Christine's Cottage

[Christinex]

Hi,

I'm Christine, and I'm building a cottage in Perth (once I actually get the old one demolished, that's a process that is taking a very long time - I will actually have the cleanest demolition around if Mum has anything to do with it).

I'm building the Levin by Blueprint - its a small 3x2 that should be ample space for me and two dogs. while Mum won't be coming to live with me, some of the arguements, discussions and sulking over double glazing (vs aircraft noise reduction, I live under the downflight), buying furniture now, colour of rooves and gutters, size of windows (so she can start to make the curtains) have been pretty legendary. I'm hoping for third party input here!

So far (and everything is up for change until Pre-start), roof may be surfmist with matching guttering, facscia I'd like Ocean blue (or Ironstone) (that's another 'discussion'), who knows for the front door, limestone double bricks with Cera vynil floor planks inside (warm gold timber look), and hopefully white kitchen plus/minus blackish benchtop, with a reversal of those colours for the wet areas.

Getting to the starting point though is taking forever! Hopefully a plan has attached itself - changes to this were trading the garage into a carport so I could raise the ceiling height in the kitchen/living area, and the sink is moving around to the short bench. Most of the other changes were in things you cant see, like removing inside gas appliances (no sense of smell), and special glazing etc to reduce aircraft noise.

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Christinex what a lovely house. I agree with raising the ceilings- it makes such a difference. And you can always enclose the carport later and make it a garage. The only other change I would consider is to change the way the Ensuite door opens to the other way. That way the first thing you see won't be the toilet. You may want to then put a doorstop in the floor so someone doesn't open the door and smack into someone on the loo. But as you are living alone that probably isn't even an issue for you.

[Christinex]

Hi Julie-Ann, I didn't even think about looking at that door!

Mind you, mum has now gone thru and the latest suggestion is to move doors along in the bedrooms so that you can put shelving/drawers along those walls.

I will definately have to have a closer look at that.

the builders have also gotten back to me - there is a problem with setbacks and carports/garages - they did come up with suggestions as they know that i am keen to retain the ability to subdivde at a later date. they are drawing up their suggestions along with costings, so I guess I get to have a look at these later this month.

I am finding it hard - do I think of this cottage as being on a lovely large block and not worry too much about what happens when(if) I subdivide, or plan everything around where the fences (and gardens) are likely to be?

[Julie-Ann]

Christine I think you are totally on the right track by keeping the block so it can be subdivided easily. Otherwise your cottage needs to be knocked over and you have wasted the money you spent on the house.Plus you have to pay to knock over your cottage. When you subdivide the block how big will your part of the block be?

[Christinex]

Hi Julie-Ann,

Life's been a bit hectic - the builder called back and said there was a little problem - since they know I have subdivision later down the track in mind, I guess this comment has been following the plans.

The draft guy who had the job of final draft apparently does a lot of subdivision work - and brought up a problem. 1.- the setback needs increasing, 2. for subdivision there are a few conditions like 2 carspaces and an external storage shed and as the house currently stands, I would have problems with building on the R30 (which it currently is).

So they have drafted up a revised plan.

Oh bother. He took out everything that made the house fit my life. Even on the plan, it now looks pokey. And cramped. And if this had been the initial plan, I would have kept looking.

New plan attached.

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Christinex lovely to see you again. Thank goodness the chap picked up these errors now. It would have been terrible if you couldn't subdivide the property later. Have you considered doing the sub division now? I only say that as it would be terrible if the council rezoned where you are later and prevented the sub division. I think it costs about $3K and you get a specialist company to do it for you. That way you can be positive that you can sell off that block later.
The plan still looks good. What is it that you would prefer to add back in?

[Christinex]

Hi Julie-Ann,

The initial plan really did suit the way I live, and what I want to do:
- the inbuilt storage in bedrooms 1+2 has been cut in half, (I both collect books and do a lot of art/craft activities)
- the living room has been reduced in length - not good, as I wanted the length to give space for indoor dog training (the dogs think its playtime, I'm not telling them differently) and dog crates
- the island bench has gone - so half the kitchen storage has gone as well, as I won't be having cupboards above the bench space. Given I like my microwave on the benchtop, that leaves me with very little working space, or space to put shopping. I also tend to do most of my crafts in the kitchen, which made that island bench firstrate. Also, i wasn't planning on being in a hurry to buy a dining table, as the island bench was such a good replacement. Particularly as a dining table space is much more accessible to my younger dog who firmly believes in upholding his part in "God helps those who help themselves".
- the ensuite - is now a lot smaller - not good when you have dogs to trip over. My elder dog in particular seems to need to keep a very close eye on me if I am using the utilities - there just isn't enough room. The original had a lovely long wall which she would have used to lie against, leaving space for me to walk.
- the walk in wardrobe has that 'push-pull' space - but it cant really be effectively utilised as it has become part of the entrance
- the laundry likewise has lost built in storage space, and seems to have quite a wide walkway, but not quite big enough to put up cupboards
- the storeroom - really nice, but again, there is that push-pull space which can't be utilised as the door swings against it.

Picky, aren't I?

Mum and I are looking at both plans to see if we can't come up with a solution.

Interesting point - all of a sudden, Mum likes the first plan!

[Sooty]

That is nothing like the first plan, I'd be unhappy too

I would approach the council for advice, they may be willing to compromise on the 2 car garage, councils do have their rules but if something is not practical they may compromise if the other criteria are met. As you are considering double glazing for the flight noise there are other things you can consider to make the house more sustainable energy wise & that may go in your favour.

I know it would be far from ideal but if you do have to subdivide the block & you have to meet the current guidelines, I would sacrifice the bedroom for the garage over all the other changes he has made.

If that idea is not totally mad, I wonder if it would then be acceptable to have a single garage with storage down the side where it is extended to the boundary line? You still have parking in front of the garage. It seems wrong that you have to loose that wonderful kitchen & living space for space for 4 hypothetical large cars (2 in garage & 2 in front).

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Christinex there are a lot of changes on the new plan. Building is always about compromise but some compromises are hard to take.
Did you say you have to have a store room separate from the house? Can you not get rid of the store room on the plans? You could also put the toilet in the main bathroom which may add a tiny bit more space.