Factors.

Factors have been at play at the House at Porter Street, impacting on progress toward visualising the dream.  The most positive of these factors has been designing a few logos and business cards for folk.  It is good to have the work.  


We also had two adult visitors for a week and I'm pleased to report that the floorplan stood up well to the addition.  It would've been nice to have an extra downstairs bathroom, but hey,  wouldn't it always.


Visitors left on Wednesday afternoon, so yesterday we climbed tentatively back onto the activity horse.  I was overjoyed to inadvertently stumble on my Red Box of Adhesives as I was actually looking for a Box of Adornments in order to decorate Milo's Easter Bonnet.  Easter?  Yes, you heard right. The door on Term 1 closes today, and on Tuesday Milo was sent home from kinder with "Homework for Mummy":  turn a magnificent Milo creation into a stupendous hat for the Easter Parade to be held end of session today.


I never found the box I sought, but Yiayia came through with a couple of ribbons and we were away...

As long as he marches without moving his head, it will stay on.  Will have to make sure the teachers strap it on good and tight.  


Aunty Mad made me an Easter bonnet when I was in Grade 3, constructed from a Chinese food takeaway container, a cake tray, some red cellophane and a bit of silver belt.  It was crap and we both knew it.  But neither of us said anything because she did her best.


Mum also finished painting my workspace shelves yesterday.  Of course they're dry but I'm probably going to have to wait until Sunday to start setting up the space because Ma's paranoid about my putting stuff on the shelves before the paint has cured (!).


We went to Beaumont Tiles to look at tiles for kitchen splashback and flooring solutions for kitchen and my bedroom.  Mum decided I had to redo my whole floor because of the mess under the shelves where the desk was removed.  The quote we got for the room (5.25m x 4.3m) was around $1100 for floating laminated floor, underlay and labour.  Let me make this quite plain.  


JUST NOW, I DO NOT WANT, NOR DO I HAVE THE READIES, TO SPEND MORE THAN A K ON THE FLOOR. (I'd rather replace the peach vinyl blind, truth be told, but that's not happening either.)


We also might not be able to extend our budget to glass tiles for the kitchen splashback, but before we can settle, Mum and I have to come to some sort of agreement about what we like.  Currently we are at odds.  I find Mum's aesthetic rigid, somewhat stifled and restrictive and yesterday told her so.  She took the news remarkably well.


Also


The gutter outside Mum's upper has had ENOUGH of our house and decided to leave.

So Max Gutters will be attending next week to remedy with Shane Fixit, who will also undertake some other maintenance, like trying to resolve the mystery of the cold water tap for biggest bath which has suddenly and spontaneously stopped working - and it isn't the washer.)


Also


Mum found a light over the kitchen sink yesterday.  Very handy.

With a fresh pair of eyes

I owe the man from Bedshed an apology.  


The key was an epiphany:  not screw 1, but screw I.  And then it all fell into place.

And I managed the assembly not only with Milo's presence, but also with his assistance.

As the mattress and bedding remain at Riverside the frame will remain charmless and naked for four more nights.

Please note: a whole post in my room, and I've not mentioned the floor.

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