Turf Lawn

The Right Variety of Roll on Turf

January 10, 2018 The Amateurs Digest 0

One of the challenges a homeowner has is being able to grow a full, lush lawn in an area that is mostly in the shade. When the natural conditions seem to be working against sunny growth of plants such as grass, a keen gardener and homeowner needs to look at some of the different varieties that exist to fulfil their needs. If you really want beautiful, manicured lawns, you need to visit a turf farm.

While a shady area presents a challenge, it can still be covered in a lush, dark green grass which will improve the home’s appearance and satisfy the finicky homeowner who wants that even look over the whole lawn. There are a couple of varieties of grass that do quite well in shady areas, out of the sun.

Matilda Soft Buffalo – this is a durable salt tolerant Australian grass and is suitable for areas next to the pool and houses close to the coast. It is a broad leaf appearance and rich green in colour. It requires about 40mm of water a week (not a lot), and is suitable for both shade and full sun. Buffalo grass standouts because of the surface runners, but the root system is fairly shallow, grows horizontally and doesn’t take over the whole yard. Perfect for under tress (shade), shrubs and dense foliage. If you’re looking for a grass that suits all conditions but satisfies you shady areas, then Matilda Soft Buffalo is a great choice.

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Timber Flooring

Trends in Timber Flooring

November 21, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

With the help of interior design experts Light Design, we have created your full guide to trends in timber flooring.

If you’re looking at a way to revitalise the atmosphere and design in your home, then a change in the flooring is a great way to do it. There have been some definitive trends towards the use of timber flooring as a way to break out of the carpet and tile styles that have dominated the markets for so long.

Darker Stained Timber Floors – if you’re looking for some amazing contrasts of white walls or even white furnishings then a timber floor of coffee brown or even a deep black will do the trick. Dark floors tend to make the room look smaller and also show the dust more, so it’s an option for a larger room.

Timber Floor Colour Trends

Not everybody likes the darker stained timber so there has been a lean towards homeowners moving away from traditional colours and looking at a bolder impact that different woods might offer.

Blonde Timber Floor – this colour is quite the opposite extreme, but very popular as it can make a small room look much larger and brighter, especially if you have some large window space allowing in the natural light. Check with your supplier from Melbourne Building Materials about what light-coloured wood is available.

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Majlis Style Lounge

7 Benefits of a Majilis Style Lounge

August 21, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

A Majilis style lounge is a design that springs from Arabian culture and can be seen in the superyacht White Rabbit, designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, as well as in some of the many other yachts he has designed. It basically caters to the Arabian way of relaxation, which is to recline rather than sit.

The lounges have no legs but sit directly on the floor and are placed around three sides of the room, leaving the middle clear so people can communicate easily. However, very low tables may be included for those who find them necessary.

The Majilis style lounge is made from foam and includes comfortable cushions and dividers. The materials covering the foam are usually crafted in the kind of beautiful, rich colours that are often seen in such setting.

Any home can include a Majilis lounge area and there can be many benefits of having one.

  • It is light and easy to move around – rearranging the furniture has never been so easy.
  • It makes the room look larger
  • In a home where there are little children, it can save them falling off a higher lounge and hurting themselves.
  • It provides an entertainment space where friends from other countries will feel more at home.

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Freight is Safe

11 Common Sense Tips to Ensure Your Freight is Safe

August 1, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

No matter what kind of freight you send, you’ll want it to arrive in good condition with no visible damage.  The first step is to choose a reliable transport company that comes highly recommended by friends, family or someone else you know and trust. Failing that, you can ask around hardware or furniture stores, or do some research online to find just the right company.

Here are 11 tips to ensure it arrives safely.

  • Packaging is the watchword if you want goods to arrive undamaged. Don’t just pack them up in any old box with a piece of string to keep it all together. Choose a box that is new or nearly new and has not been obviously battered around on other trips.
  • Choose a box with a lid, preferably one that fits down over the top and can be securely taped to the sides.
  • Tape the lid down and run the tape right around and under the box to ensure the bottom doesn’t fall out. Tape another strip over and down the un-taped side. The end of the tape should overlap the start by a few centimetres.
  • Use strong packaging tape, not the kind painters use.
  • Pack the goods with care and attention to detail. If there are any sharp points or pieces that poke out, wrap extra bubble wrap around them so they can’t penetrate the box walls.
  • Fill in all the gaps around the item with wrapping or scrunched up newspaper, and if you have multiple boxes, use more tape or cargo nets to make sure your packages are kept together.
  • Place padding on the base of the box before inserting the item, then over the top of the item before putting on the lid
  • Never over-pack a box as they are usually stacked on top of each other in the truck and this would put lots of pressure on the item.

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Disguise an Ugly Fence

8 Ways to Disguise an Ugly Fence

July 20, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

There is no question about it; some types of fencing are just plain ugly. If you are stuck with an ugly fence, there are some things you can do about it that don’t cost the earth, so don’t despair. You don’t always need to get fencing contractors in to change it, and sometimes you can’t if the place is a rental.

Here are eight tips to disguise a fence you hate.

  • Paint it. If the fence is made from steel panels, make sure the paint you choose suits it. Sometimes, you must wear a particular undercoat, but it is worth doing well. Otherwise, the paint might peel off in a few months, making the fence look even uglier. If the fence is made from timber, painting will also be necessary to protect it from getting wet and rotting. You might want to go for white because a white picket fence is traditional, and it goes with every other colour. But if you want something different, why not choose another colour or a combination of colours?
  • Grow a vine over it. You must be careful to contain the vine if the fence forms a boundary with the neighbour’s property. Not all people want to have their neighbour’s plants in their yard. You can also grow tall shrubs or flowers in front of it or train a shrub along it.

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Shade Sail

How to Maintain Your Shade Sail

July 8, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

Adding shade sails to your property has many advantages, but just like anything else, they last longer and look better if you do some maintenance on them. This is not difficult and it will make a big difference to the look of the sail as well as ensuring it remains in great condition for longer.

Sometimes, no matter how carefully the sail is positioned, sticks, leaves and dirt seem to stick on the top of it. Add dew or rain showers and it soon becomes a dark stain that should be washed off. However, it can’t be removed from the bottom side, so how can this be done?

The best way is the undo the tensioning chain and take it all down. This is not as difficult as it sounds as it is made to take down when necessary. Once the sail is down, you need to treat it with care to ensure it is not damaged in any way. Lift it to a clean spot, either on the lawn or a concrete driveway. Don’t fold it up as creasing it will damage the finish.

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Local Landscaping

New Trends In Landscaping

June 21, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

According to professional landscapers, Lone Pine Landscapes, the domain of Landscaping is witnessing newer trends. The modern trends in Landscape design deal with comparatively larger areas of the landscape. Some of these trends are listed below:

Grand Scale Local solutions
New landscaping projects are attempting to service the necessities of increasing populations at a local level. These projects often require private as well as public funding. Landscape architects are devising solutions to create better cities and communities with the help from local people and the state government.

Climate Adaptation
Recent research and landscape practices are focusing on climate adaptation via climate change solutions. This move is accomplished by using the elements of climate adaptation for creating holistic design solutions adaptable to changing environmental conditions. Under this step, urban spaces can be designed to better adapt to the changing environment.

Alternative Transport Modes
Nowadays, people are increasingly embracing ride-sharing. Also, established car companies, as well as start-up tech companies, are competing for autonomous vehicles. The state governments are developing initiatives as well as regulations to design spaces and services for targeting new technologies. With increasing use of autonomous vehicles as well as ride sharing; the need for parking lots and wide road lanes gets highly reduced. In turn, needs for the areas required for drop-off and pick up riders at airports, offices, train/subway stations, retail districts, and tourist precincts increases.

Nature
We asked the experts at www.jsbearthmoving.com.au and they said Landscape architecture designers are creating more designs that mimic and emulate nature. As a trend, the ephemerality, as well as the messiness of nature, is transformed in a structured manner for creating beautiful landscapes.

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Removalists

Advantages to Expect From Hiring the Best Removalist in Your Area

June 1, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

Are you planning to move to a new home or relocate to a new city in Australia? If so, moving your things will be one of the most cumbersome and difficult tasks you could ever undertake.

You may think that you can handle this on your own, but the truth is that you are likely to make costly mistakes because moving home is tough, so instead of trying to do it yourself, you should hire professional removalists in your area. Besides keeping you from too much stress, these experts can also protect you from injuries. Seeking professional advice and help can make your transit easy, safe and enjoyable.

A reputable service provider who has a strategic office, a website, and a business permit is extremely safe to work with. They can help you pack your belongings safely to avoid damage during transit. To ensure an organized and safe packing, the best service providers offer tapes, wrapping papers, bubble wraps, shrink wraps, and strings. If you don’t want to provide packing boxes and other packing stuff, the selected removalist company can take care of everything. Their main goal is to make sure that packed goods are safe from wear and tear during transportation.  As some companies are extremely experienced and handle movement of belongings every single day, you can trust them with good handling of your possessions. They can do diligent planning, packing, and transportation.

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Redrawing Your Loan

How to Save on the Cost of Purchasing a Home

April 18, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

Purchasing a home is no small decision and must be carefully thought out and planned for before you sign on the dotted line of that mortgage contract. It’s a good idea to have a financial advisor like Andep to help you with the financial planning needed to get the best deal and work out ways to save on the cost of purchasing a home.

One easy way to save money that any financial planner will tell you about is to save up a larger than normal deposit. Not only will you save on interest because there will be less principal to pay off, you’ll get a better deal and not be forced to pay for the lender’s mortgage insurance. This insurance is to protect the lender from the risk of loss if you should default on the loan for some reason.

Much of the cost of a mortgage is the interest, but some of it is in the fees and charges you have to pay to set it all up. It’s important to ensure you get the right kind of loan; one that does not charge you a fee when you make extra repayments, or worse still, prevent you from making extra repayments. It is in making extra repayments that you can save a whole heap of interest, so the lender may not be happy about that.

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design-your-outdoor-space

How to Design Your Outdoor Space to Suit Your Climate

March 20, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

Outdoor spaces that are designed especially for the family to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine are popular these days. They offer a chance to change your location from indoors to outside without sacrificing too much in the way of convenience and comfort. The right kind of outdoor furniture plays a big part in ensuring your space is right for you, but you also have to design the space to suit your local climate, otherwise the best furniture will be of no use.

Temperate

For instance, if you live in a temperate climate you will very likely be able to enjoy being outside for most of the year, although not always at night in the winter. Most temperate climates don’t have snow and there are many days in the winter that are sunny and mild enough to be outside.

In the summer, the days can be too hot for sitting in the sun, so your outdoor space will need some kind of shade. This can be from a nearby tree, a shade sail or a proper roof. You may also need protection from a prevailing cold or hot wind by adding a decorative wall or clear plastic blinds on that side. You could also add a chiminea or some other kind of heating to extend the length of time your outdoor space can be used for.

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good-electrician

For When It Can’t Wait, Call a 24/7 Electrician

January 21, 2017 The Amateurs Digest 0

Certain home repairs just can’t wait—from plumbing leaks to gas leaks and beyond. Some electrical issues fall into this category, as well. Faulty wiring and other electrical problems can be a fire hazard and can put both your family and you in danger. Luckily, in a case where you encounter one of these must-fix problems, there is always an emergency electrician that can help at any hour of the day.

When you suspect you have an electrical emergency, you shouldn’t hesitate to call a professional electrician. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to wiring and electrical issues, and at very least, a good electrician can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind.

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4 Uses for a Gazebo

October 17, 2016 The Amateurs Digest 0

A gazebo will add a touch of elegance to your outdoor area and if you choose the covered in style can have many more uses. When compared to a verandah, they are relatively cheap to build, depending on the style, size and building materials used. If you were wondering whether it would be worthwhile to add a gazebo to your garden, here are 4 uses to consider

  • First and foremost, the gazebo is used as a place to sit down and relax while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Yet because they have a roof they also provide shade when the sun gets high and hot overhead. So if you would like a sheltered place to enjoy viewing your garden, have a coffee or talk to a friend, a gazebo is for you.
  • A gazebo can be built close to your custom swimming pool to use as a dressing room. You can pull the curtain closed for extra privacy and keep a chest or cupboard in there with towels and spare swimmers – and even clothes. It makes a good place to sit in the shade as well as somewhere to store pool toys.

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landscape-design

Latest Trends in Landscape Design

August 24, 2016 The Amateurs Digest 0

Older people would remember that some years ago the latest trend was to bring the outside in with the use of floor to ceiling windows and some landscape design elements repeated inside. Nowadays one of the latest trends is to take the inside out. According to villa experts Easy Villas this is done by creating comfortable outdoor spaces that mimic the inside or creating an oasis to give you the feeling that you are on holidays in a nice villa. There are outdoor kitchens, comfortable seating, fire pits  or a chiminea to create warmth and solid pavement of some kind underfoot so we don’t get muddy feet should it rain.

In fact, there is often a roof over the space in order to shelter us from a sudden shower, or shade of some kind – perhaps from a sail – and don’t forget the windbreak. This can be a stone wall, or a lattice with vines growing over it, a clear plastic ‘wall’ or almost anything else that will create a little bit of shelter from the prevailing breeze.

Another trend is the use of water features. Once these were only seen in mansion landscapes, but the upsurge of smaller water features that can be easily installed by the amateur has made them available to everyone. What is now seen is a mid-cost water feature that does need to be installed by a professional, but is still not as expensive as what is often seen in the garden of a millionaire.

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stone-wall-cladding

4 Reasons to Consider Stone Wall Cladding

May 18, 2016 The Amateurs Digest 0

Whether you are building a new home or you’re planning a renovation, one way to enhance your home is with the addition of stone cladding. Cladding is the material used on the exterior walls, but stone can also be used for interior walls, especially as a feature wall to take your home from ordinary to outstanding.

Stone is one of the oldest building materials there is. The difference these days is in the tools that are used to cut it. Such tools were never even heard of years ago and enable stone to be cut more precisely and with different edges than yesteryear. Crushed stone can also be mixed with concrete to create a wall with the same appearance and properties of stone, but at a more affordable price. This is known as reconstituted stone.

There are many different types of stone for building; limestone, quartz, sandstone and their reconstituted counterparts to name just a few. So what are the reasons to consider using this type of cladding?

  1. It is totally durable, with stone buildings from hundreds of years ago still standing as proof.
  2. It is easy to maintain – in fact, it requires no maintenance.
  3. It is aesthetically pleasing with many different colours, shades, shapes and textures.
  4. There are many ways of using it in a wall to make the best of its natural features.

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garden-pots

8 Advantages of Choosing Light Garden Pots

February 18, 2016 The Amateurs Digest 0

Whether you have a high-rise apartment with a balcony, or live at ground level growing plants in pots is something that many people take great enjoyment in. Older people find digging and weeding in a garden difficult, so turn to using garden pots for their gardening needs. High rise dwellers don’t have any option but to use pots for their gardening activities.

There are several advantages to choosing light pots for your gardening activities: –

  • One trouble with many pots is their weight. If you suffer from a bad back, lifting a heavy pot is impossible – sometimes it’s impossible even if you don’t have a bad back. Moving the pot and plant together is a job that requires a lot of muscle. A lighter pot is much easier to move without risking injury.
  • If you live in a high rise there are usually load limits to balconies. A heavy pot filled with potting mix and a well grown plant could well exceed that limit. Certainly, several pots are likely to. Knowing that you are even close to the limit would make you want to stay off the balcony in case it all went tumbling down.
  • Lighter pots are much easier to move around on the balcony so you can adjust the position of those potted plants as they grow to take advantage of the sun or the shade, whichever is needed.
  • You can move it more easily when you need to sweep or clean behind or under it.
  • There is no need to worry about the load limit, so you can sit in peace and enjoy your plants and the sun or cool breeze in the evenings.

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professional-handyman

Enhance Your Life by Using a Professional Handyman

November 24, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

When you own a home there is always going to be some repair job that needs doing. While it is true that many homeowners develop the skills to do such jobs, they are rarely as good at doing them than a person who is a professional handyman, simply because they don’t get the experience needed in doing them over and over again – not to mention the professional training in how to do them properly in the first place.

The trouble is that even though you may love your tools and enjoy working with your hands, you have another job that takes up most of your time and energy. Often, those repairs are left for weeks on end – maybe even months – simply because you don’t have the time or inclination to do them. Meanwhile, people who have to use the thing that’s broken get really stressed out because it is difficult to use, or it doesn’t work at all.

Unattended repairs cost money

Repairs such as leaky taps and cisterns that don’t get done are not only stressors in your life, they are actually costing you money. Leaks use up far more water than you would imagine; water you have to pay for. And what’s more, those leaks are never going to go away unless they are properly fixed. Leaks are caused by the seal wearing out and once it is worn, it won’t fix itself.

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scaffolding

Why Scaffolding Should be Designed and Erected by Professionals

October 7, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

Scaffolding is a dangerous place to be when it is high up and you are using power tools, but there is one way to make it a lot safer and that is to have it made by a professional scaffold hire company. There is a great deal involved in making scaffold. It has to be strong enough to withstand the weight of workers, their tools and often the building materials as well. If it is not, accidents are likely to occur that can cause serious injury or worse.

It is not only strength that is important; it has to be stable as well. If it is not properly supported both at the base and as it rises high into the sky, it will not be able to stand erect. Once it starts to topple over, nothing can stop it and again, the workers will suffer.

Builders are not experienced scaffolders

While building companies may hire the most experienced, well-trained and professional builders, that doesn’t mean to say they know anything about building or erecting scaffold. This is quite different from building any high-rise. Even though it may seem just like bolting lengths of steel together, there are many more elements that must be considered to ensure safety.

The type of scaffold needed, whether it will be supported by the surface it stands on or by the building itself – or both – and what load it must carry are all important considerations. In fact, the design of the scaffold should be done by an engineer to ensure it is strong enough to do the job safely. It’s only as the scaffold goes up safely that the building company can go ahead with their work.

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lovely-kitchen

What we Want When it Comes to Kitchens – and How to Get it

May 24, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

According to Kitchen Professionals when it comes to kitchens, most women want one that is functional but also looks good. These days this is one of the most important rooms in the house. Instead of being tucked away where no one can see it like it used to be years ago, the kitchen has now evolved to become the epicentre of the home – and so it should be.

Every woman wants a lovely kitchen that is also practical. Having the latest appliances such as refrigerator, stove and dishwasher is also good, but if they are not in the right place for the best functionality, and if the cupboards are hard to get at, or incorrectly positioned to make cooking inefficient then the whole kitchen is spoiled.

That is why when you are renovating the kitchen or building a new home it is better by far to get the kitchen designed by a professional company that does it for a living. An architect cannot be trusted to design the kitchen in a way that is totally practical because they tend to go for looks rather than practicality. The builder just follows the building plans so you can’t expect him to design a good kitchen.

And of course, even though most women have had experience cooking in a number of different kitchens and know what works when they are using it, they may not know what does not work – until it is too late and they go to use their new kitchen. They then realise that the preparation area is not handy to the sink or the stove, or else the cupboards are not that easy to access.

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How to Maintain Your Colorbond Roof

March 24, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

One of the best advantages of a Colorbond roof is that it is so easy to maintain. Usually, all that is required is rain on the roof to wash off the dust and debris that collects over time. However, there are a few other things to be aware of that will protect your roof and guttering even more.

Why debris may collect on the roof

When things are added to the roof, it can cause a build-up of leaves and debris to remain around where it is connected to the roof. If it is large enough to throw shade and you have a spell of cold, wet weather, mould can develop that causes dampness to remain on the roof and this will eventually cause rust. Items such as a satellite dish can have this effect.  It is therefore important to clean the area off every 6-12 months to ensure no damp debris remains in place. A hose down and a wipe over with a soft broom or brush should be sufficient to remove the mould.

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Cut Glare with a Pergola

March 17, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

The rise in popularity with people getting pergolas installed in the homes is because many people who live in the south or southwest areas of Australia find that the windows of their homes let in a great deal of glare. There are two main reasons for this.

  1. The sun is at a much lower angle in those areas
  2. The home was not oriented to take advantage of the best angle

There is not much you can do about the sun, but there are several things that can be done to cut the glare.  Using blinds is not always the answer, because then the rooms become too dark. Even Venetian blinds don’t work well because that glare is so blinding it still shines in through the narrow gaps between the slats.

Awnings don’t always work

Many homes in those areas have external awnings that help, but these are not always very attractive to look at, from the inside or the outside. Growing a tree or shrub may also help, but this may not be possible, depending on how much room there is outside. Usually the fence prevents anything that would be large and bushy enough to do any good.

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home-floor-upgrade

Upgrading Your Floor on Budget

February 8, 2015 The Amateurs Digest 0

The floor of the home gets constant wear and tear, especially if you have children and inside pets. Carpet especially tends to wear and age quickly when it is in a high traffic area. The floor is a part of the house that is very visible, so if yours is making you think of calling a removalist, why not upgrade? It will really make a big difference to the look and feel of your home – and add value into the bargain.

There are many flooring choices; some of them more budget friendly than others. For instance, these days vinyl floor coverings come in many grades and the more expensive ones are top quality, durable and look great – and are still cheaper than other kinds of flooring.  If you choose one that should be glued down, there will be no buckling when the weather gets hotter, as you find in some of the loose lay types.

Loose lay vinyl

The theory behind the loose lay vinyl sounds good. If it is not glued down it can expand and contract and you won’t even notice. It reality, the furniture prevents this movement to some extent. It anchors down part and when the rest expands there is suddenly a very noticeable buckle along the floor. However, if the loose lay vinyl is really thick, it may not buckle, especially if the room it is in does not get sunlight on the floor.

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kitchen-design

Trends in Kitchen Design that You Will Love

November 2, 2014 The Amateurs Digest 0

There are many different trends in kitchen design according to Colray Cabinets, but not all are suitable for everyone and some may be so faddish that your kitchen will date really quickly. Since the kitchen costs quite a bit to renovate, you don’t want to risk it becoming so passé within a few years so that you have to do it all over again.  When you have an experienced designer for your kitchen you can be sure that the design will last a long time and suit your needs.

Here are some trends in kitchen design that you are sure to love.

  • Simply white.  Statistic show that white has gained in popularity over the last decade and looks set to stay that way. White not only makes the kitchen look and feel lighter and larger, it is easy to keep clean, especially when it comes to appliances. White appliances are much more popular than stainless steel with its mirror like finish that shows every smudge. So you can’t go wrong with white, but what happens if you like colour?
  • Neutral grey is the next most popular colour for kitchens. However, it can be drab or cold if it is not treated the right way. You need to add pops of warm or bright colour in accessories such as stools.

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Reasons to Consider Equipment Hire

May 22, 2014 The Amateurs Digest 0

No matter what kind of project is planned, equipment of some kind will be necessary to get it done. However, not every company can consider purchasing such equipment themselves, then employing a skilled operator. They may be able to lease it at an affordable cost, but there is still the question of getting an operator; one that is skilled enough to do the job in question.

The way to solve the dilemma is to hire both the equipment and its operator for the duration of the project, or for the length of time it is needed, which may not be for the whole time of the project. Equipment hire will save a great deal on the cost of purchasing a large piece of equipment that may only be in use for a day or two. It also saves the problem of where to store and how to transport it to the project site. If those costs have to be added to the cost of the project it may end up costing more than the owner is willing to pay.

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iron-your-carpet

How to Iron Your Carpet – and Why

April 17, 2014 The Amateurs Digest 0

Did you know it is possible to iron your carpet? Not the same way you would iron the clothes, of course, but ironing the carpet does have its place and no, not to get the wrinkles out. According to Brilliance Carpet Cleaning Perth ironing is part of a carpet cleaning company process and one possible way to remove stains that you cannot identify the source of. You may think this sounds crazy, but in fact it does work.

This is how you do it.

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security-fence

8 Essential Elements of Security Fencing

July 25, 2013 The Amateurs Digest 0

Security fencing is essential in many areas and for many different types of places, from residential to commercial. It not only keeps unwanted intruders or vandals out; it protects the public from harm in many cases, should they accidentally wander into a construction zone or some other hostile environment where they may suffer injury.

There are many common fencing mistakes, so to do its job properly, there are 8 elements of security fencing that must be in place. These are:-

  • If a security fence is not high enough, people will be able to climb over it. That is why most such fences are 6-8 feet high.
  • Body of the fence. The body of the fence must be designed so that there are no horizontal bars that could offer a toehold to a climber. That said, there must be a strong bottom horizontal to hold the verticals in place, but since it is right at the bottom, any toehold would be too low to provide a way up. The top horizontal must also be in place to hold the verticals and make a strong fence, but again, no one can get their toes up that high or balance on such a piece, so the fence is still considered secure.
  • Design of the top. Many security fences have a rolled top – one that curves outwards to help prevent climbers from getting over. If this portion of the fence is also barbed, then it works extra well.
  • Without a strong foundation the fence could be displaced or dug under. Most security fences that are permanent have concrete foundations, some for each post and some for the whole length of the fence, depending on where it is and the kind of protection needed.

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swimming-pool

How to Take the Stress Out of Installing a Swimming Pool

February 9, 2013 The Amateurs Digest 0

Concrete swimming pools are a pretty significant investment, but having a pool will really enhance your lifestyle as you can take a dip in private anytime you want to. But everything must be done correctly. When you install a pool, that’s not the only thing that needs to be done. You need proper landscaping, an automatic pool cleaner, and a professionally installed glass pool fence by Clear Az Glass Fencing.

Experienced pool and landscaping company Principal Pools + Landscapes advises that if you choose a company that does the pool and nothing else, there will be a lot of hassle and stress as you try to get someone in to install the safety fence and then another company to attend to the landscaping so your pool doesn’t look like it’s sitting on an alien planet with heaps of soil or rock spread over what was once your lawn.

Take the least stressful way out and choose builders that also do landscaping and fencing. They can discuss the size and shape of your pool and ensure that it will fit nicely into your property. They will get all the necessary council permissions and then start building your concrete pool. All you have to do is watch and enjoy their daily progress.

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How to Get Paint Off Your Carpet

May 17, 2012 The Amateurs Digest 0

It happens. You are happily repainting your bedroom or living area and suddenly a big blob of paint falls off the roller or brush. Of course, you will have already covered the carpet carefully with a paint sheet or tarp, but somehow the paint still seems to get on the carpet through some tiny hole.  According to www.brilliancecleaning.com.au carpet cleaning is in order, but don’t clean the carpet as you would for ordinary dirt or spill.

Many people use water-based paint for their home these days because it is so easy to put on and clean up. And it is just as durable as oil based paint. But it is almost impossible to get out of the carpet, whether it has long or short fibres.  If you press that paint into the carpet with a cloth or kitchen paper towel, the colour will seep right through the fibres into the backing and never come out, meaning you’ll require a carpet repair patch for the damaged carpet.

Instead, use a damp cloth in each hand and hold the affected fibres at the base, below the paint blob, then gradually draw your fingers upwards so the excess paint is squeezed off the top of the fibres. Do this over and over with fresh towels or cloths until all the paint is removed. You need to do it immediately because if the paint dries even a bit, it will be almost impossible to get it out.

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landscape-design

How to Make Your Landscape Dreams Come True

March 24, 2012 The Amateurs Digest 0

Many people dream of having a beautifully landscaped area surrounding their home, but they just can’t seem to make it come true. This is mostly because they don’t have the time or the expertise to design something that will suit their home. landscape design is easy – for the right person. Someone who has been trained in creating a beautiful garden using all the many elements that are available, can bring your dreams to fruition.

A qualified professional understands what works and what does not and can also bring your lifestyle needs into the equation to create a garden that really suits the home and your needs as well. For instance, if you have little children, you will need to be careful about any water features you might want. Toddlers don’t understand the risk of falling in or how to get themselves out. But with older children you can find something larger and deeper for your water feature without having to worry.

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moving-the-furniture-when-renovating

How to Get Help Moving the Furniture When Renovating

July 18, 2011 The Amateurs Digest 0

There are many renovating jobs that are relatively simple and easy for a home handyman or woman to do. Often, the hardest part is in moving the furniture so you can get the job done without it being in the way. But not everyone is strong enough to lift furniture carefully. According to Brilliance Removalists Perth, even if you are not moving house, it is possible to hire professional removalists to come and shift the furniture for you.

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security-fencing

8 Advantages of Security Fencing

October 24, 2010 The Amateurs Digest 0

Security fencing is a necessary fact of life in most areas. The good news is that it doesn’t have to look ugly, but can enhance the look of your home and property rather like the frame of a beautiful picture. There are many different types of security fencing that will keep your home and property safe while still offering aesthetic value.

There are also many advantage of having such a fence around your property: –

  • No worries about theft. You won’t have to worry about a burglar sneaking in while you are away and taking your valuable assets or wrecking your home.
  • When you have secure fencing your insurance premiums could very well come down. Even car insurance is likely to be less when it becomes known that you don’t have to park out on the street.
  • These days you never know where vandals will pop up. Whether it is graffiti sprayed on walls, windows smashed or destruction of plants and garden furniture, you won’t have to worry about a thing once your fence is up.
  • Home invasion. Terrifying and dangerous, no one wants to suffer from a home invasion. Your security fence means that you won’t have to worry about this problem of modern living.

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