Some light cleaning, weed removal and the removal of the partitioning wall that had been constructed halfway along the front verandah was all we got to do before the house turned into a furnace and we fled for air conditioned shops.
We pulled the partition down out of desperation - trying to get some breeze into the house. It didn't make a big difference so we're both pretty keen to get the front verandah opened up ASAP.
Have I mentioned that the entire exterior of our house is clad is uninsulated aluminium cladding from the 70s? You can just imagine how that feels when it's 39 degrees and there's no breeze. Why anyone ever thought closing in a verandah with unlined aluminium was going to be a good idea is beyond me, but there you go.
Sadly, though, while we'd just like to get in with a saw and get the cladding off, there are only so many hours in a day. And, with a toddler on the loose, we can't just go pulling off verandah railings until we're ready to get a new balustrade in straight after.
So, for now, we'll keep sweating it out in this hot box and hope today's cooler change lasts.
You poor things, the heat is horrible. I have to say though, your home is so photogenic! Try to keep cool my friend :)
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My sentiment excactly! Edwina this is such a horrible summer heatwave, it surely won't last. Just think cool thoughts and imagine sitting on that lovely open verandah with a cool breeze rippling over your G&T or other bevvie. Lucinda looks pretty cool though sitting there with her arm plonked down!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth did those other owners cope through these summers? Maybe they spent all day at the pub?! cheers Wendy
I often think the same, but apparently they used to fit a lot of children out on those verandas! My father-in-law grew up in a small QDL-er in west QLD with 10 brothers and sisters, so most of them would have been out on verandas at some time. I think they just clad it with whatever they had, but it does seem like a real shame when you just want to get some air into the house!
ReplyDeleteWhen I dream of my perfect house, it has a big wide verandah.
ReplyDeleteHope you guys can tame the furnace sometime soon!
It's just going to look SO beautiful!Judy xx
ReplyDeleteHi Edwina....from what you've said about the previous owners, I don't think there was too much feelin goin on, let alone thinking.....no brain no pain??. Bet that house did a little happy dance when you came along.
ReplyDeleteAllison x
It looks much better without the partition! It has been way too hot, hopefully we are into a cool change now!
ReplyDeleteI hope it is cooler out your way today. It is much nicer here and there is even the hint of rain although I am not holding my breath on that.
ReplyDeleteAny bit of demolishing is good for the psyche! You'll find as soon as your veranda roof is insulated the air coming in the front door won't be so unbearably hot. We had this same issue with the Reno cottage. Huge difference once insulated.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, sorry you are cooking alive, is there any way you could remove the cladding from the top to about adult waist high, this would let in the breeze and keep Lucinda safe. This would be fairly safe for the time being until you can get a proper bulustrade happening.
ReplyDeleteMy friend had 4 little girls and from the day the big verandah went on they spent nearly all their time out there, she says it was some of the best money they spent on the house.
Just another thought, if you have insect screens on any windows, shut the windows and get a bucket of hot soapy water, hose down the screens to loosen the worst dust and dirt, scrub with the hot soapy water and a broom, then hose off.
ReplyDeleteIt is AMAZING how much breeze is stopped by the dirt buildup on the screens, good luck with all your cooling strategies.
Yikes. Slow and steady wins the race. I agree with Simmone any bit of demolishing is good for the morale. Hope the hot days get cooler. xx
ReplyDeleteThinking of you guys with this sweltering phase we are having. Would you consider getting a portable zircon, maybe even second hand so you could have even one room that was cool? Might be a sanity saver, friends of mine renting have used them and found them good. Otherwise portable fans and spray bottles is the other best way to go. Looks great with the partition down, such a fantastic huge veranda for ride ons. mel x
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite part of our house is our verandah.. This is where I spend most of my time..
ReplyDeleteMore on about Verandah designs.
Count me in, Kit. Verandah is my favorite spot as well. I always admire the view and the landscape that I see from my verandah. But as much as I love it, I still have to consider the safety of my kids. So, we decided to increase the height of the balustrade that would be enough for them.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Larsen
Great post! I love the setup you have. The last verandah I had was done professionally and really well. It's amazing what this small space can do for a house!
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