway, beside that, I think my kitchen is coming along exactly how I imagined it to be. Stay tune for the glass coloured splash back! I am (well maybe)  using a very deep red , colour. I still dont know if I made  the right colour choice. Not too late to change it...what do people think????<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRPMsBX9ClnkK2v71RGXa-f2zf-zetvgv3enFODOg3NY54z96WTvU-7Qlk_XEbe3BU_saDc-L1qPCfWLFq2dgqYQVmOTBfMA6YJZG1Y97Bb2zgNAdhfWiB8BIaD9oHJeRflNzcsrvLXo/s1600-h/fe+11-3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301475581931630162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRPMsBX9ClnkK2v71RGXa-f2zf-zetvgv3enFODOg3NY54z96WTvU-7Qlk_XEbe3BU_saDc-L1qPCfWLFq2dgqYQVmOTBfMA6YJZG1Y97Bb2zgNAdhfWiB8BIaD9oHJeRflNzcsrvLXo/s400/fe+11-3.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A picture of the back bench...gees I love this granite (after the hassle and the expense I will allow myself the luxury of saying how nice it is LOL!) The hole is for the stove and underneath are for all the pot drawers.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIion5mgmgv0k9L6XHAyYIj1IpvsztgPn6F0XlnKHQX9W5yf-I3jCw3YZRFsDBfJk_PJLgqLGS3MIYeubbZd01e5YlHd6OG_ew0RAiyn0eTywJpi-AARGHoiukl6CvrKD0J7z2Qd8Mr7c/s1600-h/feb-11+6.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301475578410146962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIion5mgmgv0k9L6XHAyYIj1IpvsztgPn6F0XlnKHQX9W5yf-I3jCw3YZRFsDBfJk_PJLgqLGS3MIYeubbZd01e5YlHd6OG_ew0RAiyn0eTywJpi-AARGHoiukl6CvrKD0J7z2Qd8Mr7c/s400/feb-11+6.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />This is a sneak preview for what has just been installed...my wardrobes fit out in some sort of oak colour. I had no idea what I selected as I had to pick 5 different colours in case it was out of stock. I still have not seen it yet as I had to work back late and Mr B took a few photos (he took 7 only tonight and he didn't think the cararra marble in the bathrooms were important enough to take pics off...we had 'quite' words about this misunderstanding hehe<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIwJhES9rflVqS_IkYUVdcdfdmXw_rAjyu-ll_vbwh8g95Zz1gJau5jrRyK7ZmWNvR-1mMyQC7ZxcwsukDF_ODR3foOl3Ku124JNnT_WkX5FRpqvaDnxdXDyDBcriMETWiW93KzCMFqw/s1600-h/fe+11-7.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301475571785937490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIwJhES9rflVqS_IkYUVdcdfdmXw_rAjyu-ll_vbwh8g95Zz1gJau5jrRyK7ZmWNvR-1mMyQC7ZxcwsukDF_ODR3foOl3Ku124JNnT_WkX5FRpqvaDnxdXDyDBcriMETWiW93KzCMFqw/s400/fe+11-7.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This is part of my draw for my wardrobe, I couldnt get over how nice the wood looks like in the photo. I have no idea what it is that I selected but just another wonderful random moment in my housebuild...I never know what is going to be selected next for me!</div><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>

Kitchen and wardrobe fitouts...the start

Back to blogging about my house! One exciting thing that has happened is the Bianco Romano stone is now safely on my kitchen bench, exactly...

1:45:00 AM

Human Courage

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtLSuUfjiwC3qgZdAPEgAHuo0G7NNQ3yFUgaHYNvth9MnX13pq0CdKpPz_WdGZBj3TPL4Tkgi7wdIicV0u9rEcq8VDcGbrPH7q2L9OZdgjW_pwJocfbF6g-LmvBq5QcdC4S08A6UhpKk/s1600-h/420_firey-420x0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300879033286112098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtLSuUfjiwC3qgZdAPEgAHuo0G7NNQ3yFUgaHYNvth9MnX13pq0CdKpPz_WdGZBj3TPL4Tkgi7wdIicV0u9rEcq8VDcGbrPH7q2L9OZdgjW_pwJocfbF6g-LmvBq5QcdC4S08A6UhpKk/s400/420_firey-420x0.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> It has been reported all around the world about our fires in Victoria and the terrible lost of lives. Even today when I woke up, the death toll is still climbing...just this incredible sadness you feel when you listen to the stories from people who were trapped in the fires to the bravest men and woman who are right now at the front, desperately trying to contain the fires. My heart also goes out to the police who are the ones that are first on the scene and whose job is to go through burnt out houses and cars. I don't want to report everything I have heard on the radio as it is very distressing to hear the stories of people who are missing entire families, I just hope they are found safe at one of the emergency centres. The picture above is one of our courageous fireman, the majority of them who are volunteers. They have normal jobs and houses in the areas affected but here they are fighting to save communities and lives when some of them don't even know if their own families are safe. Such a terrible tragedy and to think that the fires were lit by arsonist. Every body I know has friends or relatives that live in the these areas. I just hope the fires that are burning out of control as I type this post, take no more lives.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span> <div></div>

Human Courage

It has been reported all around the world about our fires in Victoria and the terrible lost of lives. Even today when I woke up, the death ...

11:17:00 AM

She moved because the order of light switches drove her crazy!

I ran into a friend this weekend who was with her friend. She introduced me to her friend and told her friend about my blogging. When I shared the recent blog I wrote about the guy who moved his family due to the location of a light switch, this woman immediately chimed in that she had moved because of the order of a gang of light switches. She said she had specifically told the electrian the order she wanted but for some reason the order she specified was not carried out. This particular group (gang) of light switches were some she used daily. She said she was never able to wrapped her mind around the order. As if she was playing charades, I saw her frustration first hand as she took her arms and fingers and acted out the way she would flip on and off several switches trying to find the one she was looking for! Daily she would find herserlf turning on the wrong switch. It became a daily source of irritation and eventually it was the catalyst that made her move!<br /><br />These two blogs demonstrate why it is important to pay attention to the details of electrical plans. Chapter 7 of <em>Designing Your Dream Home</em> addresses electrical, HVAC, and plumbing details.

She moved because the order of light switches drove her crazy!

I ran into a friend this weekend who was with her friend. She introduced me to her friend and told her friend about my blogging. When I shar...

6:19:00 PM

Have you ever seen something years ago....

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejTtJJ83ZErjanwo_AljC2s2WtBxCUOrGo1pC1bYP0BqsuOj_82ruuPyMDtS42gKmUUPLFTrNDokChFePdHJx7CpdbWKx1_jsw3BJxXzgvbpHzmCd0sqAdp8cEG1UvODUVAR8Io7ODJY/s1600-h/lights4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300336160830974770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejTtJJ83ZErjanwo_AljC2s2WtBxCUOrGo1pC1bYP0BqsuOj_82ruuPyMDtS42gKmUUPLFTrNDokChFePdHJx7CpdbWKx1_jsw3BJxXzgvbpHzmCd0sqAdp8cEG1UvODUVAR8Io7ODJY/s400/lights4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This light has been in my mind ever since I saw it used in a TV show called Designer Guys. I loved it back then and have always wanted it in my own home. But, fashions come and go and I put this light into the category of maybe one day.....Well today I saw it in a beautiful homewares shop in Melbourne called Domayne. The light was used in a bedroom setting. I kept going back to the room, contemplating if the long shape would suit a bedroom as I had only seen it used over a dinning room table. So tonight I am going to ponder whether this is the light I have been searching for my bedroom.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzhNNJcCwWWpdCT5LXlpFeckQH8968Lfwyw6H8Dt9d5gZw_e-uY-lX0dVKZ8A7QdN3kSKqj43gb0bdTej7tNYQ5dQU-UTrL7UvgFsgkDAj0eg15FbKTisXmoDH6RYUCEoUDPhYEN6tvM/s1600-h/ilb%2520akuta-4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300336155099767794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzhNNJcCwWWpdCT5LXlpFeckQH8968Lfwyw6H8Dt9d5gZw_e-uY-lX0dVKZ8A7QdN3kSKqj43gb0bdTej7tNYQ5dQU-UTrL7UvgFsgkDAj0eg15FbKTisXmoDH6RYUCEoUDPhYEN6tvM/s400/ilb%2520akuta-4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Another decision I had to make on the weekend was lights above my bed. I choose lights like the ones in the picture, the light only shines up so doesn't compete against my bedroom table lights. It actually took me a while to work out what would be best for the space but I think I have made the right choice. So many decisions to make when building a house!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYEnIsbmuJltxk85MsXxmKPxiCtsCEoeqL10dBa4OQRW-nhZQsuAvM7SK2LrwASkMA1M3ShPrJVN1NVT88jPkJy7i1xYoA4FbZ7oh21Q4qZtQESqpuhT1Q_xWkmu-L0IJm0_5GDxhG14/s1600-h/lights3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300336152376931778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYEnIsbmuJltxk85MsXxmKPxiCtsCEoeqL10dBa4OQRW-nhZQsuAvM7SK2LrwASkMA1M3ShPrJVN1NVT88jPkJy7i1xYoA4FbZ7oh21Q4qZtQESqpuhT1Q_xWkmu-L0IJm0_5GDxhG14/s400/lights3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This picture is here just because I love the mood the lighting has created. Similar to what I selected for our high ceilings upstairs.</div><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>

Have you ever seen something years ago....

This light has been in my mind ever since I saw it used in a TV show called Designer Guys. I loved it back then and have always wanted it i...

12:07:00 AM

Bianco Romano

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irqOAAulSSEzQtCpv9UBJ60PA3fJGWiSXRzsY8XFKapDewkYybayXIjmQ9RPsb7D5mdgODCxd5oKkg6LP3aLBfr87P1dB12MWDDrOc9uhN_erwcTjeKddolHjvW0vVwvOR8b69FlDWY/s1600-h/P1010266.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299880449524968850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irqOAAulSSEzQtCpv9UBJ60PA3fJGWiSXRzsY8XFKapDewkYybayXIjmQ9RPsb7D5mdgODCxd5oKkg6LP3aLBfr87P1dB12MWDDrOc9uhN_erwcTjeKddolHjvW0vVwvOR8b69FlDWY/s400/P1010266.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Our beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bianco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">romano</span> slabs are now at the stone masons being cut for our kitchen as I type this post. We went down to the factory to make sure they use the correct slab for the feature island bench. I have a feeling they are not the slabs we picked out 5 months ago from the marble place and of course I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn't</span> take pictures did I! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Doesn't</span> matter, both slabs are stunning and the slab in the photos here will be for the island bench. I told the stone mason to try and not have much of the black stripe that you can see up top. Not that it will really matter as he practically has to use the whole slab for the bench and it is not in a feature section. I am so glad we went for granite and surprised that granite has fallen out of favour at the moment with most new house builds. I love the inconsistency, the colour and texture of the stone.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi611U_7FkOdbS_lCpXWTwACKZ4_Qe2GVCUMMtrCVJ43-k79boY0aUe-jXOuiS9Q4rFhXGCi4rFMQ0VOkQZcIIWyYj24Lbf_2CaqSnbZecj5MzKYJreIhFNfZwQZIRA3JC1YKs58zMyshI/s1600-h/P1010267.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299880444788721794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi611U_7FkOdbS_lCpXWTwACKZ4_Qe2GVCUMMtrCVJ43-k79boY0aUe-jXOuiS9Q4rFhXGCi4rFMQ0VOkQZcIIWyYj24Lbf_2CaqSnbZecj5MzKYJreIhFNfZwQZIRA3JC1YKs58zMyshI/s400/P1010267.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsiIvb_42ir2Ask61-g5vj64SQMXncciBVLyLVFYBzmNUzapS254Yaymcs8EG56uU1SVGnMNIJw0UAqow2i-SWfvh5CvpXXDuVhAXYDSumO-2vXt3Lps4xV4J2xpTVlIfofRyVcmnezU/s1600-h/P1010268.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299880443304177554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsiIvb_42ir2Ask61-g5vj64SQMXncciBVLyLVFYBzmNUzapS254Yaymcs8EG56uU1SVGnMNIJw0UAqow2i-SWfvh5CvpXXDuVhAXYDSumO-2vXt3Lps4xV4J2xpTVlIfofRyVcmnezU/s400/P1010268.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Here is our C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">arrara</span> Marble being made for all our other bench tops. Very exciting to see all our house bits around the place.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J8JOgmqJuHAXMkRBcRJYCgChfSqyxGzZ_xVWMdUEGCLgIoUasJkv0wu1U_GsnrbSTWWHOvPmIBSYz60DzH6oS4afBKCMSsp_GXPyVjAjPiHPfpv0jJne4L0bNyzigAxQaWTEHqjqR5c/s1600-h/P1010270.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299880436670207938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J8JOgmqJuHAXMkRBcRJYCgChfSqyxGzZ_xVWMdUEGCLgIoUasJkv0wu1U_GsnrbSTWWHOvPmIBSYz60DzH6oS4afBKCMSsp_GXPyVjAjPiHPfpv0jJne4L0bNyzigAxQaWTEHqjqR5c/s400/P1010270.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Our big marble slab on the machine waiting to be cut.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PFsukHDNCSjJMXfgnYbElMbACASPG-4otuNOExnYwev4GRec797apFRp77-Ua1go0fl7NxL8Fy94-l5BvCLWPiHIBObvAHleWnRSmNyIF_x8flqtAQfkMnepXWqqO4ngUj8Dm0qOe_w/s1600-h/P1010272.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299880435971467042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PFsukHDNCSjJMXfgnYbElMbACASPG-4otuNOExnYwev4GRec797apFRp77-Ua1go0fl7NxL8Fy94-l5BvCLWPiHIBObvAHleWnRSmNyIF_x8flqtAQfkMnepXWqqO4ngUj8Dm0qOe_w/s400/P1010272.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Here is the machine where all the action takes place. I have learnt a lot about stone finishes in the last few days. We are having  a mitre cut where you have the joint on the 90 degree. If that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">didn't</span> make sense I apologise <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hehe</span> because all the guys were talking to Mr B about it and my eyes started to glaze over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LOL</span> I just said I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">don't</span> want to see joins and I wanted the edges to have a soft feel about them.</div><div> </div><div>Oh...I almost forgot, we have another random addition to our house....according to our stone mason, our bar bench top is going to be C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">arrara</span> Marble??? When I got home, I looked in all my notes to the builder and no where did I see I had that down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">hehe</span> oh well, will look beautiful and is just another random moment in my house build. I have a great sense of humour so looks like we are having marble in the bar!</div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B<br /></em></strong></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>

Bianco Romano

Our beautiful bianco romano slabs are now at the stone masons being cut for our kitchen as I type this post. We went down to the factory ...

6:38:00 PM

He moved his family due to a light switch!

I love talking to people about the home in which they live. I cannot begin to estimate the number of times I have asked the question "What are the five things you like about your home and what are the five things you would want changed?" Or if someone has just built a home or remodeled, I would ask "What are the five things you are glad you did and what are the five things you wish you had done differently?" It is from these questions and the answers to these questions that I have learned a great deal about designing a functional home.<br /><br />One day recently, I was on a cardio machine at the gym, chatting with a new friend on the machine next to me. He told me a story about one home where he and his family had lived . He came downstairs one night to check on a noise that had awakened him. As he got to the bottom step of the stairs, he could not find a light switch to turn on a light in the den which he entered from the stairs. He was tripping over toys as he walked in the dark trying to find a light switch to turn on. He finally found it across the room. After several more trips entering the den in the dark, the frustration and danger of not having a light switch in a convenient location caused him to put his home on the market and move!<br /><br />Have you or any one you know ever moved from their home due to a functional design flaw that got on their last nerve? Please share the story! ...susan

He moved his family due to a light switch!

I love talking to people about the home in which they live. I cannot begin to estimate the number of times I have asked the question "W...

10:26:00 AM

Finally you have moved in, the moment of truth...

Welcome to my blog! I'm breaking out of my comfort zone and starting this blog to share some of my best information about designing a home. I'm a first-time author. My book, <em><strong>Designing Your Dream Home</strong></em>, is a resource for people who are designing a home or going through renovations. With this blog, I'll be sharing tips from the book and (hopefully) providing great dialogue to help you in case you're in that boat. I'll do my best not to shove the book down your throat, but know that my book is my baby and I'm passionate about the information within its pages. I'm a home design consultant specializing in assisting a homeowner in identifying their needs, wants, and desires so that their home will be functional yet beautiful. Please be forgiving as I muddle through and learn about blogging. I'd also appreciate feedback, so leave comments and let me know what areas that interest you!<br /><br />So, you have spent a year, two years, or even longer planning and building your dream home. Finally you have moved in and you face the moment of truth, "Does my new home function like I envisioned or did I even think about the function?"<br /><br />The moment of truth hits you in the face as you reach for a light switch in the dark and it is not there. You think, oh my goodness, why is the light switch not on this wall? All of a sudden you feel panicked wondering what other mistakes have been made? There is a group of light switches ganged together and the order of the switches makes no sense to you as you keep flipping switches trying to find the one you want to turn on. You walk into a dark room reaching for a light switch only to realize it was mounted on the wall behind the door. Is it possible that each time you want to turn on the light you will have to close the door and reach around to find the light switch? Maybe you want to plug in something and there is no outlet in the area. You have received a beautiful house warming floral arrangement that you place on your dining room table only to realize the chandelier is not centered on the table. Perhaps you go to the entertainment center and open a door to turn on your stereo system only to realize it is too dark to read the buttons on the receiver. You have three things (lamp, cordless phone base, alarm clock) you wish to plug into the duplex outlet by your bed. You ask yourself, why didn't I put a quad outlet there?<br /><br />These are just a few residential electrical plan mistakes that could have been avoided. I will share more in other blogs! Share yours with me! Thanks for reading. ...susan

Finally you have moved in, the moment of truth...

Welcome to my blog! I'm breaking out of my comfort zone and starting this blog to share some of my best information about designing a ho...

9:41:00 AM

A white bedroom?

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-zQT82yATpbIO8MdU2355uHk8tkHYX-t8V0s-yNGXl6pTuVMgYUcF-7kSXhJBZT0-uB7EpWpYly0qltG218gLbS-UpZ6V5zdoXAuOvUMrLbeqJNuPb-Ip3MFaXsIlRuvrZIXxfe3CgY/s1600-h/livingEtc.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298474805753437074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-zQT82yATpbIO8MdU2355uHk8tkHYX-t8V0s-yNGXl6pTuVMgYUcF-7kSXhJBZT0-uB7EpWpYly0qltG218gLbS-UpZ6V5zdoXAuOvUMrLbeqJNuPb-Ip3MFaXsIlRuvrZIXxfe3CgY/s400/livingEtc.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">LivingEtc</span></div><p><span style="color:#333333;">Everything about this bed I love. So dreamy and makes you just want to snuggle in and watch telly, read a book or just lie there thinking nice thoughts. What goes into making a bed like this...perhaps beautiful bedlinen, lots of  plump pillows, good quality sheets, doonas and maybe some accessories like quilts and blankets folded at the end of the bed. As a person with no training in interior design, I am always fascinated at how beautiful 'other peoples houses' are in magazines. So, here are just a few examples of ideas I have for my bedroom. I know this blog is Decorating a Modern Home and my pictures are of a different style but this is what I want for my bedroom but with a  contemporary twist.</span></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRvDGeOtIoHG4gejUoAORdZfhgdcHblscc_8DK30H5rYV6aqfOfQhlnOJFTsd5lBjerX9tUgvTdc9nGwYZ_yGVFAwcmvXJrMybu1LjjT63pl5YtvRtzg-MPZdcxrO1RiI0p_1baPEZUk/s1600-h/LivingEtc1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298474808144561954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRvDGeOtIoHG4gejUoAORdZfhgdcHblscc_8DK30H5rYV6aqfOfQhlnOJFTsd5lBjerX9tUgvTdc9nGwYZ_yGVFAwcmvXJrMybu1LjjT63pl5YtvRtzg-MPZdcxrO1RiI0p_1baPEZUk/s400/LivingEtc1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"> LivingEtc</span></div><p><span style="color:#333333;">The picture above could very well be my bedroom but with carpet. I have a beautiful sleigh bed, same colour and have just bought a simple white doona cover with white sheets and pillow cases. After that, I am stuck for ideas. I have some bedside cabinets that don't go with the bed but they have a really nice shape. I am not sure what to do with them but thinking of painting them so they could work in my room. What colour......I have no idea so I am open to any suggestions.</span><span style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><br /></p><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrccxV9Ewy5YA0BACePPgbPoXOZn0TjH5SO5tPSPKE1_9Kvk1_XPBBiBxB_8k2PjFyKVwcctJvlWZReTq1BI0osB8AAYQmwQ3UXO3R4RWrWNYxC6alnA_OjgDIVPDlY2r2saHFqqa7AQ/s1600-h/EIJFF0011.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298474803503958386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrccxV9Ewy5YA0BACePPgbPoXOZn0TjH5SO5tPSPKE1_9Kvk1_XPBBiBxB_8k2PjFyKVwcctJvlWZReTq1BI0osB8AAYQmwQ3UXO3R4RWrWNYxC6alnA_OjgDIVPDlY2r2saHFqqa7AQ/s400/EIJFF0011.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I love this wallpaper...I would like it on the back wall where my bed is. I also have been searching everywhere for the perfect bedside lamps. Not sure just yet what style I am after but there are so many lamps out there to choose from. Definitely something to buy after the room is set up.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZorI9aOXzz7WFV_gKty4NlF-EVYyIfRGhsNj-CRilGPYgJEdf50kTus3NtqpY3_6tWyUA3FFp8EVd6acRfF570lUqXqnP_3UuqjtN8K4iuvAqrw7cwHu4U9lespxKEMZMb4YgwvDJs/s1600-h/LivingEtc2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298474800478156146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZorI9aOXzz7WFV_gKty4NlF-EVYyIfRGhsNj-CRilGPYgJEdf50kTus3NtqpY3_6tWyUA3FFp8EVd6acRfF570lUqXqnP_3UuqjtN8K4iuvAqrw7cwHu4U9lespxKEMZMb4YgwvDJs/s400/LivingEtc2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;">LivingEtc</span></div><span style="color:#006600;"></span></div><div align="left"> </div><span style="color:#006600;"></span><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">I really like these cushions! very different but Wow, what a statement they would make in a simple white bedroom.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRqKCOuraYxiUWZQsOuRTOwGwrK8qIsX6DEuEBh8Bv51gFeoOMw9KfOvcqUEdssqWiYyu43cV4wm6LwPcEwDgHLg2x7hSefOC5PvlViNrbBX5bJjAHHx69Bi8_gsfcE7b4dsFXjpTWWw/s1600-h/LivingEtc3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298474802988495314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRqKCOuraYxiUWZQsOuRTOwGwrK8qIsX6DEuEBh8Bv51gFeoOMw9KfOvcqUEdssqWiYyu43cV4wm6LwPcEwDgHLg2x7hSefOC5PvlViNrbBX5bJjAHHx69Bi8_gsfcE7b4dsFXjpTWWw/s400/LivingEtc3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"> LivingEtc<br /></span><br /></div><div align="left">This bed is just lovely! When I get sick of all white, just add a colourful doona cover to change the look of the whole room. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><em>Mrs B</em></strong></span></div>

A white bedroom?

LivingEtc Everything about this bed I love. So dreamy and makes you just want to snuggle in and watch telly, read a book or just lie there ...

11:45:00 PM