How 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.
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Start the New Year with a spring clean
Christmas is a faded memory and a New Year has begun and what better way to start the New Year than with a spring clean and maintenance of your home and garden. Have you let all those little odd jobs mount up during the past year while you kept telling yourself that you will get around to fixing them. So hire a handyman and kick the year off with a good clean, repair and rubbish removal.
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Mid-Century Lighting
Mid-century lighting is more than just a trend; it's a testament to the enduring power of design that speaks to both functionality and artistic expression. Its ability to seamlessly blend into various interior styles while adding a touch of retro elegance is what makes it a cherished choice among homeowners and designers alike.
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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.
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What 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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Beat 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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12 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?
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Warning 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.
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Setting up the ideal home office
Working from home is only worthwhile if you have a well-designed work space there. If you are setting up a home office at your place keep the following tips in mind.
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What do plumbers do?
Plumbers work is a very necessary and essential part of any building work whether it’s a new build, an extension, renovation or improvement to any home or commercial premises. It is vital to have a licensed professional plumber carry out any plumbing related work to ensure it is legal and guaranteed. When plumbing goes wrong it can be disastrous so never try to do it yourself.
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Arborist – Expert Tree surgeons
Trees are a treasure in our gardens. Who doesn’t love beautiful big trees that provide us with shade and shelter from harsh weather, privacy from prying neighbours and the softening aesthetic they create not to mention the birds and wildlife they attract. The bigger and older some trees are, the more beautiful they become however all trees need to be cared for and have checkups once in a while to ensure they are healthy.
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Recommended 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.
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What 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.
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Choosing 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.
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Continuous 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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Consultants 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.
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The homeowner’s guide to purchasing a water heater
The water heater is an essential part of most houses. Without it, daily routines like doing the dishes, showering, and powering appliances would become very difficult. Thus, these sturdy, dependable devices need the right amount of care and attention. If you want to ensure that yours continues to run smoothly, carry out regular maintenance and check its condition.
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Guide 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’.
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Shade Sails
Shade Sails (also known as Sail Shades) and awnings are a great solution for providing protection from sun, rain and wind in outdoor areas. There are many commercial properties such as cafes, pubs, clubs, schools, day care centres, hospitals and nursing homes utilizing their outdoor areas with overhead coverings and private companies providing outdoor space for their staff to use for coffee and lunch breaks. They are now also more and more homes and private residences with shade sails and awnings.
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How much will it cost to repair a blocked toilet in Sydney?
Toilets are probably the most crucial plumbing fixture in the home. When your Sydney toilet gets blocked, you want the problem fixed as quickly as possible. But how much will you have to pay? Here are some guidelines around the costs of having your blocked toilet repaired by a licensed Sydney plumber.
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