7 design tips for an eco-friendly home that doesn't cost the earth
Having an eco friendly home is about more than just saving money. It means that you’re doing your bit for Mother Nature. Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is a worthwhile endeavour, but sometimes the costs associated can be off-putting. But what if we told you that, with a few tweaks in home design, you could have an environmentally conscious home that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg? We’re not kidding, so read on to find out seven design tips that will transform your place into an efficient and green household.
Read moreThe Modern Day Butler’s Pantry
The traditional Butler’s Pantry has evolved over many years from what were a series of rooms such as the scullery, pantry and larder where each stage of food preparation and clean up was conducted. These rooms were eventually condensed into one room being what we would now call a kitchen.
Read moreArborist – Expert Tree surgeons
Trees are a treasure in our gardens. Who doesn’t love beautiful big trees that provide us with shade and shelter from harsh weather, privacy from prying neighbours and the softening aesthetic they create not to mention the birds and wildlife they attract. The bigger and older some trees are, the more beautiful they become however all trees need to be cared for and have checkups once in a while to ensure they are healthy.
Read moreHow much does a second storey addition cost?
Have you ever wondered: ‘How much does a Second Storey Addition Cost?’ and ‘Should I extend out or build up? Which will cost more?’ Adding a second storey does not always cost more than a home extension. Sometimes it actually makes more sense to add another level, but homeowners can be put off by thinking that this costs more than a ground floor home extension. This is not necessarily the case! This article reveals the inside scoop on whether building a ground floor extension or adding a second story on your house would be best for you.
Read morePool Tiling Brisbane
Stone tiles can also be used successfully for pools and can be carried onto patio areas for a flowing, cohesive design or can be coordinated with existing outdoor pavers and tiling. Always keep in mind that a rougher, more porous surface is preferred for pool surrounds as this aids in reducing slip hazards.
Read moreGet your home winter-ready
Winter is just around the corner and while many areas of Australia have been enjoying a very mild Autumn it is easy to get caught out when the cold snap arrives. So now is the time to prepare the house for those winter chills.
Read moreBiggest tile trends of 2016
Welcome to the future! Tile trends this year have been heavily influenced by increased capabilities in manufacturing and technology, creating new types of tiles with amazing potential. Designers are being inspired to use tiles in new places, such as bedrooms and feature walls. The same material on both floors and walls is a huge trend which enlarges the look of rooms and creates a modern, streamline appearance. Below you’ll find a rundown on the most popular trends in tiles this year.
Read moreLaminate Floor Cleaning – Quick 4-Step Guide to Save You From Disaster!
Understandably, people naturally use water when cleaning flooring surfaces, but the problem with laminate flooring is that water is its enemy! Moisture warps and weakens it. Often the lamella is only 5mm thin and it has MDF backing. This is like chipboard so the slightest gap between planks, or unsealed edges, will cause it to swell, lift and buckle.
Read moreWhat you need to know about plasterers
A plasterer is an expert in the supply and installation of plasterboard (also known as dry wall plaster). The majority of homes and buildings in Australia will have a number of rooms, if not all, with plasterboard internal walls and ceilings.
Read moreGarage door safety: tips on keeping you and your family safe
When you think about it, the garage door is probably the heaviest moving object on your property, as well as the largest. So it makes sense to treat this item with special caution, particularly if you have young children in the family. It is worth coming up with a set of safety rules that both adults and children are aware of, and make sure that you remind everyone from time to time about them. After all, as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Read moreA wallet-friendly guide to transforming your house into an eco-friendly habitat
When it comes to trying to make the shift into living a greener life, many are under the impression that the changes they have to make to their lifestyles and homes will absolutely break the bank. Whilst this can indeed sometimes be true, on the flipside, there are actually a large number of ways you can transform your home into an eco-friendly household without busting a hole in your pocket. Have a look at our wallet-friendly guide to transforming your house into an eco-friendly habitat.
Read moreInvesting in a better bedroom
Your bedroom should be one of your favourite parts of your home; somewhere that you feel relaxed and happy. If your bedroom has you uninspired and waking up feeling flat, it is time to make some changes.
Read moreTop 5 Indoor Floor Lamps for Contemporary Interiors
When function is perhaps secondary to design, decorative indoor floor lamps allow you to add illumination that is heavily influenced by your personal aesthetic. A decorative floor lamp is a feature that should look wonderful whether the light is turned on or off – something to consider when floor lamps can be larger in size and have the potential to dominate an area of your room. Use your lamp to create a mood to reflect your décor and treat your floor lamp like a work of contemporary art.
Read moreKnow the NO’s when it comes to Asbestos
Asbestos was a very popular building product widely used in Australia for decades. Asbestos fibers are much finer than human hair, they can float in the air not visible to the naked eye and can easily be inhaled.
Read moreColour Scheming Made Easy
if you have a sunroom, look at a complementary paint colour scheme where you use colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange.
Read moreHow to ensure your hot water stays hot
There’s nothing more annoying than running out of hot water when you are half way through washing your hair under a chilly shower in the middle of winter. If that has happened to you perhaps it’s time to replace your hot water system.
Read moreAppliance repair: when to call a professional
If any of your appliances have been acting strangely lately, you may have wondered whether you should call a professional. The most obvious sign is that they aren’t working at all, but other symptoms include loud noises, water leaking, decreased efficiency, and higher than normal power bills. If you’re tossing up between repair and replacement, a professional can help you assess the appliance and make the best decision.
Read moreRenovating your Queenslanders’ floors
The Queenslander is a much admired and sort after home that can be found in most parts of Queensland as well as northern New South Wales. There are a number of eras and designs of the Queenslander ranging from the 1800’s to post WW11 homes dotted all over Brisbane, varying in architecture as time progressed and the average size of the urban house block decreased. There are however a couple of unique features all Queenslanders share, the most iconic of which is the verandahs and the timber floors.
Read moreBuying sustainably and how to do it effectively
Do you wish you knew how to shop for pieces that veer towards the sustainable side of things? Buying environmentally friendly items can be hard to spot without asking a million questions, and although these types of questions are always welcome it’s nice to have some knowledge before hitting the shops. Let’s look at some of the criteria to spot an eco-friendly choice.
Read moreBrighten your day
Do you have a room or hallway in your home that is always dark and you need a light on even during the day?
Read more