Images and Finance

It seems some of the banks feel this church property is "out of their lending criteria" so this is posing to be painful.

However, working through it slowly.

Now, onto some images I love

I really want an eating nook

I Swear

Sorry, this is a boring post. But essential as I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Firstly, I have been surprised and amused that as I ask the universe for something, it appears. Big things and little things. From the actual church, to linen cupboard ideas - at the moment they seem to just appear!  Like this Church conversion currently being sold by a sister of a friend of mine. They are selling this as they have bought a beautiful barn style place to renovate in the country. All things church are coming into my life - how exciting.

See more HERE

Anyway, back to boring. I am sitting here waiting on finance issues. It seems there are no problems with servicing the loan or current valuations, but just that the bank is a little unsure of the purchase of the church.

Well on paper it is not promising....

Here we have a shell of an former church built sometime around 1880 on a small block in the middle of nowhere. It has electricity and a couple of lights, but no bathroom, sewerage or kitchen. It is currently zoned rural agriculture. No dwelling. It needs a lot of work.

If I was the bank I don't thing I would approve that.  So we have had to go in from the angle of 'potential' and 'future value' it has been interesting to say the least.

There have been involved talks with the Building Certifiers regarding the church being classed as a 'Dwelling'. If this is not completed, it would be a disadvantage at the time of sale (if I wanted to sell that is) but I am also a big believer in getting everything completed properly.

So that is where things are at with the Church.

Oh! And after some research at the National Library I have discovered a little more about the timing of the Church construction. The school opened in 1886 and I have been told the church was constructed before the school. So, we could even have a 1870s antique on our hands!

Excitement.

The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces

Yep, this is one I need! With the Church measuring a tight 7m x 5m my creativeness needs to SHINE!

According to Maxwell, size constraints can actually unlock your design creativity and allow you to focus on what’s essential. Well that is what I need!

He shares forty small, cool spaces which he claims will change your thinking forever.

From the blurb:

These apartments and houses demonstrate hundreds of inventive solutions for creating more space in your home, and for making it more comfortable. Leading us through entrances, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and kids’ rooms, Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces is brimming with ingenious tips and ideas, such as:
 Shifting the sense of scale through contrasting colors

• Adding airiness by using transparent collections
• Utilizing the area under a loft bed for a kitchen and mini-bar
• Tucking an office with chic vintage doors into an unused bedroom corner

My going with The Book Depository because they are super cheap and have free world wide delivery.

Are there any other books I should buy? For decor, design, home keeping?

Steeped in History

How amused I was when my solicitor emailed me an RP and asked me to indicate where the block we are purchasing actually is! I phoned her immediately and we had a good laugh over the phone about how old this plan was, that the roads are no longer named as they are marked on this plan, that the County was spelt wrong so they just put a little ^ and corrected it, that the Parish was completely incorrect and that they Proprietor had to agreed to the subdivision and sign his name -'James Barclay Junior' Click on image to enlarge.

Now I feel even more excited about the history of this little Church. Wondering of weddings, baptisms and no doubt many a Christmas mass were conducted here. Could people have attended James Barclay Junior's funeral at the church too? I am going to make it my business to find out!

Ikea Delights

If Ikea is good enough for Joni at Cote de Texas then its good enough for me!

In her post 'No Excuses Allowed' she talks about how great Ikea is for those on a budget. With a bit of planning and some basic design ideas you can create a fantastic room and even stylishly furnish a whole house within a budget.

She quotes

"if I was starting out today, or if I was furnishing a vacation house, I would run to IKEA and buy their slipcovered sofa in white"

She has linked a company Bemz located in Sweden which has recently come out with a new line of Belgian linen fabric slips, which they call their “Loose Fit Country” line.  Not totally cheap.... but very beautiful... see...

A good friend has just refurnished her children's retreat fantastically with new desks build out of some of the kitchen bench range, some day beds which convert to double beds and a new slimline TV cabinet, all within a modest budget but oozing with style. It looks fantastic!

If I can primarily fit out the Church with Ikea, splattered with a small helping of some Queensland Antiques I have been hording (a few Rosenstengel pieces) and some of my black and white photos I think it would be perfection. No french this time. Something different. Rustic. But clean.

I have always loved Ikea, but our love is deepening. I think we are going to be honeymooning together frequently over the next few months. Check out Ikea's new catalogue online HERE.

Site Plan & Floor Plan

So here are the vendor's site and floor plans for those interested. Really? Honestly? Who would put a full size kitchen and dining area in a house this small? And is there really any point of the expense of a small 2m wide veranda? Not sure. Yes, well, needless to say I will not be proceeding with everything on this suggested floor plan. My idea is to spend only what is required to produce a comfortable result. It is important that everything is 'in keeping'.

The idea I have is to create rooms with furniture, not walls. And lets face it, unless it is raining or we are sleeping we are unlikely to spend too much time inside. Well, that is unless I put in a little fire place or pot belly stove... maybe.

I am so lucky to have the most amazing ex husband (long story) who has an open builder's licence so I am set on that count.

This marks out on either side of the house the suggested irrigation area for the sewerage plant

New Spring Beginnings

On the first day of Spring it was all finalised.  The girls at work keep calling me 'The Land Baroness Capitalist' You can always count on them to make you laugh!

I am now working on plans and sewerage and council. All fun times and you will be amused to know that the sleepless nights have started. Dreaming of wall sconces was last nights thoughts while staring at the ceiling. And my good friend Kt has suggested I start a video blog to keep up with everything. I am considering that.

So I have to arrange a meeting with council next week. I asked my solicitor to create a clause for me to assist with any issues the council may have and this clause was built into the contract:

This contract is subject to and conditional upon the buyer/s at his/her/ their expense undertaking all reasonable town planning inquiries within 21 days of the date of this contract of the relevant Municipal Council as to whether the improvements to the property may be converted to a habitable/residential premises and to further undertake all Heritage/Character inquiries as to the property. In the event the results of the inquiries are unsatisfactory to the buyers, this contract may be terminated and the deposit monies refunded in full.

I am also slightly concerned that my usual home insurer will not cover the Church. This is because it is not classed as livable because there is no bathroom and kitchen. So off to find an insurer today. How awful a situation to have it burn down before we can even start. Gosh, that makes me feel horror!

Today's To Do List

Obtain insurance

Phone my onsite sewerage designer and get him on the case

Obtain a price for VJ paneling

Continue thinking about outdoor room options which will suit in lieu of a deck (HELP)

Sorry for the different path this has now taken. Do not fear, the lakehouse is still bubbling along, it is just a bigger and long term project. Is it ok to take you all on this journey here or should I start a new blog?

Can not stop thinking about building an open fire again and toasting marshmallows

Bellamore Circa 2009