Logs, hidden water and tents

The latest in the series of random ideas that - if time and money were no object - we could explore.  Meaning that in reality we likely will not, but hey... it's still fun to jot them down :-)

Small sliced logs as wall decor
One of those ideas you have to see the picture to appreciate.  I love this concept, and we're going to have to cut up wood for firewood, don't see why they can't do some extra slices while they're at it.  :-)  In Martha's version it is birch wood, but I think it would be nice to do it with some native wood, there must be some that have a nice pattern

Chandelier inspired from nature
We saw this in person when in NYC in September at ABC Carpet & Home in Union Square.  I used to love window shopping there and was thrilled to find it still existed, nearly 2 decades later.  I loved this chandelier and came pretty close to wanting to buy it when Dave pointed out with a little ingenuity we could make our own version, and we'd have to rewire the damn thing anyway as US wiring is totally different to UK or Australia.  I still love it though. It's called "The Enchanted" and it comes from a company called Canopy Designs.

Disappearing swimming pools
Sadly they don't give any prices which usually means it is not something any mere mortal could afford.  But it's a cool concept nonetheless.

Safari cabin tents
I've always loved the safari tent cabins we've stayed in when in Africa.  I think they'd work just as well for temporary (but more comfy than usual) guest accommodation in Australia too.  Here's an Australian based company that makes various kinds: Ecostructures

Lining the lake house ceiling

Dad is pressing on with work at the lake house, whenever he can find a spare couple of days.  Now we have a roof on both sides, and a start made on lining boards holding up the insulation too. I love the way it looks, it will be brilliantly airy and light feeling.

Email from Dad, Nov 13th:  (originally we'd planned to leave the lining boards as a job for us to do)
I want the best lining boards to go on the old house veranda... that means that I will possibly have to use several different types of boards to do the lakehouse. I have realised that if I don't do this task now I will have to provide another 4 rafters for the task of fixing the ends of the boards and that is pointless. So I will do that task now.

 Email from Dad, Nov 26th: 

I sorted the boards of several of the most promising board size with respect for quantity to complete the work with one type of board. This was worthwhile work as I needed to be sure before committing myself to a size. As it transpired I have a sizeable pile, I think I will get all the dado as well as the ceiling from it. There are very many boards which almost work-in but don't because of the ends being split or rotted. These will be cut to use for the dado up to 900mm. Above this dado will be plasterboard painted to provide the contrasting and set off the lining boards.  I didn't straighten the underside of the rafters as when I checked they were pretty good on this side at least.