READ MORE HERE: designstyleguide.net/community/blog/new-feature-on-design-style-guide/
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
NEW FEATURE on Design Style Guide
READ MORE HERE: designstyleguide.net/community/blog/new-feature-on-design-style-guide/
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Battening Down The Hatches - Prepare Your Storm Plan
Australians are no stranger to rough weather. With recent disasters affecting many northern cities and townships it is a good idea to have an action plan in place should a storm or other potentially disastrous weather phenomenon approach your locality.
On the bright side, we usually get some warning that rough conditions are approaching and this means if you have a plan in place, you will likely have time to execute most of it and ensure everyone and everything is taken care of. Regardless of your plan, make sure you have your home and contents insured and check your policy carefully to ensure it covers any weather patterns that are prominent in your area -- or any that have hit nearby areas.
So where do you get started in your disaster plan?
1. The House
Your first priority is obviously your family, but once they are all safe and accounted for, making sure you all have a place to live is your next action. Research strategies to prepare your home for the type of weather or natural disaster that is coming your way. For example:
- Remove all leaves from gutters and flood the gutters with water if a fire is approaching.
- For severe storms, tend to all your windows.
- Reinforce them with cardboard to help keep them from breaking.
2. The backyard
Ensure your backyard is surrounded by strong and stable fencing, a fencing contractor will be able to advice what is best. If a storm is approaching, and you have time, remove anything unstable from the backyard and store in the garage, such as trampolines, and kid's plastic play equipment. Tie back all shrubs and plants to a stake or something stable so they aren't ripped out.
3. Pool
Your pool is going to be a mess if not properly prepared. The best thing you can do is head to your pool supplies store and buy yourself a cover to have at the ready. While the cover may be full of leaves and debris following a big storm, your water will remain clean, and maintenance is simply collecting the leaves in a bag and getting rid of them. This means you then don't need to worry about draining the water and starting again with fresh water and new chemicals.
4. Supplies
Ensure you always have some supplies on hand, should services be shut off, or you are segregated from points of supply. Clean water, candles and a first aid kit are a must. Also look at getting some basic food supplies that can last a few days.
Another must is reserves of prescription medication. Ensuring a supply of medications for illnesses such as diabetes and asthma is vital, as it could be these, rather than the weather, that result in a life or death situation.
5. Pets
Don't forget the pets! In really rough weather conditions consider bringing them inside and shutting them in the laundry. They should be safe there and can't do too much damage.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Autumn Treasury
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tips for Choosing the Right Builder For Your Home
When choosing a builder do your research beforehand, check their credentials, make sure you have a written contract and that they are reliable.
When choosing a builder for your home there are a number of things you should take into consideration. The same rules apply when building kit homes. You may choose to build your kit home yourself but you can have the entire project constructed for you by a professional builder. Many Kit homes in Victoria and in other places within Australia are being built with the help of fully qualified builders. It will cost you more to build your kit home if you hire a builder but if you are unsure of your abilities or don't have the time it can save you a lot of stress.
Do your research
Before you decide on a builder do a bit of research beforehand. You will be working closely with this person for a while and you are trusting them with your new home so you want to be happy that they are going to do a good job. Ask around friends and family as they may be able to recommend a good builder to you. If someone has had any building done by this particular builder ask if you can go and have a look at it. Find out whether they were easy to get along with, whether they were on time to work and if the cost of hiring them was reasonable.
Check their credentials
Before you hire the builder check their credentials. Make sure they are a fully qualified builder and that they are properly registered. Also make sure they are accredited with HIA (Housing Industry Association).
Contract
It is important to have a contract with your builder. This contract should include things like the start date and expected completion date of construction. It should have written in it exactly what their work includes and what their costs will be. Both parties should sign the contract and have a copy.
Price
Shop around to find the right builder that suits your price range, as well as finding someone whose work you like and who you can trust. Be upfront about what they charge as you don't want to get to the end of the job and find out that you can't afford to pay them. Be very clear about getting the costings at the beginning of the job and ask whether you need to be prepared for any unexpected costs, such as possible additions to the building or the builder finding that they need to use more materials than first anticipated.
Reliable
Make sure that your builder is reliable. You want your builder turning up when they say they will and turning up on time. If they wander in whenever they feel like it at any time of the day then the job is going to take a lot more time and cost you a lot more money. You also want someone who will contact you if they can't show because of illness or some other reason, just to let you know what is going on. You also want a builder that you can trust, so if you don't feel comfortable with them don't hire them.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Best Floor Coverings for an Australia climate
The Australian climate is temperate one. Unlike countries in the northern hemisphere, we do not experience snow and ice, harsh winds and biting frosts. Rather, Australians are lucky enough to experience wonderfully warm weather almost all year round. It also means that when it comes to home decoration we can choose from a variety of floor coverings like sandstone pavers, granite tiles and slate.
Hard floor coverings are almost impossible to consider in countries that experience ice and snow. The colder climates make hard flooring a nightmare of dangerous proportions. Ice and snow will rot and affect the composition of the natural materials, it will make them extremely slippery in certain weather conditions and finally it proves to be a cold and uncomfortable choice when you are battling the chill for much of the year.
Australia on the other hand possesses a positively tropical climate in many parts of the north and a mild and comfortable temperature in the southern states. Being close to the equator means we can enjoy sunny days and warm breezes for a lot of the year and even our winters seem to pass us by without seeing much below 10C.
Trying to stay cool and comfortable is an ongoing struggle for Aussies a lot of the time. However it is a battle that you can win when step inside our own home. When you walk through the door, you might be lucky enough to enter a room with the cool crispness of air conditioning. Perhaps you might have the cooled, swirling air created by ceiling fans. But if you are looking for more ways to cool your home, don’t look past your choice of flooring.
So much of the heat can be either absorbed or transmitted through the floor. Choosing natural materials is the best way to ensure the coolest feeling for your feet. Like wearing wool, natural floor coverings will keep you cool in summer and retain heat in winter.
Not only will stone and slate keep you cool, these substances will also last. The durability of stone and slate is its finest asset. Unlike most man-made materials, it will not fade in the sun; it is resistant to chemicals and alkalis and won’t be destroyed by water. These materials are difficult to chip and crack and look clean and tidy even when they’re not!
If you’re looking for a durable and well-wearing floor covering for your outdoor or poolside areas, then natural materials will once again be your first choice. Choosing high quality sandstone to line your pool area or complement your landscaping will end up saving you expensive repairs and maintenance costs. Good quality sandstone is tested for superior density, water absorption, slip resistance and resilience to salt attack which means it will look better for longer.
Like any natural substance, sandstone pavers will age gracefully and will actually add character, warmth and beauty to your home. It is hard to beat natural substances for durability, stain resistance, practicality and most importantly visual appeal. There really is no better choice for the harsh Australian climate, whether you’re looking at interior coverings or outdoor tiles.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Interior Design Tips to Make the Most of Every Hotel Room and Boost Business
Better interior design can mean a radical improvement in business for even a discount hotel. If you are managing, operating or the owner of a small hotel, good design is your ticket to making great revenue. This article looks at some of the basics from the perspective of a traveller, who has seen many hotels, and a few renovated, that had booming business.
If you are managing, operating, or the owner of a hotel or other paid accommodation, interior design will always be an issue for you. There are many examples of boutique hotels that are making more money because they spent a little time and thought outside of the box, when it came to designing their interiors, and what items of furniture they used. Good choices can mean real savings in maintenance and labour. Let’s look at some of the options that can be employed. Good design will mean you are busier and can charge more for your rooms. It does not mean that it will have to cost you more to set up.
- Lighting. Lighting is one of those areas that has come a long way in recent years. There are a range of lighting products that are inexpensive, and yet have a very expensive feel. Upward lighting creates space. When there is only one room, it is always the best option. Seriously consider this choice. Central ceiling lights are old-fashioned, condense the feel of a room, so old fashioned and are not effective.
- Flooring. Carpet has long been out of fashion, and yet many hotels still continue to use it. More people do not want carpet in their homes, and so why would they want it in your hotel? Modern wooden floorings made from sustainable wood chips are very effective as insulators – perfect for any climate. These new floor types are very easy to maintain, relatively cheap and easy to install, and you will not have all that filth that builds up with carpets.
- Furniture. It is not very often that I have stayed in a hotel and found a chair or table that I would use. I travel on business a lot, and have regularly wondered about this issue. There are amazing Sydney office chair suppliers, and yet we rarely see them as a part of a hotel arrangement. Choosing furniture that you want to use, is an issue that is commonly overlooked by hotel management. Too often we see that the furniture looks good, but is not comfortable to use. This also goes for lounge or sofa seats. Creative and functional items that are comfortable to sit in and use, should be your goal.
- Walls. Again, design can do a lot for you. Much of the space in a room is wasted because the walls are not utilized properly. Walls should always be darker than your ceiling and lighter than your floors. This will create a sense of space. Walls that can be cleaned easier will obviously last longer. Good paints are worth the investment.
- Air Conditioning. Another big area in many hotels is vents blasting air out from high up. Where possible the ventilation should be lower to the ground, around the level of our knees. Individual standing units can be converted into a wall table with a raised platform. Slow moving fans are very suitable for some climates and can save you a lot of money on costs.
I have seen some very impressive before and after renovations on my travels. They do not have to cost you a lot, and you will increase your revenue with a touch of style and atmosphere.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Containing Your Dog – Realistic Fencing Ideas and Fence Construction Tips
Fencing contractors are usually the experts when it comes to containing your four-legged friend. A normal fencing solution will probably not apply. This article looks at some tips and ideas that will be of interest to anyone who has a pet and wants to keep it.
Containing your overzealous pet, mutt, prince, or guard dog is a serious issue. If your dog gets out and attacks someone, you risk losing your loved one and being hit with enormous legal bills. Fencing that can handle what your dog will attempt to do will take a little extra effort and some lateral thinking. If you are serious about containing your animals, this is the article for you.
- Height. This is the first obvious issue. Many dogs can actually leap higher than their owners think. Especially if they are agitated or excited. There will be legal height restrictions in your region and you probably should go for the maximum allowable height by the law.
- Foot Holds. This is an area where many home fence builders neglect. If you have railings your dog may use them to get that final boost to get over the fence. Many owners wonder how it was possible for their dog to get over their fence – this is the common cause. Building a fence that does not allow for railings to be used for that final push to get over the top, is extremely important.
- Tunnelling. Dogs love to dig. We all know that. All dogs will attempt to dig under a fence. That is second nature to them. They will hear noises on the other side and it is only normal for them to start digging to get to that other side. As soon as there is any hint they can get through by tunnelling, you can be sure their attention has been captivated. Having fence that digs deep into the ground or has a concrete base is the best. Concrete bases work the best because the dog soon knows there is no way through. If you have a fence that is 1 foot into the ground your dog will still be digging at the ground. This will mean education and repair work on your behalf.
- Gates. Gates can be the easiest place for a dog to escape. If you are serious about containing your animals at your point of entry and exit, having a secondary gate to create a buffer zone between the access point is a sensible option.
- Too See or Not to See. Dogs have an amazing ability to hear much beyond us mere mortals. Not allowing your dog to see what is going on the other side of a fence will not stop their interest in what is going on, it will probably increase it. Having a fence that can be seen through is a great way to keep your dog stimulated and visible to others. Your dog will get used to people and visitors. A dog that is contained inside a space might well get very bored if they cannot see what is going on. This could lead them to getting agitated and excited at any noise. If they can see what is going on, they are more likely to get used to it. You can assist this with training.
- Shock Therapy. If you want to teach your animals not to mess with your fence, setting up a low voltage electric fence is a very real option for the worst behaved dogs. Your dog will learn very fast the fence should not be messed with.
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