Roofers have arrived

We are starting a new phase on site...the roofers have arrived

Most of the work carried out so far has been over the "east" wing of the house....(sounds very grand I know, but this is the easiest way to describe!) There are two bedrooms and lounge/play room at that end of the first floor and they all have vaulted ceilings.

I'm intending to use the space over the each of girls shower rooms to make a small loft area for sleeping.  Something along the lines of this.....(of course no lovely oak beams in our concrete castle!)

Source - 25 Beautiful Homes - October 2009

I really like how they've used glass balustrading (another idea I'm stealing), it really lets the light in as well as making the area quite secure...it's along way to fall if you roll out of bed!  

I'm hoping to squeeze in double mattress up there.  It's going to be quite high up but that only seems to add to the excitement and anticipation for my older girls, access will be via a ladder very similar to this.......

source - 25 Beautiful Homes October 2009

Although a "pole" (think fire station rather than strip club!)was on the wish list after seeing this pic....

Great idea girls but Mum said a firm "NO!" to that one!!

source - Teen Zone by Judith Wilson

my first ebay disaster........

Nightmare!!

This is how my WC turned up via DHL

Should have looked like this

You win some...you loose some!

Set in Stone

The north facing exterior wall of the family room is going to get its stone cladding very soon.  This is a detail the local planning department seemed to like and who were we object!  I was a bit hesitant at first, at the thought of what seemed like "random" cladding, but would have been willing to clad it in cotton wool just to get planning approved if I'm totally honest!  However I'm now almost converted to the idea.  

The rational behind the cladding and indeed the shape of the house was to break up it's "mass" and impact on the local landscape, so to create the impression that it could have been a series of buildings joined together. Couldn't really see why the planners weren't keen on my initial plans and why it was necessary to go down this route.....however, now I see my house taking shape, I think they may have got it just right!!

 Anyway, all this means that I now have to choose a stone to clad the said wall in.  I've decided to go with a dry limestone finish, similar to this picture above. This particular limestone comes from Cong in Co. Mayo.  A sample of this stone now needs to be approved by the planning office....hope they like it!!

Another Laundry Room Lovely......

Bought this sign recently from The Contemporary Home. It will hang above the door to my laundry room....I'll always have a smile on my face when I enter....LOVE IT!

I Stole Her Style...............

I have been following "The House that A-M Built" blog for a while now, and totally fell in love with A-M's walk-in pantry the minute I saw the post.....so much so in fact, I redesigned an area of my kitchen plan to have one just like it. There you go A-M, "imitation is my sincerest form of flattery"

A-M's kitchen and Walk-in Pantry

Mrs C's soon to be Walk-In Pantry

and for my next project............

Probably the coolest tree house EVER!!

Image via bungalowinsanity

I'm too easily distracted on a day when I have a million and one tasks to tick off the list....however just had to share this with someone!!

I'd love a tree house like this never mind the kids!!

Progress Pics

"Computer says"....we are 30% complete

Roofing is due to commence next week. I picked out the roof tiles last week, my roof shall be wearing Capco Berona, which is a fibre cement tile that looks like slate (can't really get excited about roof tiles!) I was shown the equivalent in Tegral, the Rivendale I think, but chose the Capco Berona as this was the most textured of the two options.

The house is rapidly taking shape all the internal walls upstairs will be complete by the end of this week. All my internal partition walls will be blocked rather than stud partitions, the benefits of this for me (well here's hoping) is greater sound proofing!!

Master Bedroom & Bathroom

This is the lovely Philippe Starck bath to go into the master bathroom

(another fantastic ebay bargain!!)

Image via architonic

I'm really looking forward to fitting out the kids rooms, it'll be fun that's for sure. I got some ideas from digsdigs.com a blog definitely worth a visit if you like this type of thing

For now you'll just have to use your imagination and try to see past that awful grey blockwork!!

Miss A.C's Room

There is a longish corridor into this bedroom

That's all for now folks...........BBFN x

BLACK & TAN.......inspired interior for the Conlon House

Black is the Colour

(click above to hear the brilliant Cara Dillon version of Black is the Colour accompanied by the Ulster Orchestra)

Interior inspiration from the bottom of a beer glass

so apt on this wet, wild & windy Wednesday here in Co. Limerick

I'm getting there with a theme to tie the interior of the house together

I'm thinking...

matt black base units in the kitchen

Thick oak worktops

rustic black slate flooring

&

distressed wide plank oak flooring

stainless steel appliances

big white walls

open shelving

Squashy vintage tan leather sofas

so.......waddaya think?