Week 28: painfully close

There has been a huge leap forward with the house in the last week - amazing how a touch of colour makes all the difference. We decided that we wouldn't go for the plain, neutral minimal look in the house we've got colour to brighten up the rooms. I know that this is extra work for the painters and requires constant checking that the right colour is in the right rooms but I think it will be worth the effort in the end.

The bathrooms are almost fitted and they look create. Just a last bit of tiling to tweak before the bath goes in. Also, we're waiting on the shippers in Auckland to give us a sink!

The team is going great guns to get the house ready in time. The kitchen should be on site this coming week and the barn construction started. Only a few working days left now - so no pressure Moss Bros.......!

It really isn't as bright as this picture would have you think - JT home office!

Colourful hallway

Light fitting in action!

The smallest room in the house!

Bath in waiting.

Shower fitted in guest bathroom

Sunny guest room

Sky blue inside and out!

Week 27: one more step forward

Painting continues to dominate the work in the house this week. The tiler and heating people seem to be doing their stuff too though.

Fireplace tiled

Guest bathroom

Heat Exchange thingie for heating/cooling system

Week 30: at last the end looks like a possibility

For all the frustrations of building a house, I think ours are small fry compared to some of the horror stories I've been hearing lately. House framing blown away in the wind, builder gone into receivership and build ground to a halt, windows too small and leaking...... the list could go on.

At week 30 it finally looks like the end is in sight. The drive has been cleaned up and our roundabout install in readiness for it's municipal planting. The painters have motored on - thanks Denver and his team, and the tiler has been hard at work.

With handover day planned for 1 November - the MB team are on the final push to completion. There's still loads to do but it looks and feels achievable now in a way that it might not previously have been.

Big week next week - electricians and plumbers back to start the final install. Also, hopefully the barn build will start too. I'm afraid the kitchen is delayed a bit but Paul is doing all he can to magic it to site as soon as he can. One of the risks of importing is that it can get snarled up in transit and as luck would not have it, we've been tangled up in strikes at Auckland port.

People ask if we're excited about the move. Not yet, but we will be when the removal van pulls in. Fingers crossed the drive doesn't get washed away in the rain which seems to be relentless in the at the moment.

Family room tiled

Family room being painted

Wardrobe in all it's glory - bit of a story to tell about this....!

Bathroom tiling

I know it doesn't look like a barn yet but it will!

New building coming soon

We were told that our barn kit would arrive week commencing 24 September so fingers crossed that might be happening. If you want to see what it looks like, click on the link for our Builders of Our Heritage Barn.

Week 27: Starting to come together

Progress last week focused on finishing the outside painting and completing the joinery details ready for painting. You'll see from the outside shots that the base boards are now painted making the house look much more finished.

A front door at last (although the lock didn't work and is being replaced) is a much better welcome than the scabby piece of wood. The coloured glass looks fabulous with the sun shining in. The finer details of picture rails, fireplace, wardrobe doors are all now installed ready for the inside painting which is next week's priority (in fact for the next three weeks). Tiler finally arrives too to start the bathrooms and floor tiling.

It's all systems go for the next three weeks to get the painting complete so that the plumbing and electricians can do the final fix. All being well kitchen should be installed in Week 29.

It is finally starting to feel like it's coming together - now just the angst of soft furnishings to contend with!

Week26: finer detail

Progress seems to be picking up again with the finer points of detail going ahead now the gib-stopping and plastering is done. Outside there's the scrolls under the windows, indoors its the scotias and joinery that's being finished off. Painting to get underway this week - and the tiling too since the tiles are now on site and ready for installation.

Fancy scotias for the living and dining room

Less fancy scotias for the utility room (that's pantry to you kiwis)

Window in living room beautifully framed with the scotia

The bedroom window framing the view out the back - mist rolling down the hills. Hopefully the landscaper will change this view very soon as work gets under way quite soon.

Week 25: slow but steady progress

I'm trying to find out what the kiwi equivalent of what "inshallah" or "manana manana" is because I think it will come in handy to reconcile where we are at with the build. Perhaps our expecations are just running too high since it feels like progress is so slow.

But, progress is progress and I like to thinking optimistically. I'm fixed on the vision of a completion before end of October otherwise we're in deep trouble as the landlord starts howling.

Gib-stopping is the critical issue which has only progressed two days this week but we're assured that it will be complete by the end of next week. Then it's scotias (coving to us brits), painting and then the finishing touches - like electrics, plumbing, heating and kitchens.

This week the joiner, Peter, has been hard at work, installing the window seat and bookshelves. Great to see them in situ.

A room with a great seat, not to mention the view!


Gib-stopping in action (well almost, they'd just finished for the day when we arrived!)

Yes, there are shelves to go in!

A peek at the fireplace