Landscaping Decisions

Amongst the myriad of decisions to be made we have been giving much research to hard landscaping - Driveway, Porch, Side Path and Alfresco surfaces.

Driveway - Exposed Aggregate is our choice.

Alfresco and Side Path - we've had Merbau Decks and whilst beautiful the maintenance to keep them looking as we wished became tiresome.
We would like the same medium on the Alfresco and extended approximately three metres towards back fence including wrapping around the side path. Considering Liquid Limestone for low maintenance and thermal qualities - cool to touch.
Out from Alfresco along back fence will be a 6 metre long, fence high, limestone brick wall with long planter boxes at each end and water feature in centre.

Porch - Considering Liquid Limestone with Bullnose edge.
Whilst we like this look are concerned with the small step up from driveway being hazardous followed by another step thru front door.
A Merbau Deck would be higher giving a safer step to the Porch and level with inside finished floor; aesthetically pleasing and less hazardous.
We're not keen on exposed aggregate continued from Driveway thru Porch.

Your thoughts?

RENDER

Render Base was applied today.

Final Render Colours will be
Top projection below fascia including porch facade and pier - Dulux Grey Pebble
Around front window projection and adjoining porch wall  to front door - Dulux Crust

Bricks Cleaned

Bricks cleaned on Boxing Day!! - Austral Blackwood with off white mortar.

Alfresco Beams to be painted Colourbond Dune



To be Rendered
Top projection below fascia including porch facade and pier - Dulux Grey Pebble
Around front window projection and adjoining porch wall  to front door - Dulux Crust
Front Door - Dulux Brood
Garage Door - Panel-Glide Colourbond Dune



Carlisle Homes Shutdown and MERRY XMAS TO EVERYONE

Carlisle officially shutdown for Xmas today.  We had a walkthru inspection with our SS on Tuesday who satisfactorily answered any questions we raised. Bricklayer had finished day before and plasterer was on site for any compliance work in preparation for painting.  House is 'Locked Up' and 'Fixing Complete' minus any shelving until after painting. Some Trades are working - possibly our Painter and SS expects bricks to be cleaned. Most downpipes were installed yesterday and garage has been measured for Panel-Glide door. Facade base render, caesarstone in kitchen, bathroom and ensuite expected next including electrical fit off and tiling before final plumbing fixtures, finishes etc. etc....  We are extremely pleased with the progress of our new house and looking forward to the inside transforming into our home. An exciting 2011 ahead.

CABINETS AND FIXING

After a two and half day saga on cabinet handles imagine our surprise this evening to find the brickies working late, house open, skirtings, architraves and doors almost completed and our cabinets installed - minus the elusive handles, caesarstone benchtops and overhead perspex doors.

I was beyond excitement even in their skeletal, grimey and dusty glory. Can't wait to see the colours come together all shiney and new.

Both showers had also been waterproofed in preparation for tiling.




Bottom Cabinets - Laminex Moleskin
Overhead Cabinets, Wine Rack and Island Back - Laminex Stipple Seal
To be installed
Lower Overhead Cabinet Doors - Perspex Pearlescent 'Pearl'
Benchtops - Caesarstone Cracked Pepper



Bathroom Vanity - Laminex Nocturne Oak
To be installed - Caesarstone Osprey Benchtop





Ensuite Vanity  - Laminex Nocturne Oak
To be installed - Caesarstone Osprey Benchtop




Laundry Cabinet - Laminex Moleskin cabinet and Nocturne Oak Top



Fixing - Doors to Master Bedroom




I think I can just see out




Wait




I can catch flies too!

 

Handles

Delete all previous handle posts because our original selection is being sent from Sydney!!!!!. 
Following a conversation this morning with our CLE, she was not impressed the handle issue had not been sorted and promptly arranged for our original selection to be sent from Sydney to the cabinetmaker.....my kind of woman.  Within minutes I was called by the Spectra Manager to confirm same. Why don't they let women sort out the world's problems?



My Polished Chrome Cabinet and Pot Drawer Handles

Handles Update

Called Carlisle this morning to be informed both my CLE and Colour Consultant were away today.  Spoke to Spectra Manager who knew of  handle issue and is waiting an answer from Rep re stock. 

I decided to visit Spectra and select backup handles.  Another Consultant was very helpful and surprised to learn the colour was discontinued as she is still having clients choose from this range. Apparently, only the Polished Chrome is discontinued with Melbourne having none in stock and 600 in Sydney. As the cabinet maker is waiting on handles and until Carlisle decide what to do I selected alternatives.

Kitchen and Laundry - same handles in Aluminium Stainless Steel
Bathroom and Ensuite - same shape, more slender handle in Aluminium Polished Chrome to match bathroom fittings 

I hope no other selections are discontinued as this was as exhausting as the first round.

On Site - brickies continue plus skirtings, architraves and internal doors delivered for carpenter.



New selection for bathroom and ensuite cabinets
Middle horizontal handle in Polished Chrome



Original selection - top and middle handle for kitchen/laundry cabinets and kitchen pot drawers
Now in Aluminium Stainless Steel



Handles

Carlisle CLE called early this morning, email from Cabinet Maker - 'our pot drawer handles are not available and to make another selection'??  WT....does that mean!  They have the cabinet handles fitted and just noticed 'no pot drawer handles', or the whole selection is unavailable? 

To those of you who have experienced the overwhelming selection of colours, finishes and attention to detail required at the Colour Appointment prior to building will appreciate my disappointment. I called the handle manufacturer who confirmed the handles are recently discontinued in our chosen finish - 'polished chrome' but should still be in stock.

Quick call to our Carlisle Colour Consultant who confirmed the same recently happened with another client and fortunately they were able to source them. I know their only handles but they were the only ones both of us agreed on!!  Hoping for good news tomorrow morning or I am on my way to Selection Centre to ponder handles.

On a positive note, Carlisle SS called - bricklayer continues, fixing stage scheduled for Wednesday with  hopefully our kitchen and vanities (with handles) waiting for carpenter, followed by painting and a site clean before Xmas break.

We have requested a walkthru inspection with SS for next week following fixing stage.

Bricklayer continues......

Brickie's still on site - battled with heavy downpours of rain during the week, hence, working Saturday and Sunday.  Expect to be completed next week.



Alfresco Area



 



Cutting Bricks





Dryer Ventilation Pipe

     

HELLO MR. BRICKLAYER

Brickies arrived and fingers crossed for fine weather.  Thrilled with our Austral Blackwood bricks, beautiful variation and warmth of colours when eventually cleaned. Spoke to SS - cornices finished today, internal fixing scheduled for next week; architraves, skirtings, doors etc.  including kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. SS anticipates painting will also commence before Xmas.


Cornice man's calculations!




Three houses under construction directly opposite



  

Carlisle Homes Update - Bricklayers?

SS called today - plastering continues with cornices tomorrow.  Bricklayers imminent, due a week ago but weather has delayed them on another site. Bricks and lintels waiting for them.

Plaster Continues......

 

Plaster Pictures



Family to Theatre Room

Kitchen



Meals/Family

 

PLASTER

Our Savannah is PLASTERED and bricks on site!!  Forgot the camera.....pic's tomorrow.

Ready to Plaster



Plaster Ready to Go



Entry with Front Door Installed



Master Bedroom



Theatre Room




Carlisle Homes Update

SS called this morning - rectification work will be completed today and plastering rescheduled. Appreciated the contact and reassurance of work undertaken.

Frame Work

Rectification work to frame as per Inspection Report, does not appear to have started - will follow up with Carlisle Homes tomorrow.  However, wall insulation batts are installed.

Independent Inspection - Pre-Plaster Rectification Work

Gas ducted heating and evaporative air conditioning pipework installed in roof.  Plastering was to commence Thursday - due to our Independent Inspection Report plastering will be rescheduled following rectification work to frame.

Independent Inspection

Electrical rough-in completed and ducted vacuum pipework installed. A last minute decision - we organized a Pre-Plaster Inspection by Kevin at New Homes Inspections. Some frame issues to be taken care of before plaster - Kevin didn't verbally report anything major. Carlisle Homes Construction Manager will have the written Report tomorrow morning. $ well spent for reassurance of workmanship and adherence to Building Codes. We also booked an Inspection for our PCI prior to Handover.


Pipe Work for Ducted Vacuum



Electrical Rough-In

True to Carlisle's word electrical wiring installed today. Also, Solar HWS panel on roof, carpenter framed for bath and the roof plumber has installed flashing.
 

Solar Panel for Gas Boosted HWS

Bath Frame