Tag: super ks

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Bathrooms Design DIY Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

The Block’s Kyal and Kara reveal their top tricks for DIY tiling and styling

The Block’s Kyal and Kara have been travelling around Australia with Beaumont Tiles, hosting DIY Tiling and Styling workshops and sharing the tricks of the trade. But if you weren’t able to be there in person, here are their top tips for helping you make the most of your renovation.

Kyal and Kara
Kyal and Kara

Dry surface

Before you start your surface should be dry, clean and smooth. If you’re tiling in a wet area (bathroom or around the kitchen sink), the area must be waterproofed, straight and flush (no protruding nails).

Adhesive

Bottom line, don’t skimp, and choose the right adhesive for the space. There are many brands of adhesive and they’re all designed for specific types of tiles and tile surfaces. Cheap adhesives may decay and cause tiles to crack.

Size matters for the novice DIY

Tiling with big tiles is tough, even for seasoned pros. Large tiles are heavy and are expensive to replace if mistakes are made, so DIY novices should stick to tiles no bigger than 300x300mm.

Layout

Draw up a plan for your floor, wall or splashback and map out where your tiles will go. Spending the time to mark out square lines and doing a dry lay will pay dividends on the entire job.

Laying

Tiles that are placed unevenly may create an uneven joint (or lip) which could be a trip hazard. There’s a new product called the Simple Accurate Levelling System (SALS) which is perfect for precision tiling. It can help DIY’ers achieve a flat finish with minimal lippage.

Grout

Wait at least 24 hours after laying before grouting and protect the tiles from any water or weather by covering them with old clean sheets. Don’t grout where walls meet floors or where two walls meet, instead apply silicone when the surrounding grouted area is dry.

Grote Street 12-04-15 DIY Tile and Style Affair IMG_9751

Photography by Yasmin Nebenfuhr

WIN

In the spirit of DIY tiling, Beaumont Tiles are giving away five DIY Bucket Starter Tool Kits! Each bucket contains $200 worth of goodies, including two trowels, a levelling starter kit, knee pads and more! Complete the below form by 5pm AEST on Friday 24 April 2015. Open to Australian residents only.

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DIY RENO ADDICT

The Block’s Kyal and Kara on how to renovate with your partner and keep the peace!

I’ve always thought competing with your partner on The Block was asking for divorce (such the cynic!), however the Super Ks Kyal and Kara Demmrich are proof that renovating with your partner can be fun, you can make money and you can even become stronger from it!

Kyal and Kara - Renovating reno addict
Kyal and Kara Demmrich

So what are their secrets for successfully – and peacefully – renovating with a partner?

  • Spend time in the initial stages to plan and map out a time frame, but remember you need to be flexible
  • Don’t take on too much at once. It may be appropriate to tackle one room at a time.
  • Make sure you schedule time away from the renovation. Go to the beach or head to the 
gym, and get some exercise.

“Kyal and I have been together since we were 16 – so more than 10 years now! We were married in 2008, bought our first home together when we were 21, and we haven’t stopped renovating since,” explains Kara. 
“We love a good transformation and looking back to see what we’ve achieved but generally speaking, we don’t agree initially. We are always going back and forth with ideas and usually both end up loving the decisions we make.”

If the couple have varying ideas on a style or layout they throw ideas and suggestions around until a happy medium is found. Or they’ll sleep on it for a couple of days.

“I usually have the big ideas and Kyal is the one that logically thinks about these ideas and works out, from a building perspective, if they’re possible. But we always look back to the big picture and remember the goals of the renovation.”

The cost of renovating can be a tipping point for couples so clarifying goals and setting a budget and tracking it (through an Excel spreadsheet for example) will ensure spending doesn’t get away from you.

“For example, are you renovating your home to sell or is it your dream home you want to invest in? Thinking about these points will help to ensure that you don’t over capitalise or regret the choices you make. Don’t try and do too much of it yourself. This is usually when mistakes are made or corners cut. With a budget in mind, getting in professionals for certain trades will probably save time and money in the long run.”

–Kyal and Kara starred on The Block Fans vs Faves and are now Beaumont Tiles ambassadors.

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Bathrooms Expert Tips The Block

Timber in the bathroom? Not just for The Block!

Image courtesy of Perini

Following the first Block bathroom reveals a lot of you asked me if it was really practical to use timber in the bathroom or did it just look good? I asked Reece Bathrooms’ Belinda Geels for her expert advice.

Timber has been a big feature of many of The Block teams’ bathroom spaces this season. From the bespoke timber vanity tops in Brad and Dale’s bathrooms and feature paneling in Alisa and Lysandra’s main bathroom, to Steve and Chantelle’s parquetry ceiling feature and the stunning full timber wall in Kyal and Kara’s perfect score main bathroom, it’s been a winning element of many of the standout bathrooms from both the fans and favourites.

Image courtesy of Perini
Image courtesy of Perini

We often get questions from customers about how to properly use this beautiful material in bathroom spaces, particularly when it comes to reducing the risks of swelling or warping of timber in damp spaces or close to wet areas. To help out those of you looking to recreate some of The Block’s best looks at home, we’ve compiled top tips from our experts and industry partners on using timber in everything from vanities to flooring and feature walls in your bathroom.

Timber choice is key

Whether you’re looking to use wood for your vanity, flooring, walls or furniture, your timber selection is crucial. As well considering the look and feel of your timber, it’s important to think about the tightness of the wood grain. According to Stephen Royce from Australian bathroom product manufacturer Formed, solid timbers with a tight grain are best for bathroom spaces as they’re less likely to be affected by moisture. Think mahogany, teak, cedar or even bamboo (preferably local plantation grown) for best results.

Image courtesy of Reece Bathrooms
Image courtesy of Reece Bathrooms

Seal for success

One of the most common questions asked about timber in the bathroom is around the risk of expansion or warping. According to Stephen, regardless of the timber you choose for your bathroom space or how you plan to use it, you must ensure that it is properly sealed and waterproofed.

“It all comes down to using the correct seal. Sealing prevents moisture getting into the timber, and can reduce any issues with warping, staining or significant expansion or contraction,” he says.

Sealing is the most important factor in the process, as it helps make the timber more resistant to water and moisture. There are various water, oil and wax-based sealants available on the market, which are suitable for different timbers and applications. Be sure to speak to an expert to help select the best sealant for your timber and to ensure it is properly applied. To be doubly sure that your timber doesn’t stain or warp, make sure you wipe up any water that may pool on its surface as quickly as possible.

Image courtesy of Perini
Image courtesy of Perini

Ventilation must-dos

Timber looks beautiful in the bathroom, however, as it’s a natural material, it pays to ensure you’ve got the right ventilation in place. A well-ventilated bathroom space will reduce the moisture in the air as quickly as possible, helping ensure the timber will respond well over time as the product ages.

Kyal and Kara's winning bathroom from The Block
Kyal and Kara’s winning bathroom from The Block

Fake it

If using natural timber is not for you, there are now plenty of great ‘timber look’ options available, particularly for flooring.

Kate Fuller from our tiling partner Perini Tiles says porcelain timber tiles are becoming increasingly popular. As well as looking and feeling like real timber, they’re perfect for wet areas like bathrooms as they’re water resistant, low maintenance and durable. They won’t warp or scratch and don’t require the sealing or oiling real timbers need in damp spaces.

“Timber tiles have become so popular there is now an abundant of colours and textures available — from oak, blackwood, spotted gum to recycled, raw and coloured options. Advancements in tile technology and digital ink printing ensure tiles perfectly simulate the look and feel of the real thing with no two tiles looking alike,” Kate says.

Reece Bathrooms provide the bathroom products and accessories you see on The Block each week. Check out www.reece.com.au for more bathroom inspiration and how to incorporate the timber look into your bathroom.