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

Fire Place

Probably should have stated this in my last post. I actually own the house I am considering moving to the lake. So it is just a matter of working that in as AN option or THE option.  So I am working with AN option and we are going to complete a bit of due diligence on this idea and see what we come up with.

My main issue is that it will not be exactly what I want and the front of the house hosts two of the bedrooms and the back of the house the kitchen and outdoor area. So then comes the question - Do you have the bedrooms looking out to the water or the kitchen (with potential deck and outdoor dining area?) Or do you have the front facing the entry from road with the lounge and one of the bedrooms to the lake. But then I need to keep street appeal in mind too and how it will look over all on the block. Big decisions.

Anyway, onto a little fireplace post:

I am having a fireplace no matter what. I have never understood the closed fireplace idea. And modern fireplaces just do not make sense. To me a fireplace is something which should be kept traditional and not messed with too much. Well that said, not caveman style! More federation, open fireplace style.... you get my drift right?

Anyway... this is the fireplace I am planning to recreate.

Very old and 'nothing' photo but only one I could find without launching a search party through disks or waiting to take a photo and then load it etc etc. Life is busy people!

What works:

I like that it is elevated from the floor. You don't have to bend too far to stoke it and it also creates more of a feature in the room as it is closer to eye level. It also works very well in a smaller space.

I like that there is a little mantel on the top which is basic.

This fireplace draws like a dyson which some people might say is not efficient when it comes to fuelling it? Hey, for years I had unlimited firewood supply and for me its about being able to sit there and enjoy the feel of it. I can promise you it does not ever smoke up the house or make anything smell of smoke. It is fantastic!

I like this simple design. What are everyone's thoughts?

Homes in the UK

The only hard copy magazines I consume now are the following:

Home Beautiful (because it was a free subscription for signing up with Origin Electricity)
BBC Homes and Antiques (UK)
Country Style

Sometimes another one might grab my attention and beg me to take it home or a wonderful agent from Belle Property may drop me off the current issue of Belle. Or a good friend may bring me one as a treat. But otherwise, I find so many beautiful images, ideas and inspiration through the blog world that I have no reason to buy anything more.

So, back to homes in the UK.

Check out this beautiful place which I have scanned out of my current issue of Homes and Antiques.

I like the contrast of the outside to the inside. I kind of 'don't judge a book by the cover' feel. You may expect a dark, musty place filled with old books and chipped china. But its anything but all of that!
 

I like the bed net idea for a guest room / office.

I love the bath... I miss my claw foot bath. MUST HAVE

I like the exposed beams to create more space / light.

I like the use in two rooms of bench seats against the tables which in one has created a kitchen nook without it being built in (renters take note there!)

I do love the white slip cover look however I know I am a more structured person and I would forever be fiddling with them to straighten them up. So not sure about that one.

What you may have missed (because the photos are quite small)

The kitchen is nice. (peeling veggies in my high heels is not my thing though and I would probably trip on that mat and smash my face against something - I am a clutz)

I want this tea pot!

A question. Would you believe this is a kit home?  Oh yes-sir-ree!

Oh I wish some of these companies were in Australia.

Oakwrigths - oak framed houses with a traditional feel.

Potton - Classic (barns) or contemporary looks and a bespoke service.

There are so many more places too, if you would like my bevy of kit home websites contact me. But trust me, there is nothing as good in Australia. Please advise if you do find one.  Otherwise, Australia should be ashamed of itself.

THIS is the only half decent place I have found yet, if you want a cubby!

Girl Crush

I have a serious girl crush on Leeann Thornton.

I have had these images in my LOVE file and never blogged about it. Don't know why, but maybe because everyone else was crazy blogging about her at the time.

Anyway. Her site is HERE and you will NOT be dissapointed.

Love blue and white

Must have a kitchen nook

Must have a fire place (not sure I would have those two stools there though - FIRE ALERT :)

This is a like raj meets hamptons - Love it!

From Washington to Queensland

I am seven days away from a BIG milestone.

Things are looking good and I am beginning to get excited and thinking more and more about elevation.  To me the elevation is number one. I can work the floor plan around that. And I have a few ideas about that too!

These houses are from Bainbridge Island Coastal Living real estate via Alkemie blog.

Bainbridge Island is an island city of Washington in USA.  How beautiful are these!

Wide Veranda is a MUST

Isn't American architecture just beautiful!

The little round window, the columns, the stairs, the roof line / angle.

How bright and airy does this feel! I do love this.

Because the view is about 160° I can grab some great views from the north. And north is where I would have these windows as that is where the beautiful warm winter sun comes streaming in to warm the cottage! One word - Perfection.

Four Feelings in One Day - Due Diligence Update #2

If I read one more contradictory set of development guidelines today I think I may scream!

That said, I think I am getting somewhere. I have one more phone call to make. And I am hoping she will give me good news. She being ‘THE’ actual lady who would give my sewerage system a big tick or a very sad cross.

I could have phoned her today. I didn’t. My heart could not deal with one more emotion today.

I have to pick up all the little children, watch hockey training and watch the littlest one perform in the Music night at her school. There will be proud tears from me I know. So I just couldn’t possibly use any more of that emotional energy up today. I am sure those who have been there and done this will understand.

This one phone call is the make or break!

I am trying not to look at elevations, think of bathroom looks or paint colours! When I am driving along I find my mind wandering off to dimensions of artwork I have and where they may hang in this place. Then I have to SNAP myself back to reality. Get this 'poo' situation sorted out missy, then worry about hanging pictures!
I will leave you with this image. From the wonderful blogger and current Home Beautiful celebrity A-M from The house that A-M Built. I will be getting another one of these made by Oliveaux for this place to sit and and read magazines, or just to look at ;)  I can have one of these ANYWHERE