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"bathroom"

Bathroom renos: Why you should put your plumber on speed dial

by Penina August 29, 2016

written by Penina

Remodelling a bathroom can be a fun and enthralling experience – once it’s done! If you’ve been renovating like me, for what seems like an eternity, the bathroom may be last on your list. I’m often relaying my sad bathroom story at parties and in the school yard to anyone who will listen. Guests who stay will agree totally. They get to experience our ‘caravan park’ shower when they stay over. Too sad.

My bathroom bottom line

I’m ‘so over’ the too-small, yellow, yuk-green bathroom at our place. After four years now, those tiles just turn my stomach. I find it hard to look at them let alone feel my feet on those cold hard ugly tiles.
I guess it could be worse. I could have this bathroom:

Unsplash / Pixabay

Bathroom renos are overwhelming

I must say, out of the all the projects the bathroom seems the most overwhelming. There are so many fittings, measurements and moving parts to a new bathroom install.
The research is hard work enough and then you need to make sure you do all the tasks in the correct order.

stux / Pixabay

Here’s my big bathroom fear

Not getting the order and process right
Putting beautiful wall and floor tiles in
Then discovering we missed something important beneath the tiles
Having to rip them up after spending all that money

midascode / Pixabay

After hanging around a few tradies (my hubby included) and talking to experts I’m clued up now. I’ve discovered the vital steps for preparing a bathroom for grandeur. Here are some magic words to consider
Plumbing! A great plumber. An awesome plumber. A plumbing company who knows their stuff. A reputable plumbing team.

Today I’m delivering tips on:

What you need to think about when it comes to bathroom renos and plumbing
Why this is the one DIY job (apart from electrics) you should leave to the experts

Plumbing work you need to look at during a bathroom reno

If you have decided to remodel your bathroom you may come across some hidden issues. Corroded plumbing or unsealed showers doing damage to floors and walls are a common site.
Your biggest plumbing issue will likely be piping. Before a renovation it’s likely that galvanised piping will need replacing. These pipes can freeze together when they get corroded.
Another major plumbing issue during a bathroom remodel is the fitting of fixtures. A plumber will need to locate the drain and supply lines.
You should hire a plumber to address these issues before tiles go on.
Got a gorgeous apartment in sunny Sydney? Perhaps you want to turn drab into fab?
Here’s a visual to get you motivated:

ErikaWittlieb / Pixabay

You’ll need to hire a plumber in Sydney to do get that sorted for you.

Why hiring a professional plumber is a good idea

You are likely willing to spend good dollars on remodelling your bathroom. If so, deal with the issues first.
Here are just some of the ways a plumber can help you save big dollars on your bathroom renovation:

Ask a plumber to come over and measure up your bathroom
Get advice on the best course of action for your actual bathroom
Ask about issues such as asbestos removal
Ask if there’s anything you can safely do yourself to cut costs
Get advice on the best and most affordable tiles for your project
Ask your plumber if they know any local suppliers who offer great discounts on tiles and fittings

ThomasWolter / Pixabay

Here’s the biggest risk with tiling your own bathroom

The word is: Waterproofing
If you do not use someone who can issue a ‘Waterproofing Certificate’ you run the risk of your home leaking. That can costs thousands in damage to the structure (floors and walls) of your home.

Get references

Make sure your plumber is reputable and can offer references for their work. Also make sure there are no ‘hidden’ costs. Make sure the quote you receive will be the end price. Sometimes tradies ‘work by the hour’ and this can also work out cost-effective. If your tradie is honest (and comes on good recommendation) you shouldn’t get stung.

fran1 / Pixabay

Permits

Also check with your local council about any permits relating to your project. If you don’t want to go directly to your council use a building surveyor. They are a great first stop as they will help you get the best chance for succeeding with permit approval.

Peace of mind is priceless

It’s important to have peace of mind when it comes to building and bathrooms. Trained professionals will give you that. I recommend sticking to simple jobs like painting or shopping! These are low risk DIY tasks and much easier to handle while life ticks on.

veldesignergrafico / Pixabay

Leave your bathroom renovation to the professionals and rest up. You’ll need energy for what’s next on your list.
In my case, that’s deck and fencing permits. Oh such joy…NOT!
Call a plumber to progress your project today.

August 29, 2016 0 comment

Inspirationville – Hot Trends in Modern House Design

by Penina December 17, 2019

written by Penina

Many first-time home-buyers express an interest in buying modular (or prefabricated) homes. These are not a new concept in the construction industry. But, modern house plans have only recently gained popularity. Technological advancements are a major influence. But the main reason for the rise in interest is due to a few factors. Modern consumers are generally more aware of how their actions impact the environment. So, they want to make a difference by going green. They do so, by adopting more energy-efficient practices.

Further, more architects turn to modular construction when designing modern house plans. Sustainable practices include:

Reducing material waste and pollution generated by transport
Energy-efficient building materials
Solar panel systems
Creating modern homes that reduce one’s footprint

Read on to discover the hottest trends in the evolving world of contemporary homes.

Expand Your Living Space with a Modular Extension

Modular extensions aka ‘pods’ are a great solution for expanding a home. You may need a garden shed, art studio, DIY workshop or teenage retreat. These help homeowners to increase living space without making structural changes. Built off-site in climate-controlled factory environments, mean these are fast to install. Some only take a few days before they are ready to go.

Include Space-Savvy Solutions

But before you consider extending your home, you should know how to make the most of your existing space. Keeping the space neat and free of clutter is one modern house design trend that will never go away. Consider using a combination of practical storage for decluttering purposes.

Hiding gear from sight also makes rooms look bigger. To save on space, consider built-in shelves and closets. This way, you will take care of your clutter without disrupting the freedom of movement in your home.

Finally, keep spaces refined and polished by camouflaging appliances and homewares. For example, pick a refrigerator colour that matches your kitchen counters and cupboards. Or, use a retractable chopping board built into the counter.

Let the Light In

To enhance the cleanliness and air in a space, bring as much daylight in as possible. Instead of using window treatments that obstruct the view and the sun, leave windows bare. adorned with only some sheer curtains that allow for the light to sneak through. If your space doesn’t get sunlight during the day, get some with overhead ambient LED lighting. Go for a colour that’s as close to natural as possible.

Create an Earthy Atmosphere with a Palette of Neutral Tones

Create a home that feels honest, true and connected. Introduce nature, by using natural and earthy tones in your interior. The colours lack, brown, grey and beige create a balanced look with a homely feel. Neutral tones are also popular because they make spaces appear larger.

Let Rooms Flow into Each Other

There’s no rule that says each room has only one purpose. Try to see potential in all the separate rooms in your home. For instance, a kitchen can also contain a dining area. Remove the need to build a separate dining room. And a home office can double as an entertainment area. Fuse one off a living room. Dual-purpose increase available space and offering convenience.

Look Up to Mid-Century Modern Style

Modern mid-century architecture is gaining popularity. Design is minimalist and marked by clean lines, flat or gabled roofs. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light. This style is popular when it comes to modern house plan interiors.

For example, consider bringing in accents in retro colours. Think avocado, mustard, and baby pink. Also, use colours on vibrant tiles as a statement in the bathroom. An intricate contemporary pendant will grab attention in the dining room. These tasteful pops of colour can give sleek modern houses personality.

Elements such as peg legs or hardware can add a mid-century modern vibe to your interior. Instead of going for mass-produced (or throwaway) furniture, consider hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces. These give the interior a unique character. Reclaimed wood, bamboo, and eco-smart furniture are great for adding texture. and warmth to a modern interior.

Say Hello to Terrazzo

For all the reasons above Terrazzo is popular. Wall coverings and floors, especially in bathrooms and kitchens are on trend. Terrazzo is a composite material. It’s made up of small pieces of marble, granite, glass, quartz or other material. Then it’s mixed with a polymeric or cementitious binder, or both. It’s great for wet and high-humidity areas as the material is resistant to water damage.

Make a Statement with Large Scale Art

New home designs in 2020 include large scale art covering a statement wall. Or in other words, wall murals, decals, tapestry or large paintings are popular. This works well in interiors with a neutral colour palette and a minimalist design. This big picture art brings a bold but tasteful touch to the space. Make sure that the theme and colours of the art complement the existing style of the space.

December 17, 2019 0 comment

Furniture & Decor Home Organisation & Storage Organise & Declutter Outdoor Spaces

The Secret To Totally Transforming A Shed In A Weekend & How We Did It For Under $250

by Penina March 6, 2019

written by Penina

It’s an exciting day here today at The Petersen’s home. Recently we heard about an amazing new product by White Knight called White Knight Ultra Pave. Word on the street (well among all the YouTubers and tradies we spoke to) was that the concrete covers easily (in two coats) and is very resistant to damage. My hubby Richard Petersen (a master painter who works on millionaire homes) was sceptical. He’s used most products on the market and he didn’t believe there could be a product he didn’t know about that could be that good.

So these were my 10 goals for this project:

Put this ‘amazing’ product (White Knight Ultra Pave) to the test on our dirty old shed floor
Launch our new website ‘Room Reveal’ showcasing our six year renovation project, the savings we made (over $70k) and much more.
Transform the shed for a budget of just $200 (because well… you know I’m always on a budget)
Get the kids off digital for an entire weekend & get them working
Clear all the clutter we’ve accumulated from living in a home with so many rooms (when we declutter the house it ends up in Richard’s shed!)
Clear out the shed and create a space for the kids to ride their scooters in if they want
Create a man cave for Richard to enjoy a beer with his mates
Include a nice and comfy space for Richard and I to enjoy a few Friday night wines and a natter that isn’t too blokey
Get a bit of exercise and lose a bit of weight lifting and lugging stuff around all weekend
Get it done within one entire weekend starting Friday night

These are the exact steps we took to get this job done:

Step 1: Take a Before Shot

I do this alot – even when I’m cleaning. Why? Because it is motivating. I love the warm-and-fuzzy satisfaction of looking at a before-and-after kitchen, bathroom or living room. We’ve taken it up a notch for this story because we filmed the entire process and it is so fun to watch this transformation in video format.

This was the shed before the transformation (poor Richard):

Step 2: Create a Plan

Never execute any project without a plan. If you read my blog you know I can save you up to $600 on groceries a month by using a simple plan. The same goes for renovating. If you don’t plan your project well and create a budget like my $200 goal you will absolutely overspend.

Tip: Try to use FREE tools for creating your plan. I used a free tool called Room Sketcher – which I find easy to use. I have also used this tool to draw up our entire renovation. Otherwise, just google ‘modern shed or garage’ to find an image of the look and feel you are after (note: see palettes next to include colour in your search).

This is the plan I created. Make sure you make the plan ‘fluid’ as it may change depending on what you find at Op Shops and so forth.

These are the simple drawings I created at RoomSketcher:

Step 3: Pick a Palette

I wasn’t sure I could get the pool table for FREE on Facebook Marketplace – but this was our fluid plan and starting point.

I learnt this little trick from creating websites. It is important to pick a palette for a room. You can use any palette that takes your fancy but I recommend picking just three colours for the shed. Two neutral colours and one colour to make the whole room pop. My choices were charcoal, silver/grey (the Taubman’s tint we chose for the White Knight Ultra Pave Paint) and finally yellow. I just like yellow. It’s a colour that makes me happy and other people happy, I feel. Our style is a mix of what we call ‘Club’ and we also love Scandinavian style. So we like to add a little wooden feel to our ‘Club’ look. Wood always makes a room look natural and not so clinical. This worked well in our makeover, because Richard had a heap of old school signs (he’s an ex-signwriter) and retro wooden pieces (like his old signwriter box) that fitted well with this choice.

Here’s a palette I found online and what they look like. I just omitted the blue but we might add it in at a later stage. I thought it looked pretty blokey too but still had the female touch I wanted for when I visit the shed.

It is so much easier to work to a palette than not to!

Step 4: Stocktake Your Home

As you know I am massively into reducing, reusing (repurposing) and recycling just about everything. This world has a huge rubbish problem and I want to leave the planet better than I found it for my kids to enjoy. There is a win-win in doing this too. You will save hundreds of dollars in the process. I highly recommend taking the eco-smart shed makeover path for these reasons.

There are plenty of FREE home inventory apps out there where you can also add images. I downloaded an APP called exactly that ‘Home Inventory.’ You can use it to wander around your home, take photos of items and then put then in categories.

I created a category called ‘Richard’s Shed’ and then walked around my home finding items that could fit into the ‘fluid’ plan we made.

Here’s a list of items around the home that we could repurpose:

We found 15 items we could repurpose (and hence FREE in terms of our $200 budget).

They’re listed below with the reasons we wanted to repurpose them:

Brown Chairs that were cluttering the house
Yellow chairs from Kmart that were cluttering our deck up
YEAH Picture that was lying around (not-in-use)
Black and white picture we from inside that looked better in the shed
Silver ladders, fans and other silver gear to match the floor
Yellow items in the shed to ‘act’ as style items to match the palette
Old JBL speakers we had in storage
Plants brought from outside in
Coffee tables, candle holder and fake plants getting lost inside the house
Richard’s old signwriter’s box, old suitcase, our existing pizza oven & homemade stand
Yellow tools and neutral coloured toolboxes matching our simple palette
Kids skateboards, large ladders
Yellow hoses and sponges to place on hooks
Macrame hanging plant bowl to match the brown chairs
Yellow cushions from inside the house – we had way too many inside

Step 4: Source Gear

Now that you know what you’ve got, the next step is to list and shop for gear you need to purchase.

In hindsight, the most vital part of this room makeover being a success was the White Knight Ultra Pave paint (Etcher – an acid you apply, wash off after surface) we wanted to try for this experiment. The reason is that it totally transformed the shed floor and refreshed not only the concrete itself but also the entire look and feel of the space.

Paint Shop: Visit your local paint shop (Taubman’s and Bunnings stock White Knight Paint or head online to White Knight Paints for more information. Ask your Taubman’s or Bunnings paint rep to tint the paint to the colour you would like.
Op Shops & Facebook Marketplace (Budget $40): We purchased the bar stools for $40. Because Richard was nice to the guy he got a $20 discount.

Important Room Reveal Tangent…

Before I reveal this amazing room makeover to you (and get into the awesomeness of what happened) here are the main reasons Richard LOVED this White Knight Ultra Pave (and yes, it certainly did live up to its rave reviews) in the end:

Gave the concrete a whole new lease of life
The process itself was easy (in terms of its application)
The product was super easy to apply and durable (Richard found learned about its DuraTough technology which delivers long lasting results)
Richard did a ‘scratch’ test and dragged furniture along the floor and it still didn’t scratch (he was very impressed!)
The paint is cost-effective as you only have to apply two coats to get the finish we got
White Knight Ultra Pave range includes preparation, primers, sealers and topcoats which is an added bonus
Richard liked the idea the product has multiple uses such as driveways, garage floors, paths, patios, verandas, courtyards and even more applications that that
I researched other products they bring out and here’s the list of those: White Knight Ultra Pave Quick Dry • White Knight Ultra Pave Topcoat Grip Additive (if the surface is very smooth please also use White Knight® Ultra Pave® Concrete Etcher)
You can add tintable bases (Taubmans) to the paint to get the colour you want. This is good because there are 1000s of colours to choose from to get the colour to match the palette you choose.

This is what the paint looks like:

Source: White Knight

We picked our paint from our local Taubman’s store. We needed enough paint for about 35 sqm – so this 4 Litre drum was more than enough. Richard actually used leftovers to paint his bench edge too and still had some left. He a happy man when he gets leftover paint because he can use it on other projects. It takes a lot to make Richard happy when it comes to paint (he’s a major perfectionist) so to see him loving a product like this was rare.

Step 5 – Get To Work!

Here’s exactly what you need to do to make your Total Shed Transformation a win-win weekend:

Saturday – Declutter and Paint:

Check the weather report for the coming weekend
If sunny, remove all items from the shed onto the lawn or if it looks like rain try to put as much as you can into the house (Note: Non-flammable items only).
Completely clear the shed floor of all items and sweep thoroughly with a broom
Apply the White Knight Concrete Etcher (You’ll need a bucket, water, broom, safety glasses and gloves). Richard mixed this in a bucket with water.
Use the Etcher sparingly at the beginning and really spread it out – otherwise you risk running out of it too early in the piece
Wash off the concrete etcher about half an hour later using a hose or high pressure hose (Richard did it with a high pressure hose)
Richard also painted the walls of the shed (in dark charcoal) using his spray gun and allowed them to dry
Cut in the walls/floors of the shed and allow to dry
Paint the floors of the shed using a long roller with the White Knight Paint and allow to dry
Apply the second coat of the White Knight paint and allow to dry.
While Richard was painting we (as a family) completely went through everything that was out on the lawn. We made a rubbish pile for Richard to take to the tip. We also made a pile of items for the Op Shop. Finally – we organised items that could neatly go back into the house. We also photographed and put items up on Facebook Marketplace straight away.
Saturday night – bring important pieces back in. For example, we brought in Richard’s equipment that couldn’t be left out in case it rained. We managed on the Saturday to deal with anything we couldn’t leave out and find homes for those items.

Sunday – Style:

Enjoy bringing the new pieces of furniture and items into the shed to styling it. We had so much fun with this part of the process and seeing the amazing results.

Tips: Plan a trip to the tip and Op Shops the following weekend to remove rubbish from the home. Sell unwanted items to FB Marketplace bargain hunters.

Drumroll…

Here is our amazing new shed – totally transformed using our biggest secret White Knight Ultra Pave paint. Plus Op Shop finds, a fun family working bee, repurposed items from the home and a big pinch of love. Isn’t it amazing how a totally transformed floor can completely change the look and feel of a room. Thanks White Knight!

Watch the Vid: Amazing Budget Shed Transformation In Action

Room Reveal: Design Notes & How We Did It

After Richard finished all the grunt work I was left with the lovely job of completely styling the shed. I couldn’t believe my luck. We usually style rooms together – but I think he was tired so I got full reign of this without any complaints. It’s the little things that make me happy – ha!

Tip: Rule of thumb here – Square chairs on square rug, round placemat on round table. My rule of thumb is to ‘place like items together.’

These old chairs were cluttering up our lounge

We moved our outdoor yellow chairs inside

We had the picture in storage & finally found it a home

Richard scored these awesome modern stools for just $40 on Facebook marketplace

The rug was making an indoor living room look cluttered so I repositioned it. Rule of thumb:

A man cave even a wife can enjoy – a place to escape hectic life inside a home for couple time

Bring In Your Memorabilia (Richard’s Restarosa Sign) and Use trade gear the colour of your palette (e.g. Yellow)

Same here. Working to the palette with the sign, wood, silver, yellow ladder and $2 retro sign and pizza oven

The White Knight Paint completely transformed our shed space and refreshed the concrete completely

White Knight Concrete Etcher, White Knight Ultra Pave Quick Dry Formula Paint $184 + Etcher $25 – Available at Bunnings & Taubman Stores

Bar Stools – Facebook Marketplace $40

The results were amazing. Read on and watch Richard Petersen’s explanation of why the results surprised him.

Finally…here are our biggest reno tips for people on the smallest budgets (like us!)

The total cost of this amazing renovation was drumroll…

Always get the right information before beginning any renovation product
Never pay full price for products you can purchase secondhand like furniture
Definitely plan and cost-out all renovation projects beforehand
Be prepared to wait. Never be in a rush to do a renovation. If you wait for the right renovation products to appear – you will save thousands on your renovation.
Use hard-wearing long-lasting products you don’t have to spend money on again

Final Tally & Meeting Our $250 Budget

$249
Our budget was $250. So we came in just under budget.

I LOVE it when I meet the budget and I have money leftover (even if it was just $1). Much like Richard with leftover paint – it’s the little things that make me happy.

I’m giving the whole family a pat on the back for a job well done. We stuck the extra dollar in our piggy. We’re saving for a holiday and every penny counts.

Now we all have an amazing place to hangout.

Next…we’re on the hunt for a FREE pool table to really get our shed party started.

Read more about White Knight paint here.

March 6, 2019 0 comment

Latest

Where to find inspiration this Reno season

by Penina July 27, 2018

written by Penina

It’s renovation season (yay!) and if you are like me, you are a sucker for an awesome room reveal. I mean, who doesn’t love a great before-and-after? I do, as long as I’m not the one holding the hammer.

Today I’m dishing ways two ways to find inspiration this winter.

Discover how I’m using Instagram for quick motivation. Also see why I’m dumping housework for life on the couch with Foxtel Lifestyle’s latest renovation show, Love It or List It Australia.

Miraculous marvellous makeovers

I’m into all manner of miraculous marvellous makeovers. Give me ‘Mum loses 20kg without exercising’ or ‘Family Reno Battle Begins’ and you might have me. But us mums aren’t this easy to please. We’re busier than ever and much more discerning than we used to be.

We’re rising early, making lunches, wrangling kids up hallways, hunting for keys, driving up highways, working all day, picking up kids, grabbing groceries, paying bills, doing paper work, talking to hubby’s, mothers, brothers, friends, Facebooking, getting dinner on, doing dishes, doing laundry, folding laundry, cleaning bathrooms, bathing kids, nagging kids, taking calls, planning events, working into the evening…

I’m exhausted writing that…

Some of us are doing 18-hour days (yep, me). Time is precious.

Read on to discover how I’m taking time out this winter to find motivation and inspiration.

Mums need instant inspiration

I like before-and-afters because they’re inspiring. They’re also hands down good old-fashioned skill-meets-creativity. They’re not a waste of my time.

I have two favourite go-to places for makeovers right now.

Insta-spiration

The first is Instagram. I love the mums transforming their post-baby bulges. The one’s standing sideways in mirrors showing off their pre-hubby sex bomb selves. Go girls.

We all love to know we can do it too.

Reno-spiration

My second place for inspiration right now is Foxtel Lifestyle’s show, Love It or List It Australia.

This year I’m even more excited it is renovation season.

Renovation shows are the one type of show in my house that don’t get ‘passed in.’ (Excuse home auction the pun – couldn’t help myself.)

Reno shows always get the thumbs up from hubby (the control freak). They make it past all other conspiracy theories (his shows). Reno shows also get passed the stringent kid ‘control freaks’ at my house. They beat teen dramas (my 13-year old son’s shows) or re-runs of Jo-Jo or Toys & Me (my 7-year old daughter’s shows).

They’re also great because the whole family can watch – yay!

51686294 – renovation of a bathroom before and after in horizontal format

But I’m over the moon that this particular renovation season, I have this announcement to make:

Drumroll…

“Hubby and I have now finally finally finally finished our six year renovation.”

I know, if you have been reading my blog for years – you’ll be happy to hear this too.

Yes, that is the ‘statement of the decade’ for us and I’m shouting it out to the world. Picture me holding my hands out to a large clapping crowd.

Curtsey.

Yep. My beautiful handy hubby Richard has whipper-snipped the edges of the lawn. He’s dotted his last dab of paint on the fence. He’s hung up his hammer, climbed down the ladder and put his feet up on the pouf. We’re so tired we’re yet to pull out the bubbly – but you get my drift.

Now that we have our weekends back, I’ve been indulging in a few luxuries. I’m enjoying walking up the hall without tripping over a power drill or a hammer. We’ve hired a cleaner to whip his mop over our gorgeous Japanese black floors. They’re no longer a sea of plaster dust. I’m spending more time on the couch flicking through home renovation magazines.

This is one of the reasons why I’m hooked with Love It Or List It Australia. It continues to inspire us in getting a bit more creative on improving our home.

Before I digress – here’s a bit of info on it:

Love Ir Or List It Australia features Andrew Winter and Neale Whittaker as they help homeowners across the country with one of life’s biggest dilemmas – renovate or sell up. Andrew and Neale are battling for the hearts and heads of our homeowners as they try to discover what’s best for the family. Each episode is packed with renovations, property searches and good-natured competition between our hosts. Here are some tips we got that we’ll surely apply once we get the extra time again to make our home even sweeter.

Amazing Work with Space

The way Neale Whittaker works with space is incredible. They’re taking closed-in pokey 70-style houses (and of course houses from other eras). They’re transforming them into amazing, open, breezy bright, beautiful designer homes.

ErikaWittlieb / Pixabay

Colours

I’m married to a Master Painter & ex-Songwriter who works on Millionaire houses everyday. He also works closely with interior designers. The colours chosen for rooms on the show are nothing short of gorgeous. If you don’t know a good paint job or choice of paint colour I highly recommend taking a leaf out of Love It or List It’s books. These rooms work beautifully.

Never ever ever under-estimate the power of the perfect paint palette and paint job. This is core to every great renovation.