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 moreGarden irrigation systems in Queensland
Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast can be very hot and dry places. Often gardens in these areas of South East Queensland struggle to survive through periods of intense weather patterns. Most people love an inviting, thriving garden and have invested a lot of time and money into their lawns, plants and landscaping only to lose precious plants due to insufficient water.
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 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 moreDifferent types of glass
There is a huge range in the glass types available when designing or replacing the glass windows and doors in your home. When choosing the glass that is used to make up new windows or doors, homeowners have a considerably large choice in the type of glass that they would like – each with varying functions and aesthetics. The glass that is used in window and doors can be customised to suit individual preferences. This includes different combinations of thickness, size, tint, colour, and film.
Read moreWhat to look for when considering tiles and tilers
When it comes to tiles we tend to think of the wet areas of the house - kitchen, bathroom and laundries. But there are so many styles, shapes, sizes and materials of tiles available for many more uses than just our wet areas including floors and walls for living rooms, entry halls, fireplaces and stairs, not to mention outdoor areas such as verandahs, terraces, pathways, entertaining areas and pools.
Read moreSetting up a home gym
If you have ever thought about a home gym you’ve probably weighed up the cost against the benefit of having your own space and equipment. But you don’t have to go all-out to create the perfect home gym, and with the money that you save on membership fees, it doesn’t have to hurt your bank balance either.
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 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 to choose a staircase
There are many homes throughout Australia with staircases and in some more than one. A staircase can be tucked away and unobtrusive or can be a focal point and add real wow factor to your home. Taking regulations and guidelines into account your staircase can then only be limited by space, budget and imagination.
Read moreNew Home Construction - Exterior and Interior Colours Finished
For interior paint, choose colours wisely so they blend harmoniously with your floors, cabinetry and furnishings, adding elegance to your living spaces like no other detail can. And floors should not be overlooked; quality tiles, plush carpet or timber floors complete every room ensuring practicality combined with attractive character.
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 morePest Control is a must
No one likes creepy crawling insects around the home. Mice, cockroaches, ants, spiders, silverfish, fleas and the silent assassins, termites, are all unwanted visitors to our homes.
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 more15 Striking Outdoor Lighting Ideas and Designs
Outdoor free standing lamps reference both floor lamps and table lamps and are a fabulous addition to any al fresco area. They provide an intimate, warm glow that helps create a relaxed atmosphere and enhance the ambience of your home’s exterior.
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 more12 spring cleaning hacks that will forever change your life
Spring is well and truly here, and there’s a lightness in the air. More sun, the smell of jasmine and longer days. What’s not to love about this season?
Read moreA homeowner’s guide to planning a hassle free home renovation
Every year, millions of homeowners all across Australia embark on ambitious home renovation projects. The most popular targets are the kitchen and the bathroom, because they offer lots of opportunities for families to stamp their personality on the space. Whether it’s a full makeover, complete with entirely new fixtures and fittings, or it’s just a spruce up to revive a tired room; successful renovations can add value to a home and expand its appeal.
Read moreCheck your plumbing for leaks
Leaks in plumbing can be silent and hidden, but they are capable of massive amounts of damage. Ceilings, floors, walls, and the structural integrity of your home can be damaged by even a small leak, causing thousands of dollars of damage. The best course of action is to find any leaks as soon as possible and fix them before any further damage can occur. Follow these steps to determine if you have any leaks and identify their source.
Read moreWhat Air Conditioning System is best for me?
VRV stands for Variable Refrigerant Volume. A VRV system is still the only system that continuously adjusts the refrigerant volume within the system to match exactly the heating or cooling requirement in each area, for optimum comfort and maximum energy efficiency.
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