There’s been something of a resurgence in home landscaping in the wake of TV programs like The Block and Better Homes and Gardens, so why not join in the trend, and create a new feature like a gazebo?   An old-fashioned trend popular again Gazebos used to be something of a garden ‘folly’, or something you’d only […]

Given that increasing property prices are making home ownership a challenge for many young couples, saving on wedding costs in order to be able to put money towards a deposit makes good sense, and one way of doing that is to opt for a smaller wedding held at home.   Perhaps the family home has […]

  The big difference between indoor and outdoor furnishings is the impact the weather will have on them. But when entertaining under patio covers this is much less of a concern, especially with the addition of café blinds or a sidewall for windward protection. The dining table and chairs are the focal point of any outdoor room […]

  Quite common in our climate are the addition of patios and outdoor entertaining areas that get us out of the house during the warmer months. With that in mind, here are five modern ideas for your outdoor space that will make your dream home live up to your expectations.   Outdoor room extensions An outdoor […]

  An indoor grill will never match the flavor of cooking over coals or hardwood, but there are ways to make your barbecue experience taste like you’ve been cooking over burning embers. Here are eight smart ‘indoor/outdoor room’ barbecue ideas to create an earthy barbecue taste.   The lava rock grill This integrates electric or […]

Food: 1. Theme Buffet – You can choose a theme from Mexican to Tahitian, but follow it all the way through. Dips, finger food, roasted meat, seafood, salads galore, cakes and deserts… 2. Traditional BBQ – Don’t stick with the tried and true, have an adventure. Add Malaysian satay, skewers with extra flavour, or whole fish done in foil […]

1. Turn a wall into a canvas Put in some shelves with a few pots of paint or crayons, add some brushes and let your imagination fly. This is especially wonderful for your kids; just tell them that this is the one wall of the house that they can decorate, no holds barred. Once the […]

1. Spathiphyllum – commonly known as the peace lily. This is probably one of the most popular indoor plants around. It is available in both miniature and full-sized varieties, and is reasonably sturdy. It has dark glossy leaves, and tall white flowers. Don’t overwater it, and re-pot around every three years or so for best […]

Furnishing an outdoor room extension is now getting to be right up there in terms of style considerations too – ye olde timber picnic setting probably isn’t going to cut it any more! The range of options has exploded, so here are a few of the 2016 trends to incorporate into your outdoor space if you want […]