Author: Phoebe Bates

Phoebe Bates is our editorial intern as part of her Law/Media & Journalism degree at UNSW.

Categories
Art Styling

Why you should splurge on professional framing

After a recent voyage to IKEA, I arrived home with big plans to create a DIY gallery wall only to realise that the frames I had purchased were literally all wrong! The sizes were slightly too big or small. The colours of the frames didn’t quite work with the artworks. My skills at cutting the mat boards were naught (FYI: they’re crooked and it’s driving me insane). In short, it was a very frustrating and time-consuming Pinterest-inspired disaster!

My failed gallery wall ordeal got me thinking – is it worth spending the money getting artwork and photographs professionally framed?

To fill me in on all the pro’s of going professional, I chatted with our friends at Format Framing who explained that not only does it eliminate the hassle of playing “picture frame Tetris”, but professional framing services can also ensure that you select the right frame for your artwork, print or photograph.

Image: Amelia Stanwix

Do it once, do it right

There is quite a lot to consider when looking at framing options – white frame, black frame, gloss finish or an inner frame – so it helps to speak to a professional who can guide you through the process. A professional framer can explain mystifying things like the differences between paper options and the benefits of mounting methods for your specific medium. With custom frame options you also won’t be forced to squeeze (or worse, cut) your art into the only frame sizes available instore.

Image: Amelia Stanwix

Protect your artwork

Good frames not only keep your art from deteriorating and losing its value, but they will also ensure the works are well presented. If prints aren’t mounted correctly they can easily move around inside the frame. Not only is this highly irritating for those of us who rail against crooked or uneven wall art, but dust can easily become trapped inside the frame which can wreak havoc on the quality of the print.

Image: Amelia Stanwix

A store-bought frame is often made of plastic or resin and may not be UV-resistant (note: Ultra Violet light is an “art killer”). This means that over time the artwork may fade, turn yellow and be damaged by the harsh Australian light. Companies like Format Framing use high quality, acid-free materials that will protect your art and keep it in pristine condition for years to come.

Format Framing offer gallery quality, archival, giclee printing and custom framing, handmade in their Melbourne workshop and delivered Australia-wide in two weeks.

They work with artists represented by some of Australia’s best commercial galleries as well as providing framing for the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia.

For more art inspiration: Three ways to style extra large artworks

All photos feature Format Framing’s work.

Categories
Furniture Homewares

Top 8 picks from Pottery Barn’s 2018 spring collection

Pottery Barn’s new season collection is all about chic, Parisian-inspired interiors and I could not be more obsessed!

I have always admired romantic, European decorating but never seemed to understand how to incorporate this style into my own home. It always seemed to feel too soft and girl-ish, and not particularly liveable. But Pottery Barn’s spring range nails a mix of romantic and industrial pieces to create a very modern balance (that also happens to be super affordable).

There are more than 150 new arrivals at Pottery Barn, but here are a few of my personal favourites.

Tallulah Upholstered Sofa

The Tallulah Upholstered Sofa combines the straight lines of European styling with romantic details like side pillows, turned legs and nailheads. It’s a classic piece that will remain the centrepiece of your living room for years to come. $1,599

Luella Media Console

Geometric fretwork and a washed finish gives the Luella Media Console the look of a vintage antique. $1,339

Preston Metal Cart

A multi-tasker with stylish industrial character, the Preston Cart is a go-anywhere piece with a tempered-glass top, two magazine racks and a slatted bottom shelf. It’s set on four castors so moving it from room to room is a breeze. $534

Reeves Desk Chair

This may be one of the most luxe desk chairs I’ve seen to date. With a fully upholstered seat, decorative nailheads and oak legs, the Reeves Desk Chair will no doubt make your time spent desk-bound more comfortable. $854

Delaney Round Coffee Table

With its white Carrara marble top and antique-brass-finished base, the Delaney Round Coffee Table is an on-trend yet affordable piece. $399

Dachshund Bookends

A must-have for the home office, these Dachshund Bookends landed in my shopping cart quicker than you can say “too cute”. $79

Lenore Embroidered Cushion Cover

A romantic interior wouldn’t be complete without an excess of beautiful cushions. The Lenore Embroidered Cushion Covers with their intricate floral patterns and textural embroidery will effortlessly elevate your cushion mix. $79

Preston Task Accent Lamp

The Preston Task Accent Lamp appeals with its rustic charm. The high-gloss enamel hood contrasts beautifully with the bronze-finished base, and is perfect for adding some industrial-edge into the mix. $154

The Pottery Barn spring collection will arrive online and instore from August 2018

For more interiors inspiration: How to decorate with antiques in a modern style home

Categories
Kids Rooms Shopping

IKEA kids: new ranges explore endangered wildlife

IKEA Australia have launched two new kid’s collections with a difference – DJUNGELSKOG and URSKOG are inspired by our planet’s endangered wild animals and carry an important message about sustainability.

Available now in all stores, the jungle-themed collections feature some of the world’s most beloved beasts including, lions, tigers, pandas and elephants. The new range encompasses soft toys, educational picture books and textiles including rugs, duvet covers, curtains, cushions and towels all with IKEA’s notoriously affordable price-tag.

Developed using sustainable materials and production methods, the ranges mark IKEA’s new approach to promoting wildlife conservation and environmental awareness.

“We want to shed light on the wild animals which fascinate us so much, yet face extinction in their natural habitat,” explains IKEA Australia children’s range expert Rob Young. “Our aim is to educate and inspire younger generations to be environmentally aware at an early age by helping to bring them closer to wildlife and our planet through the products they use every day.”

 

The DJUNGELSKOG range (which literally means “jungle forest”) was designed with younger children aged three to seven in mind, while URSKOG uses bolder imagery on quilts and cushions and is aimed at tweens.

Jen attended the launch of the ranges at Taronga Zoo with Sebastian last week. He definitely gave them his tick of approval!

To celebrate the launch of the new jungle collections, IKEA Australia is offering a family the chance to experience Sydney’s ultimate sleepover at Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo. The prize includes flights, accommodation and a one night stay at Roar and Snore for a family of four. Head to the IKEA Australia Facebook page to enter.

More on IKEA’s new children’s ranges

Categories
RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block 2018: judge Darren Palmer spills the beans

Leading Australian interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer will be back on our screens on Sunday as the new season of the show kicks off on Nine. Season 14 will see five teams transform one derelict boarding house into luxury apartments – and Darren thinks it will be the best one yet!

Our three favourite judges, Neale, Shaynna and Darren are back for The Block 2018.

The Block 2018 has been filming at the old Gatwick Hotel – a 1950s building in St Kilda, Melbourne which has had a bit of a shady past. The derelict 66-room boarding house has been dubbed a ‘flea pit’ and has even been avoided by some homeless people. In the past, the Gatwick has gotten the name ‘The Ghetto’, ‘Hotel Hell’ and ‘Hotel of Horrors’.

“This is the single biggest building project The Block has ever carried out,” says Darren. “To put it in context, the very first Block’s building footprint would fit inside one of this season’s apartments.”

Image: Eddie Jim

The Block’s producers were approached by The Gatwick’s owners to buy the dilapidated building way back in 2016. Given its prime beach-front location and the love The Block crew have for a challenge, it was a no-brainer for the team, who jumped at the chance. Channel Nine bought the decrepit property in 2017 for $10 million.

“It was a grand dame of Art Deco architecture,” explains Darren. “It used to have a ballroom and was quite a luxurious hotel when it was built. As time wore it down, its clientele changed, and it became a halfway house of sorts for people struggling or trying to get back on their feet.”

An artist’s impression submitted with plans to redevelop the site. Image: Brenchley Architects

This year will mark Darren’s ninth season as a permanent judge on The Block and he confesses that one of the things he loves most about the show is how it reinvigorates and gives new life to forgotten buildings. His least favourite part of judging? The misconceptions and rumours about the judging process…

“I recently had someone tell me on social media that they were frustrated because the producers rigged an outcome in last season. That’s just not true,” he explains. “We go into detail on every decision and share lots of information, but the show has constraints on what they’re able to show due to the time they have to tell the story.

“I can guarantee you that the producers never give us information on what happened in the week. They never tell us what to say, think or feel.”

While the self-proclaimed “Mr Nice Guy” judge aims to be as compassionate as possible while judging the contestants’ work, he admits that there’s no way to sugar coat a bad room.

“The best thing for my judging is when I’m doing or have just done my own home renos as it makes me that bit more understanding,” says Darren. “Thankfully for these contestants, I’d done a little work around my house late last year so that memory was fresh!”

The new Blockheads include pro netballer besties Bianca and Carla and reno rookies Courtney and Hans. Then there are the couples with some building experience: Queenslanders Norm and Jess, Kerri and Spence from the Barossa (who had their build on Grand Designs Australia) and outspoken Sara and her partner Hayden, a former Bisley catalogue model.

Image: Nine Network

More than 45,000 couples applied to be on The Block this season (that’s over 90,000 people) all for the chance to walk away with $100,000 prize money and any profit made when their apartments go under the hammer at a live public auction later this year.

“The Block is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to use their skills to change their circumstances for life. That’s why we see so many people with little kids entering,” says Darren. “The toll it would take being away from your small kids is huge, so they are obviously gambling on there being a big financial payoff at the end, but as we’ve all seen, that’s not a guarantee.”

Indeed, given that the market is now cooling off, who knows how sale day will finish up this season or what bombshells the producers will drop on the contestants.

“There are two apartments that literally don’t exist when the show starts. We have proper penthouses this season and we’ve never had that before, and of course, there are always surprises, challenges and curve balls being thrown left, right and centre.”

The Block premieres on Nine this Sunday, 5 August, at 7pm

You can look forward to our usual room reveal posts on Mondays!

Categories
Homewares

Stylish new homewares brand partners with OzHarvest

Socially conscious new kitchen and homewares brand, We Are Cheeky, are on a mission to make the world a better place. Ahead of their launch in Woolworths this week, they’ve partnered with OzHarvest to help rescue food and donate meals to Australians in need.

Playful and wallet-friendly, as an added bonus, for every product purchased, We Are Cheeky will donate $0.10 to OzHarvest. They’re aiming to generate over 15,000 meals within the first month of hitting shelves!

The stylish range of over 60 kitchen and homewares products, includes an assortment of ceramics, bakeware, glassware and tableware. We love the quirky designs and metallic finishes – the “whip it good” whisk and “wine not?” glass are set to be new kitchen staples!

We Are Cheeky is also passionate about helping to reduce plastic waste, with minimal packaging being used across the entire range.

“We wanted to create a brand that can directly help the 3.6 million Australians who receive food relief every year whilst tapping into the distinctly Aussie culture and sense of humour,”says founder and CEO Lance Kalish (also behind the Yes To skincare and YOOBI stationery brands).

Socially and environmentally conscious as well as super affordable? We have a feeling this range will be finding its way into your trolley very soon!

We Are Cheeky’s range of kitchen and homewares is available exclusively in-store and online at Woolworths from this Wednesday 25 July 2018.

The best buys from the BIG W winter 2018 home range

Categories
Architecture Design

Hotel interiors: A sneak peek of stunning new QT Perth

Impeccably dressed for those who appreciate the finer things, QT Perth is set to open its doors to guests this August and we can’t stop swooning over the sneak peeks of the interiors!

Merging industrial glamour with a contemporary, urban-cool aesthetic – to say the hotel has been meticulously designed is an understatement.

Longstanding QT guest room designer, Shelley Indyk has created wildly individual and thoughtfully designed guest rooms where you will find handmade ceramics by local craftspeople including Dale Frances.

The lavish suites offer a mix of rich tones and hues, rich jarrah timber, polished brass and striking sculptures by artist Patsy Payne. With dark stone bathrooms, signature QT gel beds and an opulent mini bar, QT’s guest rooms and publics spaces channel the history of excess from 1980s Perth with a wink to fashion and vintage.

Designer Nic Graham, part of QT’s core creative team, has reimagined what a hotel should be like – creating thoughtfully designed areas for locals and visitors to come together. The rooftop bar has spectacular views across the Swan River, Perth Hills and the Stadium, while the café on the ground level will be a perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and a quick pow wow.

Showcasing the best of QT’s signature service and design, the bold 18-storey hotel boasts 184 guest rooms, a signature bar & grill restaurant concept, rooftop bar, café and seven conference rooms.

Luxuriously perched in the emerging trendy part of town, QT Perth is located on the doorstep of the Murray Street Mall and the city’s shopping hub, and only moments from the spectacular Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay and the stunning Swan River.

QT Perth is now taking reservations from 1 August 2018.

For more hotel inspiration: Gourmet Traveller reveals 2018’s best Australian hotels

Categories
Furniture Homewares

1 room, 2 looks: at home with MasterChef’s Hayden Quinn

When you’re a busy couple juggling two demanding careers it can be challenging to find the time to make your home look its best. Such was the case for model turned cook, Jax Raynor and her partner, MasterChef favourite Hayden Quinn. Their beachside apartment had good bones and was full of natural light but it lacked the cosiness they craved at the end of a long day. 

BEFORE

The solution? They called in Pottery Barn interior designer Rhys Duggan to help make the most of their sunny space. “We both love to cook and entertain so we asked Rhys to somehow open up the space, yet make it warm and inviting too,” says Jax.

The couple’s enthusiasm for the project was infectious so Rhys put together two looks for them to choose from: one, global oasis, to reflect their love of travel, and the other, island chic, that referenced the sand and surf not far from their front door.

AFTER Island chic
AFTER Global oasis

For both looks, Jax and Hayden’s existing large red vintage rug was kept and a smaller, lighter rug placed on top to introduce some brightness and add a luxe note of layering.

“We replaced their heavy, dark coffee table with glass-topped coffee and side tables with light metal frames to give an airy feel, and because they’re transparent they help to visually open up the space,” says Rhys.

Some plump, generously sized cushions were added to the sofa and as both Hayden and Jax had a healthy collection of indoor plants, Rhys decided to use them to create a focal point.

“We decorated a mantel in front of their living area, which moved the focus away from the TV and provided a space to display their favourite travel souvenirs,” he says. “Creating a focal point helps when you’re arranging a room layout as you use it as your central point of reference and then work everything else around it.”

BEFORE mantel
AFTER mantel

With a small space it helps to use pieces that do double duty, like bar carts. The bulk of the time they can be used for storage – just pop some great looking baskets underneath – and then wheel them into place when entertaining.

Working to a colour palette that’s repeated in all areas of Jax and Hayden’s living space helped to unify the room making it look larger than it really is. For instance, Rhys replaced the couple’s timber dining chairs with upholstered chairs in a fabric that matched the sofa. The result being that your eye floats across the white sofa, walls and visually connect to the chairs.

AFTER dining

“The drinks trolley has to be one of my favourite touches,” says Hayden. “That and how the place just looks a whole lot bigger!”

AFTER Hayden’s new favourite, the bar cart, is great double duty furniture

“Now when I’m at home, I really feel at home,” says Jax. “It just feels more us.”

Shop the Pottery Barn collection online

More on foodie couple Jax Raynor, the Model Turned Cook and MasterChef favourite Hayden Quinn

Influencer Abbie Mellé’s bedroom makeover with Pottery Barn

Categories
Bedrooms

Stylish new wardrobe range: on trend & tailored to you

Are you looking to instil some order into your walk-in wardrobe? Perhaps you’re dreaming of hooks and hangers that cater for your partner’s trousers and ties that seem to endlessly accumulate on the floor…

A well-designed wardrobe can make a striking visual impact whilst providing everyday functionality. As Marie Kondo says, “keeping your physical space tidy allows you to tend to your psychological space” and couldn’t we all do with a little more self-care time and a little less searching-for-that-lost-shoe time?

Stegbar’s new range of built-in and walk-in wardrobes, the Galleria Series, optimises space with clever design and flexible storage options to suit any bedroom size or style.

The entire range is completely customisable, allowing you to take advantage of tall ceiling heights, small spaces and difficult corners. Clever features such as soft close drawers, adjustable shelving, pull-out laundry hampers, shoe and trouser racks help keep things organised.

But our favourite part of Stegbar’s new range is that it doesn’t forgo style for storage. The Galleria Series includes a selection of on-trend textured board finishes and polished or matte brushed handles in traditional or contemporary styles allowing you to integrate the wardrobe with your existing interior styling.

“No longer standalone pieces of furniture, exquisite finishes in timber prints and realistic subtle veneer embossing on decorative board has enabled wardrobes to look and feel like custom timber joinery,” explains interior designer Marylou Paino.

The Galleria Series offers three unique collections to choose from – Couture, Tailored and Essentials. You can mix and match between the collections, choosing from a variety of board finishes, hardware, accessories and drawers. The collections range from the luxurious Couture range of on-trend finishes and architectural quality hardware, to the everyday Essentials collection which offers simple yet stylish wardrobe storage options.

Get in touch with Stegbar’s Design Consultation Service who can help you create the perfect wardrobe to suit your space, style and budget.

How to create the perfect designer walk-in wardrobe by The Block’s Frank Valentic

Categories
DIY RENO ADDICT

How to paint a house interior: reno tips

By Naomi Findlay

Whether you’re planning to stay or sell, painting the interior of your home is one of the easiest ways to transform it from tired to bright and fresh. However, the mere thought of covering every inch of wall, ceiling and cornice with fresh paint is often exhausting enough to put off even the most enthusiastic DIYer…

But fear not, with some serious planning and preparation you can have beautiful walls in no time (and keep your sanity)!

Get prepared

Solid preparation is the key to painting success. Neglecting the sandpaper and soapy water may save time in the short term, but it will come back to haunt you when your hard work is peeling off the walls…

The lesson here? Always invest in the preparation of your walls. Remove the furniture, cover the floors, wash down the walls, fill in gaps and sand any shiny or rough surfaces.

Pick your paint

Now for the fun (and often overwhelming) part – choosing your paint colours! If you are preparing your house for sale then neutral tones work best. If you’re staying put then feel free to experiment with your palette and don’t limit yourself to just one colour throughout the entire house. The key here is to choose shades that work well with your existing furniture and be sure to opt for good quality paint that will stay fresh for years to come.

The next step is to do the math and work out how much paint each room will require. There are plenty of online calculators to take the guesswork out of this part but as a general guide, most interior paints cover about 15 square metres per litre. Keep in mind that most walls will require two coats to look professionally finished and don’t forget to add ceiling and trim (enamel) paint into the equation. Add your paint brushes, rollers, an extension pole and a paint tray to the shopping trolley and you are ready to paint!

Get to work

Before dipping your paint brush in, be aware that painting your whole home is not a project for one weekend. It will most likely take a couple of weeks to finish off the ceilings, walls and trims, so don’t feel tempted to rush. Break down the project by starting with a particular type of paint or tackle one room at a time. My advice is to always begin with the ceilings and work your way down to the walls, finishing off with the doors, window frames and trims.

Drying time

Make sure you leave enough time between each coat and each type of paint to allow them to cure properly – leaving doors and windows open will help ventilate the area and speed up the drying process (unless of course it’s raining…).

Images: Naomi Findlay

Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker. She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is founder of the Rapid Reno Mate app, and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).

How to prepare a room for painting

Categories
Art Styling

Three ways to style extra large artworks

Extra large artworks are an effortless way to create an atmosphere of understated luxury in your home.

Assuming that you can fit it through the door, an oversized piece is also an excellent solution for renters looking to add a big impact to plain white walls. Opting for a larger artwork will also help keep the space feeling uncluttered and most importantly, set the mood and tone of the room.

An Interiors Addict favourite and woman of many talents, photographer, stylist and author Kara Rosenlund has just released a new photographic print size option to her online store. To celebrate the launch of her new range, Kara shared with us three fun ways to style an extra large artwork in your home.

1. The lean

“I love the relaxed feel that a photographic work leaning on the wall gives to a room,” says Kara. “You don’t have to worry about hanging it and it gives you the versatility to handle the work like a piece of furniture and move it around the house.”

Kara suggests interchanging your artwork between rooms to lift and enhance the atmosphere depending on the season (or even your mood). An oversized piece can easily be introduced into the bedroom or hallways for some newness.

2. Companion pieces

“Pairing two extra large sized prints increases the visual impact of the works and is an effortless way to create an unforgettable space,” says Kara.

Kara’s big tip is to choose pieces to pair together that stay loyal to the same theme – seascapes, black and whites or landscapes with similar colour tones. This will strengthen your visual message in the room.

3. Make an entrance

Set the tone of your home as soon as you walk through the door with an oversized piece at the entryway.

“In my entryway it’s a rather narrow space, so I selected a vertical oversized piece to emphasise the height, rather than a horizontal work,” adds Kara.

Shop Kara Roselund’s collection of extra large photographic prints

Categories
Bathrooms RENO ADDICT The Block

Bathroom styles 2018: which is for me, how do I get it?

Photo credit:

When it comes to bathroom renovations, many shy away from their dream and instead opt for safer, more subdued options due to being overwhelmed by choice.

But is playing it safe really the right renovating attitude? According to renovating duo and winners of The Block 2014, Simon and Shannon Vos, a conservative approach rarely pays off and can lead to “renovation remorse”.

“Bathrooms provide an opportunity to inject a fun dash of architecture into the home that is hard to achieve on the same level elsewhere,” says Simon. 

The first (and undoubtedly the hardest) step is to figure out your style. To help you navigate the Pinterest minefield of trends and tiles, Simon and Shannon shared with us their top four bathroom trends for winter 2018!

1. Traditional

“Dark to light colour palettes always work well within this style,” says Shannon.

The Beaumont Tiles ambassadors suggest picking a deep-toned timber look tile for the floor, paired with a clean, light-toned Carrara marble mosaic walls to draw the eye upwards while adding a touch of theatre to the overall project. Incorporating hints of brushed metallics through tapware and other fixtures is a fantastic way to add complexity to the space. For those who are daring, add a chandelier or oversized pendant light for a serious bathroom statement!

2. Coastal

“Opt for a light grain timber-look tile then couple with a monsoon shower for some wow factor that looks and sounds like rain,” says Simon. He suggests clean tapware in either silver or matt black, and don’t forget to include indoor plants and seascape artworks to bring the outdoors in. “To complete your coastal bathroom, add textural layers with raw cotton bathmats, fluffy cotton towels and natural fibre baskets,” adds Simon.

3. Modern

Clean monochromatic lines with hints of colour, is the best way to nail the modern-look bathroom. A large format tile with either a lot of movement or bold vein features is always a strong starting point. To create playful balance, Simon suggests installing a 3D tiled feature wall to draw the eyes upwards and out.

4. Scandinavian

“Keep styling modest by selecting a central feature in your area such as a freestanding bath tub, then add colour and layers to frame its focal point,” says Shannon. “Geometric tiles in either white, black or marble look-a-like are always a spot-on choice for Scandi bathrooms. Though for those who are daring, contrast the geometric tile with a fun coloured grout like blue, or forest green. Or opt for a strong metallic mosaic.”

Discover your perfect style by heading over to Beaumont Tiles and taking the “What’s my style” questionnaire

Photo credits: Reece

Categories
DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to prepare for painting a room: reno tips

By Naomi Findlay

Painting walls is by far one of the simplest ways to freshen up a room. From toning down the outdated yellow tinge in the living room, to adding a pop of colour in the kids’ bedrooms, walls are the canvas for your interior vision.

To ensure the end result is just what you had in mind, it is crucial to spend some time properly preparing your room before getting carried away with the paintbrush.

Remove all fixtures and furniture

Take a cue from professional painters – the first thing they do is ensure that no furniture will get in the way of their ladders, paint tins and rollers. Not only will emptying the space protect your furniture from a dreaded paint splatter, but it will also ensure that you aren’t going to trip over or struggle to reach any sections of the wall. The same goes with small fixtures such as picture hooks and light switches – remove them from the wall so you can apply paint smoothly.

Protect floors and furniture

Sometimes it may not be possible to remove all the furniture from the room. If you have a particularly heavy lounge suite or a fragile wall cabinet then simply move them away from the walls and cover with drop sheets or old rags (tip: a canvas sheet will do a better job at preventing any heaving paint splatters from seeping through and ruining fabrics). Do the same with your floors, and don’t forget to protect your skirting boards and fixed shelving with painter’s tape or masking tape that won’t rip the paint.

Clean walls

Dark smudges can seep through a coat of paint, while oil and grease can make it harder for the paint to stick. Clean the walls thoroughly with a bucket of warm, soapy water. Use a mixture of bleach and water for any mouldy spots, leaving it for 15 minutes to allow time for the bleach to do its job. Rinse well, then let the walls dry before moving on to the next step.

It’s a good idea to open all doors and windows in the room to allow cross-ventilation – not only will this help speed up the drying process, but it will also dissipate any strong chemical smells.

Fix and fill for smooth surfaces

Take a good look at your walls – are there any bumps, lumps, cracks or holes? These all need to be addressed before you even think about lifting a paintbrush.

If there is peeling paint, scrape it back to remove. If there’s a dent or nail hole, use a premixed filler to fill it in. For any cracks where there might be movement (such as near doorways or windows), use an acrylic gap sealant. Whatever the imperfection is, be sure to sand the area down to a smooth finish after you have finished filling it in or scraping it back – otherwise, you risk a bumpy finish and paint that won’t adhere properly to the wall.

Finish the walls off with Taubman’s 3 in 1 sealer primer undercoat, and get ready to paint!

Image source: Naomi Findlay

Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker. She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is founder of the Rapid Reno Mate app, and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).

How to avoid common painting mistakes.

Categories
Expert Tips

How to save a deposit for your first home

By Veronica Morgan

Although house prices around Australia have stalled slightly this year, it’s still tough out there for many Gen Ys and Millennials to scrape together a deposit for their first home.

Ideally, you’ll need to save 20% of the asking price plus purchasing costs, but might get away with 10% plus costs if you’re prepared to pay lender’s mortgage insurance.

A question I am often asked by many young people keen to get on the property ladder is how exactly do you come up with such a large amount of money?

Unfortunately there is no way to sugar coat this, you’re going to have to stop spending and start saving!

I recently met with some very motivated young buyers who had all managed to buy their first property by the age of 25. They shared with me four creative ideas on how to save:

  1. Move in with your parents – if you save $400 a week on rent, that’s over $20,000 per annum!
  2. Give up your morning latte – one a day adds up to over $1400 a year.
  3. Pack your lunch and drink tap water – a conservative saving of $10 for every day of work a year equals $2300!
  4. Save your shrapnel – at the end of the day put all your coins and $5 notes in a jar (it’s surprising how much you can save this way).

If you implement the four steps above your should be able to save over $25,000 in one year with only minor changes to your lifestyle. But it’s still going to take you nearly five years to save enough for a $500,000 property, so here are a few other ideas:

Ditch the car or do a car share

You could save a whole lot more money by getting rid of your car. According to various motoring associations, the annual running cost of a small “micro” class vehicle is over $6,000 per annum (plus registration and insurance). If you really can’t do without your wheels, perhaps you could join a neighbourhood car share scheme. According to Car Next Door, you could make between $2,500 and $10,000 profit per year depending on your vehicle and how often you make it available.

Go halves

Partner up with your sibling or trusted friend and look at the option of a more affordable investment property. Just make sure that you enter into a co-ownerhsip agreement before you commit!

Super size it

Talk to your accountant about the option of using your superannuation to accelerate your saving goals.

Cut up the credit cards

Or at the very least, keep only one card and reduce the limit to $500 for emergencies only! Alarming statistics from budgeting company Fox Symes reveal that a huge 86% of Gen-Yers admit to overspending on everything from groceries to entertainment, clothes and holidays – and often through credit card use.

Stay single

Recently I met with a couple who said goodbye to their dream of home ownership when they decided to spend $60,000 on their wedding. Call me a cynic, but given that the divorce rate is almost 50% in Australia, your money would be better used for a deposit on a home!

The good news

I do have a little bit of good news. A number of recent studies have shown that loan repayments are actually easier to manage today than they were for your parents in previous decades. So once you get over that initial deposit hurdle, you’ll find things ease up (well, a little bit anyway).

Veronica Morgan is the principal of Good Deeds Property Buyers, co-host of Location, Location, Location Australia on Foxtel and co-host of The Elephant in the Room property podcast.

Veronica Morgan on whether you should help your adult children get on the property ladder.

Categories
Furniture

IKEA wants to buy back your old furniture in Sydney

If you’re looking to part ways with the MALM bed frame you bought for your first apartment or update the wall of BILLY bookcases in your living room, IKEA has found a way to help out with the launch of their furniture take-back program.

In a new initiative to help reduce waste, encourage upcycling and create a more sustainable future, the Swedish furniture giant is allowing Sydneysiders to give their old IKEA furniture a second life by returning it in exchange for a voucher. The returned furniture will then be sold on to new customers at the IKEA Tempe store.

The announcement follows new findings from IKEA Australia’s annual People & Planet Positive Report 2018, which reveals that it’s possible Australians have thrown away 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused and repaired. In a first for Australia, the new scheme aims to reduce the amount of furniture ending up in landfill and is part of IKEA’s goal to be 100% circular and climate positive by 2030.

In a win-win situation, this initiative will benefit those who are looking to score some affordable IKEA products for their homes. And, unlike the unpredictability of quality when it comes to buying secondhand from Facebook or Gumtree, this service will ensure that all items are in good knick before being resold again.

If the news has got your inner eco-warrior itching, you’ll be pleased to hear the process is pretty simple!

First, fill out an online form and email photos of your old IKEA furniture which will then be assessed by the IKEA team. If your furniture qualifies for the service you’ll have 14 days to bring your furniture to IKEA Temple where you will also receive your voucher. The furniture will then be put up for sale at the same value as the voucher given to you.

Although this take-back service is only being piloted at the IKEA Sydney Tempe store, if the program proves to be successful the company will look to roll out the service nationally.

To celebrate the launch of the take-back service, IKEA Tempe is unveiling its first ever Circular Living Pop-up Store, which will be open for eight weeks. The pop-up store will give consumers an in-depth look at the recyclable and renewable materials that make up their favourite IKEA products.

From turning plastic PET Bottles into KUNGSBACKA kitchen cabinetry, to left over glass into the IKEA PS 2017 Vase, the pop-up will showcase the stories behind the products while educating customers on the importance and value of the circular economy through sustainability workshops.

“IKEA is focused on ensuring all our products are designed from the very beginning with the intention to be repaired, reused, resold and eventually recycled, ” says Kate Ringvall, Sustainability Manager at IKEA Australia. “60% of our range is currently based on renewable materials.  Our utmost priority is to generate as little waste as possible.”

“With the launch of our Circular Living Pop-up Store and IKEA Tempe Take-Back Service, we want to make it easier than ever for Australians to live the sustainable life they desire.”

More about the IKEA Tempe take-back service