The uninvited house guest

Madness today.  I've gone completely bonkers.  Two more sleeps and then the truck comes.  And to make things just that little bit more interesting, at the last minute, I've organised for an old friend to come round and help us with the ripping out of the cabinet in the dining room, and the desk thingumy in my bedroom.  He's also going to do some painting and help us get ready for Tuesday's big push.  

I'm thrilled to have the help, but now a little hysterical, as I was planning to have the whole of tomorrow to finish the packing here.

Instead, I've been turfing things into boxes like a mad person all afternoon.  And I think I'm there really.  The joy of a house with no storage, is that once the portable furniture is emptied (or in our case, gone) it's just a case of getting the stuff into boxes.  And we have plenty of boxes.

So it's all good.  And I'm going to take a breath and calm down.

I also ventured into the garage this afternoon to retrieve the cat cages for cleaning.  While brushing off the cobwebs on the balcony, I came across this little lady.

I don't think I've ever seen a redback before in real life, close up like.  They're very  very stocky.  And very very black.  I realise now that I've found a male one (smaller with no red back, but similar vibe) in Milo's bed in the last couple of months. Scary really, although I'm doing my level best not to breed a phobia in Milo about them.  He has already, unaided and unencouraged, developed an unnatural fear of flies.

I let this one go at the bottom of the garden after a stern talking to about not coming back into the house.  And now I'm even more glad we're leaving.

Underfoot...

We intend to stay at the house in Porter Street until cardboard coffins and funeral pyres engulf us, so although I would love to undertake an enormous renovation the instant we take possession, it is much more prudent (and in line with reality) to plan to change/update/improve all the things that need doing, over time.  Say, over the next 20 years.

That said let me bring to your attention to the tiles that flow through the formal dining, kitchen and family room areas.  The space is vast (I'll tell you how many square metres after I've learned how to do maths) and it's wall to wall this...

We didn't buy the rug.

My rational response to these tiles is that they are probably very forgiving and practical.  I am sure they will hide a multitude of sins and they are in incredibly good nick.  The emotional response is somewhat more withering.  I think its the colour that makes them seem tired and dull.  And since there is such a huge quantity of them they a bit depressing.

It's going to be interesting to see if they seem less tired when the walls are spanking white.  My mind is open.  And hope fills my heart...

However, if this doesn't come to pass, what about these PLI Wood-like Series tiles.

PLI Wood-like Series tiles in white.

They don't just look like distressed timber boards, the blurb says they feel like them too.  They're strong enough for indoor and outdoor high traffic areas, and I think I may be in love.

Wondering if they're available in Australia : hastingstilebath.com