A homeowner’s guide to cleaning the fireplace
There are few things guaranteed to warm the heart (and the limbs) faster than a beautiful open fireplace. As a design feature, it is delightfully sophisticated and wonderfully stylish. While many of the traditional Georgian and Victorian fireplaces have now made way for more contemporary shapes and forms, Australian homeowners still love the crackle and heat of real wood fires.
Read moreInterior decorating tricks to put the spring back in your step
The spring has finally arrived in Australia and homeowners are starting to emerge from the depths of winter with big plans for their interiors. This is the perfect time of year for transitions and changes, so it is no surprise that so many people are investing in transformations.
Read moreRoofing: concrete tiles or Colorbond steel?
Whether you’re building, renovating, or doing repairs, it’s worth reconsidering your roof. The best fit for your home and lifestyle isn’t always immediately apparent, and there are plenty of factors to consider. The most popular roofing materials in Australia are concrete tiles and Colorbond steel.
Read more5 mistakes that will jeopardise your garden
If you’re a total newcomer to gardening and you want to pick up some skills fast, it’s easy to find good information. There are scores of great books on the best techniques and you can collect tips and advice from home improvement shows. This article goes deeper into how to nurture your garden.
Read moreWarning signs of pest infestations to look out for while house hunting
Check open spaces for anthills, window frames for wasps nests, trees for termite nests, and sheds and trees for possum nests. Be on the lookout for other evidence that pests are living there such as droppings under trees and the skin being eaten off lemons on fruit trees. Secondly, observe greenery in the area. If there are damaged plants or patches of grass pests may be to blame.
Read moreMaintaining your Stone floors
Natural stone floors are an investment that can last a life time if cared for properly. Stone floors add a wow factor to any home and should be maintained regularly
Read moreSetting up a home theatre
If you love escaping into another world watching movies and television, a home theatre can provide an immersive experience like no other. This article outlines everything you need to set up your own home theatre.
Read moreEnclosed elegance: 4 steps towards preparing your house for guests
With Christmas right around the corner, it won’t be long until you start making plans for the holiday and the most important meal of the year. In fact, you might already have begun. Some families like to get organised early and know exactly who is staying where and in which house to find the turkey.
Read moreWhat you need to know about built-in wardrobes
We all love lots of storage in our homes and the most efficient way to do that is with built-ins. It is well worth considering the addition of built-in wardrobes to your bedrooms. Or if you are lucky enough to have plenty of space a walk-in robe is even better. A built in wardrobe creates a very functional and tidy solution for your clothing, shoes and accessories that can be customised specifically for your needs.
Read moreHow to ensure you have the best viewing at home?
Do you have bad TV reception at your home? Australians love to watch TV and it is very frustrating when you are about to settle in to watch a movie or your favourite game of sport and the signal is playing up. So get an Antenna service expert to identify and fix the problem once and for all.
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 moreGuide to Bathroom Lighting and IP Rating
Starting with the technical details, safety is key when choosing your bathroom lighting. To identify whether a light is safe for your bathroom, all lights are given an IP Rating (Ingress Protection rating) which measures how resistant the light is to both water and dust particles. IP Ratings can be determined by reading the first and second digits following the initial ‘IP’.
Read more4 common house defects uncovered by property inspections
A property inspection report is a must have document when you’re deciding whether or not to buy a house. Many homes have defects which will be uncovered by property inspectors. Some are serious, and others, less so. The building inspection gives you the power to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right house for you. These are some common issues which may be uncovered in the report:
Read moreThe difference between skylights and roof windows
Are you looking to install a skylight in your home but keep coming across the term “roof window” in your research?
Read moreGreen plumbing tips
Water is the world’s most precious commodity. We can be blasé about our usage and consumption of water during the wet months or when there are no apparent shortages and our dams are at a decent level.
Read moreGet Decked Out
Thinking about what flooring or paving to choose for your patio, outdoor room, poolside surrounds, entertaining area or pathways?
Read moreRecommended finishes for solid timber entrance doors
There have been numerous articles or recommendations on the types of finish for exterior doors, some of which are disputable. It is important to select an exterior finish that allows for movement of the timber as well as maintenance and preservation.
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 moreA balcony enclosure creates a warm winter retreat
A balcony enclosure using a frameless glass system could be just the thing to turn your outside area into a warm winter retreat. Balcony and outdoor entertainment areas have been enjoyed all summer long. But with winter on our doorstep, now is the perfect time to think about how this space will be used in the colder months ahead. And a balcony enclosure could be just the thing!
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