Pressing Pause

We're putting the breaks on the house at the moment. Well the designing will continue, but plans to build will be shelved until early next year. We need more time to accumulate the capital, and be able to do the house justice, and get it done right and perfect the first time.
Just means another winter in this place with no insulation, crappy gas heaters, and the dodgy plumbing!

Getting close

Well we had a long chat with the architect about engaging the builder and the stipulations involved with contract details etc. Its starting to get interesting!

Landscape designer visit

So the landscaper designer popped around to have a look at his blank canvas.

He gave us some food for thought regarding the Moreton Bay Fig tree growing at the back fence. He will have to take it into consideration as apparently it loves water, so therefore, anything planted nearby will need to be able to thrive without vast amounts of water, so it doesn't compete with the fig.

I just want it all started already. I think next week I have to make a concerted effort to make some more decisions regarding the kitchen.

Concrete floors

How hard could it be to pick a concrete floor?
Well, you have to consider other materials that will be juxtaposed with it.
For example: a stone fireplace, a stone kitchen top, timber finishes...
Then you have to decide on the colour of the floor: grey? black? cream? white? orange??!!
Then what stone mix goes into the concrete: granite chips, quartz chips, natural stone...
Decisions, decisions...

Stones

We went to Yering Station for lunch, and primarily to look at a stone wall there made of "Coldstream" or "Dromana" stone. This is proposed for our fireplace. Having looked at Mt Angus sandstone, we are leaning towards the Coldstream stone.

Long meeting

Today we went over more details pertaining to finishes and materials. We're off to a tile supplier in on Monday. We decided to engage the landscaper of our choice.
We also went to a house designed and built 2 years ago in the neighbourhood. Using similar front exterior finishes. But we went to see a stone wall that was installed there. Very nice (if a bit over whelming); luckily ours will just be cladding the chimney and fireplace. The owner also had some interesting comments in hindsight, about builders and architects in general. His feedback was quite good for the architect, however he said he wouldn't be recommending the builder.
All very interesting indeed, and food for thought.

Update

Well last Friday we met with a landscape designer at his office/showroom. He seemed quite nice. Very easy going nature, relaxed, comfortable with his work and not pretentious at all. And sounded willing to collaborate with the architect and will work to our budget.
So we think we'll go with him.
This Friday we have a meeting with the architect to, I guess, really set some of the plans in stone so to speak. I really haven't been running around sourcing appliances etc. Been a bit busy this week. I thought retirement meant you had more time, but my days are just disappearing all the time!