Tag: home

What’s the deal with recent rate hikes?

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 18, 2015
No Comments on What’s the deal with recent rate hikes?

Just when you were pulling your hair out over the impending spending of Christmas, the banks come along and hike home loan rates, effectively jacking up your monthly expenses for the next 30 years. But why have they come now, will they cause fewer presents under the tree and, if possible, how can you avoid them?

The banks need to hold more money – and you may too

Financial institutions have pushed up their variable rates out of cycle after being told by financial regulator group APRA that they need to hold more risk weight capital against their loans. But what does a rate hike look like in terms of your wallet?

If you had a $400,000 home loan and experienced a hike, say from 5.45% to 5.6%, the extra monthly amount you’d have to fork out would be $37.69 a month. While this means the number of presents under the Christmas tree this year may not be affected too severely, it does mean that over 30 years you can expect to shell out an additional $13,569.23. When painted in this light, unsuspecting rate hikes can bludgeon your bank account.

Unlike your last new year’s resolution, you can make a positive change

Home loans, like all financial products, should be treated as a strategic agreement. The laws of probability state that, for the multitude of loans on the market, there’s probably one with a lower rate than your own. There’s also a key process to follow when looking for a better rate.

Firstly, you’re going to want to approach your lender’s customer retention team with a calm, civil smile. These are the people who are directly responsible for keeping customers happy, so it’s in their best interests to make sure you’re content with your home loan. Have an understanding of the lowest rates in the market (so you know your bargaining power) and ask for a price match – or at least a significant decrease. If you have the stats of lower rates handy, you have an informed and weighted request they’ll need to take seriously.

If your provider won’t listen, find someone who will

They may not have capacity to offer you the best deal on the market – or they may simply not want to.

Whatever the case, some providers will turn a firm, cold shoulder to your rate requests, and there’s usually not much you can do in this case. Or, at least, not much within the same loan. It could be time to refinance.

First, find the lowest possible variable rate in the market – that’s currently 3.79 percent. Then, work your way backwards until you’ve found a loan with the home loan features and LVR levels that you consider essential. You can beat the banks and even find a cushier home loan – you just won’t see the full benefits until Christmas in 30 years time.

— Bessie writes for finder.com.au, one of Australia’s largest comparison websites. She’s passionate about real estate, renovating, and helping Australians find better.

Tags banks, finance, finder.com.au, home, home loan, home loans, loan, Loans, rate, rates, real estate

DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

The top 10 essentials for your home DIY toolkit

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 17, 2015
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Darren Palmer’s own home is open for inspection and for sale

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 2, 2015
No Comments on Darren Palmer’s own home is open for inspection and for sale

The Block judge Darren Palmer’s Sydney home is up for sale and letting the world see behind the doors is as nerve wracking as you might think! As if being an interior designer isn’t reason enough to fear people judging your design efforts, being a judge on a reality TV show watched by more than a million people can’t help! And before you ask, yes of course there’s some grasscloth wallpaper in there!

“All the way through this reno I was just thinking ‘don’t mess it up’. There’s pressure being the ‘expert’ to get everything perfect but at the end of the day nothing ever is perfect!” says Darren. “I’m proud of the result and hopefully the right people will walk in and fall in love with the house just like we did when we first saw it.”

Having visited when Darren and husband Olivier had just moved in a couple of years ago, I can vouch that this is a serious transformation and the end result is very impressive. Although pre-reno, the home was still very charming with some lovely character features, especially the ceilings, which I immediately loved! I’m so pleased to see these features have been kept and in some cases, restored.

It’s also in a delightful, tree-lined street and enviable location. “When we first saw the place we thought it was sweet,” Darren says. “It was a fairly spacious layout, all open plan downstairs. It needed a lot of work with creamy coloured paint and lacquered pine floors. The back yard was a non event and there was not much light.”

He had to stick with the original floor plan so Darren removed the bathroom and laundry to open up the back of the house to the rear courtyard and the middle of the house to some light. “I relocated the downstairs bathroom to our son’s old bedroom and made two rooms out of the large open space at the front of the house that I used to use as a home office and sitting room. Upstairs was a simple refit of the existing space with better layout and inclusions in the bathroom.”

Post reno, Darren thinks the house feels fresh, sweet and stylish. “It’s respectful of the house and period. We’ve restored some of the period features back to as new and added every modern convenience whilst also increasing the living space and amenity in the home.”

As Block viewers will know, there are challenges with every project but Darren says his building team did a stellar job (got to keep those trades happy, right?). “The biggest issue most probably was that I treated it in a far less structured way that I would a project for a client, with some things being done on the fly and some things being changed as circumstances changed. Needless to say it cost more and took more time than I planned.” But isn’t that the case with almost every reno?!

The busy interior designer, TV personality and family man, loves the end result though. “I think it turned out beautifully and it’s a really massive improvement. The previous owner came through on the weekend during the open for inspections and was blown away. She gave it a big tick, thankfully! I think the best thing about the house is that the interior suits the exterior and works perfectly in the quiet little family street. It feels fresh and quaint and elegant which is just what I wanted.”

Darren, who has since moved closer to the beach and bought in Bondi, loved the convenience of living here. “I love the area and I loved being in a completely freestanding house in a row of freestanding houses. There’s a real community, family vibe in the street and events like Halloween or Christmas get celebrated together. It also has a kids’ play park at the end of the street, a big park and sports field right next to it and it’s two blocks from Rushcutters Bay Park. It’s literally got everything you’d want within five minutes. Edgecliff Station and shopping centre is a quick walk away through bushland and the cross city tunnel entrance is right nextdoor too so you can drive anywhere in town swiftly. If it wasn’t for Bondi calling us to the beach, we’d happily stay.”

Darren sees the next owners as a young family who have the occasional visitor to stay. “Two small kids could easily share the front room, the parents’ retreat upstairs has everything you want and the third bedroom gets closed off from the rest of the home when guests come. You can also see by what the neighbours on both sides have done that there’s still development potential in the house with the easy addition of two more bedrooms and a bathroom being possible. I had much bigger plans for the house and have them all sorted in my head but decided to keep some value in the house for the next people to realise.”

Unable to resist the lure of another reno, Darren will have plenty to keep him busy in the new house, but is happy to take his time: “We work hard and we don’t do much else except hang out as a family so we decided that the beach was where we wanted to be on our down time.We found a great house in Bondi and we love it and have more space to live in and another project to focus on – eventually.”

21 Walker Avenue, Edgecliff is due to go for auction on 1 December and is open for inspection on Thursdays and Saturdays from 2-2.45pm.

See full property details

If you love real reno before and afters, check out our sister site Reno Addict. Our chat with Darren about living with kids and pets is one of our most popular posts ever!

Tags darren palmer, edgecliff, for sale, grasscloth wallpaper, home, interior designer, judge, open for inspection, paddington, real estate, reno, rushcutters bay park, sydney, the block

Architecture Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT

How to design a family home that really works… now and always

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date October 15, 2015
No Comments on How to design a family home that really works… now and always

How your home is designed can radically impact how it feels, and how you feel in it. Families grow and change, and a home that is designed well can accommodate years of love and growth, whilst loving you back.

So how do you design a family home that really works — now and always? Here’s seven tips to help you.

Tip 1: Become a sun worshipper

Taking note of how the sun moves across your site and home is the single biggest thing you can do to create a home that works and feels great. Why?

Research shows that our health and wellbeing improves with access to natural daylight on a regular basis. Not only that, using what is available for free (natural sunlight and breezes) to heat and cool our space means lower energy bills long-term. Often we forget about the ongoing costs in running our home when spending on a new build or renovation.

Tip 2: Be a master of your own domain

Part of the beauty of our homes is that we control them. They’re our own private domain.

So use your design to maintain privacy. Think about:

How does someone arrive at the front door of your home?
How much of your home is visible when you open your front door?
Can your neighbours look into your home?

Managing these views in and out of your home with the way it’s designed will enhance that feeling of security and safety within it.

Tip 3: Keep connected

With young and growing families, our busy lives often mean being able to get daily tasks done whilst kids can be supervised or entertained. As kids get older, creating the opportunity for casual connection can help with regular communication. Some of the ways to do this are:

Great views of the inside and outside from your kitchen.
Create a study nook near the kitchen to supervise computer use casually.
Design casual areas where people can congregate easily whilst everyday activities keep happening. A big island bench is a great example.
Don’t forget (in a bid to get audio privacy between zones of the home), that being able to hear as well as see can be handy.

Tip 4: Useful is beautiful

You may not have all the space in the world, but you can make the space you have do lots of jobs so it’s always functional:

Simply shaped rooms will mean they’re easy to furnish.
Draw furniture on your design plans to be sure it fits, and locate doors and windows to accommodate.
Use the edges and corners of your rooms to create more intimate spaces within larger ones.
Design your movement through and between rooms so furniture doesn’t get in your way.

Tip 5: Get it right with space and flow

It is easy to get seduced with gorgeous images of magazine-worthy homes. However, what really impacts how you live in your home, is the space and flow of your home.

Bigger is not better when it comes to your home. Design makes the difference. Quality over quantity will change your everyday life every time.

Tip 6: Instantly declutter

Here are a few design tricks you can use:

Include a butler’s pantry in your kitchen design to hide away those messy activities and appliances.
If you don’t have room for a butler’s pantry, consider putting some bench space inside a cupboard. Doors can open to reveal it when required, and be shut when a quick tidy up is needed.
This works for other storage too. Review the regular activities of your lifestyle – particularly leaving and arriving at home. Create storage solutions that help hide this from view. Put power points inside cupboards for charging all those devices out of view.

Tip 7: Sweet dreams for everyone

Remember your kids are little for less time than they’re big! They may need to sleep near your room only for a short time and then you’ll want some separation between their bedroom and yours.

A good size for kids bedrooms is 3.2×3.2m (plus their wardrobe) to fit a single bed and desk whilst they’re younger, and a double bed when they’re older (some parents like this option).

And remember … Your forever home may not be forever

A newly built or renovated home is an amazing opportunity to shape it exactly how you want it to be. However, you can also create a home that has general appeal whilst making it uniquely yours. Designing a functional, durable family home that will be loved by many families will help you sell well and quickly, if and when the time comes.

Tastes and trends change over time – even yours – so go for neutrals in the items that are more fixed and permanent, or are very expensive to change. Add your personal touches in your finishes and soft furnishings.

So much of the success in designing a home comes with the order you make your choices in. Prioritise your choices with this framework, and you’ll be creating a home that not only helps you survive, but helps you (and your family) thrive. And isn’t that what we really want from our homes?

— Amelia Lee is an architect, a serial renovator and the founder of Undercover Architect, a business helping homeowners create a home that makes their life better; whatever their dreams, location or budget.

Tags Amelia Lee, architect, architecture, building, family home, home, house, kitchen, renovating, undercover architect

Homewares

Take 5 with Aura’s Tracie Ellis

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 30, 2015
No Comments on Take 5 with Aura’s Tracie Ellis

Each week we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s best designers, artists and stylists and have them share with us what’s making them tick; anything from the best advice they’ve ever received to their favourite holiday destination. Today we chat to Tracie Ellis, founder of homewares brand Aura.

1. What is your favourite holiday destination?

Outback Australia with my husband. I love being remote and away from the crowds, just popping on shorts, a t-shirt and thongs and being out in such beautiful country. Also the lack of internet and phone coverage! The only way I will stop working.

2. What is the best gift you’ve received?

My engagement ring from my husband David, after being together for 10 years I can honestly say I didn’t see that coming! Needless to say there were tears.

3. What’s your go-to recipe?

Andrew McConnell’s slow cooked lamb with cumin. I cooked this to take to a friend’s lunch a couple of years ago and it’s always fabulous. You slow cook the lamb for eight-to-10 hours knowing that at the end of the day you will have a winner meal on your hands!

4. What is your favourite shop?

ESS in Gertrude St, Fitzroy as it’s locally made, the people who work there are so friendly and it has great one-off pieces. I never come out without a purchase.

5. What is your favourite piece of furniture you own?

Our new Cheminees Philippe Wood Fireplace. As well as being the most beautiful fireplace you will ever see it is doing a marvellous job of keeping us toasty and warm in Kyneton.

Tags aura, aura by tracie ellis, design, home, homewares, interiors, take 5, tracie ellis

Designers Expert Tips Styling

Steve Cordony’s guide to upcycling furniture with style

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 29, 2015
2 Comments on Steve Cordony’s guide to upcycling furniture with style

A few months ago we took part in the Feast Watson Re-Love Project, where we upcycled an old, varnish-peeling table into a work of art (I may or may not be using a bit of poetic license!). Regular readers would know all about it, as it wasn’t the smoothest of processes (read about it here). However, our piece and that of our fellow designers sold for a combined total of $6,115.58, with all proceeds donated to the Salvos Stores, and that is something to be proud of!

jHcifUsR_JBilLplrDi531sF7WxFMlQatShl7HelCTU,UZ5kSHLs3a5iDEEZEfYwxdOfo_9JL5iEQcRFyQ-DPoQ,RZi_uDVL_bktMICBBjL3lkdTO30BRIBdEMBHfjZdIhM,-E7aQa_v9VUFS3B01lNeR2bZmBM00k7qt_TF7nPHxjs — Steve and his creation

One of our favourite pieces was designed by interior and event stylist Steve Cordony, who upcycled a tired, lifeless sideboard and turned it into a statement piece oozing character and charm. Below, he tells us how he did it.

Products

Feast Watson Clear Varnish in Matt
Feast Watson Prooftint Black Japan
Dulux Paint in Domino

Planning

Choose a well-made item of furniture that is both structurally sound and full of potential. Make sure this is an item with an overall shape and style you love, so you can proudly display it in your home for many years to come.

Preparation

Prepare the timber surface on the top of the sideboard by carefully sanding it back to remove old paint or varnish and reveal the natural grain.
Lightly sand the bottom section, sides and drawers, but be careful not to sand it all the way back.
Add 10% Feast Watson Prooftint Black Japan to the first coat of Feast Watson Clear Varnish, or for greater colour intensity, add 10% to both coats.

Achieving your vision

Start with the top of the sideboard. Using a brush, add Apply Feast Watson Clear Varnish with Prooftint.
Let it dry for at least eight hours before applying a second coat.
Tape up the top, and paint the bottom and side sections with Dulux Domino, or your chosen black paint.
Let the paint dry before applying a second coat.
Apply the black paint to the drawers. Again, allow to dry before applying a second coat.
Once the paint and stain are both dry, replace the drawers.

Tip: Always test the colour on an off-cut or inconspicuous area of your piece before coating the whole to ensure you’re happy.

Steve’s top upcycling tips:

Be methodical in the preparation. Get the right tools and mask up the areas you want/don’t want to paint.
Don’t be scared – you can always re-paint, re-stain or re-do!
Make sure the piece is solid and not too old. Ultimately you should see the potential to make it beautiful.

For more information.

Tags belle, design, diy, feast watson, Feast Watson Re-Love, feast watson re-love project, home, interiors, salvos stores, steve cordony, upcycling

Designers Furniture Interviews Kids Rooms

Take 5 with Kristy Withers

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 9, 2015
No Comments on Take 5 with Kristy Withers

Kristie and her children Oscar and Polly

Each week we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s best designers, artists and stylists and have them share with us what’s making them tick; anything from the best gift they’ve ever received to their favourite holiday destination. Today we chat to Kristy Withers, founder of designer kids furniture brand, Incy Interiors.

1. Who is your favourite musician?

Okay this is super embarrassing but it would have to be Garth Brooks. You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl!

2. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?

I know it is cliché, but it would be my children. They are my entire world and they have taught me to be patient, honest and, after a recent $300 iTunes charge, why I need internet security!

3. What is your favourite cafe?

The Old Mill, Millthorpe. It’s in my little hometown and the owner trained with Adriano Zumbo and she does the most amazing cakes. It isn’t ideal as it’s only two blocks from my house.

4. What’s your go-to recipe?

Playdoh! As I always have the ingredients and it keeps my daughter Polly entertained for hours.

5. What is your favourite piece of furniture?

My son’s Oscar bed as it was the reason I started Incy Interiors in the first place. My son still sleeps in our original sample.

Tags design, furniture, home, incy interiors, interiors, kids furniture, kids rooms, kristy withers, take 5

Art Expert Tips

How to create a gallery wall at home

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date August 21, 2015
No Comments on How to create a gallery wall at home

Objects by Walter Knoll. Photo credit: Lumas

By Eugenia Wilson

You only need to do a quick trawl through Instagram and Pinterest to see that the gallery wall has taken off. And for good reason. Hanging a cluster of artworks together creates a visual feast that can immediately elevate a space.

Gallery walls are one of my favourite ways to display art. It allows you to showcase your favourite art in an interesting way and really make a statement. So where to start and how to master an impactful gallery wall? Here is our step by step guide.

Choose your wall

Gallery walls can work almost anywhere in your home. But if you want to maximise the impact of a wall collage, put it in a powerful spot where it’ll be the focal point of the room. Galleries along the hallway of a house also work very well.

Choose the art

The most important thing to begin with is art that you love and that represents your taste, your style and your history. Depending on your personal taste, you may want to combine a variety of frame styles or stick to one consistent style. If you’re looking for a way to make sure your art works together, choose pieces that have a common thread – a certain colour for example. However you needn’t be limited by this – some of the best gallery walls combine an entirely eclectic range of art.

Choose your layout

The simplest way to arrange a gallery wall is to start with a horizontal line and place art either above or below it. We also recommend choosing an anchor piece – one that is a little larger and bolder than your other artworks. You may also wish to cascade pieces outwards in term of size – from largest to smallest.

Lay it out

We recommend measuring the amount of wall space you want to fill and then taping off that section on a clean floor. This allows you to space everything out the way you want in advance of securing it on the wall. Once you finalise your favorite arrangement, take some photos for reference when you’re hanging.

Hang it

It’s best to do this part with a friend so that you can make sure everything looks even and in the right place. Start with your anchor piece and work from there. We recommend hanging pieces at 165cm mark – as it is considered to be the eye-sight level of most people. This means that the centre of the picture should be at the 165cm mark on your wall.

— Eugenia is the Australian director of LUMAS, a worldwide gallery dedicated to making quality art more accessible for everyone. With a strong focus on photographic prints, LUMAS has a wide range of limited edition pieces to suit any taste, style and budget.

Tags art, art gallery, art gallery wall, artwork, design, gallery wall, hanging art, home, interiors, LUMAS

Furniture Homewares Outdoor & Exteriors

Kmart’s bang on-trend and affordable new homewares range

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 30, 2015
3 Comments on Kmart’s bang on-trend and affordable new homewares range

When I saw Kmart’s new living range in person, I have to admit I wanted everything. Not only is it bang on trend, it is also extremely affordable. I’m talking coffee tables for $29, quilt cover sets for $22 and pendant lights for $15. I legitimately felt like a kid in a candy store. And come Monday, so can you!

Arguably their best homewares collection to date, the key focus is on their enhanced outdoor entertaining range. Blurring the line between indoors and outdoors and creating that ‘fifth room’ of the home, many of Kmart’s new pieces — from their cushions and rugs to their armchairs and tables — are suitable for use indoors and out. “Aussies love to enjoy the outdoors and we put a lot of effort into making our interiors look great, so why not continue this trend outside?” explains Kmart’s head of home, Julie Miller-Sensini. “This season we have an extensive outdoor range that seamlessly blends with our indoor pieces; treating this fifth room as an extension of the indoor space keeps great style flowing.”

However, the interiors don’t miss out either, with the indoor range being divided into two trends: urban ambition and country industrial. Urban ambition is all about having fun with bold pieces and bright colours, taking inspiration from travel destinations such as Brazil and Mexico where prints and colour clash together beautifully. In contrast, country industrial was inspired by the rustic ambiance of a country home and is all about mixing pastels and florals with industrial materials to bring together a classic modern look.

With trends constantly changing, Kmart’s living collection is ideal for giving your home an affordable and seasonal update. But that being said, it’s not all about colour and pattern-crazy pieces, with Kmart providing plenty of staples. “Whilst we love creating high trend pieces for Australians we still believe in the basics,” says Julie. “Not everything needs to shout ‘look at me!’ Supporting items such as white dining settings and timeless glassware are just as important.”

Kmart’s new living range is available in store nationwide and online from Monday 3 August.

For more information.

Tags affordable homewares, design, furniture, home, homewares, Julie Miller-Sensini, kmart, living, outdoor furniture

Bathrooms Homewares Kitchens

Exclusive first look: GANT Home’s Spring/Summer collection

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 25, 2015
No Comments on Exclusive first look: GANT Home’s Spring/Summer collection

Mixing their American east coast heritage with the laid-back mood of California, the Spring/Summer GANT Home range is full of vibrant colours and soft materials.

Inspired by their signature shirting patterns (it cannot be forgotten that GANT’s global success began with the one humble shirt), they have updated their patterns like madras, tattersall and tie prints into relaxed Pacific shades. Partnering this with vibrant palms and bright pastels in 340-thread-count and GANT Home have created a bedroom of pure luxury with a quintessentially cool LA vibe.

Into the bathroom and their accessories are also colourful and elegant. Their towels feature a rainbow palette of apricot, yellow, green and blue and have been left untwisted for an extra soft finish; and their soft classic robes in sorbet shades and elegant soaps with scents reminiscent of the wild Pacific, offer that holiday feeling without having to leave the comfort of your home.

The GANT Home range also features beautiful linen cushions that have a subtle and elegant sheen. In soft pastels and bright sorbet hues they’re made to elevate sofas all season long. Perfect for our current dreary days!

GANT Home’s Spring/Summer range will be in stores the first week of July. Find your nearest store.

Tags bathroom, bathroom accessories, bedding, cushions, GANT, GANT Home, home, homewares, interiors, kitchen, linen, stoneware, towels

Bedrooms House Tours Interviews RENO ADDICT Styling

House tour: stylist Tess Beagley’s contemporary coastal weatherboard

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 18, 2015
No Comments on House tour: stylist Tess Beagley’s contemporary coastal weatherboard

As an interior stylist and founder of Minted Interiors, Tess Beagley has an eye for spotting potential. Stumbling upon an old weatherboard worker’s cottage in the coastal town of Geraldton, Western Australia, she immediately fell in love with the bones of the property.

“We really wanted to achieve a crisp, contemporary, coastal vibe whilst paying respect to the character and history of the house,” explains Tess. “We chose a light paint colour to promote as much natural light as possible and highlighted the character of the home by keeping or adding features like timber cladding, dado rails, antique French doors and double hung wood frame windows.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”3QNj1nZ0gpk9ijt4s3rZ9HXBCnVyy6Mr”]Keeping the walls and floors neutral, Tess then layered the furniture and decor to create a coastal vibe, without being too literal (there’s no overdose of seaside paraphernalia here!). “I love the fusion of old and new, so using contemporary pieces against a classically neutral character base is my idea of heaven. Think plenty of plants, coral, relaxed and sometimes worn furniture, natural materials like rattan, timber, leather, tin and marble, as well as plenty of soft textiles to soften and bring colour to each space.”

Home to Tess, her husband Yves and their young daughters Lotte and Jemima, since they’ve revamped the property Tess loves nearly every room of the house (though she is keen to renovate the kitchen). Favouring their extended deck and spacious dining room, it is the master bedroom that has cemented itself at the top of her list. “It’s always filled with the most beautiful light, has stunning antique French doors which came from an old local hospital, a view of the ocean and a soft, relaxing vibe which offers a little sanctuary from the world. It’s the perfect spot to relax at the end of a long day, if only I had more time to spend there! “

A lover of antiques, it’s not just her bedroom that is filled with one-of-a-kinds, with Tess’ antique dining room dresser taking pride of place in her home. “It first belonged to Yves’ great-grandmother Alice who passed it down to her daughter, before it was passed down to Yves’ mum who had it restored and then passed it on to us. It has been in the family for four generations and hopefully we can make it a fifth!”

Also a favourite is the chest of drawers in the girl’s bedroom: “It used to be vanished pine with huge ugly pine knobs. Yves and I gave it a revamp — a lick of paint, map inserts and new handles just before Lotte was born and now it’s a very treasured piece in our home.”

Running interior, product and event styling services through her business Minted Interiors, it’s no surprise Tess’ home is gorgeous. It’s also no surprise that she never stops coming up with new design ideas; a stylist’s work is never done! “We’ve done plenty of work since moving in but have more plans in the pipeline. We want to move our kitchen from the centre of the house to the front, to create a more functional, open living plan and provide direct access to the deck/yard to take in the beautiful ocean views. Definitely not looking forward to the chaos of renovating with toddlers but the rewards will be worth it!”

For more information.

Tags antique, coastal, contemporary, design, home, house, house tours, interiors, Minted Interiors, real homes, renovation, styling, Tess Beagley, weatherboard

Architecture Bathrooms Before & Afters Design House Tours Kitchens Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: a dated home’s contemporary overhaul

Post author By Jodie Bowker
Post date June 17, 2015
No Comments on Real reno: a dated home’s contemporary overhaul

Featuring patterned carpet, vinyl flooring and dark internal brick walls; the 1980s Perth home was in vital need for a contemporary overhaul!

With the homeowners employing the help of design studio LAHAUS, Lara Staunton and her team of interior architects had 12 weeks and $250,000 to create an open plan home fit for a young family. “The potential of the house was the large spaces and the opportunity to lighten and brighten the whole home,” explains Lara. “Once renovated the family would benefit from the generous floor area.”

Renovating the entirety of the interiors, which included a kitchen, three bathrooms, a laundry, floor finishes, windows and sliding doors; the biggest challenge was the lack of natural light. “We had to select the material palette carefully to encourage the natural light to travel through the house and into the spaces,” says Lara. “For this reason the stairwell and slot window, which directly links the interior to the native trees in the exterior, are my favourite parts of the home. The light just pours into this room.”

Another standout area is the kitchen, which was transformed from a small U-shaped layout. “We completely changed the orientation and built a large kitchen island over three metres long. This has become the heart of the home and caters perfectly for modern living.”

As a seasoned renovator and designer, Lara was able to save her clients significant cash, with all kitchen and bathroom products receiving trade discounts. However, that’s not the only reason she’d recommend homeowners engage a professional. “It can be easy to lose your way during construction,” explains Lara. “Trades and suppliers can talk people into increasing the scope of work for their own benefit, so it is important to stay grounded and question every decision. By working with a designer or project manager — who is experienced in the renovation field — you can be directed by them and know that you are receiving competitive rates for trades and subcontractors.”

For more on LAHAUS.

Tags bathroom, building, construction, design, home, interiors, kitchen, lahaus, Lara Staunton, real reno, renovating, renovation

House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ 24-hour challenge and first elimination

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 17, 2015
1 Comment on House Rules’ 24-hour challenge and first elimination

This week our six teams returned to their renovated homes for a high stakes 24-hour transformation, where they had to choose one zone within their home to make-over.

Eliminated couple: WA's Karina & Brian — Eliminated couple: WA’s Karina & Brian

It was a fast and furious fight to the finish with an elimination on the line. WA’s Brian and Karina needed big points to lift them from last place. However, while they finished with a respectable score of 15/20, it wasn’t enough to save them.

So what did judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle — 18/20

Before - Master Bedroom — Before – Master Bedroom

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle topped the challenge with 18 points. They hit the zone left unfinished by team NSW – the master bedroom, butler’s pantry, hall and back entrance. The thick navy stripes in the hallway and the new artwork were a big hit with the judges. “You have a great knack for bringing together a collection of art,” said Wendy. The newlyweds added shelving and storage in the master bedroom as well as an eclectic print of a cat. For coming first, the pair were awarded five bonus points bringing their final score to 23.

Cassie and Matt — 16/20

Before - Living Room — Before – Living Room

After - Living Room — After – Living Room

Competition leaders Cassie and Matt made a bee line for the dining room and bathroom that had been renovated by WA. The bold move paid dividends for the Tassie duo earning them 16 points. “It was a brave choice re-tiling that back wall with the same tile as the floor,” said Joe. “Changing the colour and the tone was a good idea and it added drama to the space.” De-cluttering the busy dining room table also won them points. “You did a great job using styling to completely change both the look and atmosphere of the room,” said Wendy.

Brian and Karina — 15/20

The WA parents tackled the pantry, laundry and living room previously done by SA. They made the brave decision to change the terracotta wall colour, which the judges had originally loved, but it paid off. “The paint colour was such a big change,” said Joe. “It was a big risk and it was lovely.”

Ryan and Marlee — 13/20

SA’s Ryan and Marlee tackled a monster zone – the living room, laundry, entry and hallway – and finished with 13 points. “The hallway looked so much better,” said Wendy, noting the vast improvement on Victoria’s unfinished efforts. “I love that deep teal you chose.” The black penny round tiles in the laundry and the furniture rearrangement in the living room were also standouts.

Steve and Tiana — 13/20

For NSW, it was a no-brainer to remake the master bedroom, toilet and linen closet by team WA – who received the lowest score this series for that zone. The judges commended them for demolishing the walk-in robe and awarded them 13 points. “It was just too small to ever be luxurious,” said Wendy. “You put the master back into master bedroom.”

Bronik and Corrine — 12/20

Before - Dining Room — Before – Dining Room

After - Dining Room — After – Dining Room

As last week’s winners, Victoria received an extra $1000 on their budget, but that didn’t stop them finishing last on 12 points. While their unfinished deck would have been a prime fix-up candidate, Bronik and Corrine chose a zone the judges had loved instead. “I don’t understand why you chose to redo the dining room and bathroom when immediately next door was the unfinished deck that really needed some love,” said Joe. “You were not able to make a big enough change to make the impact we are looking for in a 24-hour fix-up.”

The scores from all the transformations so far — plus the 24-hour fix up — were then combined, with Tassie’s Cassie and Matt topping the leaderboard and only one point separating NSW and WA from elimination. Sadly, it was the end of the road for Karina and Brian, who kissed goodbye any chance of winning the incredible grand prize of having their entire mortgage paid off.

Now, the leaderboard has been wiped clean and the biggest week in House Rules history will kick off this Sunday. Over one massive week, the remaining teams will tackle the biggest renovation in the show’s history!

For more on House Rules.

Tags building, competition, construction, design, home, home reno, house rules, interiors, reality tv, reno, renovating, renovation

Furniture Homewares

Missoni Home’s exclusive collection for leading boutique Amara

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 15, 2015
No Comments on Missoni Home’s exclusive collection for leading boutique Amara

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, leading international online boutique Amara have launched an exclusive range of products by Missoni Home.

The Missoni Home for Amara collection consists of poufs and cushions in fabrics from the Missoni Home archive. Each fabric has been selected especially for Amara and will add a greater depth to the already extensive selection of Missoni Home products they stock. “Missoni Home is a firm favourite of Amara’s,” explains Amara’s creative director Sam Hood. “We have a fabulous relationship with the brand so it seemed like a natural move to produce an exclusive selection with them. When better to launch than the year of our milestone!”

Each design takes inspiration from the natural surroundings, such as the varied Italian landscape and gardens. The much loved flower motifs, Passiflora and Kandahar, also take new shape as poufs, alongside the striped Reno and jewel motif Rouen, both new introductions for 2015.

The focus for the cushions is texture, from the delicate sheer fabrics Masal and Paramount, to the knitted Ridley and Rocco in signature monochrome and multicolour tones. Also included is a limited edition cushion Roxas, designed especially for Amara, which features a beautiful and refined print.

The Missoni Home for Amara range also includes three exclusively designed beach bags. Each has been made using towelling fabric from Missoni Home’s existing collection of iconic zig zag prints. Perfect for all beach essentials, these lined bags are large enough to fit everything you may need for a fun-filled day.

Shop online.

Tags Amara, cushions, design, fabric, home, homewares, interiors, missoni, missoni home, Missoni Home for Amara, poufs, sam hood, textiles

Appliances Competitions

Stay warm this winter by winning a DéLonghi heater

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 1, 2015
No Comments on Stay warm this winter by winning a DéLonghi heater

It’s that time of the year again, where the heaters are coming out of storage and your nights are spent huddling up against them! So make sure you stay warm this winter by investing in the right heater for your needs, room size and decor. Or alternatively, give this competition a crack and you may just score yourself a DéLonghi Slim Panel Heater, valued at $449!

Taking up minimal space, the sleek wall mountable Slim Line Panel Heater blends effortlessly into any style and living environment, allowing you to make the best use of your floor area. Using Hi-Fi Technology, the heater has a double fan system which sees a more effective distribution of heat throughout the room. It also features three heat settings, a 24 hour timer and electronic thermostat, making it easy to heat and maintain the desired temperature.

To ensure winter is comfortable without having to worry about increased power bills, the Slim Line Panel Heater uses Eco Plus technology. This technology optimises energy use and regulates power flow, ensuring lower consumption and in turn reduced power bills, whilst delivering the ideal level of comfort in your home.

Safety is also a major consideration, with the heater incorporating important safety features including a safety tilt switch that automatically turns off the heater when tipped, child proof surfaces to avoid burns and an overheating thermal cut-off, giving you extra peace of mind.

For more information.

WIN

One lucky reader will win a DéLonghi Slim Panel Heater, valued at $449. To be in the running, complete the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Friday 5 June 2015. Open to Australian residents only. Good luck!

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Tags appliances, delonghi, DéLonghi Slim Panel Heater, design, heater, heating, home, interiors, Slim Panel Heater, winter

Bedrooms Competitions House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ first home reveal

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 11, 2015
2 Comments on House Rules’ first home reveal

This week’s first home transformation was quite literally one of blood, sweat and tears; with contestant Karina, having to be rushed to hospital! But when it came to tools down, first-time homeowners Bronik and Corrine, who had previously been sleeping in their living room (as it was the only habitable space!) had themselves a beautiful, fully transformed 1960s weatherboard home.

So what did the Victorian couple and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Karina and Brian – 20/30

After a falling roof tile left WA’s Karina with five stitches and out of the competition for one day, the husband and wife duo fought back to win this week’s renovation. Their ensuite and living room received a combined score of 20, narrowly beating Team NSW on 19 who were their biggest rivals. Although not the judge’s favourite zone, Bronik was particularly impressed with his new ensuite and their use of timber in the living room: “The ensuite is one of my favourite rooms in the house!”

Steve and Tiana – 19/30

DINING ROOM BEFORE (NSW ZONE) — Before – Dining Room

The judges felt that Team NSW, Steve and Tiana, followed the his and her rules perfectly in the dining room, giving them the highest combined score of 13 out of 20. However, the homeowners disliked the dining chairs and artwork, only scoring them a six.

Ben and Danielle – 17/30

Team QLD, Ben and Danielle served up the kitchen of Corrine’s dreams finishing in third place on 17 points: “It just blew my mind, it’s amazing!” But they were let down by their unfinished entry and hallways and were marked down by both the judges and the homeowners.

Ryan and Marlee – 16/30

Although impressed with SA’s master bedroom, the judges struggled to find something positive to say about Ryan and Marlee’s laundry and gave them the lowest combined score of eight. Luckily, Corrine loved her “happy and bright” laundry, saving SA from the dreaded tent.

Cassie and Matt – 15/30

Before - Guest Bedroom — Before – Guest Bedroom

After - Guest Bedroom — After – Guest Bedroom

Tassie were not surprised to finish last this week on just 15 points, especially after ignoring Bronik’s rule to deck their house in black steel and timber. Their decision to use composite boards on the deck instead of timber and failing to complete their zone will see them sleeping in the tent next renovation.

With the first renovation down, the teams will now head to South Australia to transform Ryan and Marlee’s double brick bachelor pad into a love nest for two. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Tags competition, home, home reno, house rules, joe snell, reno, renovating, renovation, wendy moore

Designers Expert Tips Homewares Styling

10 ways to create the perfect home office

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 8, 2015
3 Comments on 10 ways to create the perfect home office

The home office is often the nerve centre of your home. Whether it’s your primary workplace, an area to pay the bills or a kids’ homework hub, it undoubtedly plays a very important role. It is therefore pivotal that it is an inspiring and functional environment. Officeworks has partnered with one of Australia’s most highly regarded interior architects, David Flack of Flack Studio, to demonstrate how to create a stylish home office look for less, and help Australians across the nation love the space they work in. Here are his top ten tips:

1. Invest in high quality furniture. It goes without saying that it needs to be practical, but injecting a little bit of fun or luxury will be an enjoyable point of difference. Opt for quality that can stand the day-in, day-out of family activity – this doesn’t always mean an expensive price tag either.

2. Cohesion is what keeps a workspace humming along. Aligning all your stationery and accessories to a colour group or style range ensures that your office looks uncluttered, organised and inviting.

3. Always consider texture. Select practical, simple and durable finishes. Layer different textures to create warmth and visual interest – not everything has to match.

4. Lighting makes a big impact on the feel of a room. Adequate task lighting is essential, but overly bright spaces can be an assault on the senses. Wherever possible, let natural light in to create a balanced ambiance.

5. Keep it simple. Reduce the amount of ideas you have for your space – pick the best one and stick to it. A singular vision with repetition is often most effective.

6. Look at beautiful things. Having artwork on the walls makes an invaluable contribution to the feel of a space. A large, striking photograph in a minimal frame can take care of this. Try hanging a print of your own – it’s so easy to do using the Officeworks print and copy services.

7. It’s all in the detail. Small, nuanced touches like indoor plants or fresh flowers, a scented candle, family mementoes, stacks of beautiful books, and loose sculptural objects bring personality and liveliness to a home office environment.

8. Break-out spaces are ideal for re-energising. Doing some work in a different, pleasant spot away from your desk can be invigorating. Even just a feature chair by a quiet window could be the solution.

9. Balance. Strike a balance between personal cues and a professional environment to promote productivity.

10. Music can make all the difference. Wherever possible, try to listen to music that makes you feel inspired and enlivened. Officeworks has some great quality portable speakers that are also visually appealing.

— David Flack of Flack Studio is one of Australia’s top interior architects and alongside Officeworks, is passionate about helping the nation create workspaces they’re proud of.

Tags David Flack, design, flack studio, home, home office, interiors, Office, officeworks, workplace, workspace

DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

Take the guesswork out of electrical home makeovers with Clipsal Wishlist

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 8, 2015
No Comments on Take the guesswork out of electrical home makeovers with Clipsal Wishlist

Take the stress out of creating your dream home with Clipsal by Schneider Electric’s new home electrical planning web tool.

From the comfort of your tablet, laptop or desktop computer, the new Clipsal Wishlist web tool helps you plan all the products you need for an electrical home makeover, including selecting individual solutions such as light switches, or electrical product packages designed for home safety, convenience, security, entertainment and energy efficiency.

Designed to make the planning process of a renovation or new build easy, the Clipsal Wishlist app allows you to use an existing room template, upload or draw house plans, select and place products throughout your home and track the budget of the products selected along the way. The plan can then be saved, shared and returned to at any time. To make things even simpler, the web tool is also linked to registered residential electricians in your local area, who can be contacted directly from the application to bring your dream plan to life.

Not only does the Clipsal Wishlist web tool help you take control of your own electrical needs, it also offers inspiration if the dream home vision doesn’t come with the flick of a switch. The Clipsal Wishlist web tool offers a gallery of home ideas, designs and templates that show which electrical plans and products work best with various interior design styles.

Whether you are renovating, building or planning your next bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or outdoor area, the Clipsal Wishlist web tool takes the guesswork out of planning and brings you one step closer to making your perfect home a reality.

For more information.

Tags clipsal, Clipsal by Schneider Electric, clipsal wishlist, electrical, electrical home makeovers, electricians, electricity, home, home makeover, reno, renovating, schneider electric