Backyard Blitz!

It's always good to have a goal, so they say. This weekend we had to get the garden finished as my daughter had 10 friends round for a birthday party. The rain during the week was a constant problem, but we got it all done in the end.

Green grass at last!

Finally, after much work we have (some) grass. What a huge difference. Pool fence also installed - so we are finally ready to complete the rear garden finishing.


Clearing the front


Before


After


New frameless glass pool fence


First swim :)

Paving paving!

Been very busy over the last 2 weeks and starting to see some significant progress.

Things done:

* All planter boxes completed, rendered and painted
* Alfresco area rendered and painted, outdoor BBQ built
* Front area shaping, leveling and preparation for grass.
* Side pathway levels raised 300mm to compensate for stairs and stormwater
* Pool area tiling completed. We went for Villastone pavers (600x400) in the limestone colour
* Outdoor shower built with hot and cold water
* Pool stage 2 installed, filtration hooked up, power, lighting etc etc
* Travertine laid in Alfresco area

This week sees (hopefully) the side fencing installed, pool frameless glass fencing, turf prep and installation.

Some latest photo's below.


Travertine tiles in Alfresco area


Pool paving completed

Outdoor shower installed

Side area raised ready for paving

Alfresco area rendered and outdoor BBQ walls built

External landcscaping continues

Been ages since the last posts (apologies!) but just wanted to update with some pics. Still living in a building site but hoping to have grass down in the next 3-4 weeks.

The last few weeks has been full on getting the hard landscaping tasks completed. All the planter boxes are now done (40 l/m in total!) and the stormwater piping. Now waiting on plumber to fix up the outdoor shower, tilers should start this week on the alfresco area travertine and the pool paving.

Internal wise we are nearly there. Final blinds/curtains going up but overall it's looking great. Have the 3month inspection (snag list) coming up with provincial but there is very little that needs to be resolved. Overall, we are very happy with the quality of the fit and finish.

Kitchen install

Site is a hive of activity. Kitchen and internal stairs being done. A few pics below.

Ensuite cabinates

Kitchen and island installation

Rear view of house

Front almost completed (garage door to come)

Internal walls going in

Provincial have made excellent progress in the last 2 weeks. Bricks are cleaned, scaffolding is down, internal/external electrics fitted, aircon ducting in, 5000l underground rainwater tank installed and internal gyprock panels completed.

We can hardly keep up!
Next steps are glass to bi-folds, front door and garage installed prior to Lock-UP, which *might* be done before Easter. Kitchen goes in mid April so we are counting weeks, not months now to completion.

The only negative is that their *lumbering oaf of a excavator operator* smashed a large branch off the front Scribbly Gum and it's now under extreme stress. It will be a battle to save it. Not amused as we really fought hard to include it in the design.

A few recent pics below.

JJ

Front render and rear retaining walls complete

Popped round to site over the weekend to see that the render was done and the rear retaining wall is in.


Front rendering. Gutters and fascia completed.


Thomas gets to play in a real 'digga'


Rear retaining wall completed (much to neighbours relief as they need to get their fences up)

Brickies BBQ :)

Today we said thanks to the brickies for their hard work over the past few weeks. Slab of Tooheys, lots of sausages and a good deal of humour.

Oh, and the bricks are looking great. :)


BBQ in the kitchen. Just perfect :)





I even laid a few bricks. Change of career?


Tooheys and Brickies - the perfect combo?

Brickwork progress

Brikkies are onsite and really getting moving. I popped in to site on my way to work today to see that the ground floor is almost complete.

DW and I were quite nervous about the chosen colour but seeing them up on the wall our fears were unfounded - we think they look great. For those interested, they are Austral Urban One range (Olive).

Scaffolding goes up next and then top floor, which is scheduled to complete by Friday 19th (weather permitting).

Below are a few pics taken today.


Front red bricks will be rendered and painted

Austral Urban One - still to be cleaned and finished

Rumpus room and Alfresco area

Frame up!

Provincial have made excellent progress since the new year. Framing started monday 18th and was completed in 9 days! Looking great so far. Also got to meet the SS on site which was great. Very organized chap :)

Bricks arrive next week and so the next phase begins...