We have even been inspected and passed the test for an interim certificate of occupancy! I stress the word interim. It doesn't mean the work is finished (by a long stretch) but it does mean it is safe and sufficient for people to stay there, which will be incredibly useful as we enter the final stages in the next few weeks.
The horrendous Newcastle storms (cyclonic and resulting in devastation across the city) certainly tested out the fabric of the building, and I'm pleased to report that it came through unscathed.
We lost the eastern side fence, with the posts being ripped out of the brickwork that was holding them in place. Fortunately one of the carpenters saw it and with blocks of wood and lots of rope (and the base of a Moreton Bay fig) managed to secure it so that it could do no damage to our building or the car park (or cars) on the other side of the fence!
Inside was making good progress though, despite almost two weeks of inactivity because of the fallen trees, lack of power and the floods!
I just checked where we were up to when I last posted a blog and it's good to look back and realise that we have indeed made progress.There's still lots of fine tuning bits to do (and a few major jobs), but it really feels like a house now. As soon as we get real access, we will be in there with the oil to treat all the cedar - architraves, window sills, skirtings etc.
The floorboards of the upstairs corridor and rooms have been polished and wow! The photos don't really do them justice but here are a few photos from upstairs to show the rooms, the finish, the floorboards, lights...and even functioning bathrooms (almost)....
The rescued floorboards in our master suite have come up really well and we are so pleased we saved them - if only we had been able to save more!!
The painting is finished, the lights work, the wardrobes are in (though not finished), almost ready to move in!!!
..and our glorious travertine ensuite with massive shower.
The arch bedroom has an arched fireplace to match , and also its washbasin - now with taps!
...and new but fantastic polished flooring..wide boards as it would have been back when...
The rear verandah has coach lamps and the floors are sanded ready for polishing...
...and the stairs to the verandah have their original conformation, and repaired and sanded boards.
We actually managed to rescue all of the steps and risers, though there are new manufactured noses (Barker Stairs craftsmanship)
While at this stage the balustrades and banister were still in the workshop, once everyone had recovered from the Newcastle cyclone and the power was back in, the staircase made another big leap forward.....
...ready for the french polisher who will shellac the balustrading and banisters to protect all that beautiful cedar. The balustrades are copies of the originals that were in the house, based on the one fuzzy photo from a newspaper clipping! More Barker stairs craftsmanship on display!
ok, so that has got us to downstairs...next post for a few pics of that!! Maybe tomorrow.
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