5 Forgotten ‘Tools’ for Home Improvement

Guest Post by Hubert Dwight

Every household needs a home improvement kit.

You never know when you’re going to need to perform an odd job or task.

After all, while a good house will last a lifetime there is still always going to be those little repairs or acts of maintenance required to keep your place in fine condition.

Unfortunately there are some things that belong in your home improvement kit that often get forgotten.

Or they get broken, damaged, go missing or get borrowed and never returned.

Let’s take a look at five devices that are essential for home improvement, but are often forgotten.

 

A Good Torch

Every household needs a rechargeable torch on hand.

A nice bright torch is a great tool to have for those random tasks around the house. It can help to provide light when working under your house, or in your roof.

It’s also great for working at night.

In a perfect world, all home improvement jobs would occur in full daylight. . . . butlife isn;t perfect

With a good quality torch, you’ll be able to make those little home improvements, no matter the hour of day.

Lubricant

Did you know that good old fashioned WD-40 has over two thousand possible uses?

Yet some households forget to include a simple lubricant in their home improvement kits!

Ypu can be so easy get caught up in buying the latest and greatest tools and toys that you can forget the basics.

A good lubricant can help to fix that noisy door, unstick that stuck recliner chair and remove rust from just about anything.

A Spirit Level

This is another device that is easily forgotten. If you have all the power saws, screwdrivers and spanners in the world they don’t amount to much if you can’t make sure that something is straight!

If crooked photos really bug you then you’ll want to invest in a level.

A level makes sure that you don’t hang or install anything without it being perfect.

Did you know you can even download a smartphone app to use as a spirit level? . . . Despite this awesome technology, we recommend the real deal.

A good quality metal spirit level is well worth the investment. If you need hands-free levelling, you could consider a laser level.

A Hacksaw

This is another commonly forgotten-about home improvement tool.

A hacksaw canto cut steel and many other materials.

You never know when you’ll need to cut through something, and sometimes plain old scissors, or a knife, just isn’t up to the task.

A hacksaw can cut easily through metal, but can also be used to cut plastic pipe, wood and other household materials.

Just an old-fashioned hand hacksaw with replaceable blades.

Cable Ties

Again, another easily overlooked device.

Cable ties are a great tool.

They can get used to tidy up all those loose cords and wires in your study.

They can hold things in place while you work on your home.

You can use them as cheap child-proof locks.

Did you know you can even unclog your sink drain with a long cable tie? Just poke it down there and give it a wiggle and presto!

 

There you have it. for the next time you’re at your local hardware store, have a think to yourself.

Is your home improvement kit complete? . . . You might need to invest in the above five items to be fully prepared for those little jobs that pop up from time to time!

Swallows Nest

I’m always interested in people who want to recreate medieval times by building their own castle.

This one is called the Swallows Nest in Gaspra in the Ukraine and was completed in 1912.

It’s a similar size to a typical Australian house at 20m x 10m.

The view is stunning, but I would be worried if they have earthquakes in that area, as you feel it could be shaken off the rock!

Thanks to Raredelights.com for the photograph.

 

For more Fails and Unusual House Ideas go to What the………….?

 

8 Wallet-Friendly Tricks To Spruce Up Your Interiors This Spring

Guest Post by Hubert Dwight

Brace yourselves, Spring is here!

Now that the winter coats, hats and boots are packed away, it’s time to spruce up the interiors of your home as well.

Spring marks new beginnings, and why not make full use of it to make a change in not just what you wear but how your house is decorated to?

Here are 8 Wallet-Friendly Tricks To Spruce Up Your Interiors This Spring.

A fresh new vibe doesn’t have to leave a hole in your pocket!

1. Soothe Your Senses

Spring is not just a colourful season – it is a fragrant one too.

Why not bring that crisp air and fragrance into your home with diffusers, scented candles and incense?

Scents have been proven to have a profound impact on the mood and can instantly calm you down after a stressful day at work.

Diffusers and candles are a very inexpensive way to bring the glorious scents of spring into your humble abode.

2. Flowers Aren’t Just For Valentine’s Day

One of the signs that Spring has arrived are when you see the once barren trees now start to grow in full bloom.

Purchasing fresh flowers online and adorning your home with it is a fantastic way of bringing the birth of spring into your very own home.

Aside from floral arrangements around your house looking absolutely stunning, they too bring a fresh Spring aroma into your home.

You don’t have to wait for your partner or a secret admirer to buy you flowers – jump online, get your own and start decorating!

3. Beautify Your Boudoir

Bright, fresh and crisp new bed linens can do wonders for your your personal sanctuary.

Who doesn’t enjoy going home and tucking into an amazingly comfortable and crisp bed for a good night of rest?

It’s time to tuck away your thick and heavy winter duvets and replace them with crisp linens and colourful coverlets.

Bring spring into your bedroom with floral designed sheets, or light colours such as pastel yellows and greens.

Don’t forget to include some accent pillows for added style and comfort.

4. Add A Splash Of Colour

There is no better way to breathe new life into a room than to completely revamp its color scheme – starting from the walls to your furniture covering and decors.

Statement walls are a very popular way to bring some fresh colour into a room without having to break the bank with an entire new paint job.

Painting one wall in your dining room in a sunny yellow or cream shade is a  simple DIY task that you and your family can do over the weekend.

Changing the colour of your tablecloths, cushions and throws can also bring an airy spring feel into your living area.

5. Simple Artwork Is The Way To Go

Another great way of sprucing up your interiors is to hang up fresh, bright and modern artwork on your bare walls.

Not only do they create a sense of structure in your home, they are also visually appealing and can complement the decor and furniture in your home.

Awesome places to purchase inexpensive art work would be at thrift stores, markets and op shops – it doesn’t have to be expensive to bring some wow factor into your home.

6. Goodbye Dull Drapes!

It’s time to switch out those dull and dark drapes for something bright, fresh and airy.

Choosing light coloured curtains allows for more sunlight to enter your home, and you will be surprised at the brightening power of pale curtains.

You can even go one step further and get tastefully floral printed curtains (not the type your granny owns) to really kick the feeling of spring back into your home.

7. Don’t Forget The Dining Table 

The dining table is often a space that we forget can be decorated and matched to the surrounding decor in the home.

For a fresh spring feel, adorn your table with Batik inspired place mats and napkins, light coloured crockery and some beautiful flowers in a vase as a centrepiece.

Flameless candles are also a great, safe and fresh way to add some elegance to your spring themed table.

8. The Magic Of Metallic

Metallic accents and mixed metal decorations have been turning heads recently, and is one of the hottest trends for the Spring season.

Copper, Bronze or Silver accessories in the bathroom, on the walls or even on your table top can bring elements of warm metallic allure to your home – small accents that make a big impression.

You can find many of these metallic decor at thrift stores or even at inexpensive stores such as K-Mart these days.

 

Sprucing up your home interior for Spring does not have to cost a fortune, and with a few nifty tricks and simple know-hows, you’ll be enjoying a bright, clean and fresh living space for months to come.

Concrete – Ready Mix or DIY?

If you have got a concreting job to do there are a few different options for getting the mix:

Small Jobs

Up to about 0.1m3 buy premixed bags 20kg bags ( 0.01m3) from a DIY store.

Not cheap at a cost of around $7.50 a bag ($750/m3), but convenient.

For fence posts its probably better to use a rapid set premix at around $8 for a 20kg bag,

That means that the concrete sets in about 15mins.

If you want to save a few dollars you can always drop some half bricks into the hole, it will be fine as long as each stone/brick is surrounded by concrete.

I normally mix in a barrow as it keeps the area cleaner than mixing on the ground.

Medium Sized Jobs

0.1 to 0.4m3 it will be cheaper to buy aggregate, cement, and sand, then mix it yourself.

For mix design see Concrete What Is It

Expect it to cost around $150 per m3 if you can pick the gravel and sand up, more if you get it delivered.

Larger Jobs

More than 0.4m3 I would use a local ready mix supplier, due to the saving of time and effort.

Prices are around $180 for 0,5m3 ($360/m3) dropping to $250 for 1m3.

A couple of things to bear in mind:

  • You need enough help to be able to place the concrete in 20-30 minutes otherwise you will have to pay extra.
  • If you let a big mixer on your drive it could crack it, so if you are working in the back garden you could have a lot of barrowing. We have generally used at least barrows.

5 Considerations When Buying Your First Home

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

For most of us, buying our first home is the biggest decision we ever make and there are so many things that are important to consider.

We have compiled a list of five things we believe are essential to those considerations

Location, Location, Location!

This is an obvious first step but truly it is essential to understand the area that you are buying into.

  • Is it a growing area?
  • Is there enough public transport?
  • Are there good schools near by?
  • Are there any big developmental plans taking pace in the near future?

All of these things and more can affect the value of a home and you need to consider the future you would like to have in this location.

Is it realistic to buy here? Places like Brighton are always easy to sell, in fact Marshall White in Brighton has houses for sale right now.

Some suburbs are very difficult to purchase and sell in, and have places on the market for months and months.
Where can you work, do you want children?

If you are a city lover don’t move to the country just because it is more affordable, property is a long term investment.

If you don’t want to have to begin the process over again you need to know that you have made a good decision the first time around.

Whether your goal is to keep the same home until you die or as a stepping stone on the way to bigger and better things, the best way to maximise your emotional and monetary profits are to pick an affordable home in a growing neighborhood so that you can feel as secure as possible.

$$$

The next thing on your list is finances, this is where you ask yourself the more finicky questions;

  • Are you buying alone or with a partner?
  • What bank or service to you take out a loan with?
  • How much do you want to pay as a deposit?
  • What is your maximum?

This is the hard part, and while you need to be able to ensure you can afford your repayments and upkeep, there are also rates and insurance to consider.

The best position to be in is to have good amount of savings and a fairly secure work life and if you intend to make the purchase with someone you should be sure you want them in your life and can trust them financially for a long time.

Size Matters

When you think about a property are you envisioning a house with a yard, an apartment, a high rise?

  • How much space do you need?
  • Do you have a family, or will you in the future?

The size and layout of your home are expensive and complicated things to change, so when you buy you want to know that it is already close to your ideal.

How close do you want to be to your neighbors? . . .  Are you okay with sharing walls or do they need to be an acre down the road!

You want your home to fit all of your passions so when you have figured out the top three on the list it’s time to consider design and age!

Old or New?

The age of your property can have a huge impact on how it looks and functions so the the next thing to consider is how modern of a property do you want.

The first part of this question is how old is too old and what costs might this bring up in future.

Whilst an older property may have grace and beauty and you have fallen for the high ceilings and windows, you need to also consider how much it might cost to heat the old place, and what potential repairs might be needed.

Old houses often have issues like piping or electricals that need updating, old rotting wood in places you can’t see, etc.

So you need to decide what age is good for you.

For those of us that love the ultra modern that means you may need to compromise on space a little or deal with the price tag of something hardly lived in.

Design

Now that you have figured out what you can afford and what you want, it’s the fun part!

What kind of space do you want to live in?

Design includes all the elements of the old and new debate, plus the amount of light you want in your home, what kind of feeling you like.

You don’t need to love the tiles or the wall colour yet because those things are easy to change.

What is important here is the bones, are there enough windows, do you enjoy and open plan? Questions like that.

Good luck with your search! and stay open to new things, you may fall in love with the opposite of what you expected, so see as many places as possible before you settle on a home!

Passing Blog Milestones

Sorry if this isn’t a practical post. . . .but last week I reached some significant milestones for this Blog.

Here is a copy of the Google Analytics Page for 25th August

  • 14,000 visits a month
  • 12,000 individual users in the month
  • 28,000 page views a month

Thanks to all of you who visit the Blog . . . you are helping me continue to grow the blog at over 20% a year!

 

Using Fabrics to Give your Hallway a Striking First Impression

A guest post by Hubert Dwight

An entrance way or hallway of a house often gives an immediate impression of your home to anyone stopping by.

For that reason alone, it’s important that your hallway is decorated in a way that expresses your unique personality, and sets the tone for the overall style of your home.

It’s also important to remember that this area should feel as if the house is welcoming your friends and company, not overwhelming them.

Your hallway should convey a gracious and friendly feeling, not blast visitors with an outlandish design.  We’ve gathered a few tips for using fabric as a way to enhance the hallway of your home.

To Paper or Not to Paper

Adding colour and design to the walls is one of the first things that people think of when it comes to decorating their house or apartment, and if they want to add a pattern or design to the walls, wallpaper is often the first choice.

Wallpaper can be used to easily add colour and pizazz to bare walls, but fabric can add so much more.

There’s a reason that the most beautiful palaces in the world used fabric to line their walls.

Fabric adds a texture and sensory delight that wallpaper just can’t provide.

Whether the fabric is a woven pattern of plaid, checks, or stripes, or a beautifully delicate weave of flower blossoms floating on air, fabric fills your walls with personality.

It’s one of the best ways to enrich the hallway of your home.

Fabric as Art

Another way to use fabric in your hallway is to display it as an art piece.

Again, let’s take a look at those castles in Europe.Fabric hangings were a way of life in castles or palaces made of stone.

Wall hangings not only acted as a minimal form of insulation on those cold stone walls, they also provided visual interest to walls that were difficult to decorate.

Although you probably don’t live in a castle, framing and hanging beautiful curtain fabrics is a wonderful way to add impact to your hallway.

The fabric you choose to hang doesn’t have to be an ornate pattern or a pictorial weave, but it should be something that adds a definite statement to your walls.

For example, if your hallway is lined with a deep aubergine solid fabric, a framed square of a lime-coloured pattern of leaves, plants and grapes can create a gorgeous contrast that calls attention to both the wall and fabric hanging.

Cool and quiet

Another way to add impact is to actually downplay the colour of your hallway walls.

A cool grey or beige burlap-type weave is a great choice for your walls if you want to highlight a certain object or piece of art.

Your hallway will still have impact but in a different way. For instance, if you have an original Warhol print, you would want that to have centre stage on the wall.

And what if you don’t have a Warhol original to hang on your wall?

The focal piece of your wall doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to make a statement.

Something as simple as a large mirror with a dramatic frame can be your objet d’art.

Antique tools and saws, framed book covers, and Edwardian table linens are just as notable and amazing as a print or painting.

Make Your Hallway Welcoming

The most important thing to remember is that whatever you feature in your hallway should reflect an aspect of you or your family.

After all, when someone comes to your home, they’re there to see you.

However you decorate it, just make sure that when people walk into your hallway they receive a charming message of “welcome to my home.”

Exit mobile version