It’s planting time! Here are some tips on how and when to plant some household favourites:

Darling Point remains one of Sydney’s most aspirational real estate addresses. This refined inner city haven is prized for its gracious architecture, boutique peninsula setting and wonderfully convenient location just 3km from the CBD.

Live

Exceptionally convenient, Darling Point is flanked on its eastern side by the cosmopolitan shopping haven of Double Bay, with the nearby Edgecliff Centre providing a range of amenities and transport.

Love

A yachties’ paradise, it’s home to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYC) which annually hosts what is regarded as the toughest of the blue-water classics, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

At the northernmost tip of Darling Point, McKell Park is as picturesque as they come, while the section of Rushcutters Bay Park found along New Beach Road provides an intimate view back to the city, with incredible views of the New Years Eve fireworks. Darling Point is dedicated to elegant residences.

Sell

Gracious turn of the century mansion, terraces and apartment buildings share its tree-lined avenues, punctuated by inspired contemporary penthouses and some post-war apartment buildings. They all jostle for brilliant views of calm boat-filled bays, the city skyline, Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which seem so close as to be almost touchable.

Some truly landmark properties can be found here, most notable ‘The Swifts’, one of Sydney’s oldest estates, whose grand castle-like turrets and magnificent interiors have been restored by renowned heritage architects Clive Lucas Stapleton.

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.

Image Source

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!

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.

Slate roof

Heed the pigs’ warning

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.

Colourbond roof

Style – have you got it?

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?

Copper roof

Pick me!

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!