WHEN we think about our earliest memories, more often than not the most vivid memories are when we were tugging at our mother’s apron strings. As clichéd as that sounds, for many that memory of looking up from toddler height at the kitchen bench with all the aromas, sounds and sneakily pilfered tasty morsels or licking the wooden spoon is priceless. As we grow, the experiences in the kitchen change; and as we have evolved so has the kitchen.

It’s not JUST a cooking room

Have you ever noticed how everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen? Is it the enticing smells that beckon hungry tummies or just the perfect place for a chin wag? Whatever the reason (or reasons) the kitchen is definitely the hub of a home. But this hasn’t always been the case. Kitchens – due to size – were JUST for cooking, almost separate from the rest of the house, easily closed off to hide the mess. But as kitchen sizes and homes have increased in size, the ‘uses’ of a kitchen have multiplied. In the last two decades, kitchens have morphed into living areas. It is a place to entertain, eat, study, and even as a room to show off design and trendy appliances. As kitchen sizes have grown, this trend has seen them open up into other rooms in the home. This ‘open plan living’ has been extremely popular and has benefited families, giving the feeling of space and flow. And, as a bonus, these bigger kitchens have become a boon for resale prices.

Does size matter?

From a real estate viewpoint, the answer is undoubtedly YES. The bigger the kitchen the better! And, for many it IS the most important room when selling. Families want to be able to know whether they can fit a dining table or an extended island. Due to our busy lifestyles, many people have workstations integrated in the room; more and more people have their computers and other technology within easy reach, even if only to keep an eye on the kids doing their homework!

Renovating do and don’ts!

In older homes, kitchens are much smaller, so take this into account when inspecting. However, this does not mean renovations can’t be undertaken. A point to consider is whether the kitchen can be opened up by removing any walls, thus incorporating eating/cooking/living areas. If this is not possible, there are many other ways to create space. The possibilities when designing a kitchen are seemingly endless and there are countless ways to make the most of the space you have. Visit an Ikea showroom if you don’t believe me! If you aren’t ready to undertake a full renovation, refreshing tired cupboard doors, old scratched benchtops and lack-lustre sinks can be done economically and produce fabulous results. And don’t forget to add your unique stamp – whether it’s an artwork or a rustic cookbook stand, the kitchen should always be a place of enticement!

Halloween has come and gone for 2014 but there are 5 house horrors to avoid when styling your home when selling:

You’d better not venture out on 31st October – you never know what will be lurking to eat your brains or cast a spell on you!

Halloween is one trend that has swept both young and old alike in its sheer whimsicality, and has gained popularity tremendously in Sydney in recent years. Originally an American tradition, we’ve adopted celebrating Halloween, and as we always do as Aussies, we’ve put our own twist on it! While it may not be as big on our shores, more communities are becoming involved in donning costumes, handing out lollies to trick-or-treaters and even dressing their homes up in the (ghoulish) spirit!

source http://joannaparypinski.com/2011/10/12/halloween-countdown-5-decorate-your-house/

As with all decorations (whether for Christmas, Easter, Halloween or other special events), keeping it tasteful and easy to remove is key. But, if you’re going to decorate your homes, do it properly!

DO use pumpkins and lights! They are charming and go well together.
DON’T use fake blood! It’s horrible.

It is lovely to see whole streets, neighbours coming together to celebrate and create some lovely memories. Events like these are not always about the actual day, but about building relationships within your community and given everyone a sense of belonging. And, ALWAYS dress up – whether you’re young or old!

And remember, while the kids LOVE lollies and chocolates, limit the number you give out. A good idea is to pre-prepare lolly bags so they’re not flying around on a sugar high until the early hours!

Look out for Morticia…. You never know who’s hiding under the wig!

HOW far would you go to get your child into the school of your dreams? More and more, families are selling their homes to move closer to both primary and secondary schools for their children. There are a number of reasons why this trend has increased dramatically over the last few years in the Eastern Suburbs, and as always there are a number of important factors to take into consideration.

The rise of the primary public school

A private school education has been an essential requirement for many families in the Eastern Suburbs, however in recent years, public schools in the primary years have become increasingly popular due to better academic results and quality of teaching. For example, in recent years, there has been a big push for real estate in Woollahra and Bondi for many families who want to be in the catchment area for Woollahra Public School and Bondi Public School. Competition to secure a place has definitely ramped up.

Travelling distance

Sydney’s public transport leaves much to be desired. Added to this, helicopter parenting and the numerous extra-curricular activities children do these days, having a school within easy driving or walking distance is a huge advantage. Families don’t want to spend their lives stuck in traffic or catching numerous buses/trains to get to school. So, to avoid this added headache, buying a home near to school is the perfect solution.

But isn’t it noisy living near a school?

When you really think about it, living near a school – at any point of your life – is a great idea. If you have school-aged children it’s perfect due to proximity. As children grow, the sound of children playing has been described as being delightful.

So how about the noise?

One thing people seem to forget is that school hours are only from 8:30am till 3:30pm weekdays. And, don’t forget school holidays; three term breaks and a huge six-week summer holiday. There are definitely more quiet times than noisy ones! Much better than living next door to a family with a teenager learning drums with a 15-piece drum kit!

Traffic congestion can be an issue, but again, it’s only for short peak periods – early morning and mid afternoon.

A sound real estate decision?

If you are looking to live near a school, the positives most definitely outweigh any negatives. Personally, I think it’s quite lovely for kids to walk to school and gain some independence. If buying near a school is a motivating factor for your family, then the Star Rating of how important a good school is when purchasing a home is 5 Stars.

A few great schools in the area:

St Catherine’s – Waverley
Cranbrook – Rose Bay
Sydney Grammar (live closer to city to be close)
Woollahra Public School (rated in top 10 public schools)