January 13th, 2012
— Aubrey Williams
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Wow, its already the 12th of January… but we’ve been hard at work here at Idube.
The roof of the main guesthouse has been painted, and it looks grand! I’m so glad to get rid of the faded old green roof that had its previous coat badly applied with a brush - and only ONE coat at that. It looked really dodgy, but wow… what a change! I could equate it to having a new haircut. Always makes one feel better!
Our guesthouse kitchen is getting a revamp next week - new cupboards, new countertops, new sink! The mustard cupboards have done the job since the 1970’s, but I do think its high time that they be sent for recycling. The outside of the buildings are also being damp-proofed from tomorrow and we’re going from the boring typical Melville look of “white walls and Melville Green roof”, to a funky textured paint in a colour called ‘cyclone’. Its going to look sh*t-hot!
But the best news is that the rater tired guest bathrooms for our budget rooms are being re-tiled. The guys are busy tiling as I type this post, and we’re about 90% of the way there with the first bathroom. The tumbled natural stone mosaic was an amazing choice. It has inspired me to get cracking on the other guest room bathrooms and get them tiled too. There’s the decorator inside of me just screaming to get out again!
Lionel and I also raided a really well-priced nursery in Linbro Park. Our parking area is looking so charming with four beautiful ficus topiary trees in large terracotta pots, underplanted with purple petunias and woodchip mulch. The pots are offset against wonderful wooden trellises. What a transformation!
Oh well… no rest for the wicked! Let me go and chase the tilers to see how far they are, pour myself a glass of vino and relax until our fabulous guests return from their tours of our gorgeous city.
Till next time!
December 21st, 2011
— Aubrey Williams
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I’m ecstatic to report that we’ve had heads on pillows in all rooms the last few days! We had the most awesome guests - the two families travelling together from Australia, great ladies from Zambia, and a couple from the USA, not to forget our returning Kenyan friends who’ve stayed with us before. Breakfasts were truly a “global experience”!
We’re staring work early in the new year to fix a few small problems with the building, and then construction starts to create two new guest rooms both with en-suite bathrooms. I’m heading out to the building suppliers today to look at doors, windows, bathroom fittings, paint colours, tiles, etc. for the new rooms. Once finished, I’m envisaging beautifully decorated Afro-Baroque rooms with crisp white percale linen, industrial-feel bathrooms and the exterior of the guesthouse newly painted in shades of sand.
Our family room will also be getting its own private entrance, and what is now the office is going to become another bedroom. The shared bathrooms are getting a bit of a make-over too - new tiles, stunning new wooden blinds, and quirky toilet seats!
Looks like the first few weeks of the new year are going to be very busy but we’re so looking forward to welcoming our guests after Phase 2 of the renovation. The old girl has had a facelift… I wonder if I can call Phase 2 the “tummy tuck”??
Wishing all of our friends the best over the festive season, and I’m sure there will be another post in the blog before new year. Have a fabulous week everyone!
October 31st, 2011
— Aubrey Williams
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Well, we’ve been open for about a month, and I’ve officially taken over full time at Idube. The last week has been absolute pandemonium with painters running around, upholsterers dropping off new furniture, pool repair people doing their thing… you get the idea.
I’ve also been busy around the pool… I’m happy to report that the tangerine/pumpkin/butternut/naartjie orange is GONE! It took three coats of paint, but its gone! That’s the main thing. I think many of our returning guests won’t recognise the pool area. Its now a tranquil oasis of green, white and purple. The little lavender bushes I planted a few days ago have just blossomed. Can’t wait to see when they’re fully grown.
Room 2 and Room 3 have been redecorated. As soon as the photoshoot is done, I will post some new pics on the website. I think they look absolutely splendid. Room 2 is now a three sleeper done in bright lime greens and purples, and room 3 has been transformed into a tranquil retreat with floor to ceiling goblet pleat curtains, new paint and antique furnishings. Totally sumptuous!!!
Anyway - time to go and give the painter a bit of moral support so that he can finish before our German guests arrive here at 6 tonight. Murphy’s Law he’s painting the dining room - probably the most important room in the house!!!
Hope you all have a great week!
October 8th, 2011
— Aubrey Williams
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I’ve finally put down the paintbrush and paint roller - and I’m happy to report that the pumpkin yellow foyer is now a thing of the past! The guy at the hardware store was very convincing when he said to me that it would only take two coats of paint to cover the very bright yellow… I beg to differ. There is two coats on the wall, and there are still specks of melon showing through. Oh well! Tomorrow is another day. I’ll jump out of bed, have my caffeine top up and get busy with the paint again. I’ve decided to keep the very funky zebra-motif columns though… those just add to the quirkiness of our wonderful new establishment.
The colour we’ve chosen for most of the communal areas in the guesthouse is aptly called “Kalahari” - very Afro-chic, and it looks stunning. Combining the gorgeous sandy colour with touches of leather, wood and the beautiful pressed steel ceilings and oregon strip flooring will certainly make a statement. Perhaps I should coin a new phrase : “afro-baroque” to describe the style we’re going for.
And talking of redecorating… there are 6 sofas and chairs at the upholsterer and we found the most gorgeous fabrics to cover them today. To see the couches playing off the stunning new wall colour is going to be something to behold. Anticipation much??? Can’t wait to get them back to get busy with the camera to get a few pics up on the website.
This certainly is a labour of love, and it is going to be so rewarding seeing my guests reactions to the “before and after” photos.
Anyway, time to hit the sack. Have to be up early tomorrow morning - got a guest from Belgium checking in, and I need to make sure his room is 100%, with the little sprigs of lavender placed on the towels, and all the little touches sorted.
September 26th, 2011
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We’ve officially taken up residence at Idube. Two trucks, five HUGE trailer loads full and five solid days of work resulted in many bruises, cuts, blisters and sore backs. But we’re in! That’s the main thing. We’re busy unpacking and will officially open for business on 24 October following the HUGE project plan that we’ve put together for a renovation and rejuvenation - almost like Botox for buildings!
My partner, Lionel, is forcing me to focus on getting our house sorted, but I’m so focussed on getting the B&B ready that I’m easily distracted and tend to wander off into the guesthouse and starting to unpack, rearrange, plan and imagine there. I’ll hear this shriek from the other end of the property and I know I’m in trouble.
Days to go to official opening : 21!
I’ll keep updating you on progress.