Bamboo Blinds and House Update

We are now getting to the pointy end of the renovation, when I am having to make rushed and panicked decisions and the budget seems to be spiralling out of control and I feel like my head is going to explode! It's 6pm and I'm already half way through a bottle of wine! 

I'm an impatient, cranky, irritable mother, a testy wife and generally unpleasant to be around! I have said it before and no doubt I'll say it again - I want my life back!

This is when things become dangerous and the results threaten to diminish. All the trades are coming in and out so quickly trying to finish off, and I am having to produce things and make decisions on the spot and then I don't have the luxury of time to spend on research and quotes (say 3 months for lights, and about the same for taps) in this pressure cooker of a renovation.

Pool cabana is coming along nicely

Pool waterline tiling nearly done

This tile is amazing. It is pearlescent/metallic and takes on different tones depending on the light

Best part is that it absorbs heat during the day and glows at night! Disco cool.

Deck fencing coming along. 

Today I regretfully cancelled my beautiful aqua bamboo pattern Kravet wallpaper, not only because I had pressure from the builder to decide if I was going to do a tiled wall behind the bath or the original timber paneling but due to budget constraints. Feeling the pressure from all sides I gave in and agreed to have a tiled wall behind the bath and skirting and just paint the walls, although my original vision had been to have white painted timber paneling, aqua bamboo pattern wallpaper with my bamboo inspired light fitting from the US. But this is not to be. Plus I am saving about $480 on the wallpaper and $1100 on the hanging. So at least there's a plus. But my disappointment is huge. This is where I feel the dream is starting to slip away and I am making compromises just to get the wretched house finished.

The builder and the painter seem to be clashing about who is making more mess, the plumber has declared that he can't fit my latest 3 sets of imported taps from the US because they have come fitted to a bridge which has to be mounted behind the gyprock, so that's a waste of about $780. In haste, I rushed out a bought the first taps I could find at Bunnings. Can you believe it - talk about the sublime to the ridiculous! Someone has scratched my newly revealed marble vanity top and the marble tiles in the bathroom are looking worse for wear. In summation, today I'm over it.

On a brighter note, I am starting to think about blinds and window coverings. My husband turned up his nose when I suggested this, so I thought I'd better find some inspiration images to convince him. Along with my original sisal dream I have wanted to put bamboo or matchstick blinds in some of the rooms. Certainly the library with my RL inspired scheme. They go perfectly with all shades of blue, and I'm using plenty of blue in this house.

via Katie Rosenfeld Design

Thomas Pheasant

via Home Bunch

Lynn Morgan Design

via Lonny

via The Lennoxx

via Living Livelier

Sara Gilbane

via Traditional Home

via The Enchanted Home

Only problem is that I imagine they let quite a lot of light in, so perhaps not ideal for a bedroom if you want complete darkness and I may have to add curtains.

So now I just need to source them and get some quotes. Anybody have a good supplier of bamboo blinds?

I was passing by Adairs yesterday and this bedhead caught my eye. It only comes in a queen, which doesn't suit me, but I thought it was a nice dark brown timber and perfect for a coastal or country setting.