BEFORE - Front of the house...
TODAY: Front of the house...
New Magnolia Garden
I have planted a row of Magnolia 'Little Gems' along the back eastern fence. There are existing Star Jasmine plants already in place, being trained on wire to form 'crosses'. I had also planted a row of low Japanese Box a couple of years ago, so have now moved these forward to form a hedge in front of the Magnolias. I love their glossy green leaves and bronze underside, and of course the beautiful white saucer-shaped flowers. I hope this will form a perfect low screen along the back. Here is the new garden, as well as the beautiful old Jacaranda tree and clump of agapanthus.
BEFORE - Here is the back fence-line before the Magnolias...
... and here is the work-in-progress (with a little help from 'Nina').
Main Bedroom Progress
Dad continues to make wonderful progress on the new extension. The south western corner of the bedroom is all framed up, with the addition of some beautiful old windows. The top window in the below image was originally part of the laundry of the front flat (we call it 'Lorraine's window', remembering the older lady who lived here years ago and loved the breeze that flowed through this window). It will continue to let a lovely breeze through the house in its new location. The bottom fixed window was originally part of a larger frame of windows that separated the kitchen of the back flat from the former living area.
Here is the window in Dad's shed - assembled and ready to install...
These three fixed windows below were also part of the former kitchen in the back flat...
Here you can see both windows in their new bedroom corner.
Dad has also built a custom bed-head using panelling detail. In the photo below, the wall will extend a little to the right-hand side so the bed-head will appear to be centred.
It is already such a beautiful room, opening out onto the verandah with French doors. We are also glad to have recently installed ceiling fans in each of the bedrooms.
Ensuite Progress
The new ensuite frame is shaping up nicely. All of the particle floorboards have now been installed, and we assembled the southern wall frame this afternoon. Here it is with Dad adding some bracing...
The southern wall of the ensuite comprises a large window, centred across the width of the room. The room has a lovely southerly aspect with the window looking out towards a tall Murraya hedge.
Here is the new southern wall frame of the ensuite.
Meanwhile, the new laundry is in full swing and so light and airy. The laundry deck (shown below) is turning out to be one of the coolest spots on these hot Summer days.
Here is the southern side of the house (below). You can just see the new bedroom and ensuite extension at the far end of the house. We have dug garden beds on the southern and eastern walls of the new living room, and I will soon be planting and mulching these. At this stage, I will be planting Gardenias with a low row of Japanese Box in front.
The below two images are a reminder of how the southern side of the house appeared before Dad commenced the renovation. Quite amazing!
New garden seat
I am loving my new teak garden seat which arrived just before Christmas. It is a 'Lutyens' style bench, named after Sir Edwin Lutyens, the 19th century English Architect who came up with the unique design.
