Tiles and splashback

 We have selected our tiles from Volare Concepts where Sharon showed us the range of tiles they had. For most of the house we selected a 600x600mm Riva Bianco pocelain tile. The same design will also be provided in a 300x600mm size which will then be cut into half to provide a 150mm skirting throughout the tiled portion of the house. In the picture on the left this is the tile on the bottom.

The bathroom tiles will be 300x300 Silk Ivory - smaller and not so smooth (shown in the picture - middle tile).

The white tile set up vertically is the bathroom and laundry wall tiles. We wanted them as wihite as possible with a ripple - similar to what we have in the current house except this will be 300x600mm when it is laid.

The best is the feature tile I think, shown as a close-up here. We will only have them at key points in the bathrooms. The photo does not do it justice at all.

And lastly behind the kitchen benches will a glass splashback from Decoglaze. The colour is Cobalt Blue (middle one) which doesn't seem to be on the website but they had it in their showrom in Fyshwick where I took the pics.

Heating and cooling systems

 We are installing hydronic in-slab heating in our house. What this means is that water pipes will be embedded into the concrete and hot water cycled through the piped during winter.  This in turn will heat the concrete and slowly release the heat throughout the evening and night keeping the house in an ambient temperature. Because the heat rises from the floor, the heat is more comfortable than ducted heating (which we are also installing).  The hydronic heating will be connected to the hot water system.  This will be driven by a solar system with an instant gas backup when the sun isn't shining. The hydronic heating will be throughout downstairs and under the upstairs bathroom.

 Rainer Brandmeier from Branco Boilers sat down with Firas and me and explained how the system will be laid out. He was kind enough to invite me to come out and have a look at another house he was setting up in Wright where I took these photos.

 At the heart of the system is this manifold which controls the flow rate of the hot water to each of the areas.  We will have twelve areas in the house. The red part is where the hot water goes out to the house and the blue is where the water returns after the heat is transferred into the concrete slab.

 Each room or area has the the hydronic rehau piping coming in a spiral into the middle and then spiraling out again back to the manifold.

The gas ducted heating will also be connected to a compressor to allow for cooling in summer.

  To top it off we couldn't not have a fireplace so selected the Coonara Grange built-in heater.

Our builder

We have selected Nablus Building Services as our builder.  We have been dealing with Firas Zakout for well over a year now (we came across the company at the HIA Home Ideas expo in Fyshwick).

Colorbond Roofing

We have selected Colorbond Deep Ocean for our roof, fascia, trim and downpipes.  The picture here gives a bit of an idea of the colour combination of our house although I don't think we'll really know till its all done.

Upstairs timber floor - Red Iron Bark

We have selected Red Iron Bark from Wonderful Flooring for our flooring for the stairs and upstairs. Red Ironbark has a Janka rating of 14 - one of the hardest Australian timber there is.

This tree produces a stunning array of timber hues from pale brown to dark chocolate brown and also dark, luscious reds. The grain is usually interlocked, with a moderately coarse texture.

Some more information about the floor:

Red IronbarkA elegant lust red, Red Ironbark is a quintessential Australian icon species having been used in Australia's history as a strong durable hardwood. Recognised as one of the hardest hardwood flooring available, Red Ironbark combines an inspiring cathedral grain pattern with a deep dark rouge colour. Red Ironbark grows in the dryer areas of Northern NSW in to Eastern QLD.

Choice of Carpet

We went to Don Burrows Carpets a few weeks ago and selected carpet from Godfrey Hirst eco+ Botanical range.  Haven't finalised the colour byt Misty Blue is looking good.
http://www.ecopluscarpet.com.au/

Some key features of the carpet:

Fibre:    100% Triexta
Description:  Cut Pile Plush
Guarantee: 15 Year Stain, Wear & Colourfast^
A.C.C.S rating:  Residential Extra Heavy Duty 6 Star
Contract Meduim Duty 2 Star
Suitable for stairs
E.C.S Level 4

Bricks - Boral Classic Horizon Leura

 Bricks for our house.   We have decided to use the Leura bricks from the Boral Classic Horizon range.  Boral were kind enough to let me know where these bricks have been used in Canberra so I went around and took some pictures (with the permission of the owner if they were there).  It is largely red/brown with an infusion of blue/black.  We are  hoping it will go well with the Colorbond Deep Ocean roof, windows and trims.