Living area framing up and new security door

Warmer weather
I am loving the warmer weather and the opportunity to spend so much more time outside.  The Ornamental Pear ('Capital') trees that I planted at the start of Spring are growing well - especially thanks to the rain we had over the past week.  The Jacaranda tree in the backyard has also started flowering - one of my favourite times of the year.

 

 

 

 

New living room



The former bathroom and toilet of the back flat has started transforming into (what will be) a new living area on the south eastern corner of the house. 
 

Here is the start of the framing - looking from the eastern end.  (The steps that you can see towards the left of this image will lead off a new laundry deck - once it is built.

 

 

We put up the eastern wall frame of the new living room today.  Dad pre-built it so it could be carried over from his shed and installed. You can see below how far the new room extends out to the south from the previous footprint of the house.

 

A large picture window will look out of the living room to the east - such a great outlook.

The picture window will look out to this view of the backyard and Jacaranda tree.  I will most likely also plant Hydrangeas outside the living area which should enjoy the protected aspect.

 

 

Here is the new living area looking from the western (front) end.

 



 

 

Dad has also cleverly repurposed some old glass louvre blades (from the former front kitchen window) and transformed them into these long slit windows below.  These windows will sit along the same eastern wall as the picture window - looking out to the backyard greenery.

 



New security door

I had a new security door installed a few weeks ago on the front door.  It is powdercoated black to tie in with the front door and is great for letting a nice breeze flow through the house now that the weather has warmed up.



 

 

 Here is the outside - with my new planter box (ready for a plant to be added).  I will plant something reasonably tall to balance the space between the light and planter box.  I think it will especially stand out once the house exterior is painted.



New bathroom and study nook and dismantling of old bathroom and laundry

The warmer weather has finally arrived and I am loving being able to open up the house and soak it up.  The living area on the north western corner of the house is such a great spot all year round for making the most of the seasons. 

New bathroom

The new main bathroom is now fully operational and is working a treat.  We kept the colours and style very simple - light neutral floor tiles, timber benchtop with white timber cupboard doors, large white rectangular tiles in the shower and a frameless glass shower screen.  The large northern window is also fantastic in letting the light stream in.

Study nook
The new study nook is also operating now and is such a handy zone.  I am still setting it up with filing storage and a few other bits and pieces, but already using it regularly.

The window into the study has added a lovely feature and also allows natural light to flow in.

Dismantling of old bathroom and laundry
Dad has now dismantled much of the former bathroom and toilet in the back section of the house.  This area will make way for a second living area with a south easterly aspect. 

Here is the former bathroom before it was removed.

Here is (what is now left of) the bathroom and toilet - looking from the outside.  A small amount of asbestos sheeting has now been removed from this back section and we will be soon removing the old cast iron bath (it weighs a tonne!)

Extension on southern side of house
You can see here that Dad has started installing the LVL joists which will support the new extension on the southern side of the house.  The extension will house (looking at the below image from right to left): a living area, laundry, deck off the laundry (where the new steps are located in the photo) ensuite, walk-in-robe and main bedroom.
 

 

There will also be a new deck on the back of the house where the old laundry (below) currently sits.

 

Here is the southern side of the house looking from a different angle.

 

Here is the front south western corner of the house looking back towards (what will be) the new extension.

 

Spring!

Meanwhile, Spring has well and truly 'sprung'.  The new 'Capital' Ornamental Pear trees and Gardenias that I planted about five weeks ago are thriving and forming a layer of greenery next to the verandah.

 

The lavender is also thriving and is a haven for bees.

 

 

I have also invested in a black steel security screen door (with a criss-cross design to tie in with the verandah style) to be installed on the front door in the next week or two.  Will be great to have the door open in Summer and enjoy the breeze.