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)

Sydney’s eastern suburbs are home to some of the area’s best known attractions, including Bondi & Coogee Beach, Watson’s Bay, South Head and Nielsen Park. Here are some quick property facts of why the Eastern Suburbs is so sought after:

Source: http://www.lovethispic.com/image/59122/green-walls

LUSCIOUS and vibrant Green Walls evoke life, energy and exuberance. Welcome to a trend that will continue to grow (pardon the pun) and gain fans due to the sheer beauty and practicality of it. A recent trend, it has flourished in popularity and presence. The great thing about establishing a Green Wall is that you are only limited by your own imagination. So, visit nurseries, take a walk around your suburb and look through magazines for inspiration and get your green thumbs working.

How to get started

Source: http://tokyo-diy-gardening.org/category/garden-types/vertical-gardens/green-walls/

Any outside wall will do, even better if it’s an ugly wall you want to cover up! Think about the atmosphere you want to create, and just like the way you style the inside of your home, take into account the colours, dimensions and the infrastructure you have to work with.

DO plant evergreens. This will ensure your Green Wall stays green year round.
DON’T grow anything spiky or thorny. The last thing you want is to avoid being near your living wall for fear of being pricked!

Creating the perfect display

Before buying a lot of plants, think about the overall impression you want your Green Wall to exude. Are you after an edible garden? Maybe one that is fragrant? Flowering or low maintenance? Personally, I am not a fan of native plants and I don’t think they work well or look particularly attractive for a feature wall.

Succulents If you are looking for something hard, succulents are great and very low maintenance. They come in a variety of shapes and colours – some even flower!
FlowersJasmine is a great choice if you want a fragrant addition to your outdoor living areas: everybody loves the sweet scent of jasmine wafting through the night breeze!
Edible Another idea – one I truly love – is growing an edible Green Wall filled with all your favourite herbs. Basil, parsley, sage, coriander – whatever you use in your kitchen! There’s nothing more satisfying than snipping off some rosemary to add to your lamb roast or picking off a few mint leaves to throw into your mojito!

Adding other elements

source: http://www.greenovergrey.com/living-walls/overview.php

When you’re furnishing the inside of your house, it’s the extra touches that make a room complete. The same rule goes for your outdoor living area. Creating a Green Wall is not only about the living elements, but the added pieces that bring it all together.

THINK decorative pots and planters. Chose pieces with complementing textures, materials and colours. Wall mounted planters can blend in to create a seamless living artwork.
MIRRORS work well to add an extra dimension and produce a feeling of space.
LIGHTS can be both practical and whimsical introducing and allow you to enjoy your Green Wall at night. Be adventurous and inventive. Incorporate an element that is certain to be a talking (and selling) point for your home.

For more information and inspiration check out these websites:

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/green-roofs-and-walls
www.growinggreenguide.org
www.greenroofsaustralasia.com.au
www.greenroofs.org
www.greenvillages.com.au

PLUSH carpets, polished concrete, timber floors; where we tread says a lot about who and how we live in our homes. Not only do floors need to be functional – they are the most used surface in our homes – but they also need to be beautiful. Whatever floor covering you use, the most important thing to remember is that most are a permanent fixture! So choose wisely. As with every feature in your home, your flooring choices need to be aesthetically pleasing and tie in with the rest of your interior design choices.

Timber floors

Timber floors are probably the most popular choice of covering. They can be polished, stained, painted, lime washed – the choices are many. An added bonus with timber floors is the hygiene factor. Unlike porous surfaces, timber floors are easy to clean and easy to maintain. Floorboards are a favourite with families with young children.

DO ensure the floorboards have been sealed.
DON’T pull original boards out when renovating – often all they need is a buff and polish to restore them to their natural beauty.
REMEMBER you can always cover them with rugs in winter or to create a cosy room feel.

Polished Concrete

If you want to create that WOW factor, polished concrete floors certainly achieve that! But, concrete floors do not suit all types of houses – they look great in warehouse style home, not so much in terraces. Concrete floors also suit families.

DO use colour. They can be oxidised, polished, speckled. Use your imagination!
DON’T forget underfloor heating!
REMEMBER concrete floors are very expensive so have a long think before deciding on this surface.

Carpet and rugs

Nearly every home has some kind of plush floor covering; whether it’s wall-to-wall carpeting, room rugs or hall runners. They are a softening feature in a room and the designs, colour and texture options are virtually endless. You can create so many different looks and also quickly change the look of a room by either swapping a rug or taking it away in warmer weather. Hall runners can be very effective and make a bold statement. Sisals are a good choice.

DO get creative. Experiment with textures such as sea grass, use borders, try a Moroccan rug! Have fun and get as personal as you like. Linen edges add a touch of class or why not have a go at creating your own design.
DON’T forget to regularly vacuum and shampoo rugs and carpets. Not a popular choice for asthmatics and those with allergies.
REMEMBER carpets don’t need to be expensive. Keep the flooring in theme with your home.