The study brief

Overview: Utilising an quirky space to house a study for the entire family. Storage of important files, craft, stationary and laptops.

Dimensions:

Length: 4300mm

Depth: 1300mm

Height: 2840mm

Plan so Far:

To build a long desk 4300mm by 450mm along the wall under the window. Install wall cupboard units above the window. Paint walls. Reseal floor. Door installation. Wallpaper feature wall with matching inlay to cupboards. Blinds. Office seats to suit children and adults.

The desk:

We have requested quotes for two desks so far. First is using a recycled timber desk top made to our dimensions by a local company and for us to attach desk legs. This is perhaps the cheaper choice however it appears that the leg design at our disposal are limited with the desk being so narrow. We wan to have a table leg which limited the obstruction of your legs such as this one:

We have also asked for a quote at http://www.industriax.com.au/ who construct the table with steel frame, incorporating a C box leg in the middle and sustainable ash timber strained in the colour of our choice. This company can also make us matching study chairs and stools at our height specification to suit our multi age usage. We can have the steel any colour within the powder-coat range all 86 of them.

Colour:

We want to room to promote a mood to creativity and focus for both children and adults a like. The wall paper will be a green base while the rest of the room will be painted a seed pearl white.

Storage:

Using a range of kitchen cupboards to utilise the space to a maximum.

Appointment with the Architect

Michael love to discuss how we can develop our home, well at least I do and he listens. We had been debating if we should swap the location of the bathroom and kitchen or if we should renovate and put on an extra level. Having scanned the internet for ideas and read lots of books I decided to book a consultation with a local Architect. Antony arrived and looked through the house with curiosity and wonderment- perhaps a little too rehearsed for our liking. After an hour of discussion and questions from Michael and I the consult ended. In reflection it was worth having a third party who confirmed to us what we had speculated on:

Yes we could go up and put on another 2 small rooms or master and on suite but would get rid of living area and new deck to "start again"

We could extend down our block to create more living space but would have very little garden left

Michael and decided that we might practice with a smaller project to start with before tackling the "renovation"so our family study is room 1.

Childrens Novel list 2011

Treasure Island (jan)

The Narnia Series (Jan-May)

The Secret Garden (to start again soon)

The Hobbit (June)

The faraway tree (July)
The railway children (September)
ErAgon (October)
Elder(current)

Winter

Winter brings to our household a time to slow down. We are all sleeping longer overnight and relish warm cuddles in bed come morning. Ambrose is only 3 months and it lovely to snuggle with a baby in bed to keep warm. Matilda and Felix long for winter as they are winter babies who celebrate their birthdays in August. Our seasonal table reflects the cool and refreshing whites of winter. The garden is now sown with bulbs which have slowly pocked up through the garden beds. The leaves of the large trees surrounding our home are falling thick and fast and the crisp winter light fills the backyard and streams into our windows. The chickens are moulting and have fresh plumage pushing through while egg production slows. The soil is cool and my gardening urges are held back waiting for spring.

Nighttime

Laughter fills our household with Ambi learning to laugh. His chuckle is irresistible and we all tickle him just to hear it again and again. The normal question from everyone seems to always includes his sleeping habits. I am scared to tell people as I don't want to ostracize those with normal babies. My first two babies were normal, waking to feed 2-3 times a night which can feel like hard work and make nights hard work. I hated sleep talk (and still do) as it becomes the only thing people want to talk about Ambrose is a sleeper so will wake up to feed once or not at all at night. If I am exploding with milk I will force feed him rather than get the breast pump out. The wonders of cosleeping mean I have never got out of bed between 10 pm and 5am since giving birth to my baby boy.

Muffins

Step 1 add dry ingredients

Step 2 crack in egg and remove shell
Step 3 appologies to brother after hitting him with the wooden spoon
Step 4 try not to lick the spoon when mum is not watching
Step 5 fill all muffin cases with mixture leaving lots in the bowl so that licking the bowl will fill me up
Step 6 pop muffins in oven clean up and go play

ay.

2 months old today

Smiles are flashing to his brother, sister, Tata, Babcia and mother. Ambrose is amused by the constant battles of his siblings. He enjoys sleeping in his hammock during he day and sleeping beside Michael and I during the evenings. I am in love with a rolly polly lovely baby aaaaaah