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 moreBring your tired timber floors back to life
There is nothing like the natural beauty of a timber floor. For centuries all kinds of timbers have been used all over the world as a choice of flooring. If looked after properly, a timber floor will long outlast us and still look good.
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 moreTop 10 Scandinavian Lighting Ideas for a Dining Area
Choosing your lights should involve a mix of both practicality and personal preference. Ambient lighting is designed to create a warm and welcoming mood in your kitchen.
Read moreRenovations for the older folk
Downsizing or moving into a Retirement Village can be a daunting prospect for the elderly. Many older folk would prefer to stay in their existing home if possible so that they can still be surrounded by their memories, chat to the neighbours they have know for decades and remain independent for as long as possible.
Read moreDigitally printed glass splashbacks – top 2018 trend for kitchen renovators
Digitally printed splashbacks are becoming a new global trend. What are digitally printed glass splashbacks? Digitally printed glass splashbacks are splashbacks with a custom digital image printed on them. This could be any photo, a piece of art, a pattern, or something else. If you can print it, it can become your new kitchen or bathroom splashback.
Read moreBringing your bathroom back from disaster
If I had to say what my favourite room in the whole house was, I would have to say that after the bedroom (because of the sleeping, silly), it’s the bathroom for me. I love having super long, luxurious, decadent showers. I also have a collection of shower gels and soaps that many people would deem unnecessary, but then, I have no time for such haters in my life.
Read moreHow to create kerb appeal
We have all admired other people’s homes. Regardless of the period, style, size and location there are many homes you look at and just say “wow”, “I could live there in a heartbeat” , “that’s my dream home” , “if I won Lotto that’s where I would want to live” and so on. We can be equally critical about the homes we don’t like. The ones we look at and say “what were they thinking?” “look how untidy that yard is”, “I don’t like the colour scheme” or “it looks very ramshackle”, “maybe its abandoned”.
Read moreHow to choose the right kitchen bench top
The kitchen is the beating heart of your home. It should be a functional and hard wearing as well as an attractive and inviting space.
Read moreHow to design your perfect backyard
Designing the perfect outdoor area in Australia is often influenced by climate and lifestyle. Not only do you need to consider what kind of design will keep you feeling comfortable, but what design will allow your plants to survive, and to thrive. There is no perfect formula. Each garden is as unique as the land, house, and people who live there. However, it’s always a great idea to plan sustainably, and a water-saving garden is never a bad choice!
Read moreAvoiding a DIY disaster – When to call in the professionals
Not every job requires professional help, especially if you are willing to put some time and effort into learning how to do a project properly
Read moreBuilding Quotes: How to avoid hidden costs
Building Quotes and avoiding hidden costs is possible if you know what to look for. Not all Building Quotes are created equal! If you are embarking on a home building or renovation project, you have probably contacted several Builders and have their Quotes in your hot hands. Some may look cheaper than the others, but are there hidden costs? Learn what to look for and why a cheaper quotes may cost you more in the long term.
Read moreHome renovation costs: when to save, when to splurge
Undertaking a major home renovation and extension is a large investment in your family home, and in your family’s future. There is a myriad of decisions and selections that need to be made, and overarching it all is a budget that you are determined to work within. This advice will help you decide if you should spend or splurge.
Read moreBathroom ideas and trends
After kitchens, bathrooms are the most important room in the house and perhaps the next most expensive. There are no hard and fast rules to building a brand new bathroom or renovating an existing one, other than the importance of the highest standard of workmanship in waterproofing and plumbing.
Read more7 ways homeowners can benefit from professional landscaping
For many homeowners, notions of professional landscaping are a bit farfetched. They don’t feel relevant to life because, well, not everybody needs a lawn fit for the Chelsea Flower Show. What they don’t realise is that the term ‘landscaping’ covers all kinds of different features, designs, and arrangements; not just high maintenance e blooms and lavish water fountains.
Read moreElectrical Safety
Have you ever stopped to consider the importance of electricity, particularly in the home, and how much we rely on it for so many day to day things? And have you ever truly thought about how dangerous electricity can be and therefore how important it is to always engage the services of a licensed electrician. Never take for granted the importance or danger of any electrical fixture or appliance and the absolute necessity for a professional to carry out any electrical work.
Read moreSelecting the best roller shutters for your home
When we think and see Roller Shutters we tend to immediately think of security for a home or business. Roller shutters are a great way to add security and are becoming a very popular method of securing your home against theft while providing you with complete privacy.
Read moreTime to replace your carpet?
If your home has old carpets that will need replacing sooner rather than later, start doing some research into your replacement options. Whether you want to go with carpet once again or try something new, the following is a brief look at a few of the many options you have available.
Read moreHow and why to choose exposed aggregate concrete
Exposed Aggregate concrete is a great look for driveways, pathways, hardscaping, and patios. It’s made by laying the premixed concrete and then carefully removing the top layer to expose the aggregates. Here’s just a few reasons to enjoy aggregate concrete.
Read moreBeat the Melbourne climate install air conditioning
Australia is a country of climate extremes and while traditionally we embrace the summer months it can be exhausting and debilitating when the temperatures and the humidity rise. Our houses heat up during the day making it very uncomfortable to sleep at night. It can be just as uncomfortable trying to stay warm during the chilly winter months and if you live in Melbourne you could well experience all four seasons in one day. The perfect solution to this changing and sometimes unpredictable weather is air conditioning.
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