Aluminium v's wooden windows?

So after reading a fellow bloggers site "french doors and verandahs" I have really started thinking about my  windows and doors.

So far we are getting quotes on all our windows to be double hung aluminium

These are a Trend product and I really like that they look like wooden windows and have that very fine detail at the top.

Ours would be white and if we purchased wooden windows I would have them painted white as well!  So does it really matter if they are aluminium?
My only concern is that our exterior will be weather boards not brick! will this effect the "look"

Also remember that the windows are an absolute focal point of the house. Being on 25acres you will see every window when you walk around the outside.  All the windows will be sheltered from by a verandah with an awning on the west wall.

Oh I love these as an internal door as well! what do you think

Oh decisions decisions

xx

Not Gone I promise

Well many who have built before have said how it is a frustrating slow process!!! guess what they are not wrong.

We are still very much moving toward the new build... just need to fix a few minor things on our current house, sell it, pack up and then undertake a minor exercise of moving our small family interstate!

So when I have our first quote back I will fill you in on some of the details..

I have a feeling I am going to have to compromise on some of my "ideas"

What should I compromise on and what should I dig my heels in and demand?? suggestions please

Laneway love

(image thanks to realestate.com.au)

We have a laneway down to our block and I would love it to resemble something like this xx

At the moment there are a couple of old gums on the side of the lane which I would like to keep but I really want to plant some Maples along the lane as well.

They will provide some gorgeous colour in Autumn

Let cook!

Sorry if I have been a bit absent, but I have been finishing off some Uni assignments to finish my Masters!  Yippee!!!!  So the normal distractions whilst studying have enabled me to come across these 2 magnificent creatures.  Thank God the internet was not as accessible when I was in high school I would have failed for sure :)

Oh I think I might be in LOVE xx

I think I would love this double gas/electric SMEG free standing oven, I am also quite keen on the oven below as well!

Does anyone own and cook with one of these ovens?  I heard a rumour that OMEGA is the cousin of SMEG and are often half the price with all the same running gear just the aesthetics are slightly different!

Either way I want something like this in my kitchen!  Listen to me I sound like a small child wanting ice cream.  Hmm I bet they are a pretty price as well!  Anyone know of a good wholesaler in Melbourne who sells direct to the public?

Happy Sunday 

xx

Slow off the mark!

Well you may find it hard to believe but I have just fallen in love with IKEA

So we are currently living in the NT and we do not have IKEA!  What the I hear you say?

True True.  So you can only imagine my amazement when I came across these beauties for $30 bucks each! Yes you read right $30 bucks each

Ok my next question is should I buy them and store them away for a rainy day? I am such a sucker for a a bargain.

1st Plan!!!!

Today we received our first official plan!  So no doubt we will be mulling over it on the weekend.

Oh my gosh it is so much bigger than the house we own at present.

It looks like with verandahs/deck included we will have near on 40sq under roof.  Is this too big!  I really have no idea but I do not want to compromise on the decking/verandahs around the house.

It will be interesting to see what the costings come out at! Hopefully within our budget :)

Looks like only a few small changes to make and one of these will the addition of a mud room as we enter in from the carport/garage.  I think we could potentially half the size of the butlers pantry to accommodate this as I like the idea of dumping dirty shoes and school bags prior to traipsing through the house.

Alright off to bed to dream about my dream house
xx

Rough Plan

So this is a bit of a sketch of an idea for our house plans.

What is our style?  Well I am in love with the house that A-M built and so I think this leans me toward French? Hamptons? = not sure HELP!,  but I suppose on 25 acres we are hoping to achieve a country farm house look! Wide Verandahs on 3 sides with lots of light/windows/french doors/bifolds on the north facing wall in the kitchen/living area

So we have been looking at using a weatherboard exterior such as James Hardie Sycon Linea product http://scyon.com.au/linea.html
Thoughts??