Ultimate Home Living May 2015

ultimate

home living May 2015

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1252 Wednesday, May 27, 2015 – Page 19

ultimate

home living

Don’t bunker down with dirt and grime this Winter

WITH Winter quickly approaching, we’re about to shut ourselves inside for months with all the dirt and grime we accumulated throughout the year. Here are some tips to ensure your home is dust and dirt free before you bunker down.

Clean out your closet

Go through all your wardrobes and get rid of any clothes that you know you no longer need. If the decision is proving difficult, a good rule of thumb is; if you haven’t worn it in two years or it makes you feel guilty, it has got to go. From the keeper’s pile, it’s a great time to mend or wash anything that needs it.

Clean the garbage bins

MEDIA RELEASE

You’re going to be stuck inside with these germ havens all Winter, so now is a great time to give them a thorough clean. Take the bins outside, blast them with water and use a sponge and vinegar to disinfect the bins without any harmful chemicals. Let the bins sit for an hour before rinsing out and allow to dry in direct sunlight, which helps eliminate bacteria.

Wash and disinfect toilet brush holders

A chore that never seems to be done, Winter is a great chance to disinfect the toilet brush holder. When you’re cleaning the bins, also take the holder and the brush outside, and spray thoroughly with a garden hose. Immerse the holder and brush in a bucket of hot water

mixed with 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Let everything sit in the solution for a couple of hours, then rinse the holder and brush with a hose and place in direct sunlight to dry.

Dust

Dust and dirt nestle on almost every surface in the house, often completely unnoticed. When we’re confined indoors there’s nothing worse than having dust build up and microfibre cloths are the quickest and easiest way to clear particles of dust. Key hotspots include windowsills, light fixtures and bookshelves. When cleaning blinds, wrap a microfibre cloth around a spatula and slide back and forth between the slats to collect dust. Also don’t forget to give the ceiling fan a wipe over.

Bring out the bedding

Air the comforters, blankets and bedding. When you replace your lighter Summer bedding with Winter warmers, it’s important to give them a good airing first. They’ve been stashed in the cupboard for the last 9 months, so make the most of the Autumn rays and hang them outside for a while. Remember, sunlight is also a natural sanitiser.

Be clean this winter… Before bunkering down in your home during Winter, give your a home a good clean so you don’t spend the cold months living with dirt and grime. Photo: Supplied.

I C Y H U E S I N S P I R E S PA C E S A S W I N T E R M O V E S I N D DULUX INTERIOR FORECAST FOR WINTER 2015

Icy landscapes and deep, dark forests will inspire our interiors this winter with touches of warm, pale blonde timbers and plenty of texture added to create an inviting space.

Homeowners should remember that a fresh coat of paint is a simple and inexpensive way to add colour, personality and achieve a place where you feel comfortable, inspired and happy.

It’s the seasonal forecast from leading paint company Dulux, which predicts the growing popularity of neutrals, partnered with inky blues and earthy grey beiges, such as Dulux Blue Ash, Powdered Gum and Mirage Blue, will dominate, all from its moody-inspired Wildland palette.

“Colour is amazing! It can highlight items you want to focus on and can camouflage the elements you wish to hide,” says Lucena-Orr. “It plays a pivotal role in the home as it helps define the feeling and mood of a space and it so simple to create with a simple painting project.”

Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour & Communications Manager says the Wildland palette is all about creating warmth through texture.

Ben Edwards, from architecture and design studio Edwards Moore, says colour choice should always be based on the outcome you are trying to achieve and can be used to transform any room.

“Homeowners might choose deeper shades in dark, earthy colours, such as Dulux Western Myall, with focal points in warmer hues and lighter tones to create a beautiful space.”

“Integrating furnishings in natural timbers, and soft fabrics such as fur and wool juxtaposes the brooding colours, which adds that element of comfort to the space.”

“Introducing a subtle neutral, such as Dulux Purri Sticks, schemed alongside a moody blue, can change the feel of your space and can create a very sedate and tranquil atmosphere.”

Page 20 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1252 Wednesday, May 27, 2015

“Think about the overall ambience you want and do not think of colour as flat,” says Edwards. “In-between spaces such as corridors and circulation spaces between rooms are often overlooked. They act as transition spaces and can add delight, linking spaces in the home.”

Dulux colour experts study trends around the world to develop their forecast, attending trade fairs in Europe, studying product and design innovation, colour and finishes, and emerging global designers. They source information from overseas agencies, which analyse global influences such as fashion, media, world events, technology and science, social fundamentals, financial economics and politics.

Styling Photog

Furnitu Bear; R

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home living

Celebrating Women in Construction LEADING local business women gathered formidable influence in the partnership, are together for a three day Women in Business supported given the male-dominated nature of Conference in May, aimed at improving the building industry. the skill-set of women in a male dominated “We also want to provide women with the industry. tools and support they need to strive in a male Held at Lancefield, approximately 60 dominated industry.”

MARCH 2015 minutes north of Melbourne, Hotondo Homes Business sessions covered organisation gave women the opportunity to network and tech n iques , rou nd table d iscussions , learn from each other and inspiring speakers. employment law, recognising symptoms of Women in Business Conference Organiser, depression and anxiety, exposing your creative Sharon Pryor said, “The conference is one side, colour selections and managing different of the many steps we take to ensure that the generations. women of Hotondo Homes, who are often a “We find that the women do their best

Improving skill-sets in women… Leading local women, including Sue Mintern from Hotondo Homes in Shepparton attended a Women in Business Conference recently, aimed at improving the skill-set of women in a male dominated industry. Photo: Supplied. networking in a social setting, so we make sure we have plenty of opportunities for them to talk to like-minded business owners,” Mrs Pryor said.

Sue Mintern from Hotondo Homes in Shepparton said, “We all got so much out of this year’s Women in Business Conference.

It was such fun and the speakers were awesome. The networking was great and all being together in the one beautiful place was beneficial to everyone there.

“It’s a great opportunity to speak to other women who are in similar situations. There

is so much we can learn from each other and build friendships where we can offer continuous support.”

Hotondo Homes’ network has over 75 building franchises throughout Australia.

They provide local, independent builders with the tools and support they need to be able to compete on pricing, products and service.

To contact Sue, Colin and the team from Hotondo Homes in Shepparton, visit their display home at 53 Canterbury Avenue, Shepparton, phone 5831 2250 or visit www.hotondo.com.au.

The latest and coolest interiors

DOORS -

MARCH 2015

For more colour or painting advice view the Dulux ‘how to projects’ online www.dulux.com.au

Top interior colours for winter

Follow Dulux on - Ends -

For further information, images, interviews or samples please contact:

Communicado

Cristina Rudnicki, Senior Account Manager T: 03 9522 9907 | M: 0422 725 100 E: cristina.rudnicki@communicado.com.au

Rebecca Bills, Account Coordinator T: 03 9522 9930 | M: 0434 146 914 E: rebecca.bills@communicado.com.au

Lexicon: A beautiful coolish white, perfect for most spaces inside and very versatile when scheming with deeper or stronger colours.

Terrace White: With a slight greyish undertone, this cool white is a great white to use for any room, especially for those north or west facing spaces.

Purri Sticks: This lovely and warm mid based greyish/brown is the perfect neutral for creating an inviting and welcoming environment in any room.

Powdered Gum: A refreshing green with a slight grey undertone will help to create a tranquil and restful space and may also evoke the illusion of a larger space.

Western Myall: A popular grey, Western Myall has a slightly brownish undertone to create a charcoal slightly towards the warmer side.

Baltica: A deep, dark charcoal perfect for interiors or exteriors that has a subtle bluish undertone, creating a cooler feel.

g: Bree Leech & Heather Nette King for Dulux Colour Forecast 2015 grapher: Mike Baker

ICY landscapes and deep, dark forests will inspire interiors this Winter with touches of warm, pale blonde timbers and plenty of texture added to create an inviting space. ure & accessories: chair – Space; side table – Cult; light – Porcelain the seasonal forecast from leading paint company Dulux, which predicts the growing popularity Rug –It’s Tretford Carpets. of neutrals, partnered with inky blues and earthy grey beiges.

Dulux Colour and Communications Manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr said, “Home owners might choose deeper shades in dark and earthy colours with focal points in warmer hues and lighter tones to create a beautiful space.

“Integrating furnishings in natural timbers, and soft fabrics such as fur and wool juxtaposes the brooding colours, which adds that element of comfort to the space.

“Introducing a subtle neutral colour, schemed alongside a moody blue, can change the feel of your space and can create a very sedate and tranquil atmosphere.

“Colour is amazing! It can highlight items you want to focus on and can camouflage the elements you wish to hide.

“It plays a pivotal role in the home as it helps define the feeling and mood of a space and it so simple to create with a simple painting project.”

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1252 Wednesday, May 27, 2015 – Page 21