{Renovation Junkies} All the ideas

As soon as you decide to renovate the amount of ideas that run through your head is unbelievable! My new addictions are Pinterest and any kind of home show - thank goodness Hubby got Foxtel for the Formula 1 racing.

Over several days, Hubby and I sat down together to mull over all these ideas, what were the main things we wanted to achieve with this renovation and how on earth did we think we could pull it off for a reasonable amount of money.

We both agreed that the two main things were a new kitchen and an extra bathroom. The thing that had us stumped was how on earth to shuffle our house puzzle pieces to accommodate our dream.

Oh and I should mention, also thrown into our renovation adventure is the fact that our house is heritage listed with council, which adds some complications - everything we do to the house needs council approval and must meet heritage standards, colours etc, etc.

The heritage part of our house is limited to the front, and thankfully we don't want to change that at all - but it does throw spanners if we want to add another level to the house, as that would change the look from the front.

The kitchen puzzle piece shuffle was easy, it would just move from the middle of the house to the edge, a bi-fold door would turn into a wall with a window...but how could it all fit in? I need a bigger kitchen! We didn't want to just move the teeny tiny kitchen from one place to another.

The extra bathroom, which would be an ensuite to the main bedroom was not so easy. Countless sleepless nights where our heads shifted puzzle pieces here and there, only to discover there would be no windows in the bedroom (we are a semi-detached dwelling).

Arh, crazy times!

So we did what any sensible person would do...asked James from Renovation Junkies if he could recommend an architect and he did...Stuart Formosa from Formosa Designs.

Have you used an architect before? Got any hints, tips to share?

{image source}

{Renovation Junkies} Making the decision to renovate...

Hubby and I bought our house three years and seven months ago. During this time we have really settled in and got to know the bones of this old place (it was built in the late 1800's)....isn't she a beauty!

We have done bits and pieces in the three plus years that we have lived here - storm water, under floor ventilation, landscaping, new deck, painting and down lights....

And now the time has come to make it a little more "live-able".....aka RENOVATE!

A builder friend, James, once told me, "You need time to settle in to a place and decide exactly how you want things". He was spot on.

Since moving in, we have realised, that we don't like the kitchen, it just isn't big enough, nowhere near big enough actually and it's location in the middle of the house, outside the bathroom really doesn't work out for anyone.

And as the kids grow we really would like another bathroom/toilet facility as we currently only have one.

So, where to next?

We have made the decision but, arh, how do you renovate?

Hubby and I have zero handy-person skills so would never dream of being owner builders, so we have started the journey to figure out what to do and how to do it....so stay tuned as I link up with James Mason over at Renovation Junkies to blog about our renovation adventure.

Have you renovated recently? Got any tips to share?

One year ago today

A year ago today, May 5th 2012 was a hugely significant day in our lives.

It was the day we moved into our house. Our very first house together as a family.

We had bought it 6 weeks earlier and had been doing some work on it; painting, storm water, gardening, sub-floor ventilation, and getting the wood floors sanded and polished.

May 5th 2012 was the day! Our first house, with a yard and everything! A yard!

Since moving in we have done a lot of work too, including The Great Landscaping Challenge.

May 5th 2012 was also the day that I got pregnant with Little Mr 0.

I know this was the exact day because this was when I had my eggs collected as part of IVF.

After a very anxious five day wait we were told we had five embryos and they would be transferring the strongest one. The other four would be put on ice in case we needed them if this cycle also failed.

After another very anxious nine day wait, I went in for my pregnancy blood test. It was positive.

We couldn't quite believe it.

It had been 18 months of failed fertility treatments, including goodness knows how many injections, ultrasounds and blood tests and one laparoscopy. Not to mention the river of tears and several depressive episodes. We were actually pregnant with our second child.

Until I held him in my arms I don't think I believed it.

May 5th 2012 was a very hectic day. Who knew that the day we had booked to move was going to be the day my eggs were ready for collection?

Without hesitation, my mum and dad took time off work to help us out. We are truly fortunate to have these two people in our loves.

Hubby, my dad and Little Miss 4 (Little Miss 3 at the time) moved us into our new home.

My mum took me to the hospital, sat with me, rejoiced with me when I found out they had collected 19 eggs and then drove me home, where they had made sure that our bedroom with the first thing set up so I could sleep - general anaesthetics do that too me.

I remember this day like it was yesterday. I wonder if I always will?

Now sadly after one year comes a tough decision for Hubby and I - what to do with the four embryos that are still on ice?

Do you have a significant day in your life?