Page 0: Page 1: LAUNCH ISSUE outdoor making the most of your space Shall I stay or shall I go? Renovate or move an ASENT Media Centre WIN DIY Retaining Walls It can be done! Page 2: from the editor myplace I have recently taken the plunge and built a brand new house. Having previously renovated two houses I thought building would be easy – build the house, move in and enjoy. How I was wrong! There is so much home improvement work to do in a new house. One of the successes in our new property is this stunning 30 metre stone retaining wall built by local stonemason Ben Freer. We regularly have passers-by knocking on our door asking for the details about the wall. Ben can be contacted on 0438852413 if you’re looking for some stonework at your place. I’m very excited to welcome you to the very first issue of Adelaide’s premier home improvement magazine, Transform Magazine, where we hope to educate, guide and inspire all of SA’s homeowners to tackle those never ending projects around the house. Whether you are doing some home touch ups as a preparation for selling your property, creating your dream home or are a budding property magnate, home improvements take inspiration, dedication, hard work – and some may say a touch of madness. Being in the midst of a home improvement project of my own at the moment (my third,) I’m looking forward to uncovering practical tips, expert advice and finding some wonderful products to help turn my house into the home of my dreams. I hope this magazine assists you in the same way. This month, as we move towards the warmer months we are focusing on updating outdoor spaces ready for enjoyment over the summer. I hope you find our articles on barbeques, outdoor furniture and creating that entertaining area useful in your quest for creating an outdoor room that can be utilised all year around. Finally, each issue we are looking for an exceptional home renovation and outdoor area. Whether you have spent $5,000 or half a million, if you would like to show your place off to Adelaide, send through some low resolution photos of your house to me at bek@sainformer.com Enjoy, We managed to have a few mid-sized moss rocks donated to our landscaping efforts. Whilst we didn’t get enough rocks to create anything significant, we were able to create a number of small rock structures, that bring a sculptural element to our garden (and don’t need watering.) Bek Schapel Editor Join us on facebook and twitter: www.facebook.com/transformmagazine www.twitter.com/transformmag My other half Neil and our neighbours both had a hand in building this concrete sleeper retaining wall. Stretching for around 30 metres on two different levels it was a total DIY job and saved a bundle of money. Check out page 15 for the steps on how to build your own retaining wall. One day down the track this will be my outdoor entertaining area, however at the moment it’s our clay dust bowl – in need of a retaining wall or two, improved drainage, paving and verandah. Watch this space 2 Transform magazine Page 3: contents contents 2 5 6 9 11 12 14 my place Follow our editor’s own home improvement projects 15 17 18 21 22 23 Editor a quick fix brings in sale Tips on preparing your home for sale shorts Great products available now simple ways to bring in summer shall I stay or shall I go? Renovate or move A simple and inexpensive way to get that summer feeling. great renovation outdoor feature Creating an outdoor entertaining area Before and after a renovation at Greenhill DIY outdoor feature Build a concrete sleeper retaining wall Outdoor furniture that lasts enjoy Drool over this outdoor kitchen outdoor feature Buying better barbies overseas WIN an ASENT media centre Exploring overseas trends in tiling Bek Schapel bek@sainformer .com Transform Magazine is owned and published by the R L Schapel Family Trust trading as SA Informer. Published bi-monthly, circulation 103,000 Advertising Bek Schapel bek@sainformer .com M 0458 133 113 All material appearing in Transform Magazine is copyright. While every effort is made to ensure information is correct at the time of publication no responsibility is accepted by R L Schapel Family Trust for the accuracy of any information contained in text and advertisements. Although every carer has been taken to ensure that the information and advice given in this magazine is authoritative no legal liability is accepted for such information and advice. Contributors Trish Burns, Jacque Opie, Bek Schapel, Megan Warburton. Enquiries Transform Magazine PO Box 493 Hahndorf 5245 M 0458 133 113 Graphic Design Jacquie Sprott Red Ripple Design 8188 0280 www.sainformer.com Transform magazine 3 Page 4: Introducing New Brands BEDDING MEGASTORE ‘Smart Buys’ 40% OFF FREE DELIVERY B. Suparest A. Domino Regency Deluxe ensemble. Luxury pocket spring system with revolutionary construction & reduced partner disturbance. Medium feel pillowtop comfort layers. DB Ensemble SAvE $1100 $1649 KB Ensemble SAvE $1530 $2269 QB Ensemble Spirit ensemble. Luxury contour coil spring system providing extra support in the middle with convoluted slow recovery and latex comfort layers. Offering a medium gentle feel. Double edged support. See in-store for terms and conditions. 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See in-store for ensemble discounts ! DB Mattress SAvE $500 $699 KB Mattress SAvE $670 $899 Manor mattress. Plush contour coil spring system with deluxe comfort layers. No pillow top. See in-store for ensemble specials! DB Mattress SAvE $250 $349 KB Mattress SAvE $300 $449 QB Mattress QB Mattress SAVE $250 $ 399 SAVE $550 $ 799 12 & 24 months Interest FREE available - Please enquire instore for details. Adelaide City, 3rd Floor 8203 4318 • Arndale, Ground Floor 8405 5268 *Discounts off regular prices. No further discounts apply to catalogue & already reduced lines. 4 4 Transform magazine Transform magazine Page 5: shorts shorts The era of the iconic Hills Hoist in our backyard is changing with many homes no longer having the space to include one. So Hills Industries has put a new spin on things with its Portable Clothesline, which can be used both inside and out. Available in two sizes offering either 12 metres or 18 metres of line space it is available from hardware stores and general merchant stores throughout South Australia. Wallpaper is making a comeback. Yes you heard it here! And this time around you can do it yourself. Graham & Brown has released a range of stylish wallpapers that can easily be a part of a DIY project. The Superfresco EASY range comes with a specialised backing sheet, which allows the wallpaper to be hung dry, straight from the roll, rather than wet and messy. Available from Bunnings. At Transform Magazine we love a good pepper grinder We could not go past the spectacular new IKEA PS SPRAKA spice mill. It uses a ceramic grinding mechanism that makes it more durable than grinders made of steel. Available in black and birch it is priced at $59.95 owners the ability to tranform leftover food into nutrient rich compost. Simply put your food waste into the composter, add the organic composting bran Bokashi and away you go…with no odours! The Maze Indoor Composter is available from Bunnings for $64.96 and a 1.5 kg pack of the Bokashi bran is $8.98. This nifty kitchen bench sized composter from Maze gives home Check out www.dplg.sa.gov.au to see how the new Residential Development Code could make renovating your property simpler for you. Transform magazine 5 Page 6: from the experts summer A simple seasonal make over the master bedroom With the right basics in place a simple and inexpensive makeover can totally transform the room from winter to summer. and golds to the summery vibrant aquas, blues, yellows and pinks...a true Gelati palette. Linen House’s new summer range Lombok (pictured) is one range to keep an eye out for – it will make you feel like you have escaped to Bali without leaving the house. There you have it, one simple change and you have transformed the master bedroom from winter to summer. The key to this process is to ensure that the rest of the room is kept neutral in colour. Trish Burns Interiors of Hyde Park simple ways to bring in Interiors expert Trish Burns shows us a simple and inexpensive way to get that summer feeling. Sick and tired of the colour trends of the past few years? Where the colour palettes in all the magazines have been monochromatic beiges, browns, whites and greys with the occasional splash of black? Well we’re approaching summer, and the good news for this season: Colour is back! Of course if you still like the monochromatic look, that’s OK too, as the trend from Europe this year is that as far as trends are concerned, there are no trends! Variety in furniture, colours and textures is the theme of this season. The basics Firstly keep the wall colours a simple neutral wall colour like Solver Parchment. Window treatments should be simple and ideally in a similar colour to the walls - be it shutters, blinds or curtains. The change Then during the transitional spring season the room can easily be moved from winter to summer through the interchanging of bed linen from the winter colours of warm reds, browns 6 Transform magazine Page 7: ADD A FAMILY ROOM FROM JUST $36 A WEEK.* If you love your home but need more space for your family, why not add a ‘Sanctuary’ family room from just $36 per week.* As one of Australia’s most awarded renovators, you can trust the AVJennings Home Improvements team to create more space in your home on time and on budget. OFF YOUR NEXT HOME LOAN WITH ASSURED HOME LOANS.^ ASK HOW AVJENNINGS CAN SAVE YOU Call us today to arrange your free no obligation in-home consultation. Our 3D Virtual walk through service allows you to see every new improvement & addition from various angles. *Offer is applicable to AVJennings Home Improvements ‘Sanctuary’ Family Room Additions with enquiries made between 1/9/09 and 30/11/09 and with contracts signed by 31/12/09. ‘Sanctuary’ Family room based on 5m x 4m. For full terms and conditions visit avjhomeimprovements.com.auor call 131 878. Repayments of $36 per week is based on a 5m x 4m family room addition with a loan amount of $36,500. These weekly payments have been based on an average interest rate of 5.11% and being interest only (available up to 10 years). These repayments are to be used as a guide only. Actual repayment amount will be verified by your Assured Home Loans’ consultant. Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply. ^AVJennings will pay up to $1000 towards setting up your next home loan with Assured Home Loans including application fees, legal documentation fees, valuation fees and progress inspection fees. All descriptions have been prepared in good faith and with due care however may be subject to change without notice. Images may be mirror reversed for illustration purposes. Specific details and dimensions are provided in your contract drawings which form part of your building contract. ®Registered Trademark. Builders License Number GL 56537(Cat.2). ©AVJennings Properties Limited. ABN 50 004 601 503. AVJSA3238/TM Security House Manufacturers commercial and residential windows and doors • All styles of windows and doors • Extensive products on display • Standard and custom made • Residential and commercial • New homes • Complete replacement service • Enclosures and conservatories • French and multistack doors • Energy efficient glass • Balustrades • Bifold doors • Trellidors Free no obligation quotes l Phone: 8281 0011 l www.shm.com.au l Showroom 36 Kesters Road, Para Hills West Transform magazine 7 Page 8: Enjoy the benefits of a holiday resort in your own backyard with a Stratco Outback® Verandah. Experience the best of outdoor living with a range of lifestyle solutions: Flat Roof - Curved - Gable - Dutch Gable - Hip End - Gazebo - Pergola or even the versatile Outback Sunroof ™ with movable electronic louvres. With an Outback Verandah, you can open your home to the outside and create a space that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Combine any of these options to create your own exciting and unique outdoor living area. Contact Stratco today for an Authorised Outback Dealer to provide a free measure and quote, or visit a Stratco Home Improvement Store to D.I.Y. OCT09TRANISS1 www.stratco.com.au 1300 145 145 8 Transform magazine Page 9: area entertaining As the temperature starts to move upwards, the barbeque is being dusted off and dragged out of the shed and the focus of our lives moves outdoors. Now is the time to start thinking about creating an outdoor space that can be utilised during both the long summer nights and well into the winter. Greg Smith from South Australian business Carport and Verandah tells us that the days of just putting a verandah up outside are gone. “We are finding that home owners are looking to create an outdoor entertaining area instead, that complements the style of the existing house and functions as an additional living space.” “Building an outdoor entertaining area is a fantastic addition to any home and if well planned it can become a regularly utilised outdoor room.” market. Prices can start from around $4,000 and are available from places such as Solatec, Softwoods and DS Liston Pergolas. creating an outdoor outdoor feature On the floor and overhead. Getting the flooring and shelter of your new entertaining area correct is critical, as these are the areas that are expensive to change once in place. Some options for flooring include: • clay paving • decking • stone • concrete • tile When selecting your flooring, look to the style of your home, so that you are able to choose something complementary. Analyse the usage of the outdoor area to ensure that you are using a product that will stand up to the wear and tear that your family (or your friends) will give to it. The structure overhead is also a vital consideration - as ideally you want to be able to use your outdoor entertaining area rain, hail or shine. It also helps keep your outdoor furniture in better condition. Some options for shelters include permanent structures such as pergolas, and verandahs, and other options as shade sails, and shade umbrellas. Carport and Verandah’s Greg Smith tell us that a “Gable – End” roof is the most popular at the moment, and additionally roofs that combine the gable-end and flat roofing structures are being requested on a regular basis. Let there be light As you’ll be using the outdoor area a lot for night-time entertaining your lighting options should be a strong consideration. Not only will you need outdoor lighting for practical reasons such as ensuring you can see how the lamb chops are cooking, but lighting also plays an important role in the atmosphere and ambiance of your outdoor space. Some options are: • down-lights • up-lights • fluoros • spot-lights First Things First Before you go about creating your entertaining area, there are some things that you need to consider first. After determining budget, the next most important issue is how you are going to link the outdoor area with your existing home. An area that looks tacked on is not recommended for long-term enjoyment – and re-saleability. Make sure the design of your outdoor space flows well from the existing house. If the budget is tight take a look at some of the DIY outdoor entertaining area kits on the All year round To make sure that your outdoor entertaining area can be used all year round it is a good idea to add some sort of outdoor heating and perhaps even some café blinds. Patio heaters are great as they warm people and objects, rather than just the surrounding air. Another option you could opt for an outdoor fireplace or chiminea. These may cost more to buy initially, but they are efficient and cheap to run. Austral Bricks recommends… With longevity, versatility and style as its main attractions, clay pavers are great around the home because of their rich colours and stain-resistant properties. At first glance most pavers may look alike. So why should you choose clay pavers over others? Carli Dunchue, Austral Bricks Marketing Manager explains. “Only clay pavers offer an unbeatable combination of qualities that guarantee your paving will give long and colourful service with little maintenance”. Austral Bricks clay products are fired at high temperatures to guarantee the strong, natural earthy colours of your clay pavers are permanent. Thanks to their composition and firing, clay pavers are easy to maintain – making cleaning easy and leaving more time to enjoy the outdoors for family fun. They are tough and will stand up to high traffic wear. Transform magazine 9 Page 10: SPRING SALE MAKING THE M OST Of yOur OuTd O OrS SOUTH AUSTRALIA N THROUGH AND THROUGH. Gable Roof Verandah with skylights • Sheds • Carports • Gable and flat roof verandahs • Patios and Entertainment Areas • Pergola Enclosures • No Obligation Quote • Free Design Service • 20 Year Structural Warranty • Free Design Service We deal with all council approvals so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Check us out online! 1/2 round hall table $475 - 15% off now only $399 $3100 - 15% off $2635 3 door buffet & hutch Flat Roof Verandah Book ure eas your mte online o and qu eceive a to r t iscoun $250 d u buy o when y We also stock a wide range of outdoor furniture 1300 554 577 All Areas Call SHEDS & STRUCTURES Carport and Verandah Wholesalers www.carportandverandah.com.au 10 Transform magazine SHEDS & STRUCTURES Page 11: furniture Having previously purchased a number of outdoor furniture settings that did not stand the test of time and fell apart within a couple of years. I was resigned to outdoor furniture needing replacing every year or two if it was in an uncovered outdoor space. The great news is this isn’t the case. outdoor outdoor feature that lasts With such a wide variety of outdoor furniture available in Adelaide at a range of price points, it is understandable that we could all get a little confused about what to buy and how long our purchase will last. Bek Schapel gets an insight from two of Adelaide’s gurus of outdoor furniture, Taste Furniture’s Peter Walkom and Conci Furniture’s Lido Conci. regularly, then ensure it is of a high quality. It will last longer and the return on the initial investment will be worth it. However if your outdoor space is completely protected from all elements and is only utilised a couple of times a year, outdoor furniture at the less expensive end of the spectrum might be the solution. So how do we choose outdoor furniture that lasts? Taste Furniture’s Peter Walkom points out, “One of the challenges buyers face is that all outdoor furniture looks relatively the same new. It’s as time passes that the lower quality and less expensive furniture degrades.” This is particularly true of furniture exposed to the elements. “Furniture exposed to the weather must have a strong UV stabiliser to ensure longevity of the product.” Lido Conci of Conci Furniture agrees; “The most damaging element to outdoor furniture is the Australian sun. Ensuring your furniture has protection from the sun in the form of UV stabilisers is essential.” Both Lido and Peter believe that the warranty attached to the product should provide a good guide to both the quality of the furniture and what UV stabilisers have been included in the product. “It is also a good idea to stay away from cheap imported outdoor furniture, it is not good quality,” advises Lido. Looking after your furniture should take no more than mild soapy water – except for wood products which will need staining once or twice a year – purely to keep the colour of the wood the same. So determining how and where you’ll use your outdoor furniture should determine what price point you’ll pay. If your furniture will be continuously exposed to the elements or used What’s popular this year? Synthetic weave seating in chocolate or beige. The cleans lines of aluminium and glass settings are still in style. Dark cast iron settings. As always the hardwood settings are popular and still look great. Umbrellas are still big news too. Colours for cushions are white, aqua, chocolates and pinks. Large outdoor pots and Buddha inspired pieces finish off the look. Synthetic weave products are popular this season (top). Aluminium and glass settings are still in style (bottom). Transform magazine 11 Page 12: outdoor feature better buying barbies a higher fat content. Most manufacturers rely on lava rock or ceramic briquettes to distribute the heat from the burners to the cooking surface. Drippings from the food tend to pool in these systems causing those flare-ups. The best grills use a steel bar system (pioneered by Weber) that funnel the grease away from the burner flames, reducing the occurrence of flare-ups. Few would argue that one of the most important elements of any outdoor area is the barbeque. So what separates an ordinary barbeque from a great barbeque? And do the snags really taste any better on them? The burners Better barbeques generally have two or more separate burners, which allow greater control of heat. Many lower-priced barbeques have only one burner shaped like an H or a bar - sometimes with one control knob, and sometimes two control knobs. Why are two or more burners better? Barbeques with only one burner don’t allow you to control heat particularly well. Give it a shake A good, well-built barbeque will feel solid and sturdy. If a barbeque isn’t solid on the sales floor, chances are it will fall apart even quicker on the patio or deck. I challenge you all to give the display barbeque a reasonable shake on the sales floor! Cooking grills are generally made from heavyduty plated steel or chrome-plated aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge cooking grill will last longer and distribute and retain heat better. The best grills are made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain-coated aluminum or cast iron. Safety A good barbeque lights effortlessly, controls heat easily, has handles that stay cool to the touch, and has added safety features. Long Local Warranty It makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products. Make sure you read the fine print on the warranty. Just because there is a warranty on the barbeque, it does not mean that all components of the barbeque are also covered. So will the snags taste any better? You may find that your snags are a little less burnt with the reduction in flare ups, and by buying a higher quality barbie there is less likelihood of rust ending up on your food. Most importantly the barbeque is likely to last a longer period of time. Thanks to Heatworks-Coolworks and Barbeques Galore for assistance with this article. The Cooking System When cooking on a gas barbeque juices from the food drip down and accumulate near the heat source until they reach a flash point and burn off. The best systems quickly flash the drippings, eliminating flare-ups and creating flavour full smoke. Anyone who has owned a cheaper gas barbeque will recall the barbie spot fires that can occur when cooking meats with Assembly When you buy a barbecue, you want to grill, not drill, so fast and easy assembly is a priority. Some barbeques require hours to assemble. Better brands reduce or eliminate the amount of assembly required by the consumer – and some include the assembly in the price. Turbo Classic 4 Weber Q220 Hot Now Heatworks-Coolworks Managing Director Ian Ogden tells us that the Weber Q120, Q220 and 300P barbeques are selling fast. These three barbeque options offer the great Weber flavours with the control of gas, each model offering a different size to suit different applications. Barbeques Galore’s bestseller is the Turbo Classic 4. With a recommended retail price of $1,699 the Turbo Classic 4 is fitted with a unique system that distributes an even layer of heat over the cooking surface, resulting in increased control and performance. It has a 10 year firebox warranty. 12 Transform magazine Page 13: Relax with a spa or sauna! from $2,800 CELEBRATING TRANSFORM’S 1st ISSUE SAUNAS Burn calories, improve skin condition and remove toxins with a sauna. FREE HANDLE OFFER* Present this advertisement in-store to get a free handle/knob on every door and drawer in your new kitchen! Plus we’ll throw in a copy of our brand new 120 page catalogue for free to get you started!^ Inside you’ll find everything you need to make your dream kitchen a reality! from $4,990 SPAS Catalogue Includes: Kitchen Cabinets | Laminate Benchtops Thermo & Laminate Doors | Handles & Knobs Accessories & Appliances | Huge Product Range ...come in and see us today! Lonsdale Showroom 45 Brodie Road North Lonsdale SA 5067 phone 8329 2866 Norwood Showroom 144 Magill Road Norwood SA 5067 phone 8132 8000 A portable or in-ground spa will turn your home into a relaxation zone. Free delivery & installation conditions apply Shop 2/715 South Road, Black Forest 8371 5140 www.affordablespas.net.au Saunas 8371 4075 www.saunaking.com.au Spas *Handle to the value of $8 per frontal. Terms & Conditions apply ^Catalogue normally retails for $10 DIY PERGOLA & DECK KITS Pre-cut pergolas and decks ready to be assembled using our detailed instructions. 4 4 x 2 Pergola starting at $1600 4 4 x 2 Deck starting at $1100 We’ll even custom design a pergola or deck to suit your measurements. Is your job too big or too small? We can supply and install for you. BLD192688 Free Measure & Quote Professional Staining, Polishing, Painting & Installation Service Leadlight Made to Measure Bi Folds French Doors Entrance Doors 301 South Rd Interior Doors Security Doors Solid Timber Doors Extensive Range of Decorative Glass Patio Door Systems Wardrobes 71 Hill St Port Elliot Ph (08) 85542417 Member Mile End SA 5031 Ph (08) 8352 6400 www.islanddoors.com.au CALL DALE ON 0422 332 385 Transform magazine 13 Page 14: overseas When building or renovating a home, the choice between wood and stone are fairly standard points of interest. However, the tile trend has had an emergence in recent years and is now one of the hot topics of the building and renovating world. But what are the right tiles to choose and more importantly how do you pick the right ones? Much easier to maintain but with the classic look of timber. Using different colours and styles together will help give your home an individual look and will allow you to get those creative juices flowing. International outdoor trends have also hit the Australian market with tiles being used to spruce up entertainment areas on the patio outside. There is a large demand for outdoor living to replicate the feel of being indoors but with the advantage of having a fresh breeze or the warm sunshine right at the fingertips. Combining tiles both indoors and outdoors will help to create this seamless living effect. Neutral and natural tones are the current trend along with beige, off white, chocolate and coffee tones. Tiles have also been hugely popular with decorating outdoor feature walls and fireplaces. Ultimately it is important when doing a home renovation or building to ensure that the latest trends not only improve the look of the house but also make everyday living easier as well. Home fashion trends can be just as fickle as clothing fashion so it is important to look around and make sure that what is popular today will still be modern and enduring in the years down the track. Megan Warburton Of late, there has been an enormous range of tiling ideas being introduced to the Australian market from overseas. Whether they’re for indoor or outdoor use, the choices are limitless. Maybe you want to spruce up your bathroom with some Italian inspired mosaics or decorate your kitchen with the all-American favourite stone ceramic tiles? Either way, there are plenty of options out there to help you create the right ambience within your home. Using a little international flair for influence, the following guide will help you come to a decision about how to bring the right style to your home using tiles. The biggest international trend that has emerged on the Australian market is the mosaic tile popular in both kitchens and bathrooms. Whether you want to go for the retro-themed black and white style or the modern iridescent glass look, mosaics are definitely the current trend taking Australian designers and renovators by storm. Not only do they look slick and stylish, but they also have an added benefit of being very easy to maintain and keep clean. Another international trend that has emerged in the world of tiles is the mixing and matching of sizes and styles. Don’t just install the standard plain square floor tile. Have a look around and see what effects can be achieved when using different combinations. Different patterns can also be used to create a more individual look. A new trend that has come out of the Spanish market is floor tiles that look just like wood. 14 Transform magazine Page 15: real opinion “We just wanted to do a tidy up, and it ended up taking us over four weeks!” Sound familiar? It often is the way with that “quick” make over prior to putting your property on the market. Sally and James decided to sell their rental property of 3 years, and in doing so found that their much loved unit had a rough life recently. After deciding to sell, and setting a budget of $5,000 they went to work on the property. First things first – painting, one of the most inexpensive ways to freshen up a property. Starting with neutral colours as a base, one wall was selected as a feature. Everything else was kept simple. A smart move was to paint out the original 70’s hallway cupboards that were mission brown. What a huge and inexpensive decision this was! Next was the kitchen. With limited space in the kitchen, Sally and James decided to go for a WOW affect by adding a new sink, mosaic tiled splash back, simple shelving, new cupboards and bench top, and a dishwasher. Floors next, with gorgeous chocolate brown sisal in the bedrooms, and leaving the living areas with the original floor-boards. The final touches were added with terrific house styling. Sally and James used furniture from their own home to set up the bedrooms with light, bright colours. They added a couch and dining table, outdoor setting and added that sparkle with wall hangings, a few lamps and some tasteful art pieces and potted plants. The end result – fabulous photos and a wonderful experience for those being shown the property, and this meant that someone was going to fall in love with the place! The property sold for above their expectations and the renovation costs were kept to the minimal budget. What was important in deciding what to update? They made sure that the work they did would have a direct impact on the buyer, and they didn’t over capitalise. Sally and James chose not to do the bathroom, but because everything else was done, the buyer was fine with it, giving the new owner they opportunity to add some capital value later for themselves. A great outcome for the seller and the buyer! If you are in a similar position to Sally and James and want to know what areas of your property to update, speak with your real estate agent, who should be able to assist you in pointing out areas to update and repair. Jacque Opie Sales Partner Toop and Toop Transform magazine 15 Page 16: Looking for a better showerscreen, mirror, splashback or wardrobe? We’ve got the affordable & attractive solution. Check out our new showroom at 3-5 Opala Street, Regency Park Phone: 08 8376 1777 For a quote that’s free, call Regency Showerscreens and Wardrobes. Want to water your garden this summer? With a rainwater tank system you have your own water supply to keep your garden alive over summer. And by plumbing a tank to your home you can achieve significant water savings throughout the year. We have a tank solution for almost any space including thin and slim line tanks, round tanks and underground systems. Call us today to arrange a no obligation in home arrange s nge quote. Garden tanks from only $999 installed. In home design & quotes 7 days / Showroom 59 Manton St, Hindmarsh / Mon-Fri 8.00-5.00 / Phone 8346 9700 n-Fri 8.00-5.00 0 8346 9700 346 making a world of difference Up to $1500 in Govt. rebates 16 Transform magazine Page 17: cover story staygo? shall I or shall I All homeowners have to face the question at some point of whether to renovate their existing house or relocate to a new house, and every situation is unique. We take a look at the reasons for both renovating and moving house. Toop and Toop’s Jacque Opie details the pros and cons of renovating. The Pros • You get to choose colours, design and layout – putting your personal stamp on the property. • You know the quality of the work being done – knowing its not been done for a quick dollar. • You can DIY it on a shoe string and not pay for someone else’s work on a renovated property. Renovate Anyone who’s been through it knows that renovating can be inconvenient business. So why should we put ourselves through the pain of renovating? Building advisory service, Archicentre suggests that the three major reasons to renovate are: 1. Investment in the family home does not attract capital gains tax when it is sold. 2. The family gets to enjoy a better lifestyle – once the renovation is complete of course. 3. The family could turn part of their home into a future revenue stream by creating a self-contained living area for rent. Mr Jim Jovanovic, SA State Manager of Archicentre says families who live in the right location, but in the wrong house for their lifestyle are great candidates for renovating. “Prior to finding the right house, home buyers seek out neighbourhoods for qualities they can check off like items on a wish list. They consciously select areas close to work, near schools, public transport services, shopping facilities, parks, restaurants and intend to have a long involvement in the community. If special needs are required, they renovate. “Renovations can be very disruptive to family life, creating tensions, particularly large renovation projects especially if the family is living within the renovation.” Neil Kelly completed a renovation project last year while living in the middle of it, and agrees that although the finished product is something to be proud of, there were many challenges in undergoing renovations while living on the property. “The dust, the fumes, constant disruptions, it’s certainly a difficult time, particularly with a young baby in the house.” “Living without a kitchen for a month in the middle of winter is certainly something I don’t want to do again…even though I love the finished product – and we survived the renovation.” Relocate Relocation to a new house is seemingly the easiest option to consider, but it can potentially be the most costly. Getting a new house may require a further extension on a mortgage and therefore loan approvals are needed from your bank or credit union. Mr Jovanovic said of those people who do move, they don’t move far, often remaining in the community or a neighbouring area. “Moving is an expensive exercise with moving costs up to $50,000 including loan fees, agent fees, removalist fees, and stamp duty costs. These are expensive fees and charges where the funds could be put to better use paying for renovating your home to improve your lifestyle.” Jamie Crocker recently moved to Hahndorf, saying she moved to be closer to more facilities. “There were no schools, shops or other facilities in the close vicinity to my original house. It made a trip down the shops into an expedition. That’s why we moved, we wanted to be closer to important facilities.” “However, with moving house being considered one of the most stressful events in a person’s life, it was hardly an easy thing to do.” The Cons • Renovations can go on forever – buying means you move in and enjoy straight away. • Tradies in your house, who are only available during the times you are at work. • When it comes to selling you may have appeased your own tastes, but will the renovation suit some one else? • You can end up going way over your budget. • If you’re living in the middle of a renovation, get prepared for a lot of dust and a few family arguments. Transform magazine 17 Page 18: great renovation renovation great greenhill before... With views of both Cleland and the city, it is a spectacular renovation, completely changing the property into a light and airy home that takes in those wonderful views. Bek Schapel spent an hour with Dennis, discussing the perils and highlights of the renovation. Dennis and Fiona Godfrey, their two children, Nicola and Darcy and golden retriever Jackson recently completed an extensive renovation of a two-story property at Greenhill. master bedroom suite, and downstairs filled the doorway to the kitchenette to create an open plan lounge and kitchenette area. Would you do anything different if you had your time again? I recommend paying more attention to reference checks of important suppliers and service providers. They play a critical role in the project and it’s important that you know as much about their work history as possible. Why did you decide to take on this renovation project? The location of the home, which includes a 180 degree view of national park and a 90 degree view of the city and ocean, was a major reason why we purchased the home and decided to renovate. Although the house needed a lot of work to make it like this, it has great bones, being solid brick and having a concrete slab between the two stories of the house. An additional reason why we renovated rather than rebuild is that there is now a council regulation in the area stopping the building of houses that rise above a certain height from the road and this house was built before that regulation came about. Approximate cost of renovation? Approximately $450,000. Would you do it again? Hopefully I don’t need to do it again. It’s been a trying experience, but it’s been fun trying! We have now been through all forms of home making – building new, renovating while living in a property, renovating while living away from the renovation, and moving into a house and not renovating at all. How long has the renovation taken? We bought the property in November 2007, with work commencing on the property in July 2008. Finally we moved into the property in January 2009…and there are still a few more things to do on the place. The suppliers Builder: Martin Jones – Aremjay Pty Ltd Hard Plastering: Peter the Plasterman Painting: Steve Atkins – Paintek Pty Ltd Tiling: Paul Miller – Paul Miller Tiling and Bathroom Renovations What is the highlight of the renovation? Opening the house up to the views outside with the addition of windows, bi-fold doors and an extended balcony. It is great to finally realise the vision of the property that we had when we purchased the property. Changes to the original floor plan? Many, we did not extend the house, apart from the balcony, but there were many holes knocked in walls, filling in doorways and creating different sized rooms. We removed the formal dining room, to create an extensive 18 Transform magazine Page 19: ...and after the renovation Transform magazine 19 Page 20: focus on focus on PLAN AHEAD WITH JIM’S ANTENNAS When building or renovating your home don’t forget to include precabling for your Home Entertainment needs including TV, Telephone and Data. Australia’s Premier Quality Bath and Bathroom Resurfacing Product. Don’t replace – resurface with ThermoGlaze. A fraction of the cost of replacement. ThermoGlaze can match virtually any decor. Choose from over 1000 colours. All workmanship and materials are covered by our extensive guarantee. Minimal disruption – your bathroom is ready for use within 24 hours. Sutherland Property Solutions, are an established maintenance, bathroom renovation and presale makeover company that helps you achieve your home and property development goals. An excellent reputation and steeped in experience, they are dedicated to providing fantastic service and fresh ideas that go above and beyond expectations to households and business across Adelaide. For a free quote, or to learn more about what we have to offer, please contact Wayne Sutherland (Director)on : Phone 8323 8122 Fax 8323 8622 Mobile 0439803377 enquiries@sutherlandpropertysolutions.com www.sutherlandpropertysolutions.com Jim’s Antennas have experienced technicians offering a rapid response and free on site quotes. Our Franchisees all own and run their businesses close to home - they know your area because it is their area too! Contact us now on 131 546 to arrange for one of our dedicated team to provide a free, no obligation quote. Quality custom built kitchens • 2 pack • vinyl • solid timber • Laminate • Traditional style kitchens Custom made furniture • Entertainment units • Vanity units • Laundry cabinets • Built ins • Bars Showroom U4/3 Kitawah St Lonsdale (Cnr of Dyson & Aldenhoven Roads) Open Mon to Fri 9 - 4 Saturday 9 - 12 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED 4 Free Quotes 4 Fast Service 4 Qualified Technicians 4 Extended Warranties 4 Telephone & Data Points 279 Churchill Rd Prospect SA, 5082 Ph: (08) 8344 5036 Fax: (08) 8344 5033 Mobile: 0412 393 429 E: thermoglazesa@bigpond.com www.thermoglaze.com.au www.jimsantennas.com.au 131 546 Ph 8384 6440 10 YEAR on every tank guarantee Keep your garden green with Tankpoly. With so many sizes and colours to choose from, there’s a water storage solution for every application. · See us for all your rain harvesting requirements advice, installation, and a full range of tank accessories · Measure & quote available ADELAIDE’S ONLY HOME IMPROVEMENT MAGAZINE Distributed to over 100,000 home owners in Adelaide bi-monthly. Full colour glossy magazine. Join industry leading experts, experienced home renovators and exceptional writers in promoting your business to targeted consumers. For advertising contact Bek delivery to Adelaide metro area FREE 109 O’Sullivans Beach Road, Lonsdale, SA Phone (08) 81866462 or visit www.tankpoly.com.au 0458 133 113 20 Transform magazine Page 21: diy retaining walls Stylish and available in a variety of colours and designs, concrete sleepers look fantastic, can create a whole new feel to your outdoor areas, and do not rot. They may look a little tricky to install but concrete sleepers can be easily installed yourself – saving you a packet in your pocket. Follow the easy steps below to install your sleepers. Concrete sleeper retaining wall up to 1 metre in height. Set the pegs at each end of the retaining wall site and connect the string line to the height required. Dig the holes for the sleeper posts 2010mm apart – from the centre of each hole (450 diametre). For a one metre high wall, the post holes must be dug to 1100mm deep. Once the holes are dug, place the posts in the holes and add concrete. Do not over fill the holes; the concrete should not exceed 1010mm from the top of each post. With the string lines still in place, check the alignment of all the posts with a spirit level. Also recheck that the distances between posts are still 2010mm. Tip: a piece of wood cut to 2010mm will assist to check this measurement. After the concrete has cured in the post holes overnight, place the sleepers between the posts. If the sleepers and the posts do not align at the same height, shorten the posts using an angle grinder. Once sleepers have been installed, place plastic membrane behind the wall and ag-pipe or strip drain at the bottom of the wall. Cover the pipe with 20mm aggregate (gravel) to allow for drainage. Walls over one metre in height are required to be engineered and have council approval. DIY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED Spirit level String line Piece of wood cut to length of sleeper Wheel barrow Angle grinder with masonry blade MATERIALS REQUIRED Cement mix 20mm aggregate (gravel) Plastic membrane Concrete sleepers Posts Installation steps and photographs provided by Outback Sleepers Australia. Further information on building a retaining wall can be found on the Outback Sleepers Australia website. www.outbacksleepers.net.au Transform magazine 21 Page 22: enjoy kitchen outdoor If you’re looking for something more stylish, up-market and enduring than the traditional brick barbeque, take a look at this outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchen designs can include bench spaces, taps, sinks and fridge space. Customised to each owners needs, they can also include cook tops, wok burners, wood-fired ovens, dishwashers, built-in storage cupboards, range hoods, and yes...even beer taps. Pricing for an outdoor kitchen (without the accessories) can range from $8,000 to $50,000 plus. This outdoor kitchen is by Paultons Outdoor Kitchen Solutions and includes an island bench finished in sandstone, canopy, frosted glass on the doors and sliding drawers, glass splash-back and a four burner Masport Barbeque. 22 Transform magazine Page 23: thankyou! you thank * ASK HOW AVJENNINGS Transform Magazine would like to thank our advertising partners who have supported the launch of Adelaide’s only home improvement magazine. DA MILY ROOM CAN SAVE YOU JUST $36 A WEEK. just $36 per week.* As ome but need more space hy not add a ‘Sanctuary’ Looking for a better showerscreen, mirror, splashback or wardrobe? We’ve got the affordable & attractive solution. MAKING THE MOST Of yOur OuTd OOrS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN most awarded an trust the AVJennings OFF YOUR NEXT HOME LOAN WITH ASSURED HOME LOANS.^ ents team to clothes e style of create morewe wear or the cars we drive. Our 3D Virtual walk through me on time and on budget. clay bricks, a home can reflect our own unique style. your garden this summer? THROUGH AND THROUG H. o arrange water supply to keep yourallows you to see every service garden ve your ownsignifies mortar” your free a safenew improvementalive over summer. And by plumbing a tank and secure investment. & addition Gable Roof Verandah with skylights from various angles. n-home consultation. cant water savings throughout the year. We have a tank solution for almost any space al tanks and underground systems. Call us today to arrange a no obligation in home brick. nd arrange s nge installed. over a century old - are as sturdy as ever and looking Check out our new showroom at 3-5 Opala Street, Regency Park Showroom 59 Manton St, Hindmarsh / Mon-Fri 8.00-5.00 / Phone 8346 9700 n-Fri 8.00-5.00 0 8346 9700 346 Phone: 08 8376 1777 • Sheds • Carports • Gable and flat roof verandahs • Patios and Entertainment Areas • Pergola Enclosures • No Obligation Quote • Free Design Service • 20 Year Structural Warranty • Free Design Service For a quot Showerscr inish to maintain its good looks. No ongoing costs, Up to $1500 st of the summer sun and helps trap your expensive in Govt. non-flammable - after all, bricks are kiln-fired atrebates making a world of difference 09 and with contracts signed by 31/12/09. ‘Sanctuary’ Family room based on 5m x 4m. For full dition with a loan amount of $36,500. These weekly payments have been based on an average mount will be verified by your Assured Home Loans’ consultant. Terms, conditions and lending s, legal documentation fees, valuation fees and progress inspection fees. All descriptions have ation purposes. Specific details and dimensions are provided in your contract drawings which BN 50 004 601 503. AVJSA3238/TM We deal with all council approvals so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Check us out online! Flat Roof Verandah Book re easu your m e online ot and qu ive a Phone 13 BRICK | 13 2742 www.australbricks.com.au AUS377 10/09 Security House Manufacturers commercial and residential windows and doors • All styles of windows and doors 1300 554 577 Torefind out how your company can to ce ount sc $250 di u buy become an advertising partner of when yo Transform Magazine contact Editor Bek Schapel M 0458 133 113 or email transformmagazine@sainformer.com All Areas Call SHEDS & STRUCTURES Carport and Verandah Wholesalers www.carportandverandah.com.au SHEDS & STRUCTURES • Balustrades With an ASENT Media Centre you can use one Finish your house with the next • Bifold doors remote to control all these features and a host • Trellidors generation of home entertainment. of others. An ASENT Media Centre converges lall 8281 0011 l www.shm.com.au l Showroom 36 Kesters Road, Para Hills West Free no obligation quotes Phone: With four models on offer ASENT helps you your digital entertainment systems in enjoy your entertainment, your way. to one easy-to-use device. WIN • Extensive products on display • Standard and custom made • Residential and commercial • New homes • Complete replacement service • Enclosures and conservatories • French and multistack doors • Energy efficient glass an ASENT media centre Just answer this easy question and post your answer along with your name, address, and phone number to Transform Magazine Competition, PO Box 493, Hahndorf 5245, by last mail Monday 30th November 2009. How many ASENT models are available? a. 2 b. 4 c. 3 d. 5 Competition terms and conditions are available from website www.sainformer.com Watch and record HDTV at the same time. Pause and rewind live HDTV. Record every episode of your favourite TV show with the touch of a button. Listen to your favourite music while watching a slide show of your favourite pictures. Find out more about ASENT Media Centre’s at www.asent.com.au ASENT and Transform Magazine have joined together to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win an ASENT Media Centre Model B-09 valued at $1,800. Transform magazine 23 Page 24: Why Clay Brick? Built-in style Every day we make statements, whether it’s the style of clothes we wear or the cars we drive. Thanks to the range of contemporary coloured Austral Bricks clay bricks, a home can reflect our own unique style. Built-in value It’s not for nothing that the term “bricks and mortar” signifies a safe and secure investment. The real estate market has long acknowledged the value of real brick. Built-in strength Brick houses in inner suburbs - many well over a century old - are as sturdy as ever and looking even better. That’s the timelessness of brick. Built-in performance Brickwork does not require a surface finish to maintain its good looks. No ongoing costs, no lost annual holidays “doing the outside of the house”. Built-in protection The mass of brickwork excludes the worst of the summer sun and helps trap your expensive winter heat. Brickwork is an ideal sound insulator and being non-flammable - after all, bricks are kiln-fired at temperatures up to 1200ºC - it has excellent fire resistance. Phone 13 BRICK | 13 2742 www.australbricks.com.au AUS377 10/09 Page 25: