Renovating for profit can be a tricky business in a cooling market. But it’s more a science than an art if you know the pitfalls. Here are six common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not having a plan This obvious but common error is responsible for a host of renovating sins, from paying too much in […]
The lowdown on what people are really looking at when they wander through your home. If you’ve ever spent hours agonising over a light fitting, only to wonder if anyone other than you will notice it, listen up. Here’s just the study for you. Researchers have used eye-tracking technology to monitor where people look when
Board games Got a summer wedding on the horizon and racking your brain for a unique gift? This name engraved chopping (or cheese?) board is sure to win the clever present prize. www.dustandthings.com Special delivery Delight your little elf on Christmas morning with this personalised cotton-lined hessian sack, which will look like it’s come straight
You can ring my bell Fed up with bike bells that couldn’t be heard above the cacophony of traffic noise, two San Francisco cycling enthusiast engineers designed a new generation bell that emits a ring so powerful and enduring that it even cuts through earphones. This is practicality re-imagined in an elegant way. www.spurcycle.com Lock
Many Australians are embracing the convenience of apartment living and learning to lead a more compact life. No lawns to mow and less cleaning chalk up ticks, but what about coping with a small kitchen? You might think a tiny kitchen means up-sizing take-aways and down-sizing on dinner parties. But there are plenty of ways
Spot in a teacup Your morning cup of tea need never be a dull occasion with this little fella peering back at you. Swedish ceramicist Eleonor Bostrom hand makes her doggie teacups, making each one unique. www.thirddrawerdown.com Bean bag Celebrate your love of the humble baked bean with this quirky handbeaded clutch by Melbourne designer
Haven likes Since its launch in October 2010, more than 40 billion photos have been shared on Instagram and it now has more than 600 million users. The adage that a picture is worth a thousand words is perhaps why it’s a social media wunderkind – 95 million photos and videos are shared on the
Once, building or renovating was about creating a dream home. Now it is just as important to create a ‘green’ home. With a bit of thought and planning your house can be kinder to both the environment and your hip pocket. Before deciding what to tackle first in greening your home, it’s important to understand
Donate by definition Freerice is an online word definition game that donates 10 grains of rice to the hungry every time a player correctly defines a word. The rice is paid for by the website’s advertisers. The more people that play the game, the more advertising revenue, resulting in more food donations. The rice is
Mention interior designers and most people think glossy magazines, luxe fit-outs and big bucks. But interior designers are not necessarily expensive, and the right advice from the right style guru could add some panache and pizzazz to your décor for fewer dollars than you think. It’s as much about knowing who to use as it