20 Hopscotch casement windows are mine

All mine...Mahahaha!

I'm rubbing my hands together, heady with delight from our latest acquisition.

My new best friend, Will from Chermside, contacted us after reading the blog to say that he had 20 timber casement windows, in hopscotch profile, that were spare. He asked whether we, or anyone we know, would like to buy them. They were priced attractively.

After consulting with Jason and Mr Rooney, our toned and spritely builder, about measurements and other technicalities, it was a deal. We took the lot.

Hopscotch profile casement windows with clear arctic glass being delivered

The casement window stockpile

Will said he had no need for the windows now that he and his wife had just sold their lovely 1936 Queenslander. He wanted the windows to go to someone who was a keen renovator and contacted us before he advertised them.

Anyway, he's done us a great favour, because a bulk lot of the same windows don't come up for sale all too often. Many thanks to Will!

Mr Rooney kindly picked up the windows on our behalf. He is a good man, but you knew that already. And very well-read too I might add (read his book reviews in the comments here).

The windows are now destined for the sunroom to replace the bay of clear single light windows that are there currently.

Sunroom photo taken a few months ago 

Mr Rooney said he will need to plane the windows and rebate them and assured me in an exaggerated Continental accent, "They'll be verrey niiiice!"

He also said in the very next breath that it would be a pain-in-the-arse too, as that is the nature of fitting windows. I'm sure Jason vividly remembers his experience.

P.S
For those in Brisbane, Will is having a bit of a clear out sale now that he is moving.  Follow the link HERE to his Gumtree ad. He's selling an old Wilson Boiler, bulk lot of brass window stays and other bits and pieces.

And thanks again, Will!!

P.P.S
The lovely Katrina Chambers has also given some blog-love to Fun and VJs on her blog. Katrina was the guru behind our "new look". She is a a very talented blog designer, so check her site out if you need a new look for your blog or business.

Florence cushions and a thank you

All my Florence Broadhurst cushions, kindly donated by the fabulous Jo from Desire to Inspire, have been sewn and stuffed. 

I outsourced the sewing to my beautiful friend N, who did not get cross with me when I pinned all the zips incorrectly. She took pity and showed me how it should be done.

There are so many cushions!! I've read that it is a sin to "undercushion" in Blogtopia, so this will rectify the situation somewhat. So, if you can undercushion, surely you can overcushion?

Lots of Florence Broadhurst cushions

N slaving away at the sewing machine

And a big thank you to Make mine Mid-Century  for the parcel I received in the post. I won her giveaway to celebrate her 100 readers. Way to go MmMC!

MmMC writes an hilarious blog about her love for mid-century (she has great Bitossi ceramics pieces, by the way), family fun and studying law.

In my parcel, there was a cool red bracelet by ruby luxe which I love. Red is my colour of choice for my accessories. How did you know? I also received The Little Prince which I am ashamed to say I have never read. And a cute little badge to pin on my hoodie!

Don't you love the Eames chair stamped on the card? Very stylish! Thanks so much again!!

The bounty.
I would flunk hand model school but gee that's a cute bracelet.

Work on the external stairs begins

I know someone who will be deserving of a nice cold beer this evening.

Mr Rooney, our determined builder, dug the post holes for the external side stairs today. Manually.

Normally such a job would be straightforward but very hard work...Unfortunately the old mango tree roots were an obstacle where Mr Rooney was digging which made the work that much harder.

He came prepared and used a small electric saw to cut through the roots which were underground.

Throughout the day, I could hear the occasional gasp of breath and long heavy sighs while I was pottering inside the house - poor Mr Rooney!

To his credit (and my amazement), not one curse or blasphemous expression escaped his lips...I think he needed to save his breath for lifting the ridiculously heavy steel posts, all by his lonesome.

Anyway, it is all captured with the magic, that is digital photography; for your viewing pleasure:

Mr Rooney digging

Digging some more

The post holes are dug. The steel posts are ready to be cemented in. Heavy duty, aren't they?

Mr Rooney catching his breath after checking the posts were level

The Concrete Taxi arrived. It is mixed on site.

A few wheel barrow loads of cement are needed for the posts

Mr Rooney troweling the cement

Mr Rooney, you really are a champ!

Painting balustrades and a jackhammer

Part of our busy weekend saw Jason painting the deck balustrade.

It's kind of tough to squeeze renovating into the day when you have other things you need to do or places to go. First thing in the morning is always good because we are up so early.

Painted deck balustrade

Anyway, Jason is very pleased with how the deck railings are looking. They are being painted in stages.

We have opted not to paint the feature tulip rail a contrasting colour as is typical of Queenslander homes today. They will just stay white like the rest of the railings, as our preference is for a more seamless look.

Queenslander house painted in heritage colours. Notice how the feature rails are painted a different colour.
image from here

different angle of newly painted balustrade.

The top handrail is painted Dulux Peppercorn Rent which is a very dark brown. Jason is completely sold on this colour. I'm still not 100 per cent certain, but I am liking the final result.

 
Mr Rooney, our industrious builder, left behind his jackhammer for Jason to use this weekend. Late this afternoon he used it to make a start on removing a random concrete slab that is in our backyard.

He was a bit cranky today, so it was probably good that he got stuck into the concrete (rather than us!!). He seemed a lot calmer afterwards.

Jackhammer Jason

West German planter hit

You know you've made it in the world when you have your own dealer; someone to call for your buzz.

My go-between is called Katherine. She works theoldboathouse and sometimes she contacts me when the good stuff comes her way.

Like West German pottery planters. Yeah, you know what I'm trying to say.

These pots are so fine. Who you callin' a gutter junkie?

West German planters on the left and right of the large pot

I had no imagination regarding what plants to put into them. The brown and orange planter has a peace lily (with a house of three boys, Peace is the holy grail) and the brown and cream planter has a succulent.

Anyway, Katherine's your go-to-girl on the streets of Brisbane for your retro wares - a purveyor of fine vintage goods.

Also a little birdie told me that Mr Rooney, our anti-ageing Oil of Olay using builder, is celebrating a birthday today. Best wishes to you Mr Rooney and take it easy...as there are stairs still to be built.



* all drug slang courtesy of here (too much time on my hands).