We are in love with our cabinet maker. I think that title doesn't do him justice - he is an artist - and passionate with it. He uses reclaimed and recycled wood to make custom made furniture and in our case - kitchens and vanities. He is very thoughtful and considerate in his design work and is open to ideas, with some discussion and the tempering of fantasy with practical realities. Here is some of his handiwork. We've been told the stories of the wood and where it all came from. I can point out to you the Tasmanian blackwood (forming the drawer handles) that once graced the halls of a guesthouse in Leura, the ex-work station laminated board on the bottom of the drawers comes from Katoomba Centrelink offices and the white shelving from Leura chemist - he's based in the Blue Mountains you see. My pull out tea towel hanger once served as a tie hanger in some gentleman's wardrobe. The kitchen is just about finished - we just need to bring in the fridge and the dishwasher (yes I've succumbed - my fears assuaged by the argument that it can be more efficient in water use than hand washing) and then he can fix everything in place. And the breakfast bar needs some sort of paint treatment - am still mulling over that one. You'll notice our 'watermelon' feature wall which is in the centre of the open living area.

Our hot water system is now in place - I just wish I knew what all those knobs are for...! The big red one looks like an old fashioned fire alarm. Not sure if I'll cover it up - it is all quite intriguing. The cistern takes up more than a third of the laundry - it will give us solar hot water all year round, heat the natural (no chemicals) pool in summer and our tiled floor in winter so the large capacity is a must.