Art and stuff

Happy Monday everyone. I am hoping to get some work done on my PhD this morning so that I can make my way to IKEA for some much needed homewares retail therapy. I haven't been shopping in ages (daily trips to Bunnings Hardware does NOT count!) amid all this packing, unpacking business. Mind you, our library is full of unpacked boxes and will have to continue to wait; however, in the meantime hubby and I are forging ahead and attempting to make our house feel more warm and cozy.

On the weekend hubby constructed a frame for a canvas painting we bought in Syria. He saw this frame in al-Hamadiyah Bazaar in Damascus and really liked it; I encouraged him to buy it as we had been to that many art shops and could not find pieces we both liked. Funny a year ago, he couldn't be bothered with paintings or carpets. Now he enjoys going to handicraft markets to buy original works of arts and crafts. I can talk art with him now! Perhaps I can get him to take me to the theatre for a musical?

Anyhow here is the framed canvas of an old Damascene market. I love the colours, don't you?

And here it is on the wall below. The family room is going to be Arab inspired, with our silver serving tray table, Damascene canvas art and Allepan mother of pearl inlay clock (see next photo) next to the red lamp.

And on that long wall behind the sectional lounge, we will be showcasing photos hubby and I took on our trip to Damascus and Syria. About 6 of them.

After viewing over 1000 photos this weekend, I noticed that I have a fascination for doorways (opened and closed). Not sure how this relates to my pysche? Anyone care to analyse me? Anyhow some of those "doorway" photos are quite awesome, so I have decided that the theme for the showcased photos will be doorways. Now I just have to get them printed and framed (hence the Ikea trip). When I told hubby my intention he was quite excited about it too and pointed out that the Damascene canvas on our wall also has an open doorway with the Great Umayyad Mosque in the background. I didn't realise that until he pointed it out. It is definitely all coming together. So excited folks. Okay back to work on my PhD so that I can go frame shopping at Ikea. Enjoy your Monday everyone!

Happy Autumn!

The first day of autumn- my favourite season although here in Brisbane it is still very hot and no orange or brown leaves in sight. Alas. I miss Californian autumns. I guess I can always view images like these when I get nostalgic.

Now back to the house- I went for a visit yesterday and it looks like all the framing is up. Second level is complete with roof trusses on. Some metal rods have also been added to the frames, although I have no idea what that means...but I assume it is good?.

It is good to see the house take shape and it gives us an idea how we should landscape. I can already see the shed tucked away in one of the corners as well as my foldable clothelines (much to the chagrin of my in-laws who live and breathe the rotary clothesline!) on one of the fences. And we also have room for a decent size cricket pitch for the kids and an extended patio off our alfresco, plus of course the mandatory pool. Any recommendations on pool companies folks?

We are thinking of fencing our front yard so that the kids have more room to play, but we will wait and see on that as right across the road is the communal park in our estate. It has a nice grassed area as well as a level path for the kids to ride their ripsticks.

Finally managed to get a photo of the front of the house (although fenced in).



I am going away for 2 weeks next week so hubby will hopefully take over with the updating of the blog because I assume a lot will be happening then. If not, we may have to wait until I come back.

Lots of Pine everywhere

Kids and I managed to get to the building site before the sun had gone down and took some photos of the framing stage.

So now we not only have the first floor framing done, but also the second floor is up. They only need to put up the roof trusses and then the framing is completed. Then I believe it's the guttering, roofing (and because we are getting colorbond it will be on pretty quickly too) and of course the windows. Then doors (front and garage) and then we will be locked out. :(

So this is what our build looks like in all its timber glory, This is the side of the house. See the opening (indent) on the ground floor- that's my large window of my beloved library!

This is what the front of the house looks like. Sorry I couldn't get the whole shot as I was too close. There's a fence behind me that prevents me from going further back.

Plantation Homes has not only been busy building our house with speed, but also they are building the house on the corner of our estate as well as our next door neigbour's house (see photo below) At least we will all completing our build around the same time- less noise, dust and construction traffic.

This is one of the most exciting stages of the build...to see your house dressed in all its timber finery! But I guess the character of the house truly reveals itself when all the colours come together...render, roof, garage, windows, guttering, and brick. I hope we managed to pick the right colours. If anyone has been through this process they know how difficult colour selection is, but I guess you won't know until you it is all put together. Any good or bad experiences friends with house colours?

The framing has started- much to our surprise

I received a call from our On-site Administrator advising that the frames had been delivered yesterday. So I thought I would drive past the house to make sure that they were definitely there. And GUESS WHAT? The frames have not only been delivered, but they have been erected too! So basically the first floor is fully up, with the second floor based started.

Unfortunately I wasn't prepared to see the frame up (thought they were erecting it next week!), so I did not bring my camera with me. So no photos today. But I will get there tomorrow, take plenty of snaps and upload them folks. Honestly Plantation Homes, you sure love to surprise us! Till tomorrow friends.