WOW!

How nice it feels to be so close to completing the first stage. With many challenges and interruptions, I am almost there. It will still take a while to finish a front picket fence and do the landscaping etc, but the majority of the building work is complete. My neighbours and even friendly people walking by have been giving me positive feedback and encouraging words. People seem to love what I am doing here.

Cleaning up the mess has made a huge difference (Thanks for your help Elise x). I am so pleased with the progress of my little house. My HSH(highly skilled handyman) has done an outstanding job on the finishing of the deck. It really feels like I have added a room onto the house. Sitting inside with my morning coffee in hand, french doors opening onto the deck with the sun streaming in is heaven!

The building of the deck took longer than anticipated taking about 5 to 6 working days to complete over a period of a few weeks. I’m happy with my choice of Merbau timber, although it is true what they say about it bleeding. It was quite messy when it rained and the timber stained the lower part of the house. It needs to be sealed with an oil as soon as it has had some time dry.

The colour I ended up choosing for the house exterior is DULUX Flooded Gum. It’s perfect. I liked the other colour (Solid Stone), however in the late afternoon light it did take on a reddish hue which gave the overall appearance a rather muddy look. Flooded Gum is slightly lighter and less red having a fresher appearance. (See pic – Flooded Gum on the left, Solid Stone under window)

I had my first breakfast on the deck with my friend Carol, her daughter and Sophie last weekend (my specialty – yummy poached eggs!). My brother and sister in-law and their three gorgeous children surprised us, visiting us on their Sunday morning bike ride, and I thought to myself this is exactly how life is meant to be. Oh, and by the way, the bulbs I planted in the ground have blossomed! How lovely x

I think the roofing has made all the difference to the deck, making it look and feel more like a living space. I have gone with the clear roof sheeting, allowing as much light as possible into the room through the french doors. I may regret this in summer as I realise it will probably be very hot. I am relying on the ocean breeze to help out with the heat!!! The last thing I did yesterday was undercoat the french doors. I had sent an updated photo to Sophie, showing her what the deck looked like and she said she couldn’t wait to see the french doors white and the suspense was killing her. Here they are Sophie…..white. The finish isn’t great as I have two more coats to go!!!

As the sun went down over the lake at the end of my street, the sky turned pink and night began to fall, another day had ended at my beach cottage. I am beginning to see my vision turn into reality and it is truly a good feeling.