chez joy update...

It's been a week of massive changes my friends. We've decided that moving in to my mum's place sooner rather than later will free up the budget considerably and will also allow us to be on the spot when all the building chaos begins.
{insert deep breath} 
A couple of boxes have been packed, numerous bags of clothes have been donated to Anglicare and everytime I think about the task ahead I want to go stick my head under the doona.
{A side note....I can't believe how chunky I look at the moment! Summer is rapidly approaching and I am soooo not ready. I've been comfort eating and my goodness does it show. Arghhhh. Hoping all this hyperactivity will distract me from food. Fingers and toes!}

 Here's the latest sketch of the rear of the house:

Unfortunately, I didn't quite snap the entire facade with my phone, but the room on the right is repeated on the left also.

The floor plan is shaped in a big U with the "great room" in the middle with the exposed white beams etc that we love.  We're hoping it's going to look much like this:

Minus the marlin sculpture.

KITCHEN UPDATE:

Despite the fact that not one sod of ground has been turned, I have of course spent much time deliberating online and with my head in books regarding kitchen finishes etc.

Thank you so much for your help regarding the kitchen colours and floorboards.

Due to your superior interior design sensibilities, I feel quite confident that white cabinetry, dark slate grey {or perhaps black} countertops with dark floorboards is the way ahead.

Seriously, couldn't have done it without you.

I've also developed quite an intense love for subway tile splashback with grey grout.

Per here:

I like to think of it as pre-stained.  

Look what Dave picked for the kitchen sink:

He's so funny.  Dave's not particularly fussed with interior design or decor, but when he sees something he really likes, that's it...he's made up his mind.  I would have loved to have chosen something like this, but would have assumed that it would have been a definite "NO" from him.  Say what you will about me, but I married a great guy.

Happily for us, we also have the assistance of my friend Kate, who is cleverly disguised as our practice manager, but is in actual fact a style guru for all things interior and a demon on Google.  She and I are burning up the email between the office and home.  Dave is thrilled at our productivity.....as you can imagine.

Don't even get us started on lights....

Love you more than yum cha,

Meredy xo