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The unit has drawer runner attached to it so it pulls out almost completely but the runners stop it from coming right out. They also fix it to the wall so it can't tip over. It's very stable...

I've slowed down a fair bit lately - even taken time off to read a book, look at the view, go for walks. But there are still some things to finish.

This was the last thing I posted - tiling the...

The only timbers connected to the container steel were the top plates of the walls. Bottom plates were fixed to the ply timber floors. So the framing wouldn't be impacted by any expansion/contraction...

A few more 'Then and Now photos:
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Thanks Ray. I think having a fairly detailed plan (and model) of what I wanted helped a lot right throughout the building stages.

Because I stuck to the original plan, only deviating when it...

I am still plodding along getting some of the little tasks done such as random gap filling, building the pull-out pantry and planning the main pantry and bathroom cupboard (so I can order all the...

Exactly as you described! To get neat inside corners you need the overrun on the back to allow for the blade curve. Luckily I watched a YouTube clip of a tile cutter doing this! ( I woulda been...

I spent ages planning where power outlets would go. I wasn't originally going to have one above the kitchen bench as the coffee machine and toaster are only there temporarily while I build the mini...

My Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair has found its rightful place now the bedrooms have their carpet.
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By no means an adventurous choice, the 'Peppered Borneo' (truly - that's its name!!) is...

Yes the wheels (there's 4!) could be useful. Until I finish the pantry and mini butlers pantry I haven't settled on the island's final position.

I took a scrap of container wall off-cut to the...

Cheers Ray!

Busy couple of weeks with lots of painting done. Once the hallway was painted I set about reinstalling the sliding container panel barn door.
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The red colour of the door is the same as the...

Agreed - this wouldn't work in most locations. Also it is a CGI - there is no provision for rain dispersal/collection on the roof, even the kitchen floor is unfinished!!

That is what I've found...

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

When this is done I don't think I'll want to pick up even a hammer for a year or two!!

I do need a studio/workshop - but I'll wait until I can afford to buy a shed and...

They used to be. But now many of them seem to be quite used to me being inside the house. They understand the difference between inside and outside. If I was to walk out onto the deck they'd run!
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Once the lounge cupboards were done, I was able to fill them with stuff that was cluttering up the lounge.
(Most of my tools are now temporarily in one of them).
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And then I put up the...

Yes, the temperature fluctuations are crazy! A couple of weeks ago we had top of 36 deg and then a top of 17 the following day! So far it has been a very mild summer and I'm mot complaining -...

Well a month has passed by quickly. I have been busy working every day but there is not a huge amount to show.

School thankfully finished for Summer 2 weeks ago so I have more time (and energy)...

In the past 10 days since my last post I haven't managed to get a huge amount done. Four of those days were teaching (and a day at school is way more exhausting than 8 hours labouring on the house -...

Thanks Ray, Paul and Matt.

I had to laugh - as I was reading your comment I was like 'Yup...Yup, me too.. same here"!! I have exactly the same situation as you down to the crap mitre saw and the uncertain 45 deg click! And my...

As mentioned int the previous post, I had been sleeping in the guest room while I plastered, sanded and painted the main bedroom:
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A strip of sand paper taped to my plastering blade made a...

It is such a small kitchen everything is almost in arms reach from the one spot! Once the coffee machine and toaster have been moved, I will have bench space between the sink and stove plus the...

That would put the fridge right in the middle of the space linking the lounge/dining to the kitchen! so..umm NO!

Also that is where the kitchen island is going.

Thanks for the suggestion but...

Three and a half weeks living here and I'm loving the quiet (except for the occasional distant cow conversations)

Solar is holding up exceptionally well. First time I used the oven during the...

Just watched a youtube clip by Vancouver Carpenter (he has mainly plastering vids) where he compared the flat to the curved trowel.
Flat Trowel vs Curved Trowel (Drywall Trowels) - YouTube

Like...

Hey look - I just discovered how to make the pix bigger!! Now you don't have to click on them to see the details!!:U

One of my knives resting on my level:
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Straight as!!

Perhaps they sell different types - mine are all like this! Though I can imagine them developing a slight bow after a lot of use....

Thanks 419, I am also not a good painter - though much better now having had to do so much!
Like you, I now paint skirts etc before installation though that was not always the case. Lots of my...

None of the plaster knives I own have a curve in them. They are ultra thin metal blades that allow you to create a curve when feathering the plaster. I don't think I'd like to use a blade with a...

Hi Arron - changes to the regulations (they are ALWAYS changing!!) means, at least in NSW, that the terms "Interim Occupation Certificate" and "Occupation Certificate" no longer apply and it is all...

Thanks Paul - at last I can see the finish in sight! Re: solar - as you would know, it isn't a 'one size fits all' and so far I have now been living here for more than a week, with a mixture of...

Hey EF - yup totally off grid!

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When I first bought the land I had no toilet - so a tree windbreak was a temporary substitute! But within a few weeks I found this chemical camping toilet...

The electricians came on Monday and finished all of the electrical work. All of the lights, switches and power-points are operational and so too is the hot water tank. (Electric heat pump)

The...

Because I painted the skirting before I siliconed it where it meets the tiles, the tiny gap was big enough for the blade to slide a little underneath. Didn't have any issues with leaking paint! It...

Thanks Bas - unfortunately he works the 7th day too!! But for about the first time I can see the finishing line.

The plumber returned today and installed all the kitchen, bathroom vanity, toilet, shower and laundry tub plumbing. It is all usable now (except the shower which needs the hot water tank electrical...

That's the same reason I have gone for timber floor in the kitchen - drop any glass or ceramics on a tiled floor and it's gone plus a possible cracked or chipped floor tile!!

Bathroom is moving along.

Screed down:
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Floor tiles:

Hey r3nov8or - good to see you on here.

A builder told me that shadowline edges are not more popular because of the extra time and money involved in putting them in. I have a lot of the former and...

Good question! They are clamping 2 pieces of aluminium forming the edge of the sloping floor into the shower. The glue between them wasn't completely dry when he wanted to waterproof. The clamps were...

Quick update - working away steadily as usual on lots of little things mainly taping/plastering, putting up some fibre cement panels on the ceilings outside, ceiling battens (yes my delivery finally...

I'm still waiting for the order mentioned in the previous post - over 3 weeks now so I have no batten clips or insulation to finish the lounge room ceiling.

Bu there is still plenty to go on with....

I've already planted I think around 180 natives (I'm not having any non-natives on my property except food plants), and have mainly been planting flowering gums, large and small grevillea, banksia,...

Main bedroom ceiling now sheeted. I'm running low on insulation for the lounge/dining ceiling so have ordered more along with other odds and ends (doors for the hall cupboard, door reveals for the...

Last 4 days at the house (2 were in the classroom!) since my last post and I managed to get the kitchen ceiling up. The battens certainly made it easier to put the insulation in.
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Yes Meier likes his grids! I was actually inspired by Mies van der Rohe the Barcelona Pavilion and especially Farnsworth House.

I chose shipping containers as I'd never built anything before and...

With the long weekend over I realised that I have now been working 7 days a week for 2 years straight except for 3 days off for Christmas (the one before last!) No wonder some mornings are hard to...

Thanks Basil! :D Yes Hardie Easylap. I'm really happy with it.

Hi ErrolFlynn - Yes - I hired a Franna crane to lift the containers = when it arrived I didn't think it was big enough for the job but it made light work of it!
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The concrete...