So Pleased with the Plastering....

Am loving the monocouche render that's now covering the exterior blockwork.

It's a chalky off white colour, very Farrow & Ball (ha ha)...just perfect!

Limestone sills looking very smart....

 pleased with my decision to upgrade from the concrete one's I'd originally specified.

and finally, the light nap textured finish to the render is just what I wanted
....not too heavy....not too flat....it's just right

Busy week on site ahead...start of first fix electrics for which I'm really not fully prepared for....exciting though!

Progress Report......

A busy morning on site

laying the final  ground floor underfloor heating pipes in the family room

concrete to finish the ground floor to follow this week

meanwhile men on stilts in the garage skimming the ceiling

The roof is taking shape nicely

Windows are due to be fitted on 27th October......

So there's still a whole lot of roofing to be completed between now and then!

....and finally, a cute gatecrasher from next door!

Struggling to Juggle

This is my new mantra

image via famille summerbelle

I will get more time to catch my breath once this house is completed!!

I feel like I'm juggling one too many balls at the moment, and my heart is experiencing the odd palpitation just thinking about the consequences of any ball dropping!!  My girls did their homework in the back of the car parked on site this afternoon whilst I had a quick meeting with Stephen my plumbing contractor.  He has just started preparing the ground floor for underfloor heating, so just wanted me to confirm the exact layout of a few things.....I was 40 minutes and zero homework got done - no surprise there!

To be very honest, I have found keeping on top of my project somewhat difficult over the past couple of weeks.  My energy levels are low, the length of my "to do list" is a joke and in general my enthusiasm has been dipping in favour of being just "mummy" to my three girls.

I don't know what would have happend if we hadn't opted for the "main contractor" route.....err yes I do, it would have been a DISASTER!!

Roof will be on and windows fitted in four weeks time, I'm sure I'll get a renewed surge of enthusiasm and energy once the house is weather tight and the internal works get started.....off to Dublin for a family weekend away from all things "house", so hope to be back on form Monday........

Roofers have arrived

We are starting a new phase on site...the roofers have arrived

Most of the work carried out so far has been over the "east" wing of the house....(sounds very grand I know, but this is the easiest way to describe!) There are two bedrooms and lounge/play room at that end of the first floor and they all have vaulted ceilings.

I'm intending to use the space over the each of girls shower rooms to make a small loft area for sleeping.  Something along the lines of this.....(of course no lovely oak beams in our concrete castle!)

Source - 25 Beautiful Homes - October 2009

I really like how they've used glass balustrading (another idea I'm stealing), it really lets the light in as well as making the area quite secure...it's along way to fall if you roll out of bed!  

I'm hoping to squeeze in double mattress up there.  It's going to be quite high up but that only seems to add to the excitement and anticipation for my older girls, access will be via a ladder very similar to this.......

source - 25 Beautiful Homes October 2009

Although a "pole" (think fire station rather than strip club!)was on the wish list after seeing this pic....

Great idea girls but Mum said a firm "NO!" to that one!!

source - Teen Zone by Judith Wilson

my first ebay disaster........

Nightmare!!

This is how my WC turned up via DHL

Should have looked like this

You win some...you loose some!

Set in Stone

The north facing exterior wall of the family room is going to get its stone cladding very soon.  This is a detail the local planning department seemed to like and who were we object!  I was a bit hesitant at first, at the thought of what seemed like "random" cladding, but would have been willing to clad it in cotton wool just to get planning approved if I'm totally honest!  However I'm now almost converted to the idea.  

The rational behind the cladding and indeed the shape of the house was to break up it's "mass" and impact on the local landscape, so to create the impression that it could have been a series of buildings joined together. Couldn't really see why the planners weren't keen on my initial plans and why it was necessary to go down this route.....however, now I see my house taking shape, I think they may have got it just right!!

 Anyway, all this means that I now have to choose a stone to clad the said wall in.  I've decided to go with a dry limestone finish, similar to this picture above. This particular limestone comes from Cong in Co. Mayo.  A sample of this stone now needs to be approved by the planning office....hope they like it!!

Another Laundry Room Lovely......

Bought this sign recently from The Contemporary Home. It will hang above the door to my laundry room....I'll always have a smile on my face when I enter....LOVE IT!