Yep, we know, it's We had a few weeks clear in Bear Cottage. so we decided to make some changes.....well, quite a few really. Then the job grew. As usual Tim took on most of the work. Some help from family too which was great. We have long wanted to take out the corner wall of the kitchen and spread some paint around. Then there was the new cornice  to go up.  As usual it started with a very big mess and then got even messier. We knew there would be some remedial work because the house was cut in half back in 1986 and put back together by the previous owner. One could say the work they did was a bit rough but that might not fully describe it. Let's just say there are a lot less bend, bounce, squeak and twist than there was before.

All the external walles were stripped aswell. they were then insulated toy keep everyone warmer. This revealed more remedial work that was needed for the frame of the house. Oh, the frame, It's all Australian Oak hardwood.  After about 80 years of seasoning, boy is it hard!
More to come

All painted We reckon you won't want to see the video of the paint drying so we'll save you that experience so here is are few photo's of the finished work.

This is the 2nd Bedroom. We finally found a set of bunk beds that fit the room on the end wall. That, together with "Parliament" hinges fitted to the door enabling it to swing back onto the wall, there's now much more room in this bedroom as well.  

2nd bedroom. Now with no bed in front of the window blocking the view and now the new work on the window really shows off.

2nd bedroom again.

3rd bedroom treatment. For those who have stayed here before you can plainly see the extra room you have for your next visit. 

3rd bedroom from the other end. It is so good to have finally got this work done. Seeing the last of that peeling  paint is such a great feeling. 

  We're going to take you back to the renovations again In Nanna's Rose Cottage. The job just kept on going. With the Covid thing stretching further than anyone expected, it was decided to go further.
  We had some axminster carpet that we discovered in an antique shop some years ago which was in amazing condition. It's like new. There's almost no wear on it. Although we would've preferred a bit more colour in it we couldn't leave it behind. Anyway, we decided since the cottage is in such a mess while the renovation work was being done then we should take the opportunity and have the carpet laid and give the cottage a great new look.
  We just happen to know a fellow that lays carpet and polishes timber floors so a quick call and it was on.  It took Peter 4 and a half days! We've got to say he was very pleased to see the back of the job but also felt a great sense of satisfaction with the finished product. There was a lot of head scratching and joining ​that had to be done. We were amazed at the finish and pattern matching he achieved. Thanks to you Peter Taylor.
  The carpet feels so great under your feet. Perhaps you really should come for a visit. Tim and Pam would love to meet you all..

Lounge through to the main bedroom.

Bain bedroom.

Passage looking from the lounge room.

​Mosquito orchids_Acianthus pusillus 2020/08/10

​Mosquito orchids_Acianthus pusillus 2020/08/10

​Mosquito orchids_Acianthus pusillus 2020/08/10

​Slaty Helmet Orchid Corybas incurvus 2020/07/15

Slaty Helmet Orchid Corybas incurvus 2020/07/15

​Veined helmet orchid (syn Corysanthes diemenica) 2020/07/15

​​Veined helmet orchid (syn Corysanthes diemenica) 2020/07/15

​​Veined helmet orchid (syn Corysanthes diemenica) 2020/07/15

Tim's always happy when there's wood to be showcased. Starting with Australian Oak colonial style skirting and architrave's. Then we had to get a few Blackwood boards out of some logs so sadly (haha) it was onto the Lucas Mill. What a fabulous Australian made machine. It's so versatile and easy to use. It was tricky work to sort out the best way to cut so we had butterfly matched pieces and to rebate the underside of each one to fit snugly over the window frame (see the second pic). The face of the ledges couldn't be any more than 5 mm thick so the window winder could still function properly. That done it's onto preparing the ledges and a lot of tinkering to get a nice fit. We love this look, with the natural edge disappearing into the wall and the top ledge to match. 
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Australian Oak Skirts and arch's had to be prep'd and then stained and varnished.

Then it was on to the saw mill and rebate the back of some blackwood boards. ready to turn into window ledges. We needed 3 sets.
​Pssst. Check out the view.

 2 sets of Blackwood ledges for the 3rd bedroom ready to fit.

The other 3rd bedroom window treatment. 

Just incase you're wondering why we bent one of the ledges you can see here that the bunk bed had to fit. Another quirky feature from Tim.

Finished 2nd bedroom window treatment.

2nd bedroom Blackwood window ledge.

Fixed the dents, knocks and stuff in the plaster, then the holes from shifting the walls and door. Then it was time to fit the decorative cornice. Roses again to match the main bedroom. 

Tim gets a great deal of satisfaction in making the patterns  match at the corners. 

Then of course paint the ceiling and cornice.

 It has been very gratifying to to get the work done in Rose Cottage.  As some of you may know we do almost all the work ourselves. This makes it more personal and allows us to achieve a greater individuality with the cottages. Here are some more pictures of what we've done in Rose Cottage.
The next thing we did in the 3rd bedroom was to remove all the skirting and architraves. The original door jam and window was kept and stripped back to reveal beautiful Jarrah timber which was unexpected. These were then varnished. Then we went to the Lucas sawmill and pulled out a suitable blackwood log and cut the window ledges. Using butterfly matching pieces the job was even more special. This work is very unique. Our aim is to provide a very unique, quirky experience for you when you come and stay for your holly. 

The blackwood window ledges showing the rebate to fir them in over the frames.

Window ledges ready to install.

The garden is as beautiful as ever.  Always plenty to see and it keeps us busy. There's a flower popping out every day somewhere or other. We are so blessed to live on this amazing place. You know; if you wanted to come and stay we'd love to show you around. 

We've been delving into the past a bit lately and came across our old pics of the place and thought we'd share the difference with all our loyal followers. We've been here since March 1994 (wow!) Hoodathunkt! So as you all can see there's a bit of difference. Still it is 25 years! Bear cottage has been operating since 1997 and Rose since 2007. Here are some before and after pic's for your enjoyment.