The Block

This week The Block was postponed due to The Cricket (20/20?).

So I thought I might do some research and find out the actual location of the block in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. After a quick Google it came to my attention that three of the contestants have started advertising their apartments (No photos of completed lounge rooms just yet) But you can see completed external areas, If you are looking in the area the appartments are also open for inspection. One team (Unit 2) Mark & Duncan have not yet listed their apartment.

Location: Vaucluse is one of Sydney's most desirable (And expensive) suburbs, with what seams like the highest rates in NSW & Maybe Australia?. The location is close to the Sydney City (circled in the middle of picture below).

Completed front Fascade

Channel 9.....I get it. 

Can you spot the shameless self promotion in the image above?

Would it help if i gave you this image:

Real Estate Listings:


Unit 1- Neisha & John:  Unit 1 on Domain
 An inspired renovation has transformed this light filled garden apartment into a superb living space showcasing innovative design and stylish finishes. It makes an exceptional home for entertaining, focusing on space, privacy and easy indoor/outdoor living.

• Exclusive address within a level stroll to village shops and cafes
• Flowing interiors feature generous in/outdoor living spaces
• Bright and breezy open plan lounge and dining spaces
• North facing courtgarden and outdoor entertaining area
• Designer CaesarStone kitchen with quality gas fittings (Kitchen not yet featured on The Block) 
• Fully furnished throughout with brand new designer pieces
• Lock-up garage, air conditioning, wireless Internet equipped
• Bedrooms include a master with built-ins and ensuite
• Set within a boutique block of four with video entrance
• Easy access to harbourside parklands, transport and beaches

(Above picture: Neisha & John front courtyard)

Unit 2: Mark & Duncan. Not advertising yet.


Unit 3- Jake & Erin: Unit 3 on Domain
Northerly facing, this stunningly reinvented apartment offers a perfect fusion of contemporary chic and classical luxury. One of the trophy pads in Channel 9's highly successful The Block, it's proudly viewside

Taking a true renovators delight, the talented pair - Jake and Erin, have turned this apartment into a techno savvy haven of freshness, glamour & sophistication - literally before your eyes.

Featuring a flexible floor plan & semi like ambiance, the spacious & stylish interiors spill out to a full width private entertaining deck with northerly views including the harbour. Set alongside
picturesque Vaucluse shopping village, not only will buyers love the apartment's spectacular transformation but also the convenience of having cafes/delis/shops & transport at the door.

+ Totally rebuilt apartment sold with all the quality designer finishes and custom built furniture, including Control 4 electronic home automation system - so that lighting/air con/sound/TV etc can be remote controlled even from your mobile phone
+ Also includes artwork, mirrors, sofas, tables, chairs, manchester, cutlery, crockery, BBQ & much much more
+ Sunny and private first floor position
+ Central entry hall
+ 3 double bedrooms, master with bay window seat
+ 2 superb fully tiled bathrooms, master with ensuite, main with freestanding bath & separate shower, both bathrooms with superior fittings and rainwater shower heads
+ Generous open plan living/dining areas
+ Streamlined kitchen, Corian benchtop, breakfast bar, stainless steel Blanco gas appliances (Kitchen not yet featured on The Block)
+ Idyllic northerly outdoor entertaining balcony, retractable awnings, bi fold doors, elec blinds
+ Air conditioning, high new ceilings, new cornices, new joinery, polished timber floorboards
+ Huge flat screen 3D TV, surround sound system, several chandeliers
+ Each room cabled for internet connection
+ Clever storage solutions, superbly integrated colours & materials
+ New power supply, new wiring, new plumbing
+ Comprehensive intercom & security
+ Security lockup garage via electronic gated driveway
+ Stunningly reinterpreted for quality living, this spacious apartment is a unique designer pad

OUTGOINGS (approx):
Council Rates: $1,115.07 pa
Strata Rates: $641.90 pq
Water Rates: $149.32 pq positioned in a fastidiously reinterpreted Art Deco security block of just 4.

Say What???? Council Rates of $1,115.07 pa....Woollarah Council

So, as you might remember in my review from last week's main bathroom renovation it seams my dislike from the master bathroom (the cheap looking floor tile) also seamed to be a dislike of the photo editor and has been addressed with a little photoshopping for the Real Estate listing??

Unit 4-Brenton & Cheryl: Unit 4 on Domain
Brenton & Chez from Channel Nine's THE BLOCK 2010 program have created a stunning home that fuses creative design, luxury finishes and elevated ocean views. Set to the very rear of a completely transformed complex of four luxury apartments, this top floor residence offers a lifestyle of exceptional privacy and style. It combines quality appointments, state-of-the-art inclusions and over 100sqm in/outdoor living space to deliver a home of space and convenience in a prized blue ribbon address.
- Generous interiors feature rich polished floors throughout
- Open plan living spaces that flow to the outdoors
- Large cedar bi-fold doors open to a wide entertainers terrace
- Deluxe island kitchen fully equipped with quality fittings
- Three double bedrooms, two designer bathrooms
- Lock-up garage with storage units, video entrance and air conditioning
- Fully furnished and equipped with innovative inclusions
- Quietly placed a level stroll to village shops and cafes
- Easy access to nearby beaches and harbourfront parks

You might remember that Brenton & Chez had an issue with the floor tiles in their Ensuite bathroom.Check out the Real Estate listing photo (On the right below) it looks like they have changed the floor tiles & the colour.

 So if you are looking for a new home/ appartment in Vaucluse and thinking to spend upwards of $900,000(AU) I would suggest checking it out.I am thinking they will all fetch over $1,000,000 (AU)

Fabric

 I Have been admiring this fabric from the black and spiro shop/ store, since the unveiling of the new shop in July 2010 as shown on absolutely beautiful things

Well I finally found a very similar fabric at a reasonable price  $11.90/ Yard Check it out here

Hummm. Now what to make with it?

signed by tina

Just found these truly inspirational images of Tina's newly renovated apartment (Via a paddington perspective), Love the use of wallpaper, Black, Grey & White http://signedbytina.blogspot.com/

Ceramic drum Stool

I am Loving the Below Image  via apartment therapy

 
I Think that Ceramic Drum Stool's work great as a side table or extra seating. I have been looking for some affordable ones, The best I could come up with in Australia is as follows:

Overstock: There are many different designs here, white, Silver, mirrored From $126.71 (AU) here

 The Urban Balcony: These ceramic drum stools come in Matt Black or Silver $195 (AU) Each. More details here

HFOC: Samantha Robinson Ceramic hand printed drum stools $350 (AU) each. More details here

Apartment Therapy also has a quick history on the Origins of the Chinese ceramic drum stool
Believe it or not, barrel- or drum-shaped garden stools have been used in China for at least 1,000 years. They may have evolved out of the Buddhist garden tradition, where natural elements like tree stumps and smooth rocks were used as seats.

Traditionally, Chinese homes were build around a courtyard, and with an emphasis on landscape and gardens, so outdoor furniture was essential. By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), these types of stools were used both indoors and outdoors as casual seating (image 2). Indoor stools were typically portable and made out of wood, while outdoor furniture, needing to withstand the elements, began to be made out of stone (image 3), glazed stoneware (images 4 & 6), or porcelain (image 5).

The antique stools that are still extant tend to be from the late Ming Dynasty — early 17th century — and later, and they have a range of decoration, including fretwork, relief decoration, and pierced motifs. One common decoration is simulated nailheads, often around the upper and lower parts of the barrel form. The nailhead motif is left over from ancient Chinese drums, which had wood bodies with skins stretched over each end and affixed with nails.
(See full article Here)

Our Wedding Day 21.2.10

So... although I have created this Blog as an Interior's Blog I thought that I might share a few photos from our wedding day.

A Few Details of the Day (More To follow...) 
The Wedding Ceremony & Reception were held at Roberts Restaurant, the location was stunning in February & the Gardens and Decor Beautiful, highly recommended if you are looking for a Hunter Valley (NSW) Australia destination. 

The photographer for the day was Photos by Jay. True & I had an instant report with Jay, in fact he was the only photographer that we met with, we were so comfortable with him & I think the photos really reflect that. If you want you can have a Look at the photos direct from his Blog Here

My Dress was by Karen Willis Holmes, her Blog write up on our wedding day is so Beautiful & a great recap of the dress and how it was chosen, see the full story Here and a bit more Here and again Here and then of course mummy & Me  Here

The Block- Week 5 Review

Week 5 of "The Block" was full of Drama, with a little crying a Funeral and 4 bathrooms. Here are my pics for the week:

My Number 1- Mark & Erin

Like: I like the feature tile, They used it in the Master Bedroom Ensuite also (See Below).

Dislike: I think that the floor tiles that they used for the main bathroom are cheap looking.

Change: Remove the sticker from the toilet.

(Mark & Erin's Ensuite)

My Number 2- Brenton & Chez

Like: The Glass feature wall, Reminds me of Carrara Tile with Beautiful Blue Grey tones. 

Dislike: The Basin, as the judges noted it was not practical (& will probably date).

Change: Edit the room. Take a few of the decorative Pieces away, too many flowers & pots. Why not hang up a nice Black and white photograph from Vaucluse (The area where the Block is filmed). 

Grey Bathroom Carrara Tile Via Here



My Number 3- Neisha & John

Like: The bathroom Vanity, Huge sink, lots of bench space and storage

Dislike: The colour palette is very non imaginative & Safe, do something different, a pattern, colour?.

Change: Replace the 1/2 used roll of toilet paper on the hanger...you are presenting a room!



My Number 4- Mark & Duncan

Like: The shower head in the bath tub & the glass storage shelf in the bathtub.

Dislike: Random placement of additional shelving, it is not permanent shelving and I think potential buyers would look at the room and think that there was inadequate storage in the bathroom (That white boxy looking storage thing to the right of the photo).

Change: Take away the Nana looking bath mat for the Judging & style photo's.