What a busy six months it’s been – so much has changed since we commenced the restoration and renovation project in May with demolition of the old kitchen lean-to, and it’s been wonderful to share the progress with friends and family and of course our Facebook cheer squad! In December we pushed to complete outstanding bits and pieces, prior to enjoying some downtime over the Christmas and New Year holidays, sharing Terragong with friends and neighbours…
Rain heads were delivered and installed, allowing us to connect the guttering to new downspouts which charge the new rain water tanks (one of which provides water for the laundry and toilets in the house, and the other water for the gardens).
Inside, builder Alan Jurd’s team cracked on with completing the interior fitout of the revamped garden room and powder room. Eventually these spaces will be filled with ferns, palms and orchids, along with some comfy seating and (now that they are insulated) will make for a wonderful spot at any time of the year to curl up with a good book and a drink or two. All that remains is to complete painting and papering of interiors and finalise window treatments.
The antique French doors leading to the verandah are from our neighbours at Park Mount in Jerrara (who had a pair left over from their renovations) and are an almost exact match to the existing French doors in the house; we commissioned a new door surround to match and Red spent a couple of days fine-tuning their placement and installing vintage door furniture. The vanity for the powder room is a concoction fashioned from a cedar wash-stand and a basin carved from stone, both of which were sourced from Darryl’s design contacts in Sydney - Seasonal Concepts and Orient House.
Tilers were next in to complete the floors in the powder room and garden room, as well as complete the splash back in the kitchen appliance cupboard. Ceiling fans for the new kitchen and living area were delivered and installed three days before Christmas (just in time for the cooler weather!).
Wallpaperer Jim spent two days completing two of the guest rooms, using Morris & Co papers in patterns ‘Pomegranate’ (aka ‘Fruit’) from 1864 and ‘Bachelors’ Button’ from 1892 (a depiction of cornflowers, known in folklore as Bachelors Buttons as they were worn by young men in love). The third guest room received its fresh paint finish, bringing the original match-lined walls, chair rails and trim to life. All three rooms have now been carpeted, with an additional layer of insulation placed between the underlay and the floorboards – no more cold feet! The matching hall runner was delivered on Christmas Eve.
So all that remains for 2015 is to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year. We can't wait for all that 2016 will have to offer!