Week 3


We were blessed with even better weather for most of the week, and the builders seemed adamant to make up time lost early in the construction due to bad weather. Working some days passed their usual 3 pm knock off time, they are really to be commended for their determination to keep to their project schedule.

The final work on floors to finish the installation of joists, plywood and waterproof membrane happened earlier in the week, and it was by far the noisiest piece of work to date. All the hammering resulted in a minor issue with some cornice loosening in the boys bedroom which put to good use the drop sheets we placed over their beds and belongings. No biggie, as the cornices and ceiling in this space is to be replaced anyway. The carpenter came in and checked it didn't become a safety issue, and to my delight also swept up any dust and debris!



Installation of the frames and roof trusses was a major milestone midweek. It felt so good watching it go up and the kids and I have looked on in awe every morning since, when leaving for the school drop off. It is looking more like an actual structure, rather than just tarp covering our original roof line. The frames can be seen all the way down the street, and from around the corner! It really makes me appreciate the new aspect we will have from the upper floor, not to mention all the fireworks displays from the surrounding sports parks we will get to view from a new heightened aspect.



We are lucky to have nothing but a sports field and reserve directly behind our property, and most of our neighbours next door, across the road and in the neighbouring street have mature trees. We are really looking forward to experiencing a new 'tree' aspect from upstairs, especially one of our neighbours beautiful jacaranda trees overhanging in our backyard. If she ever decided to cut that beauty down, I think we would be utterly devastated! In spring and summer it is one of our favourite colours in the backyard. We planted a Chinese elm tree a couple of years ago to compliment the colours, and when it shows its burnt orange heart-shaped leaves, the display just transforms the backyard.

Other trades came and went this week, including the plumbers to install the plumbing stack pipes, and the sparky to do some wiring, so it was a busy week at No.33, with work completed to lots of sunshine, friendly tradie banter, and the sounds of 104.1 2DayFM :-)



On the weekend, we snuck on up to the first floor and explored the space with just the frames up. It's surreal walking around up there, and the tree aspect is better than we could have imagined.

Watch this space next week as the exterior cladding in cottage grey surrounds the frame, and colonial bar windows in white, gets installed to complete the modern farmhouse exterior.

images: Shelley Stephens for Little Elm House

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