We're in... Landscaping underway!!!

Well here's a long overdue update! We received the keys to the house on Nov 13th '08, the same day our little Olivia decided to arrive into this world! 10 days early!! right on time for moving in!!!! Well we still got in as soon as we were out of hospital!

Lots has happened since then, lots of my items that were separate from the Darnley build have been completed. 3 split systems installed downstairs, I've color sealed the garage, painted the side fence at the front, but it's mainly the landscaping that's been the major works. lots of retaining walls, fill, leveling etc has happened.

Here's some pics of the progress so far!

The new outdoor setting

Construction of lower play area completed.

Created full length steps into play area rather than more retainers. These will be filled with crushed rock, and eventually could be paved.

Corten Black porcelain tile completed as entry feature. Also used surplus tiles to tile the base to entry.

Close up of Corten Black

4.7m Crossover constructed.

Driveway and entry path boxed and prepared for aggregate in mid Jan.

Constructed screen out of black bamboo.

24 meter long retaining wall and gate completed. Besa block center section tiled with Corten Black and rendered top to suit house render. Rest is oiled redgum, merbau & Cyprus uprights.

Handover around the corner

Well it's been ages since the last update, thought I better get this site updated before we actually move in. Wouldn't want an outdated blog of our building progress!!!

Plenty has happened since the last update, kitchen and cabinetry is basically all done, plastering finished, Tiling done, 3 coats of paint to the internals finished last week, plumbing fitoff is basically finished, electrical fitoff done, doors hung and installed then removed and sent away for emporite finish, ducted vac fitted and lighting pretty much all installed. Carpet to come next week, splashback and appliances to come in the next week or so also. All should be ready for handover by early Nov.

Still got plenty of work to do after handover, getting aggregate driveway (and crossover) in the next few weeks done, 3 split system air con units for downstairs getting fitted off end of Nov, landscaping to start tomorrow with our retainer/privacy wall (~24m long) on the corner boundary, and getting other various decking/paving/landscaping quoted at the moment.

Enough of the talking, here's some pics...

House looking nice and clean. These pics were taken today, saw the guys there removing all the protective plastic off the windows and giving them a good wash!

Our shiny front door!!

The main ensuite

Main ensuite. Can see cutouts in mirror for mushroom lights to be installed.

Stain yet to be applied to top of dwarf plaster wall hand rails

Guest powder room basin

Guest powder room

Looking up from downstairs to staircase lights

mood lights in theatre room

Theatre room ceiling lights

Kitchen all lit up

Kitchen cabintry lights

Garage door installed

Alfresco lights and fan installed

Laundry shute from upstairs bathroom

Cabinets in powder room getting installed

Cabinets in upstairs bathroom getting installed

Cabinets in main ensuite

Render finished

Since the last update the rendering was completed. We are very happy with the way it's turned out. Other items that have been done; square set cornices, 140mm skirting boards to gnd, 90mm upstairs, architraves, exterior painting of eves, stair case installed and electrical cutout. Here's some pictures of the rendered finish. Feature tiles to entry still to come.