The 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 moreUnderfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is a beautiful way to heat your home, obviously not from a visual sense as it is invisible, but because of the comfort and ambience it creates. It is unobtrusive, providing warmth for an entire room with no noise and no risk of being burnt by radiators or oil heaters. Perfect particularly for small children and the elderly.
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 moreHow long does it take to paint a house?
When you paint a house, it's important to prime it first.It takes half a day for one coat. Then you can paint the walls with another coat.In the end, your painting job must look nice. One important thing to remember is that it's interior or exterior painting. So it's always best to try and do the prep work yourself if possible. It means filling holes in plasterboard, sanding down surfaces to be much more easily painted, and cleaning surfaces.
Read moreElectrical technology for the laundry
The laundry is the working room of any home - in addition to washing, drying, and ironing, the laundry often doubles as a general storage area for linen, household items and even the kids’ sporting equipment! It needs to be a functional space where you can work safely and comfortably, and modern electrical technology can help that happen without adding to power bills. This article explores some of the options that are available, that may interest you.
Read moreSimple ideas to lighten and brighten your home
Most homes have a dark corner, hallway or room that has little or no natural light. There are many ways to remedy the problem without needing to have the lights on all day. Here are some ideas that will not only transform the mood of a room but also create a feeling of space without the hassle of a major renovation and a strain on the budget.
Read moreConsultants for Residential Building work
Basix: Environmental Consultant Basix Certificate (environmental performance evaluation) is required for all development applications. This certificate has been required with all development since 2006. This details the energy and water use and storage and recycling on site. The certificate is tied to the title and has to be certified as completed by the building inspector when the project is complete and before you can move in.
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 moreMaking the most of your water
Water is the world’s most precious commodity, therefore it just makes a whole lot of sense to harvest rainwater and recycle our grey (used) water as much as possible. Whether we live in a rural area or a house in the city we can all do our bit for the environment and reduce our water usage and costs.
Read moreIs your pool water-smart?
Living in Australia means we’re often conscious of our water use. But we also love to swim! Luckily there’s measures we can take to make sure our swimming pools are water-smart.
Read moreRendered feature walls pack a textured punch
Creating a successful interior design requires clever balance. We consider colours, shapes, sizes, and light, but one element many people neglect is texture. Simply painting a feature wall in a different colour or applying wallpaper can leave us wanting more- and rendering is a way to achieve that. A professional rendering company can help you achieve a range of different finishes, to make your feature wall something special.
Read moreKitchen Splashbacks
If you are planning a kitchen make over or designing the kitchen of your new dream home you should have a look at the variety of products and looks in kitchen splashbacks that are on trend right now.
Read moreChoosing timber flooring
When it comes to flooring which is remarkable, long lasting, timelessly beautiful, and natural, you can’t go past timber. However, there are many different types of timber floors to choose from, and it can become confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Solid, hardwood floors made from new or recycled timber are traditional and remain popular, however floating and engineered floorboards and parquetry are also great options.
Read moreGabion retaining walls for flood control
If you have a home located along a river or by the sea, or you have a creek running through your property, erosion control is an important factor in protecting your property. Heavy rain and flash flooding are becoming more frequent causing land to wash away and it is important to maintain, stabilise and repair your river or stream bank.
Read moreRenovating? Time to think about you outdoor additions
Australians traditionally love the outdoors. We love to take advantage of the abundant sunny days and warm evenings by entertaining outdoors. Outdoor rooms and outdoor kitchens along with verandahs, decks, pergolas, patios, cabanas and gazebos provide us with a space to extend our living into the outdoors. Relaxed, informal entertaining these days is a very popular way to catch up with family and friends. You would be hard pressed to find an Australian home that does not have some form of outdoor living space.
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 moreThe Right Way to Solving Summer/Spring Pest Problems Easily
One of the best parts about moving into a new home is the opportunity to make new friends with your neighbours. This will also help you get information on any previous issues the property had in regards to pests. The first people to know when a pest control is conducted are the neighbours and if there has been a history of pest invasion, it is most likely that the neighbours will be able to give you that information.
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 more3 reasons to install shade sails
Shade sails have one obvious function- to provide shade. But their benefits go beyond that.
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.
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