Well Hung

Possibly the least exciting post ever - but I am delighted! Finally got to hang 2 of the 6 hanging baskets and my freestanding vacuum hose.

We are well serviced vacuum wise, here. Ducted vacuum system. Robotic vacuum and also the good old Dyson. Each gets used regularly, although admittedly the Dyson the least. So now I have finally moved him in to his cupboard, I was loathe to have a cord flapping around.

Happily the IKEA Variera Vacuum holder came to the rescue! A simple vacuum hose storage system.

  

Dyson now neatly held in place

And that is not my only IKEA Variera storage solution! Quite a while ago Sean put up a couple of IKEA Variera bag holders!

 

Plastic bags contained!

Finally the packet holders. I love these! So convenient on the inside of pantrys and other cupboards. Especially for things up out of reach! 2 down, 4 to go!

 

Great spot for things I DON't want the kids
near. Like the food colourings!

Plant Ponderings

So the entryway needs more definition, so I am considering planters on either side (beneath the sidelights). Am not sure what to plant as it's quite a shaded spot but ideally I want something hardy, scented, glossy and green and with a white flower. Oh - and something which thrives on neglect.

Not asking much, am I??

 

 Am thinking of twin planters like these

either side of the front door

Other immediate plans for the week are hanging some baskets inside the pantry (so handy - miss them from our old house) and hanging some more art work.

Painted Gates

Yesterday Sean put the first coat of colour on the side gates. I had been certain I wanted them grey but then I noticed how dusty the front door gets. While I have the time and energy (just) to keep the front entry looking nice, I refuse to devote that sort of time to the side gates!

Also I was less certain about the colour when I mocked it up. So we've gone with the default 'Dune' colour and I am pleased with it :)

 

Left hand gate

 

First coat looking good :)

 

Right hand side also with first coat

In other news we've also been doing bits and pieces in the garden. I lost a gardenia or two so those were replaced in the front. Thankfully now the irrigation is in the gardenias (indeed all the plants) are really thriving.

Also planted an Orange Jessamine (Murraya paniculata) or commonly known as a Mock Orange in a spot out the back. When it grows it should be lovely and green with highly fragrant flowers in Summer (and periodically throughout the year). I love the idea of a fragrant garden, so this is another welcome addition!

 

Mock Orange out the back

Irrigation Part 2

A quick stop at Mitre 10 today paid off. 25 meters of poly-pipe were secured! So today, along with undercoating the side gates, Sean finished the irrigation system. AND he's added 2 x herb pots outside the back door for me, too! Fresh lettuce, basil, chives, parsley, rosemary, mint, dill and spring onions!

I am so pleased :)  We have also set the irrigation system up to top up a dog water bowl placed in the shade in the garden (a back up for their main bowl for when they are relaxing in the shade and don't want to leave the shady area).

Garden gates are looking good. I was certain I wanted them the dark grey colour until I Photoshopped it and it was way too dark. Now the white undercoat is on I am confirmed I want them the lighter Dune colour. Helps we have masses of it spare!

 

Side gates undercoated.

Irrigation

Another busy weekend here at Parkview. Yesterday Sean put in the first half of our irrigation system.

We have not yet concealed the main hose under the mulch, but we have connected the first of the drippers to it. Basically each plant will have its own drip feed of water. The drippers are variable flow, so I can set each plant to get the correct amount of water.

The system runs from the tap at the front of the garden (right near the letterbox) and will eventually end at the front on the other side basically running along side the back and then side fence. However for now it stops just behind where the TV is inside. Unfortunately the recent hot weather means everyone is thinking irrigation and so poly pipe is sold out everywhere. Thankfully it's an easy task to join additional pipe when it becomes available.

The whole system is on a timer, so I can set how long and how often I want to irrigate and it will happen automatically. Very convenient!

But it's not just the plants who are set to benefit from the irrigation system. The local birdlife is also going to enjoy it. We've set up a hanging bird bath which will also have a dripper - so the bowl will be topped up every time the irrigation runs. We've put it in the shade and nestled amongst some branches - and we're hopeful it will attract some of the local birds to pay a visit!

Little things

While we have actually had time off, not a lot has been done around the house. We've been busy working on our old house getting it ready to rent. It was listed last Thursday afternoon, and on Tuesday morning we accepted an applicant.

Apparently there was quite a bit of interest which is nice to know. The tenant sounds very stable and responsible. Fingers crossed!

However despite being busy elsewhere, things have not been at a complete standstill here. Sean has been busy painting the timber flyscreens on the front windows. One of those annoying jobs which seems simple but take ages. Well worth it now it is done, though! Looks great.

 

Other jobs in the planning are putting in an irrigation system. We weren't originally going to, but the soaring temperatures has convinced me. Also gearing up to paint the side gates/fences. It's never ending!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2013!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Years and are full of plans and ideas for 2013!

Now the build is done and dusted it would be easy to become complacent and let my obscure little blog die. So in an effort to keep up the momentum (both with blogging and with the new house) I am determined to do a post a week of something new or different in the house!

I've mentioned before that finding the 'right' spots for artworks has been tricky - but there is one piece I knew where I've wanted it for ages. And finally today we put it up!

 

Our Sydney Tram Roll

In the hallway between the spare bedroom

and the linen cupboard. Perfect spot for it!

I have a few more pieces I'd like to hang this week but given it's taken us 3 months to get this one up I am not holding my breath! I do need to go through an choose some nice photos of the kids to put up, so that will keep me busy for a little while!