HBT - Your Home 2019

R U YO

HOME 2019

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Your Home 2019

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W

elcome to the winter edition of Your Home.

We hope you enjoy browsing the interesting range of articles we have prepared for you. While it’s cold and not very conducive to be gardening or renovating perhaps you’ll be inspired to think about projects you can complete once spring is here.

Reader giveaway!

Steamed mirrors, condensation on walls and ceilings, slippery floors and mould are year-round annoying home issues caused by shower steam, which can add significant costs to house upkeep. Not to mention that a dry warm house is also a healthy house, as damp bathrooms are the perfect place for fungus and bacteria to grow, causing serious health problems.

Showerdome® solves all these problems, controlling steam, reducing condensation and making the house healthier and warmer.

A Showerdome® shower top consists of a clear acrylic dome that prevents steam from forming when fitted on top of an existing shower box. With no on-going costs it is the most effective investment one can make for a home or rental property.

Showerdome® also makes mirror demisters and extractor fans redundant and could save the average household around $250 in energy costs alone.

We have 1x DIY Showerdome® kit to give away valued at $299 (installation by an official local Showerdome® installer is available at standard pricing).

To learn more, visit www.showerdome.co.nz To enter: Email competitions@hbtoday.co.nz with SHOWERDOME in the subject line.

Provide your full name and daytime contact number.

Giveaway Entry Terms & Conditions Judges decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into. Staff & families of NZME are not eligible to enter. One entry only per email address. All entries must be received by 5pm Monday 12 August 2019. The winner will be notified on Tuesday 13 August 2019.

Your Home 2019

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Eva and Brad’s award winning house

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any Hawke’s Bay Today readers will be familiar with the name Eva Bradley as she wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column, largely based on her personal life, for over a decade. It’s a couple of years since she retired as a columnist but Eva is as busy as ever juggling business as a photographer and life as the mother of two young boys, Edward and James.

Her husband Brad is Managing Director of Turfrey, a company that specialises in construction sub-trades while Eva’s photography studio is located at their beautiful, award winning home in Bay View.

It was success at the NZIA Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay Architecture Awards in May this year that prompted Eva to share on her blog her photos and details about the hard work that went into creating their award winning home at Bay View.

Photography by Eva Bradley

It was a huge project for the couple to build their own home and incorporate a workspace for Eva while also coping with a newborn.

“We bought our coastal section almost 6 years ago now, and knew from the start that we wanted to invest in an architect who could help us create a

future classic, and a space that would take us through all the changes ahead of us as a family. We found Nick Bevin (then at Slessor Architects) after seeing another of his NZIA award-winning homes and he made a potentially intimidating process really easy. Best of all, he educated us on how to use smart design to bring our

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Your Home 2019 young family together, so that we are close and connected while still being able to enjoy our own space when we want it,” Eva says.

The home also presented some “cool construction challenges” for Brad who stepped away from his desk and did most of the plumbing and roofing himself with support from his team and builders Ainsworth and Collinson.

The opportunity to enter their home in the awards gave Eva the opportunity to try architectural photography, rather than telling emotional stories based around people.

“I created a set of images of our home that I was really proud of. They did the trick and caught the judges’ eye, and after a site visit, we were really chuffed to have our home and studio recognised at the awards in mid-May.” The housing award judges praised the Bay View house for its lifestyle amenities.

“The seaside house has many successful aspects but none is greater than the architect’s solution for a complex brief,” the jury said.

“The house accommodates a home and a busy business in a series of intimately scaled spaces that open up in

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the best places, and in the best ways, to celebrate family life and beachside living.”

“The conception and construction was so massive and so personal and what we have as a result of so much creativity and

hard work is a space we will live and work in and love forever. We think Nick Bevin and our builders are pretty special people for helping us turn such a big dream into reality.”

Ainsworth + Collinson Ltd ...Quality Builders for 20 years Proud Builders of the Award Winning Turfrey Home in Hawke’s Bay Ken and Flint work closely with Architects and Architectural Designers and their Clients’, providing competitive pricing; a skilled, customer focused team; total project management and administrative procedures.

Ken Ainsworth + Flint Collinson • www.ainsworthcollison.co.nz 8 Husheer Place, Onekawa, Napier • Office: 06 843 7720 • Email: flint@ainsworthcollinson.co.nz

Your Home 2019

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A stress free home extension

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ast year Alison and Raymond of Akina in Hastings were faced with a difficult decision. Should they extend and renovate their home or sell it and buy a larger one?

The smaller home on a back section had been built in the 1990s and had suited the couple for almost a decade, but with a growing number of grandchildren, and lack of storage space, living with only two bedrooms was becoming an issue.

The original design was unusual in that all the rooms ran off the lounge/kitchen without a hall. At the front of the house was a deck with a private seating area.

A double garage was used to store many of their belongings.

The couple wanted a three bedroom property but having looked at several homes they realised that to get an extra bedroom was going to be a significant cost which would entail a mortgage. It worked out much cheaper to extend rather than move house, Alison says.

BEFORE Also they both liked the area and got on well with the neighbours so decided to stay put and have an extra room built.

Waipukurau Construction was recommended to them and within a short time an architect visited and drew up plans within a week which they accepted without any changes. Alison has nothing but praise for owners Gordon & Sharon Spencer and the architect designer

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Richard Williams. The whole process was so easy and she and Raymond didn’t have to do a thing. “Waipukurau Construction did everything from working with council on the permit to keeping us updated regularly so there were no surprises. We were not put out at all. They cleaned up every day and were happy to do extras like installing balustrades. Nothing was too much

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Your Home 2019 trouble,” Alison says. Any queries were quickly dealt with by phone or email.

“They attended to little things and were so particular about everything.” The architectural drawings were absolutely brilliant and the project was completed on time in early June.

Before meeting with Richard, Alison had come up with a plan but once they sat down and had a chat he was able to come up with a simple, yet much more functional design. This consisted of installing a hall by taking some space from the master bedroom and building a

AFTER

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new bedroom in an extension at the front of the property.

The deck was re-configured with the private seating area being retained. Part way through the build Alison requested balustrades to be added to the deck and the wardrobes were so large that it was agreed to install more shelves. All of this was done efficiently and was no trouble for the builders.

The deck was re configured, and an extra large bedroom built; a hallway was built to connect the bedrooms.

All the subbies were great, she says.

Chris Clark, the painter did an excellent job

and was really particular. They have hired him to paint the rest of the interior of the house.

Bay Electricians were great to work with and came up with some excellent ideas.

Just recently they have selected carpet for the re-modelled home. Mike from Flooring First Onekawa visited with samples and they chose a thick underlay with a solution dyed nylon, thick pile carpet.

They are very pleased with the result.

All in all it’s been an excellent, stress free process. “We think it’s lovely, absolutely wonderful. The whole experience was just so easy.”

Your Home 2019

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The renaissance of wallpaper

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allpaper is now firmly back on the design agenda, its new textures, modern colours and designs and its rediscovered practicality.

Much like a cosmetic concealer textured wallpaper can hide less than perfect walls as well as adding glamour to a room.

Every year there are new colours and designs in every product area, responding to global and local influences, cultural and lifestyle trends and changes.

Wallpaper manufacturers regularly bring out new colours and designs too; some subtle variations in colour and texture, or more dramatic patterns.

The trend to patterned, printed and embroidered fabrics have seen an equal shift to dramatic, look at me wallpapers.

Rich and rococo inspired patterns that are slightly over scale, often with a metallic shimmer against a matt background; upgraded retro geometric designs of the 60s and 70s and reworked

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floral and botanical prints are key trends.

It’s all part of the international swing away from minimalism into glamour and luxury.

Wallpapers are not just about expressing personal style; they are also about bringing character to our homes.

They give our four walls an individual look. New collections like Vivid with its tropic exotic patterns can transform your place into a relaxing sanctuary that breezy vibe of island life without leaving home. Its trademark oversized palm and

banana leaf foliage makes for a dynamic backdrop to any interior.

With advancement in printing technology many wallpaper designs have become works of art, capturing the essence of classical art styles to more contemporary art forms without the hefty price tag.

Wallpaper is easy care and easy to hang. It provides a durable, washable finish for your walls with the advantage of adding an element of glamour or texture to a room for little cost.

Welcome to Paint Spot, your one-stop shop for everything paint and wallpaper.

The leading suppliers in Hawkes Bay, we offer a great choice of options to help with the preparation, application, and maintenance of almost any project you might be undertaking.

wallpaper collections, swimming pool and specialist floor coatings as well as all the accessories you will need to pull off your latest home decorating project.

With access to over 45,000 paint colours and one of the largest wallpaper ranges, you will be spoilt for choice.

We stock hundreds of top quality products including paint, exclusive

Call in and see the team for the best advice and service.

PAINT & WALLPAPER SPECIALISTS Opposite Fire Station, Stortford Lodge, Hastings • Ph 8785240

Your Home 2019

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Classy kitchens

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here are some excellent local kitchen construction, renovation and design companies offering the opportunity to view mock up kitchens in their showrooms while having an in-depth chat about your requirements. Computer technology enables you to see a plan of your proposed kitchen in 3D which makes it perfect for visualizing the finished product and making changes instantly.

There’s so much choice these days with a vast range of cabinet styles and finishes, contemporary labour saving devices, no handle cupboards and clever storage solutions. Storage options range from the uncluttered look with concealed cupboards to open shelves.

Gone are standard stainless steel sinks with the arrival of coloured sinks and sinks that are antibacterial, stain resistant and resist scratches and heat.

Multi-tiered drawers offer clever storage

solutions and there’s a wide range of artistic splash backs. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of tiles or wall coverings available.

Open plan kitchens are still extremely popular and generally consist of a central island with either a stove or a sink and easy access to dining and lounges. The final touches are often industrial style or pendant lights.

Counter tops come in a great range of looks and finishes: granite or granite look alike, stone or engineered stone and laminates in a rainbow of colour.

The timber look is becoming more fashionable too.

Cupboard finishes range from matt to gloss and laminate. Popular kitchen designs are the country farmhouse style and the clean contemporary look. While white has been popular for a long while we may see colour cabinets creeping back, along with matching accessories such as blinds and chairs.

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Quick DIY kitchen “do ups”

• Paint cupboard doors and add new knobs or have the cabinets refaced.

• Replace your benchtop.

• Replace old light fittings with new shades and replace switches.

• Give the windows a treat by adding curtains or a new blind.

• Lay a new floor or add a rug to freshen things up. Outdoor rugs would be especially suitable as they can easily be cleaned.

Your Home 2019

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Beautiful bathrooms

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bathroom is, for many, a place to retreat from pressures of life, to relax in a warm bath, listen to music and generally soak the cares of the day away.

Once just a room in which to have a bath, shower or brush your teeth, bathrooms have evolved from ordinary to extraordinary. Along with kitchens they have become a space in which to indulge and pamper.

When selling a house the appearance of bathroom, just like kitchens, is often a key factor in a buyers decision making process.

Baths and basins that are beautiful objects in their own right are on trend. Modern baths, in particular, are designed to make a statement, are often freestanding and star of a new bathroom. The height of luxury for many would be a free standing roll top bath with ball and claw feet.

Basins have tended to be shallow and white although colour is creeping in and taps are becoming available in finishes other than traditional chrome.

Rectangular and square basins are still on trend. Bath taps or spouts are sleek, often minimalist and the waterfall style for bath taps is still popular. Popular basin taps include stainless steel, brushed brass and black.

Showers are available in corner fits, rounded, then there are double showers, and plenty of oversize shower heads to select from. Choose from rain heads, to body jets and overhead jets in a choice of chrome, brass or black.

The design of toilets these days are often squat, minimalist styles and more often than not in white. For those into luxury there’s a top of the range toilet incorporating a bidet, wireless control, sensor activated auto open and close and self-cleaning!

Also trending are wood look vanitiesoak and elm, large mirrors and open

shelving. Stainless steel accessories such as towel rails are in vogue.

For those totally refurbishing a bathroom don’t forget small touches like mood lighting, towel holders, hooks, heated towel rail, heaters and ventilation.

Colour can be introduced on the walls, with tiles and accessories like toilet brush sets and toothbrush holders also adding a splash of colour.

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Your Home 2019

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Cushions, curtains and throws

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oft furnishings can easily beautify a room. Cushions, rugs, throws, chair covers, curtains, bedding and pillows are all examples that can be practical, comfortable and decorative. With the ongoing trend for neutral interiors using soft furnishings to dress up a room is almost a necessity. Brighten up a room by experimenting with colour and texture and all without breaking the bank.

There’s a huge range of scatter cushions available at all price points.

It needn’t cost a fortune to give your lounge or bedrooms a makeover every now and then. Available as squares, circular or rectangular the choice of fabric, pattern and texture is almost overwhelming. Trending right now is faux fur, real fur/hide, velvet and tassels. Floor cushions are seeing a revival too.

A throw is basically a small, decorative blanket that can be draped over a sofa or chair and doubles as a

cover if needed. Hugely popular they are often fringed rather than hemmed and could be considered as essential to many who like to be on trend with their interior decoration.

When it comes to window coverings there’s a world of choice from ready made to custom made. Select from curtains or a wide variety of blindsRoman, Venetian etc. If opting for ready-made it’s important to measure the space exactly and double check your measurements! There are plenty of instructions supplied by manufacturers to help.

Consider the use of the room and the direction the light falls before deciding on fabric or material for blinds. Block out curtains might be more suitable for bedrooms while blinds will suit laundries and bathrooms. Another option for bathrooms, or anywhere that you need privacy, is vinyl frosting which can be bought by the roll and easily applied to glass.

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Bedrooms are receiving much more attention these days and there’s plenty to enhance the décor be it masculine, feminine or for the children. Bedding, duvets and duvet covers, pillows, and cushions can transform a functional room into a comfortable haven.

Your Home 2019

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Lounging around

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uying a new lounge or dining suite is something that, for most of us, doesn’t happen that often largely due to the expense.

First and foremost do some homework and set a budget. Some research on the net will also help your thoughts crystallise.

At the lower end of the scale budget furniture - desks, chairs and bookshelves - are available in flat packs and have to be assembled by the buyer.

Whether buying just a sofa, a complete suite or an arm chair there’s plenty of choice of fabric, real leather or imitation leather upholstery.

You can’t beat the comfort and sociability of dining with family or friends around a table. While the basic design of a table, round or rectangular, doesn’t change the small details do.

Currently design is trending towards the Scandinavian influence often with

a touch of timber accompanied by a painted white distressed look. The rustic

look is also trending as are cross legs to add variety.

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Providing peace of mind

Building and Asbestos inspections by Betta Inspect It

Simon, a builder by trade and an industry qualified inspector, and Sarndra Spice licensees and operators of Betta Inspect It, a house inspection business covering Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay and Dannevirke. They employ a vastly experienced team who carry out house inspections to report on prepurchase and pre-sale inspections, sampling for asbestos and meth (P) contamination testing.

NZ’s new health and safety laws now mean that houses made of asbestos based products are causing homeowners and buyers major increases in their renovating costs. Residential landlords are also now legally liable for the costs incurred through asbestos removal and disposal.

Betta Inspect It are now fully qualified (BOHS P402) in asbestos testing and sampling which allows you to get these potentially harmful products tested to ensure you are not taking any unnecessary risks and you’ll know exactly what disruption and financial costs you could be up for. All samples are tested by an IANZ Accredited lab, are completed with complete independence to ensure you are protected. The reports are easy to read (simple yes/ no answers) and are compiled with you and your family in mind.

If you are buying or selling property a Betta report can save you heartache and provide you with the knowledge that you really know what you are buying.

It not only allows you to repair any major defects prior to going to market, you can also share your

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A Betta house inspection report is comprehensive and easy to understand. It will give you: • An at a glance summary page.

• A common sense ‘traffic light’ level of concern rating system.

• Nine main report sections cover the entire building.

• Photographs of major defects and significant maintenance issues.

• Easy to understand commentary with limited technical jargon.

Talk to Sarndra or Simon New Zealand’s house inspection specialists, who will talk you through the entire process.

Specialist Building Inspections Methamphetamine Testing Asbestos Surveying/Testing www.bettainspectit.co.nz 0800 422 388

Your Home 2019

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Merino, nylon or cork?

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ool carpet was very in vogue 15- 20 years ago, with very few synthetic carpets available. The tables have turned with synthetic carpets being far more popular than wool. Advances in carpet technology have led to the development of synthetic materials that are hardwearing and easy to clean.

In Hawke’s Bay we have fierce sun, pets, kids and plenty of indoor/outdoor living so householders need floor coverings that will survive all that, and not stain or fade.

The best-selling carpets are 100% solution dyed nylon with a cut pile that is very practical and hardwearing. Designs with flecks are especially popular. Spills of liquids and food are easy to remove, unlike the properties of wool carpets. Solution dyed nylon has another advantage as the colours will not fade in direct sunlight.

But, there is still a market for wool carpets with plenty of choice.

One particularly top end product that’s beautifully soft is a carpet made from Merino wool. Wool does have plenty of benefits: it is fire resistant and naturally regulates moisture.

Don’t forget to allow for carpet underlay in your budget. Just like carpet there is a good selection at various thicknesses and density. A quality underlay can make all the difference to the overall feel of your carpet and provide extra insulation.

In hard flooring there’s been a massive trending away from ceramics to plank flooring such as laminate that look like wood but don’t cost as much. In the last few years engineered timber floors have become extremely popular. There are no issues with buckling or warping and they are very durable, along with timber being a natural insulator.

Engineered timber includes flooring products that have two layers of backing to limit warping and splitting. Bamboo is an option for those looking for a hard

wood that is incredibly hard wearing and extremely robust. Cork floors, considered old-fashioned until recently, are also making a comeback. Cork is a natural product – it’s the bark of a tree so it’s also sustainable. The advantages are that cork is hard wearing, warm and tough.

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Your Home 2019

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Cost effective, insulated cladding

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nsulated vinyl cladding is a cost effective, insulated exterior cladding for all types of housing. Made in Canada, it’s used to create a weather-proof barrier for longlasting, low-maintenance aesthetics.

Mitten Vinyl cladding contains high levels of Titanium Dioxide which acts like a ‘sunscreen’, giving high UV stability.

After 60 years in some of the world’s harshest environments (including over 30 years New Zealand and Australia) the cladding still looks great.

The cladding is also protected by a fade guarantee backed by the manufacturer. It never requires painting, ever. The colour goes right through the board; it cannot be scratched off and once installed needs no further work done.

Each board is thermally insulated with a choice of 20mm or 30mm foam which boosts energy efficiency and r-value and keeps the heat in your home where it belongs while keeping it cool in summer.

Not only has this product had 60-years of international testing and success in some

of the harshest environments on earth (including NZ), it has been rigorously tested

by BRANZ for New Zealand conditions.

The results show that Mitten Vinyl complies with, (and exceeds) the overall NZ Building code giving you peace of mind that the product you have chosen is built to last.

While the cladding panels are lightweight, they are extremely tough and very flexible meaning it will move with a building making it the cladding of choice in earthquake prone areas and also cyclonic areas. They are designed to last and look great for decades no matter the weather and are backed with a 50-year manufacturer warranty.

Chris and Leigh McGurk and their son James are distributors of Mitten Vinyl Cladding in the Hawke’s Bay district. Chris and Leigh worked with Vinyl Cladding in Australia over 30 years ago, and recently decided to bring their expertise back to the Hawke’s Bay region to educate Kiwi’s about the benefits of using Mitten Vinyl weatherboards. Talk to Chris, Leigh or

James McGurk at Vinyl Cladding New Zealand who will talk you through the benefits of using vinyl cladding for your new build or existing home.

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Your Home 2019

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06 878 8668

t’s easy to become obsessed about household cleanliness and most people probably have a house full of different cleaning products.

This for the shower, that for the toilet, and then a few other specialist cleaning products in the kitchen. It mounts up to quite a collection of chemicals often at considerable expense.

With the world moving towards sustainability and becoming that little bit greener there are several alternative cleaners that are just as effective and you’ve probably got them in your pantry.

Baking soda and white vinegar are two good examples and both are excellent at cleaning a range of items in the home.

Baking soda

Also known as sodium bicarbonate it’s often used in baking to help dough rise.

Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can be used to clean the oven, microwaves etc Mix powder with a little water, apply with a cloth and scrub then rinse.

To clean stained tea or coffee cups add a teaspoon baking soda, fill with boiling water, leave for half hour then rinse.

Add half a cup to your normal washing powder to help remove dirt and have your laundry look cleaner and brighter.

Put baking soda at the bottom of a rubbish bag to help remove odours. Keep some in an open container in the fridge to remove smells.

Baking soda can also be used in the bathroom as a paste to clean as normal.

If you have a burnt pot add generous helping of baking soda, cover with water, boil.

Switch off and cool. The pan should be pretty clean but scour if there’s still some residue.

Talking of personal cleanliness baking soda can be used for whitening teeth and as a mouthwash.

These are just a few of the more common uses for baking soda. There are plenty more!

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Your Home 2019

18

Buying pre-loved treasures at auction

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othing quite beats the thrill of attending a live auction and bidding against others for that coveted piece you really need. Online auctions such as TradeMe have been especially popular for many years and that brings its own magic but you often have to rely on photographs and brief descriptions unless viewing is allowed.

Auction houses and online auctions are yet another means of picking up a treasure and often a bargain. Many goods sold on sites like TradeMe have been bought at auction and are then on sold for a profit.

The good thing about auctions held at auction houses is that the goods are on display a day before and photos are posted online. Specialist auctions such as café or farming equipment are often held on site.

What can you expect to buy? Well, virtually anything and everything. For example, there are general goods and

antique sales. General sales are just that with all sorts to buy: furniture-suites, dining tables and chairs, bathroom and kitchen appliances, bicycles, bedroom furniture, picnic baskets and so on.

Auctions are a good place to pick up pieces that are part of estate sales.

Often there are plenty of second hand tools, gardening equipment like chain saws, lawn mowers, fountains and garden furniture.

Antique auctions are generally run separately and there are a wealth of treasures to be viewed including furniture, old bottles, dolls pram, ornaments, chest of draws, antique bottles, silverware.

For those new to the auction scene it’s reasonably simple but the auction house can give you advice. All bidders must register as a bidder and the number they are given will be shown to the auctioneer if they win the auction.

You can register an absentee bid if you are unable to be present. Generally

a buyer’s premium is added to the successful highest bid and payment is normally required the same day.

Collection of your new belongings must be made promptly.

All auctioneers in New Zealand must be registered, or be an employee of a registered auctioneer, and must not be disqualified under the Auctioneers Act 2013.

Advertorial

NZ’S MOST LOVED POOLS

Narellan Pools NZ are local pool building experts with over 45 years experience of supplying and installing superior quality, inground fibreglass swimming pools.

We have won more than 100 industry awards for our beautiful pools, which are made from technologically advanced fibreglass.

Strong and durable, Narellan Pools come with a lifetime structural warranty to reassure you that with Narellan Pools, you are choosing a high-quality pool that is built to last.

ALL HAWKE’S BAY ENQUIRIES 027 641 1266 hawkesbay@narellanpools.co.nz • www.narellanpools.co.nz

POLISHING your assets When you think of concrete flooring, your mind may

be drawn to warehouses, garages, industrial showrooms — what you may not realise, however, is that the polished concrete floors are now a serious design feature in many homes around the world, and people are loving it.

Picture this: you have 2 large dogs, a cat, a few noisy, messy kids, a hectic life and a constant load of house work. Instead of spending half of your day vacuuming and spot- cleaning spilled drinks, you could simply sweep for a clean look, then mop for a deeper clean. Simple, easy, allergen-free and ultra-hip, the concrete floor is fast becoming the first choice in designer flooring. And did I mention how cost effective it is?

For General Manager Luke Moncur and the team at Concrete Grinding New Zealand, outlining the benefits of ground and polished concrete flooring is second nature. A true believer in the products and services he offers, Luke is constantly adding to the companies range of services and equipment; enabling him to deliver world-class services right here in Hawke’s Bay where we have just opened new offices and showroom offering our first class services to the people in this region.

His latest acquisition, the vapour encased media blasting unit, is a true step forward in environmental care and cutting edge technology. This unit is able to remove coatings

Concrete Grinding NZ such as old house paint and graffiti, containing up to 96% of the contaminants in the vapour. This makes the unit ideal for use with hazardous coatings and when working in office buildings or in homes. The machine is also able remove graffiti from delicate surfaces; etch concrete and masonry, while retaining an eco-friendly edge.

Concrete Grinding NZ has been in operation for over 18 years carving out a name for itself throughout Northland, Auckland and now recently into Hawke’s Bay. There are three fully equipped trucks in the Concrete Grinding NZ fleet with their own 3 phase generators to power large planetary grinders.

Block honing, coatings removal, prepping floors for carpet, wood, or vinyl, right through to beautiful diamond polished floors; the services are broad and the end results are as stunning as they are functional.

In an industry that offers more selection than many people know what to do with, Luke and his team at Concrete Grinding NZ have you covered — or should that be polished!

New premises opened in Hawke’s Bay where a showroom is available to view samples at 30 Hyderabad Road and you contact us on 0800 611 616.

Learn more about Concrete Grinding NZ online at www.grindingnz.co.nz

Your Home 2019

20

Landscaping

J

ust as interior decoration is a matter of personal taste so too is the presentation of the external space you own. Some people have ‘green fingers’ and enjoy spending as much time working on their section as they can. Others find gardening a chore and may opt for easy care, or low maintenance, sections.

Starting a garden from new is easier than taking over an established property although vision is required to be able to ‘see’ the final product.

If doing it yourself you’ll need a wish list, an understanding of the climate, sun and soil type and a budget! A plan of the section, to scale, will also be needed.

Consider the immediate needs of your family and also how they might change in the future as the family ages.

Landscape designers are an alternative whether you’re wanting a garden from scratch or a makeover.

You’ll meet for an initial consultation to talk about your ideas, preferences

and your budget. You will be presented with a plan which may include features that are constructed like decks and soft landscaping plans- plants, shrubs etc Once given the go ahead your garden will quickly be transformed by professionals.

Easy care sections these days can be good looking with judicious use of pavers, foliage and other decorations.

There’s a good selection of sculptures, statues and ornaments for gardens and who can resist the sound of trickling water? Not only are water features soothing they are a good source of water for birds.

A wander around any garden supply store is great for thinking about what’s possible these days: raised garden beds, pebbles and bark, privacy screens and no end of plant pots and pavers.

Container gardening is ever popular and gives flexibility in that they can be moved around to create a new look.

Pre-planted baskets, shrubs in pots, window boxes and flowers in unusual containers such as old boots, old bicycles, with appropriate drainage, can all create a stunning talking point. On older sections ancient trees can often pose problems which is where a tree expert such as an arborist or tree surgeon can help.

BEFORE

Manufacturers & installers of roofing, flashing & spouting AFTER

Adding value to your property with landscape construction.

FORD ROAD ONEKAWA

PH 843 6968

admin@brroofing.co.nz

Your Home 2019

21

What fertiliser to use for your lawn?

By Dave Gordon of Baywide Dingos 1. Why fertilise your lawn?

2. Which one to choose?

3. How to read a fertiliser label?

A lush and actively growing lawn uses a huge amount of energy. Your soil supplies some of the nutrients required for growth but most soils are unable to supply these nutrients during the entire year, especially in Hawke’s Bay (Napier, Hastings & Havelock North) where it is very hot and dry in the summer months. Did you know fertilising your lawn also helps in: • reducing weeds • promoting new root and leaf growth • improving recovery from foot traffic or damage • replacing lost nutrients from lawn mowing and soil leaching Quick-release fertiliser typically lasts for three to four weeks, depending upon the temperature and the amount of rainfall.

There are two main types of slowrelease fertilisers: • sulphur coated, which lasts for about 8 weeks.

• polymer coated, lasting about 12 weeks.

You should aim to fertilise your lawn in spring when your lawn is starting to show signs of growth with the appropriate time frame so the fertiliser is not working during the intense heat of summer.

Fertilise again the same time leading into autumn when the lawn takes off again and not working during winter.

The three numbers (often called NPK) on a fertiliser package tell you the percentage of the base elements nutrient makeup by weight.

• Nitrogen (N) for leaf development & vivid green colour.

• Phosphorous (P) for root growth.

• Potassium (K) for root development & disease resistance.

For example, a bag marked “16-4-8” contains 16 percent nitrogen, 4 percent

phosphorous and 8 percent potassium.

The remainder is made up of filler and inert material to help distribution.

Baywide Dingos has an excellent web site not only detailing their services but there are several ‘how to’ guides like this article. Topics include lawn care, laying instant grass, driving dingos, designing and installing irrigation and how to build a retaining wall. In addition there are several case studies showing some tricky manoeuvring like craning in a dingo, negotiating steep steps and working with a dingo in small spaces. www.baywidedingos.co.nz

PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED TO DELIVER A QUALITY SERVICE • All Tree Removals • Tree Reductions • Professional Tree Reports • Formative Pruning • Fruit Tree Pruning • Total Tree & Shrub Management • Storm Damage • Stump Grinding Full Insurance, Quality Assured, Council Approved Arborist.

Member of International Society of Arboriculture.

SITEWISE GREEN APPROVED

06 877 5275 or 0800 902 901 J Jonty: onty y: 027 027 878 5780 57 www.hbtree.co.nz

2019/20

0800 2DIGHB

Your Home 2019

22

Plant, nurture, harvest

O

nce upon a time it was very normal for people to grow vegetables and fruit in their gardens. The reasons were varied but included economic necessity and the Dig for Victory campaign during the Second World War. Since then growing vegetables at home has declined substantially. After the war commercial growers were able to increase production and fresh fruit and vegetables became readily available, and they were affordable.

Time poor people find it easier and more convenient to buy fruit and veggies from the supermarket, local greengrocer or Farmers Market. The rise in purchasing pre-prepared food bags takes convenience to another level.

However, there are a host of reasons why gardening is good for you. It’s not just a warmer weather activity either.

There are plenty of vegetables that can be grown during winter such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage for a late

spring harvest, garlic, spring onions and broad beans.

The raft of benefits of gardening include plenty of health advantages such as opportunities to get out in the fresh air and soak up vitamin D from the sunshine and get a good night’s sleep. Gardening is good exercise and can help reduce stress. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can help decrease anxiety and increase self-esteem.

While many people are fastidious about cleanliness, especially with the kids, it can be good to get your hands dirty. Research shows that getting up close to some good bacteria elevates mood and decreases anxiety.

Gardening can include the whole family. It’s good to get the kids involved and try to encourage a lifelong interest in gardening. It’s also educational and involves learning about soil, fertilizer, compost, coping with garden pests etc.

If the kids fancy a snack they can pick peas, berries or whatever is growing in

the garden rather than open a packet of chippies.

Growing your own produce means that you have total control over what you add to the soil and whether you use pesticides or organic alternatives.

Ultimately the best test is to grow your own and compare with store bought produce. There’s no comparison. Try it and see.

New and Improved Super Large Yard!

Great compost for your vege garden - healthier happier plants Mulch • Pumice • Potting Mix • Bark • Stones Sleepers • Sand • Top soil, Pavers etc, etc, etc

Bag, Bulk & Loan Trailers

Call in today

Caroline Rd, Hastings | Phone 878 7000 | www.grocom.co.nz

Celebrating

25 YEARS IN BUSINESS

FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS This year marks 25 years in business for Angus McMillan Concrete. With Angus and his team creating concrete masterpieces not only in Hawkes bay but throughout the country, Angus McMillan Concrete has become a wellknown name both nationally and internationally.

As you can imagine Angus and Carol have seen a lot over the past 25 years but one thing remains the same - quality workmanship and pride in your job goes a very long way and they love reconnecting with previous clients or stumbling across an original Slatex driveway to see how they are getting on.

Angus and Carol are preparing to take a step back in the future as they pass on their knowledge and skills to their 3 children and take comfort in knowing that the family empire is in good hands. Kristina, Ben and Andrew have shown interest in different aspects of the business which put together will make for a great team to lead Angus McMillan Concrete into the future while Mum and Dad enjoy the life they have worked extremely hard for, traveling, spending time with the grandchildren and seeing what this next chapter of their life will bring.

Phone: 06 873 4428

www.amc.nz