Hi ~ Am I CRaZy?

[Rellish61]

Hi all,

My name is Narelle and I am currently renovating a 33yr old 320sqm brick home. This is home to myself and my 26yr old Son and two daughters 16 and 10...Am I crazy
Its all coming along nicely, even though slow. so far most of the inside has been done, with new paint work. The home is 40 mtrs wide and sits on a 50 metre frontage.
When I bought her I called her the Grand Ole Lady...as she sits high and dry in a lovely neighbourhood.
Even tho this is my first reno, I have had 30yrs experience as a Florist and worked with some wonderful designers. I no longer work with flowers, but like the challenge renovating brings, I love colour and Timber. My home was built in an era when all the timber was hardwood, so it has areas of beautiful timber floors.
I am looking forward to learning from all here and also sharing when I can.
I am in the middle of writing a book about my life and have been asked to Co-Author in another Inspirational book...God is good

[Julie-Ann]

You sound perfectly sane to me but then you are probably asking the wrong people. Your house sounds magnificent. I am looking to see photos of your home. And to have all those wonderful traditional detail already there. We built a traditional style home and had to pay a small fortune for the detail.
Do your kids help out with the renovating or are you doing all this hard work yourself?
I have a fascination with tablescapes at the moment. Next dinner party I hope you will give me some tips. I need to create a pretty table to distract from the average food I cook

[Rellish61]

Will post some pics when some more work is done on the outside...at present the soffits and facias are being painted (Bamboo wood) and the features are being painted (Hot Tamarillo) so should be quite striking when finished. Also the front patio has the original metal work, I was thinking of replacing with large thick timber posts, but have decided to have it sand blasted and will be painting it black this will also add a different look as the metal work is still in great condition, just never been painted properly. My cousin is a builder and he has done most of the work on the house with the help of my son. Has saved me a fortune is wages. I have transfomed the house from a large 3 bedroom & office into a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom/toilets and 1 kitchen and a kitchenette. Everything about this home is large...
Will look forward to giving some suggestions for your table. I love getting real apples and spraying them Gold or Silver and adding these to either small very modern arrangements of flowers or placing as a collection on a bed of small pebbles with candles...the apples can be pierced with skewers to add to arrangements of flowers...and it certainly is a talking peice. Hope that has helped a little, if you need any more help...please dont hesitate to ask.

[Julie-Ann]

How lucky to have relatives who can help you out. It sounds like a labour of love renovating this house.
The apples are a great idea.They would look so eye catching. I will post when I am in a hostessing mood again- thanks