New lighting

Still trudging along on my studio, but we finally have light. Lyndon installed my new chandelier last night and I'm very pleased with how it looks. I think it looks just right with the ceiling rose.

You may just be able to see a bit of glossy floor. We finally (after 3 weeks of hassle) have polished boards. I can't tell you how much I was over that situation. Does it hurt to make a phone call to a customer to say you cannot make it that day and reschedule? Noooo..much easier to leave the customer (moi) sitting at home waiting for hours. Very unimpressed. Thankfully the floor looks lovely.

Now it's the skirting board and picture rail to go...

ps my apologies for going awol on you all x

A can of worms

At this point I was hoping to post my newly polished studio floor. No such luck.

Above is my not so newly polished floor sitting on the front porch.

It's not a fun story...

Muzza the floor guy came the other day to sand the floor (above is the before shot).

All looks ok but when you looked closely there was big areas of rot, especially in the old verandah boards over near the window.

We decided that the floor needed to be replaced. We had discussed it a while ago but I was hoping that when it was sanded it would be ok. No such luck.

Sooooo.... Lyn ripped up the boards, in fact, half the room's worth.

The old joists in the end part of the room weren't even attached to anything and some had rotted.

This is where it got nightmarish. You now the saying, "to open a can of worms"?

Well, how about "a room of worms"???

We discovered a leaky pipe and heaps of mushy soil. It gets worse...amongst the soil were colonies of worms. It was truly disgusting! We had to dig out a few wheelbarrows of soil and worms, put in brick supports, a new beam and joists (as you can see below).

Starting to take shape.

Site supervisor Molly keeping a close watch on things.

Yay! A new, level, solid floor - all in one day!!

$600 in materials and plenty of super sore muscles later we are much happier!

Lots of new things

Lyndon and I went for a quick trip to Melbourne last Thursday and whilst we were away the last coat went on our 'new' 100 year old floor. It has taken a little adjusting to, but the results are good as you can see.

Lyn was a very creative person today and made our new tv cabinet. We had searched everywhere but couldn't find anything we thought suitable. I like the simplicity and the castors. We might limewash it but haven't decided.

One of the things I like about Melbourne is going to Ikea. I love love love Ikea. I bought a new set of couch covers, some lovely storage boxes ( in our new tv cabinet) and a gorgeous little glass light. I couldn't photograph it very well but it's so lovely! And only $16.95!! I love Ikea...

It's nice to be able to start enjoying our 'new' room.

Gardening update tomorrow hopefully :-)

PS We went to see Wicked! whilst in Melbourne and I thought it was absolutely amazing!! Not suprising as I am a big Wizard of Oz and musical fan. Do yourself a favour and see it - it has now gone to Sydney.