Single light casement window

I've just ordered a new window to be made up for the bathroom.

We decided against another coloured window, as we thought it would compete with the amber/yellow glass that is already in the bathroom. And as much as we like green glass, the mix of green and the yellow would be too patriotic for us (thanks to the commentator who kindly reminded us of this fact!).

The original plan was to get a small hopscotch casement window made, but we found out that it could not be manufactured with toughened arctic glass...it could only be done with cathedral glass which is not as textured as arctic. Arctic glass is used in most of the windows in the Sow's Ear.

small hopscotch
We will now have just a single light casement instead.

Toughened arctic is limited to how small it can be cut and our window pane sizes were too small. Normal arctic glass does not have this issue but window manufacturers can't sell it to us because of new regulatory standards. The glass must be to Australian safety standards. Who knew this stuff?

cathedral at the top and arctic at the bottom

As a default, we opted for a single light casement with toughened arctic glass instead. It was also the cheapest and easiest option by far.

we've ordered a smaller version with no frame which will then be  primed and painted.

We could have opted for an unglazed hopscotch window which we could glaze ourselves with normal arctic glass (ie glass that hasn't gone through the toughening process) ... For one small window, the bother factor was not high. 'Phew!' sighs Jason.

The window gets made up in over a week. I'll keep you posted. 

A look at an Ashgrove Queenslander

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting a very original Queenslander porch and gable home nestled in the western suburb of Ashgrove. The current owners acquired the property last year and are the third owners of the three bedroom home since it was built in 1925.

Fellow house bloggers, Elizabeth from Walk Among the Homes and Magnus from A House in Auchenflower visited the home too. You can read the thoroughly interesting historical research (think links to XXXX Brewery in Milton) which Magnus has chronicled here and admire the photographs which Elizabeth has captured here. 

I merely tagged along as a house voyeur. Professional sticky-beak. I was keen to see this home as it is a similar vintage to the Sow's Ear - it helps to fill in the blanks of what our home may have looked like originally. It was also good to see Elizabeth again who so kindly showcased the Sow's Ear in her blog a few months ago and to finally meet the debonair Magnus.

This Ashgrove home would have to be one of the best preserved Queenslander homes I have visited, lovingly cared for and with very minimal changes to the structural integrity of the house. It is quite a special feat after 88 years.

My photographs do no justice to the home, but I wanted to capture some of the features which often disappear over time and which are so characteristic to the Queenslander. Thanks so much to the owners who were very generous in giving us free rein of their beautiful home.

dark stained fretwork breezeways above the bedroom doors

Old power points cut into the dark skirting boards

Bank of dark stained hopscotch casement windows in the dining room. It looks like the old casement stays have been removed over time.

enclosed verandah/sleep out with lino floor covering and louvre windows

Back door landing with just  the weatherboard lining and louvre window.
Notice how the back door is a double hopscotch pattern

Back stairs with roof and external privacy screen

original timber house stumps with tin ant capping

Under the eaves which were interestingly (for me) unlined

tin bullnose window hood with privacy screen 

Cruisin'

I've escaped for a few day with some girlfriends for a bit of R&R. It's part of my festival of forty that I've been celebrating this year. Yay!

Jason's been holding the fort with the boys. He's a good man.

I'll be having a cocktail for each and every one of you who read the blog. Cheers!

Second thoughts about our sofa

A few weeks ago, I mentioned here that we were planning on re-upholstering our lounge room setting...

We chose a great fabric but after some reflection, we've changed our mind and would like to buy an entirely new (or old) suite. Re-upholstering is a costly exercise - a perfect solution if you want to keep something forever...and we thought our current sofa is not our 'forever' sofa.

It might be time to upgrade to something a little more substantial...if we can find the right setting Jason and I can agree on.

That's the tricky part.

Jason and I love the slimline range that is sold by Angelucci's in Melbourne and think it would look great in the Sow's Ear.

A modular three-seater sofa from The Modern Furniture store has also grabbed my eye.

And I also like the look of this sofa from Great Dane...until I saw the price! It's probably too much out of our price bracket although I love its shape.

Lots of food for thought as we contemplate our next sofa. Although it will be sad to see the old one go....

Visiting a Queenslander up for sale

The other day I inspected a house for sale with a friend who is searching for new digs. When she told me which house she was visiting, I instantly invited myself along for the ride...house voyeurism is what I do best.

It is an interwar Queenslander but I'm uncertain of the date it was built. I'd guess 1930? It is a beautiful old home which needs a lot of love. Probably more love (and money) than my friend can give at this stage. The home is being marketed to developers because it is situated in the middle of a rather large block of land.

The real estate agent said the house could potentially be moved to the front of the block and two new homes could be built out the back...It would be heart-breaking to see such a thing happen (this is why I will never be rich - too sentimental).

The front verandah has been enclosed and the entry has moved to the side of the home. It looks like it was originally a two-bedroom home with a sleep out, from what I could gather.

The home must have been quite grand in its day because of the rather fine detailing.

In the main bedroom there is a bay window with exquisite lead light. Seriously beautiful. The room also has an amazing elaborate ceiling that is breathtaking.

The dining room and lounge room are quite formal and are separated by timber French doors. These rooms have coffered ceilings and horsehair plaster walls beneath the wallpaper. It is just lovely to see such original detailing quite untouched.

I took a photograph of the bathroom because it was rather pink and its walls were adorned by floral pink wallpaper.  The ceiling was wallpapered too. ( I secretly didn't mind the 1950'ish black and pink tiling...I need more pink in my life)

I didn't mind the art deco style tiling on the bathroom floor...

I love visiting other homes which are still relatively original. This poor old home is very tired though. Let's hope someone will bring it back to its former glory.