To me when I think of cutting edge design it conjures up images of a sleek and so-phisticated look that pushes the boundaries of design and style to a new level. It sets you apart from the rest and perhaps creates a space that has you featuring in your home the latest trends and choices available in the marketplace that may have not been fully adopted by the majority of the general public yet due to their newness in the world of design.

It is a constantly changing world with advances in products, building materials and styling finishes happening so often that it takes a keen student to stay in touch with these changes and to embrace them within their own home. I like to think of this approach to design and to including advancements into my work to make my life and my client’s life easier throughout our design process.

Make a style file or Moodboard when you start the process of beginning to style your home and at that point collect all the information about what products are available and how you would like to incorporate them into your design. This allows you to do all your research and evaluation early in the project and you will save valuable time in the long run as when the contractors need speedy decisions you will be ready to go.

So here are my favourite ways to incorporate great design into your world:
• Adopting a minimalistic approach to your design will always give you an amazing result that has cutting edge design all over it.
• Introducing different building materials into your mix will give a designer edge to your final style.
• Metallic finishes scream designer chic at the moment.
• Incorporating a true eco friendly element to your home’s design is a must in making your home cutting edge in design and proactive in saving the impact we have on the environment.
• Embrace the theory that true cutting edge design allows us to incorporate old with new seamlessly.

Decorating and styling your home can really give you an opportunity to express your own inner style in a really tactile way. And I think true cutting edge design is discovering and combining the things that you treasure into a home that you absolutely love.

Glass splashbacks are a sure way to enhance the appearance of your new kitchen layout. And not only do they look great, splashbacks also make the job of cleaning in the kitchen heaps easier and much faster.

When the staff at Glassplace measure a kitchen for a new splashback, we check the size of cupboards, benches, work areas and windows. Most splashbacks are made from Low Iron toughened 6mm glass or from special mirrored glass. It’s toughened to handle the heat from the cooktop. And we use low iron glass because ordinary glass has a very slight green tint, which is not noticeable until it is painted, but it can slightly change the appearance of the splashback when installed, especially if using light or white colours.

The colour choice is totally yours. Some customers want a very plain colour to blend in with walls and cupboards, while others like to have a bold colour to enhance the look of their new kitchen. So after we have the size and shape of the splashback pieces confirmed, it’s up to our glass supplier to cut the pieces to size and shape, polish the edges, do cut outs for power points and then toughen each piece in a furnace. When the glass has cooled it goes through a chemical wash, gets dried and has 3 coats of paint applied on the back surface.

When the glass comes to our workshop we unwrap it, check it for size and imperfections. Then we take it to your place and carefully fit each piece and seal it all to the wall with a sanitary grade silicone. That’s it – finished!

That’s when you get to see what you have planned and dreamed of for a few weeks and show your friends and neighbours and enjoy what is often the focal point of your new kitchen. Call Glassplace on 6862 2346 and we can advise, measure and quote a glass splashback for you.

By Col Lamrock

If you have a wood burner or stove in your house, you’ve probably started the perfect fire only to find it’s completely burned out a few minutes later. A few methods to burn wood efficiently can help you get a roaring fire crackling and keep you warm this winter. It’s essential that your wood heater is cleaned, particularly the flu that draws smoke form the fire. Pay close attention to the wood you burn too, there’s no point carefully stacking logs if they’re wet, green or rotted! Therefore it’s important to also have the right materials.

A combination of softwood and hardwood kindling and firelighters will provide your base. Conventional wisdom suggests you start burning underneath your logs however there’s good evidence that you should build your fire from the top down layering smaller pieces on top of a base made layer.

This way, the fire grows hotter and hotter, gradually working down to consume the wood. When being a fire starter many things can go wrong such as insufficiently seasoned wood that has been dampened by snow or rain. This sort of wood will keep on smoking until it becomes charcoal. Even good wood can be arranged so a fire never reaches its full potential so make sure you have the basics to get your fire started today with wood and kindling now in stock at Parkes Landscaping Supplies at Lot 1 Back Trundle Road.

As the mercury in the thermometer starts to drop, it’s tempting to reach for the heating control and crank it up to high.  But there are other ways you can keep warm without facing a huge bill at the end of the month.

A great trick to lock in heat is to invest in some thick curtains. Curtains with a thermal lining are a relatively cheap option and if you don’t want to splash out on new ones you can always line your originals with fleece or even PVC shower curtains. And why should only windows have all the fun? Create a curtain for your door to add another layer of protection.

Let in as much sunlight as possible during the day to make the most of natural (and free) heat. Window shades and curtains should be kept open during the day and shut tight as soon as dusk falls.

Leaving unused rooms’ doors wide open means cold air has more room to circulate. Keep them shut and conserve your heat! Lots of Aussie housing have floorboards which can account for as much as 10% of heat loss if they’re not insulated. Rugs and blankets can help reduce this and have the added bonus of keeping your tootsies toasty.

 

 

 

There are few home-maintenance painting jobs around the home that are as important as exterior painting.  Painting is the first line of defence. From the piercing rays of the hot Aussie sun to the icy frosts of winter, decent paint and caulking can make all the difference.

Painting the outside of your home will give you the protection you need to fortress your home against the elements, add vibrancy to your street appeal and increase value too!

The first signs that you need to repaint your home is if you notice cracking, peeling or blistering. If you ignore these signs, you will likely find yourself with a much larger job down the track!

Before you start the job, here are some tips that can help you achieve the best results.

1. Select the correct paint

There are two types of exterior paints that you can choose from: water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, has low odour and remains flexible longer.

Alkyd paints require mineral spirits (paint thinner) for clean-up as opposed to just soap and water.

The colour that you choose to paint your house is really a personal preference, however there are many stores in the Parkes area that can supply you with the tools for the job ahead.

2. Prepare the surface

Should you not prepare the surface, the exterior of your home will not stack up against Australia’s harsh weather. By not taking the vital steps early on in the painting process, the paint will not stick, will look patchy or rippled and its longevity will be greatly diminished.

Pressure washing the house or using a scrubbing brush with soapy water are two very effective ways of removing dust and dirt. Ensure there are no nails protruding from the surface of the area that you are going to paint and using an exterior putty, fill the gaps. Once set, sand the surface.

Take your time, enjoy your project and at the end of it, sit back knowing that you have the best house on the street.