It seems to me that fences have to be solid and large.
Too often I walk down a street and can’t see the houses for the large brick fences.
Well there is another way.
These Japanese and Chinese bamboo fences provide more of a psychological barrier. . . . but still keep people. and dogs, off the garden.
Perhaps a few plants in a vertical garden would break up the view.
Perhaps you haven’t got much money after paying for upgrades to the house.
Here is how to start a low cost vertical garden using old milk bottles.
*I did try first without the reservoir and the plants dried out too much with the reservoir the plants survived a 3 week absence in Autumn.
Not got space for a swimming Pool?
Would you like a spa/hot tub?
I know when I go on holiday I quite enjoy getting in a hot spa at the end of the day.
Before you make the decision to buy it’s worth thinking about what it’s going to cost.
Besides the cost of the initial unit there is where its going to be located.
*Pools and spas can put future buyers off a property.
Typically the biggest cost is going to be heating. . . . Increasing the water temperature from 20ºC to 35ºC for a 1,000 litre spa would take around 17kw hrs of electricity costing around $5.(even using a heat pump its going to cost around $2) An insulated cover will help a little.
Other cost will include; running the spa pumps, running filter pumps, disinfection, and ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Additional water usage due to refilling the spa, and evaporation losses.
Even though I enjoy a spa, every time I have looked at the costs, I’ve decided against it. . . so it remains a holiday treat.
A Guide to Framing Your Holiday Photos
Guest Post by Hubert Dwight
The holidays are a time of love, fun and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Displaying these memories can make our house feel like a home and remind us of these times and what better way to display your holiday memories than hanging them on the wall?
Though framing pictures can seem rather daunting, there are many ways to make it simpler and fun.
Placement
Placement is key when hanging photos.
You don’t want them to be hidden away in a dark corner, rather, you want them placed to compliment the room.
Try hanging the photo in a well-lit area without much clutter, as we don’t want to overpower the room, just accessories it whilst displaying happy memories.
You want to pick a frame that compliments the room and the photo, whether that is large or small, simple or ornate, etc.
Make sure the frame is the right size for each photo. For example, get an A3 frame for an A3 photo.
You have the choice of a ready made frame, or a custom picture frame.
There are so many options and choices to choose from, so just have fun!
The photograph itself is where you want the focus to be, not the frame.
If you do choose to go a more complex route with your frame, you can find subtle ways to complement the photo.
For example, you might choose a textured frame that works to complement (but not detract from) the work.
A textured frame can provide a room and the work with more personality without overwhelming and add can accentuate the feel and style of a room.
Depending on whether your pictures are in colour or black and white, there are different frames and choices for each.
Colour photos give you a lot more to work with in terms of frame design – you can keep it simple, or you choose to play up the colour scheme of your photos with a complementary framing colour scheme.
With black and white photos, however, you’re limited to a greyscale colour palette.
That is, generally speaking, black and white photos work well with either black, white or silver frames
Matboards are cardboard surrounds for your photographs that come in an array of colours and can be as slim or as wide as you choose.
Photos are usually full of detail, and a matboard can provide a visual “breathing space” between the photo and the frame, this helps the frame design look balanced.
They also provide protection from the glass.
In humid environments picture frame glass can experience condensation which can cause your photographs to stick to the glass permanently.
The holidays can sometimes mean a lot of photos and you have the choice of framing them all singularly or in a multi-window frame.
Whilst framing them all in a multi window frame is very convenient and perfect for larger rooms such as living rooms, they aren’t as moveable as singular window frames.
With so many creative options to choose from, you can really express yourself and display your holiday photos with style.
Framing these holidays memories should be fun and enjoyable but when in doubt, you can always ask professionals for help.
Last weekend this attractive looking balcony collapsed killing 2 people and injuring 17
For the full story check out the following link: The Age
With the party season now underway its worth thinking about whether your balcony/deck is up to the situation.
You may think that you are just inviting a few friends round……. but the average adult weighs over 75Kilos,
So if you are having 20 guests around for a party their combined weight will be over 1.5 tonne, that’s heavier than my car.
Get them to group together for a photo and all that weight is in a small area.
If they start dancing there are dynamic forces as well.
Well if you are planning a deck in the future make sure that it’s properly designed and constructed.
There is no room for “That looks strong enough….No worries”.
If you have an existing deck then check that its up to scratch:
Before a party its a good idea to stop too many people going on a balcony, so put a couple of tables out there,
A table loaded with food might seem heavy but it will still be lighter than 4 or 5 adults.
After all they had never tried to escape at the two previous houses.
How wrong we were!
Our Kelpie Labrador cross Jemma was soon burrowing under the fence.
As soon as we filled one hole with bricks she started digging in a new spot.
After a bit of research I found a good solution was a 500mm wide strip of heavy plastic mesh.
This was fixed to the bottom of the fence panel and sloped back into the soil at an angle of around 45%.
Fairly easy to do, if you install it before you landscape.
This means that you can still put plants close to the fence but the mesh will stop the dog trying to dig under the panel
Guest post by Andre Smith
Your job is to begin pre-organizing the move into your new home long before you ever step foot into your new house, but don’t let this seem daunting.
You can help make the move easier, more efficient, and a lot less stressful by setting up, organizing, and planning for specific features of your new home and your new life before the movers arrive.
One of the first things to do when you buy a new home is call your insurance company to discuss changes.
Some homeowners assume their insurer will handle things like this when they are notified you bought a new home, but it’s not the case.
You’re insured, of course, but did you know you must be the person who calls and asks about specific coverage, changes, and addendums to your current policy?
Call and be sure there are no specific changes you must make, and ask about those you’re looking to make.
You can do this well in advance to take a little stress off yourself in the days leading up to your big move.
Call the post office and set up a change of address form as well as a re-direction withAustralian Post.
This allows you to have your permanent address changed on the post office’s record as well as the records of everyone who mails anything to you.
It also allows the office to redirect your mail so it stops going to your old address on the date you specify.
It’s then gives you time to tell all your contacts of your permanent change of address.
Now is the time to contact the government about the address on your driver’s license.
You might need specific documentation stating you have a new address, and you might not be able to
get this until you move and have a utility bill, or any other proof of address on record.
It’s time to check on moving house electricity rates, phone service, internet providers, and more before you move.
You want most of these things set up prior to moving into your new home to make life easier.
Spend a little time on this step prior to moving into your new home.
It’s helpful to find the best rates, to discuss the dates you want service, and even to focus on disconnecting your old service as of a specific date.
Depending on where you are moving, how far you are moving, and what you are moving from and into, there may be other things you need to do to make your move a little easier.
You can arrange for babysitters for the kids, pet sitters for your animals, help moving, and so much more.
It’s helpful to begin making a list now so you don’t forget anything as you think of it.
Moving is never entirely fun, but it’s the beginning of a new life in a new home.
Now is the time to make sure your move is as seamless as possible by handling what you can in advance.
It’s never too late to get started making your move easier, and it’s never too early to begin planning.
Being organized during a move helps you focus on making your home more of a home, and it
helps you make the process as simple as possible.
Guest post by Hubert Dwight
I’ve always loved the summer.
The bright blue sky, the wonderful heat, the plethora of fantastic outdoor events that pop up around this time; all of this comes together into one of the most amazing times in the Australian calendar.
So, why not fully embrace it from the comforts of your own backyard?
A perfectly-prepared patio is an excellent place to host get-togethers, eat dinner under the moon, or just enjoy a good book.
Unfortunately, when many people think of crafting a lovely outdoor area for themselves, there’s a perceived air of difficulty and frustration that seems to turn people off the idea.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth!
To help you plan your preparation, here’s a few tips we’ve put together on how you can take a DIY approach to your dream patio.
Nothing says “Australian summer” quite like the scent of meats and smokey treats wafting through the warm December air?
An infrared BBQ or charcoal grill is the perfect addition to a patio setup, especially for those that are a fan of playing host for outdoor parties or get-togethers.
When deciding on a barbecue for your backyard, it’s important to consider space as a major contributing factor.
While that giant gas grill may pack a powerful punch if you’re trying to quickly feed a small army, it’s more likely to become an unnecessary obstacle for those with less space in their backyard.
None of this is to say that larger barbecue setups are unnecessary, it’s just good to think about how much space you have before you start giving it up.
Unlike interiors, which have walls that act like a frame for your decor, it can be difficult to make an outdoor space feel cohesive and self-contained.
However, there are ways to make your way around this obstacle of exterior decor.
An outdoor rug can be the saving grace of defining your space, whilst also creating a more comfortable place to rest your weary feet after a long day.
A rug makes your patio decor look intentional and methodical (a nicer way of saying “method to the madness”), and can be the factor that truly makes your space feel complete.
Just make sure to find a rug that can hold up to the elements. While the roof of your patio should protect it from the rain, a material that is damaged by extended periods of sunlight isn’t going to fare well in the outdoor arena.
Unfortunately, for those of us that have a family to contend with, it’s not just our needs that get to be factored in when developing a patio setup.
So, when deciding on patio furniture, make sure that you’re considering what you want to actually DO with the space once it’s complete.
If you want to host parties, then a considerable amount of chairs and table space is a must. If you’re looking to stay warm in the winter, you should consider a fire pit of outdoor heater.
If you want to just rest and relax in the lap of luxury, then thick, comfortable cushions are going to serve you well.
In the end, it all comes down to taste. Just make sure that everything that you’re getting can withstand a little bit of sun damage.
You’re putting time and money into choosing this setup, you might as well make it last as long as possible!
So, there you have it!
There are so many things that you can do with an outdoor space, especially one that still offers the serene security of a roof.
Just get creative, work out what you want to do outdoors and throw yourself into it full-force!
Good luck and happy holidays!
Well summer is almost upon us and I am reminded of a poem by Dorothea McKeller
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!
The poem is called My Country
I also love Australia, but there are plenty of potential terrors
As well as the large disasters such as Floods, Bush Fires, Cyclones, there are many events that may be a disaster to you on a more personal level. . . . . so are you prepared?
Have you thought
Well the Red Cross, who have had a lot of experience in disasters, have provided some very useful information.
Check it out at the following link: RED CROSS – DISASTER PREPARATION
If you find it useful you might like to make a donation!
Guest post from Greg Harris
Do you like shopping for furniture?
I get confused if we need to get more than a couple of pieces at a time.
Buying enough to fit out an entire house would be a challenge.
Sometimes we don’t have any choice:
These days there are companies that can take the hassle out of buying furniture for a house, or flat.
The same companies that furnish display homes can provide a Furniture Package that will suit your needs.
It could be or entire house, or just one room.
They can even include electrical items, carpets and curtains.
Perhaps you should get a quote next time you need some furniture.
