Pedal to the Metal
I've been popping up to the house every other day - I don't want to crowd or bug my wonderful builders, who are going as fast as they can; just the two on site plus the electrician on Saturdays, as the budget doesn't provide for the 'A team', as seen on T.V.
Yes, it sure makes me laugh when I see 'Grand Designs' and there are 20 workmen on site... then they wonder why they are 40k over budget complete with a credit card 'maxxed out' :}
However, a deadline looms. Those of you who read last weeks blog will realise that I only have the Casa das Proteus until the 28th of the month... and... my container will be emptied into the house on the 27th, come what may.
Progress has been directed towards getting some flooring laid, but before that can be done
the walls have to be painted, or at least most off the messy stuff out of the way. And the situation is looking good for the start of the floor laying taking place next week... and only then can the kitchen fitting get underway...
It's all looking very white, some may say clinical, but it brings light and makes for a spacious feel. You may remember from my earlier renders that the pillars and top beam shown here are supposed to be red. Well, I've changed my mind (at least for now) and will stick with white; colour being added by furnishing accents and perhaps lighting.
Happy days when the scaffolding comes down … now I'm looking at that plank that is between the tall scaffolding and the landing. Health and Safety. Nope.
The End gable wall was down to be 50/50 Grey. Again, it is left white and can be changed later if required. Meanwhile, the oven splash-back will be in red tile and interest can be added with wall hangings and the like. I'm loving the clean lines.
View of the Kitchen and Dining Area from the bottom of the stairs. The wall here is the one that was supposed to be 50/50 Grey all the way up to the roof... don't know what you think, but imagine it with some nice kitchen units, black marble worktop... red splash-back... some tiles and pictures at the dining room end.. OK?
Here is the 'Beer Hole' otherwise known as the kitchen window, opening out onto the patio, where most likely will be a BBQ / outdoor cooking area of some description, in the corner there.
Looking at the neighbours and accross at Sao Jorge in the distance.
The builder pose for their obligatory 'Lunch Photo'. These are two happy and very amiable guys - they have been trying to teach me some Portuguese words, like sandpaper, tape … and of course the colours (which I think they where pleased I knew). I do like this place... lunch of local food accompanied by a nice box of red wine; where else is that going to happen? Long may it continue. Work to live and not live to work, eh? And so proud of their craft. Brilliant.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the house, things have been receiving love too. The bedroom has been given its final coat of paint, as this will be the first downstairs area to have the floor tiles laid, since it needs to be used as a storage room for all the white goods and essentials from the container.
Again, this room was designated to be yellow and white, with a dado rail. The dado rail can come later - the yellow too can be considered after the essentials are done. This room just needs coving (as do all the downstairs rooms) and they don't use skirtings here, rather they use floor tile special edges that go up the walls for two or three inches. Sensible.
The bathroom is really coming on, with all the wall tiles now in place, save for a few high up in the shower enclosure. Almost ready to lay the floor tiles; black with black grouting.
The shower enclosure is of the 'walk in' type, and will have a simple glass screen to the right, with an opening for entry. Grab rails have yet to be sourced locally. The electric shower is in the container, but all the plumbing is in place ready to fit, fingers crossed on placement.
Rather than have a separate 'utility', the washer / dryer sits in the cubby adjacent to the shower enclosure. Shelves will go above the washer for wash products, towels and all other bathroom requisites. Plumbing is in place for the washer, although we need to check if a vent is required for the dryer part of the machine...
So, that brings us up to date on this weeks house build progress. But I can't close without a picture of my old friend from last summer:
Here is 'Ginja Rogers' as I've named it. Note the it. It was taken to be spayed by a neighbour, but the vet said it was a male. Ish. It's balls have not dropped, so it is a bit of a girl. It is a bit of both, if you know what I mean. So... Ginja Rogers it is :)
Next Up: Floors Now Please...
