Friday 31 December 2010

2010 renovation review

It's been a productive year, one which has flown too quickly for my liking.

This blog has been brilliant for keeping a record of what we have achieved at the Sow's Ear and is a great reminder of what we haven't achieved. It keeps us accountable, particularly as there is now an audience reading our travails.

In January and February 2010, we renovated the lounge room and started planting in our front garden.

NOW:
Agaves and agapanthus December 2010
THEN:

Agave and agapanthus January 2010

March 2010 saw us purchase salvaged timber casement windows to install into the master bedroom. Jason spent many a night re-puttying the glass and repainting them.

THEN:
Master bedroom
October 2009
THEN:
April 2010
Windows and new VJ board installed in this part of the master bedroom

April 2010 was when Jason agonisingly installed the 10 casement windows into our room and re-sheeted the lower walls with VJ boards. As you know, Jason is currently finishing off this room. Hooray!

Happily his shirtless efforts were rewarded, as Fun and VJs was named as one of the best Brisbane blogs by the Brisbane Times. Yay!

May and June were quieter months, but we did have the Sow's Ear's electrical wiring earthed at that time. It is still incomplete, with the sunroom wiring still to be done.

July saw Son #1's bedroom renovated and repaired. It's a gorgeous little room now...when there aren't toys strewn on the floor!


THEN:
Water damage in #1 Son's bedroom
NOW:
A nicer room for son #1

August was about clearing and planting on one side of the backyard and I started my very first herb garden. All this rain, recently, has been great for getting the plants established. I also purchased some outdoor Casala chairs and restored them with a lot of elbow grease.

THEN:
Lilly-pillies August 2010
NOW:
Lilly-pillies December 2010
Lots of growth in the space of four months.

In September 2010, Jason started painting the exterior of the house. For those unaware, sub-tropical Brisbane has received record-breaking rainfall since this time. Life is cruel.

Knowing Jason's luck, when he ever finishes painting the exterior with the incessant rain, Brisbane will be in drought again...

October and November saw Mr Rooney, our holidaying builder, step in to relieve time-poor Jason from some of the renovation work. He's been a lot of fun to have around and has invigorated Jason's enthusiasm to renovate. Work began on our exterior side staircase and new sunroom windows. Stay tuned for more activity in 2011.

Mr Rooney, the carpenter who loves working with steel, and Jason on smoko

December saw the removal of the cracked asbestos fibro sheeting in the sunroom. Thanks Mr Rooney! And Jason has been painting the deck (despite the rain) and finishing off our master bedroom.

NOW:

Asbestos gone. December 2010

THEN:
Asbestos walls. May 2009

I'm not one for resolutions, but prefer to have a plan. The plan is to finish the projects we have already started - side staircase, sunroom windows, earthing of the electrical wiring in the sunroom and to continue the exterior painting, one side at a time.

That's it, I think, for now. It pays not to think too big...sometimes.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2011 brings much good health and prosperity to you all. xx

18 comments:

  1. I think that was 'Flash Dance' damage in your son's bedroom.

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  2. Congratulations! You achieved a lot this year.

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  3. I'm laughing about the flash dance damage. My you guys have been working hard this year. What a lot you have achieved, happy renovating through the New year and beyond. Deb

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  4. This project sounds like my worst nightmare...I hate changing lightbulbs. Best wishes! Your place is adorable!

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  5. You have achieved so much this year, your home is looking fantastic. Hope to see more in the coming year, Have safe and happy 2011, Tamara

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  6. You did such a great job! I can not wait to see what is next. Happy new year!

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  7. You've had a hugely productive twelve months, and this blog just proves it! Such a great record to look at before & afters, and even in between as a progress report. I look forward to many more of your silk purse projects in 2011! Happy New Yr Anita! (and Jason of course & Mr Rooney too) :)

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  8. So much hard work you've put into your house! I hope you reap the rewards! It just looks fabulous ... and I can't believe you've managed so much on your own.

    Thrilled to see what unfolds this year!

    Happy NY and a great 2011!

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  9. Hey, where did that year go?? I was only thinking of the agapanthus as mum picked some flowers for me for Christmas. Have yours flowered yet? Congrats on a great year!! cheers Katherine

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  10. looking good! the rewards are many. cheers!
    ~laura

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  11. You've been busy, by the looks of these pics! It looks fantastic. Happy New Year!

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  12. What a great year it's been for you. I hope 2011 is even bigger and better for you Anita. xx

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  13. Well done guys, what a productive year. I have really enjoyed reading your renovating adventures in2010 so I can't wait to see what you guys get up to this year. happy New Year!!

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  14. Hi Anita, Happy New Year to you and your family too! You guys have been very busy and achieved a great deal - the blog is a wonderful record of this. I look forward to following your fun adventures this year and as always having a good laugh along the way. ;-)

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  15. Love the year in review, you've done so much in just one year. Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you.

    Lorna

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  16. Amazing! You must feel very satisfied with the results of your labour in 2010. Can't wait to see how you'll inspire us all in 2011...lol - no pressure! Meredy xo.
    p.s. congrats on the Best Brissie blog - yay!

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  17. Happy New year all.
    I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. Thanks for your posts. I am now a follower here. I will be back. :-)

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  18. All that in 12 months! I need to hire you and Jason ... and Mr Rooney and the boys. Happy New Year!

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