Unique Home Decor Design Tips for Homeowners

Guest Post by Hannah Jones

Wouldn’t it be great if you can decorate your home so it screams your personality?

You’ve worked hard to achieve the home your heart wants, and you wouldn’t want it to look like any generic showroom. You want something that shows your personal touch.

You can do this in two ways – first is by hiring an interior designer; or second is, doing the decorating yourself.

Now the first option calls for sufficient budget but if doing it yourself excites you, here are some tips to get you started.

    • Start small. Begin by adding quirky shaped objects on display. The easiest step to give your home a unique look is to display lanterns, sculptures, or figurines with exciting shapes. Take note that you don’t need to burn your pockets since you can look for interesting objects to display from thrift stores or bargain sales. Your best bet would be eBay and Craigslist.
    • Look for balance. If you’ve chosen to add pretty colors and prints in a particular room, you want to make sure that a few things look plain. If you’re using a variety of patterns and prints in your curtains or rugs, keep a small table or a rustic stool nearby to neutralize the different patterns.
    • Think layers. If you can make a plain outfit look chicer by adding a scarf, you can apply  this concept to your home, too! Think about draping strikingly beautiful fabrics around your plain sofa. Try a crocheted afghan or a quilted blanket with fun colors. This will make a cozy resting spot in your home. You can also add rustic looking rugs to add to that nostalgic look to your space.
    • Mix and match. The idea to make your home look unique isn’t to limit yourself to a single style. Think about pairing modern pieces with classic ones. It brings about a fresh and unique look. The variety of things won’t clash but will complement each other and harmonize.
    • Take advantage of vintage. You know how something a little worn out can exude that feeling of comfort and warmth? Aside from giving an area a pretty vintage look, most of these items are well-built and functional.
    • Add more storage. Put together non-matching pieces of cases to create a new look. Don’t be scared in breaking the rules on what furniture goes well together. While doing this, keep one common element common in them like using shades of the same color. This will prevent your room from looking like there’s too many things going on.
    • Update old furniture. Take that vintage chair and repaint it to give it a fresh new look while adding fun into a space in your home. You can also update an old bed frame and still use it in your bedroom. However, you need to check the measurements of antique bed frames as there’s a chance that it may be differently-sized. Add a super cool Vision Bedding piece to complete the look.
    • Consider wallpaper. Using wallpaper is another simple way to make a space unique especially if you’re creative enough to style using it. And remember, you don’t have to cover the whole room to get the results you want!
    • Try adding drama to a room. The idea is to add a stylish seat in a room so that it’s the first object you see when you enter it. Using a similar shade as your present furniture, it’d look beautiful and natural at home.
    • Choose a chandelier. You can maybe add a modern light to mix or match other furniture in a room. Try also adding a mirror to give the illusion of space.
    • Use a big bed in a cute room. As long as the top of the bed is six inches away from the ceiling, a large bed won’t drown the space in a bedroom. Although wallpaper will do, a plain and light colored wall will accentuate the geometry of the bed to create a stunning effect.
    • Add a peculiar sculpture. A quirky statue placed in a noticeable spot is sure to let out some smiles and maybe a few questions. Again, this piece doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re lucky, you can get a grand bargain from garage sales!
    • Try placing an open table in a spacious room. Use this to hold some stunning pieces of art or put a lamp or candles – anything your heart tells you! You’ll be surprised at the warmth and interest it will add to an otherwise dull space.

Summing things up, whether you want to improve just one corner or the whole house, the ideas are limitless!

Decorating your home can be daunting but think on the bright side – it’s fun!

Another Year Older

This month marks the eighth birthday of this Blog.

Although it is not making me an Internet tycoon it’s a nice side hustle.

It’s also been a fun journey.

It seems a long time since I was getting excited about getting a thousand visits a month to the site.

Now I am getting over 23,000 visits a month, with the visits growing at an annual rate of around 25%.

84% of those visits are as a result of Google searches with this page ranking No1 on a range of keywords and phrases.

There are now well over 1,000 posts.

I have also sold around 5,800 anewhouse guides. . . . I still can’t help smiling that I can describe myself as an author.

So it’s a big thank you to all my visitors, and especially those who buy a book, for keeping me motivated.

3D Rendering for Real Estate Marketing

Written by Carlo Anderson

The 3D style in visual arts has been around for quite some time, and now it is being applied for real estate marketing for many reasons.

3D rendering simply means creating a three-dimensional image using a computer.

One of the more popular things where 3D rendering is applied would be in animation, like those in feature films of Pixar and Dreamworks such as Toy Story.

Using 3d models & rendering in the construction industry is more preferred than 2D CAD drawings simply because of the more realistic feel to it.

Three-dimensional images can better present size and texture of the object it is representing and is generally more pleasing and interesting.

Reasons why 3D Rendering is a Big Hit in Real Estate

The use of three-dimensional presentations is a big hit in real estate marketing.

It is proven that 3D rendering and real estate are very much compatible especially since these produced images are very versatile in the field.

1. It is more Engaging

Picture this, you are looking to buy a house in a new development that isn’t built yet and the sales rep gives you a brochure.

In the brochure is only 2d black and white blueprints.

Do you think it would sell well? I don’t.

With that said, in real estate marketing, 3D rendering makes way for a more in-depth experience to the audience of the presentation.

The audience, or those who the presentation is being given to, would feel more immersed into a 3D model than with a two-dimensional CAD plan.

It gives a better sense of what the building will look like.

2. It is More Realistic

Marketing real estate is not at all an easy feat.

Property is a big investment and it would be hard to convince audience in buying or investing in a property especially if that certain property is yet to be finished.

To successfully market a house or building, there’s a need to establish its reality.

Take note of the first word in real estate. How can you convince someone to invest in a property by giving them abstract representations?

Figures, statistics, and analytics, might be key points in pitching property, but everything should be founded on the idea that it is real.

Something realistic is definitely more convincing.

3. It is Very Versatile Throughout the Process

3D rendering isn’t only used for real estate marketing; it can be used in construction and designing.

It can be re-purposed along the way because of its realistic and interactive nature.

Have a chat with Render Vision and they can discuss some of the uses for your visuals.

4. Staging: Enhancing an Empty House

Presenting a design for a property that is yet to be constructed isn’t the only purpose of 3D rendering; it can also be used by real estate photographers to enhance existing photographs by adding in 3D furniture.

This is called virtual staging. The traditional way of staging is both very tedious and costly.

Hiring furniture for a day just for photos consumes too much time and resources.

This is where 3D rendering comes in, virtual furniture can be put over pictures of the empty property taken by real estate photographers.

Yes, it’s that simple.

The real estate market has always been very competitive, which is why more are changing their approach to reach out to prospective clients.

Technology, as it does on other lines of business, plays a big part in innovations in real estate Marketing.

Reigning in the Rain – A Wet-Weather Guide to Sustainable Living

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

Source: Shutterstock

Now more than ever, we as a population are looking for as many life hacks as we can find to help us on our journey towards more sustainable living.

With some shocking evidence about climate change revealed by scientists in recent times, the hustle towards environmentally friendly living has never been as strong as it is now.

One of the many routes towards sustainable living is by harvesting rainwater and utilising it for your daily activities.

Whether you choose to use a poly tank, a concrete tank or a metal tank, utilising rainwater is one of the best ways we can conserve this precious resource.

In this article, we will look into how you can go about doing so, so read on to find out more!

Understanding Just How Much Rainfall Capacity Your Roof Can Capture

Obviously, it is important for us to know just how much water we will be able to capture, and this is highly dependent on the amount of rainfall in your area as well as the surface area of your roof.

A simple formula you can use to figure this out is

Estimated average annual capture amount (KL) = Roof Area (in m2) x average annual rainfall (in millimeters)/1000.

Alternatively, you can hop online and calculate exactly what sized water tank you will need in order to be not just sustainable, but efficiently sustainable.

Understand Water Sources

When it comes to water sources, the main two contributors will be rainwater and stormwater.

Water collected from your rooftop is considered rainwater, the higher quality of the two.

This is the water that you will want to use for chores such as washing your car and washing clothes.

In fact, you can even use rainwater for cooking and drinking if it is properly maintained.

When it comes to stormwater, this is water that flows over the ground and down pavements – ideal for outdoor usage, garden and in toilets.

On top of these two water sources, many also choose to utilise recycled wastewater.

Recycled wastewater is the water you use to flush toilets, wash your dishes, in the shower and for washing clothes.

Reusing this water will help you save even more when it comes to water bills.

Do keep in mind that this will require you to have separate wastewater tanks and water will need to be treated, filtered and sanitised before you can use it.

This may seem a little inconvenient, but considering more than half of the water you use at home ends up as wastewater, you’ll be taking sustainable living to the next level by utilising it.

Remember That Tanks Require Maintenance

Having a rainwater tank, like any other appliance or vehicle you may have, will need the occasional maintenance check or job.

You can avoid having to do this too often by always ensuring that your gutters are kept clean and by using a first-flush diverter to collect the first flow of rainwater from your roof before it even goes into your tank.

These diverters will assist in significantly reducing the amount of contaminants, dust, pollution and other nasties such as bird droppings from your tank, resulting in you not having to maintain it more than necessary.

Ideally, you’ll want to do a maintenance check at least once a year and ensure that your downpipes are properly set up as this will greatly reduce the build up of any sludge in your tank.

Health and Safety First!

Now, whilst we are all for sustainable living, we are even more focused on ensuring that your health is of top priority.

Do take note that if you live in the city or in an urban area, it is highly recommended that you avoid drinking your rainwater as higher levels of harmful pollution may be present in your water (think of all the cars and how much pollution they emit!).

On the flipside, if you live in an older town/older home that may have lead flashing on the roof, it will be too dangerous for you to consume the water that you collect from the roof.

In these situations, it is best to utilise your rainwater for tasks such as washing the car, in the toilets and anything that does not require high quality water.

Always check with your local council for guidance before consuming any collected rainwater.

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We hope that this article has been helpful in giving you some insight into how you can shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle by utilising rainwater tanks.

What is Architectural Visualisation?

Written by Kyle Stanley

3D rendering to create an architectural visualisation is a way to bring your design to life.

It is a way to present a drawing in such a way that clients and visitors will understand the design right then and there.

The image is computer generating to give a life like image of the design from 2d drawings.

It is an art in which all the aspects of a design are presented with detail and realism.

This allows the client or whoever is looking at it to be transported right into the design.

Imagining what the project will look like will not be needed anymore, because you will be “seeing” and “experiencing” it first hand with a good quality architectural visualisation.

Determining what you need for your project

If you are convinced that you will benefit from an architectural visualisation package, the first thing you have to do is determine the basics of your project.

  • What do you need?
    Determine if you need floor plans, exterior elevations, sections, interior perspectives.
  • What is your purpose?
    If you are showing the design to a client to win a project, you can go for a hero shot where we alter the lighting and focus on specific selling points of the design.

If you are doing it for DA approval you will want to make it in a day theme and the render should show exactly what is going to be built in correct scale and proportion.

What information do you need to send for a quote?

While compiling the information to send to the 3d rendering studio, try send as much detail as possible.

The more detail makes the visual more realistic as they artist can portray exactly what will be designed without guessing.

Some of the most important things to send are:

  • CAD drawing files
  • Material list with colours and exact selections
  • Camera position for the render(s)
  • Your deadline
  • Photos of furniture and plants style
  • Photos of renders you like the look and feel of.

Photos are great to allow the artist to replicate exactly what you are thinking.

They can try mimic the time of day, landcape style, driveway material…. The list goes on.

When all the basics are thought of, the next thing to do is to contact the company that can offer you an architectural visualisation.

Who Can Do Architectural Visualisations?

There is an array of companies in Australia that can produce 3d architectural visualisation and it is urged to get a quote from one, to see what they can do for you.

One highly rated team is The 3D Architect , they are 3d rendering specialists, a team of professionals dedicated to give you the best architectural visualisation service there is.

They claim to eliminate the “imagine” stage in your design and put you directly inside your project.

Their architectural visualisation packages are created to suit your demands depending on your purpose, and target audience.

I suggest you give them an email or call for a free quote.

ADDING POWER OUTLETS

Guest post by Jordon Vellutni

Most people when moving into a new home soon realise that there isn’t enough power outlets for their needs.

Although you can use extension cables and power boards these aren’t a great solution.

Having cables snaking round the room looks untidy and may be a tripping hazard.

Plugging several high power appliances into a power board can overload the cable and increase the risk of fire.

Long term the best solution is to add additional power outlets.

Planning

Once you have been in the house for a couple of weeks you will start to know where additional units would be useful.

Here are just a few examples:

  • Changing from double to quadruple sockets for TV/audio areas.
  • Having power outlets with USB charging points.
  • Additional outlets in the kitchen for toasters, coffee machines, food mixers, etc, etc
  • Convenient locations for table lamps and fans
  • Television in bedroom
  • Outside Entertaining area
  • Workshop area of garage
  • External outlets for Christmas lights

Installation

You can buy electrical outlets from a hardware store but I wouldn’t recommend that approach.

It’s much better to use an experienced electrical company such as Westline Electricans, Perth for the following reasons:

Knowledgeable Advice With up to date knowledge and contact with specialist suppliers an electrician may be able to come up with better alternatives than would be found in the typical DIY store.

Safety An electrician will prevent any risk of overloading any of the circuits is avoided, with it’s attendant fire risk.

Avoiding Damage Experienced electricians have the specialist tools that enable them to run cables behind the plaster so your walls and ceilings won’t be damaged.

Compliance with Regulations All electrical work needs a certificate of compliance to prove it has been installed by a competent person and meets the regulations. . . . Without the compliance certificate you could find your home insurance is invalid.

What Is Drafting?

Written by James S.  

With population increasing in Australia there are more and more contractors and construction crews hitting the pavement and building homes.

However, what you might not know is that this process wouldn’t even be possible without a drafter and drafting services.

This probably leaves you wondering what exactly is drafting.

Well, drafting in the process of creating blueprints and drawings to help an architect create clear and precise diagrams of buildings, bridges, homes, interior design, and is ingrained in pretty much all aspects of building.

A drafter’s job is to ensure that everything is drawn up in precise details, all the buildings are represented in actual size in a scale format, and everything is designed to the exact right specifications.

That being said, drafters don’t just have to stick to the construction industry.

With the proper drafting knowledge, you can easily navigate in the aerospace, engineering design, electronic or home appliances industry with a little bit of guidance.

Drafting requires an extensive and in-depth knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) software, as this will be the drafter’s go-to tool.

Drafters use these CAD programs to create drawings that represent real life structures or buildings.

Educational Requirements

While there are some individuals that have jumped right into drafting services without training, it usually does require some kind of secondary education before entering the workforce.

Either a one-year certificate 4, a two-year stint at a technical college or a four-year degree at university can supply you with the knowledge or skills that you need to get your foot in the door.

Technical colleges usually only require a one or two-year attendance before graduation depending on the industry, because they tend to focus more on task-specific CAD operation.

For instance, they will teach you about the CAD software and how to properly utilize it.

Four-year universities on the other hand, will not only teach you these skills, but they will also provide you with a basic understanding of building materials and engineering practices.

If you are looking to go into drafting I suggest investigating the industry you are interested in and then doing a technical college one-year or two-year degree.

On the other hand, if I had my time again, looking for a job in the Perth drafting scene. I would call every company that has the need for drafters in my field and ask for a trainee ship for a year so you get paid while you learn.

I have heard of this happening many times before, so why not give it a go?

Intelligent Illuminations – How Sun Tunnels Can Save You Money

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

The cost of living is increasing at an alarming rate. So it pays to be on an active look out for ways that you can cut costs. And this cost-cutting should begin at home.

There’s lots you can do to limit the amount you spend.

You can adopt energy-savvy saving techniques like turning off appliances at the wall or setting your heating and cooling to certain temperatures.

Or you can air dry your washing instead of running the dryer.

But one thing many people don’t consider is their lighting.

Let’s look at a few ways that sun tunnels can save you some hard-earned coin.

Just What is a Sun Tunnel?!

You asked, right?

A sun tunnels is a special kind of skylight.

Essentially it lets in all the good light of the sun during the day, and then turns on a special LED globe when the sun sets.

That means your room is properly lit from the moment the sun rises to the moment until after it sets in the evening.

Bear the Cost of Installation

Sun tunnels will cost you some money to install.

This may make you hesitate at first, but trust us – the long-term savings will outweigh the initial cost.

Just make sure to pick a reliable installer.

Read some more below on exactly how these skylights an save you money.

No Money Spent on Lighting During the Day

A sun tunnel means that you don’t need to use electricity during the day to light your home.

If you install one in every room that’s a huge saving! You will definitely notice it when your power bill comes in for the quarter.

Sun tunnels can be especially useful if you work from home or have members of your family who spend a good deal of time at home.

In summer with daylight savings the LED light in them won’t even come on til the sun sets after 8 – meaning you’re only paying for a few hours’ worth of lighting.

Position Matters

You need to have a careful think about where you’re going to install your sun tunnel.

You can’t just bang it in anywhere and hope for the best. Ideally you want to place your new skylight in a south-facing or north-facing roof for the best results.

Also, if you have large shade-casting trees in your yard you may want to consider if you remove them or not – as the shade can block the sunlight for the sun tunnel and make the installation a wasted endeavour.

Heating Savings

A good sun tunnel lets in all that nice warm solar heat during the winter months.

If your latest gas bill made you hit the roof then you’ll be glad for a skylight up there next winter!

Think of what you can put that saved money towards – a holiday, a new gadget or toy or maybe towards some more renovations in the future?

Let There Be Light – A Conclusion

A sun tunnel is a skylight with an LED component that comes on when the sun sets.

It may cost a bit to install these innovative lighting solutions in your house at first but you’ll save money down the track.

You won’t spent a cent on lighting during the day, and you’ll spend less on your lighting at night with energy-efficient LEDs.

Just make sure that you install them in the right position and that you don’t have huge trees in your yard which may block out the sun.

You’ll also find that you save money on heating in winter, as the warm solar rays will provide a nice amount of natural heat during the cooler months.

Factors You Should Never Forget Before Buying A New Home

Guest post by Hannah Jones

When you think about buying a new home, it usually means looking for the ‘forever house’ that your family can move into.

Finding a new house on sites like Gumtree Real Estate is undeniably
an exciting experience but it can also be pretty daunting — especially if you’re a first-time
buyer.

Sometimes, we get can get caught up with the spectacular views, even if the house needs more work.

Or, we could be drawn to ‘ancient feels’ despite an out-of-the budget price tag. Knowing what you want in a house and actually going extra lengths to make it happen are extremely important in the whole home buying process.

You have to make sure that you are in it for the long haul, or else, you’ll be stuck with an unwanted home until you have the financial means to purchase a new one.

While most homeowners don’t usually get exactly what they want in their new homes, it is still completely possible to ensure that you will enjoy your new house and avoid any potential pitfalls you may fall into during this process. To do that, here are some factors you should seriously consider before claiming the key to your new home.

Location

Deciding on which location you want to live in is critical in this whole home buying procedure.

This may sound easy to you, but you actually have to consider a lot of things such as the availability and accessibility of public amenities, the degree of traffic, the quality of schools, the proximity to public transport, and much more.

Your lifestyle, for instance, could be greatly affected by the location of your new home.

If you’re into shopping and nightlife, then you have to choose a place where such needs will be met.

It all depends on you. Some people may prefer a quiet and peaceful farmhouse as their first priority and others may want a place where schools for their kids are within walking distance or just a few-minute drive away.

The key here is to really assess what you need and think about how the location of your new home will affect you in any way.

Price

Have you thought of a budget for your new house?

Are all the qualities you look for in a home fit with your financial capacity?

Needless to say, your new property has to be within your budget.

Do not exhaust your funds because you want to buy a grand home only to be left with no choice but to sell your new home and look for a cheaper one.

Remember that you also have to consider other expenses like property and insurance taxes.

Be as comfortable as possible with how much you are paying for your home.

Adjust your expectations according to your budget and what payment you can afford without breaking your back to make ends meet.

Size

Before you move into your new home, you have to also think about the size that you and your family will need and want.

This includes the number of bedrooms and bathrooms the house has, and the size of your kitchen, living room, and any extra necessary space.

Some people want a huge backyard while others just want a standard-sized patio but a bigger space in the house.

Whether you want to build some guest rooms, install a swimming pool, or create a bigger master bathroom, it all boils down to one thing — and that is choosing the right size.

Transportation

Moving into a new house in a new location means that residents will have to adjust to how they will commute to work or school.

Is there public transport nearby and readily available in your new place?

You don’t want to live in an area where you have to go through the hassle of a multi-transfer commute to work every single day of your life.

If transportation is truly a big deal for you, then make sure to check if there are bus stops, or subway or train stations near you.

Noise and traffic

When you visit a potential house for a viewing or open house, then you may notice that the surroundings are quiet and peaceful.

While that may be the case, observe how the area sounds during peak hours and on the weekend.

Living close to the main road is a wonderful thing, however, if you’re the type that dislikes having to hear all those awful traffic noises, then this may be a deal breaker for you.

In addition, you also have to consider your neighbors because if you’re living in an apartment complex filled with students, then you may find yourself constantly filing noise complaints.

Conclusion

Shopping for a new residential property that you and your family will really feel ‘at home’ in is a matter of knowing what factors are most important to you.

If you’re unsure about doing this ‘house hunting’ on your own, then you can help from a real estate company in your area.

A Renter’s Reflection – A Guide to Victoria’s Best Suburbs

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

Victoria has a lot of great suburbs, so many in fact that it can be hard to choose which ones are right for you and your family.

A good way to get to know which suburbs are right for you is to make a wish list of what you are looking for.

  • Where do you and your partner need to commute in the morning, how long are you willing to travel?
  • Are schools important? Do you prefer beach or bush?
  • Are you looking for a rental that will sustain you longer term or are you looking to buy to rent? . . . . If so will you look to live in the property in the future?

All these questions will help you to understand your parameters but also enable you to effectively communicate your requirements to a real estate agent or property manager.

To get an idea of the best rental suburbs we spoke to My rental a rental property management company in Melbourne to get the inside scoop.

We based our particular search on people searching for a safe and friendly neighbourhood that has good transportation links and reasonable rental prices.

The Suburbs below are a selection of what we found:

Brunswick East

Brunswick East one of the popular inner suburbs with it being around 6 kilometres from Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).

It has a growing population with people flocking to the suburb for many years.

However back in 2016, Brunswick East had a population of under 12,000 residents.

Brunswick East is very popular with the artistic and creative types as well as the young and progressive professionals.

Some of the benefits include great transport links into the city, amazing bars and cafes, as well as a inclusive neighbourhood feel.

Parkville

Parkville is an up and coming suburb close to Melbourne’s CBD, the suburb is exceptionally close with it being only 3 kilometres north of the city.

This suburb is renown for its parks and recreation spaces which attractive a wide variety of people to the area.

Although the population size is approx 7,500 the traffic congestion is higher than Brunswick East just due to its proximity to the city, and the population predicted to grow to 9,500 by 2037.

Elwood

Elwood is a beautiful beach side suburb, which naturally makes it more expensive than over places 8 kilometres outside of Melbourne’s central business district.

However, the heritage building and active lifestyle this suburb grants you really does make up for the price hike.

Locals are happy and friendly which can make any new addition to the neighbourhood feel welcome straight away.

South Melbourne

South Melbourne is best known for its market which are a great sensory experience.

The smell of fresh produce and the early morning hustle and bustle of the South Melbourne Market getting ready on the weekend is an experience not to be missed.

South Melbourne is great for the foodies, with a plethora of cafes, restaurants and bars to choose from you’ll never be far away from a delectable bite to eat.

St Kilda

St Kilda is a very popular suburb to both buy and rent in.

It has the benefits of the beach, great nightlife and yummy cafes.

Therefore it attracts people of all walks of life and backgrounds creating a very vibrant suburb.

St Kilda has grown a great deal over the years and has a colourful history.  

Location wise it is only 6 kilometres from Melbourne’s central business district which could be part of the reason it is over to over 20,000 residents according to 2016 census data.

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