Tag: diy renovation

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DIY Expert Tips Interiors Addict RENO ADDICT

How to pick the right paint colour: expert tips

To ensure your next project is easy and avoids wasting money on making bad colour choices (we’ve all been there!), the experts at British Paints share their guide to selecting the right shade.

Lean into your lighting

First, figure out which way the room you wish to paint is facing. This is crucial in understanding the natural lighting of the space and colours that can accentuate it.

In Australia, north-facing rooms tend to receive more natural sunlight. These rooms are well suited to cool colours like grey, blue, or green. If you go for white paints, stick to cool undertones, which will give you a crisp, modern look.


South-facing rooms, on the other hand, can be underlit. They will be well suited to warm colours like yellow, peach, pink and red. Adding warmth and cosy vibes while compensating for the lack of natural light. If you opt for a shade of white here, go for an option with a warm undertone.

Highlight your existing home

Remember to consider how the paint colour will work with existing elements in your home like the floorings, curtains, and furniture. Especially, as these can be pricey, difficult things to alter. Go for a wall colour that matches what’s already there. This can be a wonderful opportunity to hero a statement piece of furniture too. Whether it’s a beautiful velvet couch, bold piece of artwork or vintage desk.

If you’re feeling stuck and confused, neutral shades, like beige and taupe, are the most versatile. They make an excellent canvas for any style and don’t go out of style. It’s a smart choice for your existing home or if you are looking to sell in the future.

Get inspired by the unexpected

Inspiration can be found anywhere! “Bring the outside in” is a popular adage for colour schemes. Try looking outdoors and conceptualizing your local area within. Choosing colours such as Green Life or Blue Forge will foster a welcoming atmosphere for you to relax and unwind.

Alternatively, if you have a favourite piece of artwork on your wall or item of clothing in your wardrobe, look within for inspo. A fun colour idea is never far. Whether you decide to go bold with a shade like Red Alert or look on the bright side with a tone like Happy Home, you’ll appreciate the new hues daily.

A handy tool

If you’re then unsure of which exact colour to commit to, British Paints has also launched a free, online Colour Wall Assistant. Apps like this make settling on a specific choice much easier. It even suggests on-trend colour options to choose from!

Get sampling

Most of all, there is no such thing as too many sample pots. Once you have a few faves, pick up three or four different sample pots to test out in your space. Instead of painting directly onto the wall, paint a piece of white A4 paper and adhere to the preferred wall with blu-tack. Make sure to observe the colours at different times throughout the day so you can see how they appear in various lighting. Only when satisfied, start small on a feature wall or door. This gives you the freedom to see if you still like it or need to change course.

For more on British Paints

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Decorating 101 DIY Expert Tips

Suffering from SAD? New research shows DIY can spark back your joy

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With NSW’s extended lockdown, it’s a given that many of us feel down and restless. We all miss the freedom of going out, non-essential shopping trips, and the decline of face mask usage. But did you ever feel as if you were already having the blues well before the pandemic made its comeback?

A new study has revealed that the average Aussie suffers from SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of mood disorder that’s related to changes in seasons and is known to bring on feelings of moodiness and low levels of energy.

As the temperature continues to drop and the gloomy weather forces people to stay inside, it comes as no surprise that half of Aussies (52%) believe that winter negatively impacts their mood, with the majority (56%) saying they feel less motivated during the colder months than they do at any other time of the year.  

So what’s the solution and how exactly can we bring spark joy back in our lives especially in an indefinite lockdown?

The study commissioned by Bunnings reveals that improving your living environment actually increases your happiness, not only due to productivity but also because the end results are so rewarding. More than four in five Australians (84%) feel happier after completing a project around the home and research shows the rooms Australians spend the most time in during winter also make them happiest, with the lounge (43%) and bedroom (32%) bringing the most joy in the coldest season of the year.

With many looking to tackle home improvements to remain productive this winter and lockdown, Bunnings general manager of merchandise, Tracey Lefebure, suggests some simple but effective DIYs to refresh a  space while creating a sense of accomplishment.

“There are so many indoor projects that can be done, no matter your skill level or budget,” says Tracey. “Giving a room a new lick of paint, adding panelling or wallpaper can make a huge impact or even simply changing handles on your cupboards or reorganising your drawers can give you that feeling of accomplishment.”

Finding the motivation to start a project may seem to be a big hurdle, but Bunnings found out that once customers completed their first, they became hooked and really enjoyed getting their hands dirty to make their homes a happier place.

For inspiration and ideas

DIY reno solution: How to overhaul your kitchen for just $700!

We love an affordable DIY renovation solution around here so when Dulux shared a couple of budget kitchen makeovers with us recently, we couldn’t click through fast enough. Created for…

Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY

Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part…
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Before & Afters Decorating 101 Design DIY Expert Tips

Expert advice: how to plan your next interior design project

Starting an interior design project can be both an exciting and an overwhelming venture. You have an array of ideas and want your design to come together, and you risk jumping in head first before you even have a plan.

To help Aussies looking to transform a space, Luke Davidson, interior designer and co-founder of online interior design platform Inscene, shares his top tips to translate your design dreams into reality.

1. Discover your personal style

The process of interior design is deeply personal. Not all design styles will work for everyone, so it is up to you to decide how you want the space to feel. One way to help figure this out is to look at your closet. You can spot the colours and patterns that work best for you, giving you an indicator as to what you should look for when designing.

2. Determine what you don’t like

It may go without saying, but another tip to help you find out what styles you like is to eradicate everything you don’t like! This can narrow your options considerably, giving you a smaller pool of design styles to choose from and keep you from being paralysed by having too many choices.

3. Understand your needs

Be sure to focus on the practicality of each space of your home. You’ll want to consider the location and surroundings of your property. This will help you figure out the appropriate styles and materials for your interior design. Additionally, accurate room measurements are vital to ensuring that what you buy fits in your space. Measuring each room ahead of time will prevent purchases being disproportionate to your design or the room itself.

Before and after of an Inscene project

4. Create a mood board and sample everything

Crafting a mood board can help you visualise what your space will look like and is a valuable resource in planning that can help you avoid costly design mistakes. It is also best to sample materials such as paint, flooring, and surfaces. Observing the paint in natural light both in the morning and at night can help you determine how the paint makes you feel when it’s on your walls and not on a little swatch. The same can be said for flooring and surface samples.

5. Quality doesn’t always mean expensive

Quality is always essential, especially when it comes to building materials. Skimping out by going with the cheapest option may save you money upfront, but it will cost you more in the long run when you need to redo or replace it. In saying this, though, quality doesn’t always translate to the most expensive. You can find durable materials that mimic the aesthetic of more expensive ones at a fraction of the cost. Don’t be afraid to mix high and low-price points, either. Filling the space with affordable and practical pieces can allow you to splurge on one or two hero items that will stand out even more. 

6. Plan rooms one at a time

Breaking down your interior design process by planning one room at a time can help a larger project become more manageable. This can also help you focus on the individual room and its unique needs. For those worried about the final design not being cohesive or rooms clashing, don’t be. If you have a plan, you can keep on top of this. For those with an interior stylist, they will ensure everything looks seamless when the project is finished.

7. Hire a professional

We all appreciate input from our family and friends, but too many opinions can be overwhelming and confusing. By hiring a professional, you get the expert opinion and help of one qualified individual. You can avoid common interior design mistakes and be confident that the end result will match your original design dream, if not better.

For more information.

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When writer, stylist and former magazine editor Alexis Teasdale bought her 1920’s Tudor-style home in Adelaide a few years ago it was with a view to renovating it. But with…
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Bathrooms Interviews Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Peel & stick tiles: An affordable kitchen & bathroom reno solution

Sample pack
Sample pack

When Yiwen Ling bought her home recently, she loathed the kitchen’s green tiles, but her budget didn’t stretch to a complete renovation. And after exploring many reno options including spraying the tiles or retiling, Yiwen stumbled across the world of peel and stick 3D tiles and from there her business, Stick on Luxury, was born.

“The green splashback was a complete eyesore but having emptied our bank accounts buying the house, we had no more budget to do up the kitchen. A re-tile quote was $2,000 and I found that spray painting was going to cost thousands too.” She ended up revamping the space with peel and stick tiles for less than $300!

BEFORE: Yiwen loathed the green tiles
BEFORE: Yiwen loathed the green tiles in her kitchen
AFTER
AFTER: White peel and stick tiles significantly refreshed the space

Heat-resistant and waterproof, the Stick on Luxury range is available in several formats – subway, hexagon, mosaic, herringbone, fish scale, penny round and a Moroccan lantern inspired design. “At the moment we’re simply importing them, but we’re slowly beginning to manufacture our own designs,” says Yiwen who explains that the business will be rolling out a kit kat design very soon too.

Before
BEFORE laundry
AFTER
AFTER laundry

The product can be adhered to wooden surfaces, painted and smooth walls, glass, acrylic panelling, stainless steel, ceramic, aluminium and plastic. The range is also easy to install (all you need to do is clean the surface and stick the product on), making it perfect for DIY-ers. “The great thing is that anyone can do it themselves without paying for labour. I’m amazed at how easy they are to use,” says Yiwen.

BEFORE: Caravan kitchen
BEFORE: Yiwen also found the product to be a great alternative to real tiles in her caravan kitchen.
AFTER: Caravan kitchen
AFTER

You can also try before you buy with sample packs starting from $9 – a fee that is fully refundable if a purchase over $199 is subsequently made. The Stick on Luxury site also has a handy calculator making it easy to figure out surface area requirements before you buy.

Sample pack
Sample pack
AFTER
AFTER

“I noticed a lot of people might be in the same boat as us – people that have dated tiles at home, are complete DIY noobs, yet don’t have the budget to do a full reno at the moment. We have made it our mission to help!”

Shop online 

Before & after: A fabulous $550 DIY bathroom makeover in Adelaide

When writer, stylist and former magazine editor Alexis Teasdale bought her 1920’s Tudor-style home in Adelaide a few years ago it was with a view to renovating it. But with…
Categories
DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

DIY tiling: don’t try it before reading these tips from the tradie!

As we spend more time at home, Aussies are picking up their tools and diving into DIY reno projects of all shapes and sizes. But knowing where to start can be daunting for even the savviest of renovators, and tiles can be especially tricky if you’ve never tiled before. 

Kyal Demmrich on the job

As a renovation expert, carpenter and The Block alumni, Kyal Demmrich has spent his fair share of time diving into DIY renovations with his wife Kara. “We have completed more than 35 reno projects now, and over that time I’ve found that knowing what our end goal is, including the style we’re going for, really does help with the rest falling into place,” Kyal says. With the right information and the right tools, most renovations are relatively easy, particularly when you follow a few simple tips. 

With tiling, once people have landed on design elements like choice of tile and laying pattern, most of the hard yards have been run – though caution needs to be taken to avoid missteps such as using unsuitable adhesives, tiling on surfaces that are not dry, and failing to measure and cut accurately.

“There is a great saying in the trade: Measure twice, cut once. That’s my golden rule for all things tiles and DIY,” Kyal says. “From calculating how many tiles you need, through to the cuts and configuration of the tiles themselves, never underestimate the importance of a good old tape measure and solid forward planning.”

Other tile ‘tricks of the tradie’ offered by Kyal:  

Dry surfaces: Before you start, your surface should be dry, clean, and smooth. If you are tiling in a wet area, it must be waterproofed correctly before you commence tiling.

Clean tiles are a must: Tiles should be dry and completely clean. Any loose powder on the backs of tiles should be removed to avoid contaminating the adhesive. A fine bristle brush is good to help with this.

Not all adhesives are created equal: Do not skimp, and make sure you choose the right adhesive for the surface and type of tile. There are many brands of adhesive out there, and they are all designed for specific types of tiles and tile surfaces.

Size does matter for the novice DIYer: Tiling with big tiles is tough, even for seasoned pros. Large format tiles are heavy and are expensive to replace if mistakes are made, so DIY novices should aim for tiles no bigger than 300 x 600mm.

Start with the grate: The secret with tile layout is starting from the floor grate (either inside or outside the shower) and working your way outwards. Draw up a plan of your floor/wall/splashback and map out where your tiles will go. At this point, you should also check that you have the correct fall to the grate. This ensures that your water will drain away correctly.

Dry laying is everything: Dry laying tiles first ensures you have the correct number of tiles as well as creating a vision of how they will look. Dry laying is also the perfect time to confirm whether you are happy with your tile choice, or if you need to make last minute changes. 

Lay tiles carefully: Tiles that are placed unevenly create an uneven joint (or ‘lip’) which could be a trip hazard – there are levelling products out there to help with this. Make sure you tile the floor before your wall – wall tiles should slot neatly above your floor tiles. Where silicone is used, leave a 2-3mm gap where walls and floors meet.  

Peel and place technologies: A fantastic product to make your tiling even easier is BT-Instalay CTU by Gripset. This flooring system is a game-changer and can prepare a surface for tiling in only four quick and easy steps. BT-Instalay CTU is also 10 times lighter than cement sheets, making it an ideal flooring system for DIYers. It is also a waterproofing membrane if you are using it in wet areas.

Grout is a gift: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. Wait at least 24 hours after laying before grouting and protect the tiles from any water or weather conditions by covering them with old clean sheets. Do not grout where walls meet floors or where two walls meet. Instead, apply silicone when the surrounding grouted area is dry. Epoxy grout is a fantastic option due to its durability and stain resistance. It is a breeze to clean and perfect for outdoor or wet areas, making it an exciting alternative to cement grout.

Kyal is an ambassador for Beaumont Tiles, Australia’s biggest retailer of tiles and bathroomware with 118 outlets across most states.

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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.

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Before & Afters Design DIY House Tours Kitchens Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: DIY kitchen inspiration from Perth

Pokey, with no bench space or storage and mice living under the pantry (!), Hayley Kessner knew a good project when she saw one. Married to a builder and an interior designer herself, the dark, dank and uninviting kitchen of her new home in Perth was in dire need of renovation, and she had the perfect team to tackle it: them.

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Before

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“100 percent of the kitchen was done ourselves,” explains Hayley. “From the very initial design – my husband Chadd worked out all the structural elements, whilst I took care of the floorplan. We then chose all the materials and finishes together. I really wanted to push the boundaries and do some difficult DIY projects that I had seen floating around the internet, so that I knew they would work before I made any suggestions to clients. Thankfully, we pulled off every idea!”

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After

Originally a little room with a load bearing wall separating it from the rest of the house, they immediately knocked it down and installed supporting beams in the ceiling. Replacing all the cabinetry, benches, electricals and plumbing, the last stage of the renovation saw the cosmetic makeover begin, which included spraying the lower cabinets in flat black enamel paint, replacing the island benchtop, hand painting the grout and pendants, replacing the cabinetry handles with DIY leather straps and the biggest job of all: creating concrete benchtops.

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After

“We laid concrete directly over the existing laminate benchtops that ran along the walls of the kitchen,” says Hayley. “We sanded down the laminate then poured concrete over the top. Once it was dry, Chadd sanded down the concrete for a smooth finish — this was the absolute worst part of the entire renovation by far. Because the fronts were off all the doors and drawers, every single thing was covered in dust. We had to wash it all. It was so worth it in the long run though, the concrete brings the most beautiful texture to the space and adds that perfect element of grunge that was needed to tie it into the rest of the house.”

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After

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After

Now open plan, the kitchen shares the same space as the lounge and dining areas and, as a result, flows on beautifully to the rest of the house. “The house was built in the sixties and definitely has some traditional elements like the Jarrah floors and the decorative cornices. I didn’t want to bring in a highly modern kitchen that would look new and out-of-place. I think what we built fits just right with the look of the rest of the home.”

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After

Having done all the work themselves, Hayley estimates the cost of the kitchen renovation to be around $10,000. And while there were some big-ticket items, she notes the replacement of the island bench as her most cost-efficient move. “The simplest update was probably swapping out the laminate island bench with a piece of laminated pine we bought from Bunnings. We softened the edges with a sander and rubbed an oak stain on it before sealing it with some food-safe oil. It was $99 for the pine and $11 for the stain, and it makes a huge difference.”

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After

Home to Hayley, Chadd and their three children (10, eight and three) it was also very important that storage was kept front of mind. “The kitchen now has ample storage, plenty of bench space and looks so good. All the under-bench storage is deep drawers, so nothing gets lost and everything gets used. We also decided to take up some of the dining space by installing a big two-door pantry that is also fitted with open drawers — again making every space accessible. The other key is to get rid of appliances you don’t use. No one really needs a hot dog/milkshake/cake pop maker. We have in our cupboards only what we use all the time.”

For more on Hayley’s projects or to ask her questions about what she did or used here, visit her website.

Photography by Heather Robbins