Lately .... Visual Diary

 So much happening over the last month, can you believe we are in September!!

I've popped up a few photos with what we have been up to lately x

The boys game room is finished but I'm thinking about adding a rug for that extra styling layer...

We are enjoying the change of season and the slight warmth in the air.

Noah's class at school had a cookie challenge so he baked 

these delicious chocolate chip cookies to take in.

Book week at school - Noah dressed as a policeman.

 It was inspired by the book "Cops and Robbers" but also by my brother graduating from the Police Academy.

Simon had a birthday.

Jasper's school band played at the Conservatorium of Music.

The rumpus room is complete! The art is up on the walls and it is a great extra space to hang out.

I'm enjoying our new bathroom and reading in the tub.

Fish and chips on a Sunday.

We tidied up the planter box on the office. 

Some of the draping Cousin Its were not doing well so we pulled them out and just left the jade, succulents and snake plants in there.

How have you been lately?

I'm so happy that our renovations and jobs around the house are coming to an end as they have really taken up all our time and energy this year!

Our Parent's Retreat

We began our first level renovation in February to build our parent's retreat.

Simon and I are thrilled with our space! It includes our bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, walk in wardrobe and a covered balcony. All up a space of 78m2 internally and a 16m2 balcony.

We feel so lucky to have such a beautiful space to call our own.

We built our home over 21 years ago with Masterton Homes and it has been perfect for us over the years. But we decided as our family grows up and we now use the spaces differently, it was time to give everything a little upgrade. We can't believe how different our little house looks!

We obviously kept everything light and bright with 4 skylights and a wall of glass doors out to the balcony. The vaulted ceiling gives the space such a roomy, airy feel.

I had a lot of questions regarding our flooring.... they are 133 x 19mm cypress pine tongue and groove timer. We finished it with Feast Watson proof seal and 5 coats of Feast Watson floor paint.

 We wanted a neutral calm vibe so we went with a white leather sofa, sisal rugs, natural linen, plants and custom cabinetry for our tv unit and storage cupboards.

Our bathroom feels so luxe with the high ceilings and the same tile floor to ceiling. The warmth of the cabinetry is a lovely contrast and I love the combination with the brass tapware.

We built in a shower seat and the niche above the bath.

Another skylight in the bathroom keeps everything bright and sunny.

Our walk in wardrobe is such an amazing space to have after 20 years of us sharing a much smaller cupboard downstairs! We each have a side with a combination of drawers and hanging space and it is sooo lovely to be able to organise everything!

We also have 4 built in storage cupboards. A linen press, a cleaning cupboard with ironing board, mop, vaccuum etc, a book/library cupboard and a miscellaneous cupboard with bits n pieces.

It feels great to have everything within easy reach without having to run up and down the stairs.

We are looking forward to Spring/Summer and being able to use the balcony with it's lovely ocean views on one side and the backyard from the other.

Simon cleverly designed this space for us and was the owner/builder throughout. 

This was an amazing experience for him and he discovered and developed new building and engineering skills. We are so proud of him!

We also built a rumpus room/hang out space for the boys upstairs and I will share that in another post.

I've popped down the details of the items we used below...

Bathroom

Tiles - Amber Tiles - Atmosphere Matt

Tapware - Mizu

Bath - Reece

Windows - Bradmans

Skylights - Velux

Bathroom cabinetry - Marquis - The Cove

Bathroom mirror - Middle of Nowhere

Towel hooks - Abi Interiors

Towels - H&M

Handsoap dispenser & bin - Alfresco Emporium

Wooden stool - Lounge Lovers

Bedroom

Mattress & ensemble base - Harvey Norman

Bedhead - Temple + Webster

 Bedding - Temple + Webster

Bedsides - Ikea

Rug - Ikea

Lamps - Temple + Webster

Rectangular cushion - H&M

Living space

Lounge - Lounge Lovers

Lamp - James Lane

Rug - Ikea

Cushions - H&M

Throw - Target

Cabinets - custom made

Side tables - we made these from travertine tiles

Wardrobe 

Art - Myer

Ottoman - James Lane

Runner - Ikea

Balcony

Chairs - Ikea

If there are any questions just let me know!

Lately...

   A  few photos from life lately...

As we are still deep in renovation mode it is nice to have a few rooms that still look relatively normal. It gives me a spot to retreat to when the mess everywhere else becomes too much!

For Easter this year I wasn't going to decorate due to the renovations but I couldn't resist adding a bunny here and there. All bunnies and eggs were from Bed, Bath n Table.

Even though the rain has been pretty constant we have been lucky to have a few sunny days on the weekend that we have taken advantage of and gotten out to enjoy the sunshine.

We are so grateful when the sun comes out!

Picnic at Palm Beach

A walk whilst the boys are at school

Our downstairs bathroom is finally complete. Yay!

I'll do a separate post on that later.

Another walk along the beachfront at Manly.

I hope you've had a lovely week x

Bathroom Inspiration

As our renovations continue and the bathrooms receive a new look, I have been pinning some of my favourite bathroom looks and analysing what I love about them.

I love the look of a neutral stone look from floor to ceiling with gold/brass tapware. 

I also love the look of a timber vanity to add warmth to the space and add in a white ceiling and a big mirror. Elegant and simple, perfect!

All photos via Pinterest, Kyal & Kara, Three Birds Renovations.

Lockdown Diary

 I think we are at day 17 of our Lockdown this time around. I have lost all sense of time!

We are just about to start home schooling tomorrow so I  thought I would pop up a few photos from our time at home these last couple of weeks. 

It was a slow school holidays and while I was keen from a break from the busy schedules and commitments, I think this was taking things to extreme! So grateful though for my healthy family and a warm space to bunker down in. 

One of the only things that changed through our days was where we took our daily walk. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places so close to home.

Blue skies and ocean walks...

Another day, another walk. Through the trees with the remote control cars

Our studio apartment/office above the garage has been the perfect escape when you need a little space and quiet time. It's also lovely and clean compared to inside while we do the renovations!

You can see more of this space here and here

Manly Dam

Our renovations continue on with Simon doing a lot of work himself. We are doing a first floor addition soon and thought we'd take the time now to open up the walls to put in the structures needed to hold up the first floor. We are also pulling walls down, adding wardrobes, changing windows, refreshing the paint and carpet. We built our home 20 years ago and we are making the changes that will sustain our family life as we go into the next 20 years. 

Dash has been enjoying having us all home and his extra walks each week.

I hope you are well and keeping healthy xx