My Renovation November 2022

AuthorJohn C Maxwell

once said that “change is inevitable. Growth is optional”.

Here at the Sunshine Coast Publishing Company, we value both. Publishing is a fast moving industry and if you aren’t innovative, creative and motivated, you will be left behind.

In keeping with our ethos to grow and evolve, in recent months we took the steps to bring this much-loved magazine into a new era. And so, we welcome you to the first edition of our new-look My Renovation

Our chief designer Kath Hawkins has done a marvellous job, along with the entire team, to create a fresh and vibrant publication that will take our supporters, advertisers and readers into the future.

GRANNY FLAT GAME CHANGER

More homeowners will be able to rent out their granny flats as the Queensland government flags planning changes in a bid to increase affordable housing.

DID YOU KNOW?

Research conducted by property data experts CoreLogic, in conjunction with Archistar, reveals that the construction of a two-bedroom granny flat, from start to a complete finish, will set a homeowner back around $200,000. This compares to $120,000 for a one-bedroom dwelling.

Achange to planning rules to allow Queenslanders to rent out their granny flats will increase affordable housing stocks, the state government says.

Restrictions on who can live in granny flats will be removed so secondary dwellings can be rented on the open market, according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Legislation isn’t required to make the change and regulations could be amended immediately.

The changes will be reviewed after three years to ensure there are no unintended consequences.

Queensland Planning Minister Steven Miles says homeowners will need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions so accommodation for renters is safe.

Chances are a granny flat will have many uses over the duration of its life, housing different guests and having different purposes.

It’s important to keep aesthetics in mind when designing the building.

Ideally, a granny flat should complement the main residence. Tie the two together by using similar external materials and

colour palette.

Granny flats come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase a pre-fabricated or flat-pack variety. There are also companies who can custom design a modular home that is transported and installed on site.

All granny flats must comply with the National Construction Code and any relevant local and state regulations.

Like with any substantial extension to the home, constructing a granny flat on your premises will need to meet certain criteria and undergo relevant building inspections. Talk to your local council representative.

DESIGN SNAPSHOT

To save on money down the track, design the space so that it can be adapted to individual styles and tastes. Keep the colour scheme neutral. You can add pops of colour with

and décor accents.

KNOW THE RISK

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, and expert Cherie Barber says it’s important to understand the dangers of asbestos.

Are you planning to renovate? Do know that asbestos lurks in around one-third of Australian homes?

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, which aims to prevent asbestosrelated diseases by educating homeowners, renovators, DIYers and tradies about the everpresent danger of asbestoscontaining materials that remain hidden.

While the popularity of renovating continues to boom, concerns are growing that

homeowners are taking avoidable risks with asbestos, jeopardising their health and the health of others when doing DIY renovations.

More than 4000 Australians die every year from asbestosrelated diseases – more than the annual national road toll, so it is vital that homeowners learn to respect the serious risks posed by asbestos mismanagement to protect their health and the health of loved ones.

Asbestos Education Committee chair and director of the national campaign, Clare

Collins, says Asbestos Awareness Month aims to reduce the incidences of avoidable asbestos exposure by providing Australians with essential information to help save lives.

She says it’s vital homeowners, renovators and tradies heed the warnings and respect the serious dangers of asbestos because it’s not worth the risk.

Australia’s renovation queen Cherie Barber (pictured) is also passionate about spreading awareness. She lost her own grandfather to asbestos-related disease.

“Many homeowners wrongly believe that asbestoscontaining products are only found in fibro homes made from asbestos-cement sheeting,” Ms Barber says.

“The fact is, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that can still be found in brick,

fibro, weatherboard, clad homes, apartments or sheds built or renovated before 1990.

“Many of these products could be lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels. It was used everywhere.”

Experts say that if

undisturbed, well maintained and in a stable, sealed condition, these products are considered unlikely to pose health risks.

However, if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition, and invisible fibres are released that can be inhaled, this can lead to asbestosrelated diseases including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and benign pleural disease.

“Australia was among the highest consumers of asbestos products in the world so it’s not surprising that a broad range of these potentially hazardous products are still commonly found in at least one in three Australian homes in some form or another,” Ms Barber says.

“With the popularity of renovating continuing to rise, coupled with the current tradie shortage, we want to ensure people renovate safely.

“We don’t want people to take the ‘she’ll be right’ approach and start ripping out old floor

coverings, wall and floor tiles or undertaking any work or demolition without first checking to see if asbestos might be lurking in their home.

“Complacency poses the greatest risk of all so it’s vital people learn to respect asbestos as a real and present danger and learn how to manage it safely.”

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learn more about how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness. com.au. If your home was built or renovated prior to 1990 and you suspect it contains asbestos, before taking up tools be sure to engage a licensed asbestos assessor or occupational hygienist to inspect your property.

Sunshine Coast’s Most Awarded Modular Builder

flats

Winner of HIA 2022

Coast & Wide Bay Awards Innovation in Housing & Best Modular/Pre-Fabricated Home

“The fact is, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products”

Foam is the main product option available and it comes in various qualities, from entry level to premium underlays that differ in levels of thickness, density, budget and lifestyle considerations.

So remember, when investing in carpet treat your underlay decision as important as your carpet choice.

It is the underlay that will make your carpet looking great for years to come.

Visit choicesflooring.com. au/blogs for more advice.

WHY UNDERLAY IS IMPORTANT

It’s interesting that underlay is usually the secondary consideration when choosing carpet when really underlay plays such an important part in how long carpet will stay looking and feeling new for years to

come. Apart from the extra comfort it gives, underlay also provides insulation against cold bare floors, adds extra noise absorption and can assist in minimising indentation marks from furniture.

Lastly and more importantly, underlay can save you money. Underlay can help reduce significant heat loss, therefore keeping your energy bills to a minimum and keeping the home warmer.

WHAT IS CARPET UNDERLAY?

Carpet underlay is traditionally made from foam, rubber or felt and the surface below what the carpet sits on to give it bounce and form.

After weeks (or months) of browsing countless images for inspiration, you’ve finally reached the time where you can start bringing your wardrobe dreams to life. With so many colours, styles, textures, and configurations, it’s difficult to know where to begin.

Before you start phoning around your local wardrobe companies, it’s a good idea to have a few things worked out already. Not only will it help you feel in control and organised, it will enable you to answer the consultant’s questions with ease.

the basics before picking up the phone.

CABINETRY STYLE

SHELVING VS CABINETRY

cabinetry? The experts at

Screens discuss the

When it comes to custombuilt wardrobe interiors, there are two main styles to consider –cabinetry or shelving style. Both of these options essentially perform the same function, however, there are a few key differences about how each are made. The wardrobe companies you contact might do things a little differently, so, it’s a good idea to understand

To get you started, one question you can ask yourself is: “Do I want my wardrobe to look like my kitchen?” If the answer is, yes, then, no doubt you are looking for cabinetry. Cabinetry will give your wardrobe a streamlined, built-in appearance. More than likely, if you flick through your inspiration gallery, it will be flooded with aesthetically beautiful, highly functional, lavish wardrobe interiors fit for a queen (or Carrie Bradshaw). Cabinetry style wardrobes are constructed with the backs on them, which hides the wall. The drawer fronts are set inside the cabinet so they sit flush with the frame, and the cabinet depth is set at around 600 millimetres. While this may give your wardrobe a glamorous, Instaworthy look, the attached price tag might prompt you to consider your options.

SHELVING

Shelving style

• Drawer fronts are set on the outside of the frame

• Shelving is 450mm deep

• Drawer depth is 400mm deep

• Top shelf is 500mm deep

• Wardrobe interior is constructed with the backs of the wall exposed

• Drawers can be built directly onto the floor surface, or elevated with kickboards at the base

• Constructed with an open top shelf

• Affordable and economical.

Cabinetry

• Drawer fronts are set on the inside of the frame

• Shelving is greater than 550mm deep

• Drawer depth is 500mm deep

• Top shelf is greater than 550mm deep

• Wardrobe frame is constructed with backs on them, covering the wall

• Drawers are built-in to the frame, with kickboards at the base of the wardrobe

• Option to have cupboards and doors all the way to ceiling

• More costly than shelving.

Stockists

1.

CREATING BALANCE

the end of the year approaching quickly, tension and stress levels in our households are sure to climb.

One of our readers recently asked about how to incorporate feng shui principles into design. Needless to say, with the silly season almost upon us, the timing of this couldn’t have been better.

Feng shui in design is about balancing and promoting positive energies within your home and life. While I’m not an expert on the practice of feng shui, as a landscape architect I have learnt and practiced melding the built environment with nature.

These design principles provide welcoming and comfortable living spaces for people to enjoy.

The psychology of our built environments is aligned closely with feng shui principles. Nature

intertwined with our homes not only provides an aesthetically pleasing outcome but it calms our minds and lifts our moods.

So how do we go about incorporating nature and feng shui principles into our homes?

The entry of the home is one of the most important parts of a design. It is the first impression of a home, and it sets the mood and feel for both family and

WHAT IS FENG SHUI?

The ancient Chinese art of feng shui centres on arranging objects in a specific way within the environment to achieve harmony and balance.

visitors alike. The front door of a home is where energies pass –good and bad. So, from a feng shui perspective, it’s important to promote positive energies coming into our homes.

After a hard day at work we want to try to lift our mood prior to entering the home. We want to bring positive energy into our space, and to our families.

There are many ways we can lift our mood through effective entry design. If you are fortunate

enough to have a home with a front courtyard or path to the front door, incorporating plant and water features can create a cleansing and calming effect.

This does not necessarily have to look like a Chinese or Japanese garden. Rather, translate it into something that suits your style and your taste. Remember this is your home and it needs to make you happy.

If you have an apartment you can also apply these principles on a smaller scale outside your front door. A peaceful water feature has Qi (or vital) energy which helps to create balanced and positive vibes that resonate in the space and within the users.

Once you have created your welcoming and cleansing space around your entry, the next step is to ensure that you use it.

The fast-paced world we live in often means that we enter and exit our home mindlessly, more than likely through the garage and internal door.

These spaces are our dumping grounds for shoes, schoolbags and other items.

Entering the home through this space will have the opposite effect to the calmness you sense

when walking through a natureinspired entry.

Taking a few extra moments to walk through your special space, slowing your pace, and inhaling the fresh air your plants provide, will enable you to reframe your mind.

Hopefully that time will allow you to reflect on your true priorities and on the values that are important to you.

We would love to see snapshots from readers of your own beautiful entries. Hopefully this article has inspired you to create your own calming space. Happy renovating!

Ask us

Do you have a burning renovation or landscaping question? Let us know! You can email your questions for Cassandra to enquiries@ cassandrafenaughty.com.

6

Way, Minyama

“The entry of the home is one of the most important parts of a design”

The modest shade sail has come a long way since it was first introduced into Australian yards. You can now have sails custom designed and made

and they are also available ready-to-buy in a range of

varies based on the quality of product and material, and whether you opt for the DIY option or use a professional installer.

PRICE TAG: From around $1000 upwards to $7000.

The Deluxe rectangular cantilever umbrella in charcoal, Harvey Norman, RRP $1699.

Using plants to create shade is a pretty and natural alternative to hardscape options. Of course, unless you invest in mature plants, it can take years for trees and shrubs to reach their potential.

Don’t treat your pool as a separate project. Instead, incorporate the design and planning into the overall style of your home. Bringing the outside in is a popular design technique and a great way to do this is with the inclusion of floor to ceiling glass windows or doors that open up on to your outdoor area and provide spectacular views of your pool.

Installing a pool? Plan ahead.

PROJECT IDEA

Install an underwater bench along the pool edge. It creates seating and doubles as a safety precaution, making it easier to climb out of the pool.

Pool furniture should be about quality. Take a close look at the welds and joints, as well as the paintwork. Talk to the retail assistant about warranty, material durability and weather resistance. Tip: If you’re on a budget keep an eye out for sales.

When choosing a pool company check that they have a range of options and styles available. It’s also great if they have experience in pool landscaping and can offer advice in fencing, flooring, design, spas, rock walls, fountains and lighting.

From the time you book your free measure and quote to final installation of your new products, the feedback from our customers consistently demonstrates a level of service that exceeds their expectations. This is something we are proud of and work hard to maintain.

we love!

from Discount Lighting and Fans, Warana.

Ergonomic office and desk chairs are designed to promote great posture and alleviate aches and pains. The Diablo Manager has a four-lever system, a seat slider and adjustable backrest. It’s available in a range of colours and is pictured here in orange. Visit Sitting Around, Maroochydore.

Ergonomically designed with efficiency in mind, the Hanna natural desk boasts two storage drawers and an open shelf fitted flush to the frame for practical minimalism. Stylish and practical, its pared-back appeal will suit any room design. It’s from Domayne, Maroochydore Homemaker Centre

Featuring a wallpaper-style design with a vintage feel, the Adonis cushion adds a touch of nature to your interior. Printed on a neutral base, this is the perfect accent piece for a reading or office chair. It’s from Coastal Drift Home, Mooloolaba.

COLOUR BURST

The

love!

Warana.

tumblers

Domayne

peach

against a dark background. The Wall Solutions

brushed dark wall

from Solomons Flooring is a stylish