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 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 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 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 moreBuilding inspection - why do you need one?
What is a Building Inspection? A building inspection is an examination by qualified professionals which identifies faults and hazards in a property. These can include anything from maintenance and safety issues to serious structural faults or damage. Often the problems identified are not immediately visible or apparent to the untrained eye. Special equipment may be used to gather more information. After the inspection, a report is provided which details the issues. This allows home owners and potential buyers to make informed decisions.
Read moreIs Your Pest Problem Lowering the Value of Your Home?
When pests take over your residence it is difficult to control the extent to which they can cause harm. Rodents, termites, possums, mice, wasps, etc. can pose a real threat to the structure’s foundations and may even result in a collapse.
Read moreTurf Wars
Artificial Turf has come a long way in recent times and is fast becoming a popular care free way to green up your property. While it’s not quite the real thing, the artificial products are now much more sophisticated and actually do look and feel close to the real thing.
Read more6 tips for incorporating your style into interior décor
Imagine the feeling of walking into the home of your dreams, a luxury space designed by someone just for you. What does that space look like in your mind, does it make you feel safe, connected and inspired? This article looks at how you can make your space at home perfect for you.
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 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 moreRain Water Tanks
Each Australian on average uses 53,000 liters of water per year. That sounds like a lot but we probably don’t stop to think about the many ways we use water and how the consumption can add up.
Read moreHow to have a clever clothes line
The Hills Hoist was arguably the most recognized iconic symbol of a typical Australian back yard. There was and still is, nothing like a rotary clothes hoist loaded with washing and spinning in the breeze providing an environmentally safe and cost effective way to dry the washing.
Read moreGetting kitchen cabinets right
Having lots of storage in the kitchen is essential. This means that the most prominent feature of your kitchen is often your cabinets. Changing the design or surface of your cabinets can instantly revitalise and update your kitchen and create a huge impact. If you love your current layout, you may only need to replace the doors for an instant makeover. However, if your old cabinets are looking worse for wear inside, it’s worth investing in some quality, custom made shelving.
Read moreThe importance of a professional concretor
Concrete is a versatile and very widely used building material. There would be very few homes, old or new that don’t have concrete in some way, shape or form. The mixing, forming, laying and finishing of concrete is extremely important and therefore should always be carried out by a professional, licensed and insured Concretor regardless of the size of the job. A shoddy concreting job is not only visually very obvious but also can be a risk to structural integrity and therefore a safety risk.
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.
Read more5 practical ways to create a seamless flow between interior and exterior living
Enjoying time outdoors is a wonderful thing. To have a house that has outdoor recreation areas means having space to play games in the backyard, host barbecues, and form many fond memories. One of the best parts about the outdoor sections of a house is the way they integrate with the inside of a house, and the more flexible and changeable the middle-ground is, the nicer the overall effect. Sometimes it can be hard to work out ways to make one’s outdoor area more indoor-friendly, but not to worry, we’ve created this straightforward
Read moreDog Drool - Why Worry?
We often see dog drool on glass, and, frankly, it's not a pretty sight! It is loaded with bacteria, not great when you have kids around, and, looks about as bad as it gets! Is it something that should concern you? Absolutely!!
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 moreGet Rugged Up This Winter
What better way to make a warm, cozy and stylish statement to a room than with a beautiful floor rug. Rugs can bring a room together or help create a zone in an open plan area of your home. When planning the décor for your room you could start with a rug and use its tones and textures to determine other decorator items
Read moreContinuous Guttering
Have the gutters at your place seen better days, now is the time to get new guttering installed, be prepared for those heavy downfalls from summer storms.
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