Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The Deck is Complete!

After 6 weekends of some serious hard labour, lots of sweat and thankfully no blood or tears, the deck is complete! We ran into a few little issues we had to try and solve, and putting in the last 3cm board next to the house was a challenge, but we got there in the end! We now need to wait another couple of weeks for the wood to weather before we clean and stain it...although I'm not sure how much 'weathering' it will get under the roof line!





The further along into the project we got, the worse (bowed) the boards became and the harder it was to get them straight and onto the deck ties...but we got there in the end. I'm now on the search for a nice double door mat and a couch and coffee table.

So, what's next on the 'to do list'?

I have had a quote for 17 white plantation shutters for most of the windows, but I am yet to organise a proper check measure (Easter got in the way!), and I am about to paint a 3 drawer bedside table I picked up for $5 from the Flinders Market 2 years ago for my Son's bedroom. I am looking for the perfect drawer pulls to use as handles, but am not having much luck finding them. I don't want gold nor shiny silver, but a matt blackish colour, and cannot locate anything suitable. If you can suggest anywhere please let me know!

I am also going to paint a couple of old stained baltic pine book cases in white. Holly from Life In The Fun Lane has inspired me completely! I also have a 2 drawer bedside table given to me which I will do 'something' with eventually, but I don't think they will look as amazing as Holly's pieces.

I am also going to 'attempt' to make a buttoned ottoman to use as a coffee table in the lounge room. I have been doing some online research and don't think it should be too hard (well, no harder than completely DIYing a deck...). I have seen some people create them out of coffee tables by adding foam and quilters wadding to the table, but I might start from scratch with a pine frame, MDF top and bought furniture legs. I have located an upholsterers in Melbourne where I can acquire some supplies, but I just have to find the perfect powder blue velvet (my lounge room accent colour) to use as the top.

I'll keep you posted!

7 comments:

The House That A-M Built said...

Oh it's just perfect.... such quality workmanship! You must be over the moon! Take a look at Equator Homewares...email me if you like anything. You sound 'happy busy'... such wonderful projects! A-M xx

Miss Vintage said...

It looks so great - Very well finished, you should both be very proud. Now onto oiling, I would reccomend avoiding getting it into your hair, mine went a funny shade of orange last week and its still not the same as before!

Anonymous said...

Stormy, your deck is absolutley fabulous. It looks like a tradesman did it. No! BETTER !!! lol.

So lucky to have such a clever DH & all the money saved - yippee!

stormygirl said...

Thank you A-M! I'll have a look at the link and let you know if I find anything! Very busy with lots of projects wanting to get done, but finding time is tricky at the moment...

Thank you Miss Vintage! I have decking oil already on my old clothes as I oiled all the underside of every board before we started, and in between every join during the build. I will make sure I keep my hair well out of the way when cutting in all the edges (that's my job), Hubby gets the easy part with the roller/pad thingy!

Thank you Southies! Thre are a few bits that are not perfect, but once all furnished it will be fine...I hope! Shame we finished it just as the weather has turned and day light savings ended...oh well! ;-)

Kek said...

Ugh! Bowed decking planks are the pits! I played assistant during the construction of our small portico deck and it drove us NUTS. It looks great though, well done! Never mind about the seasons changing - you'll get lots of use out of it next summer. Meanwhile, back to decorating indoors... ;o)

For handles, have a look at this eBay seller:

http://shop.ebay.com.au/homestylish_08/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

there might be something you like.

Kek said...

Oh, or this one:

http://shop.ebay.com.au/thehardwareco/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

stormygirl said...

Many thanks for the links Kek! I went to (believe it, or not) "Knobs and Knockers" in Hampton yesterday and found the perfect ones...except they didn't have any in stock. I went to "Recollections" on the way home and they had 3 AND cheaper!! I also found that the double front door mat I have been after (with 3 Fleur de lys) were on sale so I will order 2 on Monday!! I also found the perfect silver armillary globe which I might have to buy too...