#Kitchen Island Melbourne

[asestone]

Marble Tile & Quartz Stone Splashback — The Perfect Choice for Your Home in Melbourne

In recent times, marble tile splashback is increasingly growing popular owing to its extensive beneficial characteristics. Tons of marble backsplash ideas are available online for creating classic and modern kitchen designs. 

  Expert interior designers often use combinations of simple white marbles, mosaic tiles, or simple tiles to create a wide range of timeless kitchen aesthetics. Besides quartz stone, marbles are commonly used in Melbourne for kitchen backsplash. Being a pretty natural stone, it has some advantages when put into the cooking space. 

Why are Mable Splashbacks Popular? 

Marble has been a large-scale preferred flooring material of choice since ancient times. Despite the emergence of ceramic, porcelain, and faux marble tiles, marble never lost its preference with people. 

Natural marble tiles come in an extensive range of colours, designs and finishes. They look gorgeous and offer a very regal appearance. Though faux marble flooring can replicate the appearance of natural marble to some extent, nothing can compete with the original stone. Moreover, marble is a highly durable material that is widely known for its purity. 

Marble offers versatile looks that can be used in any room. These tiles are excellent for kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, vanity tops, shower walls and floors, and bathroom recesses. Interior experts often use them for both indoor and outdoor applications. 

Conclusion 

Marble tiles are one of the most flooring options available in the market. Offering a range of benefits, marble tiles are durable, shatter-resistant, hardwearing, and look gorgeous. Its ability to reflect light enables it to be used in any room while being affordable at the same time. 

Australia Stone Expert Pty Ltd offers a comprehensive range of engineered and natural stones at wholesale prices in Australia. We have constantly been working for commercial and residential clients and hold a reputation for outstanding services in the stone industry. Our material influences the aesthetic appeal and longevity of the space at affordable prices.

Source

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Anyone for a double dome home that looks like twin igloos? Look, there's even a little one for the doggo. The 1985 build was well-cared for, is in Melbourne, Florida, has 3bds, 2.5ba, $500K. Oh, and it will withstand a cat5 hurricane.

It's gated, which is kind of cool.

2 ponds w/fountains.

Front door opens to a mirrored wall and stairs, with the living area straight ahead.

I like the ceiling and floor.

To the left is a modern double-sided fireplace and the kitchen, plus doors to the patio.

The kitchen's smallish, but very nice and has a wine rack, plus a island that accommodates some seating.

In front of the doors is space for a dining area and there's also a built-in cabinet.

The primary bedroom has a closet, door to the terrace, built-in cabinets with a headboard for the bed, and a bench.

The terrace overlooks the patio.

A ladder goes up to a loft.

In the loft are 2 built-in benches with glass to look down at the bedroom. The loft is up in the cupola on the top of the house, so you can open the louver shutters to look out.

Plenty of built-in storage for clothes.

The bath is pretty roomy.

Cute built-in office.

Secondary bedrooms.

Bath #2.

The room up here is air conditioned and everything, but it's unfinished.

Nice bright basement.

The 1/2 bath is down here.

The outdoor patio is surrounded by a planter.

The lot is 1.24 acres.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3500-Harlock-Rd_Melbourne_FL_32934_M61023-13287

[cocoaandco]

Wildflower - George Russell x f!reader [prologue]

You and Delilah have been friends for years. When Delilah finds out the boy she loves has fallen for someone else, she seeks refuge in your arms. Little does she know you are the very reason for her undoing.

PROLOGUE

You smile as you shut the door to your apartment. The warmth that spread through your body was unmatched. In fact, you began to wonder if you had ever felt such a way before. The grin that was plastered on your face failed to dissipate, as if it had been stretched and glued that way.

You touch your cheeks, feeling how warm they were. How rosy they must have been the entire night, an evening where the blushing was endless. It was the middle of August in Melbourne, most nights had you spending countless dollars on the gas bill in order to heat the house. But tonight was different. No, not tonight. Your body was warm. Like you had been wrapped in an electric blanket and fed the best soup made by your Nonna. That just wasn’t true, though.

Your warmth was a direct result of your happiness. It’s crazy how a man you barely know could make you feel things that men you had allowed into your life and trusted in long term relationships had never come close to creating. You close your eyes, press your back against the, now closed door, and slide down. You bring a hand to your mouth, feeling the smile on your lips and pressing them against your palm before giggling.

God, I must look like a teenage girl! The giggling continues as you bring your hands from your mouth and look down at them, seeing that your lip gloss had smudged itself on your palm. You are startled when you hear a low chuckle sound from the other side of the door, before footsteps boom, growing softer as they moved away from the door and down the hallway. Oh my goodness, you thought to yourself, he just heard my fucking giddy laugh.

Springing to your feet, you move away from the doorway in embarrassment, and head to your kitchen. You switch on the kettle and pull out a stool from under your island bench. You sigh as you finally sit down, you must have walked around Church street for hours. As you wait for the kettle to boil, you think back to the past 24 hours and how the string of events followed through as a result.

————

36 hours prior. Thursday 9.30am

“Dan, I really don’t care about the bullshit corporate boxes. If you don’t release more upper ground seating to the public, we’re gonna have half empty stands to answer for!” You exclaim into your phone, gripping it tighter as if that would sway Dan into agreement.

You worked for the MCG, Melbourne’s biggest sporting venue, and had multiple blockbuster AFL matches to plan for that weekend, the biggest being Friday night’s class between Carlton and Essendon. The two teams are historical rivals that always draw large crowds and today was Thursday, the day before. Supporters from around the state were going nuts on every radio station and media outlet spraying the league for its lack of seating for the match. The problem? The large corporations hoarding the seats for businesses and international clients that had no real interest in the match, taking away from die hard fans.

Who has to deal with this problem? Why of course, it’s you. And the fact that you had gotten the train this morning made your venture that much more aggravating as the quiet roads were filled with electric scooters rather than cars. This probably seems like a boring and rather complex issue, so don’t worry, it is not pivotal to your story, Y/N.

“Y/N, listen. We can’t release those seats, we anticipate a large turnout from the upper tiers-”

“You’re telling me 8,000 seats are being put aside for Melbourne Demons supporters for a Bombers v Blues match?”

“Come on, Y/L/N. You know Demons supporters aren’t the only MCC members.”

“No but they make up the majority. I am doing your job- Shit!” All of a sudden something pushes into your back and you are sprung from the pavement and onto the road. You squeeze your eyes shut as you see a single vehicle plummet towards you. A large black car swerves before jolting to a stop just beside where you have fallen on your face.

You press your palms into the road, and push yourself up. You snap your head in the direction of an electric scooter which has zoomed off after screaming a “Sorry!”

“Fucking idiot!” You scream out. “Ugh!” You kneel down and locate your phone which is actually just a scrap of metal as it has been completely squashed by the wheel on the black car.

“Well, I guess thats a ‘no’ from Dan.” You mutter to yourself. Dusting your skirt off, you examine your outfit for any rips or pulls before returning to the sidewalk. You lift your head to notice the black car has not moved. Shrugging you continue to walk and wave off the car to let it know your alright.

Immediately, the rear passenger door swings open and a tall fair headed man hops out before approaching you. “Are you alright there?” He calls.

You laugh at his accent and continue to walk away from him, towards your office. “I’ll be alright mate, don’t worry about me!”

He frowns down and jogs lightly to catch up. “No seriously, are you okay? You were pushed and fell pretty hard.” You shrug.

“Im alive aren’t I?” He raises an eyebrow, “well you didn’t hit me, your car is alright, I’m in one piece.” He walks with you and motions to your hand, holding what was once your functioning phone.

“I’ll get work to get me a new one, it’s not a big deal.” Thats a lie, your work will not get you a new one.

“No, no. I almost ran you over, let me buy you a new one.” You furrow your eyebrows at him before shaking your head with a chuckle.

“Thats really not necessary, I need to get to work so I’ll just-”

“Well then what about a coffee? Tomorrow perhaps?” He quizzed. This brought you to a halt, which also stopped the tall man. You fold your arms over your chest before looking up to his face. This is the first time you’re able to take in his appearance.

He has wide bright blue eyes and fluffy eyebrows. His nose is large and pointed and he has defined cheekbones with a sharp jawline. His lips are full and pink, complimenting his soft cool brown hair. A gorgeously defined man, he does not look British at all. He wears a classically smart casual outfit that looks like it came straight from an R.M Williams catalogue; refined and sleek.

“Who are you?”

“Erm.” He coughs, “my name is George.”

You raise an eyebrow again, more whimsical this time. He really is quite attractive. “Well, George” you emphasise, “I am now well and truly late for work, and have a very busy couple of days, so if you would excuse me-”

“I’m sorry, I just-” he cuts his own sentence off this time, “I feel really bad, when I saw you fall, immediately felt awful for you and then I watched you get up and you looked so lovely, I felt even worse!”

He concludes and you look at him dumbfounded, quite literally with your mouth parted. You pause for a second. “Alright, so you have only checked on how I’m doing,” you pause again to recollect, “because you think I’m attractive and want to ask me out?”

Without hesitation he grins widely and responds “Precisely.”

This is ridiculous! You think to yourself about how completely absurd this is. You quite literally had almost died five minutes ago. But something inside you felt excited, felt warm. And so, the better part of you prevailed and entertained the idea.

“Alright.” You hum, “walk me to work then, George.”

“Uhh.” He turns back to his car which still is stopped in its same position. He motions for the car to go on with his hand and the car slowly pulls away and drives off without hesitation. Weird. “Okay then, where is work?”

“Just up here! About a five minute walk.”

“Only five minutes?” He smirks down at you as you both begin walking. A smile creeps onto your face before you respond.

“Yes, any longer and I may not have a job or a head if my boss has a say.” He laughs at your sadistic remark.

“What is your name?” He asks.

“Y/N.”

“Y/N.” He tests out, “suits you perfectly.”

You smile in response.

“So what do you do for work, Y/N.”

You explain to him your role with the MCG, particularly how your responsibilities are spread across ticketing and media which somehow meshes into one title. He seems impressed with your extensive knowledge of sporting and passion for fan experiences.

He listens to you talk like you are giving the most captivating speech in world. His eyes peer into yours, you feel heard and understood. Not an ounce of judgement clouding his expression. He was so easy to talk to, you never wanted him to leave.

You quickly learn that your suspicions were correct and that George is, in fact, from the UK. As well as the fact that he has never been to an AFL match in his life. It was even more shocking that he had never even heard of the sport.

“What!” You shriek as you arrive out the front of your office, which is actually inside the MCG. “You’re telling me, you’ve never heard of the AFL?”

He laughs at your hysteria and nods “nope!” He pops his ‘P’.

“Oh my gosh, we have to go to a game!” ‘We’? Pull it together, Y/N! “Let’s um- oh shoot!” You look at your watch. It’s almost 10am. You may be hung when you get inside. “Ok, ok. If you’d like, we can hang out tomorrow.”

George’s eyes light up in excitement. “Really?”

“Yes, yes! If you’re keen.” You double guess yourself, of course he wants to hang out you freak. “If you meet me here, tomorrow night at 7.30, I’ll take you to your first AFL match.

He grins widely, “That would be wonderful.”

“Alright, so I’ll see you then?” You confirm, “I really have to go now, I am sorry.”

“Yes, I’ll meet you here.” You begin to walk away from George, backwards. And towards the sliding doors.

“I would give you my number, but I don’t currently have a phone!” You exclaim.

“Don’t worry, Ill see you tomorrow.” He waved.

“Bye George.” You wave before spinning and speeding inside.

You can’t help but peer over your shoulder one last time to see him watching you walk away with a slight smile on his face.

This is absolutely crazy.

————

You sip on the last of your tea, an hour later, cozied up in bed. The memory of yesterday makes you shiver, but in a good way. George was incredible. You had never known a human to be so welcoming and friendly. He was truly lovely.

As you set your tea aside, and push your supporting pillows off the bed, your body begins to drift into a heavy state of tiredness. Just as your eyes begin to droop close you hear a loud knocking on the door.

What the hell?

You slip out of bed and walk out of your bedroom. As you approach the kitchen you grow nervous. Oh my goodness, George must be a serial killer. You shake your head at your ridiculous conspiracy. You look through the peephole to see a familiar face, with tears streaming down it.

Instinctively, you quickly unlock the door and swing it open. “Delilah!” You exclaim.

She quickly moves inside and engulfs you in a hug as she lets out soft sobs. What has happened to your poor friend? More importantly, why was she here and not back at home in London?

————

[swissboyhisch]

The Aussie BBQ Experience

Pairing: Nico Hischier x Reader

Summary: You finally got to take Nico home to Australia. He got the true experience of an Aussie BBQ.

Word Count: 2770

Warnings: Uh none I think. Lyrics about sex at some point.

A/N: Shout out to @alwayshughes for allowing me to bounce ideas off of you ❤️

THE MASTERLIST JOIN THE TAGLIST HOCKEY DISCORD

Off season meant spending time with family and travelling to the boys of the NHL. For you and Nico, you were heading to both of your home countries. First stop of the trip was Australia, back to your small coastal hometown. The place where you were born and raised until you decided to go to college in the US.  It was the first time Nico had come home with you. He had met your close family when the NHL had an exhibition game in Melbourne and some of your family came over to meet him but never saw your home.

You had made it to Australia a couple days before. Spending time with your parents in your childhood home while you two acquainted yourselves with the timezone. But by the time the week had finished, you two were back to life. Ready to take on the weekend. Which was good because your mum organised a family barbeque and bonfire to celebrate you being home. Oh and the derby was on. Knowing your parents, everyone was invited.

The weather was great for a winter Saturday. No rain in the last two weeks meaning a dry bonfire pile. Warm in comparison to the ice rinks that Nico felt at home in. Everyone was due to come over just before 2:30 in the afternoon for the start of the footy. Leaving you and Nico to do whatever you want during the morning. You took him around your town, showing home where you grew up. The schools you attended throughout your childhood. Which studio you danced at. You stopped by a beach side cafe to have breakfast. But you were back home before 1 so you could help your mum make food. 

When you got back home, your sister and her girlfriend were already there. Music was playing whilst your mother and sister were in the kitchen preparing the food. Tash, Kendall’s girlfriend, was outside helping set up the yard with your father. From what you could see outside the kitchen window were all the plastic chairs around the glass table that your parents had since you were a kid. Actually everyone you knew had the same glass table. And the large pile of branches that were just out past the shed. 

“What do you want me to do?” You question as you enter the kitchen. 

You mum turned away from the stove, pointing to a bag of groceries sitting on the counter. “Can you make the two cheese boards? You’ve always had a knack for doing those.” 

“Yeah, easy.”

“Can I do anything?” Nico asks, hating sitting around while he could be helping. 

He got set up cutting up the potatoes for the potato salad your mum always makes for these types of things. You set yourself up on the kitchen island with everything you need. Kendall had put on your parent’s playlist as AC/DC was currently playing. Soon Tash joined you all in the kitchen where she was set up on the salad making station with Kendall. 

Kendall came over to your little area, “How was the end of the season?” 

“Crazy, still can’t believe the boys actually won the cup!”

Nico laughed, “Honestly, it was all a blur.”

“Yeah because we all got absolutely smashed after the cup game and then for the next week straight.” You got your phone out and pulled up the folder of pictures you had from all the cup stuff. From games to the parade. “God, it was a blast.”

Nico pressed a kiss to your cheek as he walked by you on his way to the fridge. Making you blush bright red which Tash pointed out with a laugh. The conversation stayed on hockey and all the things that had happened during Nico’s playoff run. That was until your Nan walked in with your dad carrying bags of stuff behind her. 

“Nan!” You grin, rushing forward to hug her. 

The petite woman embraced you tightly. “You look lovely sweetheart.”

“I haven’t even gotten ready yet.”

“Nonsense.” Your Nan looked past you to where Nico was standing beside Kendall. “And you must be Nico. I'm glad we can finally meet.”

Nico was pulled into a hug as well. He stood a whole foot and a half above her. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve been told so much about you.”

“Don’t believe all the nice things you hear,” Your mother cuts in, smiling at her mother.

“Don’t let Paul hear you,” Your nan smirks, “your husband loves me.”

“The best mother-in-law I could ask for,” Your dad responds as he comes and kisses your mum’s cheek.

By 2:15, all the food had been prepared. The chips in bowls ready for everyone to arrive. You had retreated into your room so you could change. Just into a pair of simple denim jeans and a singlet. Later, you found a red flannel you had stolen from your dad when you were a teen. Surprisingly it still fit. A pair of thongs were your choice of footwear. Nico kept what he had on from this morning, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He wasn’t that cold but he had a hoodie for later in the night.

When the pair of you went outside, your dad handed Nico a beer from the esky while you got handed a glass of Jacks and dry. On the TV was the pregame footy, West Coast vs Fremantle were to play at 2:30. The derby. Kendall and Tash had found their spots around the table with Molly, Kacey and Dan. In Kacey’s arm was your niece, Charlotte who you had yet to meet. 

“Oh my god!” You didn’t expect Kacey and Dan to make the trip from the city. Kacey got up and placed the 5 month old in your arms. Charlotte was so cute. “She’s so precious.”

Nico peered over your shoulder at the baby in your arms. He had seen many photos and videos that Kacey and your other two sisters had sent you two but it didn’t do the baby justice. 

“Wanna hold her?”

“Sure,” Nico grinned. You gently passed him Char, watching as he stood next to your chair, saying side to side. His eyes fixed on the bub in his arms. 

A voice broke over the chatter. “When did my best friend push out a baby? And why was I not informed?”

That made you turn your head quickly to the side gate. Your best friend stood there in all her glory, holding a fridge pack on her arm. You got up quickly running to hug her. It had been months since you had seen her in person and it was about time. 

“Nico and I don’t have kids yet,” You tell her as you two moved to the line of eskies against the wall.

“Yet,” she responded with a smirk. “Look at him though, he’s a natural.”

“You want to push a baby out of your vagina?”

You two share a laugh and settle around the table as well. One by one, family and friends rocked up. All hugging you and Nico, happy to meet him for the first time. Everyone had gotten there by 2:25, not willing to miss the first centre bounce of the game. Bowls of chips, different dips and the cheese boards you had prepared were brought out before the game for everyone to snack on. 

“We’re an Eagles family, Nico,” Your dad informs Nico as the two take a seat on the other side of you. 

Nico laughed, “You’ll have to explain the game to me as we go.”

“Spook hasn’t shown you AFL yet?” The use of your childhood nickname made your siblings laugh. 

“We’ve watched it before but I still don’t get it.”

“Main thing is if the ball goes between the centre of the middle two posts, it’s a goal. 6 points, it’s worth. Then between the inner posts and the other posts, it's a behind. 1 point,” Your dad explains.

Centre bounce happened and everyone was cheering. There was a mix of eagles and dockers supporters in attendance. Soon Kennedy was tackled to the ground by one of the Dockers’ players. 

“High tackle!” You shouted at the screen. Multiple people agreeing with you.

Everyone watched as a free kick was given. Kennedy kicked the first goal of the game making the Eagles fans cheer. You and your dad, either side of Nico, stood up and clapped and cheered. By quarter time, Nico was getting into the game with everyone else. He had even shouted at the tv with your dad.

“Want another drink?” You asked after you had finished your glass. It was quarter time meaning time for toilet and refill. 

“Bush chook for me,” Your dad answers, shaking his near empty can.

“Uh same,” Nico responded, a little confused with the name.

 The same happened for half time and three-quarter time. Within the final quarter the score was close. 89 to 72 with Eagles in the lead. Final minute the Dockers had caught up making the score 96 to 97. Dockers in the lead. 

You dad and his best mate were pacing as everyone watched on. The players were playing roughly and tackles happened left, right and centre. You watch on as Jamie Cripps goes to mark the ball, jumping on the back of his opponent. Making the speccy but coming down badly. His body crunching as he lands on the grass under another body. Nico winces, swearing he could feel his arm being shattered just but watching him.

“Ouch. That’s gotta hurt.”

Surprisingly, Cripps clambers up from the grass, wiping the dirt from his hands. He was given the mark and allowed to kick it. He waited, trying to find someone who would be clear of Dockers players. He found one and booted the ball a quarter way down the field. Oscar Allen marked the ball just within the Eagles’ 50 metres. Nico was up with your dad clapping and cheering along with him.

“Let’s go Allen!”

He put the ball on the ground while he put his mouthguard in his sock, waiting until the siren sounded. Fans waited with baited breath. He had to get a goal to make them win. He picked the ball back up and lined up his kick. Allen took a couple steps before kicking the ball straight through the middle of the posts. 

Nico and your dad cheered loudly, you were up with them. All the Eagles fans around the table were happy with the outcome. Another year of bragging rights for the team. The best team in the West. 

Once the game had finished, and the team’s anthem sung, the tv was turned off and the speaker turned on. The playlist consisted of music you had grown up with; Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Angels,  Paul Kelly, Queen all included. The barbeque was fired up as the sun set. You had turned on the party lights while everyone enjoyed themselves. After dinner, your dad would light the bonfire like normal.

You sat around the table with the women of the family, chatting and catching up. The men around the barbeque all holding a drink in their hands. Kids running around the backyard and jumping on your old trampoline that surprisingly hadn’t rusted too badly just yet. This was a common thing within your family and friend group. 

“Dinner!” Uncle Glenn called to everyone.

One by one, everyone lined up at the food table with paper plates. The table was filled with all the sides that your mum had made earlier in the day along with other people’s sides they had brought. All the meat had been placed there too. You grabbed a chop, two snags and some salad. A bit of potato salad and some of your aunt's Mexican style salad. You couldn’t forget the two pieces of white bread for your snags. One with tomato sauce and the other with bbq sauce. 

“Want some tomato sauce?” You ask Nico.

“You mean ketchup?”

You roll your eyes. You should have known he’d say that. “You know it’s not ketchup. Stop trying to piss me off.”

He smiles, pressing a kiss to your cheek and taking the bottle of sauce from you. Once you have everything, including the plastic cutlery, you two take your seat again. Everyone just enjoyed their food while the music played in the background. Every now and then someone would break out into song, singing Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. 

“Wanna come help me Spook?” Your dad called as he walked towards the bonfire pile with a jerry can and torch. It was night now and it was time for the bonfire. 

You lit up. Growing up, you had always loved fire thanks to your dad. Sure it was weird but the flames were hypnotising. Nico and many others followed behind you two. You got passed the jerry can of diesel to tip onto the pile. Just like you had watched your father do many times over the years. Once you had stepped back to a safe distance beside your father, mother and Nico, your father lit a match and flicked it onto the pile of branches. It went up in flames with a woosh. Everyone was enjoying the warmth and the music playing in the background.

Nico wrapped his arm around you and brought you in front of him to cuddle. You leaned back into him. It was nice to be able to be yourselves without worrying people watching you. He kissed the top of your head swaying in time with ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ by INXS. 

“I was standing… You were there…” You sing, turning in Nico’s arms so you could face him. “Two worlds collided and they could never, ever tear us apart.”

This song was special after watching your parents dance to this song in the kitchen many times throughout your childhood. You had always wanted a love like theirs and you had found it. Standing here amongst your family wrapped in Nico’s arms. It was all you could ever wish for. 

The night came to a wind down in the late hours of the night. Most people had left or found a spot to crash for the night. Leaving a few awake. Those that were, were sat around the glass table that at some point was dragged closer to the fire throughout the night. Yourself and Nico were snuggled up beside each other, you dad and uncle there as well as Kendall and Tash. Music was still playing in the background. Loud enough for you all to hear that ‘Animals’ by Nickelback was playing.

“Oh god,” Kendall groans when she realises which song was playing.

“Huh?”

“So come on baby, get in. Get in, just get in.Look at the trouble we're in,” You dad sings. 

You grew up with the song. Singing it from such a young age. Oblivious to the actual meaning of the song. You even knew it word for word. It was a must have in the family road trips. You’ve lost count how many times your mum has cringed at you and your father when this song came on.

“And that was when she started screamin' that's my dad outside the car. Oh please, the keys, they're not in the ignition.” You shifted to face Nico, pointing to him whilst you sang the next line. “Must have wound up on the floor while we were switching our positions.I guess they knew that she was missing. As I tried to tell her dad it was her mouth that I was kissing.”

Nico blushed bright red. You were singing these lyrics to him, in front of your dad. Sure, you dad was nice. Nico and him had always gotten along. But he was 6’3, built, tattoos on his arms, a long beard. He looked scary. But to his family he was the BFG. Nico included that sentiment.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that you and Nico stumbled to your bed. Changing from your jeans into a Devils shirt you had stolen years ago from Nico when you first started sleeping at his apartment. Nico just wore a pair of sweats to bed. Both of you snuggled under the covers. The fan above you going full blast

“I love you,” You whisper into the darkness.

Nico pressed his lips to your shoulder, “I love you too Spook.”

“Not you too.”

He chuckled at your reaction. Repeating the sentence once more, pulling you tightly against him before you passed out. 

TAG LIST

@findapenny @mp0625 @hischierhaze @11zegras @lvrzegras @francesfarhadi @cixrosie @daisysthings @jayrami3

[crinkled-emotions]

OK ok ok ok I'm TRYING to remain calm over the puppy (lol not working)

It can me a prompt idea. I don't know if you're taking on requests still.....

Bradley's childhood dog that Mav had kept over the years passes away a couple of months after the mission and him and Mav making up so B did get some time with him. (Yeah the dog was a very good healthy boy that lived to about 20😅) And then I'm thinking maybe Hangster vibes, Jake buys him this puppy to cheer him up 😭😭🥰🥰

Quick little one while I work on the Slider fic from March (I know, I'm crying about it too, I am in the process of getting some shit sorted and I kept getting writer's block)

Funny story, my childhood dog was a mutt and he actually lived until he was seventeen. He survived being lost in Melbourne, a fight with a bulldog (which he actually won?) and being run over by a tractor. His name was Jack and I miss him sm but now I have Boss who is the biggest shithead ever (see: video of him yowling and then getting zoomies)

Brisket is... potentially the cutest puppy I've ever seen (I'm only saying that because I didn't know my dog until he was 6 months old lmao, I may continue to be biased) and I feel like he matches the shithead energy (affectionate) Glen has deep down... anyway! On to the fic!

CW: the passing of a beloved pet

-

"Holy shit, Jet's still here?!"

Bradley dumped his duffel bag on the floor and barrelled over to the dog asleep on Maverick's kitchen floor, gently kneeling and extending his hand first just in case the dog didn't recognise him. Instead of getting a growl or maybe even a head lift, the dog lazily thumped his tail and stretched out.

"Jet is nearly sixteen, his hearing is pretty much gone and before I left he walked into my leg."

Maverick's own luggage hit the floor and he made his way over, pressing a kiss to Rooster's hair and then heading for the kitchen. Jet's ears pricked up and he was gone in seconds, trotting off to follow Maverick in hopes of some kitchen scraps. Rooster trailed after him, taking a seat at the island and accepting the cheese sandwich passed to him. He pretended not to see the spare piece "dropped" to the floor where Jet was sitting at his godfather's feet.

"I didn't think he was still alive," Bradley murmured between bites of sandwich. Maverick hummed, reaching down to give the older dog a pat.

"Well, I'd say he knew you'd come home when you were ready, and he wanted to see that."

Maverick then glanced up at Rooster, and rounded the corner to hug him.

"Glad you're home, kid," he murmured.

"Thanks for letting me back in, Mav."

-

As per usual, Jake was wearing his usual shit-eating grin when Bradley got home, sitting on their couch with a book, the football on in the background and a beer in his lap. Peak Seresin behaviour.

"Hey, baby. How was Mav?"

"Uh, good, my dog from right before I left is still alive."

"Jet?"

Jake tossed the book to the coffee table, carefully putting his beer down to extend his arms to his boyfriend. They kissed and then Bradley flopped down beside him, taking the beer for himself.

"Yeah, did I ever tell you the story of Jet?"

"Getting childhood stories from you is like pulling teeth, Roos," Jake replied. That got him a glare, followed by an eye roll and then Bradley leaned into his side.

"So, my mom, she died when I was fifteen, right? And I wasn't coping all that hot. Mav was getting called away on deployments because he can't follow the rules and I think he worried that me staying with Ice all the time was displacing... so one night he comes home after work with this puppy. It pissed everywhere and I'm pretty sure he chewed at least three pairs of Mav's boots, but Jet was what I needed when talking to people or even thinking of going to a therapist would be enough to send me into a panic attack."

"I didn't know you were that anxious," Jake murmured, reaching over to push his fingers through Bradley's curls.

"I'm not; it was the grief and I was constantly moving between Mav's, Ice's, even Penny's, once, when Mav and Ice were in the shit together."

"I can't even imagine- wait... the Ice? As in Iceman?"

"Yes, Jake. Keep up, babe."

-

Sitting in Maverick's kitchen, there was silence. Jake, Bradley and Maverick were all in various positions, but Jake had a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder and Maverick was waiting for what he was thinking was going to be another fight.

"Was it quick?" Bradley asked quietly. Maverick nodded, eyes on the floor. Despite knowing he wasn't in trouble, the worst feeling in the world was Bradley being upset with him and Bradley was giving off those vibes.

"He went in his sleep, the vet said. It was age, he wasn't in pain."

"I need him," Bradley murmured. Jake rubbed between his shoulders, sighing as he turned to Maverick.

"Have you already buried him?"

"I was waiting for you two to get here."

Jet was gone. After sixteen years, he was gone. Bradley was staring at the island counter, brows furrowed, and he finally glanced up at Mav.

"Let's just do it now, what's another one to bury?"

"Roo-"

"-Bradley-"

He held up a hand, effectively stopping his boyfriend and godfather.

"No, let's just do it."

-

It had been a couple of months, and whilst he'd given Bradley some time to grieve, Jake was getting the itch to get him a little surprise... no, not the sexy surprise, hEY- get your head out of the gutter! Before Bradley found out Jet was still alive they'd been talking about getting a pet once they'd moved in together properly. Jake had been more or less living at Bradley's for almost a year, so when his lease came up for renewal he didn't hesitate to cancel it at Bradley's insistence that he move in for real. Jake was surprised at how much Jet's passing had affected his boyfriend, but he understood the underhanded grieving of his mother all over again that was associated with the pet. He didn't want to overstep, but- well. It just so happened a local shelter was having an adoption drive over the weekend while Bradley went to an event with Maverick for TOPGUN. Perfect timing, if you ask him.

"B, you home?"

"Here."

Bradley waved from the desk in the living area, huffing at the computer in front of him. He was working through some documents by the look on his face, and Jake cleared his throat as he knelt on the ground to put the item in his arms down.

"I, uh, went to the store."

"What, did you forget cheese again? You know how I feel about cheese."

"Yeah, I also know how your stomach feels about cheese. Admit you're lactose intolerant already."

Bradley closed the laptop and wheeled around before Jake was even slightly ready and immediately his eyebrows shot up.

"The store, huh?"

"I never said which store," Jake grinned. He glanced up at Bradley, sending him a cautious smile.

"This little guy doesn't have a name, and he's not to replace Jet, but I felt like the house had been a little too quiet lately- oof! Oh, okay, this is nice. Hey, can you hug the puppy too? I think he'd like that."

Bradley pulled away from Jake's shoulder to give him a kiss, and then knelt by the tiny puppy yapping at their feet.

"Hey, hey, shhhhhh..."

The dog darted around his feet before Bradley carefully caught him and lifted him to his chest, grimacing at the wet licks on his neck.

"The first time Mav ever picked up Jet, the dog pissed all down his shirt," he murmured, laughing to himself. Jake snorted, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Do you want to give him a name?"

"What do you think?"

"Well, you named Jet after your love for the air, so..."

Jake beamed.

"Oh, I think I know the perfect name."

-

"Oh my god, look at you! Hi Roo- gimme the puppy, holy shit!"

Phoenix darted around Rooster's offer of a hug when he opened the door, taking the puppy from his arms and giving kisses to his nose. The puppy yapped and his tail was wagging a million miles an hour at the excitement.

"B! Is that the dog again?"

Jake came down the stairs, rounding the corner to look for the puppy.

"Hey, Tooster! C'mere, dude!"

The puppy barker from Phoenix's arms. She couldn't help the way she gaped between her best friend and Hangman, before she smirked.

"Jake, you didn't."

"I did, but I'd like some clarification on what exactly I did."

"Rooster and Tooster?"

"He goes by Toaster a majority of the time, he burns energy and farts all the damn time so the house is full of hot air."

Phoenix stifled a snort, and then buried her face into the puppy's fur to stop laughing. Jake and Bradley exchanged a look, and then Bradley smacked his ass on his way to the kitchen.

"He loves cheese, and naps, and doing zoomies around Jake's feet in the kitchen."

"Ha, Roos, he's you."

"I'm not allowed to discuss the resemblance, I get sex-iled," Jake grumbled.

-

[eandamj]

ADELAIDE 26 & 27 April 2024

We took a day’s trip to the Barossa wine region on the 26th. We chose a trip that would include visiting some other places apart from vineyards for wine tasting!

We visited a village called Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills which had been established by German immigrants in 1839. It was quaint with many old buildings. The village has retained many businesses with a German theme, although apparently the businesses are no longer owned by the descendants of the original immigrants. Here is the brewing company:

We drove from the Adelaide Hills into the Barossa Wine region. There were vineyards as far as we could see at times. We also saw huge areas of fruit trees growing as apparently there are huge fruit farms in this area.

We saw kangaroos in the Barossa region and some were close to the road:

During the day we visited three vineyards for wine tasting. In each of the first two vineyards we tried several wines. We learnt that fizzy red wine is very popular in Australia. At the second vineyard we had lunch as well. At this vineyard there was a display of old machinery near some of the vines:

The third vineyard gave us a different experience to the other two in that we tasted “meads” which are made from honey. They were delicious and a bit like a dessert wine. These were the bottles we tried:

After visiting a small chocolate making factory we finished our day trip with a visit to a cafe owned by Maggie Beer - Australia’s Mary Berry. The cafe has kitchen areas where Maggie Beer has been filmed for TV. There is a cookery school on the same site. We were able to have a cup of tea there and the grounds were stunning and very tranquil. The large pond had turtles swimming in it:

On the 27th we spent time in Adelaide. We walked through the pedestrianised shopping area. Although the city has skyscrapers it also has many older buildings directly next to the modern high rise towers. In the shopping district we found an old fashioned arcade:

We then visited the large fresh food market. It was very busy and we were really impressed with the range of produce. There were plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as meats and fish but also coffee beans and specialty sauces and vinegars. We enjoyed seeing all the stalls. People were arriving with large trolleys to buy fresh food. There were also many there enjoying a morning cup of coffee. There was even a stall specialising in produce from Kangaroo Island.

We then took a tram out to the coast to Glenelg to see the beach. The journey took about 40 minutes. This is the beach that those living in Adelaide must use in the summer:

After we had returned to the city centre we walked to see the River Torrens which runs through the city. This shows the area where there is a huge convention centre and entertainment district:

We then walked around the river area to see the Parliament building for South Australia, Government House and the University of Adelaide. Walking along the river we saw many rowing clubhouses as we had in Melbourne. We then finished our city exploration by visiting the city’s botanical gardens which were lovely:

We have enjoyed our visit to Adelaide as well as the surrounding areas.

[selectkitchens]

Essential Tips for Functional New Kitchen

Have you become overwhelmed while designing your kitchen? You are in the right post. In this blog post, we will uncover the tips that are required to build a new kitchen. Without wasting any moment, let’s jump into it-

Plan the Layout Wisely

An organised kitchen requires major arrangements that make it a functional yet comfortable space for cooking. You can start by assessing the space you have decided to establish your kitchen planning. Here are the lists of some of the choices you can adopt-

• U-shaped plan: This type of kitchen planning makes it look larger. That provides ample counter space and storage facilities.

• L-shaped plan: The L-shaped form of the kitchen design encourages open flow in smaller areas.

• Island plan: An island design can be used as a place to host visitors or have a casual eating area. It is also ideal for giving additional workplace-in-office kitchen designs Melbourne.

All this setup reduces needless movement and enhances the pleasure of cooking.

Choose Quality Materials

The secret to obtaining both longevity and style is to invest in high-quality materials in different sections.

• For countertops: Use granite or quartz as they are heat, stain, and scratch-resistant.

• For cabinetry: Use hardwoods such as maple or oak for a classic appearance. You can also use laminate for a contemporary look.

• For flooring: Use solid hardwood, tile or luxury vinyl to make it durable and easy to clean.

All these little adjustments are ideal for building a new kitchen.

Incorporate Smart Storage Solutions

Utilise clever storage options to maximise your available kitchen area.

• Drawers and shelves with pull-outs can improve accessibility and cut down on clutter.

• Corner cabinets and lazy Susans can be useful tools for making effective use of hard-to-reach spaces.

• Pots and pans are kept perfectly organised with the help of deep drawers and built-in organisers.

• For more space, think about putting in a pantry or vertical storage cabinets.

These solutions improve the efficiency of cleaning and cooking, which saves time.

Conclusion

Fuse your new kitchen with these few tips mentioned above so that you can spend quality time in your kitchen. You can get all this from Select Kitchens when designing your kitchen. They offer expert advice and ideas for customised, functional kitchen solutions. Careful planning and imaginative selections can make your new kitchen a stylish and practical heart of your house.

[smarterbathrooms]

Why Choose Custom Kitchens for Renovations in Melbourne

The kitchen is often the heart of a home, a space where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are made. When it comes to renovating this crucial area, opting for custom kitchens in Melbourne can elevate your space from functional to extraordinary. Here's why:

Tailored to Your Lifestyle

A custom kitchen is designed with your specific needs and preferences in mind while doing a home renovation in Melbourne. Whether you're an avid cook, a busy family, or someone who loves to entertain, a custom kitchen can accommodate your lifestyle. From ample storage for cookware to a spacious island for meal prep, every inch of the space is optimized to suit your daily routines.

Unmatched Aesthetics

A custom kitchen is a blank canvas for your kitchen renovation ideas and dreams. You have complete control over every aspect, from the cabinetry and countertops to the backsplash and lighting. Whether you prefer a sleek modern look, a rustic farmhouse feel, or a classic elegant style, a custom kitchen can be crafted to perfectly match your taste.

Increased Home Value

A well-executed kitchen renovation can significantly boost your home's value. Potential buyers are often drawn to kitchens that are modern, functional, and visually appealing. A custom kitchen, with its unique design and high-quality materials, can be a major selling point.

Optimal Space Utilization

Every home has its unique challenges when it comes to kitchen layout. With a custom kitchen, you can maximize your space efficiently. Whether you have a small galley kitchen or a large open-plan layout, a skilled designer can create a solution that makes the most of your available area.

Quality Craftsmanship

Custom kitchens are typically built with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. This attention to detail ensures that your kitchen not only looks beautiful but also stands the test of time. You can choose from a wide range of materials, finishes, and hardware to create a kitchen that is both stylish and durable.

While custom kitchens may require a larger upfront investment, the long-term benefits in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and home value make them a worthwhile consideration. By working closely with a skilled kitchen designer, you can create a space that is truly the heart of your home.

Source

[optikes]

Dr Destiny Deacon (1956-2024) Kuku Yalanji and Erub/ Mer   Australian

1-4 details of Blak Bay (2023-4) photographic media, light boxes

exhibited at Biennale of Sydney 2024

5 Me and Virginia's Doll (1995) photograph image: 31.8x25.1cm

6 Come to my Kitchen (2009) photograph image: 80x60cm

7 Baby love (from 'Forced into images' portfolio) (2001) 119x101cm Bubble jet print from polaroid photograph on paper

www.biennaleofsydney.art    

A     www.biennaleofsydney.art/participants/destiny-deacon/

Dr. Destiny Deacon was from the KuKu and Erub/Mer peoples of the Torres Strait Islands and lived in Melbourne most of her life. Her multi-disciplinary practice – across photography, film, sculpture, performance and installation – was forged from personal family and community stories that enveloped her urban playground. As well as being an artist, she was also a respected activist, performer, writer and broadcaster. 

Deacon’s intriguing works continually provoke, challenge and reimagine the Aboriginal narrative through the photographic lens. She intuitively engages her audience through an exchange of ideas, stories and approaches to thinking with works that often have a subtle political guise. Using satirical black/blak humour she interrogates and explores the tales, events and imagined lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

B artgallery.nsw.gov.au

...she considers the casual cruelty of everyday racism with a humour particular to her identity. Jokes mostly rely on mocking the weak, yet in Deacon’s twisted currency one cannot be quite sure who is the joker and who the joke is on. Deacon’s anti-art is seemingly slapdash, but is in fact thoroughly cunning. She describes herself as ‘just a crappy artist’, and has said that the ‘worse’ the art – the more unfocused or uneventful – the tougher its impact. ...

C artreview.com

Indigenous Australian multimedia artist Destiny Deacon (of K’ua K’ua/Kuku and Erub/Mer descent) is best known internationally for her photographs that depict friends, family and kitsch artefacts in unsettling and surreal scenarios that describe Indigenous trauma, memory, identity and cruelty via the artist’s characteristic visual language of ‘Blak humour’. Among the photographed objects, her collection of Aboriginalia (which she calls ‘Koori Kitsch’) and black dolls are her most frequent muse: “I feel sorry for those little dolls lying in trash and treasure markets… looking all forlorn and stuff. I don’t know why – I just seem to rescue them,” .... The term was coined by Deacon (and is also often traced to her photographic triptych Blak lik me, 1991) and continues to be used by Indigenous communities in Australia as a means of self-determination. Its specificity lies in the reclamation of the word ‘Black’, understood by Deacon to be a concept imposed on Indigenous people by the continent’s colonisers, where the omission of the letter ‘c’ transforms it into a term that is now used to describe contemporary Aboriginal culture, history, art and shared social experiences, rather than racial categorisation.

[megan-loves-surveys]

Haven't used this in forever but I miss Bzoink so here I am instead xD

What are some of your favorite cities you’ve been to?  Hmm, I loved New Orleans, NYC and Boston a lot. Also Melbourne!!

Would you allow your children to date prior to 16? I'm not having kids, but if I did, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't, cos I started dating at 14 lol.

Did you ever go through a phase where you thought guys in bands were ‘hot?’ Of course, still do!

What’s something about adult life you were never warned of or prepared for? How difficult it would be to find work, they acted like we'd all just waltz into jobs the moment we left school.

Did your parents teach you proper table manners when you were growing up? Yes, but they didn't go overboard.

What was the last thing you baked? I don't bake.

Do you live more than 5 hours away from the nearest international border? I live on an island, so there is no 'border' really to speak of. But if you count the edge of the land going to the water as the border, then no, it's much closer than 5 hours.

Does your town have a farmer’s market? Not that I know of.

What’s the westernmost point you’ve been to? Dunno tbh, I'm not even sure where NZ is when it comes to east/west, cos we're in a weird position xD

What was the last restaurant you made a reservation at? Myself personally? My bf Will got me to make a reservation the other week cos he was busy at work and couldn't do it.

When did you last feel lonely? Hmm, not sure.

Can you easily tell when others are masking their true emotions? It depends.

How often do you wash your car? I don't have a car.

When did you last lend money to a friend? I don't lend friends money as a rule, it's a slippery slope. If they need something, I'll buy it for them.

Which app on your phone do you tend to get the most notifications from?  Facebook probably, or Messenger when I'm chatting to someone. Also, Discord too.

Do you own a Dutch oven? If so, what was the last thing you cooked in it? I don't even know what that is.

What is currently on your kitchen table?  A few decorative things cos we didn't have dinner tonight, we had a huge lunch so we just had toast lol.

What is your favorite time period in history to learn about? History is boring to me.

How old were you when you met your current best friend? I was... 14 cos we met at the start of 2002 before my birthday.

Have you ever kissed a smoker? Most likely.

What is the minimum age to obtain a driver’s license in your state/country? Do you think this is an appropriate age? It's 16, it used to be 15 when I was a teenager. And yes it's appropriate.

If you won the lottery, do you think any of your family members would ask you to give them some of your money? I wouldn't tell them. Only trustworthy people I would give some money would know - like my Mum & Dad, my stepmum, Will and a few of my friends.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen happen at your workplace? I work at a divorce lawyer's, so I see a lot of extremely angry people. I've had people go into screaming fits, both in person and on the phone, one woman had a meltdown and was throwing a tantrum, one guy punched a wall. It's insane, we have a security officer now.

Do you own any home automation gadgets like wifi thermostats or wifi bulbs? No.

What is something you gave up on after many failed attempts? Driving. I'm too scared to take my practical test lol.

How old were you when you started to seriously think about what career path you wanted to pursue? High school. I kept changing my mind before that.

Have you ever disliked a book so much that you didn’t finish it? Oh yeah, loads. Thankfully most of them were library books so it didn't cost me anything.

Would you rather read a book, or listen to the audiobook? Read. I don't have the attention span for audiobooks, I'd get distracted and my mind would wander.

Do you think tomorrow will be a better day than today? Today's been great, but tomorrow will be even better cos I'm seeing my favourite band live and meeting them!!! <3

Spell your name without any R’s, I’s, G’s, or E’s: My name would hilariously be... Man. I had to get rid of the G and E xD

Is there anyone on your mind? Yep.

Describe your bra: Haha it's a bright purple shade and it's a push up one xD

Do you ever want kids? No thank you. I've never wanted them, and my boyfriend has adult kids and doesn't want any more xD

What are you looking forward to this summer? Summer literally just ended for us haha.

How are you doing in school? -

What color do you like most today? Purple.

Rain or sunny? Sunny. Rain sucks, it rained most of today.

Live close to a beach? Loads, but I never really go to the beach.

What does your hair look like, normally? Depends - the day I wash it, it's quite straight. But by the next day, it's gone wavy and then starts to curl up.

What are your thoughts on marijuana? I don't smoke it, and probably never will. But I don't care if other people smoke it whatsoever, you do you. I also voted for it to become legal when they did the referendum for it in NZ.

When was the last time you spent the night with someone? Last night I stayed at my boyfriend's house.

What song are you listening to, if any? The roaming legendary Pokémon battle theme from the B&W soundtrack.

Pretend that you are five years older, what would you be doing right now? The thought of that scares me, lol.

What subjects are you good in? I was always good at Computers/IT, Legal Studies and English.

Ever kissed someone whose name started with an X? Not that I can think of.

Any complaints? I hope the rain stops before tomorrow cos waiting outside the venue to go in for the concert won't be fun in the rain cos there's no shelter lol.

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage? Jim Beam, Malibu or Long Island iced teas.

Do you miss anyone? Sure.

What's the highlight of your morning routine that sets a positive tone for your day? Doing my hair.

Are there any new podcasts or audiobooks that have been accompanying your commutes? I don't have the patience for podcasts.

How do you wind down and relax after a long day? Any particular activities or rituals? I play video games, listen to music and watch YouTube videos.

Have you discovered any hidden gems in your local neighborhood recently? Maybe a new cafe or park? Not really.

What's your go-to way of staying organized and managing your tasks right now? Write them on my calendar or in my phone.

Is there a specific dish you've been cooking or enjoying frequently in your current meal rotation? My meals have been all over the place lately tbh haha. I didn't have dinner today or on Saturday, and I won't have dinner tomorrow either.

Have you made any changes to your exercise routine lately? New workouts or activities? I go to the gym 3 times a week, but this week I'm only going twice cos I was super busy today and I also don't have time tomorrow.

What's a recent small achievement or milestone that you're proud of? Going longer on the treadmill when I do go to the gym, lol.

Are there any movies or TV shows you're re-watching and finding new details in? I've been rewatching Big Bang Theory a lot lately, it's hilarious, I don't care what people say.

How do you stay inspired and creative during your work or free time these days? Dunno tbh.

Have you come across any interesting articles, websites, or online communities recently? I've been reading a lot of TVTropes.

What's the latest hobby or interest you've picked up, and what drew you to it? All my hobbies are the same as usual.

What's the most memorable interaction you've had with someone today? I had lunch with my Mum for her birthday and while we were eating, the waitress came to ask how our food was - my Mum couldn't answer cos she was eating her steak, I said it was good. After she'd moved on, my Mum said "I couldn't reply cos I had my mouth full of meat" xDDDDDDDDDD I just stared at her and then we both just broke down laughing xD It was so funny.

How do you inject moments of positivity into your daily routine, no matter how busy it gets? Oh, loads of things.

Are there any personal projects you're working on right now that bring you joy? Eh...

What's a current goal that's shaping the choices you make on a daily basis? Just losing weight.

Have you visited any local events or markets that have given your weekends a unique flavor? Does wrestling events count xD

How do you stay connected with friends and family despite your busy schedule? I talk to most of my friends and my boyfriend via Facebook messenger or text, and my online friends via Discord. I'm allowed to use Discord at work when it's quiet xD

What's the most interesting thing you've learned recently, whether intentionally or by chance? Dunno.

How do you maintain a balance between screen time and other activities in your day? Hahaha, funny. My weekly average of screen time on my phone is 4 and a half hours a day lol.

Have you experimented with any new methods of relaxation or mindfulness lately? No.

What's your strategy for making the most of your weekends and recharging for the week ahead? Um.

Have you been dedicating time to any DIY projects or crafts that reflect your creativity? No.

How do you incorporate learning and personal growth into your everyday life? I read Reddit a lot, and I love looking at random Wikipedia articles xD

What's a unique tradition or habit that you've cultivated recently, making each day special? Uh....

[customeresurfacing]

Elevating Home Life: Unveiling Real-Life Kitchen Remodeling Transformations

Introduction: 

Embarking on a kitchen remodel Melbourne journey is like breathing new life into the heart of your home. Real-life before and after transformations stand as testament to the power of visionary design and skilled execution. In this article, we'll delve into captivating stories of homeowners who turned their outdated and mundane kitchens into inspiring spaces that combine functionality, aesthetics, and the unique charm of Melbourne living. 

1. A Time Capsule Unveiled: Bringing the '80s into the Present 

Before: Jennifer's kitchen was trapped in a time capsule from the 1980s. Dark wood cabinets, cramped countertops, and an awkward layout characterized the space, creating a less-than-inviting atmosphere. 

After: Jennifer's vision for an open, modern kitchen became a reality. The removal of a non-load-bearing wall ushered in a flood of natural light, illuminating the sleek, contemporary cabinetry and light-colored finishes. An expansive island became the centerpiece, providing ample workspace and doubling as a casual dining spot. The result was a transformation that not only embraced modern design principles but also maximized the perception of space, making the kitchen the heart of the home. 

2. Functionality Redefined: From Cluttered Chaos to Culinary Haven 

Before: Mark and Sarah's kitchen was a hub of frustration, with insufficient storage and an inefficient layout hindering their culinary adventures. 

After: Their remodel focused on functionality and aesthetics in equal measure. Custom cabinetry and strategically placed organization systems revolutionized the storage capacity, banishing clutter and creating a seamless look. An intelligently designed pantry offered both storage and accessibility, while a carefully planned island became a multifunctional space for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Mark and Sarah's kitchen transformation not only met their practical needs but also infused elegance and efficiency into their daily lives. 

3. Modernizing the Dark Ages: Light, Bright, and Inviting 

Before: Mike's kitchen was trapped in the dark ages, both in terms of aesthetics and lighting. Dark, worn-out cabinets and outdated appliances created a gloomy ambiance. 

After: A strategic approach to lighting and material choices catapulted Mike's kitchen into the modern era. Light-colored cabinetry, reflective surfaces, and carefully selected lighting fixtures brightened the space, creating an inviting atmosphere. Energy-efficient appliances not only enhanced functionality but also contributed to the contemporary aesthetic. Mike's kitchen transformation showcased the profound impact of lighting and modern design on the overall feel of the space. 

4. Embracing Minimalism: Less Clutter, More Style 

Before: Emily's kitchen was a victim of clutter, with an abundance of mismatched utensils, outdated decor, and an overwhelming sense of chaos. 

After: Emily's journey toward a minimalist kitchen began with decluttering and embracing a clean, streamlined aesthetic. Neutral tones, sleek cabinetry, and smart storage solutions transformed her kitchen into a haven of simplicity and style. The minimalist approach not only elevated the visual appeal but also created an environment that fostered a sense of calm and order. Emily's story highlights how simplicity can be a powerful design choice, turning a kitchen into a serene and sophisticated space. 

5. Blending Old with New: Preserving Charm in a Modern Setting 

Before: Thomas and Olivia's kitchen was a mix of outdated charm and impractical design, featuring an eclectic range of materials and styles. 

After: Instead of erasing the charm of their old home, Thomas and Olivia opted for a remodel that blended the old with the new. They preserved original features like exposed brick and integrated them with modern elements like stainless steel appliances and contemporary finishes. The result was a kitchen that seamlessly combined the charm of the past with the efficiency of the present, creating a unique and harmonious space. 

Conclusion: 

These real-life kitchen remodel Melbourne transformations from Melbourne homeowners showcase the incredible potential hidden within every kitchen. Whether it's a journey to the '80s, a quest for functionality, a play of light and dark, an embrace of minimalism, or a blend of old and new, these stories reflect the diverse inspirations that can shape a kitchen's metamorphosis. As you embark on your own remodeling adventure, let these narratives serve as a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful design and skilled execution, turning your kitchen into a space that reflects your lifestyle, taste, and the vibrant essence of Melbourne living. 

[internationalrealestatenews]

[ad_1] Ariane and Andrew Vincent’s former house in Melbourne, Australia, was the sort of place folks dream about: a three-story home close to the seaside with views of Port Phillip Bay.However after years of climbing all these stairs — and chasing three rising youngsters (now 18 to 23) amongst flooring — “we had been able to stay on one degree,” stated Ms. Vincent, 55, a enterprise marketing consultant who has labored within the furnishings business. “We needed a pool and extra of a household house that was extra enjoyable.”Six years in the past, they discovered one thing in Brighton, a close-by suburb, that captured their hearts: an 1889 Victorian brick home coated in concrete render, on a quarter-acre lot with a sunny, north-facing yard and one of many oldest, largest olive bushes they'd ever seen.“It’s in all probability one of the crucial important olive bushes in Victoria,” Ms. Vincent stated. She and Mr. Vincent, 63, who owns a cell document-shredding firm, purchased the home in November 2018 for about 2.8 million Australian dollars ($1.8 million).The home wasn’t good. It wanted repairs and had awkward additions on the again, and the inside regarded prefer it had final been up to date within the Nineteen Eighties. “It was very run-down and unloved,” Ms. Vincent stated, “and had been renovated actually cheaply.”Seeking to restore the unique grandeur and replace the house for up to date dwelling, the couple employed Mim Design, a Melbourne agency, to plan a plan. “It was all about stripping again the extra kinds that had been added over time and taking the house again to its roots with this pretty rectangular form,” stated Charlotte McGill, the director of interiors. “Then, on the rear, we designed a brand new pavilion with an analogous form to accommodate the kitchen and dwelling and eating areas, and provides them views to the backyard.”To attach the outdated construction with the addition, which they clad in shou-sugi-ban siding, they added an atrium/examine lined in floor-to-ceiling steel-and-glass doorways.Within the outdated portion of the three,500-square-foot home — which they reconfigured to create a major suite, two extra bedrooms and a sitting room — they retained and restored as many authentic particulars as they may, together with an arched entrance with ornamental corbels close to the entrance door and crown molding all through. Then they added extra period-appropriate touches, together with ornate ceiling medallions and arched panels above inside doorways.The unique hearth mantel was lacking, so Ms. Vincent hunted down an Eighteen Eighties marble substitute. For the sidelights and transom on the entrance door, she discovered leaded-glass replacements made with vintage glass.Within the addition, nonetheless, the house feels decidedly extra fashionable. Many of the area is a wide-open expanse with room for cooking, eating and lounging. On one aspect is a kitchen anchored by a smooth island constructed from Bianco Lana marble and easy grey cabinetry terminating in a window seat; on the opposite aspect is a front room with low-slung furnishings and an extended hearth topped by Venetian plaster panels that slide open to disclose bookshelves, a stereo system and a TV.On the again, two units of glass sliders open to the pool deck and backyard, designed by Kate Patterson, a panorama architect. A walkway of pavers set in grass results in a pool-house residence beneath the olive tree behind the lot.After finishing plans for the renovation in 2019, the Vincents moved right into a rental across the nook so Tenet Development may start work in Might 2020, within the early days of the pandemic.“Melbourne was one of the crucial locked down cities on the planet,” Ms. Vincent stated. “However we nonetheless acquired via it. We thought it was actually essential to assist our builders, and in consequence, we had an excellent journey.” The fee was about 3 million Australian dollars ($2 million), and the household moved again into the home in September 2021.

To finish the designers’ imaginative and prescient, the Vincents purchased virtually solely new furnishings for the home, mixing up to date items, together with a bulbous Moroso Gogan couch by Patricia Urquiola in the lounge, with midcentury-modern classics like Cassina Capitol Advanced chairs, impressed by Pierre Jeanneret, on the kitchen desk.Now the household loves spending time at house, the place the rooms movement simply into one another and the outside. “It’s simply joyful and very easy to stay in,” Ms. Vincent stated. “You're feeling such as you’re in nature, not in an city setting.”For weekly e-mail updates on residential actual property information, enroll right here. [ad_2] Supply hyperlink

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Former 1870 bakery superbly converted to a home in Carlton North, Victoria, Australia, a suburb of Melbourne. It stayed a bakery until 1967 and had 3 horse stables on the side that are now bedrooms. 7bds, 4ba, $1.475M.

It has a huge living room that opens to the courtyard. Love the ceiling and the the pipe that is a hint of the building's former life. Isn't the corner fireplace cute?

I love the open airy layout, but if you want completely open concept, this home is not for you. Isn't the kitchen lovely? It has a huge island and row of windows that face the courtyard and let in lots of sunshine.

Isn't the dining room fabulous? And look at the atrium in the middle of the house.

This lovely bedroom has a glass door that opens to the atrium. How beautiful is that?

The upper level bedroom has vaulted ceilings, beams, and doors to a terrace. It might be the primary suite.

This could either be a casual dining room, a library or a den.

A kitchen table is in this wing, which is very light and open.

The current owners have this area set up as a home office. This home certainly brings the outdoors in.

A secondary bedroom that opens to the patio has a lovely beamed ceiling.

The architectural feature in this bedroom gives it a lot of interest. It appears to be one of the stable bedrooms.

This home has an awful lot of tables and chairs. I guess the owners didn't know what else to do to with all the space, but this table is next to the kitchen.

This is another dining room with doors to the garden. There's a sofa and book shelving, so this room would make a nice den or even an art studio.

This nice bedroom has its own en-suite and would make a great guest room.

Cute cheery room for children.

Isn't the garden beautiful?

This little cobblestone alley is an entrance.

That must be Melbourne in the background, so it's not far from the city.

There's this diagram, but the realtor doesn't give the dimensions of the property.

https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-carlton+north-143652596

[luxuryhomebuilders]

Go for Knock down Rebuild in Melbourne to Meet Your Changing Needs

Reputable building firms provide knock down rebuild in Melbourne for better street appeal, better orientation of the property on the block, and year-round natural light and thermal efficiency. These businesses guarantee that they can expertly handle all part of your new dream home, including planning the demolition of your old home and designing your new one, as well as interior design, pool installation, landscaping, and whatever else your vision requires. They can design a home that is ideal for your preferences, financial situation, and way of life, whether that be traditional, modern, or a mix of both.

Architects, contractors, and interior decorators of these businesses can construct a harmonic, textured, and opulent French provincial homes that facilitates easy living and a contemporary family lifestyle. French provincial architecture emanates a timeless warmth and elegance that, when combined with contemporary furnishings, produces a luxurious living space. A Mansard style roofs, rendered exterior walls, timber windows, parquet flooring, statement kitchen islands, natural stone, ornamental wrought iron, or shutters, rustic wood, and warm, natural tones with gold accents are all characteristics of these homes.

Significance of Expert Knock Down Rebuilds:

According to verified portals, a knock down rebuild is when your builder knocks down your current home, clears the site, prepares it, and then builds you a brand-new house to suit your evolving family's demands. This enables you to stay in the neighbourhood you love while designing a new house specifically to fit your existing lifestyle. One of the key benefits of choosing to demolish your current home and build a new one is that it might be less expensive than upgrading. While tearing down and starting over with a new house offers many financial advantages, it also improves your quality of life. KDRs are a terrific choice for families that adore their current residence and would be reluctant to move.

In conclusion, construction firms provide design, building, and other services in contemporary designs. Anyone looking for these services can get in touch with a local construction business.

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[lightingstoresmelbourne]

Buy Modern Lights Online to Choose Lighting Items Manufactured Around the World

Reputable online retailers of contemporary lighting offer a large selection of lights online at affordable prices. They supply and offer online a variety of lighting items, including whop lights, show lights, warm and cool lighting, general lighting, hotel lights, and much more.  These retailers ensure that their assortment of contemporary lights will inspire you with the newest styles and offer lights that are comfortable, stylish, and ambiance-enhancing. They pledged to offer a carefully chosen assortment of luxury lighting with an emphasis on style and quality.   They stock a well chosen selection of products from both domestic and foreign designers.

These shops also sell fashionable, superior multi pendant lights online. They claim that adding primary or task lighting to your home in an artistic and practical manner is possible with a multi pendant light. In addition to being visually pleasing, pendant lights can express the homeowner's individual style. Linear row and cluster pendants are two different styles of multi-pendent lights. A excellent option for kitchen islands, worktops, and game areas are linear pendant lights, which hang the fixtures in a row at the same or comparable heights. For smaller spaces, cluster pendant lights form squares, steps, circles, and other shapes on a circular canopy.

Reasons to Buy Modern Lights Online:          

Verified portals indicate that online retailers of lights stock a large selection of the newest models and are able to ship them directly to your home or place of business in Melbourne.  These stores regularly hold lighting clearance deals with a wide selection of brand-new lights that provide you outstanding value for your money and stay up to date with the most recent Australian lighting trends. Online retailers can offer you the greatest lighting goods that meet Australian standards as well as the best imported lighting items from around the globe, such as Italian and European.

In conclusion, online lighting stores offer various modern lights of your indoor and outdoor purposes.   Anyone wants to buy these lights should browse their online platform to shop.

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[davidhellosucces]

Assured Bond Back Guarantee! Meticulous End of Lease Cleaning in Richmond

Are you approaching your relocation date? Why waste your weekend in a tedious vacate cleaning job when we can get your rented apartment cleaned meticulously at affordable rates? At End of Lease Cleaning Melbourne, we have a combined industry experience in end of lease cleaning in Richmond and equipped with modern tools and equipment to make your rented apartment spotless. For 100% bond back guarantee, give us a call today! You can also Chat Live with us via FB Messenger.

Most Affordable Bond Cleaning in Richmond

If you think bond cleaning would cost you heavy, we have got you covered. We keep your budget in mind and offer various packages to meet your needs. Our highly proficient and skilled Cleaney experts are committed to rendering impeccable services at economical rates. Offering detailed cleaning of every edge and corner of your premises, we assure you of guaranteed bond back during move-out and make exit cleaning in Richmond pleasing and fuss-free.

Comprehensive Exit Cleaning Services We Offer

Our vacate cleaning services are designed to immaculate every nook and corner and make your rented apartment spotless. Here’s what we offer:

Dusting and wiping off wall hangings, pictures and frames

Dusting of lightings, fixtures and accessories

Cobweb removal from walls, ceilings

Vacuuming and steam cleaning of upholstered furniture

Carpet steam cleaning

Mopping tiled floors

Kitchen cleaning

Bathroom deep cleaning

Wiping of showerheads, countertops and fixtures

Dirt removal from electrical appliances

Mould and mildews removal

Stain removal from floors, countertops and backsplashes

Oven cleaning and refrigerator cleaning

Call Us for a Guaranteed Full Refund!

No need to fret with vacate cleaning in Richmond anymore. We are always ready to end your stress with bond cleaning once and for all. It’s our pride that we put forth relentless efforts in what we do and maintain a proven track record of successful bond returns. Let us handle the tedious task while you simply sit back and relax!

End of lease cleaning in Richmond Support FAQ

Do You Offer Bond Back Guarantee for End of Lease Cleaning In Richmond?

Yes! We assure you of 100% bond back guarantee during move-out in Richmond. Our vacate cleaners pay attention to every edge and corner and make your premises pristine clean and spotless. Read the t&c’s to understand how it works.

How Long Does the End of Lease Cleaning Take in Richmond?

End of lease cleaning Richmond process may take upto 5-6 hours depending upon the size and condition of your property.

How much is the end of lease cleaning cost in Richmond?

The typical cost of an end-of-lease clean-up service ranges from approximately $195 for a typical 1-bedroom home. However, the price will depend on the condition of the living area. If the house doesn't need a thorough cleaning, the cost could be reduced.

Do You Clean Floors & Windows with End of lease cleaning in Richmond?

Yes, we do it all! From stained floors, dirty windows to cobweb removal from walls and backsplashes, we treat every edge and corner of your premises and make your property spotless.

Are There Any Additional Charges Involved in End of lease cleaning in Richmond?

There are additional charges if the property is in unreasonable condition and some extras if they need to be done

What Type of Cleaning Products Do You Use for End of Lease cleaning?

We use none other than eco-friendly cleaning detergents to keep the health of your kids and pets intact. Our cleaning products cause no harm to your health, nor to your property.

ABOUT RICHMOND

THINGS TO DO IN RICHMOND

Richmond is an located  in Melbourne, Victoria. located 3 kilometers  east of Melbourne’s Central Business District in the local administration region within Melbourne’s City of Yarra municipality.

Herring island

Niagara Galleries

Local G uide to Richmond

Assured Bond Back Guarantee! Meticulous End of Lease Cleaning in Richmond

Are you approaching your relocation date? Why waste your weekend in a tedious vacate cleaning job when we can get your rented apartment cleaned meticulously at affordable rates? At End of Lease Cleaning Melbourne, we have a combined industry experience in