the library plantation shutters...

Ordered these through Home Outlet late last year (the same guys who installed the plantation shutters in our family room and master bedroom). We delayed having these installed as we went overseas with the money we'd had set aside for the final payment! hehehe. Finally, they're in, and they are amazing. They change the whole feel of the room.

the master bedroom...

The master bedroom is now 99% complete! Plantation shutters went in just before Christmas.

We're still chasing some suitable matching bedside lamps (considering wall lights to match the Madrid pendant in the centre of the room), other than that we're extremely happy!

Carpet was laid a few weeks ago, it's luxurious, so soft under foot! We ended up going with the IQ-150 from Harvey Norman, it took 14 weeks to come in (from America) but it's in now and it's fabulous!!!

The HIA Home Ideas Show...

Today we headed into the city for the Home Ideas Show. We had a list of items we wanted to check out... decking, plantation shutters, water tanks, and pergolas/outdoor blinds.

1. Modwood Decking.

We dont want to do any paving at all, rather we'll use decking around the front entry, and our large entertaining area along the north side of the house off the dining room. We assumed we would use timber, but after today are considering the Modwood Decking alternative. Modwood is manufactured from recycled plastic milk bottles and reclaimed pine waste. It is designed not to warp, crack or splinter, and requires a lot less maintenance than timber. Check out the site www.modwood.com.au. Below is an image of the timber look (on the left is the smooth finish, on the right is the brushed finish).

2. Plantation Shutters

We decided previously that we would use plantation shutters throughout the whole house, even bi-fold plantation shutters over our sliding door off the dining room. There wasn't a great amount of info available at the show, but we picked up a few brochures.

3. Underground Water Storage

Aaron previously got prices from Reece for underground water tanks. Today we found a system that can be taylor made to suit the shape or size of the area we want to put it. It is even strong enough to be installed underneath our driveway. The system is basically made up of modules made from recycled materials. They arrive flat packed, and are assembled on site. I could ramble on about it, but you could just visit the site http://www.undergroundwaterstorage.com.au/ below is an image of the modules used to create the storage system.

4. Pergolas/Outdoor blinds

We plan to construct a pergola off the north side of the house, directly outside the dining room, and stretching almost the entire length of the house, from the garage to the family room. Fielders had the look we're after, a pitched, or dutch gable pergola, with room for ceiling fans for when it's hot in summer (we've learnt this lesson from 5 1/2 years on a rental property with a north facing pergola with a low roof - it's sometimes way too hot to sit underneath). Check out their info at http://www.fielders.com.au/. Stratco also had a good range of the style of pergola we're after. You can check out http://www.lifestylecontructions.com.au/ Below are some pics of what we're after, including some outdoor blinds.

The window furnishings...

Both of us are not curtain people, (plus having cats doesn't help when you have to clean the fur off them every day in our current rental property!)

Initially we thought of timber venetian blinds, but this weekend we've settled on timber plantation shutters! Most display homes these days seem to have them, and they look fantastic.

We will fit the plantation shutters throughout the whole house, excluding the bathroom window, as it has obscure glazing.