#firstdayofautumn

Tuesday 1st March, dawning a grey wet uninspiring day, forecasting a high of 23dg, rain, cloud but  hopefully with patches of sun. All the same it is a blessing after the incredible humidity that we have had. Today is the first day of autumn here in New Zealand, we have had the signs for a while with heavy dew on the grass and cars for some weeks, not to mention the rapid deterioration of the vegetable garden. It has looked a picture for so long and has given us incredible bounty, the question is now what to plant over the winter to keep our little family fed with fresh.  Yesterday I collected all the lights from the container and delivered them to an electrician for checking and certification. I have bought them all back from Europe with me with the express purpose of using them in my new home and without the correct certification they will not be allowed to be used. A mix of old traditional Austrian and Swiss pendants and new Italian ceiling lights, all with  the express purpose of using the absolute minimum, if any at all, of the horribly invasive LED ceiling down lights that are so popular these days. I am a bit alternative it seems!! Today's job is to finalise the fabric choices for the recovering of all the sitting room furniture that has also come back from Europe with me. Once again a mix of antique, traditional and modern.  Brick selection is absolutely no where near final choice.... three outstanding emails to manufacturers so answers come before decision making. I still hate brick.
Happy first day of Autumn, or conversely, happy first day of spring.

#brickvblockvrenderedwallvcladding

My Saturday...Bluebird day, hot and very steamy with the humidity a leftover weather pattern from the monster cyclone that wrecked Fiji last week.  Yesterday was spent driving around new subdivisions in 28dg heat looking at different brick colours. The words to the song " Little Boxes " comes to min, naughty naughty. Fun, no, necessary, yes. I will say it out loud now... I hate brick. Sadly for me, here in NZ, brick is the cheapest building option so brick it has to be. I would love to have the smooth, neat, clean finish of a plaster rendered house then I would have the colour option for the outside I want. Not to be. I am currently working between the two main brick / block providers NZ Brick and Firth. NZ Brick offer a variety of clay fired bricks amongst other, which means that the product is less likely to fade over the years. Firth offer a range of blocks that are coloured concrete and they are not colour fast at all. Why is this important... I want a black brick, but a big brick not the standard size.  So NZ Brick have a black brick in their Distinction range, called Phantom. Sadly only measuring 230mmx119mmx70mm but adequate. This brick is designed and manufactured in Spain. Classified with good solar absorbance rating it is a smooth face brick that I can live with, and they tell me I do not need to seal it for colour retention. Bonus.
Have I made the decision? Maybe. Will I change my mind? Maybe.

#timetopickuptheball

I have floundered long enough after my enforced relocation from Europe back to New Zealand and now I must square my shoulders and get on with it.
In late January I signed a contract with Classic Builders to build my house with a design I drew up while still in Europe... A design that will suit me in the coming years with no consideration for anybody's needs other than mine. The time has come to please me and me alone.
Working drawings are now almost completed and then the plans go to the regional council for resource consent. I understand the laws in NZ have changed to ensure that councils are speedy and efficient in the turn around for consent to build plans providing all the boxes are ticked and all the ducks stand in a neat row. We shall see. I have been told that the wait time here in the Western Bay of Plenty can be anywhere up to three months!!  Speedy and efficient, watch this space.
For me now, I spend my days in search and find, gathering information on systems, products and fine tuning what I want for my new home.
I am working with the lovely Leanne at Designer Homewares on my walk in wardrobe.



That has been a challenge as the sheer volume of my wardrobe demands a very large room... I have compromised from a room 4m x 4m to a room that is now 3.1m x 4.3m so swings and roundabouts.
They have given me what looks like a fantastic set up that should accommodate all my things nicely.
Yesterday was spent in working with another lovely girl, as girls understand girls,  and Cheryl from Wardrobes  R Us is on the button and understands me ... she is being tasked with my shoe storage.



My original quote from Designer Homeware for my shoe storage was in excess of NZ$ 10,000 so step back and search for options.
Wardrobes R Us assure me that they are going to give me a storage system that will please my shoes, boots and my budget. A girl has a budget. I have also tasked them with wine storage which will have to be incorporated into the garage.  In Austria I had a lined cellar room that was perfect but here they do not really do underground build.
My kitchen designer, Tracey is a fantastic reader and understander of her clients, and she knows her products. I love to work with easy people who like to work with me.



So I am underway. A very small part of the project but underway never the less.

A moving feast, and watch this space.