Summer Ready!

Pool and Deck Complete
The backyard has undergone a huge transformation over these past six months.
The pool and new deck are now finished, and it is so exciting to be enjoying it all with family and friends. I feel grateful every day to have the opportunity to work on this project with Dad and Mum, and call this special place 'home'.

We stained the deck floorboards in a charcoal water-based stain. After some initial experimenting, we decided to water it down so as to give a dark lime-wash appearance. I think it offers a nice contrast against the white, and will also provide a practical solution for our red soil. Next job is to install new guttering, fascia boards etc.

'Purple' Jacaranda season

The Jacaranda tree has just started flowering, signalling the start of November and 'exam' time. Dad designed the pool with great consideration of this tree - as close to the house, and as far from the Jacaranda as possible, to avoid disruption to the tree and mess in the pool. It is such a beautiful tree, and has probably stood for 100 years now, a similar age to the house.

It also provides such a beautiful backdrop out the back living room window...

… especially on those foggy, misty mornings...

A reminder of the transformation
Sometimes it is easy to forget how things used to be, and photos are such an important reminder of history.  The backyard has certainly evolved a great deal over the years. Below you can see the carport which was previously attached to the back of the house.

An outdoor laundry was also attached to the carport, as you can see in the below image, which was taken after the dismantling had commenced.

The below image was taken after the outdoor laundry had been removed and the new back living area had been built (on the left southern side of the house).

The pool excavation started in May 2018, and Dad started to gradually remove the carport roof at this time.

The below image reminds us how dry it has been, particularly throughout Winter 2018.

Pool formwork...

Pool concreting done and surrounding paving in place. Dad then built several fence panels which house incidental white lights and provide a contrast to the surrounding glass and black aluminium fencing.

Below you can see the pool coating being sprayed.  I selected the lightest colour possible, to allow the water to take on a light aqua/natural clear colour.

… and the pool was filled in early August!

As you can see below, we installed glass fencing on the northern side of the pool, and black aluminium fencing on the eastern and southern sides. 

Once the pool was complete, Dad was able to continue laying the deck floorboards.

We applied two coats of the deck stain, so as to give the colour sufficient depth.

I have planted some greenery around the pool area... a row of Murrayas along the eastern side, and Japanese Box (Buxus) along the northern (glass) side. I love the calmness and coolness that greenery provides.

Pool and Back Deck Progress... Bring on Summer!

It has been a busy past few months (both work-wise and in the reno department!)  The pool is now almost complete and Dad has been busily working on the pool fencing and new back deck, located adjacent to the pool area.

The pool is nestled close to the house on the Eastern side of the yard, in a perfect position to soak up the sunshine and be totally private. The existing Murraya hedge on the southern side of the pool has provided a really lovely green backdrop.

Pool Fencing

We decided to go with black aluminium fencing on two sides of the pool area, where it will blend into the green backdrop. Dad has also designed and built several custom-built timber panels (painted white) which house some subtle lighting. He has incorporated an 'x' design into the panels, to tie in with the Hamptons style balustrade on the front verandah. 

On the northern side of the pool, facing the new deck and backyard, we have installed glass fence panels. As the pool is located only a few metres from the back wall of the house, we haven't needed to install a fence on the western side, which means that the large fixed picture window in the back living room looks directly out to the pool... such a beautiful relaxing view.

Below you can see the glass fence panels on the northern side. I have planted a row of Japanese Box, which will form a low green hedge. We just need some rain now to add a tinge of green to the grass!

More Decking

Dad is continuing to lay the decking boards along the back of the house. The deck will end up extending for most of, what used to be, the back carport. You can see in the photo below where the boards will continue. The roof in the below photo will also be soon removed, to create a more light-filled and spacious outdoor living area.

We will stain the deck boards once they are all laid.  At this stage, we have selected a dark charcoal/almost black matt stain wash, which will hopefully give an appearance of a dark neutral base, to which I will add silver/grey teak furniture, white planter pots and more greenery.

The below photo was taken from the back door. The temporary fence panel below will soon be replaced with a glass gate and final glass panel.

I love the character and details in this home. Dad installed the tall narrow windows below, which were repurposed from glass louvre blades from the former kitchen of the front flat. The diagonal strut you can see, is one of several which will support the roof over the back entry.

Reminder of the 'Before'

A timely reminder of the 'before'... You can see the pool marked out on the left side, and the former carport attached to the back of the house.

The removal of part of the carport roof has made such a difference to the light that now fills the back of the house!

The hedge is situated far enough from the pool area to thankfully allow regular trimming!

New mirror and coffee table

Inside, the back living room has become such a great space to gravitate. The removal of the back carport roof has allowed much more light to fill the room. I also invested in a new table to make the space more cosy, and a new mirror that reflects the pool water and green hedge, bringing the 'outside in'. 

Back deck and Pool underway

Splashing about with pool plans

The pool excavation started about a week ago and it is now all formed up and ready for the concrete to be poured. It is such an interesting process, and we have been reminded how red our rich volcanic soil is! The established Murraya hedge in the image below will form a beautiful green backdrop to the pool, also providing great privacy from the neighbouring property.

Below you can see the yard before the excavation... as you can see, the pool will be located close to the house, on the southern side of the backyard - to maximise the northern aspect as much as possible.

 

As part of the backyard project, Dad is also removing the existing carport, which will be transformed into a deck that will adjoin the pool area. You can see below that Dad has added struts to the house - these will support a small roof over the back entry.

Otherwise, the entire back carport roof will be removed, allowing the house to be filled with light, and enhancing the sense of space, and outlook to the established Jacarandas, Canadian Maple trees and other greenery to the back.

Excavation day was an exciting milestone!

 

A cute little bottle was uncovered by the excavator, and after cleaning it up, we discovered it is in immaculate condition, even with printing on the underside. Given the house is approximately 100 years old, you can't help but wonder how long it has sat there. If only it could talk...

Dad has designed and built a custom storage facility to house the pool filter and pump. The hinged roof opens for easy access, as does the front panelling. The unit will be painted in the dark charcoal colour to tie in with the house front, with a panel of white weatherboards on the back.

We have put a lot thought into the materials that will be used around the pool - aiming for a timeless and classic feel. The pool area will be tiled with a porcelain ash grey/stone coloured tile paver and clear glass mosaic waterline tiles will be used in the pool. The inside of the pool will be sprayed with a light coloured crystal aggregate, which will allow the water to reflect the colour of the sky and maintain a clear aqua colour.

Dad has also been busy building a custom storage unit for the wheelie bins, now that they are no longer housed near the back carport. The 'cross' design is a nod to the signature crosses on the verandah balustrade and other areas of the house. It is such a practical unit, providing extra privacy for the backyard, and also a little extra flair!