It is a sweltering hot day here in South Australia today, the sun is pouring its rays relentlessly through wispy cloud cover bathing our new home in its fiery heat. Here in Stirling, it is Twixtmas, the time twixt Christmas and New Year where all is calm, as though in the eye of a storm. Cars loaded with happy holiday makers depart the city for coastal beaches leaving the local roads unnervingly devoid of traffic. The usually busy villages of Stirling and Aldgate become ghost towns. Just a few minutes away by car our old residence sits in a cool valley overhung with a dense canopy of gum trees. The move to our newly built home, all though not far, has seen us move out of the valley to a slightly higher altitude, to the crest of a hill on a ridge actually, that over looks another valley to our north. At times we do occassionally catch glimpses of the far off hills between the swaying branches of the euclypt forest in that direction. The dense canopy of Sunnyspring has given way to clear skies and a on occasion a little more wind. We can now enjoy the light as the sun rises from the east and sets in the west throwing orange golden hues at twilight through the euclypts in another valley to the south behind us. With a clear sky above us we can enjoy the extra winter warmth from a weak winter sun that over the years dimished with the ever encroaching canopy in Sunnyspring. At night the clear skies allow the stars to glisten in the velvet darkest blue sky above us like so many diamonds. Today though I sit in air-conditioned comfort finally pulling together the photo’s of the build as it has progressed over the last 16 months.
We are now in in our sixth month of residence and have finally completed the landscaping works and maintenance period, now free of the relentless invasion of tradies we can settle down to resuming our former pre building project life.
In July 2017 whilst we were in Hawaii for Son Troy and now daugher in law Heather’s wedding the house on the land we purchased for the build was demolished.
Where once stood a house now a pile of rubble sits while the monster bulldozer looks on as if satisfied with a job well done
The technical, concept drawings and most of the internal selections were made before we departed, all we needed was local government approval and we were good to go.
We arrived back from our extended holiday on the 30th September to find the concrete footings/floor laid.
The bright spring sunshine reflects off of the Concrete Slab foundation looking North from the now Alfresco deckAn old water tank lays forlorn in the southeast corner of the now rear garden. We had thoughts of reusing it but sold it very quickly on our local Gumtree market site.
Quickly followed by framing works.
Excitement is in the air as the first sticks of framing rise up from the foundations (this will be the study with the exercise area behind it)Like a newly planted forest on steroids, more sticks sprout from the ground on a daily basisThis will be the living area with the guest bedroom behind it, need to use your imagination!The front facade takes shape, master bedroom and library windows jut out into the shade provided by the oak tree that gave us the inspiration for the house nameThis is the rear garden, a steep slope that will need to be terraced in the futureWestern Utility Area with the Oak tree in full leaf, this area is level and will contain a wood shed, garden shed and Mandy’s long overdue veggie patchIts now nearing the end of October the forest of sticks have sprouted a canopy, more excitement in anticipation of the roof going on.November arrives and the roof is going on! The plan was for a white roof but the local authorities “preferred” a contrasting colour, we really thought it was our house, but the roof colour must fit in with the surroundings they say! The House next door has a white roof? To bad the rules have changed. The roof Woodland Grey it must be.Off cuts of corrugated iron litter the ground as the roofers cut the roof sheets to shape like so much cardboard. Our visits to the site are allways late afternoon after the trades have left for the day, we catch them still at it but the sun is fast dissapearing behind the oak treeWe have windows as well as pink walls, this will be the guest bathrrom
The pink turns to dove grey as the Gyprock/Dry Wall installation begins, this is some of the ceiling detail in the Entrance hallwayDove grey seems to spread upward from the concrete floor covering the walls and ceilings leaving behind the short lived pink phase, this will be the LibraryOn the exterior a silver blanket wraps the house, ready for the cladding, the front timber windows are now installed.View of Front Windows in the LibraryWe were concerned about the lack of light in the Alfresco area that would also effect the living area the solution skylights x 2 today we have lightIt’s January 2018 and the weatherbaord cladding is now slowly spreading its way over the silver blanket, today on the Western Utility side. Note the window frames, made of precast lightweight areated concrete add an air of substance to what is essentially a lightweight build.Cladding is now completed, shown here again on the western utility side facing the rear garage door. The outlets in the right hand corner are for the mandatory water collection tank, that to-date we are still to installInside the grey walls have developed dots and tram lines looking more like an airport runway! That is if you lay on the floor and look up.More dots and stripes than the Adelaide Zoo, this view looking towards the kitchen windowThe brick layers start work on Alfresco Fireplace Block workThe outdoor kitchen blockwork is growing daily, legoland eat your heart outCornice detail snakes its way around the ceiling in the living area, we used this style in most living areas, other areas received the very american square set style (no cornice)Wet areas are substantillay waterproofed, the once grey concrete floor and walls turn decidely blue. We are gradually working our way through the rainbow colur spectrum here!Today the louvre detail in the roof facade are installed.We are now at lockup stage, a temporary door is installed, our access is now restricted to daytime working hour visits when the tradesmen are there.Meanwhile the stone facing for the Alfresco fireplace is applied and the fireplace installedLiving area fireplace brickwork is completed (to be tiled later) & Joinery /cabinetry work begins- this is the entertaining unit in the living area.More cabinetry this is the Guest Bathroom VanityBut wait there is more, Library shelving is installed, the house is starting to develop a personalityIt is now March and the floor tiles are delivered, here shown neatly stacked in the LibraryTiling begins with a Laundry wall, cabinets are already installed belowA friendly Cocky drops in for a snack of green walnuts, we catch him perched in a neighbours tree merrily munching awayThe Electrician obviously didn’t have any paper handy, no problems just write the plan on the wall (The Writings on the Wall)Painting has started, the rendered columns, window frames as well as the louvre detail are a vivid white. The front porch is tiled and covered in plastic to minimise the clean up later.Front Porch is looking good, we are so glad we opted for a wider porch than originally planned.The Alfresco area is also now tiled and given the same palstic covering, the outdoor kitchen cabinets are in place. The summer was a long dry one, the ground is just dusty earth but this will soon turn to mud when the first autumn rains fall.It is now late April, progress is rapid, not a day goes by without one of the trades on site. They have a deadline, we are told the 11th of May the keys will be in our hands. The light fitting that we discovered in the twin river towns of Lambertville NJ & New Hope PA that has sat in our workshop for the past few months is now installed, Looks sensational.It is May the 11th and the big day arrives, the house is 99% complete, but with no landscaping, concrete pathways or drive we are unable to move in. The weather has changed and dust turns to mudIn the meantime, there is plenty to do, Sunnyspring is on the market but no sale yet. The wine room joiney has to be remade to accomodate the wine racks after we discover a miscalculation by the cabinet makers, After a small delay Tony can istall themWhile we wait Tony installs the Library Ladder & Rail he has made. We receive news that Sunnyspring has sold, now we start to move in, starting with our books, one stationwagon load at a time.Kitchen lighting a decorative feature, this time sourced from Pottery Barn San Diego on our visit there with Jimmy, Susan & Gaby (Thanks to Susan for spending the day with us shopping for light fixtures)Autumn is in full swing our visits to the new house are cold ones, a good opportunity to try out the new wood burning fireplace, our old camp chairs are put to good use as well.The winter rains have begun, brown dust turns to muddy clay, we roll out a cardboard carpet in an attempt to keep the mud from the porch and entering the now clean interiorIt’s June and we are still waiting for concrete pathways to be laid, our curtains, blinds and shutters arrive and begin to be installed. These are the master bedroom curtains the beginnings of our Asian themed bedroom.Library curtains and plantation shutters are installed adding to that tropical feelLandscaping has begun, outside the garden infrastructure is taking shape. This is the small woodshed to house our winter fuel. The house is air-conditioning but we love the feel and look of a winters ????The rear garden slope is now a terraced space, pictured are the timber stairs leading to the lower back garden.June passes and it is now July, we have a move in date and are assured the concrete will be laid, allowing for Gas, Air-conditioning and importantly hot water to be installed. The landscapers create a space for Tony’s workshop on a terraced area at the rear of the property, pictured here.
This is a view of the deck adjacent to the alfresco area, this will be covered by an opening shade system to give us protection from the winter weather. Although mainly approaching from the west the winter winds can occasionally slip around to the south west.
Another view from the rear garden of the feature stairs and the space for the workshopTime moves on still no concrete but the framework for the shade system is installed over the alfresco deck.The first fencing goes in on the eastern side, our neigbours garden on this side is practically a jungle with ivy and blackberry brambles gone feral. We need to keep the noxious plants out and provide some long overdue privacy for our patient neighbours.A view from outside of the outdoor kitchen, plastic finnaly removed from the tiled floor
Gradually the landscape is changing, pillars for the pedestrian gate are built, these will eventually be faced in quartzite stone to match the alfresco fireplace in the picture belowMove in day arrives, July 18th, the concrete is laid only a week before with the services installed only days before we move in. The removalist are unable to drive their truck onto the driveway as it is not fully cured. our belongings inside and out have to be man handled the length of the driveway. We try out the alfresco fireplace as soon as we move in.Outdoor Kitchen with our old outdoor lounges in the foreground, clock that used to be in the kitchen at Sunnyspring now takes its place above the fireplaceOur old furniture seems to fit in reasonably well, family room pieces now fit in the living area’s entertainment sectionLiving & Dining AreasLibraryLooking down the entrance hallway to the Alfresco fireplaceSunset through the Euclypts from the Alfresco DeckEntrance Hallway with Master Bedroom Doors on left and Library to the right
Its August and the Asphalt driveway that connects the main drive with Old Mount Barker Road is laid downBy September we have a fountain in the front garden, but not much else. Gradually over the next few months the landscapers, with lots of badgering from us complete their work. Night time picture of address sign with fountain in backgroundOur House name Hawaain for “Oak House”Its December, the Saturday before Christmas and the landscapers finally complete all of their tasks. After nine pains taking months we could finally take their picture off the familly wall, after six months we thought they were part of the family, This picture shows the Front Gates dressed for Christmas.The Final Look with the Oak tree on the right (western side) taken at duskThanks to a passed on skill by sister Sue, Mandy’s now traditional Christmas bows are installedPots of Geraniums enjoying their new homeThe Front Entrance complete with Christmas bows and wreath on doorSouthern End of Library after we finally decide where the couches should be (for now at least)Library Shelving (and yes most books are well read)Library overviewLibrary, Entrance Hall, with doors to Master Bedroom (center)Northern End of LibraryEntrance Hallway looking back down towards the front doorMaster BedroomMaster suite with entrance to Ensuite and Walk in robe.A glimpse of the EnsuiteDressing Room (we now have equality in wardrobe space (Something the long suffering Mandy yearned for in our new home)Walk in robeWine Room off Entrance HallwayWine Room (stocked up, catalogued and ready to drink) Visitors welcome!This hallway leads to the garage entrance way, to left is a mini mud room in the form of cupboards to house winter jackets, shoes, scarfs etc. for us and visitorsGarage (a cosy place for the cars)Japanese Kitchen Cabinet Alcove complete with Father Christmas’sEntertainment area with Kitchen & Alfresco in the background decorated for ChristmasEntertainment unitDining areaKitchen (dressed for Christmas)Dining Area looking towards KitchenThe Walk In Pantry leads off the Kitchen and can be closed off if needed to hide the food storage and appliance areas. Picture shows Pantry entrance with Fridges and platter storage (yes we have food for visitors)Mandy’s Cookbook Library and desk (to the bottom left of picture)Appliance stationFood storage areaRoom for DisplayA forest elf spits water, the view from Pantry window at Mandy’s deskFamily Portrait Wall in the West Wing Hallway Leading to Guest BedroomGuest BedroomGuest BathroomThe Laundry Mistresses DomainWest Wing Hallway Leading to Study (Our California Print purchased on one of our trips to Mandy’s parents house)Tony’s Study (The Beatle Den) looking out to AlfrescoThe old bookcase from Sunnyspring fits into the study pefectly. A house is a house but with all our furnishings from Sunnyspring Oke Hale is now Home.Exercise RoomExercise RoomAlfresco Area CenterAlfresco Area Right (West)Alfresco Left (East)Christmas Lunch TableOutdoor Kitchen Looking out to DeckAlfresco Deck with Christmas lightsThe Lower back garden now planted out with bamboo along the back fence, our garden statues and lighting also came over from SunnyspringLooking back to where Tony’s workshop now stands at the western end of the lower rear garden.The Bluestone rock wall now planted out and adorned with terracotta pots of geraniums, perfect for our mediterranean climateWestern Side Utility Area with Wood Shed, Garden shed & Amanda’s veggie GardenWestern Side of House looking down towards workshop at the endEastern Side of House
We started this blog in a heat wave, after a brief respite the heat is back with a vengeance again today at 40c/110f to see us complete it. Together Mandy & I have experienced a whorlwind 16 months, a fast house build due to the builders effecient processes. A three month period of continuously ensuring that Sunnyspring was at her very best ready for open inspections and prospective buyer visits. A two week sorely needed holiday in Palm Cove (far north Quuensland), just after our delayed move to Oka Hale and a long drawn out period of landscaping and finishing touches by the builder.
All in all the experience was much like a rollercoaster lots of ups and downs with some pretty big highs but not to many lows. In the end we acheived our aim to downsize our living and outside space whilst reducing ongoing maintenance with the future in mind.
It is now January 2019 99% of the hardwork is behind us and we can enjoy watching Oka Hale settle into her surroundings while the garden grows arounds us and life goes back to a somewhat normal pace.
Happy New Year to all the our readers.
Hope to see you one day at Oka Hale, a little touch of Hawaii in the Hills of Adelaide.
