Guest Post

Exterior Design – How to Give Your Outdoor Areas a Stylish Makeover

March 19, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

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Is your home outdoor area looking a little lacklustre these days? Are you bored of your current decor, or simply looking for a fresh injection of life into your space? If that’s the case, this is the article for you. Read on to find out a little more about how you can give your outdoor areas a stylish makeover. With a little know-how, you’ll be able to turn your space into one of your dreams.

Keep It Warm And Toasty

Summer has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that your days of lounging out in your outdoor areas have to come to an end. A simple solution to keep your outdoor area warm and toasty all year long is to install some gas outdoor heaters into your space. These heaters look stylish, and ensure that you can continue to wine and dine outside, even in the colder months. The fun doesn’t have to stop just because the weather has shifted!

Dress Your Table

Your outdoor area is not complete without a large table where people can come together to relax or have a family meal together. We recommend purchasing wooden tables or tables made of natural materials so that the aesthetic flows with the earthy tones of the outdoors. Always keep your table well dressed, with a table runner, placemats, flowers and tea lights. This will truly breathe some new life and elegance into your outdoor area, and you’ll always be ready should company come knocking on your door.

Lighting Is Key

Nothing transforms the mood of a space more than lighting does, and your outdoor area is the perfect opportunity for you to get creative with lights. You can consider hanging up affordable fairy lights, paper lanterns, or even go all out and install step lights, solar powered lights, spike lights and pathway lights into the area. Keeping the area well lit ensures that you have a great ambience even when the sun goes down, and makes your outdoor area look much more inviting in the evening.

Landscape, Landscape, Landscape!

Landscaping is essential if you want to give your outdoor areas a stylish makeover. Not only are they beautiful, but plants also help to breathe life into your space, beckoning you in to sit down and relax. There are a myriad of options when it comes to landscaping – from vertical gardens to shrubs to privacy offering hedges. If you are not confident in landscaping yourself, don’t fret, there are many professionals out there who will be able to offer you guidance and assistance.

Why Not Grow Your Own Produce?

Outdoor spaces don’t have to be all about just entertainment – why not put your space to good use by starting your very own fruit and vegetable garden? There is nothing better than growing your own food, knowing how it has been grown and enjoying the bountiful crops of your hard work. You can grow many cost effective veggies such as herbs, lettuce, tomatoes and beans in your outdoor area, saving you money in the long run as well. Aside from growing your own food, you can even compost, which is a way of recycling your organic waste and turning it into a nitrogen rich substance that will greatly improve the soil in your outdoor areas.

We hope that this article has given you some insight into how you can go about transforming your outdoor area. With a little know how and a trip to a DIY store or two, you’ll be lounging in your dream outdoor patio or backyard in no time.

Boys and Their Toys – 6 Manly Gifts for Your Manly Man

March 19, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

With Christmas behind us, many people will be rejoicing at being able to close their wallets and step away from the gift stores. However, it might be a little premature to stow away the Benjamins, for Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Then there are birthdays, anniversaries and plenty other opportunities to put further dents in the bank balance. If you want to get ahead of the game and treat the man in your life to a gift he’ll just love, we’ve included six options below. You may find you’ll hit the jackpot with any of these options.

LED Light Bars

If your man has a love for the outdoors and off-roading, you can do no better than LED light bars for his beloved truck. LED light bars are the perfect accompaniment to any outdoor enthusiast’s 4WD, and can light up the darkest back road for optimum safety. You’ll never be able to wipe the grin off his face if you purchased him some of these bad boys!

Sports Tickets

The football season may be drawing to a close, but with the NBA in full swing and MLB just around the corner, your significant other will love the chance to sport that big foam finger while watching his favorite team. Tickets to a big game will be the perfect memorable experience for the passionate sports fan.

Activewear

Believe it or not, attire makes an excellent option, and in today’s health and fitness-conscious world, activewear is the wearable gift of choice. Men make up a growing proportion of the estimated $178B global sports apparel market, so forget about the socks, underwear and ties and go for something that he will love, as well as being practical. However, not just any old Walmart tracksuit will do. Go for known brands such as Reebok, Nike, and Adidas that are sure to impress.

Workshop Sets

If your man is forever engaged in the next big project with his vehicles, or he just likes to spend time in the garage tinkering away, consider purchasing a workshop set for him. “I don’t need any new tools,” said no man, ever, so you really can’t go wrong with this one. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be selective. From now until Valentine’s Day or his birthday, pay attention to what he has, uses, and what he says he needs so you can be sure to hit the mark.

Accessories

How many times have you said to your boyfriend that he needs to get rid of his cracked and peeling wallet, or his tatty belt? Accessories, while important, often don’t feature highly on any man’s list of things to buy for themselves. Even though digital wallets are beginning to gain traction, guys are not showing signs of giving up their bulging monstrosities anytime soon. If left to his own devices, he will keep using it until it is five loosely bound wallet molecules, so it’s up to you to rip that bandaid off and get him a new one!

Brew Kit

The dog might be man’s best friend, but a brew kit is sure to be a close second. Not only can he enjoy a cold brew after a hard day’s work, but he can also enjoy the fruits of his labor. A brew kit can offer a sense of satisfaction, and may even open the door to a whole new hobby that you and his friends can also enjoy with him.

Choosing a gift for your man for Valentine’s Day, his birthday or other special occasion can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Opt for one or more of these six presents, and watch as his face lights up!

From Tasteless to Trendy – Ditching the Drab With a Decor Makeover

February 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Whether your looking to carry out a complete makeover or just looking for some minor decoration tips to spruce up your decor, we have some great ways to revitalise your home. We’ve got decoration and style ideas from wallpaper trends through to beautiful leather lounge suites that won’t fail to brighten up any room.

Luscious Lavender is the New Millennial Pink

In 2017, we heard all about millennial pink, and although pastel pinks are still all the rage this year, lavender and lilacs are the new chic colour creeping into decor trends of 2018. Use these colours to create a comfortable space where you can relax. Why not add some textiles and accessories in these colours to really show you have your finger on the design pulse. Rugs, cushions and other decorative accessories are a great way to make any room shine.

Reconnect with Nature

Natural and rustic materials are gaining more and more momentum, raw wooden shelves are a great way to add extra storage space as well as some natural warmth. Earthy accessories such as terracotta plant pots featuring greenery really make a home feel welcoming and natural.

Organic and traditional handcrafted accessories are also a quick fix for more compact rooms, such as bathrooms, where you may be short on space. Try adding a beautiful woven hanging plant pot to add some freshness to smaller areas without taking up much too much floor space.

If you have the budget and are looking for a statement wall, why not look to see whether you can expose natural brick to add a focal point to your room. Combine natural brick with some bold pictures to really make the place pop.

Dark and Moody

As well as pastels moody tones are also going to be making a splash this year. Darker tones could be incorporated into artwork or used to create a tone on tone wall and furniture combo to add some variety to the house decor. Picking a bold armchair to offset a darker wall is a great way to have some fun with colour this season.

Moody blue tones are currently taking over the design world with their wonderful ability to be moody and inviting at the same time. Creating a tranquil place to relax and escape from the day-to-day hassles of busy lifestyles.

Bright Colours and Bold Patterns

Decorating with bold prints is a simple way to add a bit of life and vibrancy to your home. Why not play around with pictures and prints of different sizes on one wall. It will change the ambiance of any room without breaking the bank.

Another way to revitalise old furniture is to reupholster a signature piece to give it a new lease of life, or purchase some textured throws and cushions to add a bit of colour to your home.

Patterned wallpapers have exploded in recent years as they’re a great way to make any room breathtakingly beautiful. From bathrooms all the way through to your kitchen or bedroom, floral, geometric and even ornate designs can add a subtle updated or a bold splash of colour that can excite any guest.

Patterned wallpaper prices can vary dramatically though, therefore make sure you measure up correctly to avoid any unnecessary material wastage.

Deep Dark Woods

Dark wood will be a popular material this year with furniture moving away from lighter scandio style woods to deeper tones. These darker tones will compliment the moodier paint palettes detailed above and add a sense of luxury and glamour. Furniture designs with darker wood finishes will accentuate their metallic and copper finishings which will be much more visible in homes this year, combining the modern with the retro to create a new take on modern interiors.

What are you waiting for? Start searching for your home decor inspiration and make your home breathtaking this year.

Insightful Interiors – What Your Decor Says About You

February 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Owning your own home is the great Australian dream. If you’re blessed enough to have a place to call your own, there’s a lot more to do than just pay off the mortgage. You need to maintain it, keep it clean, develop a green thumb to keep that garden look pristine as well as pay all the bills, rates and other expenses like insurance. And then there’s your interior to consider. Your home needs to be a direct reflection and expression of yourself and your unique personality. Let’s check out some interior insights and see what your decor says about you.

Dull Interiors are a No No

There’s nothing worse than a bland and lifeless interior. Well, maybe a few things, but it’s definitely up there. Your home space needs a spark of love, light and creativity to really bring it alive. There are lots of reasons why people suffer from dull interiors – lack of time, energy, motivation, money or taste. That’s why employing an interior decorator in Melbourne may be just the ticket. A local interior decorator can help transform a lifeless, dead space into one that’s just bursting with vibrant personality.

Art Tells a Story

One way to let your individualism shine through inside your home is to invest in some art. You don’t have to rob the Louvre to acquire a few pieces that really speak to your innermost vibe. You may even find that scouring some op shops and second hand stores will suffice. All you need is something that resonates with you. Some people prefer soft pastels and oils while others like bright and bold modern pieces. You could even do some research online to find out what you like best.

Get Green

Did you know that indoor plants are a great way to both decorate your home and make a statement about yourself? There’s a wide range of indoor plants that all tell a story about the homeowner. If you’re careful and considerate choose something that requires a lot of care. If you’re more laid back then choose something that you can just water once a week and forget about for the rest of the time.

Paint Schemes

Your choice of paint palette says a lot about you as a person. If you’re bright, sparkly and colourful then choose some indoor paint colours that will perfectly reflect your personality. If you are more reserved, that’s fine, just pick a paint palette that doesn’t make a huge statement. Either one is fine, and that’s the beauty of modern individualism. And the best news is that if you ever have a change of heart and mind either way you can just paint again!

Minimalism

Do you think that less is more? Are you a bit fed up with clutter and chaos in your house? Then a minimal approach may be right for you. Minimalism essentially means living with less stuff, including home decor. It can be a tough road to travel, but a well-designed minimal interior is to die for. Having a lot of space in your home can mean that a few well-placed items really pop out and scream “this is my stripped-back, bare essence”.

Do it Yourself

If you’re a fan of DIY – renovations, crafting and artwork, then why not decorate your space with all of your own creations? They will look truly unique, and it’s a great bragging point when somebody compliments your decor.

There You Have It

Hopefully by now you’ve got a clear idea of how to make your personality shine out through your home. From getting creative and doing it yourself through to adopting a minimal approach, there’s a lot you can do. Consider hiring an interior decorator, choose your paint scheme carefully, invest in some houseplants and pick up some new or second-hand art. Enjoy your new found expression.

The Ant Almanac – A Guide to Common Household Pests

February 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

The planet Earth is filled with life. Creatures great and small inhabit its forests, oceans, springs, glades and oases. From great white sharks through to quokkas, there are so many majestic, magnificent, malicious and mighty creatures that are awesome to behold. And then there’s ants. And flies. And spiders. And all those creepy crawlies that just love to call your house their home. We’re going to take a quick look at the most common household pests and how you can avoid them.

Termites

Termites, or “white ants”, are tiny insects that are found on every continent of the planet except Antarctica. It’s probably too cold for them there. They love to eat dead plants, which actually makes them a vital part of our ecosystem. Unfortunately, dead plants include the timber that makes up the frame of your house. Once you have a termite infestation they can destroy your home within months. You may want to consider a termite inspection to ensure your home is safe and secure.

Spiders

Spiders. Ugh. Sadly, these eight-legged scary things love to live in your home. Especially in dark nooks and crannies like your garage or garden shed. The good news it that the humble huntsman and other non-venomous spiders help to keep the population of other pests, like flies and mosquitoes, at manageable levels. The bad news is that deadly species like redbacks, whitetails and funnel webs can also take up residence too. Do yourself a favour and take care when poking around your garden shed or garage.

Ants

Ants, like termites, play a vital role in the world’s ecosystem. But of course, when they invade your home that’s the last thing you think about. Ants tend to be attracted to stray crumbs and bits of food, especially sugar and sweet things. Did you know they can carry many times their own weight? Although that knowledge is no comfort when you find them crawling all over your stash of doughnuts. If your home is prone to ants, try to keep all sweet food sealed in tight containers so they can’t get in.

Bed Bugs

While we’re on the topic of creepy crawlies, bed bugs are another common household pest. Bed bugs actually live on the blood of humans and other animals. They tend to find their way into your home through infested linen, furniture or luggage. So, think twice before buying or accepting second-hand gifts of these items. Their bites can feel like mozzie bites. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s probably best to recruit a professional to come and examine your home.

Rodents

Mice and rats are another common household pest. They tend to live in between your walls or under the floor and love to feed on leftover food scraps, compost and other bits and pieces you may leave laying about. They can be a real hazard as they can chew through insulation and wiring, creating a serious fire hazard. Do yourself a favour and contact an exterminator if you find an infestation.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a really common household pest. They tend to thrive in your kitchen and other areas where food is prepared. They can actually spread salmonella and gastro to humans, as well as trigger allergies. It’s important to keep your house clean and tidy and free of food scraps in order to avoid visits from these awful critters.

In Summary

There are many other common household pests, but these tend to be the most common. From wood-devouring termites, ants and scary spiders to disgusting cockroaches, rodents and bed bugs – many creepy crawlies can come knocking. Try to follow some of the advice in this blog and your home will be a clean and serene haven.