EXPLORE all the trends – from styling to sell, the importance of art, the latest design trends, the iconic feature wall and many other ideas including what’s the latest out there…. This section will help you dress your home, throw new ideas at you and inspire you to experiment with “tried and tested” guidelines that I’m sure will arm you with the best advice to sell your property and enjoy life.
Food for Thought |
01.09.15 |
Foodie culture is no secret, so it’s unsurprising that these elements are creeping into apartment developments across cities, giving them extra flavour and spice, reports Jennifer Duke for Executive Style.
While barbecue areas have been common for some time, developers, designers and architects have become ever more creative. Here are five new communal features appearing in developments that foodies will love.
Teppanyaki Grill
This Japanese-inspired cooking method that uses an iron griddle to cook food in front of those eating has become the rage in restaurants across Australia.
Recently, Melbourne developments Ikebana and The Fifth have both incorporated the teppanyaki grill. This development includes high-end features, such as a karaoke lounge, landscaping by Jack Merlo, a fire pit, dining areas and the teppanyaki grill with seating around the outside and views onto the city.
Pizza Ovens
If there’s one type of cuisine Australians love is, it’s Italian. It will come as no surprise that the next feature making itself heard is the coveted pizza oven. Some buildings are now featuring a pizza oven and barbecue area on the rooftop.
In 2014, Australand’s Kingston Apartments in Western Australia won the “Medium Density” category from the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Awards for Excellence. The development included a lap pool, gym, cinema, barbecue and pizza oven. In Sydney’s Waterloo, Diversity includes a pizza oven and, strikingly, a Yakitori Bar.
Temperature-controlled wine cellar
There’s nothing better than a glass of wine to go with a new property purchase. A Melbourne development features a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with a steam room and conference facilities, and also includes a 10,000-bottle wine cellar in the basement that can also be used for wine-tasting events and functions. While many high-end developments are beginning to include individual wine cellars within penthouses, it’s still quite rare to see the communal cellar.
Celebrity chef designed communal kitchen
If rubbing shoulders with celebrity chefs is the dream of many foodies, then cooking in a kitchen specifically designed by a top chef is definitely next on the list. At 555 St Kilda Road, Melbourne a communal kitchen has been created that truly fits this description. Also on the 11th floor “Club Level” is a 16-person dining space, barbecue terrace, massage rooms and library. Those who would prefer Shannon Bennett to cook are apparently able to purchase packages that pay for him to come and do just that. It also includes a temperature-controlled wine storage area.
Herb, vegetable and fruit gardens
Living in an inner-city apartment shouldn’t mean a drought of fresh food and increasingly apartments are allowing residents to make the most of that just-picked experience. By including herb, vegetable and fruit gardens for apartment owners to make the most of, it’s urban gardening and a locavore foodie experience at its finest. A range of apartments now feature a rooftop vegetable and herb garden. Developer Small Giants have also included solar panels and have a background in sustainable developing.
Can’t help but wonder if the latest trend of reality TV food shows aren’t leading the way in this foodie revolution. Bon appétit!
Roofing Options |
28.08.15 |
We concentrate our energies on location, the number of rooms, lighting etc., but not so much the roof of a house. Obviously before buying a property, a thorough building inspection will reveal if there are any structural problems, but that’s usually the extent of interest when it comes to roofs.
Until, that is, you have to replace it. I recently had to replace my 150-year-old Welsh slate roof. It wasn’t until I was faced with this challenge that I realised how important it was to replace it with the same materials despite the huge expense. Not only did it mean that it ensured the house maintained the same value, but cosmetically, the new roof was integral to preserving the original look and feel of the house. I also knew that the money I had invested in the new roof added value to the property in the event that I decide to sell.
So what are some of the roofing options? Before making a rash decision, first you need to consider the style of your house. Once you have established this, then all other decisions will fall into place.
The three little pigs used straw, twigs and bricks to build their homes (and roofs). We all know which house survived the huff and puff of the big bad wolf! The materials used on a roof serve two purposes: practical protection and style. Focusing on the practicality, when choosing roofing materials your checklist should follow these questions: Will it sustain natural disasters such as bushfires or storms? How long will the roof last? Are the materials eco-friendly or recyclable? Does it meet council building codes? Could it be it too heavy for the existing roof framing?
Always use a professional for any roofing job and do your research before embarking on any major decisions.
You’d never wear a polka dot shirt with striped pants (well, you might, but I wouldn’t) so it is important your roof matches your house. Factors to consider include colour, materials and shapes. Also, take into consideration the era your house was built. For example a federation house wouldn’t have a colour bond roof, right?
What materials are there to choose from? Slate, concrete tiles, colour bond, metal, plastic polymers, clay, copper, wood are the main materials. When considering what to use, expense can play a big part in the decision, but this needs to be weighed up against longevity and durability. Environmental factors are very important (including considering the wildlife that live around your property.
Replacing a roof can seem daunting, but once it’s done, the beauty is you won’t have to think about it for a very long time! Take a walk around your neighbourhood and take notice of roofs, you may be pleasantly surprised!
External Lighting |
21.08.15 |
One of the most unappealing things when approaching a house is to be greeted by darkness. Not only does a lack of lighting make it difficult to see street numbers, but it can also be dangerous – tripping on steps or other obstacles in your path. Many people get caught up who the myriad of internal lighting options on offer, but external lighting is vital to complete the overall appearance of your home. Outdoor lighting has always been the domain of professional landscapers, but more commonly homeowners are choosing to take this task upon themselves with the hope of adding their own creative flair.
While there are always going to be certain trends that flood the market, just remember to trust your own judgement and stay true to your style. Here are just a few hot trends that are currently striking a chord with designers.
Forget those tacky solar powered stick-in-the-ground lights you buy from discount shops, solar powered lighting has evolved past those hideous things. The beauty about solar powered lighting is that it uses the sun to charge the batteries, therefore removing the need for any other power source while reducing electricity bills. That, in turn, makes it better for the environment. Spend some time researching and you’ll be amazed at what’s on offer. One of my favourites? Solar powered fairy string lights. They come in a variety of lengths and colours. Just be careful not to overdo the fairy lights! There’s a fine line between elegant and gaudy!
A great way to express your unique personality and style is through lighting that doesn’t play it safe. I’m not suggesting a screaming neon sign of a giant cat, but something a little eccentric and interesting is all the rage at the moment. Imagination is a powerful tool and you really can create a fun and unique setting with some attention-grabbing lighting.
I can’t speak highly enough of illuminated globes! They exude elegance, sophistication and opulence. You can pick up solar powered ones and also the regular battery operated variety – whichever suits your home. Globes add warm, pleasant lighting and an interesting texture to your outdoor areas. They also add an element of romance as they hum that gentle glow. Play with colours for added flair.
Lanterns make a bold statement and add a charming element to any garden. They come in so many different shapes and sizes and offer a welcoming, homely touch. Lanterns can set the theme to an outdoor setting, for example an English rose garden or a Japanese style rockery. Timeless and classy, strategically placed they ooze that inviting touch.
A well-lit outdoor area – whether it’s the entrance, the sides or the backyard – offer protection from wannabe intruders. Ensuring good lighting and strategic placement of lights – even sensors – as it is an especially crucial element when it comes to selling your property. Safety always is a high priority when it comes to attracting the right price.
Woollahra: Live, Love, Sell |
31.07.15 |
It has a double ‘O’ and a double ‘L’ in its name, but this leafy suburb also has the double WOW factor!
Only 5km east of the Sydney CBD, Woollahra is flanked by Bellevue Hill to the north, Bondi Beach to the east, Centennial Park to the south and Paddington and Edgecliff to the west. With a population of just over 7,700, it’s a fashionable suburb for young professionals as well as families.
Once you learn how to spell Woollahra (an Aboriginal word that means ‘camp’ or ‘meeting ground’) you will soon discover just how much this highly desirable suburb has to offer!
The local know how special their suburb is, but for the rest of Sydney, it’s a hidden treasure. One standout feature is the architecture. As well as the high number of heritage listed homes, you will discover a mixture of picturesque Federation and Victorian style homes. This heritage character of the area has been maintained due to the limit of high-rise development. The tree-lined streets are a defining aspect of Woollahra, and year-round the natural beauty is on show for all to see. If you’re an avid fan of mid-1800s architecture, spend an afternoon walking though the suburb. You’re sure to discover some gems.
Woollahra is also home to a number of consulates including Turkish, Serbian, Swiss and Lebanese. It’s worth walking past these impressive residences.
When visiting Woollahra, many people comment on the lovely village style atmosphere. There are trendy cafes and top-notch restaurants, galleries, glamorous boutiques and antique shops to meander through. But, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find pristine bushwalks in both Trumper & Cooper Parks and of course Centennial Park on the doorstep.
Woollahra also has one public primary school, which opened in 1877, and a few beautiful churches, including the heritage listed All Saints in Ocean Street that was designed by Edmund Blacket and completed in 1881.
Public transport is easy to access, but the beauty of Woollahra is its accessibility to neighbouring suburbs and nearly all conveniences by foot.
Due to its charming qualities, proximity to the CBD and its history, properties do not stay long on the market in Woollahra!
SELLING homes is not just a career; it is an art form – one that is carefully honed over years of life experience and knowledge. And, I can proudly say, that I still absolutely love what I do – day in, day out.
For over 30 years, I have immersed myself in real estate and have built an untarnished reputation in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, among my peers and with my clients – many of who are my friends. People say I exude positivity, and I accept this as the highest compliment.
