Let the Renovation begin ...

I am starting this blog to keep a record of our home renovations.  Since we have never embarked on something like this before we have no idea of what to expect or if we are making the right decisions.  What I have learned so far is that there are no universal "right decisions" and sometimes you just have to go with it and do what works best for your family.

At the beginning of this year we approached an architect with grand visions in mind.  It did not take long for me to understand that our very ordinary suburban home was not ever going to meet the vision in my head but we could certainly improve the space and make some much needed changes.  

The idea is to convert our small 3 bedroomed home into a 4 bedroomed home.  Our plans now boast 4 bedrooms as well as a tiny (I mean tiny) study and a undercover entertainment area.  Since we are not big on gardening we are happy to be using up most of our backyard to create our undercover living area.  This was in fact the main focus of our renovation initially. 

So, after getting some building quotations we realised that we would have to do this in 2 stages.  Firstly, due to the cost and secondly due to the fact that we will be living in our home during the renovation.  We also decided that we needed to update our exsisting living area.  We bought our house 9 years ago and the choice of finishings at the time were limited and very basic.  Although our home is a freestanding property it is situated in a secure housing estate and as such there are fairly strict rules about what you are permitted to do to your property.  I love and hate this at the same time.  We did consider moving rather than renovating but property in our estate is highly sought after and I love the security of the environment.  Most of the ouses have been built in closes.  There are 2 parks in the estate and we are directly opposite the one which gives the kids the freedom to "play in the street".

So, for now, we think this is the perfect place for us to be.  The builder will be arriving on Monday morning and renovation will begin ...  Wish us luck!