Our Home March 2020

ISSUE 32 AUTUMN 2020

STYLE & DESIGN // HOME // LIFESTYLE // BACKYARD

DEVONLEIGH HOUSE: The art of renovating

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST DESIGN THE

SANDFORD You’ll fall in love with the Sandford’s effortless flow from the moment you walk through the door. With nine facades available and five floorplan options, you can make your home your own.

Visit us today at Kialla Lakes display village to learn more about our beautiful new home designs:

• Sandford 343 • Patterson 363 • Gibson 403 PATTERSON TEMPO

Jackie Taplin 0419 639 976

5

3

2

GIBSON RESORT

5

3

2

I Kelly Ferguson 0407 770 840 I MaryAnne Courtney 0400 726 229

Shepparton Display Centre - Kialla Lakes Estate, Sanctuary Drive, Kialla. Open daily 11am to 5pm.

All images are for illustration purposes only and are not to scale. Images may include options/ upgrades and items not supplied by Dennis Family Homes such as decking, landscaping, retaining walls, water features, paving, driveway, window furnishings, light fittings, furniture and decorator items. Please refer to our Sales Consultants or visit our website for more information. Copyright © 2020 Dennis Family Intellectual Property Pty Ltd ACN 125 258 237. Dennis Family Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 83 056 254 249) is a Registered Building Practitioner. Builder Licence Number CDB-U 49195 (VIC) and 173511C (NSW). DFH8024

Sandford 343 4

2

2

3

Stunning NEW Sandford display home

COMING SOON TO SHEPPARTON

Go to dennisfamily.com.au or call 1800 DENNIS for more information.

things of

stone & wood Make an eternal style statement. Landscaping trends have evolved over time but natural stone and timeless timbers still never fail to impress.

The gabion effect A Gabion is a wire cage filled with rocks. Each one is individually hand made so is unique and can outlast a lifespan.

The uses for these sturdy cages are endless and so is the range of materials used to fill them.

• Retaining Walls • Terraces • Benches • Planters • Seating • Water Features • Fire Places

Railway Sleepers Organic, timeless, strong and environmentally friendly.

We have sourced a new shipment of original railway sleepers. These beauties are becoming more rare.

They are architecturally practical as well as aesthetically stunning statements to your landscape.

Sand and Soil • Coloured Mulches • Mushroom Mulch • Organic Compost • Organic Veggie Mix Soft Fall for Kids’ Playgrounds • Sand for Kids’ Sandpits • Statement Rocks • Decorative Pebbles Washed River Stones/Rocks • Pavers • Sleepers • Retaining Walls • Gabion Baskets • Gift Vouchers

OPEN 7 DAYS 20 Wanganui Road Shepparton Phone 5821 2111 info@cleavesearthmoving.com www.cleavesgardensupplies.com.au

ROCHESTER NURSERY HAVE YOU

VIS I

T

ED US

LY? LATE

HEDGES TUBESTOCK LANDSCAPE VARIETIES

ADVANCED TREES NATIVES & EXOTICS ORNAMENTAL TREES

200,000 PLUS PLANTS IN STOCK BUY DIRECT FROM THE GROWER • ALL LOCALLY GROWN PLANTS STOCKLIST ON OUR WEBSITE

MENTION THIS ADVERTISEMENT TO RECEIVE 10% OFF OPEN MONDAY – FRIDAY: 8 am – 4.30 pm • SATURDAY: 9 am – 2 pm www.rochesternursery.com.au • @rochesternursery 03 5484 3777 • 6708 NORTHERN HWY ROCHESTER VIC 3561

FROM THE editor

19

I’m on the move again.

A

t this point I consider myself an expert at packing boxes, loading the car up like it’s a game of Tetris and calling in the muscle to do the heavy lifting.

It’s been almost five years since I made the big move across the Mallee Hwy. With the help of my parents, we hired a trailer, packed up the contents of the apartment I called home in a leafy street of Adelaide and set out to a town I’d never laid eyes on before, Benalla, without a house organised on the other end.

Since moving to Benalla all those years ago I’ve moved house 10 times, eventually ending up in Shepparton somewhere in the middle.

Yes, you read that right — 10 moves in five years.

And each time I’ve taken the opportunity to purge the mountains of ‘stuff ’ I’ve collected along the way.

I don’t go full Marie Kondo but sorting out piles of everything from clothing to kitchenware to keep, to donate and to bin really does give me joy.

Unpacking boxes in my new, tiny two-bedroom apartment with no pantry, no linen cupboard and no space for a dresser, I quickly discovered how crucial the culling was.

And now that my car boot is full of boxes, where they will stay for the next few weeks before eventually making it to an op shop, it’s time to flick to page 75 for some advice from Shepparton’s own storage queen.

Mum of three Tameeka McIntosh shares her top tips for creative storage solutions designed to create calm amidst the chaos.

Then there’s the inspiring renovation story behind our cover home, which you can read about from page 63.

At just 20, Megan and Bailey Argus bought a century old, dilapidated house and got to work thoughtfully restoring it while paying respect to its history.

Also in this edition, Our Home gets smart.

Mark Librio walks us through his fully-automated Kialla home from page 47 before we delve into the latest smart home technology on page 53.

75

37

Jessica Ball Editor Got a scoop on a cool house for the next edition of Our Home magazine?

Get in touch: jessica.ball@sheppnews.com.au

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 7

Contents STYLE & DESIGN The style edit: What’s trending in interior design. 10 Act now: A guide to fireproofing your home and memories. 13 Childproof carpet 101: Foolproof advice. 28 Colour spotlight: Get your hands dirty with clay. 86 Shopping: A touch of clay. 87

HOME Minimalist impact: Tracey and Steve Curtis’ architectural masterpiece. 19 Shopping: Get the look. 27 Smart home: Behind the scenes at Mark Librio’s place. 47 The future is now: Putting the spotlight on smart design. 53 Shopping: Smart tech for dummies. 59 Devonleigh House: Megan and Bailey Argus’ mammoth Tatura renovation. 63

LIFESTYLE Reno life: Journalist James Bennett unpacks the realities of renovating. 73 The storage queen: Tameeka McIntosh shares her ingenious ideas. 75 Organised chaos: Storage solutions for all spaces. 79 Artist in residence: Stitched by Bron. 91

BACKYARD Luscious lawns: Tips for manicured perfection. 35 Paddock-to-plate: The Fenn family’s bountiful Kyabram garden. 37 A country garden: Ron and Rosie Harker’s Dookie oasis. 95

COVER Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

Story page 63.

EDITOR Jessica Ball Phone: 5820 3194 WRITERS Jessica Ball James Bennett Madi Chwasta Morgan Dyer Maddy Fogarty Spencer Fowler Steen Ed McLeish Liam Nash Michael von Guttner Sharon Wright SUB-EDITOR Sandy Lloyd DESIGN Bella Considine PHOTOGRAPHY Megan Fisher Rodney Braithwaite Madeleine Byron ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATORS Jordan Purtill Rhiannon Geddes ADVERTISING Leesa Haeusler Phone: 5820 3188

PUBLISHED BY Shepparton News, PO Box 204, Shepparton VIC 3632 (03) 5831 2312

8 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

COLOUR YOUR

WORLD THIS

AUTUMN

Est. 1969 Shepparton Ph: (03) 5821 4679 . Benalla Ph: (03) 5762 6150 . purdeys.com.au

style THE

Our Home sat down with Paula Dohrman from Walls & Windows in Shepparton to talk about taking a little risk when it comes to interior design.

COMFY CANE Chairs made from woven cane are normally seen outdoors, but they’re now proving to be a versatile addition to the lounge room.

“One minute you can have them indoors with a big foofy cushion, and the next minute you can throw them outside,” Paula said.

She says they’re great for either inside or outside all year round, which makes them a sound investment.

“They’re very versatile and they’re getting better.”

STORY: MADI CHWASTA

PICTURE PERFECT Add another dimension to a lounge or dining room by propping up a large, striking photo on a bare wall.

High quality photos of rolling hills, iridescent sunsets or striking architecture in a bold frame lifts a room and creates a wow-factor moment.

“Stunning photography, whether it’s scenery or architecture, is great as a feature piece,” Paula said.

She suggests if you want to make a statement, put an eye-catching piece on a patterned wallpaper backdrop.

10 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Cane chairs, photography wall art and faux plants available from Walls & Windows, Shepparton.

EDIT

FORECAST IS FOR

SHOWERS with rain GOING GREEN There is no doubt some greenery in a room creates the feeling of serenity, but the real thing can be a pain to maintain.

For those who live a busy lifestyle, Paula said fake plant technology was better than ever, and many wouldn’t know the difference.

“Some of them used to look so plastic, but now they’re very clever,” she said.

“It adds softness and movement, and you don’t have to clean up the petals.

“They’re always good to go.”

ON THE MOVE New technologies are finding their way into the home, with the next big thing motorised drapes and blinds.

Paula said everything from rollers, Romans, sheers and linings can come on tracks, and can open and close with just a push of a button.

She said many would think this type of technology is out of their price range, but they’re becoming increasingly affordable.

“The prices now work really well,” she said.

“It’s not as hard or as expensive as you think.”

When adding the final touches to a new bathroom, one of the big debates will often be over the all-important showerhead.

STORY: JAMES BENNETT

T

radelink Kialla’s Kelly Whitford says while the key thing is to select a showerhead that fits the style of bathroom and budget, there is nothing more popular than the large rain-head.

“They’re very popular in the way of appearance because more men prefer to stand under the water, while women tend to prefer to take the head off the handle,” Kelly said.

“The rain-head covers more of the body, but it doesn’t have as much pressure as people think; it’s meant to be like rain falling naturally on the body.”

Kelly said it was common for the showerhead to come with an accompanying tap.

The rain-head can come in various shapes such as circle, square or oval, and colours such as chrome, black, brushed nickel, gunmetal grey and brushed brass.

It costs anywhere between $100 and $550 based on size and style, but most on average dispense nine litres per minute.

The recent popularity comes with bigger homes being built.

Kelly said showerheads could come with lights or Bluetooth.

“It really does need to fit the style of customer, bathroom and budget, but we do sell showerheads with lights or Bluetooth,” she said.

“There are some showers that dispense the water like a waterfall or the body-jet style that’s like a spa bath jet. It lines the shower wall vertically and ejects water.

“Showerheads can come with all different functions or you can purchase a shower tower, that’s an all-in-one unit.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 11

See the experts for all your garage door needs...

Royce and Julie Collins lead a team of experienced professional staff, and have established North Vic Garage Doors through their strong focus on exceptional workmanship, customer service, and excellent products.

Please visit our showroom to see our range of products on display, and our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Phone: 5822 4090 19 Benalla Rd, Shepparton northvicgaragedoors.com.au

G ET FIRED UP

At times like these — coming off the back of what seemed a relentless bushfire season — people often ask themselves some hard questions.

W

hat am I going to do? Where am I going to go?

And most importantly, how do I protect myself in the future?

This question can be quite confronting for some, after all, at face value the answer appears too broad to pin down. But don’t fret, Our Home has done a little digging and begun the research for you.

In this edition we hear from local experts about keeping your fire alarms up to date, how to best protect your precious memories and navigating the maze that is the insurance world after situations such as these.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 13

DON’T PLAY WITH

FIRE B

ut, by ensuring your new home is up to up to fireproof standard, you will have a much stronger chance of evacuating your home in a nightmare scenario.

A Greater Shepparton City Council spokesperson said if a property is in a declared bushfire-prone area, and if a dwelling is proposed to be built on this property, it will require a building permit.

“As part of this process, a Bushfire Attack Level assessment of the property is required to be carried out by an appropriate consultant; the BAL assessment determines what the relevant BAL rating would be,” the spokesperson said.

“The process for BAL assessment first requires the surrounding vegetation to be determined and classified, and then the slope of the land and the distance of the proposed dwelling from the vegetation is also calculated.

“It is the distance of the proposed dwelling from the vegetation that determines the relevant BAL level.

This can range from BAL-Low, BAL12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29, BAL-40 or 14 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

BAL-FZ (flame zone).

“The further away a dwelling is from the vegetation reduces the BAL rating.

“Under Victorian legislation, even if a property is rated as BAL-Low, it is still required to be built to BAL-12.5 requirements.

“It must be kept in mind that this process does not make the dwelling bushfire-proof, but it helps in resisting ember attack.”

It’s not just new home builders who need to be conscious of fire issues.

Owners of existing homes must make sure they have working smoke alarm systems.

Lucas White, from GV Fire Alarms in Shepparton, says 75 per cent of houses he inspects for the first time either have an outdated, incorrectly positioned or no smoke alarm.

Lucas said there were three main dates to consider for smoke alarm standards: • If your house is built prior to 1997, you must have one functional battery-operated smoke alarm.

• If your house is built between 1997 and 2013, your house

There are no guarantees in life — especially in a lengthy bushfire season.

STORY: ED MCLEISH

must include a hardwired smoke alarm with a battery back-up.

• If your house has been built from 2014 onwards, you must have at least two smoke alarms that are interconnected.

And if you’re spending at least $25 000 renovating your house, you need to bring it up to the most recent standard.

Lucas said placement of new smoke alarms would depend on the house layout.

“Regardless of whether smoke alarms are battery-powered or hardwired, many people aren’t aware their smoke alarm has a 10-year lifetime,” he said.

“A lot of alarms have dates on them, and it’s recommended to change the batteries every 12 months.

“Check the date if it’s on your smoke alarm, because it’s important to make sure a lifesaving product works properly.”

Smoke alarms are low-cost and will give you a strong chance of evacuating your house in a fire.

C OUNTING

THE COST Following one of Australia’s worst and longest bushfire seasons, it’s time to think seriously about home insurance.

STORY: ED MCLEISH

G

riffiths Goodall Insurance managing principal Ben Goodall said across Australia, about 30 per cent of homes were without insurance or were under-insured.

“The biggest issue is ensuring you understand the differences between insurance products; clients often search for the cheapest insurance products at the bottom, without considering what they’re buying,” Ben said.

“Shepparton is lucky given it’s not bushfire prone, but that being said, we don’t recommend lower products and we recommend the absolute best.”

Ben has tipped an eventual pricing adjustment across the insurance industry nationwide.

“We will see pricing increases across the entire population of Australia, not just the bushfire-affected areas,” he said.

“The biggest issue is people thinking home insurance is borderline profitable prior to the bushfires.

“Hail events in Melbourne and in Sydney have a much higher financial impact on insurers.

“Bushfires are dramatic, and lives have been lost, but if you were to line up projected costs, my estimate is $1 billion to $2 billion across bushfires in all states — the hail incident in Sydney two Christmas Eves ago exceeded $5 billion.”

According to Ben, different insurance brokers provide different products to safeguard bushfireaffected areas.

“Insurers can be willing or unwilling,” he said.

“With flooding, it’s different — insurers start to penalise areas that are prone to floods, the same can’t be said for bushfires.

“The biggest thing you can do as a customer is to minimise your claims that aren’t relating to natural disasters.”

The most regular issue insurance brokers

are facing from residents and people working from home around the Goulburn Murray region this bushfire season is prevention of access, according to Ben. “We have lots of clients where their property has not taken a direct hit, but because they’re in the wrong area, their business has had to close down and there is no insurance claim to be made because of prevention of access,” he said.

“Even if you’re insured for business interruption, normally most insurance products will dictate your plan, or your contents or machinery has to suffer a direct property loss.”

Ben said although there were wellcrafted insurance plans available for prevention of access, few people have the appropriate cover.

“It’s something you’d have to consider before a bushfire event and something you’d have to pay for — more people need to prepare for natural disasters when it comes to insurance.

“It’s different for everybody, given everybody has different economic circumstances.

“This accumulation of natural disasters are starting to become worrying as a trend — if you add consistent hail losses to those circumstances and natural disasters that happen every 12 months.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 15

MEMORIES

PROTECT PRECIOUS

16 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Trying to find a cherished photograph or a crucial document can be a trial.

STORY: MICHAEL VON GUTTNER

D

o you find yourself rummaging through old shoeboxes of treasured prints and photos? Or looking for property deeds and birth certificates in a filing cabinet that is more accurately a dumping cabinet?

Finding anything in the pile is tedious, let alone discovering that special something and the memories that surround it.

And with summer’s devastating bushfires a recent and raw lesson, having a way of holding onto those precious memories or documents — or to fall back on in case of an emergency — can be incredibly useful.

Today’s technology makes it possible to create a secure digital storage system for those images and documents that can be accessed by you easily, anywhere.

In a digital storage system information can be kept on most devices — computers, phones and online in the cloud.

In fact, most smartphones already back-up information to the cloud.

Data Part’s Andy Ashley said the first step was to scan what you want to have stored — photos, documents, albums and scrapbooks.

This can be done with a document scanner or other machine that will create a digital version of a file.

Next, upload or send the scanned digital documents to your computer hard drive and to a USB-like external storage.

The third part of the process is to copy files onto a cloud storage such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive.

Andy said cloud storage should not be seen as a ‘back-up’.

“It is a place to store information,”

he said.

“We used to say that if it isn’t stored in three places, it isn’t saved anywhere.”

The cloud counts as one of these places but it is not perfect.

Andy said that most cloud storage providers state they are not responsible for protecting your data in their terms and conditions.

After your data is digital and online, it is important to have security measures.

“Once digital it can be hard to keep control of it,” Andy said.

He recommended that you make sure that there are strong passwords in place and quality anti-virus software to protect your documents and ensure that data remains in the digital storage system and isn’t pilfered by hackers.

The software ranges from products such as Norton and Bitdefender to services such as Data Part’s managed anti-virus.

In managed anti-virus, the service provider monitors attacks and provides feedback on how to be safer online.

“We take a look at what you’re doing,” Andy said.

They then identify when you are most vulnerable to attacks and give advice.

The digital system is also a handy place to save already existing files to, which can then be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, a digital storage system can prevent you losing shoeboxes full of family memories and important documents — not to mention losing something precious in the depths of your chaos.

Make your dream home a reality

Award winning homes, renovations and additions

We are a family owned and operated business bringing over 30 years of industry experience. We pride ourselves on fine craftsmanship and impeccable customer service. Call us today for a free consultation.

“We are hands on every step of the way from the design through to the final product. We encourage the involvement of the client in creating their own unique home.”– Glenn, Glenn Dempsey Builders

(03) 5823 2108 Glenn: 0419 529 889 glenn@glenndempseybuilders.com.au www.glenndempseybuilders.com.au

MASTER BUILDERS VICTORIA

MASTER BUILDERS VICTORIA

MBA Membership No. 119475

Registered Builder No. CDB-U 51862

2019 Regional Building Awards Northern Special Commendation Best Custom Home 2018 Regional Building Awards Northern WINNER Best Renovation/Addition

CONTROL YOUR HOME LIGHTING

FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

Simple. Smart. Home. Pixie PIXIE devices are a versatile range of digital lighting switches and dimmers that are designed for easy installation by an electrician and simple operation by the consumer, whether it be as a standard digital switch or dimmer or utilising the smarts of Bluetooth mesh technology.

PIXIE PLUS is an affordable choice for home lighting automation, where with the internet and the PIXIE Gateway, you can control your PIXIE lighting devices from anywhere in the world.

COMPATIBLE with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

The PIXIE PLUS app is smart enough to control multiple HOME locations, work or play!

03 5821 1300 | 203–205 High Street, Shepparton www.lightsplus.com.au

g s e n i x k o c i b T L L A E TH

Adhering to an old re al estate adage has paid off for these Shepparton homeow ners.

STORY: SHARON WRI GHT PHOTOGRAPHY: RO DNEY BRAITHWAITE

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 19

B

uying the worst house in the best street is considered a savvy move in the property market.

For Tracey and Steve Curtis the decision to do just that ticked a number of boxes, including meeting budget, land orientation and size, and a location within walking distance of Shepparton’s central business district.

The couple relocated from Nathalia in early 2017 and spent 12 months renting while they tossed up whether to buy or build their next home.

“We wanted to be close to the centre of town and we had walked our dogs around the area and really liked this street,” Tracey said.

“One day I saw the for sale sign out the front of this old house, I rang the agent and put an offer in. It all happened very quickly.”

They realised the potential of the north-facing block and gave their architect son-in-law Isaac Mortimer and Barzen Builders, Shepparton the go-ahead to bring their vision of a modern, architectural-style home to life.

The old house was demolished and in its place is a new build with a mix of contemporary exterior finishes including the durable Australian hardwood silvertop ash, Nailstrip steel cladding, Austral Industrial bricks and black aluminium windows.

“I’ve always liked things to be a bit different, I like different textures and finishes but I wanted them all to complement each other,” Tracey said.

The interior design is a masterclass in style and convenience with the floor plan utilising the space to maximum effect.

Epitomising low-maintenance functionality, the open-plan living zone pays homage to clean lines with black stone benchtops, black cabinetry, integrated fridge and a butler’s pantry incorporating the oven and microwave.

A self-confessed minimalist Tracey has pared back the interior styling, instead allowing the 4.8 m raked ceilings, polished concrete floors and feature black chimney with gas-log fireplace to be the standout features.

20 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

this old house, I rang the agent and put an offer in.

“

One day I saw the for “sale sign out the front of

– TRACEY CURTIS

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 21

Raked ceilings contribute to the generous size of the living area and a bulkhead over the kitchen defines that space.

22 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Utilising passive design principles the house is orientated to allow the winter sun to stream in the doubleglazed and UV-tinted windows to warm the thermal mass of the concrete floor.

“Our plan was to spend more money now and save on energy costs down the track,” Tracey said.

“We’re already reaping those benefits; we’ve been through our first winter and haven’t had to use the ducted gas heating at all.”

A sleek and sophisticated approach to styling blends white and grey tones on the walls and tiles, and black accents in the ceiling fans, door handles and hinges to add an industrial element, while oak timber furniture generates warmth and texture.

“I found using a simple colour scheme made it easy to pull the overall look together,” Tracey said.

The master bedroom suite is a true retreat with a false wall of black

woodgrain panelling behind the bed concealing a generous robe and oversized ensuite with freestanding bath, double vanity and walk-in shower.

Views to the sparkling in-ground pool give the room a resort feel, and the other two bedrooms are perfect guest accommodation for the couple’s adult children Ashlee and Jake and baby granddaughter Willow.

High on the list of priorities was a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

A fully-functional outdoor kitchen and covered alfresco area has room for dining and lounge furniture and is ideal for year-round relaxed living.

“We’re quite social and enjoy entertaining so the outdoor area and pool was important to us,” Tracey said.

“Now that the house is finished it’s time for us to sit back and enjoy it; I like to think that ours is now one of the nicest houses in the street.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 23

wanted them all to complement each other.

– TRACEY CURTIS

“

liked things to be a bit different, “ I’veI likealways different textures and finishes but I

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 25

Our most popular home

is designed for life It’s the details that matter. We know that you want the garage next to the pantry so you can put the groceries away straight from the car. We know you want time with your family, so we have large open plan living spaces and entertaining areas for you to come together.

It’s one of the many reasons that the Oxley 25 is our most popular design.

Get in and see this home for yourself.

TO EXPERIENCE OUR PLANS VISIT LEWISHOMES.COM.AU DISPLAY HOMES OPEN 7 DAYS 51 Sanctuary Drive, Kialla Lakes 1pm–4pm (excluding public holidays) SHEPPARTON: (03) 5823 2179 Joe Bovalino: 0447 288 368 sheppartonsales@lewishomes.com.au

look

GET THE

Achieve pared-back sophistication with a combination of timber and monochromatic grey scale.

2

1

8

4 3

7

6

5

1 Amalfi Duke wall clock, $275, Walls & Windows. 2 Amalfi Fabien chair, $580, Walls & Windows. 3 Black kitchen cabinetry, $POA, KitchenWise. 4 Black Firenze stool, $109.95, Pillow Talk. 5 Franke Sinos pull-out mixer, $899, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 6 Amalfi Huxter bar cabinet, $1200, Walls & Windows. 7 Grand Designs Angus planter, $299, Walls & Windows. 8 Houston four-piece modular lounge with chaise, $2999, Harvey Norman Shepparton.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 27

CHILDPROOF YOUR CARPET

When it comes to childproofing your carpet, there are only two fail-safe methods — don’t have kids or don’t have carpet. That’s according to Shepparton’s Country Cleaning and Restoration boss Kelly Rummery. However, there are steps you can take to minimise damage.

STORY: SPENCER FOWLER STEEN

HAVE IT COATED

1

Kelly says carpet is too precious to let those little malignant marauders just spill things all over it willy-nilly.

Try to buy carpet that has built-in carpet protection with Scotchgard or fabric protection applied.

It won’t make it kid-proof per se, but it will make your carpet much easier to clean because liquid essentially sits on top for longer.

Kelly says just make sure you get a professional to apply it.

BUY A RUG

2

Remember those mats with maps of towns on them at kinder or primary school you used to play around on with a toy car or doll pretending you were God? It was really a ploy to keep the underlying carpet fresh and child-free.

Kelly says a rug or carpet piece can provide a barrier between mess and your beloved carpet.

28 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

DENY THEM ACCESS

3

Blocking off carpeted areas from kids is a sure way to avoid pesky stains.

Cordial and soft drinks are the worst stain offenders due to the dyes used in them.

Kelly says keeping these drinks out of your house is a good way of avoiding a visit from the dreaded steam cleaner.

THE BLOT WATER TECHNIQUE So, the little terrors have gone ahead and knocked the pinot noir you were enjoying all over your carpet.

The worst possible thing has eventuated. Or so you would think.

Kelly says do not panic — grab a cloth towel, preferably a white one so you can see what you’re soaking up, and blot the stain with water.

Whatever you do, do not rub the spill because it will distort the fibres of your carpet.

Leave the cloth on the spill to absorb for 15 minutes.

If it’s still there after 15 minutes, call a professional cleaner.

Always use a neutral pH, wool-based cleaning product if you must (it’s not necessary).

4

BUY YOUR LAND BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE Gagliardi Scott Real Estate director Rocky Gagliardi is urging locals wanting the ‘great Australian dream’ to act on their investment now rather than later.

He said buyers should take note of the suburb’s features. The quality of the suburb will be defined by the amount of money the developer invests in the suburb. The demographic the developer attracts will depend on how the developer wants the suburb to look.

Having been in the real estate game for over 20 years, Rocky has seen the region’s housing market transform.

Rocky said as the costs involved with the construction of the land continue to rise so would the price of the blocks.

Although many other costs associated with buying and selling have increased, one area that has stayed relativity stagnant is the price of land in Shepparton.

“The costs to build those blocks keep rising and developers can’t control that, so if the blocks stay the same price developers will stop developing altogether.

But not for much longer.

“Inevitability blocks are going to rise dramatically in Shepparton.”

“Inevitability the price of blocks is going to rise dramatically in Shepparton,” Rocky said.

“It’s been relatively the same for 10 years now and grown below the normal inflation” Rocky said the costs were expected to rise due to the rapidly increasing costs of developing the land.

“A lot of people don’t understand what happens behind the scenes and think developers are cashing in,” he said.

“But that’s definitely not the case.”

Rocky explains that when developers purchase land, they don’t just cut the land up and sell it off.

“Developers take quite a risk as it can take years before they begin to think about making their money back.”

When people purchase land the ground underneath is a goldmine of newly constructed connections including NBN, electricity, water, gas and sewerage.

“The costs associated with this installation quickly rack up and that’s not to mention the costs involved with setting up the suburb’s infrastructure such as footpaths, roads and sought-after manmade features such as parklands and lakes,” Rocky said.

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

Currently, the north end of Shepparton is a hot spot for buyers.

Although development has been earmarked by council on Verney Rd, Rocky expects it will take potentially three years before construction commences.

He says if buyers are looking at the north end of Shepparton, The Vines is the only current opportunity for buyers to invest in a normal-sized block of land at an affordable price. The next stage of the much soughtafter Seven Creeks Estate is also expected to sell out before it even hits the market, as its parklands, uniquely built homes and wide roads sells itself. Rocky warned future buyers to move on the purchase of property before it was too late. “Consumers in Shepparton need to understand if they wait two years, they have to be prepared to pay the price,” he said. “If you can’t afford to build or don’t want to build now at least hold the land as interest rates are so low. “If you don’t move now it could cost you at least tens of thousands of dollars more in just a matter of years.”

182 High St, Shepparton | 0358 31 1800 70 Melville St, Numurkah | 0358 31 1800

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

182 High St, Shepparton | 0358 31 1800

440

745m2

SEVEN CREEKS ESTATE – STAGE 15 • Prestigious, peace, quiet and grace with landscaped parks • Set against Seven Creeks and Goulburn River bushland • Sizes are up to 938 m2 | Prices from $132,000

100

800m2

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

70 Melville St, Numurkah | 0358 31 1800

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

RIVIERA PARK ESTATE – STAGE 4 • Set amongst the beautiful backdrop of Seven Creeks bushland

SOLD

SOLD

• Large lots, fully serviced – 1662 m2–2039 m2 • Generous shedding covenant – up to 150 m2

SOLD SOLD

SOLD SOLD

• Great opportunity and affordability

SOLD

WINDSOR PARK ESTATE – STAGE 4

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

• Generous court allotments competitively priced • Established neighbourhood. Priced from $80,000

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

182 High St, Shepparton | 0358 31 1800

2 BLOCKS

REMAIN

FROM

$123,000

SOLD

CONNOLLY PARK ESTATE

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

CONNOLLY PARK ESTATE • Final stage 8. Fast growing and affordability • Perfect family friendly living • Ideally positioned in the North end of Shepparton

LOT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SIZE 4613 m2 4046 m2 4023 m2 4083 m2 4048 m2 4011 m2 4409 m2 5894 m2

PRICE $158,000 $161,000 $161,000 $163,000 $163,000 $163,000 $161,000 $169,000

LOT SIZE 9 7084 m2 10 7204 m2 11 8383 m2 12 8383 m2 13 1.005 ha 14 5175 m2 15 6432 m2

PRICE $173,000 $173,000 $173,000 $173,000 $178,000 $170,000 $173,000

T O O L A M B A SOLD

SOLD SOLD

Lots range from 4000m2-9000m2 Prices from $158,000

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

SOLD SOLD

Rocky Gagliardi I 0407 826 542 I Rocky@gagliardiscott.com.au I www.gagliardiscott.com.au

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

70 Melville St, Numurkah | 0358 31 1800

PROVIDENCE FIELD – STAGE 2 37

• Northern gateway to Shepparton

2001m2

• Fully serviced and fully fenced

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

THE VINES – STAGE 2

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

• Large residential lots 2000–4700 m2 | Priced from $187,000

• The latest Northern Land Subdivision – Generous block sizes • Energy efficiently orientated allotments • Complete lifestyle package with a touch of class

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

182 High St, Shepparton | 0358 31 1800 70 Melville St, Numurkah | 0358 31 1800

green & growing KEEP NATURE’S CARPET

Keeping lawns looking beautiful while adhering to water regulations can be a right pain in the backside, especially when the elements are up to their mischievous worst.

STORY: LIAM NASH

T

he unrelenting rays beating down on the grass during the warmer months can warp even the most luscious of greens into an awful auburn.

Some seethe at backyard patches enmeshed with noxious weeds, while others scowl at areas of land laid to rest despite numerous revival attempts.

Our Home spoke with Sally Moseley from Billabong Garden Complex to discover how to keep your turf in tip top condition.

FERTILISER Just like any refined palate, your soil requires the occasional feast.

A healthy coating of top dressing can go a long way in terms of establishing an unparalleled underfoot feel, according to Sally.

“Specific lawn fertiliser is important because it has a non-burn formulation,” she said.

“Especially in the summer, if you’re using a fertiliser you need to make sure that it won’t burn your lawn and that it isn’t applied during the heat of the day.

“The most ideal time at this time of the year is to do it first thing in the morning before it warms up and use a specific fertiliser according to whatever lawn you’re growing, whether it is a buffalo, a fescue or a couch.”

WEEDS

DAMAGE REPAIR

Backyard agronomists can be prone to shaving their lawn to minute lengths unmeasurable by ruler, but this only opens the door to undesirables. Save yourself the backache and soil-stained fingers by resisting the urge to decimate your lawn via mower.

“One of the easiest ways to avoid weeds is keeping our lawn at a higher level,” Sally said.

“People love mowing their lawn at a really low level but what that does is allow weed infestation to come into your lawn.

“If you are keeping it a little bit higher it is thicker, and it isn’t going to be as easy for the weeds to get in and take over your lawn.”

While ‘lost cause’ can be the first thought when looking at a sunaffected strip of lawn, Sally said there were plenty of options to restore grass to its former glory.

“Due to water restrictions, not everyone has the availability of town water, so a wetting agent is a really good thing to get a hold of and apply that to your lawn,” she said.

“That will help rejuvenate it, and it will require you to use less water on your lawn.

“Aerating is a must, getting sandals or a pitchfork and going around and airing your soil is really important.

“And once you get into winter, you’ll need a good feed to bring it back; use something high in nitrogen to give it that green effect again.”

MOWING FREQUENCY The neighbourhood sin of cranking up the mower early every Sunday has been long condemned by many for sleep deprivation purposes, but there is another reason why it is detrimental. Incessant clipping can be more of a hindrance than a help when it’s warm.

“At this time of the year it is not a growing season — spring is your growing season,” Sally said.

“There is no hard and fast rule (with mowing), most people like to do it on a weekend on a weekly basis.

“But if we are going to be experiencing high temperatures, if you can get away with mowing every second week it would be much better for your lawn.”

WATERING While the climate can sometimes offer soil a healthy soaking, sprinkler systems are a no-brainer to ensure the ground gets proper hydration.

Using them earlier in the day reduces the risk of the evaporation from the sun, Sally advises.

“Do your watering in the morning — and when I say morning, I mean 3 to 5 am.

“If you are lucky enough to have an automated system, set it for those early morning times.

“You are just wasting your water if you try to water your lawn in the middle of the day, it will be evaporating fast.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 35

New homes and renovations From concept to completion

With 20 years’ experience, and winners of a 2017 Master Builders award, Greg Pearson Building are residential builders, based in Shepparton. We build new homes and carry out extensions and alterations.

Being boutique builders, we only build a limited number of houses per year, enabling our clients to have as much hands on involvement as they like.

Greg Pearson leads a skilled and dedicated team capable of creating modern, unique and individual homes, all of which are beautifully crafted, environmentally sustainable and practical to live in.

When working with Greg Pearson Building, you can expect honesty, integrity and open communication from concept to completion.

For all enquiries phone Greg on 0437 468 677 to talk over your plans or ideas.

GREG PEARSON

2 Perry Court, Shepparton VIC 3630

Mobile 0437 468 677

Email: info@gregpearsonbuilding.com.au www.gregpearsonbuilding.com.au

l u f i t n u boharvest PRESERVING A

All available space in the pantry of the Fenn family home in Kyabram is dedicated to storing the excess produce from their bountiful garden.

STORY: SHARON WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 37

Sophie, Harlee and Malcolm Fenn in their garden.

R

ows of pickled vegetables, jars of preserved fruit, bottles of sauces, jams and relishes and containers of dehydrated fruits and vegetables represent a year’s supply of food.

Sophie, Malcolm and eight-year-old daughter Harlee have developed the garden, on a 0.5 ha block of land, since they built their new home two years ago.

Room for a large vegetable garden, hot house and small orchard of fruit trees was a prerequisite when hunting for a suitable house site, and gradually the land is being turned into a productive space.

Malcolm’s garden interest stems from when he was young, growing up on a farm with a vegetable garden and taking inspiration from his dad’s cousin who owned a nursery, while Sophie’s passion for growing her own food began about 12 years ago, when the couple moved in together.

38 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

The food you grow “yourself tastes better.

“

– MALCOLM FENN

They acknowledge growing your own food is hard work, takes commitment and is not necessarily cheaper — but their philosophy is simple.

“The food you grow yourself tastes better,” Malcolm said.

“And people like to know what they are eating, and how it was grown.”

Sophie said they were developing a self-sufficient lifestyle and aimed to grow enough food to preserve what they needed for the entire year.

She inherited Malcolm’s mother’s and grandmother’s Fowlers Vacola preserving units, have two dehydrators and a spacious kitchen and walk-in pantry to support a production line of manufacturing.

Nothing is wasted. What they don’t consume when the produce is fresh is preserved, given away to family and friends, exchanged at the monthly Kyabram Food Swap or added to

the compost.

Four raised garden beds are home to edible flowers and medicinal plants, such as nasturtium, borage, catmint and German chamomile, strawberries, sunflowers, fennel, mixed herbs such as oregano and lemon thyme, and potatoes and spaghetti squash.

In another section, flourishing rows of watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, asparagus and carrots are alongside the remnants of winter-grown onions and cabbages.

Berries, kiwi fruit and an orchard of orange, mandarin, lemon, lime, cumquat, pomegranate, apple, pear, plum, feijoa, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach and avocado satisfy the sweet cravings.

A large hothouse allows some plants to be grown out of season.

The workable space houses neat plantings of varieties of tomatoes,

capsicum and chillies and tubs of mint, bananas and rhubarb rounding out an almost A to Z list of garden produce.

Sophie said she allowed many plants to flower and self-seed to attract bees for pollination and to enjoy the new plants that germinate the following year.

They make their own compost from house and garden scraps, coffee grounds from a local business, cow manure and gypsum, and mulch heavily with straw to reduce weeds and conserve moisture.

“Sometimes we end up with a popup garden from the seeds that are in the compost,” Malcolm said.

“That’s not a bad thing though,” Sophie said.

“We added compost to the potato crop and by accident grew spaghetti squash, which has actually protected the potatoes from the hot sun.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 39

TRADING PLACES Kyabram Food Swap gives an opportunity for like-minded people to exchange surplus produce, create new networks and eliminate waste.

Secretary Sophie Fenn said the monthly gatherings often saw fruit, vegetables, citrus, eggs, jams, preserves, plant seedlings and cuttings change hands. But one thing that doesn’t is money.

“The day starts with everything available for swap laid out on tables, and then you go around and take what you think to be of the same value as what you contributed,” Sophie said.

“We have some members that want to trade but don’t have any produce, so they might bring baked goods or flowers along to swap.”

Guest speakers offer their expertise on various garden-related topics and any leftover food is used by the Kyabram Community and Learning Centre for its regular community meal program.

The food swap is held at the Kyabram Community and Learning Centre on the fourth Sunday of the month. For information, visit the Kyabram Food Swap Facebook page.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 41

AUTUMN PLANTING GUIDE Beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, chickpea, chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, onion, pak choy, parsley, peas, potato, radish, rocket, shallot, silverbeet, spinach.

added compost “ We to the potato crop

and by accident grew spaghetti squash, which has actually protected the potatoes from the hot sun.

“

– SOPHIE FENN

42 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

CAPSICUM DIP SAUCE You will need two to three small recycled jars.

INGREDIENTS: • ½ cup sugar • ½ cup white vinegar • 1 tbsp tabasco sauce • 1 kg of red capsicums

METHOD: 1. Char the capsicums on a barbecue or gas burner until blackened, then cool.

2. Once the capsicum is cooled, peel off the blackened skin, cut out the stem and remove seeds from the inside.

Drain off any liquid. Dice into 1 cm pieces and place into a medium-sized saucepan.

3. Add the sugar, vinegar and tabasco, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Pour into hot sterilised jars and put the lids on to seal. Be careful not to burn yourself — use a tea towel to handle the jars and lids.

5. Label with the name and date.

These will last several months in the cupboard.

Note:

To sterilise recycled jars, preheat oven to 150°C, wash jars and lids and place them on an oven tray while wet, dry in the oven for about 15 minutes.

To use: Pour one jar over the top of a block of Philadelphia cream cheese and serve.

PLUM SAUCE You will need about eight 600 ml jars or other sizes to total a similar volume.

INGREDIENTS: • 4 kg ripe plums (blood plums are best) • 6 Granny Smith apples (loose ones, not pre-packaged) • 3 litres of white vinegar • 2 kg sugar • 1 tbsp ground cloves • 2 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tbsp ground ginger

METHOD: 1. De-stone the plums and chop into quarters. Chop apples to about the same size, leaving the core and seeds in.

2. Add to a large pot with the vinegar, bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring often so it doesn’t catch on the bottom.

3. Take off the heat, add in the sugar and spices, stir well, return to the heat and simmer for another hour.

4. Use a mouli to emulsify the sauce and remove any seeds, etc, from the apples. If you don’t have one of these, you could use a stick blender to emulsify then push it through a coarse sieve to strain any seeds or lumps, etc.

5. Carefully pour into hot sterilised jars and put the lids on to seal. Be careful not to burn yourself — use a tea towel to handle the jars and lids.

6. Let cool and as they do, the lids will ‘pop’ as they seal. Label and date the jars. These will last several months in the cupboard.

• 15 g Chinese five-spice powder

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 43

AUCTION Saturday 4th April @ 10.30am TATURA – 253 Hogan Street 3

2

4

amazing renovation restoring historic •Ancharm with architectural flair creating an open plan living space that compliments the period features of ‘Devonleigh’.

features include extensive pressed metal •Period ceilings and decorative ceiling roses, ornate cornices, two modern bathrooms and a galley style kitchen and a butler’s pantry.

Huge backyard (Title size–1748m ) with •manicured garden & lawns, mature ash tree and 2

the big ticket item — an all steel shed ‘American style barn’ with mezzanine floor and balcony (the perfect man cave).

THE TEAM TO TRUST WITH YOUR PROPERTY

SHEPPARTON 5821 8388

NUMURKAH 5862 2611

THE

FUTURE NOW IS

Nestled in a charming neighbourhood in Kialla lies a fully-functioning, automated smart home.

STORY: LIAM NASH PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 47

I was waiting for it to become “easy to install in existing homes.

“

– MARK LIBRIO

48 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

F

rom kitchen to lounge room, bedroom to outdoors, owner Mark Librio has integrated various technological aspects to ensure secure, efficient and cost-effective measures are in place — all controlled by voice activation or apps.

Comfortably blending modern convenience without compromising homely spaces, each room shows the careful detail Mark has applied in piecing together the home’s blueprint.

As owner of Lights Plus in Shepparton, Mark needed to be able to wrap his head around smart lighting from a professional viewpoint, hence the decision to tinker with the devices himself.

“On the lighting side of things, I sell it, so I need to know all about it,” he said.

“I had to physically connect it myself to

use it and I found it very simple to use.”

Having lived in the home for about two decades, Mark first delved into the autonomous lifestyle 15 years ago through a C-Bus smart home system.

But with its technology since becoming outdated, the recent renaissance of smart products on the market had Mark hooked.

“I needed to know as far as ease of use,” he said.

“I was waiting for it to become easy to install in existing homes.

“A lot of people shy away from it because they don’t know how to use it, but now that I understand it, I can explain to them just how easy it is to use.”

Although unidentifiable to the naked eye, the features begin to take effect outside the home.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 49

50 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Mark Librio has turned his house into a smart home.

With security placed at the forefront of the smart conversion, Mark is notified via a smartphone alert of anyone approaching the front door through a camera, while he can also open and shut his garage through the touch of a screen.

“If people are trying to pull the front door it can take a snapshot and send it to the police,” he said.

“As for the garage, some people call it lazy, but if you are coming down the street and don’t have to fiddle for the remote control, it is easy.

“It is location-based control which goes through Google Maps, so as soon as it locates me coming down the street, the garage door will open.”

A step inside reveals a home exuding cosiness, style and function, with warm lighting throughout the interior operational through interaction with virtual assistant Alexa.

Outside lies a lawn full of life, all thanks to Mark’s latest inclusion — a sprinkler system featuring a smart water application which adapts to the environmental conditions.

“The sprinkler system is connected through a weather app; it can tell whether it is windy so it will turn sprinklers off until the wind dies down.

“You can also set a moisture sensor in the grass which detects if it is too wet, it turns the sprinklers down.

“When we went away to Queensland in the start of January, I could water my gardens when we had the heatwave through turning my sprinklers on, and I could see through my cameras what the lawn looked like.”

Satisfied with the “whole ease of operation” supplemented by his home devices, Mark believes there’s been a smoother running of daily tasks over the past year compared to a more manual lifestyle.

However, due to the avant-garde nature of the smart revolution, he is constantly searching for the next wave of products to expand his frontiers and simplify living even further.

“I am always looking for new ways, especially in the lighting side of things,” he said.

“In the last 12 months, the whole industry has gone ballistic.

“There is always something new out there — they are adding more and more.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 51

The experts in custom home building

AWARD WINNING HOMES | HOME DESIGNS | HOME IMPROVEMENTS We are your local builders who take the time to work with you from start to finish — making building easy and exciting — the way it should be.

Chris and his team will work with you to ensure your lifestyle requirements are catered for, and will custom design to your individual budget. We pride ourselves on creating quality homes, with a flexible approach, to ensure that you end up with your own unique home that you will love.

We understand designing and building your dream home is a very personal and rewarding experience.

So whether a new home, or a home improvement, call us for a free consultation today.

MBA AWARD WINNING BUILDERS

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | UNIT DEVELOPMENT

SHEPPARTON | YARRAWONGA | COBRAM | NAGAMBIE Chris Barzen 0418 550 002 | e. chris@barzenbuilders.com.au

w w w. b a r z e n b u i l d e r s . c o m . a u

GET

SMART

With smart devices transcending the capabilities and breaking the boundaries of traditional products, having a home open up and turn on right before your eyes with zero labour attached is now a reality.

STORY: LIAM NASH

I

magine this upon entering your house — down go the blinds and on comes the airconditioning, leaving nothing to do but sink into the beckoning couch while some acoustic ambience wafts through the room.

All of which is manipulated through

the touch of a button or a simple vocal phrase.

Due to smart home trends careening towards a fully automated future, there is no need to tear apart the building to insert these elements, nor does expensive and

comprehensive correlate when deciding on devices — consumerfriendliness and affordability is the aim.

Our Home spoke to the experts on what to look out for when piecing together the ideal smart home.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 53

TECHNOLOGY

COMES HOME T

he progression of smart products opens up a window for increased functionality and far greater reliability from the front to the back of a home.

Adam Denny from Harvey Norman says everything from smart lightbulbs to smart curtains, and sensors to smart plugs, can all be bought locally. As well as the virtual assistants needed to tie all aspects together — the major competitors being Amazon and Google.

“The major differences are Google handle a lot of a wider spread of products, we don’t deal much with the Amazon stuff, but the biggest benefit of Google is a lot of other brands link into it whereas Amazon is a bit more standalone,” Adam said.

“Everything from your lights to your curtains to whatever it is, you can say ‘Google, I’m home’ and your whole house will turn on and start opening up for you.

“It is all using your phone through an app; you start with your voice activated speaker and then you link your devices in until everything is all set.”

Adam said Harvey Norman provided services to help customers set up their home with smart products, as well as offering them the option to bring in their house plans and formulate a customised set-up to suit the consumer’s needs. “(The smart product industry) has been a booming category; it has probably been around three or four years since the voice activated speakers and everything else moving forward,” he said.

“Now it has got to that point where 54 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

the front to the back of your house can all be connected ready to go.

“The only drawback is internet connectivity; if you don’t have internet at home then you are basically buying a glorified lightbulb for instance, there is no point.”

Considering the minimal effort required during set up, the positives far outweigh the negative factors when considering a smart conversion.

“The main benefit is convenience; if you’ve got it set up right you don’t

have to turn on your lights or house devices one by one,” Adam said.

“It also means that when you are away from home, if you forget to turn something off you can still control that.

“A lot of people use it from a security point of view, when they are away from home to make it look like they are still there, or through their security cameras to be able to know what is going on when they are away.”

Photogr aphy: M

adelein

BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS A smooth, fully autonomous experience wouldn’t be complete without the option to control natural light through the touch of a button.

Headaches stemming from broken lift cords and the likes can be mitigated with retrofitting a motor or replacing them for a smart system altogether.

Des Hicks from Dollar Curtains + Blinds shed some light on smart blinds.

“You can have everything powered up using a remote, as long as the blind

system is hooked up to a modem, and you can also use a phone to control them,” Des said.

“They can also be powered using solar which can be hardwired directly to your home.”

In order to for the blinds to be recognisable via a virtual assistant, programming individual shades into a base with an identifiable label will allow for a speaker to pick up a vocal command.

Like many other of its smart

e Byron

.

counterparts, Sam Smith from S and T Installations mentioned blinds can be scheduled to operate at certain times of the day, regardless of your location.

“You can remotely put them down, so if you are not home, they come with an app,” Sam said.

“You can also time your blinds, so if you know you are going to be awake at six then they will come up at that time, meaning you don’t need to touch them.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 55

LIGHTING THE WAY Being able to manage the mood of a room through the use of lighting has been a commodity accessible to consumers for years, but now any physical strain associated with the task can be alleviated with current technology.

According to Mark Librio from Lights Plus, there are a myriad of different ways to achieve this using existing products on the market.

“There are schedules, timers, dimming, all different types of lighting controls,” Mark said.

“You can set different scenes, different moods, for security or just for ease of walking through a house.”

Synchronised through an app, lights can be labelled in order to be controlled by voice activation, all of which is incredibly user-friendly, according to Mark.

“The programming and app control is basic, it is fairly easy to use,” he said.

“To purchase a light bulb is easy to do, but the actual light switches and control really need to be done by a qualified electrician because there is electricals involved.

“Security is probably the major benefit, for the reason of having your lights turn on automatically when you aren’t at home.”

Photography: Rodney Braithwaite.

56 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Photography: Rodney Braithwaite.

SOUNDS PERFECT Ambience without effort is the essence of smart home audio — what better way to set a mood or liven up a room than through aural inclusion.

Nick Durston from Sounds Around broke the silence on setting up a home audio system.

“You can pretty much have any speaker, or any sound in any room of your house,” Nick said.

“You can use voice control as well, Alexa or Google, talk to it and command it to play whatever radio station.

“It is pretty straight forward; I suppose it just comes down to the fine-tuning — hardwiring the speaker

to a central location.”

Immersion has never been easier with a multi-room set-up, with products like HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System) breaking the mould for what a household can offer.

“The benefit of HEOS is that you can add it to your home theatre systems as well so you can have automation tied into your multiroom, bathroom, ensuites, outdoors, soundbars, TV,” Nick said.

“You can start with one area and grow anywhere up to 250 areas, there can be 32 different streams of music happening — it is pretty much unlimited for a normal-sized home.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 57

Photography: KitchenWise.

KITCHEN KARMA The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, so why should smart stop there?

KitchenWise director Mark Boldiston said a range of smart technology options could be integrated into cabinetry.

Lighting fitted below overhead cupboards and underneath island benches can be operated by an app on a smartphone and activated, at any time of the day or night, with the touch of a button.

Another popular inclusion for households is a dedicated drawer with an in-built charging station.

Phones and tablets can be plugged into charging ports and hidden within the drawer, eliminating cords and clutter on the kitchen bench.

58 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

SWITCHED ON With the latest smart technology, home automation is as simple as clicking a button.

2

1

3

7 4

5

6

1 Samsung Family Hub 671 litre French door fridge, $4499, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 2 Connect Smart 10W B22 RGB LED light bulb, $29.95 each, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 3 Ring video doorbell, $148, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 4 DeLonghi PrimaDonna Elite coffee machine, $1999, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 5 iRobot Braava jet M6 robot mop, $1149, Harvey Norman Shepparton. 6 Remote-control or phone app-operated LED coloured strip lights and RGB drive, $POA, KitchenWise. 7 Pixie Portable Smart Plug, $79.95 RRP, Lights Plus Shepparton.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 59

Your LOCAL choice for land estates “THE SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES”

HUGE BLOCKS FROM 1116M2–1583M2

St Anne’s School is now in its second year, the Waterbird Park is fully established and the wetlands are already attracting bird life, while the impressive Falcon Park has now become a family focal point.

Large residential blocks within very close proximity to St Anne’s School.

Stages 5 & 6 now fully constructed. The large park is now almost complete and features extensive open areas, children’s play area plus community barbeque. With generous size allotments and situated close to the GV Grammar School, St Luke’s School and the GV Hospital it is no wonder these blocks have been keenly sought after.

STAGE 45 NOW READY TO BUILD ON!

STAGE 6A NOW PRE-SELLING | PLANS & PRICE LIST NOW AVAILABLE!

RIVIERA PARK Kialla Mag

noli

Electricity Kiosk

Valley

G.V.W. Reserve

10m

Needlewood

1662m² 31·48

41·48

Road

Bursaria

1742m²

8m

SOLD

a

Wattletree

52

34

51

42

ENJOY THE LIFESTYLE NEARING COMPLETION

Road

Myrtle

55

1669m²

SOLD 1690m²

1675m²

SOLD

SOLD

64

53

2031m²

SOLD

Road

5·

(42·50)

Road

38·50

(36·55)

Lomandr a

38

42

56

SOLD 1695m²

54

2039m² (47·98)

(40·55)

40·72

40·20

64

7

SOLD

(47·98)

5·

42·50

62

42·50

61

37·50

(36·55)

41·50

40·72

41·51

41·51

40·20

5· 6

42

41·48

Goulburn

STAGE 4 NEARING COMPLETION

41·48

43·98

Road

Electricity Kiosk

63

A relaxed lifestyle opportunity awaits at Riviera Park, with Seven Creeks bush walks, Emerald Bank Adventure Park, Trotting Track, Kialla West Primary School and only a few kilometres to the Riverside Plaza Shopping Centre. These large residential blocks offer a chance to build your dream home. Generous shed covenants, wide frontages, and the opportunity of getting in early and securing your block.

(1) Measurements and areas are approximate only and are subject to survey and may be amended on the plan of subdivision submitted for certification.

PTY LTD

(2) Road pavements, footpaths, playground & landscaping shown are conceptual only and are subject to detailed engineering design and Council approval.

· CIVIL ENGINEERS · URBAN & REGIONAL PLANNERS

ZONE

PH: (03) 5820 7700

0

5

10

20

1:1000 @ A3

FAX: (03) 5822 4878

www.csmith.com.au

Designed

Col Rogers

2nd December, 2016

Drawn

Col Rogers

13th May, 2019

Checked

Scale

LARGE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS | FROM $187,500

· LAND SURVEYORS · PROJECT MANAGERS

LEVEL 1 / 135 FRYERS STREET, SHEPPARTON, VIC. 3630

(3) Lot numbers 1 to 50 inclusive & 57 to 60 inclusive have been omitted from this plan.

DATE

Highway

Mawquip P/L. Riviera Park Estate

Notes:

REVISION

Road

1966m²

(41)

40

40

40

64

1960m²

45

1960m²

(29·80)

7·20

(44·20) (49)

SOLD

65

(49)

40

66

1960m²

(49)

40

67

1960m²

(49)

40

68

1960m²

(49)

Drive

SOLD

(49)

49

69

1960m²

40

40

40

40

40

(40)

4·80

Dianella

Approved

Lomandra Drive & Cassinia Road Kialla Sale Plan Stage 4 Drawing No. 18131/03 Sheet No.

1 of 1

C Chris Smith & Associates ABN 14 627 882 064

Rev. 0 1813103v0.dwg A3

THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRIGHT AND MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED. UNAUTHORISED USE PROHIBITED. ALL DIMENSIONS AND LEVELS TO BE CHECKED ON THE PROJECT BEFORE COMMENCING ANY WORKS OR SHOP DRAWINGS. DRAWINGS NOT TO BE SCALED.

On the doorstep of Tatura, these 1⁄2 acre+ blocks are nearing completion and are fully serviced + both town and raw water supply. Large shed covenants and include fencing.

LARGE BLOCKS FROM 2004m2–2449m2 | FROM $164,000

For all your land inquires contact: Glenn Young 0438 579 993

scratch

STARTING from

For more than a decade, a ‘for sale’ sign stood stagnant in front of a crumbling Tatura home.

STORY: JESSICA BALL PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 63

64 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

G

aping holes in the floor, a leaky roof and a corner jacked up to keep the 100-year-old structure standing weren’t enough to deter Megan and Bailey Argus.

The then 20-year-olds were determined to move out of home even if it meant taking on a neglected house no-one else wanted to touch.

“We saw the place and I was like, no way,” Megan said.

“You would have just knocked it down if it wasn’t heritage-listed, you would have just bulldozed it.

“It was just a mess, it was a tip, it stunk, it wasn’t really habitable — but people were living in it and then we lived in it.”

The young couple with zero renovating skills, who didn’t know the difference between a cornice and a skirting board, moved in and quickly started to understand just how large of a challenge they were in for.

They set up camp in a small room with a makeshift kitchen and at each stage of the project had to reconsider how they were going to live in the construction site.

The first step was gutting the entire building.

All but two walls were deemed too crooked to save, while a brick wall built right down the middle of the house, separating it into two units in the 1970s, had to go.

For just over two years, all annual leave, weekends and evenings were dedicated to the renovation.

“It was very rare that we had a weekend off or a night off,” Megan said.

“We had the drive to do it because we needed to be able to live here.

“The ensuite was one of the first rooms we did because we needed a clean shower.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 65

66 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Each part of the project was hands on.

From tiling and laying herringbone flooring, to designing the kitchen and repurposing furniture, Megan and Bailey did it all.

“There were a lot of things we’d never done before we bought this house,” Megan said.

“We’ve had to learn everything and Bailey is just switched on, he’s really handy and talented with everything he does.

“Bailey’s family has really helped us along the way; I don’t think we could have done it without them.”

Now, the heritage home has been thoughtfully reimagined while paying respect to its former glory with a soft palette of blue-greys,

fresh white, timber and modern black accents.

The façade features original windows and doors while the century-old floorboards were painstakingly relaid.

It’s in the open-plan space where the couple has masterfully blended the home’s heritage roots and modern living with the largest original piece, a pressed tin ceiling, juxtaposing ontrend black matte finishes.

Nearing the end of the project, the now newlyweds were ready to enjoy a weekend off the tools.

But then their dream house came on the market, and they instantly knew it was time to move on.

“We thought there’s no way we’re selling this, we’ve done far too much

work and put our heart and souls into it,” Megan said.

“We’ve enjoyed doing the renovation so much that we’re happy to do it again.

“We’re very proud of ourselves, but I think we’re ready to go to the house that we always wanted and we’re excited to go out on a bit of land.

“We’re not going to own it any more but I think it’s still going to be in our hearts that we did this together.”

While they didn’t quite realise just how mammoth a project they were taking on in beginning, Bailey says he is sure it will be a lot easier the second time around.

And for now, the ‘for sale’ sign is back up at Devonleigh House.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 67

“

Megan was “ down on the floor cutting

the lining boards and passing them up to me and I’d put them in.

– BAILEY ARGUS

OPEN-PLAN LIVING A decrepit skillion extension has been reborn as an oversized, open-plan, country-style kitchen and dining space, with cathedral ceilings and skylights flooding the room with natural light.

Adding character with thoughtful details like the ceiling lining boards and grand skirting boards, Bailey said they were proud to see their ideas gradually come together.

“Megan was down on the floor cutting the lining boards and passing them up to me and I’d put them in,” Bailey said.

With a gaping hole in the floor, it was once hard to miss where the original home finished and where the skillion extension began.

But now the divide between the old and the new is more subtle, with salvaged floorboards meeting herringbone parquet.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 69

BATHROOMS The ensuite was one of the first rooms Megan and Bailey attacked.

It didn’t exactly go to plan and just a few days after finishing they were forced to rip up the tiles and start again.

The end result is a light and bright bathroom with statement blue tiled herringbone feature wall and a vanity Bailey crafted using repurposed floor joists from the hallway.

His handiwork continues into the main bathroom, where he fashioned a second vanity from a rundown chest of drawers picked up from Facebook Marketplace.

was one “ ofThetheensuite first rooms we

“

did because we needed a clean shower.

– MEGAN ARGUS

70 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

BACKYARD A typical Australian backyard with a Hills Hoist and a huge tree became the backdrop for Megan and Bailey’s surprise wedding reception.

A welder by trade at Ian Argus Steel Fabrication, it’s no surprise the American-style shed is Bailey’s favourite part of the home.

“We all pitched in to build the shed and Bailey did all the doors, which was a huge job,” Megan said.

“We’re pretty proud of the shed because it’s very unique.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 71

At Choices Flooring Shepparton, we know that good interior decorating starts

from the floor up.

With the latest designs in carpet, timber, laminate, luxury vinyl, rugs and tiles, we have the perfect decorating solution for every home and budget.

So to find the floor you’ve been searching for visit our showroom today.

Choices Flooring Shepparton 186 High Street, Shepparton 5822 2777 choicesflooring.com.au

s n o i t a v o n e r e m ho THE

F O T C A G N I C N A L BA

hreet , d e s a h c ly pur parton p My recent e h S n a b subur s work. d bedroom e e n ly e t pera home des T S BENNET E M A J : Y STOR

I

’ve identified the main bathroom, ensuite, flooring and kitchen as the main issues.

As somebody who is on a tight budget, my target is to not go overthe-top.

But already I’ve learnt the reality of renovations. The quotes I’ve received for the main bathroom are $3000 more than I initially thought.

Despite the expense, I have no option but to complete the renovations in the bathroom.

The shower is out of use because the bottom half of one of the walls is missing tiles, leaving exposed pipes.

A new shower will be installed with modern vanity and, after long deliberation, the bath will stay.

The finish includes dark grey floor and wall tiles, but they only go 1.5 m

up the wall.

The house was full of dirty carpet — which has been removed.

The carpet was everywhere including the floor of the ensuite surrounding the toilet.

Instead of replacing it with new carpet the entire house will be tiled.

But some people are advising just the bedrooms should be carpeted.

As two of the rooms will be rented out, the argument for carpet has to do with cold winter Shepparton mornings.

I prefer tiles or floorboards because it’s easier to clean and I like the look.

Many of the frames, such as door entrances and bathroom mirrors plus cupboard and wardrobe doors, all have exposed wood finishes that just need a touch of white paint.

The kitchen came with a broken dishwasher that’s been replaced with a good working second-hand one.

The kitchen also has a St George oven and electric stovetop, both in good working order.

The decent storage space and cooking facilities mean I don’t have to prioritise a full renovation at the top of my list.

What I have discovered in the short amount of time since living in my new home is — there is always one thing extra.

For example, if I decide on flooring then what impact does that have on the home’s climate?

These are the challenges I must work with while juggling a tight budget and thinking about the longterm value of the property.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 73

Entertain outdoors

e l y t s in

D R E A M | D E S I G N | C R E AT E Making memories with family and friends is fuss-free and memorable with a custom-designed outdoor kitchen built from quality, weatherproof materials by expert craftspeople.

Choose from a wide range of cabinetry and benchtop colours; enjoy soft-close hardware, integrated bbq and appliances — and having everything you need at your fingertips.

Whether you have a small space, or room for a dream alfresco, your outdoor lifestyle will never be the same again.

3D design consultation | Full project management of trades Indoor-outdoor showroom | Appliances and cabinetry lighting Book a free appointment with a design consultant today.

6 Telford Drive, Shepparton Ph: (03) 5831 2077 www.kitchenwise.com.au kitchens | alfrescos | laundries | bathrooms and ensuites | wardrobes | entertainment and wall units | home office | commercial and retail fit-outs

EVERYTHING

in its place

An organised home keeps life running smoothly for this family of five.

STORY: SHARON WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

J

uggling family, school and work commitments is a challenge faced by many, but by putting some thought into home organisation and maximising your available storage there can be a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Shepparton’s Tameeka McIntosh has always had a natural affinity for order and now that she’s a mum to three young children that mindset is proving invaluable.

The older-style home Tameeka shares with husband Adam and children Caleb, 7, Isaac, 5, and Hannah, nine months, is testament to her ingenuity when it comes to finding solutions for common storage issues.

There are four bedrooms — one of which is used as an office for Tameeka’s part-time work-from-home role — but there is only one living room, one bathroom and combined kitchen/dining so available space is at a premium.

Pinterest and Instagram offer inspiration but Tameeka said her brain tends to think creatively when it comes to finding storage solutions.

“I enjoy the problem-solving side of things, I see a clutter spot that builds up and I think how can I tackle that, what can I try?”

Practical furniture, with potential for storage capacity, has been a saviour with cube shelving in the living room and the boys’ shared bedroom holding an array of baskets filled with toys, Lego and board games.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 75

Caleb and Isaac McIntosh play with some of the toys stored in their well-organised home.

When the children arrive home from school and pre-school there are dedicated hooks to hang their school bags on, their lunchboxes are unpacked for washing, important notices are placed in a caddy on the kitchen bench and shoes are put away in the same place.

“The morning routine is made so much easier by having things in the right place, you don’t have to look for school bags or shoes each morning,” Tameeka said.

“Routine is important and having a system and a method to storing the things you need is part of that.

“I have a mindset that there is a home for everything.”

In every room there is a savvy idea that helps keep the household running smoothly.

Baby Hannah’s bedroom has a wide dresser that doubles as a change table, and the drawers have insert dividers to store nappies, wipes, creams and other essentials.

“I’ve used this for all of my children, 76 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Tameeka McIntosh says an organised home keeps life running smoothly for her family, which includes baby daughter Hannah.

I put the change mat on top of the dresser instead of getting another piece of furniture. Once she’s bigger there will be room for her clothes and toys,” Tameeka said.

She regularly reassesses what is and isn’t working, and is flexible to make changes as the family’s

demands change.

Unexpected events and sick children can throw a spanner in the works but Tameeka said these could be better managed with a routine.

“Life still happens and things go wrong, but I feel like the reset period is shorter when you’re organised.”

Top tips

• Declutter your linen cupboard, work out how many towels and changes of bed linen you require for each family member and cull the rest.

• Keep a whiteboard and a caddy for storing paperwork in a convenient location to keep track of appointments, important documents and groceries required on the weekly shop.

• A timber-framed cabinet fitted with three slide-out laundry baskets ensures washing is sorted before it’s tossed in the machine.

• Don’t forget hooks can hold items, such as the brush and dustpan, freeing up space in cupboards.

• Sort through children’s toys before birthdays and Christmas, and decide what to dispose of before the next influx.

• ‘Set me up Sunday’ is a phrase Tameeka lives by. It’s the day she plans meals for the week ahead, followed by ‘click and collect’ grocery shopping on Monday, some meal preparation and a thorough house clean.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 77

UNIQUE CUSTOM HOMES BUILT FOR YOU BERRIGAN BERRIGAN

TOCUMWAL BAROOGA

STRATHMERTON STRATHMERTON YARROWEYAH

MULWALA MULWALA

COBRAM

NATHALIA NATHALIA

NUMURKAH

YARRAWONGA YARRAWONGA

www.msconstructions.net.au | admin@msconstructions.net.au | Jordan St Cobram Vic 3644

A TRADITION OF

EXCELLENCE

167-171 HIGH STREET, SHEPPARTON (03) 5831 2500 INFO@SABAC.COM.AU WWW.SABAC.COM.AU /sabaconhigh

78 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

GET

organised

STORIES: SHARON WRIGHT ife is busy!

Finding time to work, rest and play has never been more challenging, but by dedicating some serious thinking time to organising your home, you can bring some semblance of order to the busiest of lifestyles.

Organisation is the buzz word in modern living, with countless social media groups dedicated to the cause and one woman, Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo, becoming a worldwide celebrity by encouraging us all to declutter on a grand scale.

Key to achieving this pinnacle of home living is storage, and in this edition of Our Home we have tips from the experts to help you implement ideas to maximise the best use of available space.

Photography: Hettich.

L

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 79

Food for

THOUGHT

There’s nothing worse than delving into the back of the pantry for a vital ingredient for your signature dish, only to discover it’s months out of date.

O

r unpacking your grocery shopping and realising you’ve bought yet another jar of Italian herbs, to go alongside the three you already have.

That’s what happens when you have a disorganised pantry.

Howards Storage World, Riverside Plaza manager Cheryl Powles says by having your food in designated and easily accessible places you can eliminate waste, and in turn save money, as well as being a valuable tool when meal planning.

“Opening the pantry to see everything that you have on hand makes life so much easier,” Cheryl said.

Airtight canisters in a range of shapes and sizes can hold dry foods such as rice, pasta, cereals, baking necessities and nuts, while large pull-out trays and baskets are perfect for packaged goods and snacks.

Tiered stands are ideal for tinned foods and jars and there are even options for the gourmet cook to store their selection of tall bottles of oils, in the shape of high-sided narrow containers or small round turntables.

Cheryl said by customising what works for you, and grouping items together to suit your individual requirements, anyone can achieve a functional pantry layout.

And the addition of funky labels, limited only by your imagination, can elevate your food storage system to the next level and create a Pinterestworthy space in your home.

80 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Photography: Megan Fisher.

Top tips

SMART solutions If you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, maximising the storage space within your cabinetry is a smart move.

I

nnovative design features incorporated in the cabinetry — whether it’s in the kitchen, pantry, bathroom, laundry or living areas — will improve the functionality of your home and give flexibility to modern-day living.

KitchenWise director Mark Boldiston said the uncluttered look was sought-after by minimaliststyle homeowners, but equally as important was ensuring every room in the home was easy to use.

“Our lives are so busy and having a lot of clutter can be overwhelming, that’s where good storage comes into play,” Mark said.

Void areas, such as corner cupboards or near appliances, don’t have to be wasted space. Consider wire-ware baskets that swivel, slide and pull out towards you so you’ll never again have to reach to retrieve items.

The wire-ware can be adapted to work as a pull-out caddy in the smallest of spaces, making even the narrowest of cupboards a usable place to store chopping boards or cooking oils and condiments, if it’s near the cooking zone.

And if you’re serious about expanding the capacity in your built-in cabinetry, drawers are a must.

“Using drawers, instead of shelving, can increase storage space by about 30 per cent,” Mark said.

Sturdy, smooth-running drawers can be customised to include deep drawers for pots or crockery, or shallow versions for pot lids, utensils, cutlery, glassware and mugs.

To further reduce chaos and create order, fit with drawer inserts so everything you need can quickly be accessed from its designated partition.

Photography: KitchenWise.

• A deep, in-built drawer to house dirty linen can maximise floor space in the laundry.

• Face-level storage can incorporate shelving hidden behind the bathroom mirror, which is perfect for stacking bathroom necessities as well as increasing the available space within the vanity. Mark recommends installing power points in the cabinetry to charge shavers and electric toothbrushes as well as considering installing side lighting to create a more natural light for users.

• Underneath the kitchen sink or laundry trough are traditionally hard-to-use spaces, with the necessary plumbing taking up valuable room. Pull-out wire caddies, attached to the side of the cabinetry, can work around this and a purpose-built removable basket helps you easily transport your cleaning products around the house.

• Customised floating cabinetry is on-trend in living zones and is ideal to neatly conceal board games, electronic consoles, children’s toys or throw rugs.

Mark said the floating element can make a room appear bigger, but you should be mindful that by not utilising the space right to the floor you will sacrifice some storage capacity.

• An appliance cabinet in the kitchen gives you a dedicated space for regularly used items such as the kettle and toaster.

Include power points and you’ll be able to hide everything away when not in use behind roller door, foldaway or bi-fold doors.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 81

KEEP IT simple

Photography: Rodney Braithwaite.

Maintaining clean lines and achieving the on-trend minimalist style takes some thought but with the addition of carefully chosen items you can bring order to your home.

S

abac on High manager Tracy Heyward says it’s not just trends that are driving homeowners’ desire for organised spaces.

“People are just so time poor; they don’t want to go home to chaos,” Tracy said.

Something as simple as a basket or container on the kitchen bench, or near an entry door, can work as a mini one-stop station to hold essentials such as car keys, wallets and sunglasses for a speedy late-forwork exit.

Consumers are considering the environment and choosing natural 82 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

materials, in preference to plastic, with mix-and-match timber boxes and cane baskets adding a practical, yet earthy element to the home.

“Homeware designers are coming up with space saving ideas now, so you still get the designer look without the clutter,” Tracy said.

TOP TIPS • Use cane baskets in children’s bedrooms or play rooms, and rotate toys fortnightly so your little ones regularly have something interesting and new to occupy them.

• Cabinets with small compartments are a great way for family members to store their special trinkets and keepsakes.

• They may be old-fashioned and a throwback to the 1960s but the nest of tables is making a practical comeback. Taking up minimal space the series of small tables, which slide under each other, are a savvy solution in cramped quarters.

• A stylish metal basket can store your comfy slippers, a throw rug and book-of-the-week in the lounge room for cool winter nights.

Where your pet is always treated like family Providing a personal and unique approach to vet care

We are 100% family owned and operated

Dr Anna and her team guarantee the highest standard of Veterinary Care including: Consultations, Vaccinations, Parasite control, Microchipping, Desexing, Dentistry, Radiology, Ultrasonography, Surgery, Pet Nutrition & feeding, Pet healthcare, products and advice

103 McLennan Street, Mooroopna (03) 5825 3911 | causewayvet.com.au

WINDOW COVERINGS | GIFTS & HOMEWARE | PAINT SUPPLIES 177 FRYERS ST SHEPPARTON | 03 5821 1899 | WALLSANDWINDOWS.COM.AU

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 83

COLOUR

spotlight The colour of clay may not be your immediate go-to for interiors, but it’s having a big moment.

STORY: MADI CHWASTA

T

he palette of earthy reds, rusty dark oranges and leather browns give plenty of options for accent pieces that will bring unexpected warmth to a room.

As interior designer Paula Dohrman from Walls & Windows in Shepparton says, “clay is the new grey”.

“It’s earthy and soft, and adds a warming factor.”

While the statement rolls nicely off the tongue, Paula explained the colour creates texture and movement in an otherwise neutral room with a white and grey backdrop.

She recommended trying smaller pieces, such as cushions, to subtly introduce the colour into a room, but if you’re looking for a bolder statement, a tanned leather sofa could make the perfect accent piece for autumn.

And as people begin to coop-up to escape the cold, it brings the feeling of nature inside for those who miss spending time among the trees during summer.

“It just adds more of an outdoors feel, which is really nice,” Paula said.

Dulux Colour Forecast 2020 — Grounded palette. Styled by Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.

86 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

Clay

IS THE

NEW GREY 1

Introducing an on-trend palette of earthy reds, rusty oranges and brown leather.

2

3

8

7

6 4

5

1 Amalfi Denning table lamp, $145, Walls & Windows. 2 Amalfi Aesop vessel, $69, Walls & Windows. 3 Amalfi Charing wall decor, $320, Walls & Windows. 4 Robert Mark timber cabinet, $POA, Walls & Windows. 5 Casa cushion, $39.95, Pillow Talk. 6 Amalfi Pola chair, $299, Walls & Windows. 7 Haymes paints 016 Baked Clay, M20 Rust DKT, N24 China Doll, $POA, Walls & Windows. 8 Bayliss Barossa Fall hand-woven rug, $POA, Harvey Norman Shepparton.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 87

STYLED HOMES SELL FASTER AND FOR A BETTER PRICE First impressions are vital when selling your home. Mulberry Lane Property Styling helps your home reach its full sales potential with enhanced interior design services.

Call today for a free quote Michelle Slot - 0403 207 874

mulberrylanepropertystyling.com.au

Get the home you want without moving

Your Local Design and Build Specialists “We’ve used Smith and Sons twice already and are about to use them a third time to renovate our bathroom.

They were clean, quiet and really respected our space. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to renovate. I cannot speak highly enough of our experiences” — Lisa Ryan

1300 787 577 CDB-U64133

Travis Vanderwey 0419 368 554 smithandsons.com.au

90 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

S titching

MEMORIES

Relaxing on her couch, a Shepparton woman reimagines a vintage craft one stitch at a time.

STORY: MADI CHWASTA PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 91

I like bringing the “little pictures to life,

but I like making the snarky comments ones as well.

“

– BRON DAVIS

92 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

I

ntricate needlework has always been an outlet for Bron Davis, who has been making and crafting since her primary school years.

“I do a lot of crochet, sewing; like I’ve always done something different … since I was really young, I wouldn’t know how old,” Bron said.

“I would have bought a (crossstitch) kit as a kid, or would’ve been given one.

“My mum would’ve inspired me too, because she’s quite crafty as well.”

But then the hobby became something a little bigger after Bron posted a picture of one of her creations online.

“I did do cross-stitching when I was younger, but then I hadn’t done it for a long time,” she said.

“I picked it up again when I was making this gift for someone in November last year, and then I put it on Facebook.

“And then it just took off.”

She displays and sells her delightful cross-stitches through her page ‘Stitched by Bron’, which has attracted hundreds of followers since she started it in January.

She makes personalised cross-

stitch portraits from her Shepparton home, where people will send in their family photos, and she captures these moments with needle and colourful thread.

However, she doesn’t limit herself to wholesome memories — she enjoys making some with a bit more attitude that bear slogans like “from all the flavours out there, you choose to be salty”.

“I like bringing the little pictures to life, but I like making the snarky comments ones as well,” she said.

The process is detailed, involving technology as well as the skills she has developed over years.

“I’ve got a cross-stitch program, so look at their photo and design it on the computer,” she said.

“I print out the design, cross-stich it, once it’s finished, it needs to be washed, ironed and then framed or put in the hoop.”

Bron’s talent and creativity have been paying off — she has received orders from all over Australia, and her crossstitches have been posted on Instagram despite her not having an account.

“I’ve had people putting it on Instagram, and then I’m getting

messages and feedback through that,” she said.

“And I have no idea how to use Instagram.

“People seem to really like them.”

But even though the popularity of her creations will undoubtedly grow, Bron strictly wants to keep it a winddown activity alongside full-time work.

“It will always stay at a hobby level because there are only so many I can turn out.

“It’s quite relaxing while watching TV — it’s just something to keep me busy after work.”

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 93

DUCTED SYSTEMS SINGLE & MULTI-SPLIT SYSTEMS

NGLE SINGLE SPLIT SINGLE SPLIT SYSTEMS SYSTEMS I MULTI-SPLIT SYSTEMS I MULTI-SPLIT I MULTI-SPLIT SYSTEMS SYSTEMS I DUCTED SYSTEMS I DUCTED SYSTEMS I DUCTED SYSTEMS SYSTEMS SPLIT SYSTEMS I SPLIT MULTI-SPLIT SYSTEMS I DUCTED SYSTEMS

Smarter Smarter to AWay Smarter to Way Class-leading to Class-leading Class-leading Ultra QuietUltra QuietUltra Peace of Mind Peace of Mind Peace of Mind Way to AWay Class-leading Ultra Quiet PeaceQuiet of Mind ontrol Control Air Your Control Air Your Energy Air Saving Energy Saving Energy SavingOperationOperation Operation ur Air Your Energy Saving Operation ReliabilityReliabilityReliabilityReliability

asonic adaptor and third*Panasonic party voiceWLAN controladaptor and third *Panasonic party voice control WLAN adaptor and third party voice control ty voiceWLAN control evice are required to be purchaseddevice separately. are required to be purchased separately. device are required to be purchased separately. separately.

(03) 5821 2906

www.dicksonsrefrigeration.com.au

 Interior and Exterior Design  Colour Consulting  Real Estate Styling  All types of Blinds and Window Treatments  22 years of experience in the industry

Trish Baragwanath Interiors

M 0429 953 166  E trishbinteriors@gmail.com 94 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

FROM ZERO TO

HERO

Surrounded by cropping country near Dookie, a glorious garden is flourishing.

STORY: SHARON WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 95

W

ith just a handful of established trees as a starting point, Dookie farmers Ron and Rosie Harker have transformed an almost bare block of land into a garden oasis.

Those few trees — a silky oak, white cedar and old peppercorn — remain, but instead of being surrounded by dry, dusty ground are now in the midst of an eclectic mix of exotic and native plants.

A row of pines, which were there at the beginning, have long since died — replaced by one of the Harkers’ first garden projects: a windbreak of pittosporums, wattles, melaleucas, she-oaks and photinias to protect the precious plants within.

“Without that we couldn’t really do the garden otherwise, the wind just blows through here,” Rosie said.

The land has been in Ron’s family since 1943 and when the couple moved to Merryvale in 1975 they set about constructing a 1.6 ha garden space that is now a profusion of colour and perfume.

Their self-confessed obsession with several varieties has seen about 600 irises and 400 roses planted in horseshoe-shaped beds, and a series of garden ‘rooms’ have been created with English trees and an area dedicated to natives.

“It’s a bit of an everything garden really, there was no formal garden plan — it just evolved,” Rosie said.

The sandy soil in large sections of the garden is the perfect base for the series of meandering pathways — some are edged with rocks and old tree branches to create a natural effect — and the placement of archways between each ‘room’ gives a glimpse of what lies beyond.

The tranquil oasis is relatively low-maintenance, with the extensive use of mulch and sprinkler systems encouraging continued growth despite some challenging conditions — such as the mix of sandy and clay soils, the wind and lack of rainfall.

“We often get asked how we keep up with it all but we both enjoy the time in the garden; I always say if

96 // OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020

you love doing something it is never hard work. It’s therapy,” Rosie said.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing — some plants haven’t thrived and a disease wiped out their 200 prize-winning chrysanthemums.

“Rosie reads a lot of garden books and there has been a lot of trial and error,” Ron said.

“But we’ve spent so much time here we know exactly what grows in the area.”

The garden is as productive as it is beautiful, with an orchard rewarding the couple with bountiful quantities of apples, stone fruit, citrus and grapes, as well as a rambling vegetable plot.

Ron grows most of his vegetables from seed, and the couple loves sharing excess fresh produce and the tomato sauce and relish Rosie makes

with family and friends.

Some plants are sentimental, such as the rose bush planted in memory of Ron’s brother who died in an accident, and there’s an old-fashioned orange tree that Ron estimates would be 60 or 70 years old.

“When the family had the original farm at Major Plains, Dad’s brother Charlie knew this old Italian bloke; he said to Uncle Charlie ‘get me a dozen cuttings’ of this old-style apricot tree that was in the garden,” Ron said.

“He told Uncle Charlie how to take the cuttings then he propagated them onto root stock, and we’ve got one of them planted in the garden. It’s still fruiting.

“That’s another good thing about the garden, it’s a nice way to remember people.”

Garden TIPS • Mulch is crucial to retaining moisture. When applying don’t use thick ‘biscuits’ of mulch, instead tease and spread the mulch out so the water penetrates through to the soil.

• For healthy strawberries each season, start new plants from runners every year.

• Irises are relatively low maintenance but will benefit from being lifted and divided every three to four years. Check for the best rhizomes to replant. You can plant up to three rhizomes in a circle but you won’t get the same flower size as if you plant a single rhizome.

• Assist new plants to establish deep root systems by placing a 20 litre drum with a small hole drilled in the bottom of it next to each plant.

Fill with water and Seasol, weekly at first and then gradually lessen to make the plants hardy and not dependent on too much water.

• Prune roses annually to encourage healthy new growth and prevent disease. The Harkers’ mix of 400 bush hybrid tea, old fashioned bush, standards and floribunda roses take Ron about 12 days to prune, at an average of 38 per day.

OUR HOME // AUTUMN 2020 // 97

A HOME REFRESH IS MADE SIMPLE WITH THE

OUR HOME collection Whether you are looking to style, update, garden, renovate, extend or build — peruse our directory of outstanding local businesses.

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Walls & Windows Walls & Windows

LUXAFLEX® BLINDS, AWNINGS, SHUTTERS AND SHADES

CHOICES FLOORING SHEPPARTON

186 High St • 5822 2777

PAULA DOHRMAN DESIGNER PAULA DOHRMAN DESIGNER

177 fryers street shepparton 3630 vic australia

tel: 03 58 211 8 99 58 311 556 177 fryers street shepparton 3630fax: vic03 australia mobile: 0427 191556 tel: 03 58 211 8 99 fax: 03221 58 311 paula@wallsandwindows.com.au mobile: 0427 221 191 paula@wallsandwindows.com.au

GV Smoke Alarms is a locally owned and operated family business

Rhys Cottrell | 0409 408 380 rhys@cottrellselectrical.com.au

 Commercial  Domestic  Underground Power  Maintenance  Phone & Data  Rewires 7210 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla West, 3631 Telephone: (03) 5823 2133 Facsimle: (03) 5823 2118 Email: admin@cottrellselectrical.com.au

COVERING ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS FOR HOME AND BUSINESS. SPECIALISING IN MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS. LEAKS • BLOCKAGES • RENOVATIONS GAS FITTING • TAPS • TOILETS

Proudly protecting homes and families across the Goulburn Valley and surrounding areas.

Call us for a FREE inspection on 0431 947 245. www.gvsmokealarms.com.au

Feature your business in

OUR HOME collection To secure a position for the next edition please contact your Our Home representative or call 03 5820 3187

& GAS FITTING

98 // OUR HOME collection // AUTUMN 2020

SHEPPARTON

The home of luxury in the Goulburn Valley.

Your adventure begins as you enter our new showroom. Your pulse quickens as you gaze at the range of sleek Jaguars — ‘The Art of Performance’ in a true gallery setting.

The purposeful elegance of the Land Rover range emerges as you walk through past the internet bar, through the café and towards our customer business centre.

Your owner journey continues with our commitment to go ’Above and Beyond’ supporting your journey in our 16 bay service centre.

Come in, experience, explore and enjoy this hallmark of luxury — where you can truly start to make the most of your world with Jaguar and Land Rover.

Shepparton Jaguar Land Rover 8-10 Carroll Road Shepparton East 03 5822 5885 www.retailers.jaguar.com.au/shepparton www.retailers.landrover.com.au/shepparton LMCT9883