Introducing our new butterfly roof house - external shots

We had been house hunting for 7 months non-stop. Looking in an area close enough to the school but the house had to have the special 'something'. We had already made 5 unsuccessful offers on other homes over the 7 months but as the market in this area is so full on we always missed out. 

When I saw this house on the internet on a Friday night and viewing it on the Saturday, we both immediately knew: this is the one! 

The lattice will be removed to reveal the cantilevered corner deck in all it's glory.

It was better than any other house we had seen, such as large rooms, a huge extra room downstairs, flat land but the compromise was that it needed a lot of TLC after having tenants for many years and many owners. We made on offer at 9am Monday morning, stumbled a bit when the results of the building and pest came back, but it was ours 4 weeks after seeing it.  We are so happy to have it, but are doing some things before we move in. Re-roofing, internal painting, floor sanding, a new kitchen and replace the leaking toilet. 

Here are the before shots of our 1960's butterfly roofed house: 

We have removed a piece of unnecessary timber above the car port, this awaiting cleaning up and painting.

The patio has been painted in readiness for the new roof, this is the only external area we will paint for now. The outdoor painting will be done once we move in.

We love the brick breeze wall and the timber feature of the back stairs.

Sadly the back stairs will need to be replaced, but it's pretty far down the list.

Corner deck. We love this bluish grey colour and will keep it very similar.

Left of the front door. Garden to be redone, painting and wood rot to attend to.

Retro path to the hill hoist.

Front of the corner deck, here you can see the piece of timber that we removed. It used to hold a lattice carport/pergola years ago.

The awnings are good for a house with no eaves, but will eventually need to be replaced as they have rusted through.

The back view of our butterfly roof including a commercial size box gutter and rain head.

The opposite end of the house from the corner deck. The bedrooms are also cantilevered.

Some of these photos where taken by me while the tenants lived here, so much of the 'extras' have been since removed.

My next post will be of some of the internal features, then soon, I can start showing 'before and after's' ...  so exciting.

Lou

Breeze blocks beauties...

 

I am loving that our current home has white painted breeze blocks instead of a window. It lets the air flow in and out and we have a fly screen that we attached in summer. I am thinking I would love to use breeze blocks somehow in the new home, maybe even an outside wall or screen.

 

 

Here are few ideas from pinterest that I love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou x

A look back at Christmas last year...

 2011 was to be the last Christmas in our beloved home. We knew it we would be putting it on the market in the new year, so I really wanted to have a very special and memorable Christmas, one last time after about 15 Christmases here. I chose bright colours of pinks and yellow. We had the family over for a big breakfast and it really was wonderful!

Lou x

Fun times at our Mountain Retreat

We had such a nice time staying at Nana's and Granddad's while we stressfully hunted for a home.  Those few months at your lovely home acted like a great respite for us and we and the kids loved re-exploring my childhood home.

Thank you so much for having us Mum and Dad. We are very blessed to have you both and to know you are there for us anytime we are in need.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view from our bed! 

Lou x

Parting is such sweet sorrow (Willy Wonka 1971)

If you know me personally you will well and truly know that 1 week ago we said goodbye to our beloved home of over 15 years for the last time. After much sole searching for the last few years we made the hard decision that it was time to move onto the next new adventure for us as we had outgrown our home. All the renovations prolonged our enjoyment here but we knew that with 2 young kids, it just would not suit us into their growing yeras. Its been a really hard journey for me, so it has been nice to have some respite at Mum and Dads gorgeous Guest House while we take stock of everything and really consider things before we move onto the next ouse. We have been looking every single day at the property market and are ready to pounce when just the right thing comes along.Hopefully it will be a knocker down house in the area so we can build something brand new, but we are carefully considering all options.

  Here is a look back at some of my favourite shots on the blog of the house. Goodbye house, I love you and will never forget you. 

Of course I will continue to blog about all my new adventures!

The Back Deck

This rooms final reincarnation: The TV Retreat

The front entry and ever changing front table ( the table stays with me baby!)

Our salvaged from the footpath front gate and our cute little "helper"

A Turkish Delight scented rose that we planted and view to the courtyard of where we turned a sand pit into a water feature

These selves stayed with the house, put the pretties came with me

Evie's beautiful room will be missed greatly. 

The courtyard in bloom

Our renovated main bathroom

Last but not least another shot of the front entry. In my new home, I will make sure there is a perfect spot for this table.

The house sold within the 2nd week and it was a 30 day settlement, so before we knew it, we had moved out and Im still coming to terms with it all. 

 Lou x