I haven’t had a lot of spare time to update this blog recently as we’ve been so busy getting the house ready for the builders. The first thing we needed to do though, was find somewhere to live.
We put an ad on Gumtree and fortunately for us someone responded to the ad and are happy for us to bring the two cats with us. I really hope it works! The flat is under her house and she has a cat of her own. Fingers crossed the three become the best of friends.
The builders are going to start ripping out all the old fittings and ugly windows in the kitchen and sleep out this week. The kitchen will now be located downstairs and this room will be middle son’s bedroom.
The room is empty except obviously the kitchen sink/cupboard and the oven. Looking at it like this has had me thinking about what it must have looked like when the house was first built. I think they probably had a table under the window and perhaps a cabinet like in the picture below.
I’ve been looking online for some images to share and found some fantastic ones at the National Archives of Australia website. Life was certainly different when this house was built. I’m sure Mr & Mrs Jenkins had a few afternoon teas together in our kitchen Like this cheerful couple.
Old Pearly Jenkins 
Looks like you guys are doing a major room-swap too. Our old kitchen has become the space for our ensuite/WIR. Great that you found somewhere to live in the meantime. Look forward to seeing it progress. xx
We’re going to be living in Graceville under a very nice house… It’s literally a few houses away from the strip of shops near the railway station. I might not want to move home!! ha ha!!!
Wow, a lot of progress! Looked at the Nat’l Archives- very interesting site. I mean to go back to look some more. If only homes could talk.
This week we’ve had a lot of progress. The builders have cut a hole in the front bedroom wall and created an ensuite/WIR. We are so lucky to have resources such as the National Archives, John Oxley Library.
I used to live in a house that had a kitchen just like the last photo! Actually, I loved that kitchen! Good luck in the new place!
Thank you! It’s going to be a challenge living somewhere so small but its not for too long hopefully and it’s only somewhere to sleep and eat. We’re all out during the week.
Good luck on your kitchen. That is a really big project. Starting with a blank canvas will be nice though. It’s much easier to work in all the little things you want. I love how you imagined it must have looked originally. It’s romantic to look back on yesteryears like that. God bless!
The new kitchen is going to be massive!! with a separate walk in pantry. I’m so excited.
I found the kitchens of past-days Australia very interesting. Quite different than U.S. kitchens of the same era but with the same over all feel. That was fun.
Thank you. People spent a lot more time together in their kitchens back then. No televisions, smart phones and computers.
Woohoo and good to hear you are off and running and found somewhere to live. Looking forward to seeing it all unfold. mel x
Thank you Mel!!!! Hope you’re feeling better!!
You’re doing the smart thing by moving out! We’re trying to do our kitchen while we live in it, and sometimes that’s REALLY inconvenient! Lucky you found a place that will accept your kitties, too. Good luck!! BTW, your wood floors look good!
We really had no choice but to move out. There is no power or sewerage at the house at the moment. It’s not easy though paying the mortgage and rent. We’d really like to be able to move back in as soon as they get things semi livable again. The cats are really happy at the new place despite the owners cat having a go at them any opportunity she gets. I had to laugh the other day, she (her name is Cat) was struggling to remove a big tuft of fluffy white fur from her mouth. Rose is creamy white, Cat is a tabby cat.