My Home Sweet Home

Growing Trend towards Smaller Houses and Renovations

2012-02-15T15:28:00.003+07:00

Two new reports released in August 2011 have contributed to growing evidence that houses in Australia are getting smaller and homeowners are choosing renovation over buying new houses. This trend has implications for property investment. In this article, we take a closer look at the trend and what it may hold in store for investors.

Smaller Houses

The first noticeable trend is a reduction in the size of houses. Reports released by CommSec and IBISWorld both suggested that houses are growing smaller. The CommSec report drew on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures to reveal the following about Australian houses:

· Smaller homes overall. While Australians continued to build the biggest homes in the world by area (at 10 and nine per cent larger than houses in the US and New Zealand respectively), data for the nine months to March 2011 found that the average floor area of new homes (including apartments) was 214.1 square metres. For free standing houses the figure was 243.6 square metres.
· Peaking home sizes. Home size has reached a peak in Australia. In 2008/09 the average new house was 248 square metres. In 2009/10 this figure was 239 square metres.
· More smaller apartments being built. While we still build the largest homes of any country in the world, Australians are building more smaller apartments. In the nine month period to March 2011, the area of new apartments averaged 133.7 square metres, which was the smallest result for the past decade. For this reason, a smaller apartment will make a better investment property for investors.
· Apartment sizes peaked in 2004/05. The peak for apartment sizes was probably reached in 2004/05, when the average area was 143.7 square metres. In the 2009/10 period, the average apartment size was 143.4 square metres compared with 133.7 square metres in the nine months to March 2011. For the March quarter, the average was even lower at 128.9 square metres.
· The largest houses in the country. New South Wales built the largest houses on average.
· The largest apartments in the country. The Northern Territory built the largest apartments.
· The smallest houses in the country. South Australia built the smallest houses in Australia.

The IBISWorld report noted that Generation Y have shown a preference for smaller houses. Similarly, baby boomers nearing retirement are choosing to downsize, preferring smaller, well-situated properties close to transport, cafes, amenities, entertainment venues, and not too far from work hubs.

More Renovations

The IBISWorld report showed that the do-it-yourself renovation sector is expected to grow by 15 per cent over the next five years. The report suggests that more people are choosing to renovate over changing homes, though part of the trend is attributable to cyclical factors.

The report suggests that Australia could even see an increase in the number of families where different generations live in the same home, with seniors being cared for at home and renovations being used to make homes for habitable for more people.

People may move less often, preferring to upgrade their properties rather than make a complete change. This may lead to increased demand for consumer items such as hardware retail products, professional renovation advisers, and garden suppliers.

Home Improvements to Complete Before Summer

2012-02-13T16:43:00.003+07:00

Before summer arrives there are a few home improvements you should complete to help you survive the heat. Whether you choose to spend a lot and put in a new pool or make smaller additions to your home, like adding a retractable awning, there are plenty of things you can do to help you keep cool this summer. You can also put security screens on your windows, which will not only keep your home secure but will mean that you can leave your windows open both day and night and no insects will be able to get in.

Pool

Putting a pool in is a fairly big financial decision and not something that you decide to do on a whim. If you have decided to take the plunge then have a good look around at the different styles of pools and choose one that is going to not only suit your budget, but match the style of your house. You will need to install a safety fence with a childproof safety gate and finish off your pool nicely with non-slip tiles or pavers surrounding it. Having heating will prolong the use of your pool and if you have the space and the money you might want to look at building a pool house.

Create shade

By building a veranda or patio, or even installing retractable awnings around your home you will create the perfect entertainment area. It is great to be able to eat outdoors during summer but you do need to be able to escape the heat and avoid sunburn. A veranda or patio are permanent structures which will give you the flexibility of using your outdoor area all year round. With a retractable awning you can create shade when you need it by extending the awning, or put it away if you want to have a sunny outdoor area.

Plant trees

If you have just recently built a new home on a vacant block you should start planting trees as soon as possible so that they have plenty of time to become established. They might not be big enough to provide any shade this summer but you will appreciate their shelter in the years to come.

Security doors and screens

You can keep your home a lot cooler in summer by having security doors and screens install in your home. By having security doors you will be able to keep your front and back doors open, while still having the security doors locked, and this will allow the breeze to blow through your house which will significantly cool it down. The flow of air through your house does reduce the overall temperature. Security screens can be put on your windows meaning you can keep your windows open both during the day and through the night, and any cool breeze can come in through the windows, but bugs and intruders cannot.

Air conditioning

Another great improvement you can make to your home before summer is to install an air conditioner. Split systems are very effective, are not too costly and are easy to install.

Patching the Hole

2012-02-11T09:22:00.002+07:00

The profession is already rare now. The soldering process is through several stages. First, the soldering equipment is heated in the flame. After heat, welding tool is removed and used to melt tin that will connect the two metals.
He went from door to door to receive orders and repair damaged metal goods.
The Weekend in Black and White

Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Party

2012-02-10T22:10:00.001+07:00

For the perfect outdoor party you need to have a great area for entertaining. Having patios or a veranda is perfect as it will give you a good amount of shade or shelter. Kit homes look fantastic with outdoor entertainment areas and are perfect for throwing outdoor parties.

Guest list

Think about the occasion before you make out the guest list. It might be something where you just invite family and close friends or you could be throwing a big party and invite lots of friends and acquaintances. For an interesting night you might want to get friends to bring along one of their friends, even if it is someone you haven't met before. This way you can make a whole lot of new friends and the mix of people will make for some interesting conversations.

Menu

Plan your menu well before the party just in case you have to get the butcher to prepare something special or you need to have certain seafood or other hard to find foods ordered in. This is also the case if you have anyone coming with unusual dietary requirements. Instead of just having a barbecue why not have a theme with your menu and have a seafood night, cook dishes of Indian or Thai food.

Entertainment area

Having a good entertainment area will help make your outdoor parties a success. You will need a good covered area, either a veranda or patio, and a paved or timber decking creates adequate flooring for your entertainment area. Buy the best barbecue you can afford and make it a permanent feature by having it built in. If you plan on entertaining often you might want to think about installing an outdoor kitchen.

If you have a larger entertainment area this is easier to achieve and your outdoor kitchen can include your barbecue, extra storage space, large benches for you to prepare and serve food, a sink and even a bar fridge. Have the benches constructed out of a material that will withstand the weather, such as marble, other stone bench tops or even smooth concrete.

Lighting

Don't switch on the overhead fluorescent lighting as it is a harsh lighting and doesn't create much of a mood. Set up fairy lights around your garden, buy some cheap tiki lights and switch on any garden lights. If guests are arriving after dark have the garden lights on in the front yard and even light the pathway with lights that point up out of the ground. If you don't have garden lights candles work just as well which you can protect from any breeze by standing in jars or vases. If you have a pool, then switch on the pool light giving your party a lovely glow.

Theme

For a bit of fun you might want to have a theme for your party. Dressing up can help break the ice for people who don't know each other and it can make for a really fun evening. You can continue the theme through from costumes, decorations and even the menu.

4 Steps to Introducing a Baby to your Home

2012-02-08T19:55:00.004+07:00

Preparing your home for your baby is a natural party of parenthood. In popular culture it is referred to as nesting and it can include everything from decorating the spare room to preparing with a good long sleep. There are many stages to ‘nesting’ and not all of them will seem immediately obvious. Typically, first time parents will spend a lot of time buying things (in excess) for their new baby when there are far more useful things that they can be doing. This article will consider some of the ways you can practically prepare for the arrival of your baby.

1. Safety comes first

When you live alone with your young and healthy partner safety is often neglected through an arrogant belief that you can look after yourself. This may well be true in most cases but when you have a baby home security becomes vitally important. Fire alarms take on a new significance because whilst you may survive jumping from a first floor window to escape a fire, your infant will not. It is essential that you install alarms to provide you with an early warning system because babies will suffer from smoke inhalation and burns far sooner than an adult will.

The physical security of your home also becomes more important when you have a baby because your role is to protect your child at all costs. Make sure you invest in a quality home security system so that you are immediately alerted to the presence of intruders. Other measures like installing security lights and creating a gravel driveway will help to alert you of intruders on your property.

2. Look after yourself

Baby food is wonderfully provided by nature so it really isn’t something you need to worry about. The baby will, however, take up a lot of your time so you won’t always be able to look after yourself as you are used to. The best preparation you can make to help yourself recuperate is to fill your freezer with healthy home cooked meals so that you can maintain a healthy diet without the stress of cooking every day.

3. Get a car seat

Most hospitals will stop you from discharging your baby if you do not have a car seat. A car seat will help to protect your child whilst it is in your car and will enable you to transport it safely. It is a necessary purchase so make sure that you get one well in advance of birth and practice securing it properly so that you know your baby is safe once it does arrive.

4. Get the ‘nest’ ready

It is obviously nice to decorate properly and get baby clothes and toys ready, but there is actually very little preparation you need to make to your home for a new born baby. It will be a while before the baby is crawling around so you should focus on cleaning the house thoroughly and preparing to make both the baby and yourself comfortable. Focusing on creating an environment in which you can quickly recuperate will enable you to best cope with the introduction of a new born baby into your home.

Image:clipartof.com

Saving for a House

2012-02-07T00:07:00.002+07:00

If you are working towards buying a home, but are not even close to footing the removalists’ fees to move in, there are a few things you can do to speed-up the saving process.

Purchasing a new home is not an off-the-cuff-decision. It’s something that, for most people, is several years in the making. You don’t simply walk into a store and sign-up to repaying a kit home do you? Well, most people don’t. Most people plan ahead – working to save the biggest down payment they can.

Not good at saving? Live by these tips.

Savings tip # 1: Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate!

Get on the phone and on the internet to find the best possible deal for all your debt, whether it be credit cards or personal loans. There are great deals to be had including balance transfers or long-term repayment options. In some cases, simply putting all of your debt into one place and creating a repayment plan is all you need to give you the kickstart your finances need.

Savings tip # 2: Your junk could be someone else’s treasure.

Ever perused through the racks at St Vincent de Paul’s and found a steal? Someone might feel the same about your pre-loved items so why not put on your own garage sale or sell your items over eBay. You will be surprised by how much money you can earn by simply decluttering your lifestyle and your home.

Savings tip #3: Apply for a high-yield savings account.

Boost your savings and reach your goals faster by putting all of your savings into a high interest-incurring bank account.

Savings tip # 4: Supplement your income.

If you need more money, why not find it in a new job – consider ways that you can make more money so that you put more towards your down payment. It may mean finding a part-time job in addition to your current position, but it will be worth it if you can reach your goal faster.

Savings tip # 5: Watch what you spend.

Achieving your goal may mean that you need to change your lifestyle temporarily. You may need to eat in more, stop shopping so much or limit your partying. Whatever the sacrifices are, remember that you are working towards strengthening your financial position and your personal equity.

In addition to this, one of the most important things you can do to get your finances in order is to write a personal budget and incorporate your financial goals into it. When incorporating your goals into your budget you should figure out how many months you will need to save to reach that goal. In the case of a home, it might be better to set yourself small wins i.e. a small treat for every $5,000 you save. With these tips you should be well on your way to reach your goal of a buying a new home.

The Importance of Having a Security Door on Your Home

2012-02-03T17:15:00.003+07:00

It is very important that you have security doors and security screens fitted in your home. Not only will your home be more secure but it is less likely that your home will be a target for intruders. It is likely that a potential intruder won't bother with trying to get into your house because of the security door and the fact it is much harder or even impossible to break in.

Protect your assets and your family

By having a security door on your entrance way you are making it harder for an intruder to break into your home. You are less likely to have your home broken in to if it looks difficult to do so, so by having a security door you are also providing a deterrent. Your home will look a lot less inviting to intruders if you have a security door, and even security screens on your windows. You can have a security door installed right at your front gate, if you happen to have a wall around your property. Otherwise have it right at your front door. You need to feel secure in your own home and with a security door you can be happy knowing that your family is safe. A security door is an easy way to protect your family and possessions.

Value add

Anything you add to your home in terms of improvements is going to increase the value of your property. It might be a new kitchen or bathroom, a patio or outdoor kitchen or even solar panels added to your roof. By adding a proper security door to your home you will also be adding value to your home. You can even buy doors that look great as well as being functional. There are great security doors that have fancy iron work with scrolls and even coloured glass embedded in them. You don't have to choose a plain door made of simple bars.

Keep your home cool

If you have a security door you can also keep your home cooler without having to automatically turn on the air conditioner. If you have a security door you can open up your front door to let the cool summer breeze through your house but still keep your home secure by keeping the security door shut. Create a cross breeze through your home by opening the back door and your windows. The breeze will blow through your house, with the movement of air significantly reducing the temperature inside your home.

Reduction in insurance rates

You also may find that the rates you pay on your home and contents insurance may be reduced if you can prove you have made additions to make your home more secure. If your home is more secure and harder to break into then it is less of a risk for the insurance company. As well as having a security door install a security alarm and a camera and even have a high wall built around your property.

How to Buy a Home in another State

2012-01-31T16:29:00.002+07:00

If you are buying a home in another state, it can be quite a stressful experience if you aren't prepared or organised for a lot of complicated manoeuvring. As an out-of-state buyer, you may be at somewhat of a disadvantage because you may not know the best neighbourhoods, local real estate agents or the state laws. It can be overwhelming to embark on a new direction without a map, so here are a few tips to help you stay organised while making your moving plans.

Know Your Budget
Moving states isn't going to happen overnight, and you still have to take care of all the necessary paperwork that you would if you were merely moving across the street. First things first: have a careful look at your budget and make a trip to your bank. Having a clear idea of how much you are able to borrow, will put into perspective what you can buy. Finding out how much your existing home is worth is necessary as well, however remember that this could change depending on when you sell and what offers you get.

Get Some Help
You will need someone to be your eyes and ears in the state you are moving to so hiring help is key to finding property when you aren't there. Avoid contacting the listing agent as they generally do what is in the best interest of the seller. To protect yourself and have someone who is on your side, the wisest move is to contact a buyers agent. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and all the major centres have great buyers agents who are willing to stick with you every step of the way. If you are serious about buying at the right time, then you can also purchase property valuation software that will help you keep track of what the markets are doing.

Start Looking
When you start looking for property in earnest, your agent will give you multiple listing sheets of homes in your preferred area. Additionally, you will probably be spending lots of time reading classified ads and surfing the Internet for homes. Eventually, however, you will have to take the time to visit the area yourself to look at some properties. You need to get a feel for the lifestyle of the new area so that you know for sure you are making the right decision.

Put Your House on the Market
When selling your home while planning to buy a home in another state, a simultaneous closing is very difficult, if not impossible. Most banks won't give you a loan for a home in another state until they receive notice of the sale of your existing home. Timing is key; you obviously need to sell your home before you make any big moves, so that is why it is so important to be up to date on the situation where you are moving to, and be ready to move fast.

Make the Move
Unless you are lucky, the chances are good you will have a transitional phase where you don't have a home. This is nothing to be too concerned about, just make sure you have comfortable accommodation lined up in your new area such as at a hotel, temporary rental unit or with friends/family.

Goat Head's Curry

2012-01-30T11:20:00.003+07:00

Happy Monday, every one. If you're feeling cold there, perhaps this hot curry can warm your body.

5 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe and Secure

2012-01-28T14:10:00.004+07:00

Regardless of whether you have home insurance, you want to know that your home is a safe and protected place. Knowing this means that you can feel easy when heading away for a weekend, or feel safe when you live there alone or are left alone for a week while your partner or roommates head out of town.

Maybe you just want to make sure your investment property in Sydney is well looked after, in addition to having tenants who live there. Here are 5 steps you can take towards having a safer, more secure home.

1.Home Security Systems

One of the most obvious and effective ways you can protect your home is through using a home security system. These can be set for the entire house before you leave for your vacation, and if triggered, a security person will head to the property as soon as possible – especially if you have advised them that you will be out of town.

Place the alarm system stickers on the front doors and all windows that are at easy access, so as to deter someone attempting to break in in the first place.

They are also great if you are home alone for the weekend because there is usually an option to set the alarm for certain zones only – meaning you can still sleep in a safely alarmed house.

2.Deadlocks

Having deadlocks, particularly for your front door, is a great option in addition to an alarm system, and absolutely essential if you can’t afford to install a security system. It will also save you from that annoying feeling of wondering whether or not you locked the door as you drive away after a busy morning.

If your home is in an area particularly prone to break-ins, you may like to consider bars across the windows as well. Include a screen and then you get the added bonus of keeping out the mosquitos during summer as well!

3.Know Your Neighbours

Being friendly with your neighbours is a great idea for a number of reasons, not only for the safety of your home.

Letting them know you are headed out of town and having them keep an eye on the property for you, maybe even feeding your pets or collecting your mail, is one way to keep the home from looking empty or deserted.

4.Housesitters

Ask a few of your friends if they wouldn’t mind staying in the home for a week while you are away: having someone in the house and a car in the garage will mean opportunists won’t even realise you have gone out of town.

If you are home alone, don’t feel embarrassed to ask a friend to come and stay with you – make the most of it and embrace the time you have the home to yourself – it is probably very rare!

5.Choose a Safe Area

If you really do feel anxious about leaving the house unoccupied, so much so that you struggle to sleep or tend never to go away: then perhaps you need to think about moving to a safer neighbourhood.

There is no reason you should feel anxious about leaving the house late at night, and the extra amount you pay in rent, or the sacrifices you have to make in terms of size, will all be worth it for your peace of mind.

Portraits of a Girl Photographer

2012-01-28T11:51:00.002+07:00

My niece, Hana, loves to take pictures. Her father let Hana to use his camera. I like seeing her style while holding the camera and making shots.

The Weekend in Black and White

Tips for Shopping for Home Decor Online

2012-01-26T01:22:00.003+07:00

With the growing availability of online stores, shopping for home decor has never been easier. Instead of going from store to store and flipping through countless catalogues like we used to do, one can now simply log on to the Internet to browse countless options of kitchen decor, living room decor or even garden decor. Getting the looks you want for your home has never been easier; you are no longer limited to the items you can find in your community because now you can peruse products that are available from the global community. To get the most out of your online shopping experience, here are a few tips to ensure your purchases are made as smoothly as possible.

Plan Early

When buying products on from online stores, one thing you have to take into consideration is the shipping time. This is one of the drawbacks to online shopping, but you can avoid any hassles by planning and ordering early. Online retailers have a legal responsibility to ship your products within the time they say that they will, so if you are ordering from a reputable retailer you shouldn't have to worry about late shipments. Additionally, planning helps you to save money on your online purchases. If you know that you are getting many products from a single retailer, then you can reduce your shipping costs by buying in bulk. Estimating how much time something should take to get from the store to you isn't too hard: if you are buying a large couch from overseas then be prepared to wait a while. Alternately, if you are buying flowers online then you can generally expect the flowers to turn up on the same day.

Know What You Want

Having a general understanding of how you want your home to look will save you countless hours of browsing websites and searching for the perfect look. Come up with a list of things that you want before you even start looking, this will not only save you time, but will also reduce the chances of unnecessary impulse purchases. Once you know what it is you are looking for, you can begin eyeing up deals as well as start comparing prices and choosing a reputable retailer. If it is paint, carpet, curtains or other fabrics that you are after, ask the retailer to send you swatches before you buy anything since some colours are different in real life then they are online.

Protect Yourself

The following are a few examples as to how you can protect your personal and financial security while you are shopping online:
- Find out about warranties or guarantees of products as well as their cancellation and return policies. Print out and save a copy of your confirmation page and take note of the company’s phone number just in case there are any problems.
- Make sure your online purchase is secure. You will know that it is if the website begins with "https://" as opposed to simply "http://".
- Never give out your tax file number, passwords, or any other personal information that isn't necessary for the purchase.
- If you can, try to only use a credit card for online purchases. The great thing about credit cards is that only credit is drawn out as opposed to your personal finances, you aren't as vulnerable to identity theft, plus any suspicious purchases can be put on hold.
- Use you consumer intuition: if something feels wrong, then proceed with caution.

Image:123rf.com

Chicken Satay

2012-01-23T23:52:00.003+07:00

Hope this photo can invite one's appetite. This chicken satay will become one of main menu in our new eating place that will be opened in a few days ahead.
My husband cooked, baked and then captured the food from different angles last Sunday. We'll use the pics for banners and menus.

Upgrade Your Interior and Find a Fitting and Fabulous Sofa

2012-01-23T16:10:00.002+07:00

If you’ve had the same sofa sitting around in your home for several years it may be time for a change. Perhaps the fabric is wearing down due to gradual wear and tear or the look is out of style and is in desperate need of an upgrade Whatever the case may be, there are several types of sofas that have gained popularity in the interior design world. Deciding on what type of sofa to buy to replace the old one is never an easy decision, but if you are determined you will find a sofa that complements your space. A new couch can bring life to a dull room once more.

Traditional Sofa

If traditional is something that suits your fancy, continue the traditional theme in a decorated room with an elegant and traditional couch. A traditional couch usually fits up to three people and this is a piece that is most often chosen for a living room. Depending on the material that you’re looking for, go for a leather or suede fabric that looks nice and feels exceptional.

Love Seat

If your home is just for you and your sweetie, why not make the room appear larger and invest in a single love seat? While you’re at it, incorporate beautiful accents and improve the modern lighting in your home. Within the living room there will be just enough room for the both of you on your new love seat and with the supporting elements you’ll feel at home. Find a fun love seat with trendy fabric or scripted font. Every time you walk into the room you’ll fall in love with a new look that you’ve created.

Divan

If you’d like to utilize the space on your wall, look for a divan that is make backless. Place the divan directly against the wall and buy your own cushions that feel soft and cozy on the couch. Glam up the overall appearance and buy pillows with sequins or create an elegant look and opt for lovely black pillows instead. Whatever the look is that you end up creating, you’re trading in an old sofa for a new one and the new change will make your space look like new.

About the Writer:

Sierra is a writer, blogger, and ocean dreamer. Catch up on her latest happenings on her Ocean Dreams blog.

How You Can Throw the Perfect Outdoor Wedding

2012-01-23T15:00:00.002+07:00

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and romantic but take a lot of planning. With an outdoor wedding there are added elements you need to consider such as hot or rainy weather, possibly having to deal with insects and guests becoming overheated and dehydrated. You will need to have sort of shelter, such as a pergola. You may choose to have your outdoor wedding on the beach, in gardens or at home alongside your brand new kit home. The choice of location is entirely up to you.

Weather

Even if it is summer be prepared for all weather. A Spring day can often quickly turn into a rainy day and in Summer temperatures can soar into the forties. You will need bottles of cold water available and perhaps even a fan for those hot days. You will need some sort of shelter, such as a pergola or a marquee or you may have a big enough veranda around your home. In colder weather you can hire outdoor heaters.

Permits

If you are planning on getting married in a public space you may need a permit to do so. Contact your local council because there are rules in regards to things like photography, lighting candles outdoors, throwing confetti and rubbish removal.

Bugs

You can organise everything to do with your wedding but you can't stop the bugs and insects that naturally occur outdoors, particularly during warmer weather. Insects can be annoying for guests so make sure you put out citronella candles or have a bug zapper.

Dehydration

If guests are drinking alcohol it is also a good idea to provide plenty of water. You can very quickly become dehydrated when outside and drinking alcohol doesn't help. Provide plenty of bottled water as well as non-alcoholic drinks for your guests. If it is going to be a really hot day have someone keep an eye on guests and make sure they are drinking enough fluids.

Menu

Check that your caterer is experienced in handling outdoor weddings as they will need to be conscious of providing food that will last outdoors and not go off. You might need to choose food that does not require refrigeration and won't spoil in the heat. Foods containing dairy products aren't a good idea, such as cheese and cream. Seafood can also be a problem if it gets hot. You don't want to end up poisoning your guests, so choose your menu wisely.

Alternative plans

You should have a back up plan. If it rains your whole day could be spoiled if you don't have somewhere for guests to shelter, and if it is very hot you will need somewhere for guests to retire in the shade. You can choose to marry outdoors and then hold the reception inside. Otherwise hire a marquee to provide shade and shelter and even think about having raised flooring so that if it does rain and the ground becomes soaked guests won't end up with wet feet.

Image: fhiky.com

Dragon Sculpture

2012-01-21T11:08:00.001+07:00

Tomorrow (Jan 23rd, 2012) is the Chinese New Year. In some places in my country, the celebration is much greater than the common New Year (Jan 1st). For The Weekend in Black and White,
I'd like to share pictures that relate with Chinese culture. My husband captured it when we visited a Chinese themed shopping place.

Best Flower Options for your Home Made Arrangements

2012-01-21T09:52:00.003+07:00

When it comes to making flower arrangements, it's always much more fun to make them with flowers you have grown yourself. Whether you are making an arrangement to liven up your living space or to give to someone else, using your own flowers will make the arrangement that much more special, causing people to ask: “are those from your garden?” There are a number of excellent plant choices for use as cut flowers: perennials and annuals both make for great cut flowers and also will grow easily in your garden. Here are a few suggestions of great flowers you can grow yourself that will also result in a lush, one-of-a-kind bouquet.

Roses

They make great Valentines Day flowers when you want to express love to your partner, but that is not the only thing they are useful for. Roses are really easy to grow and will produce beautiful blossoms year after year as well as add a lot of elegance to an arrangement. Roses also come in a variety of soft and beautiful colours.

Cosmos

These flowers are everyone's favourite cut flowers mainly because they bloom profusely and come in a variety of colours. The more you pick them, the more they grow, which makes them ideal to use in an arrangement. The delicate flowers and wispy leaves do a lot to accent your bouquet.

Spider Flower

These tall, gangly plants explode in spidery blossoms of pink, purple and white. The vivid colours and the unique shape of the flowers add a lot of texture and intrigue to both your garden and your arrangement.

Forget-Me-Nots

These popular garden plants also make a great addition to an arrangement given their rare true blue colour and lasting blooms. Forget-me-nots grow in tight vivid clusters, which will help you achieve a variety of shapes and sizes in your bouquet.

Marigolds

Marigolds produce amazing, brightly coloured flowers that are strong enough to help prop up other flowers in your bouquet. Their texture will give your arrangement a very soft and touchable look and come in great spring shades from soft yellow to deep gold.

Sunflowers

Whether you choose the short or the giant variety, sunflowers of all sizes make great long-lasting cut flowers. As the focal point of a bouquet, these bright and cheerful blossoms will bring the fresh feeling of spring to your home.

Sweet Peas

Nothing grows faster and with as much vigour in your garden than the sweet pea. Although the fruit they bear is often the prize of growing them, the blossoms they produce also make great filler in a spring bouquet. The stems are deceptively strong adding structure to your arrangement, and the flowers offer a variety of colour and spicy scents.

Baby's Breath

Baby's breath is a favourite of many gardeners for adding texture and a light feeling to their flowerbed. In an arrangement, the airy sprays of white and pink flowers add a burst of freshness and variety and create a sense of lightness, delicacy and softness.

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans are a staple of any flower garden. The traditional golden daisy-like petals burst out of both gardens and flower arrangements like the sun; they are easy to grow, and their long, straight stalks add dimension to your arrangement.

How to Create an Outdoor Room

2012-01-19T09:30:00.003+07:00

One of the many advantages of living in Australia is being able to spend warm weekends and Christmas holidays outdoors. Many Australians use outdoor areas for cooking, entertaining, alfresco dining, swimming and growing flowers and plants. A well designed space adjacent to the home proper can ideally be utilized all year-round as recent innovations in outdoor heating, accessories and flooring are providing more options for versatility and comfort.

As more and more Australians move closer to major cities, available outdoor space has been significantly reduced. However a limited amount of external space does not mean having to abandon your idea of an outdoor room. Creating a well designed outside area allows you to increase your living space without the expense of renovating or extending your home.

Container Plants and Climbers

Flowering plants and climbing vines can not only provide much needed privacy to your outdoor area they also create boundaries allowing you to clearly define your space. Container plants and vines also add texture, colour and dimension to your outdoor area. Climbing plants are perfect additions, especially in limited space, while climbing species are readily available to suit any type of environment. Researching flowers online or asking your local nursery about the sunlight and temperature requirements of flowering climbers will help you decide which one is best for your space.

Bougainvilleas can create a roof-like canopy over your pergola or add colour and texture to a bare wall. Star Jasmine not only looks beautiful trailing over fences or walls but its lovely fragrance will catch on the breeze, bringing a calming influence into your living area. Lavender can be potted and positioned to define or separate outdoor spaces and the scent of Lavender also provides a pleasant atmosphere. There are many options when it comes to container plants including the planting of bulbs like tulips and daffodils or clustering trendy succulents in large pots to create borders and decoration.

Outdoor Heating

Portable fire pits and other outdoor heaters come in a range of styles and options that allow you choices when it comes to arranging your space; and if you’re renting you get to take it with you. There are various types of gas, electric and eco-friendly ethanol heaters suitable for outside that are stylish and effective in a contained space, encouraging longer use through the cooler seasons.

Furniture

New trends in outdoor furniture include bamboo frames, metal frames, timber slated screens and wicker furniture. Investing in good quality fabrics that withstand the changing elements is worth-while if you don’t like dragging it all inside each time it rains.

Lighting

Lighting is an important part of the function of an outdoor area. Appropriate lighting gives more options and versatility in your space and can usher your room seamlessly into the night. LED’s, light emitting diodes, are energy efficient and cheap to run. LED’s can light up your outdoor room brilliantly or in a subdued mood no matter the size and are available to suit a range of fixtures. Wall-mounted spot lights, reflective post lights, wall washers, landscape lighting and floodlighting can all be achieved with LED’s. New styles also come in stainless-steel for outdoor durability and ensured weatherproofing.

Outdoor Rugs

An outdoor rug can define your space while adding colour and comfort during colder months. Many beautiful and fashionable outdoor rugs are available in weather resistant materials. Matching the colour of your rug with pots, floral displays or outdoor cushions can tie the entertaining space together.

Outdoor Kitchens

To complete your Australian outdoor room you can’t go past an outdoor kitchen or modern stainless steel barbecue. Modern outdoor kitchen and barbecues contain everything you need to entertain outdoors including refrigerators, dishwashers and even the kitchen sink. Their sleek form and function will have you wondering how you ever ate the food off that old greasy barbecue at the beach last year. Well, now that you have completed your outdoor room you will never have to do that again.

/image: nirmana.info/

8 Great Businesses for the Stay at Home Mum

2012-01-17T18:24:00.004+07:00

Many stay at home mums decide that they want to go into business for themselves. Often a lack of money can be an issue when it comes to starting up a business but there are many options for starting a home based business. Depending on what you decide to do your start up costs can be minimal. It is also great to be able to work, contribute to the family income and still be there to look after your children. It is a decision many women are making because they are finding it difficult to make ends meet financially, they need something extra in their lives or they want to go back to work but can't afford to put children into childcare. Do note that if you start up a home based business you will need to make sure that your insurance is up to date, including your home and contents insurance, and you will need public liability if clients will be coming to your home. Some women find that their home based business becomes so successful they need more space and have to either move to a bigger home, or even build an office space in the back garden. When moving house make sure you choose a reputable removalist.

Party plan

Having a party plan business is a fantastic option for the stay at home mum as she can work it in to fit around her children. She can work as little or as much as she likes and potentially earn an unlimited income. There are many different party plan companies to choose from with a wide variety of products to sell. From plastic containers, to bed linen, to lingerie and even chocolate, there is plenty of choices for someone who wants to run their own business but have the support of the company and other consultants.

Photographer

A photographer can take all sorts of different photos. Many go out into the field to take photos, and often if they do portraits they may visit people in their homes or do shots outdoors. Some photographers who are based at home choose to set up a studio in a spare room. You do need to invest in a fair amount of equipment but there is the potential to do very well.

Make up artist

There are many places that do training so that you can become a qualified make up artist. A make artist will travel around and do make up for weddings, special occasions and even fashion shoots. You can easily work from home as all you need are your make up kit and be able to drive to your client.

Bookkeeper

There are courses available to learn how to be a bookkeeper. Make sure you set up your home office properly, have the right computer system and plenty of storage space for clients paperwork. It is worth investing in a large filing cabinet.

Massage

You can be a massage therapist from home. You could choose to have a room in your house set aside especially for clients, with a massage table, and conduct your business at home. Otherwise you might choose to take a portable table around with you to your clients homes.

Franchise

You might decide to buy into a gardening franchise and maintain people's gardens. As a franchise you are representing a company but are essentially in business for yourself. Other franchises that you can do from home include dog wash services, ice cream delivery or even financial planners.

Day care

If you get a Working with Children check, and your home adheres to the right standards, you can run a Family Day Care from home.

Online store

If you can't afford to set up a retail store, or you need to be home with the children, you can set up a retail business online and have an online store.

There are plenty of options for businesses for the stay at home mum, it is just a matter of choosing the right one for you.

Flowers and a Girl

2012-01-16T09:23:00.002+07:00

Meet Aya, my brother’s daughter who lives in Bandung (West Java, Indonesia). When I detached my father’s condolence flowers from the boards to be spread on his grave, Aya asked some flowers to decorate her hair. Isn’t she sweet?

Nagreg Tunnel

2012-01-14T08:22:00.004+07:00

On the way back home from our last trip with my late father, we passed through this Nagreg tunnel (West Java, Indonesia). It's our first time. This bypass is much safer, as the old path is very dangerous and slope upward.

The Weekend in Black and White

Investing in a Home Security Self-protection System Means Dealing with Well-trained, Accredited Personnel

2012-01-09T08:19:00.002+07:00

Keeping your house safe from burglars is mostly a matter of making it look like it is more trouble than it is worth for thieves to break in. The easiest way to keep your home from looking like an easy target is to keep your doors and windows securely locked. But there are other simple ways you can fool intruders, such as making sure your bushes are trimmed allowing you a clear view through your window and establishing a neighbourhood watch scheme and advertising it in the area.

However, for maximum security you may want to consider having one of the many home security systems installed in your home. This, unfortunately, is not always such a simple task and unless you are something of a professional yourself, you will need some expert help getting the system installed.

Indeed, whatever your level of experience, there will always be certain projects that are best left to the professionals. Almost no one is qualified to work in all fields of home improvement and some jobs are even restricted by law to be carried out by trained, accredited professionals. Furthermore, you may invalidate your insurance or incur a fine if you attempt to do specialist work yourself. When you come to sell your house you'll be required to present certificates to back up work that has been done on it.

The majority of electrical work is now 'notifiable' to the local authority building control department. Homeowners can do some minor repairs, such as replacing light switches or sockets in some rooms, but if you do any new wiring work you must pay to have it inspected by the Building Control Officer. Otherwise, you must use an electrician who is qualified to part P of the Building Regulations. The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) can verify whether an electrician is suitably licensed.

One of the best home security systems around is a home monitoring system. This requires signing up to a home monitoring company. The next step will involve a representative from the company visiting your home and making a full evaluation. This evaluation will enable the company to determine what security measures will be best suited to your premises.

By dealing with an established company that has well-trained, accredited personnel you can be satisfied that the house will be successfully monitored throughout the day and night and that should anything occur the authorities will be contacted immediately. Suffice to say, a monitored home is not one that the thieves are going to go for.

Choosing the right company is pretty much the same as choosing a product. You will need to do some groundwork. Look for a few different companies and then take some time to speak to each of them and get an itemised estimate from each one. The best may not be the cheapest. Opt for quality and durability over a low cost, potentially shoddy job and you will save hassle in the long run.

Once you have chosen a contractor, work out a written agreement that specifies the work to be done and the materials to be used. You could also get the following in writing: a description of what the job entails, the materials to be used (including brand names if possible), how long the job will take, the dates and times the installers will be on the premises and, of course, an estimate of the costs.

If the work is going to involve alterations, you can also ask for a statement of responsibility for any damage caused to your property. In addition, ask for a guarantee of materials and workmanship and that a cleanup and removal of debris from the property will be carried out when the job is finished.

In reality, your home can only be as secure as you make it and it is really down to you to make it as secure as possible. Whilst there is nothing anyone can do to ensure their home is 100% safe from burglars, investing in a home security self-protection system and making sure you are dealing with well-trained, accredited personnel will go a long way to making your home a lot safer. Remember, if you are worried about the initial costs, you can save over 12.5% a year on a home contents insurance policy if you install a burglar alarm with 24-hour monitoring.

Author Bio:

The above article is composed and edited by Irene Simpson. She is associated with many Home Security communities as their freelance writer and adviser. In her free time she writes articles related to home security systems sales, home security systems, home security equipment, etc.

Kampung Pulo (Pulo Village)

2012-01-02T15:40:00.002+07:00

Pulo village located in a small island that situated at the centre of Cangkuang Lake (Garut, West Java, Indonesia). There are only six traditional houses inside the village .

Paint Your Room Sunny!

2012-01-01T08:34:00.007+07:00

Color of your room affects your mood, your activities and your living style. What type of color to use in a particular room, depends on the utility of the room. For example you need lively and bright colors such as yellow, orange, red in the living room, the kitchen, the dining, etc. whereas the bedroom needs to be colored exactly the opposite way, you need dark light absorbing colors such as blues, greens, mauves, purples to make your bedroom look calm and pleasant.

Color up right

If you have your living room, dining space and the kitchen that appears dark, dull, lousy and inactive you can change the look completely. Choose the right color for the room. A bright shade such as yellow works wonders for lively places inside the house. You can choose from a variety of yellows shades right from golden to lemon yellow. The yellow that you choose should be paired with the right color. Warm yellow colors can be perfectly paired with the right shades of browns, reds and oranges whereas a brighter yellow can be paired with blues, lavender and subtle grey to calm the shade down a bit. An example can be beautiful mango color walls perfectly paired with mahogany floor and ceiling, to add to the color choose the right furniture.

Choose the right décor

Curtains, cover of your couch, cushion cover and also your carpets play a huge role in making the room appear lively and bright. Try not choosing dark shades or heavy curtains for your room. Even if you keep the curtains open it will still block a part of your window obstructing light. Translucent curtains work wonders for dark rooms. Lighter curtains will allow light to reflect to your newly painted walls, making your room look dramatically gorgeous. A light shade couch will add to the charm of your room. Do not forget the cushion covers; you can match them to the contrast you use in the room. Finally the carpet, choose a lighter shade carpet for the room. A lighter shade carpet will make your room appear brighter.

Let mirrors work

Use mirrors to reflect light. Place a mirror on the wall opposite the window. The mirror will not only reflect the sunlight it will throw light throughout the room. In case you do not have a window in your room you can place a lamp facing the mirror to lighten up the room. Use natural sunlight bulbs or brighter bulbs to give it a better effect. Mirrors not only reflect light they add volume to your room making it look bigger, brighter and better.

When used light colors to color up the walls of your room your room not only looks livelier it appears bigger. Choose the right color as per the utility of the room. Make sure you choose the right combinations of the color to pair your walls up with. The décor of the room also adds to its brightness, so choose it wisely. By adding mirrors to the room you can add more volume and light to your room.

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About the author: Bethany is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on home decor and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently she bought a John Lewis Sofa Beds for her bedroom. She is passionate about cars and had a dream to own a Lotus evora.

Wood Swing Sets: Best Choice for Your Kids

2011-12-31T10:43:00.005+07:00

With an abundant array of exciting activities for your children and their friends, swing set is the best option that is available in different shapes and sizes. Swing sets are made using different materials like steel, metal, plastic or wood. There are different researches and studies conducted that have arrived to a conclusion that wood swing sets are the safest, long lasting and most durable play sets available in the market. There are also some reasons that contribute in the wide usage of wood for swing play sets and especially timber redwood. Redwood is a strong timber redwood that is virtually splinter free, has natural resistance to decay and doesn't require constant coats of stains and wood preservatives for maintaining its durability as well as rich exterior color.

There are numerous people, who assume that steel or metal is strongest and most durable material to use for building swing play sets but there are several reasons that support that redwood trees outlast buildings. Weather always remain a threat to a play set frame; there are different factors like year's rain, snow, high winds, excessive UV sunlight, insects and animals that can harm the metal and can also corrode the metal. Corroded metal shows rusted color and sometimes you won’t even be able to detect the weakness of the metal.

Plastic is also used for constructing swing play sets as it is considered to be cheap and lightweight, but it is also under the attack from the environmental elements when placed outside. Plastic play set is considered as the best option, if it has to be placed indoors and not outdoors.

Due to all these reason, wood is considered to be the best material for building strong, high quality and long lasting swing sets. There are different types of timber wood available, including white pine and redwood. Best wood to be used is redwood because it is strong and able to resist natural decay. Splinter free redwood is used for making a solid swing set frame and also ensures that your kids don’t get their clothing snagged on exposed screws and bolts or wood shards from cheaper lumber.

There is another benefit that you will discover after installing redwood swing sets and that is this type of wood does not require preservatives, stains or any other exterior spray for protecting the wood. Redwood is considered as one of the most durable timbers available that can be used for years without any maintenance.

Another most important benefit that you will discover through wood swing sets is that these have the ability to add different accessories in your sets like monkey bars, spiral slides and buoy swings. Metal and plastic sets are usually pre-made and come as is with no option for additions. When your child grows older and wants some exciting features except for only a glider slide then you have to buy a new play set but this is not the case with wood swing sets. With these sets, you can add different accessories as per your child’s specification and requirement.

Cangkuang Temple

2011-12-31T10:22:00.004+07:00

Cangkuang temple is a seventh century Shiva ancient temple that located in the small island. The island situated at the centre of Cangkuang Lake (Garut, West Java, Indonesia). We rented a bamboo raft to reach the island.
The Weekend in Black and White

6 Tips to Paying Off Your Home Loan Sooner

2011-12-25T23:27:00.003+07:00

When it comes to paying off the mortgage, whether it is on a home or an investment property, the quicker you can repay it, the better off you will be! By paying off your home loan sooner, you can save thousands of dollars by reducing the amount of interest you have to pay in the long run.

To help those in the process of organising a home loan, below are 6 useful tips on how to pay off your home loan sooner.

Tip 1: Take Out a Loan with Repayment Options

When homebuyers go to take out a loan they generally try and get one with the lowest interest rate. This can sometimes be a HUGE mistake. Instead of focusing on the interest rate, you should be looking at a loan’s repayment options.

Some home loan options, like a standard variable rate home loan, might have a higher interest rate, but there are also a number of repayment options available. Some loans have the options of making larger and more frequent repayments, without any penalties. Some loans also have a redraw function, which allows you to also redraw on those extra payments if, for some reason, you desperately need the funds.

The benefit of making larger and more frequent repayments is that you pay off your loan sooner. You can save heaps by paying off your home loan sooner, despite the fact your loan has a higher interest rate.

Tip 2: Make Sure Interest on Your Loan is Calculated Daily

When searching for the right home loan, try and get one that has its interest calculated daily. This is because whenever you make a repayment on the principal of the loan, you will actively reduce the amount of interest you have to pay on your next instalment.

Tip 3: Connect Your Home Loan to an Interest Saver/Offset Account

Some home loans provide the option of being linked up to an interest saver or an offset account. An interest saver/offset account is generally an everyday transaction account, where the interest paid into that account is used to reduce the amount of interest calculated on your home loan.

With an offset account, you want to store as much of your savings and salary as possible into that account. This will help reduce the home loan’s principal quicker and the interest paid on all future home loan repayments.

Tip 4: Pump Extra Funds into Your Home Loan

If you accumulate any surplus cash you should immediately put it towards paying off your home loan. This reduces your chances of wasting your cash on frivolous things.

When taking out any kind of loan, you should also be on a budget and putting money towards only the essential things. This can be tough and not much fun. You have to constantly remind yourself, however, that every dollar you put towards paying off your home loan sooner can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. With the money you end up saving, you can treat the whole family to something nice!

Tip 5: Pay Your First Home Loan Instalment Upon Settlement

Usually your first home loan instalment is paid a month after the settlement of you loan. However, if you pay the first instalment upon settlement, you have immediately reduced the amount of interest you will have to pay on your next instalment and all future repayments.

Tip 6: Seek Professional Financial Advice

Speaking to a financial adviser can highlight a number of effective ways and strategies to help you find the right home loan and to pay it off sooner. You don’t (and shouldn’t!) have to do all the number crunching by yourself, as it can be quite overwhelming.

Financial groups know the tricks of the trade and have the experience to help you develop ways to efficiently use your income and assets to pay off your home loan sooner. Some groups, especially those dealing with investment properties, even have access to special software programs, like real estate development software, that can help in balancing out your positive and negative cash flows. This is particularly useful if the loan you have taken out is for an investment property.

How to Decorate Walls of Your Home?

2011-12-25T17:53:00.003+07:00

The best part about decorating your home is that you need not be a professional home interior designer to decorate your home beautifully. All you would need is dedication, aesthetic sense, willingness and skills to do so. If you have that creative instinct inside you, let your home reflect that. A beautiful home is a true reflection of your own personality. Let the walls speak about your aesthetic taste and creative mind.

Well painted walls do not always add color, charm and your own decorating style to your home without painting the walls. A wall decoration project comprises of things like proportion, balance, scale, texture, variety, color, size and the list is long. Here are a few ways to beautify your home with decorating ideas that are a bit off the wall!

Arrange for a gallery wall:

Locate some focal point sand learn about dimensions before venturing out on wall decoration of your home. Draw a rough plan on a piece of paper before actually starting with the decorating. Put some photo frames on one wall of your living room and you will create a beautiful gallery wall. Measure the distance between the art piece, so that there is equal spacing between them. Select one picture that would serve as the gallery's main attraction. You can also hang some frames without pictures as this form of decoration is in vogue.

Photo collage

You can get more creative while decorating the walls of your personal room. Buy a wall-safe tape and start slapping your collection of photos on the wall of your room. But make sure to paste them in a sequence. Start from your childhood photos and then add photos of kindergarten and then high school, college, your wedding photos and go on further.

Contemporary wall art

Though wall art lack realism and meaning, these do not lack style. The beholder can always come up with his or her own meanings of the wall art. It is the best and the most dramatic way to express your style and character, which makes your home a true reflection of what you are.

Oil paintings:

Living room wall must be ornamented with an oil painting. Choose a painting carefully for your living room, as it is the best way to add grandeur to your living room. You can always seek service from a professional handyman london for hanging these paintings.

You can buy a full-length mirror for your room, as it will bring more light into the room. You can decorate the borders with paint pens. Removable wall graphics are also one of the many ways to decorate the walls of your living room, dining area and lobby. You can built floating wall shelves or bookcases to add vertical appeal to your walls. This not only enhances beauty of your living space but also acts as an extra storage space.

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Seeing through the Window

2011-12-24T01:42:00.004+07:00

Thinker, my niece's cat, doesn't allowed to go outside. But when she's at school, once in a while, I let the cat out and kept my eyes open to ensure that she only played in the front yard.

The Weekend in Black and White

8 Cheap and Easy Ways to Secure your Home

2011-12-24T00:39:00.004+07:00

Home protection is something that we should all take seriously and should be willing to spend money on. It will cost you dearly in the long run if you do not make your home visibly and physically secure to burglars. Installing crimsafe in Brisbane is one of the best things that you could do to protect your house because it offers security with no repeated effort. A similar level of security can be achieved with the use of security shutters in Brisbane but this will require more commitment to checking that they are all locked when you leave the house each day. Whilst creating a high level of security for your windows is perhaps the most efficient use of security expenditure, there is much that you can do without breaking the bank:

1. Burglars are far less likely to attempt to rob a house which is occupied. No one wants to get caught right? Use timers on your TV, lights and radios to create the image that you are home, even when you aren’t.

2. Leave your curtains exactly how you normally would when you go away for a long period. Don’t half open curtains which you would normally open and don’t close curtains because it will be visibly strange. Just leave your curtains in the positions that you normally would so that it looks like you are still there.

3. Turn your phone and answering machine down. People casing your house will be more likely to enter if they hear repeated rings and no answer. An answering machine should never tell callers that you are on holiday or away for a long period. It is just asking for trouble if you state how long you are away from your home.

4. Get your mail and papers collected. A build-up of mail and newspapers will attract attention so get someone to pick it up each day on your behalf.

5. Hire a gardener if you are going away for a long period. An overgrown lawn is a sign of absence and will be noticed.

6. Use natural defences to deter burglars. Whilst it may not be legal to use razor wire as a deterrent, it is perfectly justifiable to plant roses under all of your first floor windows. By planting painful plants you will cause discomfort and most likely deter the burglar.

7. Don’t leave ladders lying around. Leaving a ladder in your garden is just stupid, and so is allowing trees to create access to your roof or windows. Be sure to trim trees regularly and keep all tools under lock and key.

8. Never leave a spare key somewhere near your house. Burglars have far more practice looking for spare keys than you do at hiding them. If you plan to leave a spare key somewhere make sure that it is with a friend or family member and is not labelled. It is far better to have to drive for 10 minutes to pick up your spare key than it is to come home to an unlocked door and an empty house.

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