Mont Sauvatage is more than just a house and home… it’s a thoughtful space that has evolved from the huge creative investment of time over a (so far… ) 15 year period.
It began with the collection, salvage and storage of materials, and design of a house that would integrate all the materials (to Australian standards). Construction began with slab pour in 2007.
The majority of the build has taken place in 400 days between 2008-2010, and the house continues to evolve with careful placement of collected and salvaged materials relevant to each space.
Mont Sauvatage is part home, part sculpture, part treasure box and definitely a quirky labour of love – at times hampered by life’s trials, and ‘house-wrighters block’. Fortunately all effort is rewarded and the finished product will show off the investment of labour and creativity that has gone into it.
There are always tasks to do, if you have the energy. And sometimes those jobs SAVE energy…. indeed getting some more doors hung will provide more efficient winter warmth. And get rid of more of the stuff being stored in the lounge room….
This doorway has had a blanket for a door for a few years. Hanging a door will make it ready to be a bedroom. Step 1... measurements.
Step 2... trimming, adding the lock...
Step 3... straightening and trimming the frame, adding the hinges
Step 4... hanging the door. Darn it. Don't like the colour! Oh well, painting is another job for a raining day!
These old velvet bases and cushions have been donated by Julz, but they have seen their day and need to become something else.
A dental cupboard makes a great sewing cabinet.
Velvet fabric recycled into large cushions... voila!
A bit of elbow grease to fix an old door (where are we hanging this one?)
Random photo of another job... another door is going in here!
There has been a bit of an event, so the house was open for family and friends. The sun shone! The glass sparkled! All spaces were explored with great curiosity and enjoyment! The photographs say it all …
The balcony provides a large amount of weatherproof undercover storage at the back of the house. It’s supported by three steel posts, and will incorporate salvaged tiles and balustrading.
Most of the work was completed over a four week period (January-March 2017) with Craig working with Adam and John so it was 90% complete by Easter 2017.
Back of the house - ready for Balcony!
Gatting the scaffolding ready.
Toolbox talk
Two of the posts are now in place... and the beam!
Welding the brackets in final position, now it's all square.
Ahoy me hearties! Now winter is over we’ve finally got the lovely days we need to crack along outside.. and with the assistance of Adam, and HelpXers Kyle and Aron, Craig now has this beautiful shed up and ready for work.
It has a magnificent outlook to the south (thanks to enormous salvaged toughened glass window from Craig’s collection) and to the north (thanks to excellent rollerdoor donated by Wally Shiels). A couple of salvaged French doors give such an elegant styling, but are also practical solutions to let in the light, and to get longer timber onto the cutting bench!
All in all a great leap forward, because ALL the tools that were living in the living room, now have a home in the Shed.
… which means that soon, we can do some tiling!
Site office will soon be dismantled to make way for a shed/workshop
A few old stumps and lots of rocks have to be cleared out to make space for the new shed/workshop.
Adam and Craig shifting tons of dirt to get the stump out, as this is where the shed will go.
Craig's made a start on the framing up (October)
The Framing up is coming along and the shed is taking place... (nice weather for it!)
Oh dear, the old storage and site shed is being cannabilised for parts...
Kyle checks out the shed with Craig, almost ready to get started on flooring and cladding.
The beginning of the cladding and flooring process. Soon to be undercover completely and no rain will bother us!
Tada! Kyle and Craig have finished the shed! Now the tools can move in to their new home.
The roller door is now open... come inside and take a look!
A view from inside the shed looking around. Enjoy the view!
Yes, it sure is cause for celebration. Everything has a place!
The old site shed is down to its foundations.... everything has been repurposed or found a new home.
Plenty of room for tools on the back wall.
Aron helps Craig to frame up the new super duper workbench. A full 4m along one wall... luxury!
Craig's got this.
Final steps, and we can put it all to work.
And one of the first jobs, now that the tools are out of the lounge... we can get onto tiling. No rush... its almost Christmas time ;)
Craig had a pretty good web site (called Craig’s building site) from 2006 to 2013. We have started this new web site and will eventually migrate the old site over here too… just another thing to get around to… eventually….