Bathroom Ideas

Its been a stressful few weeks with the house ( already!) As we are under strict guidelines in this estate we had a few problems getting our design approved. Because this estate is around 10 years old and all homes have been built ( apart from our last remaining half acre block) the appointed architect by the developer that approves all design no longer worked on this estate. It was looking like a case of no one wanting to know about it - the council, the developer, the past architect  - we started to wonder what we had bought!  I gave this job to my capable hubby as I felt like I was getting no where and he finally got a result for us last week and plans are being approved as we speak! Phew!

As that is being finalised we need to get back to choosing everything so once working drawings are completed our builder can give us a quote and form the contracts. I am hoping that we can start by September as we move out of our current home mid August. 

Bathrooms are next on my list - we have 3 bathrooms - main, ensuite and studio bathroom plus a powder room. Hubby is a plumber so you would think we would have a good idea of what we liked but to the honest the bathrooms have been the one space I haven't got many ideas for!  Next week we are planning a big day at Reeces to choose everything - wish me luck! I should be more excited considering hubby will be able to purchase everything at trade prices plus we don't have the added cost of a plumber so I can afford to choose items that probably wouldn't have been in the budget but the whole process is rather overwhelming.  Last week I popped in and just choosing a toilet did my head in - there are so many to choose from!

I do want the bathrooms to be quite understated and classic though and I have been drawn to these types of images with clean lines.  So much more modern then I thought I would do but I think if I choose soft colours for the tiled areas and also use the same marble as a small splashback to tie in the kitchen plus some beautiful wall lights it should all go well together

Definitely want large mirrored shaving cabinets in our ensuite this time - will be so great to store toiletries etc

These final two are probably more of what I am thinking for our ensuite - clean lines, simple floating cabinetry, mirrored shaving cabinets and marble splashback.  Floor tiles would be a lighter colour though and not so dark and modern. A few wall lights would look lovely too in a hampton style

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Flooring

This week is super busy with the planning of the house.  While working drawings are being finalised the next 4 weeks will be spent choosing most things for the house such as flooring, appliances, windows, doors, skirtings, cornices, doors, carpet, fireplace, tiles, bathroom fittings etc - the list goes on and its huge.  I am feeling very overwhelmed having to make all these choices - hubby can't understand why!  You really want to get it right and not rush into things plus be on budget ( which I am finding super hard to do!)   That with running my business full time, 3 children and the thought of moving in 8 weeks is becoming rather stressful!  I think building a home with a larger project builder seems to be an easier option - you can walk through a similar display and go into their showrooms, sit down and choose everything for your home. This is more like a massive full scale renovation where I am driving all over Melbourne choosing items and shopping for the best price - lets hope it all comes together and will be worth it - although I may have aged by 10 years  by the end of it!lol

Appliances have been pretty much chosen for the kitchen so thats a tick off the list ( although my builder wasn't too happy with the more then budgeted price!) This week while I have a day or two free I thought I would start with the flooring. The choices here are endless too - either solid timber or a engineered flooring.  All I know so far is that I want something that can withstand the rough and tumble of 3 boys and look gorgeous at the same time.  The colour is super important too - I really would love a mid chocolate brown and oak flooring is a favourite but will wait and see the cost factor too!

Love these floors and of course the kitchen - stunning!

American Oak in Smoked and Black from Royal Oak Flooring

These above images are Wormy Chestnut Solid Flooring in a Chocolate Stain with Waterbase coating from Perfect Timber flooring

All images from my Pin interest Board with links

Kitchen Appliances

Went appliance shopping today and fell in love with this gorgeous ILVE oven in bright white. I think it will look beautiful and be a stand out piece in our new kitchen. It is just on hold so I can change it to the stainless steel but I do love the white.  We also chose a concealed one metre rangehood and dishwasher in stainless steel - easy shopping!

This oven is the same one we have chosen - image Verandah House

Our kitchen layout is based on this stunning kitchen that I first saw in Belle Magazine. The bench will be white but more of an island bench with seating ( although I do love the timber for contrast so I am undecided at this stage!)  So far have decided on having a similar splashback, concealed rangehood above oven, glass cabinets, similar handles and I adore those lights - beautiful! Will wait and see how ours evolves over the coming months

Lounge Details

We are meeting with our builder and architect this morning to go over the sketches before heading towards working drawings. One thing that I would adore in this house is a beautiful lounge for hubby and I.  We will have a fireplace with either a white mantel and built in shelving or stone. French doors or similar that can be closed off for winter so that the room can be warm and cosy is a must have - after living in a large open plan house for 5 years I am craving a house that can stay warm!

Would also love some sort of different ceiling in this space - either lined, vaulted or some sort of different plaster work to give it some difference. Will see if I can get my way today!  

We are having a step down into our kitchen/dining and living areas which I just love.  This stone fireplace is gorgeous too and brings some warmth and character to the room

Amazing doors!

These are similar to the windows we are choosing throughout the house

A more modern take on fireplace treatment

How gorgeous are these ceilings!