Styling to sell is a skill best left to the professionals. Check out this before and after transformation of a home staged property by Stagency, which sold at auction.
My parents recently sold their house at auction, which set a new record in 2019 for a single storey home in their area.
Way back when mum and dad had decided to downsize their home, they had asked who I recommended to style their home to sell.
I had no hesitation in recommending Mel from Stagency. I had recommended her services to friends who had sold their house after one consultation. I’ve even written about Stagency before on the blog.
What is a Home Staged Property?
Home staging is styling a home to sell. Basically all personal belongings and furniture from the current owners are removed and replaced with furniture and décor that will appeal to a broad range of buyers.
Having seen the process my parents went through in getting their home staged, it’s not just about the furniture.
It includes a consultation from a property stylist who looks at your house from the perspective of a buyer. How can more value be added to the home? How can the home be presented in the best light to draw emotional bids from buyers? What’s going to elevate this home so it photographs well when the property is listed online? Photos speak a thousand words to buyers and a well styled home is going to attract a lot of interest.
Work behind the scenes
My parents did a lot of work to create a clean slate for Mel to work with. Mel gave my dad directions on what would work best, and my dad went to work. Property stylists can have their own tradies to call on if the current owners aren’t handy, but dad being a tradie, he was able to remove shelves, fill gaps in walls, sand the walls and paint the walls and architraves to freshen the space to a clean palette.
The timber floor was sanded and refinished.
Windows were cleaned, lightbulbs were changed and bathrooms were deep cleaned.
Mum decluttered like crazy. She sold items on Facebook marketplace, had a garage sale and then donated the rest to charity.
The before photos are not a reflection of how my parents live as they were taken in the middle of their decluttering and packing efforts.
But as you can see from the photos below, the before and after transformation is incredible. All the hard work paid off with the property being sold at auction.
Styling to Sell – The Before and After Transformation
Master Bedroom
Master bedroom beforeMaster bedroom after
Storage Room Converted to Study
Storage room beforeStorage room after – converted to study
Home Office Converted to Large Bedroom
Home office beforeLarge bedroom after
Dining and Kitchen
Dining and Kitchen beforeDining and Kitchen after
Living Room
Living Room beforeLiving Room after
Media Room
Media Room beforeMedia Room after
If you have a stale listing where your house has been on the market for a while and you haven’t been able to secure interest, call Stagency. Or maybe you need to get your house sold quickly without fire selling at a lower price, contact Stagency.
Styling to sell is their specialty, and the proof can be seen in the photos.
Last week I had an exciting opportunity to offer bathroom renovation advice for a big interior magazine (which not so quietly, I’m really excited about). I’m in my zone when I’m asked plumbing advice. Anyway, one of the questions asked was about recessed toilet cisterns. Are they dearer than a normal toilet suite and what should renovators look out for if they choose to install one of these toilet suites?
To firstly explain… a recessed/induct/ concealed toilet cistern is one where the top tank part of the toilet is installed in the wall or behind a cabinet/cavity, and only the buttons are exposed on the tile wall. Often they can be hidden in void.
The cistern is concealed behind the wall and can be accessed through the button panel for maintenance. Often these types of cisterns are popular in high rise public bathrooms or apartments, where a void is available for the plumber to service the cistern when needed. We installed many of these toilets in the Brisbane CBD high rises.
It’s a modern look. The buttons are usually stainless steel which offers a stylish look for the interior of your bathroom. With different tap finishes like matte black and brass becoming popular, the buttons and plates can usually be ordered to match tapware for a unified look.
Should you ever need to replace the toilet cistern, this becomes difficult because of the tiled wall. Having a wall void or access for the plumber to get behind the wall works around this.
2. They can be expensive
They can be more expensive to purchase than a typical tank toilet cistern as they aren’t as popular as the normal toilet suites. Although their surge in popularity of late is making them more affordable. Often the buttons aren’t included in the cistern price either. They are extra. Installation costs may be a little more as it needs to be roughed in before the walls are sheeted and tiled.
You can’t manually fill the toilet cistern if the water is turned off to your property and you need to flush the toilet. Alternatively, you can use a bucket of water to flush down the toilet pan if the situation is dire.
4. Not easy to turn the water off to the cistern
For the homeowner, it can be hard to turn the water off to the cistern as it’s not readily seen, unlike your typical toilet suite where the tap is beneath the cistern or inside the top under the lid.
5. Must be installed with specific toilet pans
The cisterns often require a wall faced pan or wall hung pan, which requires a bracket to not only hold the pan in place, but to also ensure it can carry the weight of the person sitting on the toilet suite. Sometimes the installation of this bracket can incur extra labour costs for installation.
Concealed cisterns work best in bathroom renovations where all the walls have been removed and the space is back down to the stud work, or in brand new house builds.
Choose a well-known brand of concealed cistern as opposed to a cheap non-brand. It may be hard to find parts for the unknown brand in the future.
Concealed cisterns are becoming a more popular choice for toilet suites. With this becoming the case, we may see the supply costs decrease as the manufacture of these suites increases.
Do you like the concealed toilet cistern look? Or just happy to sit on a toilet that flushes?
When Jacob and I bought our current home, we had intentions to increase curb appeal at the front door through the use of potted plants.
But some projects never get started for years because of other financial commitments or you start having babies and there is no time to DIY because you’re now in the depths of raising kids.
Curb appeal is important for all homes. It gives the home character and it’s a chance to welcome guests before you personally greet them at the door. We got around to updating our front door area last year as I pitched it as an idea to Handyman Magazine. I will share how we went about the project in a different post.
The entrance to most homes in Australia is through the front door, which often faces the street. The front door is the ideal place to add some curb appeal. There are many ways to increase curb appeal at the front door and I have got some tips and examples to show below.
This project doesn’t need to be expensive, but it can certainly change the way your home looks to the world.
1. Install a feature door
How stunning is this entrance? The door is gorgeous and I love the added décor of the pot plant and welcome mat.
If you have an old Queenslander that has a name or your just want to name your house, add a name plaque. I love how Lavender Blue Cottage has mixed tones of blue and grey. It works beautifully with the name itself.
Most definitely my favourite way to update the front door is by painting it. The sky is the limit on the colour as you can see from the examples below.
The most popular way to add plants is to place one either side of the door. It’s an affordable approach if you’re not keen to paint or make other cosmetic enhancements.
Wall hung vanities are a popular choice in contemporary bathrooms. They appeal to many and can fit in with many interior styles as they can create the illusion of space.
They can also be easy to clean underneath, although a vanity that sits on the floor removes the need to clean under it. And depending on how low the vanity floats, will determine whether the space underneath becomes a house for dust and hair.
While they are a great option to create a modern aesthetic in your bathroom, there are some points to consider when choosing this style of vanity.
Here are 5 things you need to know when choosing wall hung vanities
1. Decide on if you want a wall hung vanity before demo begins
Before the bathroom renovation or new build begins, your builder and plumber will need to know at the start whether you are choosing to use a wall hung or floor standing vanity.
2. Give specs and measurements to your builder and plumber
Once you’ve decided on a wall hung vanity, you need to tell the builder the measurements of the vanity and how high you would like it to be installed. The measurements are important for the builder to ensure the studs are in the wall to hold and float the vanity off the floor.
3. Consider the waste – it must come through the wall, not the floor.
The waste will need to come through the wall and not the floor. This is why your plumber needs to know the size of the vanity and necessary height and width measurements so the water and waste pipes can be installed accordingly in the wall. If the services come through the floor, they can be boxed in but this removes the illusion of the vanity floating off the floor.
4. You will have less storage
A wall hung vanity will have less storage space than a floor standing vanity. The wall hung vanity can be made longer to accommodate more storage space, but you may need to consider adding shelves if storage is an issue.
5. Consider pipe materials if you opt for a floating shelf vanity
For exposed shelving, use a bottle trap to conceal the waste. You can also use chrome pipework, but this will add dollars to your renovation. Talk to your plumber for advice on a visual pleasing, yet affordable approach.
Attending the event cost $35, and we were given the bottles, ingredients and recipes to make our own cleaners.
At the event I learned how to make
All Purpose Surface Spray
Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Pods (bath bombs that clean the toilet bowl)
Soft Scrub (abrasive cleaner)
Foaming Hand Wash
When Jacob and I were newlyweds, I went about making my own cleaners using a recipe I found on Simple Savings. I saved a lot of money, but I was dubious on its effectiveness as I would get streaks, which was not ideal.
When kids came along and convenience was needed, I swapped back to the store bought cleaners. I’ve even used cleaners which have been dubbed ‘eco-friendly’.
Why make my own cleaners?
I’ve become motivated to make my own cleaners for a few reasons.
The first is to stop ongoing landfill of empty cleaning bottles bought from store.
The second is to find cheaper alternatives.
The third is to find different uses for my collection of oils. Now that I have a near complete set, I want to use them more around my home.
The fourth reason is to limit fumes and toxins that may be in my home because I’ve bought these store bought cleaners. Also, I want to prevent harmful cleaners flushed down the toilet or down the drain.
The only thing preventing me from making the cleaners was getting the ingredients, bottles and having the time.
I was meant to do some social media work on Monday night and saw an advertised event for a Low-Tox Cleaning Make & Take. It was at a timeslot I could attend. So I booked it and I’m glad I did.
After making my products, I used them at home straight away. I cleaned the toilet first. Ha! Of course! I am very happy with the scent and results.
Next I was given a sample of soapberries, which I have read a lot about after doing the washing powder experiment with the Today show.
I was impressed with the results of the washing too after putting a full load on. I did add lavender infused vinegar during the rinse cycle because I do like a bit of scent on my clothes. I will write more about these after I use them more. I’ve nearly run out of my bulk-buy laundry powder so I’m thinking of going with the berries next.
Now that I’ve been to the event, it’s given me the motivation to convert many of my cleaning practices to low-tox.
This post has been written in collaboration with MyPicture.com.au
The interior of your home should be a reflection of what you love. I’m a big believer in having memories out on display to personalise your home interior and make it your own.
While there is a place for the display or staged homes, it’s important to understand they are styled to attract the masses. They are not a true reflection of the owner’s style.
Our homes should be laden with photos, sentimental keepsakes and individualized décor, which personify ourselves – the people who live in the home.
If you’re looking for some affordable ways to personalise your home, here are some ideas from MyPicture.com.au.
1. Create a gallery wall of memories
I love gallery walls, but a collection of memories turned into a gallery wall is an effective way to display your personal style through captured moments.
Turn a recent family holiday into a story, projected on the wall through photo canvas prints. Each photo can offer a glimpse into a happy moment of time. The collection can draw emotion into a space and is a simple way to add a personal touch to your home.
2. Use your own photography as wall art
In a world where wall art can be mass produced, using your own photography to feature as wall art is an effortless and affordable way to personalise the walls of your home.
Square photos from your Instagram account can be turned into collection of pixel canvas squares, to fill a blank wall.
If a gallery wall is not your thing, use a bookshelf to display framed photos with artwork. This leads well to rental properties, when hanging art on the walls may not be possible. Lean the framed photos against the wall instead.
3. Create sentimental keepsakes for display
Sentimental keepsakes often become heirlooms passed on through the family generations. Not everyone likes to have photos on textiles, but for a family member making their home away from home, a cosy blanket with a family photo can be a safe haven in the bedroom or living room.
Even a portrait of a beloved pet can adorn a cushion and be intermixed with neutral cushions for a quirky and individualized look.
How do you use photos to personalise your home interior?
Disclosure: This post has been written in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
Last Friday, we braved the first day of the Ekka. It took a bit of planning to attend the Ekka on a budget and I thought I’d share some tips and tricks from our day out. You could buy the cheapest Bertie Beetle Bag, not do the rides and games and pack your own lunch. But the purpose of this post is to share how to enjoy all the EKKA has to offer, so you don’t miss out on some of the favourites – even though they may not be the most thriftiest of experiences.
I love the EKKA, but it’s certainly changed from my younger years. The first day used to be a Thursday. And our family would attend the first Friday, often attending in the early afternoon.
I will never forget one Friday when I was in grade nine math class and the teacher got a call. She told me to head to the school office because my mum was waiting to pick me and my brother up to go to the EKKA. You can imagine the jealousy from my classmates when my teacher announced it to the class.
I still think the first Friday is the best day to attend, but I hear Tuesday has double deals for rides and games.
If you’re planning a full day at the Ekka, wear comfy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and layers because it gets hot in the middle of the day, and cool when sitting in the main arena for the fireworks.
Everyone had a backpack which carried a water bottle with water in it, their jacket and purse for change. I also put temporary tattoos on the kids from Kids Tags, so if any of the kids got lost and couldn’t remember our number, they had it on their arm. The Police do offer arm bands but from experience going on excursions with kids, the armbands can come off.
Buying Ekka Tickets
I always pre-purchased our tickets from RACQ. I saw this year Woolies also had discounted tickets to the EKKA. Always pre-purchase your Ekka tickets before you go so you have more money to spend at the EKKA. You will need it.
Alternatively, sign up to the EKKA newsletter as the EKKA will email you special deals MONTHS before the actual event. Back in April, I got an email saying the first 5000 tickets were half price. I jumped onto that deal straight away. For our family of 5, it would have cost us a $100 entry fee. Buying our tickets half price meant we got in for $50. I also bought a rides card with $50 credit for $45. This allowed for the kids to have two rides each and parents one ride each to accompany one kid who couldn’t ride on their own.
Parking
We ummed and aahed about public transport. I would have had to have bought 4 go cards though. We decided to park instead and could park at the Metro for $30 all day, providing we pre-booked. We didn’t pre-book. But upon entry, we were given a flyer and told to pay online and enter the five digit pin on exit. I would pre-book your Ekka parking before you leave home to ensure you score the cheap deal. It costs $64 all day if you don’t pre-book.
FREE Activities
The RACQ Nursery was a lot of fun. It’s free to enter, but if you want to feed the animals it’s $2 per cup of feed and $5 for 3 cups. We only got 2 cups because not everyone in the family wanted to feed or touch the animals.
Get your own RACQ number plate. The girls thought this would be cool, until the power went out and we were waiting in line in the sun. The RACQ staff were handing out little bottles of suncream and hat visers. The number plate is a free item you could get as a memento of your time at the EKKA.
Fashion Show
Loved seeing the local labels like Jericho Road, White Label Noba and Maiochhi on the runway.
The girls got to have their photo taken after the event with some of the models. Poor Phoebe was a bit shy because the male model in the photo had his shirt open and off during the show.
‘Seriously?! Who does that?’ our five year old remarked, much to the amusement of myself and other parents sitting in front of us.
Read the News at Channel 7
The Channel 7 news area has some great photo opportunities. The girls loved sharing what they loved about the EKKA (You can check out their cute video here). You can win a great day out if your photo is chosen from the thousands who take the same image using the props. There is also a chance to win tickets to the final of Australia’s Got Talent.
Walk around the displays
I love looking at the artwork, photography, cakes and crafts. So many talented people out there. Not many food displays which I remember used to fill a hall with their designs. Only 4 entries this year. I’m not sure if the drought is the cause of this?
Free Water
Fill your water bottle for free at the QLD Urban Utilities display. Didn’t bring a water bottle? There are free water bottles given to you so you can fill one when you’re there.
Food
I’m not the type of mum who packs a lunchbox to the EKKA. Experiencing the food at the EKKA is part of the fun of going to the show. But it will cost you. I was surprised at the amount of different types of foods available. The Woolworths Pavillion has an array of budget friendly foods to choose from. Not much in the way of taste testing though. But there are ways to taste some of the fare for $5.
Mini hot dogs could be purchased for $2.50
Lemon Myrtle and Macadamia ice cream for $5.00 a cup (so delicious!)
Cheese toasties for $3
Cheese and Salami cone for $5
Oops a bit out of focus but this was one of the $5 cones with cheese and salami
In the main alley behind the main ring arena, there were plenty of food vans for choice.
The girls wanted churros. These were $5 each for a long stick
Strawberry ice-creams are an EKKA favourite. Can’t remember what I paid each for these as by this stage I was paywaving it.
Dagwood Dogs were $7 each
Drinks were $5 per bottle (Glad we had our water bottles!)
The EKKA food makes it easy to graze all day, but you could easily spend $100 on food for a family of 5. At night, the kids ate hot chips and chocolates from their Showbags. As long as they weren’t hungry, I was alright with this. It was by this time I had my migraine coming on.
Showbags
The girls used their pocket money to buy showbags. Back in my younger years, the expensive bags were $10. Now, they average around $28! We had pre-decided what bags to get before we went to the EKKA, but it was interesting to see the girls change their minds when they actually saw up close what was in them. They chose really well considering what was on offer. Grandparents also gave money towards the bags so this allowed for two to three bags each, working within their budget.
Our favourites were the
$15 Bertie Beetle Bag (has 50 Bertie Beetles in it)
$5 Trolli Bag
3 for $12 Cadbury Bags – Curly Wurly, Caramello Koala and Furry Friends
The Hatchimals Bag
Shopkins Bag
Jojo Siwa Bag
Girls Only
Nella the Knight
We so aren’t a family of girls are we?!
Rides
Rides are around $10 per ride per person. Sometimes you could get a special deal of 2 for $15. We chose the dodgem cars and some Rock N Roll car ride which looked innocent until I was on it and realised it also went backwards. #spewville
Our $45 ride card came in handy here.
To Game or Not to Game
We did let the girls play two games each. It cost us $41 and they all walked away with a soft plush prize. One also walked away with a slinky. It’s the thrill and skill which excites the girls. Only choose games where every child gets a prize. If money is lost on one game, the Showbag arena offers a selection of stuffed toys for under $10 – so this may be an alternative. We played our games in the Kids Carnival section (not at Sideshow Alley)
Exhibitors
There are so many exhibitors you could purchase items from! But just because you’re at the EKKA doesn’t mean you need to buy then and there. Take a brochure and buy the items at a different time – like for Birthdays and Christmas. I know the girls want socks from MadMia. I will get them another time for Christmas. Same with Tea Tonic for myself.
You can hire lockers at Side Show alley near the show bag pavilion, but it was the opposite section of where we parked and I didn’t see the point in walking back and forth.
My top tips for taking the family to the EKKA on a budget is to
Pre-purchase what you can
Plan your trip (what you want to see, do and buy in the way of showbags)
Take a water bottle and fill it there
Let the Showbags provide your snacks throughout the day
Do as much of the free stuff (shows and displays) as possible to fill your day
The EKKA is a great day/afternoon/night out. I think of spending money at the EKKA as a way to give back to the small family run businesses that set up shop to show off what they’ve grown/made/prepared. From the Churros, to the Strawberry Ice Cream to the locally grown or prepared gourmet food you chow down throughout the day, the money is helping another family business flourish or is donated to charity which helps others.
What tips can you give for going to the Ekka on a budget?
The main bathroom of a home is often the family bathroom. It’s the bathroom which gets the most traffic from most of the family members – generally the children.
To keep a family bathroom functional, it needs to be a space well thought out in design and features. The space needs to grow through the stages of family life.
Kids grow and their desire to stay in the bathroom longer will increase as they get older (hello tween/teenager years). Installing low cabinetry and scald-proof tapware may be great in the early years, but once the kids get older, it may become frustrating.
These tips are to help you make the best choices for your main bathroom to ensure it’s a practical space for all to use. You may not be able to invest in all of these tips and you may differ in opinion with some of my suggestions. But if you want a functional family bathroom, here are some tips from the planning and renovation phase, to making do with what you have and ensuring it’s practical for little people to use.
1. Invest in an ensuite
One of the most practical tips in ensuring the functionality of a family bathroom is having less people use it at once. An ensuite offers a couples only retreat for parents and it also minimizes the traffic in the main bathroom.
2. Have a separate toilet from the main bathroom
A separate toilet means someone can be in the toilet, while another can be in the main bathroom using the vanity/bath/shower. Washing hands can be somewhat difficult for this design. Consider turning the toilet into a powder room with its own wash basin or have a hand sanitizer pump.
3. Include a shower and bath
A bath is necessary in the early years when bathing kids. You can wash a few kids at once in the one bath – providing there hasn’t been a code brown. As the kids get older, they will want to shower on their own. Having a shower and bath in a bathroom is ideal for re-sale value. Combine the shower and bath if you’re limited on space.
4. Get a vanity with the best storage and maximum bench space as possible
Wall hung vanities are sleek and modern, but they don’t offer much storage, which is necessary in a family bathroom. Wall hung vanities do allow for a stool to be stored underneath them though. When looking for a vanity for the family bathroom, avoid timber. Kids leave water on benches and splashes will make your vanity look older and worn out in a short amount of time.
5. Have a double basin
If you have the space, invest in a double basin. Two kids can brush their teeth at once.
6. Ensure taps have easy turn handles with anti-scald
Mixer taps are easy for kids to turn on and off, but they can cause hot water burns if left turned towards the hot side. The chances of this happening are minimal as hot water units should be tempered to 50 degress. You can also get anti-scald taps for extra safety.
Hob mounted hot and cold water taps can prevent scalding, but they can be hard for kids to turn on and off, resulting in a dripping tap = water down the drain and a higher water bill.
There are pros and cons for both.
7. Get a toddler and adult combined toilet seat for toilet training
This is ideal for swapping the toilet seat when toilet training. Saves having to install the ladder toilet training seat option.
8. Install a soft-close toilet seat to prevent toilet seat slamming down when in use
Toilet seats can crack if they are slammed shut. The soft-close option can prevent this.
Kids don’t understand the cost of water. Place water saving aerators on the basin spout only. The bath spout needs to flow faster for when filling up the bath.
10. Install a restricted shower head
When the kids have a long shower, you can still limit their water use through a water saving shower head.
11. Have a built in bath to allow for a ledge for toys and bath products
Freestanding baths are an ideal feature and can work in family bathrooms. Often they are very deep. Built in baths work better for family life and can allow for a ledge which is great for storage.
Some bathrooms are now being installed without a floor waste in Australia. For the main bathroom, having a floor waste or wet bathroom can ensure water flows towards a drain if a tap is accidentally left on.
14. Have inset basins
Semi-recessed basins jut out and can cause little kids to bump their heads. Overmount basins or inset basins are ideal for cleanliness and ease of use.
15. Have a stool
A stool allows for little people to reach the vanity basin to wash their hands and clean their teeth.
16. Have eye-level high storage for medicines and makeup
This one is self-explanatory. Unless you’ve never had a kid raid your makeup and Picasso it on the carpet and walls. Medicines should be kept out of reach too.
17. Invest in extra towel rails
Family bathrooms need extra towel rails for all the towels to be hung. Get a portable towel rail if you don’t have wall space to hang another rail.
Kids splash water everywhere when having a bath, and you don’t want this to create a slip and slide effect in the bathroom.
19. Opt for minimal glass in the shower
A shower enclosure works well for cleanliness, but also prevents breakages caused from the slamming of a glass shower door. A glass screen door can prevent water spray in the bathroom though, as kids do like to make a splash in the bathroom. If you do opt for minimal glass, ensure there is adequate fall and drainage for the water.
20. Don’t install the mirror too high
Opt to have the mirror above the splashback. This ensures everyone can see themselves in the mirror – even with a stool.
Hand towels should be hung at waist height where kids can reach to dry hands.
22. Have an exhaust fan
Multiple bodies and a hot bath can cause the bathroom to become a humid environment. Install an exhaust fan to remove moisture from the bathroom.
23. Allow for natural light and air flow
Position the bathroom to have maximum light from a skylight or window. A window can also allow air into the bathroom. Less need for turning on a light.
The opportunity to be filmed whether for TV or video is exciting. But when film day comes around, I question why I said yes in the first place.
I converse and rehearse in my head possible answers to the questions I’ll be asked. I pray I won’t get tongue tied or get my sayings mixed up. I’m known to say common sayings the wrong way around.
Like grab a bull by its balls. Apparently it should be by its horns.
Or ‘You’ve got that up your arsenal’. Legitimately told this to a customer on the phone when explaining a way to save money on their insurance. The customer asked me to repeat what I said as it literally sounded like ‘You’ve got that up your arse -e-nal.’ What I really meant and probably should have said was, ‘you’ve got that up your sleeve.’
The Today Show was easy. It was just me being a mum with three kids, participating in a trial to wash clothes. I do this every day. It was normal life being played out on screen. A mini interview thrown in the mix too.
But I had to do another video last Monday. This time it was for an internal video for work. It will be shown to all the leaders within our company, Australia wide. The camera was on me and the filming went for an hour.
Afterwards I doubted myself on how I came across and did I say the right things? I was assured it was all great and they had enough footage for the 3 minute video. They were also interviewing other employees so I really had nothing to worry about. I will probably only have a sentence or two included in the video.
It was after filming, I had to sign a talent release form. My signature has become appalling over the years. I blame having to sign all the documents and parent consent forms after having three kids. My hand is tired and my signature shows it.
The interviewer commented on my signature and said, ‘That signature can be easily forged. You’ll have to change that when you become CEO.’
I stopped for a moment to consider what he said.
‘You think I could be CEO of here one day?’ I questioned.
‘Well, why not?’ was the reply.
I walked out of our city office with a smile on my face, a slight spring in my step because the interview was finished. But there was also a little ember which ignited inside me.
A small spark of hope.
A thought which had never crossed my mind.
A possibility which could become a reality if I really really wanted it and worked for it.
Titles have never motivated me. Position has never been something I’ve strived to achieve.
After working as an employee, in our family business and for myself, a title can be created instantly to sound more important than it is. Heck I’ve even jumped on a phone call and introduced myself as a leader, even though I wasn’t, to help a poor trainee deal with a customer who wouldn’t leave her alone.
But when I became a mum and I started my plumbing blog and was offered freelance writing work, which has always come to me through word-of-mouth, things haven’t always gone smoothly. I navigated changes to be the mum I wanted to be to my kids, and with that I stopped thinking big because I just wanted to ‘get by’ with what I got.
I have no doubt there are struggles whatever path we choose. I’m not naïve to think all paths are smoother than others. And I honestly wouldn’t change many of the things I’ve done since having children, however, that day after filming I realised I’d been dreaming small. So small. I’d never considered myself as CEO material. Other people. Other women even. But not me.
And so the questions I’ve conversed in my head recently are Would I? Could I? Should I?
I’ve talked to Jacob about future possibilities. Options for when the girls are all in school. When they’re older a bit more independent.
It really comes down to one thing for me at the moment and that is flexibility. Would I hate missing the kids on their sports days and excursions? What would it be like to have a job during the week and have my weekends and nights free again?
I don’t have the answer, but what I do know is it’s time to stop thinking small and dream bigger. It’s time to write a new list of 100 dreams. It’s time to write them down and really pray for wisdom in knowing what the next step may be.
Life can change in an instant, and while I’m content and comfortable in my current position, it’s not mean to be my resting place.
I recently read a devotional by Joyce Meyer which coincidentally confirmed my recent thoughts.
Based on Ephesians 3:20, the last sentence of the devotion said this
“Some of us are not believing for enough. We need to stretch our faith into new realms. We need to be uncommon people with uncommon goals.” Joyce Meyer
When was the last time you dreamed big? Have you ever written down your dreams and read them over? What puts a fire in your heart? What is something impossible you’d love to see become possible in your life?
I’m believing Ephesians 3:20 over my life and yours.
“God can do anything you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” The Message.
This bathroom tip has saved my sanity when it comes to towels and the frustrating bickering that comes when someone uses the wrong towel. Colour code kids bath towels so you know who uses which towel. This also helps knowing who has left their towel on the floor. It brings responsibility to each child as they look after their own towel and ensures it is hung up after use.
And if not… well they have a wet towel to use next time.
Since the girls have been babies, we have used the neutral white and beige towels we received from my first baby shower (over 10 years ago).
But it’s meant no one has known who has used which towel and scenes like this have meant more towels have been used, unnecessarily. Which means more washing.
The white towels had started to become thin and some had green paint on them from a paint explosion which never washed out. (Don’t ask)
When I got my Spotlight brochure in the junk mail, I found the towels I wanted for the kids’ bathroom.
I took the girls to Spotlight and told them to choose the colour they liked best from the pattern I liked best.
Esther chose gold, Maggie chose ink and Phoebe chose silver. The colours are actually mustard, navy blue and grey… but sometimes you have to be over descriptive to get the team onboard.
The girls love their spotty towels.
So far, colour coding their towels has worked really well. The towels are great quality for the price I paid for them. They add an element of fun to the bathroom, without looking overrun by kids… which the bath looks like anyway with all the random toys.
Colour coding the kids bath towels has worked well for our girls. Whether you choose a fun pattern or bright colours, get the kids involved in choosing their towel.
Here are some modern designs that can lift your bathroom. The key is finding a pattern with enough colours for all the kids in your family. You could intermix the towels with patterns and colours which match together too to ensure everyone has a different towel.
A navy blue bathroom vanity is a sure way to add colour to the bathroom, without it being too bold on the eye.
Its popularity in bathrooms has soared over the past year and it is a common search for bathroom inspiration on Pinterest.
Navy is the perfect choice if black or grey are too opaque for your liking.
A navy blue bathroom vanity can create a focal point in an all-white bathroom. It can also balance a bathroom with a navy and white floor tile to create a cohesive look.
Navy lends itself well to colour too. Think blush pink, hot pink, mustard, red and even turquoise green.
The most popular bathroom styles which embrace a navy vanity is Hamptons, Coastal, Moroccan, Farmhouse, Heritage or Traditional style bathrooms.
But it can work well with a Modern Contemporary bathroom, embracing trending taps and fixtures like brass and matte black.
Custom built cabinetry will always offer a quality product, but a slick of navy blue paint and some new handles can instantly update a chest or buffet converted to a bathroom vanity.
Here are some fabulous navy blue bathroom vanity ideas
1. Moroccan accents with the arched mirror and floor tiles contrast beautifully with this navy cabinetry.
Why is it, when you need to find something in particular for your kids, it cannot be found again when you need it? This happened to me recently when I needed tweezers to get a splinter out of Maggie’s finger.
I swore I had seen the tweezers in our bathroom. But I couldn’t find them and who knows where they’ve ended up when kids like to take things that aren’t theirs.
Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I find the small necessary items like bobby pins, hair clips, nail clippers, scissors and tweezers seem to float around the house and who knows where they will land.
Not anymore.
This bathroom drawer magnetic strip hack will help you keep these items in the one place.
You can buy a roll for $9 from Bunnings (aisle 44 in the hardware section FYI) and you will be organising your drawers like a Marie Kondo ninja!
All you need to do is clean your surface where you wish to apply the tape.
Cut the tape to length, remove the backing and stick in place.
It will literally take you a few seconds to install.
Finding the bobby pins, hair clips, nail clippers, tweezers and other metallic essentials to put on the magnetic strip may take longer.
You can add safety pins, school clips, nail scissors (not for us as one daughter is still growing out her fringe from ‘trimming’ her own hair!) and even the allen keys for your tapware.
This bathroom drawer magnetic strip hack will cost you less than $10. And the length is long enough to apply to your kitchen cupboards, fridge… anywhere that needs a bit of organising.
Have you tried the bathroom drawer magnetic strip hack in your bathroom? Got any suggestions on how I can use the rest of the tape?
If you want to assist young men in need, I’m sharing about Brisbane Youth Service. Men’s toiletries donated to BYS will help these young men in an immediate and practical way.
Back in May, I attended the second Kids Business Brisbane Bloggers brunch at Victoria Golf Park.
One of the aspects I enjoy most about the brunch is the awareness made for a local non-for-profit charity.
Last year it was Share The Dignity, and I showed you how to fill a handbag with hygiene products and donate it to women in need.
This year, the supported charity was for Brisbane Youth Service, providing housing and health services to young people in the 12-25 years age group.
I met Tamasin Chugg, the Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, at the Bloggers Brunch and asked what their immediate needs were for the young people they were assisting.
Men’s toiletries were top of the list. While they have a donations wish list, toiletries for young men are much sought after.
I have put together a toiletries bag with some of the listed needs asked for from the wish list.
And I’m asking you, whether you would consider donating some toiletries to Brisbane Youth Service.
Key items to donate to young men in need
• Large Men’s Shampoo
• Large Men’s Shower Gel
• Roll on Deodorant
• Suncream
• Bandaids
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
To understand more about Brisbane Youth Service and how they help our young people, Tamasin shared these details with me and how we as a greater community are able to assist.
With a vision to provide ‘New Futures for Young People’, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has been operating in Brisbane since 1977. In that time, BYS has helped tens of thousands of young people (aged 12-25) experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, and their accompanying children. BYS assist vulnerable young people to find and maintain appropriate housing, address physical and mental health issues, build positive relationships and engage in education, training and employment.
With a 68% rise in homelessness in inner city Brisbane from 2011-2016, services such as those offered by BYS get busier every year (ABS, 2016). Last year 1,355 young people accessed ongoing support from BYS (↑7%) and a further 1,505 (↑27%) people were assisted through casual contact such as phone triage or street outreach. 41% of BYS clients are young men, this includes individuals and a number of young dads.
The challenges and needs of the young men accessing BYS services are diverse and complex, many are at risk of or are experiencing mental health issues, substance use issues, family breakdown, violence, rough sleeping and disengagement from employment or education. Many of the young men have their quality of life further challenged with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, or they are on the autism spectrum.
Data from 2017/18 shows the positive impact BYS has on the lives of young people including a 71% reduction in homelessness, 60% fewer young people at risk of suicide, employment increases from 5% to 20% and a 71% reduction in exposure to serious violence.
Today, I am reaching out to you to request your support in assisting the young men and young people who access BYS.
There is an ongoing need for non-financial donations at BYS for young people accessing their services. Non-perishable food items and toiletries are always in high demand. Please see the BYS website for key items of need. If you are able to donate some of these items, please join me in helping BYS support young people to create new futures.
If you wish to donate items which can be easily posted in the mail
Finally, as part of BYS crisis relief, staff members often hand out $10-$15 Coles gift cards so young people are able to buy food for themselves when they need it. If you would like to donate prepaid Coles cards instead of items they would be very welcomed (please simply ensure these cards are linked to supermarkets only and not linked to liquor stores).
How to make your donation to BYS
You can deliver your donations straight to their head office if you reside in Brisbane.
Brisbane Youth Service 42 McLachlan Street Fortitude Valley 4006
BYS specifically supports young people in Brisbane, as that’s where I reside. If you live elsewhere within Australia, BYS would still appreciate your support.
If you’re looking for the best indoor plants that thrive with minimal fuss, this post is for you.
I’ve introduced a number of plants to the interior of our home over the years. I’ve shared before which plants I haven’t killed, and the ones that haven’t survived.
The common factor for the plants which are still keeping on are their need for minimal fuss. Jacob, Esther or myself water when we remember.
And since I’ve done a bit of research for freelance work, I’ve been able to consolidate what I know, with what has worked in our house.
So if you want to add indoor plants to your house which can survive with a bit of neglect, these are the ones to consider.
Best Indoor Plants That Thrive With Minimal Fuss
Fiddle Leaf Fig
We’ve successfully grown our Fiddle Leaf Figs just by placing them near a window – to get partial light and by installing a Moisture Matic and ensuring this is filled with water. The Moisture Matic gives water as needed to the Fiddle Leaf Fig, which takes the guess work out of how much or how little it needs to be watered. I guarantee the Moisture Matic will change your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s life – and yours because it will grow and become lush, just how you imagined it to be. We have two thriving Fiddle Leaf Figs because of this product. I swear by it.
From thisTo this…Our current corner Fiddle Leaf Fig
Peace Lily
Our Peace Lily just keeps on keeping on. We’ve moved it around the house as I’ve changed the décor around. When the leaves look droopy, we give it a drink. It now sits on one corner of our TV cabinet. It hasn’t flowered for a while… but it’s still alive and green, which to me is #winning.
Monstera Deliciosa
Our Monstera Deliciosa, or as I call it my elephant ear plant, sits near a window next to our Peace Lily and has grown outward. It’s a great plant to fill a space. I find having it near indirect light and a water every now and then keeps it alive. Heck, it’s growing new leaves so I can confidently say it can thrive without too much love.
Devil’s Ivy
We have two of these in the house – one on a shelf for my corner desk space and another which sits on the kitchen island bench. It’s been growing well since being moved closer to the window. I only water this one when I remember. You can grow this plant in water also. I love how the leaves cascade for visual effect.
Zanzibar Gem
We have a Zanzibar Gem at our front door and another two of these plants in the living and dining room. I’d say these are the most hardiest plants and can thrive on the most neglect. We’ve just bought a black leaf Zanzibar Gem. Hoping this one thrives as much as the others. So far so good.
Aloe Vera
Our Aloe Vera plant was dead brown. I had it sitting outside under our alfresco area and thought it could never be brought back to life.
However, bringing it inside and giving it a good water helped it thrive and I’m amazed at how well it’s done. It sits near our dining table, which gets the lowest amount of light in our house. Even Maggie comments on it’s resurrected life. ‘I thought that plant was dead, mum.’ Me too kiddo. But a change in scenery and a water was all it needed to become green again.
What are the best indoor plants you’ve found to survive in your house? For other indoor plant ideas that can survive low light, check out this post from Katrina Chambers.
If you’ve noticed the grass to be marshy at the front of your house and asked yourself, ‘what’s causing the wet patch in my yard?’ it may be a hidden problem you need to investigate.
One of the first signs of a water leak for many homeowners is the increased water bill they’ve received in the mail. The higher than expected bill is often a sign of a concealed water leak on the property.
But some water leaks, while concealed, can make a visible appearance. In fact a wet patch in the yard that doesn’t go away may be a sign there is a leak on your main water line feeding into your house.
This leak is the water authority’s responsibility as it’s toward the road, from the water meter.
It’s quite common for these leaks to spring up underground due to age, or earth movement causing the poly pipe to split or a fitting to fail. This can cause a constant rush of water underground, rising up to make a muddy wet patch in your yard.
The moment you see a wet patch, it’s important to identify who is responsible to fix the leak.
How to identify who is responsible to fix a concealed leak
This image from QLD Urban Utilities shows exactly who needs to be notified when a water leak is identified in your front yard.
If the water leak is near the footpath towards the road, it is the water authority in your area who must be notified of the leak. It’s their responsibility and expense to fix the leak.
If the water leak is in your front yard between the water meter and your house, it’s time to call a licensed plumber to locate the leak and fix it as soon as possible.
If you want to save labour charges from your plumber, you may be able to dig for the leak yourself. This can remove the time charged on your final bill. But under no circumstances should you be fixing a water pipe yourself if you don’t have the correct plumbing license.
Why do I need a licensed plumber to fix a concealed water leak?
Poly pipe seems to be the pipe people think they can touch to fix their own leaks. But that’s not the case at all. Water pipes, irrelevant of material, must be maintained by a licensed plumber. Water can cause significant damage to surrounding properties if it’s not fixed correctly.
I know of one insurance claim where a concealed water leak went undetected for a long while and pooled underneath the foundations of a neighbouring property.
The damage was extensive, requiring the residents to move out of their home while work was done to rectify the damage to the foundations of the home.
If a water leak is fixed by an unlicensed person and it leaks again causing damage to your property or others, you will be liable for the costs and your insurance company may not cover you.
How to locate a water leak in your front yard
The hardest part to fixing a concealed water leak in the front yard is finding the location of the leak. Water travels fast and can pool in areas not necessarily near the leaking pipe. You may have a few holes or a trench in your front yard to locate it.
To have an idea of where to dig, locate your water meter (which is usually towards the footpath of your property) and find the first hose tap on the outside of your house. This gives you a visual guide of where the water pipe runs and will help you as you dig. Before you dig, turn off the water meter as the hole will keep filling with water while you dig. Use a shovel when you dig and take care not to ‘chop’ into the ground. There may be other services running next to the water pipe (there shouldn’t be, but you can never assume). When in doubt, call dial before you dig.
The first place to dig is where the grass is the muddiest. Once you’ve located the pipe, use a garden spade or a small container to scoop out the mud. You may be able to see the split. Turn the water meter on, and if you see the water spurt out, you’ve found the leak. If not, look at where you’ve dug and feel along the pipe to see where the water is running from.
Once the leak has been found, keep the water meter off until the plumber comes to fix it. Split pipes will need to be cut and replaced with new pipe and fittings.
Some water leaks can be hard to locate if they are in gardens, underneath landscape rocks or beneath footpaths. Sometimes a jackhammer is needed to remove the concrete to locate the leak. These types of leaks are usually outsourced straight to the plumber because they have the necessary equipment. They will put the soil back after the leak has been fixed, but landscaping and turf will be your responsibility to replace.
So the next time you see a soggy patch in your front yard, don’t ignore it. It might be a concealed water leak, making its appearance.
When I got a call from the producer of the Today show last Friday morning, I knew I needed to invest in a laundry Kmart hack, or two.
The report was about laundry powders, so the set was going to be my laundry, which is quite minimal and has no styling whatsoever.
I have no bench space, no shelves, but a tall cupboard where I hide my laundry powder and fabric softener. It’s also the cupboard which accumulates with random cleaners I no longer use.
Knowing my laundry was going to be on the news, I needed to give it a quick update. I do plan to add cabinetry and a bench to make it a more practical space. But I didn’t have time nor the funds to do a complete overhaul on the weekend, so a laundry Kmart hack had to do.
Laundry Before
This is what my laundry looked like before
Laundry After
And my laundry after…
The first piece I bought from Kmart was the bamboo duck board. I measured my tub before purchasing in case it wouldn’t be long or wide enough. It fit perfectly on my laundry tub. (Thank you to the Kmart mums who shared this hack a year ago. It gave me a mini bench space!)
Next, I emptied my washing powder into the Glass Wash Jar. I added a pink scoop from one of the empty Napisan canisters I had in my cupboard.
I added a plant to an existing plant pot I owned. It’s a Clusia Rosea ‘Princess’, which tolerates medium to well-lit indoor areas. I’ve never had this plant before, so shall see how it survives in my laundry. I placed these, and a scrubber brush on a black tray on the bamboo board.
The open weave laundry basket, herringbone mat (with rubber grip underneath) and water hyacinth pot holding a lady palm, completed the look.
I’m not sure how much of my styling will be in the footage (possibly none of it). But I’m loving the look and having the washing powder in reach has been easier on my back!
I’ve listed all the items I used and their prices. The whole look came together for approximately $113, including plants. The Kmart items came in at $73.
The last week of school holidays was dubbed as Birthday week in our household.
I had my Birthday on Tuesday, and we celebrated Phoebe’s on Thursday.
Birthdays are exciting in our household. The girls love to guess what gifts the Birthday girl may get on their special day. No matter whose Birthday it is, it’s exhilarating to watch the opening of presents and see if anyone can benefit from the unwrapped gift.
My Birthday started with breakfast in bed (I know, I’m spoiled!) present opening and then I met my Dad for pancakes at the Pancake Manor. I was surprise to see an iPad on the table to order our food. This was new for me and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. Nothing beats customer service with a smile I think.
We did a bit of shopping, went home to relax and read and ordered our favourite Vietnamese for takeout.
Half a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Shop was a wise decision as I knew our fridge was going to get full with more cake.
Phoebe’s Birthday was an exceptionally fun day. We started with present opening and then I offered to take the kids to see Secret Life of Pets 2, but they really wanted to see Aladdin and I was thrilled with their choice. A great movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Wearing a new outfit from H & M
We had the family over to celebrate Phoebe’s Birthday, this time with pizza and more cake.
A mud cake from Woolies, with edible slime inside. It was really sweet.
And then on Friday night, I invited a few close friends over for a Birthday get-together. Nothing fancy. Cheese and desserts, champagne and marshmallows by the fire pit. It was a relaxed affair and I didn’t get many photos from the occasion because I just wanted to catch up with my friends.
Life can pass us by so quickly when we’re working, raising a family and running a business. I have felt withdrawn from my friends, even though we’re in communication on a weekly basis via messenger or text message.
But nothing beats having friends over, great food to graze over and a fire which encourages conversation.
It was a Birthday week to remember, and now it’s back to school today and I have a news crew coming to my house this morning to film a segment for the Today Show. I also have to work straight afterwards.
The madness of life never stops, so it makes those moments when I do stop, all the more special.
Does your family have a Birthday week too? A Birthday month?
Does your Aurora Inverter have an INT. Error E031 Message? You will need a new inverter as this fault can not be fixed.
Each quarter when we receive our electricity bill, we are in credit.
This has been the benefit of having solar panels installed 6 years ago on our home. We receive the highest tariff rate as we got in before the rate changed.
So it was somewhat a shock when I received our electricity bill and instead of being $400 in credit, we were $400 in debit!
I rang Origin, who advised me to check the meter reader and see if what was stated on the bill, was also the number on the meter. It was.
I knew I needed to call a solar technician straight away.
It took me four phone calls to finally get a company who would help me. I rang the top companies listed on Google, thinking if they had money to pay Google Adwords, they’d offer a reputable service. This wasn’t the case.
The first company I called told me their technician was away overseas for two weeks holiday and to call back then. I asked if they could refer me to another service provider and they said they couldn’t, sorry.
The next company stated they serviced all over Brisbane, but when I told them my address, they told me they didn’t service Brisbane suburbs south of the river. They referred me to a solar technician in my suburb.
I rang this technician and the exact words out of this technician’s mouth was “I’m too busy. Can’t help you.” And hung up on me.
By this stage I was a bit frustrated and annoyed.
My fourth phone call was to SolarGain, who promptly took my call and asked me exact details about the error message. The lady warned me straight away the inverter could not be fixed and would need to be replaced. I was quoted just below $2000 to install and replace. It would take two weeks and a bit to get the unit in and installed.
I wasn’t sure if that price was expensive or just right, but by that stage I was happy to go ahead.
And then my mum told me about the company who installed their solar panels on their new house. It’s always good to do a price check and verify if replacing the inverter was correct.
A few text messages later, and Energy Partners quoted me a similar, but lesser amount, and had the inverter installed within a week. Timing was paramount, because the longer we had a faulty inverter, the longer we weren’t making money back on our solar panels.
What does the INT. Error E031 Message mean?
If your Aurora or ABB inverter has an INT. Error E031 message, there is an internal fault where the inverter fails to read the voltage correctly. The inverter can’t feed the meter to say how much solar has been captured.
Brisbane Solar Companies to Contact for Error Messages and Solar Maintenance
Story short, if you need solar panel maintenance or even a new solar installation in Brisbane, I can recommend Energy Partners. I couldn’t fault the customer service I received from Solar Gain either, so put them in your list of contacts too. Many solar panel installers have gone bankrupt since the solar scheme was introduced 8 or so years ago. I’m hoping my experience can help you if you reside in Brisbane.
Keeping on top of our solar contributions
When we had our system installed in 2013, there was no app to check how much solar we made. We just relied on our electricity bill. But our new inverter has an app available so I can keep track and this will hopefully ensure no nasty surprises on our electricity bill in the future.
Ever had to replace your solar panel inverter? Which company did you use and recommend?
If you’re looking for a country escape from Brisbane, Alstonville is a quaint town to visit and is only a 2 and a half hour drive south of Brisbane. I thought I’d share where to stay in Alstonville with kids as we recently went back for a family funeral. I didn’t want the trip to just be about the loss of a much loved family member, I wanted it to also be time spent with their grandma and making memories, despite the circumstances.
Jacob grew up in Alstonville and has family living in Ballina and surrounds. We usually try to stay in Ballina as it is closer to family, beaches and offers more variety in accommodation choices for families.
But with the unexpected and sudden passing of Jacob’s grandma and being school holiday season for QLD, accommodation listings were quite pricey and limited for our family of 5.
I extended our search to surrounding areas for last minute booking ideas.
To make the most of our time with family, I booked at the Alstonville Country Cottages. The views from our cottage were amazing, and Phoebe got to spend time talking to the animals, which guests can visit while they stay onsite.
I also loved how the second bedroom had three beds for each our girls to sleep in. Often 2 bedroom apartments have a sofa bed configuration.
Most families will find more to do in Ballina than Alstonville. For our day out and about we visited Summerland Farm House, which was known as the House with no Steps.
It’s a great place to have lunch, browse the gift shop, grocer and nursery and get the kids to play in the playground. There is a museum, farm and ride tour you can book before your visit, mini golf, water park and more. We came for lunch and were happy to walk around the property.
We spent a couple of hours out there, before checking in to our accommodation.
Alstonville Country Cottages
When we arrived, Phoebe was the only one interested in seeing the animals, so we left the older two girls with grandma in the cottage.
Phoebe got to pat and talk to the kids and say hi to the horses. The grounds are beautiful and the perfect place for families to stay in Alstonville.
The next morning we had breakfast at Orio Patisserie and Café, which is first café on the corner of the main street of Alstonville.
The breakfast did not disappoint. Maggie and Phoebe were delighted to get pancakes topped with Persian fairy floss. My eggs benedict was fabulous too.
Places to Visit With Kids in Alstonville and Ballina
Alstonville is a 10 minute drive from Ballina.
There aren’t a lot of things to do in Alstonville, other than visit Summerland House Farm and take in the beautiful scenery when driving out.
There is a lot more to do in Ballina. Every time we head to Ballina, we do something new and fun in Jacob’s old home ground. Here are some places to check out with kids.
10 Attractions to Visit With Kids in Alstonville, Ballina and surrounds
• Summerland House Farm (Alstonville)
• Macadamia Castle and Animal Park (Knockrow)
• Get a photo in front of the Big Prawn
• Killen Falls Drive
• Visit Crawford Falls
• Visit the Ballina Light House
• Drive out to Byron Bay – visit beaches, Lighthouse and shops
• Have breakfast/lunch at Lennox Head
• Have a picnic at Lake Ainsworth
• Visit Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil
Family Accommodation in Alstonville and Ballina
We’ve stayed at a number of hotels in Ballina. Here are the family accommodations I recommend
For properties that rely on potable bore water or rainwater for their water supplies, jumper valve taps have been the recommended choice of tapware.
I recently had a question sent through on my blog from a property owner who is about to embark on a home renovation. They rely on potable bore water and rain water for their water supply. In the process of collating minimalist and contemporary bathroom and kitchen mixers, they were advised they can only install jumper valve tapware (taps with washers) which threw their tapware choices out the window.
From my own plumbing experience and knowledge, jumper valve taps are the best taps for potable bore water and rain water fed properties due to the water pressure and possible mineral content in the water. But rather than rely on my knowledge, I sought advice from a two plumbers and a plumbing supplier for their recommendations and considerations.
Best Taps for Potable Bore Water
My first contact was my dad (plumber with 40 years experience), who advised jumper valves would be best for two reasons.
Firstly, they work better with gravity fed bore/rain water systems. The jumper valve essentially allows more water through the tap as opposed to ceramic disc. Therefore, they are the best choice if the water pressure is anticipated to be low.
Secondly, bits of dirt and grit can come through the water lines and smash the ceramic discs used in mixer taps, requiring at times for the whole tap to be replaced which can be costly. The cost of replacing tap washers is a few dollars compared to a mixer tap.
I reached out to John from Salmon Plumbing. He was able to advise from his contact three things that need to be considered – and possibly asked to the plumber and tap manufacturer before purchasing the taps for this application.
What is the water pressure? The water to tap will have to be within operating pressure detailed in the technical information for the chosen mixer.
2. If the bore water is potable (which it is) it (mixers) should be ok in terms of mineral content.
3. Check the tap manufacturer on water pressure guidelines for the tap. Water pressure is more important than mineral content.
Next, I reached out to Melissa from Reece Plumbing at Mill Park who also did some enquiries for me and only one tap manufacturer could recommend their mixers for gravity fed water systems. Greens Tapware (manufactured in New Zealand) recommended their Oxi or Marketti Mixers. One other brand didn’t recommend mixers at all for bore water/rain water fed properties.
Contemporary Jumper Valve Tapware
There is limited choice when it comes to choosing jumper valve tapware. These taps are the cross handle taps often mounted through the bench, basin/sink mount or wall. You can modernize by choosing wall assemblies and a colour tapware like matte black. However, when choosing a coloured tapware ensure it has an electroplated finish for lasting quality.
Hard water can leave mineral deposits on coloured tapware which is difficult to remove. Chrome or a metallic tapware may be the best choice to ensure longevity of appearance. The tap manufacturer can give more guidance on your choice though. It’s best to go to a reputable plumbing supplier to find out what taps are going to suit your installation needs.
What to check when choosing taps for potable bore water and rain water systems
When planning renovations with bore water or rainwater systems, your plumber will be the best person to check on what requirements are needed for the tapware. If their recommendation is for jumper valves, it may be to prevent expensive maintenance fees in the future and ensure enough water flow through the tap.
It’s important to check
Warranty for your chosen tapware
Water pressure from bore water/tank to tap
Does the tap require high-quality water softeners and filters as part of their warranty?
While there are many taps available in various styles and colourways, functionality is key when choosing tapware that works with bore water and rainwater systems. Water pressure and functionality will always trump appearance.
If you recently renovated a property with bore water, what tapware did you choose?
Disclosure: The tapware listed in this post have been chosen from recommendations and/or their jumper valve assembly. Always check with the manufacturer before making your tap selections to ensure they will work with your bore water/rainwater system.
When you’ve renovated a bathroom or just had a new house built, styling your bathroom is the fun part which happens at the end of the project. But often, after forking out money for the reno/build, there may not be a lot of funds left to style your bathroom. This post offers 5 ways to style your bathroom on a budget. You can swap, change or add things as the funds become available.
5 Ways to Style Your Bathroom on a Budget
1. Give it a good clean
Before spending a cent of your hard earned cash on accessories, give the bathroom a good clean from top to bottom.
Even newly renovated bathrooms require a good clean to remove plaster dust and general footprints and fingerprints from tradies installing the final touches.
Start from the bathroom ceiling and work your way down including the exhaust fan, lighting, tiles and grout, tap fittings, exterior windows (inside and out), vanity mirrors and inside your drawers.
If your bathroom hasn’t been renovated, cleaning is still the first step. Remove mildew and give everything a good scrub. Micro fibre cloths can be great for coloured tapware. Get that shower glass door as see through as possible. It may not be completely transparent. There are tips on this post on how to remove water marks and calcium build up on tiles and glass doors.
2. Accent with natural furniture and accessories
Natural furniture can ground a bathroom instantaneously. It can create a sense of cosiness, comfort and practicality. Ways to do this include adding a timber stool, cane basket, bamboo bath caddy – anything timber will ground your bathroom.
3. Appease all your senses
Bathrooms have become a sanctuary and are often used as a way to escape the outside world. Appease your senses by adding plants, fresh flowers, candles or aromatherapy oils to the space.
Make your own air freshener to create your own signature scent in the bathroom. Adding sensory experiences in your bathroom will elevate the bathroom styling instantly.
4. Keep vanity benches clear
Sounds crazy to keep vanity benches clear when this post is specifically about styling a bathroom, but the key to styling a bathroom is having a spot for everything. This will ensure the pieces you have on show will be the focus…not the shaggy toothbrush sitting in a cup on display.
Utilise the vanity cupboards and integrated shelving to keep all hygiene products hidden. By all means put handwash in a gorgeous dispenser – or buy one and refill as needed.
5. Put quality linen on display
Quality towels can elevate a bathroom and create a sense of opulence. Hang a bathrobe or some new towels on rails and hooks to give a homely, lived-in look to your bathroom.
Most importantly, make sure they’re practically located for stepping out of the shower or bath and their colours compliment your room scheme. Bright or geometric patterns may be ideal to introduce interest to a neutral bathroom scheme.
What tips can you give on styling a bathroom on a budget? Which of these tips will you be trying with your own space?
If you can’t stand nasty smells in your home, you will love this DIY Air Freshener and Linen Spray.
I’ve had the intention to make my own air freshener and linen spray for at least a year.
I find many of the sprays smell fake or if they are to hide a particular smell, they generally add to it.
The only thing stopping me from making my own was getting the spray bottles, but now that Oils for Life Australia is a 10 minute drive away from home, I’ve got no excuses. This local shop (which also ships online) has all the glass and aluminum bottles, plus ingredients to make my own products.
DIY Air Freshener and Linen Spray
This air freshener and linen spray smells divine. You can adapt the recipe using your favourite essential oils.
I chose lavender and lemon and then added some geranium. For me, geranium gives a lift in fragrance. I’m thrilled with the scent and how it disperses in the air and on our linens.
1. Pour the Witch Hazel extract into spray bottle and add your essential oils. Give it a good shake to combine. Leave it sit for 15 minutes. Shake again.
I put the cap on from the Witch Hazel to shake bottle.
2. Add distilled water to the top, leaving space for the spray insert.
3. Cap and shake again. Shake each time before use.
4. Will last for a few months
How to Use
Spray in the air when needed for a fresh scent in the room or bathroom.
Spray on linens. I’ve used on all linen types – bed, sofa, quilt, cushions and throw rugs. I’ve had no issues with water/oil marks, stains or fading, but if you’re concerned about a particular linen, do a spot test.
Spray on guest beds for a refresh
Spray linen cupboard to remove musty smells
Spray on towels for an uplifting scent
The spray will last a few months depending on how much is used in the home. I made two bottles – one for each end of the house.
Have you made your own air freshener before? What are your favourite scents around the home?
