Category: The Tips & Tricks

HOW TO PICK A PAINT COLOUR

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Whether you’ve just bought your first property, are renovating or simply feel like a room refresh, choosing a paint colour may sound simple but, if you’re like me, the sheer volume of choice can be extremely overwhelming.

So to help make that all important decision a little less stressful, here are a few things to consider before you declare a colour “the one.” Continue reading →

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HANDBAG ESSENTIALS

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20150705_143200 finalI’m sure most of us have a few handbag staples – tissues, gum etc (my bag seems to go forth and produce its own lip gloss colony – I put one in and a few months later, its multiplied to at least half a dozen!) But, when renovating and/or decorating, there are a few things you should have on hand to help make the process easier:

1. MEASURING TAPE – pretty self-explanatory

2. RENO/DECO NOTEBOOK – It’s what’s in the notebook that really matters… Continue reading →

GROUT & ABOUT: A guide to grouting

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Grouting is one of the easiest DIY tasks to master. With just a few tools and tips, you’ll be a pro in no time. 

Before you head to the hardware store, here are a few things to consider:

  • The size of your tile joints – ensure you buy a grout suitable to the size of your tile joint.
  • The tile you are using it with – there are different products available for different materials such as natural stone and marble.
  • If you need a grout that combats mould – great for use in wet areas such as bathrooms.
  • If you need a flexible grout for areas where there’s movement in the wall/floor.
  • Premixed v’s powder – the premixed usually costs a little more but it saves you a bit more time and fuss. I usually go powdered.

Continue reading →

NIPPY TILE TIPPY

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There are so many options/directions you can take in tiles so if you have a look or feel or even better, a reference, take it with you when you visit your big local tile store. 

BUT once you’ve decided on a tile and it’s a more “common” variety, go home and do some research. Shop around. Yes, you may have to travel a little further to grab a bargain but if you are like me and working to a budget of next-to-nothing, then a little time and effort can save you big bucks. I saved a few hundred dollars on my subway tiles just but shopping around. 

PAINTING 101

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fresh paint workWhen my girlfriend and her husband bought a new house recently, they asked if I wouldn’t mind helping them paint. When I arrived and started with “paint talk” they both just looked at me blankly! As I’m partial to painting I just presumed that most people knew how to go about painting a room. A poll of a few more friends told me that no, it wasn’t the case.

While many people would just pay a painter to do the work, for those of you on a budget and who also just want to give it a go, her are a few basic pointers: Continue reading →