Geelong Coast Home and Lifestyle Autumn 2020

IN CONVERSATION ROB HUNTER PAGE 10-11

LIFESTYLE OFFICE TALK PAGE 16-17

NEW COMMUNITIES WELCOME TO CORIDALE PAGE 26-27

COVER STORY AT HOME WITH

GEORGIE

Image is illustration only (kitchen cabinetry white laminate only)

Retirement Living, but not as you know it.

SA LE OFFICS OPENE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES ARE STRICTLY OBSERVED

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BUTLERS PANTRY

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ROBES

BATH ROOM

DINING D DI NN NI NG G & LLO LOUNGE OUN UNG GE 55.8 .8 8 x 5.6 56

3.1 x 3.2

GARAGE 5.8 x 5.8

EN NTRY TRY T RY MASTER SUITE 3.7 x 3.4

THE BARWON VILLA

Welcome to your new home at Armstrong Green by RCA Villages.

Spacious and light-filled, our modern, coastal-style residences offer all the creature comforts, so you can enjoy a stress-free retirement.

Designed to flow with the natural surroundings, there are eight contemporary residences to choose from. All our beautiful homes feature two or three bedrooms, a study, open plan living and north facing courtyards. How could you not love coming home every day?

Discover our beautiful designs today.

Display suite open seven days. 10am–4pm (closed public holidays).

Shop 14, The Village Warralily Shopping Centre, Armstrong Creek.

Freecall: 1800 777 898 For more information about our range of retirement communities, visit: rcavillages.com.au

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Content AUTUMN 2020

4-6

Cover Story

16-17

Lifestyle - Home office

Take a peek inside the Hamptons-inspired home of design consultant Georgie Belcher

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Style file Bamboo flooring

7

31

8-9

32

A splash of colour

We love

New Homes

19

Pool rules

Sustainable living

33

22-23

Social pages

3 of the best

Keep the home fires burning this winter

24-25

34

Home automation Control your home - the smart way

Bedroom makeover

10-11 In Conversation

13

26-27 New Communities

28-29 Lifestyle

Take your green thumb to new heights

Latest Trends

14-15

Home-grown talents

Geelong Coast Home & Lifestyle magazine is a Star News Group/Geelong Independent publication.

MANAGING EDITOR: Stephen Linnell WRITERS: Carole Levy, Jenan Taylor, Elissa Friday PHOTOGRAPHY: Rebecca Hosking, Lousia Jones ADVERTISING: Sales Executive: James Stuart james.stuart@starweekly.com.au www.homeandlifestyle.geelongindy.com.au facebook.com/gcmaggeelongcoast/ @gcmaggeelongcoast ISSN: 2200-6605 ABN: 55 006 653 336 ACN: 06 653 336

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Social pages

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GEELONG COAST HOME & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Unit 1, 47 Pakinton Street, Geelong West 3218 (03) 5249 6700 All material appearing in Geelong Coast Home & Lifestyle magazine is subject to copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. Geelong Coast Home & Lifestyle magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at the time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or editor.

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COVER STORY

■ Pictures: Rebecca Hosking

Georgie AT HOME WITH

Interior designer and renovation/build design consultant Georgie Belcher chats with ELISSA FRIDAY.

When did you build your beautiful Hamptons-inspired home?

Georgie, as a designer what number project was this for you?

My husband and I started building the house in 2018, and we moved in 11 months later. All we had left to do was landscape the pool, which we completed whilst we were living here.

I’ve lost count of the number of clients, but for our own personal property flipping, this is our 10th home. We have done about 10 in the past 15 years. This was our first full build though, because all the others were restoring period heritage homes and then we sold them on.

The house sits on 1000 square metres. I project managed the whole build on-site, so I was in full control of the budget and the design process. In my job, I guide and design for my clients – anything from single room makeovers, a new kitchen, to renovations and full builds.

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What inspired your style of build and interior design choices?

The house is situated in a leafy established street, so we wanted it to look like it has

always been here, and not like a big modern box.

I love weatherboard houses, so have always come back to the white weatherboard Hampton style of build, because of the detail, the character, and the timeless appearance.

The exterior of our house is traditional Hamptons style, with all the external pitched roof lines.

The interior can be described as, coastal living.

I’m always changing things, but am also always drawn to including pops of blush-pink colour.

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COVER STORY | AT HOME WITH GEORGIE

How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there?

There are five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

There is a master-bedroom retreat with walk-in wardrobes and an en suite with a free-standing bath.

The house has integrated speakers throughout, hydraulic heating, and integrated airconditioning.

Tell us about the flooring throughout, the magnificent doors and pitched ceilings ...

The floors are all blonde American oak and the hallway is timber herringbone-patterned flooring which leads on to 3.8-metre locally custom-made black steel-framed glass doors.

All the ceilings are three metre timber-lined, and V groove, adding to the Hampton style and coastal feel. All of the upstairs bedrooms have beautiful pitched ceilings.

As a little girl, when I first saw a pitched roof in American and English movies, I always wanted one.

The style of the doors is traditional with intricate moulding detail.

Describe the design of your kitchen ...

RK Designer Cabinets made the kitchen to my design plan, I designed and sourced it all, and the kitchen is custom-made.

I have definitely kept it to a neutral colour scheme.

I have carried the V grooves throughout the ceilings and cabinetry. Whilst it’s on-trend at the moment, it is timeless. I’ve used beautiful grey granite for the tops.

I love the French-bistro look, and so it was a conscious decision to not have overhead cabinetry and instead, have wall lights to give it a French café feel.

The kitchen has a seamless feel created partly

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by the integrated appliances, which again is fresh and timeless. We have a white farmhousestyle sink, with a black gooseneck tap fitting, opposite a four metre-long kitchen island bench and a butler’s pantry.

The elder of my two daughters can spread out on the island and do her homework on there.

Tell us about the continuity throughout the bathrooms ...

The blush-colour tiles are from Signorino Tile Gallery in Richmond, and the terrazzo flooring was from GT Tiles. I wanted to keep the continuity throughout, so I used the terrazzo flooring through all the wet areas, including the laundry, and used the same profile of the V groove in all of the kitchens and bathrooms.

Blush is my one main feature colour, so I chose to include a blush basin from Nood Co, another Australian brand I love and use, and white herringbone tiles on the floor to the ceiling. It’s subtle design that makes things flow.

In the master en suite there is a four metre wall of blush-colour hand-cut Spanish tiles.

How did you achieve your desired open plan living space?

Through the big sealed glass doors which open up into an open plan living area, a space where we all interact and come together as a family, and we do lots of entertaining guests.

This family living room has timber-lined pitched ceilings, five metres high. The white French double-doors across the back of the room lead out on to an alfresco dining area which overlooks the pool.

The girls have their own playroom upstairs, which is actually extra living space. It has a couch and TV for when they want their own space with their friends.

>>>

It's subtle design that makes things flow.”

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COVER STORY | AT HOME WITH GEORGIE

You mentioned enjoying the open space style of living ...

The large timber, custom-made 10-seater dining table, accompanied with wicker chairs, is within the kitchen area. Having previously lived in the inner city of Melbourne, the large chairs now lend themselves to the space we have here. We wanted dining chairs that you can sit back and relax in, and that you can use outdoors too.

You describe the laundry room as a ‘pretty’ space.

I decided that, being a mother of two children, I wanted the laundry to be a beautiful and quite feminine space. So I used the blush tiles that are also in the master-bedroom en suite. Whilst the laundry is practical in design, the aesthetics are pretty and feminine. I decided it was a room I wanted to enjoy spending time in.

Tell us about the artwork displayed and about the linens.

I love to support local designers and in my home have several artworks by Kimmy Hogan and beautiful bespoke bed linens by Society of Wanderers. All local to our fabulous Bellarine Peninsula region.

You chose an English-inspired garden design?

The whole of the backyard is north facing, we get sun throughout the whole day.

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I’ve always had a love of English gardens, so I’ve planted lavender, magnolias, roses, and I’m growing beautiful hedging across the back area. The garden is pretty and is very English-inspired without being too formal.

The custom-designed concrete pool and spa is 10 x 5 and fully tiled.

How did you utilise the garage space?

It’s an over-sized double garage, with all wallracking for the kids’ mountain bikes. We are keeping up the surf coast lifestyle with our surfboards. The V groove floor-to-ceiling cupboards hide all our family’s storage needs.

What are the highlights (top features) in the house for you?

The wood-lined ceilings throughout and the oversized pitched ceilings that create a beautiful sense of space. Also, the herringbone oak floors are features. The hallway is approximately 2.5 metres wide, which really creates a wow factor.

Which room is by far your favourite?

The back living room is my favourite, because of the high ceilings and the view overlooking our huge green grassy area and blue pool every day. Particularly during the summer time, when we turn on the garden lights, it creates the feeling of being at a resort.

Check out Georgie’s styling on Instagram @georgiebelcherstylist ●

AUTUMN 2020

We may not be able to get out and about but there's still plenty of things in Geelong to bring a smile to your face

#INTHISTOGETHER A little support goes a long way and while the COVID-19 pandemic brings a whole new meaning to normal – what hasn’t changed is the dedication of Geelong businesses to bring locals the best service they possibly can. Many restaurants and cafes have been able to switch things up and now offer delivery or pick-up methods, carving out new niches and gaining new customers with meals to heat and eat at home. The online world has taken on new importance

as professional services turn to remote consultations and you can keep your exercise routine going with a variety of feel-good yoga and training classes from your local favourites, all online. If it’s culture you crave – scour the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre’s digital resources. Download the Love Central Geelong App or visit the online business directory at www.centralgeelong.com.au/find to find Central Geelong businesses that are doing things differently. Find the product or service you are looking for and support local businesses and local jobs.

DENIM ANY WAY YOU LIKE IT

BY ELISSA FRIDAY Replacing a pair of “naturally” worn-at-the-knee Levi 502s while on a shopping trip inspired Highton’s Adamo Di Biase to begin customising jeans himself.

“The hole in the knee was from natural wear and tear and I patched it up with white checkerboard fabric on the outside,” Adamo says.

He recalls “loving that look” back when he was 21, and “littleby-little” he continued adding patches to those jeans.

“At 15, I got this great pair of designer Pepe Jeans from London that I then frayed at the hem. My grandmother washed them for me, and when I next saw them, they had been repaired, by her,” he laughs.

In the early 2000s, Adamo enrolled himself into full-time dance classes at Brent Street Studios, where he remembers being taught by a number of prolific performers including Caroline O’Connor, Jason Coleman, and Kelley Abbey.

“I also remember whilst in Sydney, people would stop me on the street and say, ‘where did you get those jeans,’ he says.

“The patchwork really looked so beautiful.”

With his fabulous dance flair and creative passions, Adamo says he felt as though he ‘needed to do something’.

So, on returning to Geelong in 2004, he choreographed and produced his first fashion-show. The models strutting down the catwalk were wearing his branded jeans, Dibs Denim, embellished with checkerboard patches and inspired by his original pair of Levis 502s.

“I knew how to put on a show, and I had access to so many dancers and models and my friends,” he says. "I designed every aspect in the show. It wasn’t just a regular fashion show, it was a battle between the dancers and the models.

AUTUMN 2020

■ Jack, Sarah and Adamo wearing Dibs Denim, and enjoying the fashion show.

Picture: Peter Foster stocking his clothes.

Dibs Denim jeans are bespoke, and are a passion project for Adamo, where he can collaborate with others and continue being his creative self.

Described as emulating a ‘cool, rock star-style vibe’ Adamo says the brand caters for those wanting to look “interesting”.

“My designs include some stencilling, printing, and creating punctured and raw edges. I definitely love using sequins, just to catch the eye unexpectedly. Glamour inflicted on rough edges, is the way I would describe it,” he says.

“I also use bleach, which degrades the quality of the fabric so it frays naturally. " Adamo has also customised a range of denim wear for kids.

“I look back at what I did in 2004 ... I wish Instagram was around then.”

“Kids wear it well because they have no attitude about it, they just wear it naturally.

As well as styling for fashion shows, Adamo created looks for DJs playing sets – from that, some local shops began

“Overall you’ve got to have fun with fashion, and just feel good,” he says.

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Central Property’s Clarinda range offers affordable turnkey house and land packages with clever designs making good use of all space available. With a choice of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom plans, and single and double garage options, this range is ideal for first home buyers, investors and downsizers alike.

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The Clarinda range has the ability to utilise the entire block, no matter what allotment size there is to work with; the clever designs incorporating private open space, passive light and orientation. The early starters and investors range has been designed to fit the smart lot and small housing code by Central Property’s builders’ panel and land development partners in response to the growing demand for smart designs on smaller blocks.

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AUTUMN 2020

NEW HOMES | CENTRAL PROPERTY

■ Design your own plan.

■ Family meals and kitchen.

■ Kitchen with island bench.

Home on the Clarinda Range

BY CAROLE LEVY We’ve all heard the phrase ‘one-stop shop’, but wouldn’t normally associate the term with a company operating within the new homes and land sector.

But, as it turns out, it perfectly fits the concept adopted by Central Property, a wellknown outfit operating across the Bellarine and Melbourne for the past 27 years.

Central Property founder and director Domenic Cugliari says he and his team present several gateways into property ownership, with offerings geared to a wide spectrum of clients – from first-home purchasers and investors to up/downsizers and townhouse developers.

Knock-down-rebuilds are also a specialty, as are houses custom-designed to meet clients’ own needs. Even finance is on tap.

Mr Cugliari says their Early Starters & Investors range should please first-home buyers and investors, as well as downsizers.

■ The Clarinda range offers a variety of facades.

AUTUMN 2020

“Homes from our Clarinda range not only look great kerbside, but are also ideal for small blocks,” he says. “We have designs to suit blocks of under 200 square metres, for example – and, of course, all the way up to a four-bedroom house on a much bigger block.

– think double-glazing throughout, extra wall/ ceiling insulation and solar capacity, among others.

“We also offer house and land packages, with a fixed-price turnkey contract. We offer a range of inclusion options with differing price points.

As its name suggests, the Platinum range is another level again.

“We work with a panel of builders, designers and planners who can produce a vast selection of house designs, with options from basic to high-end.

“We do townhouse developments as well, so we have everything needed to bring projects to fruition with a minimum of hassle. And the same goes for an investor adding a single property to their portfolio.”

Central Property`s Deluxe range is perfect for the person who wants to add his or her own touch of individuality and put their own stamp on things.

“This range comes with deluxe inclusions

“In a lot of cases, we can achieve an 8-star rating, with orientation important. And modifications and plan changes will be easy."

“This offers an unlimited specification list.

It’s perfect for knockdown-and-rebuilds, town planning, or if you are finally ready to build your dream home on that block you’ve had for a while.

“Whatever the dream, we can make it happen. We can design it, build it and finish it, or clients can draw up their own plans/designs and we’ll create it.”

Visit the display home at 10 Lincolnshire Drive, Rockbank (Thornhill estate), and see current promotions on website below.

Call Domenic Cugliari at Central Property on 0412 510 579, email domenic@cpmcgoup. com.au or visit www.cpmcgroup.com.au ●

Pictures: Supplied

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IN CONVERSATION

■ Rob and Robin Smith shake hands at their 40 year reunion – “Thanks mate! You saved us. We are all forever thankful."

Rob Hunter believes lived experiences become a part of who you are. The long-time teacher has drawn on a traumatic kidnapping nine days into his career to help others heal. He speaks with ELISSA FRIDAY.

Where did you grow up?

I’m from Kyabram in Northern Victoria, up near to Shepparton Echuca. I lived nearly all of my childhood there and spent many of my teaching years in that area.

As of the middle of last year, we’re now based in Ocean Grove. It’s a beautiful area, that’s why we decided to move here.

Tell us about your family?

My wife’s name is Judi (Judith), and we have four adult sons who have all left home, grown up. We also have three grandchildren.

Do you mind if I ask your age, and for how long have you been a teacher?

I’m 63, and I have been teaching since 1977. I really finished my teaching career in February 2018, so it’s been 41 years. I love children and enjoyed most seeing them learn and grow.

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Now I’m working as a chaplain at Leopold Primary School. I actually left teaching to go into chaplaincy.

when I saw the gunman.He was scary-looking, he was shaking and perspiring, and he wore a balaclava over his head.

Where were you teaching when yourself and nine of your students were kidnapped?

I was teaching at Wooreen State School in South Gippsland, near Leongatha. It’s a rural school, so there was one teacher and one classroom at the school. That teacher was me.

I just did exactly what I was told. The first thing that I did was offer to write out a cheque, I assumed he wanted money. He said to me: ‘that’s not the sort of money I want mate’.

The kidnapping happened on my ninth day teaching ever. I was 20 years of age and also headmaster of the school at the time.

What were your first thoughts when you saw, through the doorway, a man holding a gun?

One of my friends had been held up at a wedding by a gunman on the previous weekend, and they had told me about the experience. People had to hand over their cash and jewellery at this wedding reception, so that was my first thought

Later I found out that one of the ransoms demanded by him was seven million dollars of used, US currency.

Had you ever felt fear like that in your life before?

I don’t think I have ever felt like that before. I had palpitations, adrenalin rushes, desire to go to the toilet, and had a sense of alarm.

I didn’t know immediately that we were in trouble, because I thought I could talk my way out of it. But I knew the kidnapper wasn’t stupid because he had planned it all reasonably well.

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IN CONVERSATION | ROB HUNTER

Initially we were all chained up together. Both of my hands were chained and padlocked. He left us momentarily in the school room. The story unfolded that he had actually been on the run for two months at the time, after escaping from Geelong Jail. He had also committed a crime virtually similar to this one at Faraday.

Five of the nine kids were grade 5 and 6, and they had been at that school for five or six years.

They were very aware of community. They had that look in their eyes of ‘you can’t let him do this to us’. The gunman said to them, ‘if you don’t do what I say I’ll hurt the teacher’. I made sure I didn’t do anything to alarm the kids, I played along with it to pacify them and keep them calm.

You were all “crammed” into a truck?

We were all crammed in there for about two hours. It was a long time to be blindfolded and tied up. The drive followed the Grand Ridge Road in South Gippsland. The road follows the peaks, so it was very up and down and around on the road. Lots of us were vomiting from travel sickness. The children were crying in the back … calling out to the kidnapper to please stop the vehicle.

■ Deputy Premier with teacher Rob and children after the rescue.

■ Front of Wooreen Primary School.

To where were you driven?

Everything was on his terms. He was driving at a tremendous rate. [But] … there was soon to be a divine intervention (as described by the truck driver that we ran into).

■ Rear of Dodge utility.

I’m looking down the barrel of death, this was the height of the trauma, the kids are crying, I’m vomiting whilst unable to see anything.

Then we had an accident, which became the game changer. We should have all been badly wounded from having been pushed off the road after hitting a logging truck. Our back left wheel was hanging over the precipice. We were being braced by a 4 inch wooden post well embedded in the ground, which I read about in two different independent police reports.

The logging truck was blocking the entire road, our vehicle was a right-off. The log truck driver, Robin Smith, and his 17-year old brother were then kidnapped with us. The chains were taken off the kids, and put onto us blokes.

Half an hour later another logging truck and a hitchhiker came along and they were kidnapped too. So now, there were five of us men on the ground and chained up in the middle of the road. The end of the chain was padlocked to the logging truck, so we couldn’t go anywhere. At this point there were 14 of us kidnapped.

Another “divine intervention” took place?

We waited for another hour for another vehicle to come. The children were left free to sit out on the road by the gutter. We were thinking what the heck will unfold? Devine intervention happened again, when two women came along in a combi VW camper van. He [the kidnapper] allowed the women to interact with the children … The kidnapper bundled us all in the large camper van. He then drove us recklessly around for another 2.5 hours until he found his camping spot that he had preprepared in Mullungdung State Forest.

One person escaped?

It was on the 14th February that Robin Smith outsmarted the kidnapper by being able to loosen the chain around his wrist, during a visit to the toilet. He deliberately twisted the links, so he was able to loosen it later during the night and get his hand out. He waited for hours hoping the kidnapper had gone to sleep.

He risked his life making an escape.

Robin ran 10 kilometres to a farmhouse where he made a phone call. When the kidnapper woke up, all hell broke loose … We were

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■ Volvo timber Jinker vehicle which was involved in the collision.

bundled into the vehicle again and became part of a high speed chase. A lot of gunshots were exchanged before police shot the tyres of the camper.

For how long did you endure all of this?

All together it lasted for 21 hours … it became national news.

Tell us about why you feel a bit like a ‘wounded healer’?

Through this experience, I have become much more sensitive to peoples’ trauma, hurt and pain. If you get over trauma like that well, you can be what I call a wounded healer, but if you don’t get over the trauma you can be a hurt person who hurts people.

Tell us about your book Rob? Experiences like this become a part of who you are, and that’s why now I’m very happy to have written the book Day 9 at Wooreen. The book was published by Wilkinson. People can buy it online, in book stores and find it in the library.

My business, Kidnapped Teacher Talks, includes presenting my Health after Hurt seminars, which celebrate my health and how I got over that trauma.

Details: www.kinappedteachertalks.com

■ Rob's book, Day 9 At Wooreen.

Pictures: Supplied

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■ Use of natural materials and light are influencing architecture and construction.

Pictures: iStock

LATEST

TRENDS

Sustainable materials The trend for reclaimed timber flooring is continuing, but recycling vintage cork, bamboo, metal, glass, and plastic is also taking off.

Not surprisingly, biophilic design – that is the use of natural materials and light in architecture and construction to bring humans closer to nature - is a growing thing as well.

But there’s no need to settle for recycled materials on just walls, floors and roof. They’re appearing in appealing décor items such as bamboo bead chandeliers, and rugs made of plastic bottles. These types of products also dovetail with the return of art deco-inspired shapes and textures, including rounded and scalloped edges, as seen at London Design 2020.

Colours

While blue has been named the colour of the year by the colour industry, because it is “likeable”, many experts point to green as the hue that reflects how most of us feel these days.

Green is the colour of regeneration and is less about artifice and more about nourishment.

From sage to mint green and olive, green can be light and lively, or it can be velvety and comforting. It can warm greys, blacks and metallic shades, lift creams and chalky tones and create freshness alongside tan palettes.

Of course, over-mixing any colour scheme can be ruinous. But to avoid the same-same throughout the house, consider dialling the existing shade, up or down for contrast. For instance, a bulkhead in a deeper or lighter tint of the same colour can make the ceiling or the object underneath, and around it, pop.

Outlining say, pale shutters with dark window frames, could also add the vibrancy you need.

Lighting

Lights make all the difference to the feel and visuals of a place and to us – it impacts on our sleep patterns and thinking as well. Having the right types, such as LED bulbs, help save on power bills. Experts recommend thinking about lighting in terms of overall ambience,

AUTUMN 2020

■ The designer lightbulb is still a favourite design element. task and accent. For instance, a general ambient light in the dining room may be fine for enhancing conversation, but you might want a lamp or wall sconce on a console to cast soft light on special objects, and a task light to show the way from the back door to the compost bin.

Designers suggest you think of layering the lights in the house, just as you would your cushions and rugs to create your ideal atmosphere. One trend that is still a favourite is the designer light bulb. Rather than hanging about naked, as it has over the past few years, these days it’s enveloped in clear glass pendants or wall sconces in a more refined look.

■ Green is the colour of regeneration

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ADVERTORIAL | ICM

■ Moodboard.

Home-grown talents deliver

BY CAROLE LEVY Well-known Geelong interior designer Rebecca Jansma is all about sourcing the best craftsmanship to deliver the look her clients want.

To achieve this, she frequently dips into a pool of local talent, including the Independent Cabinet Makers (ICM Geelong) group of 24 artisans who make and custom-fit some beautiful pieces.

A recent project harnessed a number of local trades and suppliers, whom Rebecca knew would use their creativity and skills on the tools to produce exactly what was needed.

She says that she was initially contacted by the project’s clients by email, living as they were in Canada at the time. The couple sought assistance in revamping a newly purchased home, an Edwardian cottage in Newtown.

Rebecca explains how she brought the project to life.

“We conducted an initial inspection and I passed on my recommendations for

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quite a major renovation, in line with their expectations. We laugh about it now … no surface in the house ended up untouched,” says Rebecca. “Initial work was reconfiguring the main kitchen/dining/living area, but that grew to include the laundry, bathroom and master suite.”

The four-bedroom cottage had undergone some unsympathetic renovations in its time, sadly removing all period character. Rebecca set about reinstating cornices, skirts and a beautiful original fireplace, as well as replacing internal doors and hardware in keeping with its classic style.

“But we also wanted to create a liveable home for a young family, so contemporary elements were also brought into play.

“We worked on an ‘inspiration palette’ (pictured) with our client and the design developed from there quite naturally,” says Rebecca. “By changing up the floor plan, we increased the functionality, light and storage enormously, with full-height doors and underseat storage in a new banquette dining area.”

■ Rebecca Jansma.

Pictures: Supplied

AUTUMN 2020

ADVERTORIAL | ICM

PHASE ONE As always, she started in the kitchen (pictured) with the selection of appliances. Rebecca got expert advice from the E&S Trading team, the result a streamlined, clean aesthetic from an integrated Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer and a Bosch dishwasher.

The kitchen joinery, by ICM Geelong member SCLK, was finished in bespoke wirebrushed oak. The cabinetry, with a solid edge, was handpainted a soft-grey to retain the visual effect of the timber grain, and provide a counterpoint to the grey marble splashback and benches.

“We wanted to include punches of brass and black throughout the space, and the rangehood canopy made by Ore Designs (also from ICM Geelong) is now a talking point in the kitchen.

Handles and knobs are a mix of brass slimline and round.”

The brass motif reappears as a shelf in the laundry (pictured), while satin 2pac cabinetry, and penny rounds from Geelong Tiles and Bathware also make the space shine.

PHASE TWO Next came a reconfiguration of the master suite, with a backlit wine rack installed in an unused and difficult space under the stairs also carried out.

“We changed walls and door openings,”

Rebecca explains, “so what was a previously strange and inefficient use of quite a generous area is now maximised and has a super-luxe retreat quality about it.”

All the tiles and Faucet Strommen gunmetal tapware were supplied by Geelong Tiles and Bathware, with striking terrazzo flooring in the en suite (pictured). Underfloor heating was installed to tie the spaces together. And Ore Designs stepped up again and installed a black powder-coated handrail.

PHASE THREE To provide a soft backdrop, all walls were painted crisp-white to bounce around light, while the floorboards – original Baltic pine in the older part and Tasmanian oak in the extension – were very lightly white-washed to blend the two woods together and complement white walls.

Lighting is deliberately very decorative, with elements of brass featured throughout.

“We like to rely on ambient light. Wall lights, table lamps, and pendants on dimmers are favoured over masses of downlights,” says Rebecca.

Rebecca Jansma, Space Grace & Style, Newtown. Visit www.spacegracestyle.com.au for details and to view finished projects. Visit www.icmgeelong.com.au to find a quality cabinetmaker near you. ●

■ Kitchen

■ Bathroom ■ Laundry.

AUTUMN 2020

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE | HOME STUDIES

Organised for work Working from home is now the new norm across a wide range of professions. To be productive at home having a calm, ordered working environment is essential.

Here are some tips on setting up a functional and productive home work space.

Space Many new builds include a study, but if you have an established home look around the spaces you have and identify nooks, storage space or rooms that can be re-purposed into a permanent or temporary work space.

Other options outside the main home are garages, sheds or bungalows. Add shelves for storage, turn an old table into a desk and create a charging station with multiple USB power points.

16 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

Ergonomics Ergonomics is an important consideration in a home office. It is important your home working space is comfortable and does not cause any strain or stress on your body.

First, check the position of your monitor.

Your computer monitor should be positioned directly in front of you, with the centre of the screen at eye level.

Whether you are sitting or standing when you are working in front of the monitor, your neck and shoulders should be in a relaxed and neutral position. If you use more than

one monitor, be sure you can see them easily without having to turn your head.

You can buy ergonomic products online that can help reduce muscle strain, such as ergonomic office chairs with armrests, or underdesk keyboard trays that put your keyboard in the best location.

Your desk needs to be at a height that allows you to naturally rest your elbows in line with your keyboard and mouse.

Your chair should be adjustable and provide proper back support. Look for a desk chair that swivels and can move on castors.

AUTUMN 2020

LIFESTYLE | HOME STUDIES

The computer screen should be an arm’s length away and positioned just below eye level so your head and neck aren’t bent.

Place your stationery and printers within easy reach so you are not twisting to reach them.

Consider a stand up desk, which is prevents excessive sitting during work hours and the associated health risks.

Multi-purpose To save space think of furniture and technology that serve multi-purposes such as extendable tables and folding chairs. Bookshelves can be used for files and large folders, while wireless technology for keyboards, mice and printers will also eliminate messy cords.

Lighting Natural light is the best when working at home during the day. A study flooded in natural light will improve your mood and your productivity.

If your study space is dark, then look at correctly positioned overhead lighting, lamps or even desk lamps. Do sit directly under a light as it will cast a shadow on your work space.

Desks According to the experts at Harvey Norman, the desk is perhaps the most important part of any home office as it can have a huge impact on how productive you are throughout the day.

Shop for a desk according to how you will use it. If you need to work with and store lots of papers, for example, consider a desk with a large desktop and built-in drawers.

If you work on a desktop computer, consider a desk that features a built-in keyboard drawer as this will keep your desk space clear and your cables hidden.

If you are trying to fit your furniture into a

AUTUMN 2020

small room, be sure to allow for at least 1 meter of space in front of the desk so you can sit at your desk in comfort. A corner desk also works well in a small space.

Darker wood looks bigger and heavier than lighter wood and so tends to be best suited to larger rooms.

Clutter is unsightly and can make a room look smaller than it is so always make sure you purchase furniture that offers enough storage space for your items.

Glass table tops and light coloured frames can create the illusion of light and space, which makes them ideal for smaller home offices.

Cabinets Cabinets and display cabinets help you apply the finishing touches to your home office by allowing you to show off your qualifications and awards or manage your documents with ease say the experts at Harvey Norman.

Make sure you opt for the display cabinets that allow you to show off the pieces that you want to. Adjustable shelving means your cabinet can be adapted to suit your collection.

Cabinets with a combination of drawers and cupboards will give you more storage options so you can keep your home office free from all clutter.

A display cabinet with a mirrored back will create a light and spacious feel, making them perfect for a smaller study or home office.

Personal touches Finally add personal touches that make the space feel warm and welcoming. Photographs, prints, momentos and indoor plants are ideal and up to indivdiual taste. Indoor plants have proven health benefits and can reduce stress and improve oxygen flow. ●

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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AUTUMN 2020

SUSTAINABLE LIVING | PASSIVE DESIGNS

Shoot the breeze As temperatures and energy prices rise, passive design is making it's way on to the 'must have' list for many home buyers.

passive cooling is a priority for both costconscious home buyers as well as those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Passive design uses natural sources, such as the sun and wind, to control a house's heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.

He said AVID communities incorporate best practice environmental and sustainability measures such as streetscape planting to provide external shading and buffers against hot winds.

Building location and orientation also play a big part in creating a passive home.

AVID Property Group has focused on creating communities of energy efficient homes through thoughtful masterplanning and clever design.

AVID general manager Victoria, Peter Vlitas said a home that takes into consideration

AUTUMN 2020

“We work with local and national builders such as Orbit Homes who understand the Victorian climate and build to the conditions.”

Craig Millson, managing director of Orbit Homes says their home designs are tailored to the Australian environment, with a variety of

passive cooling elements in every house plan.

“Passive cooling is a critical feature in any home design to promote air circulation and keep the heat out of a home,” said Mr Millson.

“Buying a new home means you’re getting a more advanced design which helps save homeowners energy costs and reduce their environmental impact.

“When purchasing a new home, it is important to look for passive cooling elements such as insulation, a steel frame, window coverings and tinting, light-coloured roofing, orientation on the block and outdoor living space.” ●

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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3

Best OF THE

Keep the home fires burning

BY CAROLE LEVY The time for planting veg for spring is mostly behind us. There might be a bit of morning fog about the place. Kids pack jumpers in school bags. Leaves crunch.

Yep, it’s autumn: the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, to borrow from Keats.

Every year, autumn taps into our atavistic need for fire, and can raise questions about making

22 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

the best use of it in heating our homes.

It’s the season we’re in right now that can make us either appreciate or bemoan our home heating source, in terms of effectiveness and saving energy bucks.

If you’ve been thinking about what type of heating to install in your new home or extension, or maybe fit into the ‘bemoan’ crew, there are people way more knowledgeable than us to hopefully steer us right.

AUTUMN 2020

THREE OF THE BEST | FIREPLACES

The Natural Gas Fireplace Comfy rug. Pillowy cushion behind head.

Cat purring in lap, or dog lying lovingly beside you. Warm flames casting a gentle glow. That’s the bullseye of natural gas fireplaces, but they have other benefits, too.

1. The heat is constant and you’re in control of how hot.

4. They’re kid-friendly – and there’s no mess. Hello? No one needs or wants or deserves more mess in their lives.

5. No fumes or particles are released into the air – that’s got to be better for our environment, in-home and outdoors.

2. It’s maintained by those in the know that they’re 25 per cent cheaper to run, as well as being cheaper to install. Tick and tick.

6. They look so good – whether contemporary-chic or traditional.

They’re cleverly and stylishly designed these days to complement many décor approaches.

3. Heat is instant – at the flick of a switch or using the remote.

They set a mood, mellow – like poetic autumn – even when it’s wintertime.

The Wood Heater It would be the rare person who didn’t love the smell, the particular quality of warmth, and the nostalgic pull of a wood-burning fire.

1. You can install one pretty well anywhere in the home, as long as a vent pipe can be run outside.

We’re not talking about an open fireplace here, as gorgeous and magnetic as that is.

There’s really nothing like bare flames licking crackling wood to create supreme ambience, maximum dreaminess, utter cosiness.

2. Wood heaters scoff at power outages. If they have fans for moving heat around, they’ll cut out, but the radiant heat kicks on like a champ.

But unless you live in rural areas where firewood can be much cheaper, open fireplaces cost too much to run, are way less efficient at warming spaces, and have the bugbears of sparks and a fair bit of mess.

But a good wood heater is a different beast.

Some can heat 30 squares for starters, and what a fine start that is.

Here are other advantages according to those experts again.

3. They have an organic quality of heat and an aromatic punch similar to an open fireplace. Burn a few sticks of apple wood and feed the soul. Toss in some eucalyptus wood and you’re in the Aussie bush, minus the kookaburras.

4. They look good. Rustic, contemporary, heritage-look, French provincial, large, small, slim, squat, built-in, and freestanding – there’s a style to satisfy every décor whim.

The Outdoor Fireplace The ultimate mood-setter when entertaining.

Rustic brick chimney surrounds, ultra-sleek built-in ‘windows of fire’, potbelly stoves, wood- or gas-fired, posh design statements, modest fire pits: they all ooze sensuality, conviviality, and brazen attention-seeking.

To make the most of autumnal crispness, or even to revel in snugness in winter’s chill, an outdoor fireplace is unbeatable for folks who love toasting marshmallows with the kids; or bringing out the full bloom of a bottle of red, placed the right warming distance from the fire, to pour for friends; or just feeding it wood, satisfying caveman instincts.

So what are some additional benefits?

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1. With outdoor fireplaces showing no signs of waning in market approval, they can raise your home’s resale value, just like excellent landscaping does.

2. They make year-round outdoor entertaining a possibility, and give families an excuse to get outside even when the weather is a bit grim.

3. Kids can get their friends around for a winter sleepover on the deck – and out of your hair.

4. People love fire. ‘Build one and they will come’ isn’t just a movie tag.

5. They’re generally easy to install, contributing to affordability. ●

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LIFESTYLE | BEDROOM MAKEOVER

■ The bedroom after its on-trend makeover.

Stylist: Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors.

Photographer: Armelle Habib.

Picture: Dulux Australia

Fall in love with colour It’s easy to be impressed by the images you see in magazines and design sites – the challenge is knowing how to make them work in your own home. To address this common frustration, Dulux has partnered with interior stylist Julia Green to guide you step-by-step on how to give your rooms an 'on trend’ makeover.

“It's easy to be wowed by professionally-styled shots,” says Julia.

“But the real trick is looking for the ideas behind the images and finding ways to make them work in your own home. If you’re looking to liven a room, are short on time and don’t want to spend a fortune, paint can be your best friend, allowing you to breathe new life into tired spaces with minimal cost and effort.

24 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

“Add in the right soft furnishings or paint your existing accessories and you’ve got an upto-date look in no time.”

Faced with a bland, white bedroom, Julia took inspiration from Dulux’s Repair palette to give it some much-needed personality and interest.

“The room was a blank canvas,” says Julia.

“While it had lovely features such as wooden

floorboards, white walls and shutters, it was crying out for some character.

“When it comes to choosing colour, I believe it’s the emotional connection we make that is the most important thing – perhaps even more important than how we dress a space. I knew the deep greenish blues and hints of cinnamon would be perfect for creating a warm, welcoming feel in this bedroom.”

AUTUMN 2020

LIFESTYLE | BEDROOM MAKEOVER

Julia looked for easy ways to incorporate the ideas into a tired bedroom with doses of colour in paint, accessories and soft furnishings.

“I chose an artwork for the back wall that was filled with beautiful, earthy tones, all present in the Dulux Repair palette, and used this to inform the rest of my colour choices. I selected a bold hue for the back wall to give the room depth. I layered this up with touches of rich green by painting the existing bedside-table drawer with Dulux Aquanamel in Plasticine and adding lush velvet soft furnishings and tall potted plants on either side of the bed.

“I’m a firm believer that every room’s scheme needs an element of surprise to really bring it to life – here, I painted a soft terracotta shade on the mirror rim and Auburn Flair on the base of a ceramic pot, which contrast beautifully with all the blues and greens. The ceiling, trims and other walls were already painted in a warm white.

“A medley of interesting textures finish the look – a large blue tonal rug, touches of raw timber, velvet and slubby linens.”

The result is a warm, rejuvenating bedroom that’s packed with character.

“And best of all, the new look only took me a couple of days to create.

“You don’t have to be an expert to achieve

great results with colour – it’s such fun to experiment, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it can transform a space. Safe is boring; my advice is to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Chances are, you’ll fall in love with playing with colour and never want to stop!” ●

JULIA’S STYLING TIPS: When choosing colours, think about the mood you want to create. I chose greenyblues and accents of cinnamon and terracotta here because I wanted to create a cosy, refreshing vibe.

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•

Start with an artwork: Take your colour cues from a key painting or print to give your room scheme an intentional feel.

•

Add energy to the space with one or two jolts of an unexpected colour. And remember; contrast is key.

•

If you’re adding white to the mix, choose one with similar undertones as your brights.

•

Think beyond walls – use paint to revamp old furniture and accessories too. You may just find yourself falling right back in love with them!

•

Have fun and experiment – remember, if you change your mind about a colour, you can always paint over it. To feel confident with your choice, always start with a sample pot or A4-size swatch so you can live with the colour for a few days without fully committing.

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NEW COMMUNITIES | VILLAWOOD

From award-winning Villawood, a new community emerges Boots are on the ground, sods are now turned as Coridale, the first new community in the Lara West corridor, begins to take shape. Neighbourhoods are being mapped out for incoming residents where they’ll experience high-level amenity - as always counted on from multi award-winning developer Villawood Properties, writes CAROLE LEVY. Paul Abel, senior development manager, says it would be difficult to improve the assets and attributes that Coridale promises residents.

“Coridale delivers the best combo of rural and city life,” Mr Abel says. “I’d say the very best. It will ultimately be a classy enclave of 1107 blocks, claiming 20 per cent of an area that will eventually grow to 6000 homes.

“Block sizes are from 231-632 square metres, with the 100th block sold recently.

“Lara and the immediate region abounds in natural attractions in all directions, while the town of about 17,000 has just about every type of business and service – and dynamic Geelong is just 15 minutes away for any big-city stuff.

“Whether it’s the coast, majestic granite peaks, protected waterways, nature sanctuaries or rich local history, the Coridale community in Lara is set to arise as the latest gateway to all this wonderful diversity.”

26 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

THE HEART OF CORIDALE As proven true of snazzy Club Armstrong at Mount Duneed (30 minutes south of Lara), the multi-million-dollar residents club at Coridale

will play an important role in families’ lives. The club, a project signature of Villawood, will feature swimming pools, a gym, multi-sports courts, parents/child area, a function room and more.

AUTUMN 2020

NEW COMMUNITIES | VILLAWOOD Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe says that everyone talks about creating communities but he believes it takes a lot of skills and dedication to create a real community.

“Coridale residents club will be an essential focus point that enables more opportunity for real community and real spirit,” says Mr Costelloe. “When you have a building, a place for people to gather, everyone can become connected.

“It will give the new community a real people focus. It will be a great place for parents and kids to make new friends – to socialise, to play, and to keep fit and healthy.

“People are also all connected via our intranet, whether to chat, book a tennis court or find people to make up a tennis or parents’ group.

“And Coridale will have a good standard of housing for people who have pride in their own property and who care for their neighbours, which forms a safer and happier community.”

LARA’S THEME The town has the best in services, transport, shopping, health, education, sports and entertainment.

It has schools, medical centres, a new shopping centre, sports grounds, a hotel and numerous sports clubs – football, two soccer and golf among them.

Nature’s bounty and diversity is all around, with Lara bang in the middle of it all.

The You Yangs, the emblematic sentinel of Geelong and Melbourne’s outer west, is just four kilometres north of Lara. You Yangs Regional Park is a great spot for hikers and mountain bikers, with more than 50 kilometres of tracks for all abilities, wild eucalyptus bushland and breathtaking views.

Just down the road from Coridale, Serendip Sanctuary is home to 150 species of birds and native animals, a beautiful reserve where you can stroll alongside emus and tawny frogmouths, or spot eastern grey kangaroos.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll find such refined treats as the Moorabool Valley and its distinct terroir and wineries. Likewise, Anakie and Fairy Park, the beautiful Brisbane Ranges – all of them close by.

GETTING AROUND Lara’s V/Line train service delivers passengers to Geelong and on to Southern Cross station, with return services daily.

Avalon Airport, with international and domestic flights, is 10 minutes away by car (and it’s a parking-friendly airport, too).

HISTORY IS ALL AROUND Did you know Lara’s first moniker was Duck Ponds? Or that Hume and Hovell camped on the creek on the edge of Lara a couple of weeks before Christmas of 1824? How about that scenes from the first Mad Max (1979) were shot around Lara?

The Lara district has a wealth of intriguing history, from secret Spitfire squadrons and tales of Matthew Flinders exploits to the Aboriginal Stonehenge-like stone arrangements gracing the area.

The name of Lara’s new community pays tribute to local history.

■ Armstrong Residents club at Mount Duneed.

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‘Coridale’ is a nod to the prized Corriedale flocks, the best in the country, kept at a local property boasting a picturesque Gothic mansion built in 1867. That mansion is now fully restored Elcho Homestead, just down the road from the new Coridale ‘flock’.

Coridale Land Sales Office, 155 Patullos Road, Lara. Inquiries: 1300 992 581 or 0488 789 869. Opens 11am-6pm daily.

Go to www.villawoodproperties.com.au/ for more details. ●

Pictures: Supplied

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE | VERTICAL GARDENS

Heading for the heavens Green up your alfresco living area, small deck or balcony with a vertical garden.

Vertical gardens, or green walls, not only look good, they can also make your home healthier as they absorb carbon dioxide and cool ambient temperatures.

Vertical gardens also have a humidifying effect and are known to capture toxic gases from deodorants, carpet, paint, furniture and building materials.

Green walls can also reduce noise, capture water run-off and increase biodiversity.

A vertical garden can even become a source of food, with herbs particularly suited to pots and tubs.

You can hire a professional horticulturalist to advise on and install a vertical garden at your property or there are a host of DIY ideas online.

Gardendesign.com, has some simple vertical gardening ideas you can use to add green to your space: •

Mount a staghorn fern and hang it as a focal point

•

Arrange wall planters in your kitchen for growing herbs or micro greens

•

Build a terracotta planter wall on your fence

•

Create your own vertical jungle with a living wall kit

•

•

Use wrought iron flower pot rings to elevate planters on your porch or balcony

It is a good idea to invest in an automated irrigation system with a timer to ensure the

28 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

Fill a few wall planters with trailing plants for a waterfall of greenery

plants never dry out. The amount of water needed depends on what you’ll be growing – if it’s an edible garden, you’ll be fertilising and watering it a lot more.

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LIFESTYLE | VERTICAL GARDENS Plants that work well in a vertical garden according to choice.com.au include: • bromeliads • fuschia • agapanthus • ferns • anthuriums • begonia • callisia fragrans • chlorophytum • crassula • impatiens • peperomia • plectranthus • spathiphyllum • tradescantia.

■ A vertical garden makes a feature out of this brick pillar.

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STYLE FILE | BAMBOO FLOORING

Anchor your space Natural strand bamboo flooring is not just really durable in high-traffic areas, it’s also eco-friendly and sustainable.

BY CAROLE LEVY Bamboo shares the benefits of hardwood but is actually a grass, growing to full height within three to five years, and harvested leaving the root intact. This makes it highly re-newable so any fears of being part of robbing nature can be laid to rest.

Bamboo flooring is elegant and matches all décor styles – and it stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

In its natural strand form, bamboo provides the look and feel of solid timber. The boards

30 GE ELON G C OA ST HOME&LIFESTYLE

can be easy to install yourself with the right click and join system – and won’t need sanding and polishing. Equally sustainable, and higher priced, solid bamboo is best laid by a professional.

Strand bamboo upkeep is cruisy, with just a vac or sweep needed for particles, and an occasional damp mop using a non-wax, nonalkaline floorboard cleaner.

Keeping with the sustainable theme, there are places that sell beautiful recycled timbers – salvaged from the likes of bridge, shearing shed, wharf or warehouse. These won’t be cheap but what you get more than makes up for outlay.

Using recycled timber for a deck, as an example, saves chopping down trees and preserves a vital natural resource. Old seasoned timbers have their own striking aesthetic, adding a sense of drama to what can otherwise look merely serviceable. They also offer allimportant stability to a deck because they don’t expand and contract like new timbers.

Inside or outside the home, beautiful woods continue to be a hot design ticket. Aim for the best you can afford, apply judiciously, and expect it to deliver substance and style for years to come. ●

AUTUMN 2020

NEW HOMES | A SPLASH OF COLOUR

■ Classic Blue looks great when used for cabinetry.

■ Brighten up your bedroom with Classic Blue.

A touch of the blues Blue is instantly calming, projects confidence and connection and is the Pantone colour of 2020.

For more than 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

A timeless and enduring blue hue, Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity.

Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful colour, Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge.

Aiding concentration and bringing laser-like clarity, Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts.

A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.

As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection.

■ Dulux Australia. Stylist: Julia Green.

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Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction.

You can add a touch of Classic Blue to your home with cushions, pots, wall art or kitchen

and bathroom accessories.

For those wanting a more serious commitment to Classic Blue, consider painting a prominent wall or look for furniture, carpet or cabinetry in the classic hue. ●

Picture: Armelle Habib GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE | THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Don't drown in new rules On December 1, 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria putting more compliance onus on owners.

It is now mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located, to register their pool or spa with their relevant council. In addition, owners are now required to obtain and lodge a compliance certificate for the safety of their pool or spa barrier every four years.

Owners will need to engage a registered building surveyor or building inspector to carry out an inspection and issue the compliance certificate.

Once a pool or spa is registered, the local council will notify owners of the due date for the first certificate of compliance. Owners are required to arrange an inspection and lodge the certificate with their council by the due date.

Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia (SPASA) Victoria chief executive, Chris Samartzis, applauded the new legislation.

“This legislation will help focus attention on a critical component of pools and spas. The regulations allow for a low-cost environment to deal with mandatory barrier inspections and we applaud the state government for a well thought out piece of legislation," Mr Samartzis said.

Victorian backyard pool and spa owners have until June 1, 2020 to register their pool or spa with their local council. The maximum fee that a council can charge is $31.84.

■ Owners are now required to obtain and lodge a compliance certificate for the safety of their pool or spa barriers.

For pools and spas constructed prior to June 1, 2020 that have an unknown construction date, an information search fee may be charged, up to a maximum of $47.24.

Pools and spas constructed after June 1, 2020 must be registered within 30 days after issue of occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.

Hefty fines will apply for pool and spa owners who do not register their pool or spa.

The fee for lodging a certificate of pool and

spa barrier compliance will be up to a maximum of $20.50, with certificates of compliance being required to be lodged once every four years.

Pool owners will have 60 days to bring their pools into compliance, if an inspector identifies any non-compliant safety concerns.

These new regulations also introduce a new class of registered building inspector: Building Inspector (Pool Safety). This new class of building inspector will be limited to carrying out inspections and associated functions for the purposes of the new regulations only. ●

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AUTUMN 2020

SOCIAL NETWORK | GEELONG BUSINESS AWARDS

Geelong Business Excellence Awards Launch

■ Elissa Friday, Louisa Jones

■ Paul Gray, Michael Cave

■ Jana Perera, Emilie Painter

■ Mansi Aggarwal, Daniel Fullerton and Jamie McCallum Pictures: Geelong Chamber of Commerce

■ Greg Haynes, James Gulli, Maree Pigdon, Jacqueline Pigdon

■ Jake Munday, Jess Munday, James Duggan, Tom Brady

AUTUMN 2020

■ David Tudor, Damien Foster

■ Carrie Felton, Branko Vuckovic, Mel Simpson

■ David Bell, Kate Nelson, Kate Kent

■ Debbie Spence, Tony Spence, Di Nelson

■ Ben Flynn, Scott Ireland, Greg Haynes, Nathan George

■ Julie Hope, John Eren, Tracy Carter

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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NEW HOMES | HOME AUTOMATION

Smart living

BY CAROLE LEVY Even a decade ago, the idea of home automation seemed like a futuristic dream, but now these systems are the new must-haves. Your iPad, iPhone or Android device will enable you to switch on and off just about anything electronic around the home, whether you’re at work, on holidays or just around the corner. Here are some pointers from the experts: 1. Plan ahead Decide if you want lighting, curtains, radio, garage-door or air-conditioning to be controlled from your device, or if you want to integrate a security system. You can even go the whole hog and include your home theatre or living room TV set-up. Your installer needs to know your every wish before proceeding.

2. A good Wi-Fi router is essential If you have a high quality Wi-Fi signal across your property, your various systems will be able to communicate with each other without any chance of drop-out.

3. Different entertainment device brands You don’t have to keep all entertainment devices within the same brand – it’s not necessary, for example to have a Samsung TV and a Samsung Blu-ray player – but it might help those devices to ‘talk to each other’ through their

proprietary networking standards.

4. Don’t think you’re an expert When it comes to complex, it’s best to leave it to people who have done it before. You will need professional advice if you’re going allout with serious, smart home technology such as lighting, irrigation, pool pumps or solar energy. And touching 240V electricity wiring or your home phone line is a big no-no.

5. Updates If, for example, you change from a Sony TV to a Samsung, you’ll probably have to re-program

your system, but this isn’t a difficult job because it can be handled by your installer, either remotely or in person. Keep your installer’s details on file.

6. Security Home security has become a hugely important part of home automation. A remote-controlled system that alerts you of window breakage, door openings and unexplained movement on your property when you’re at home or away provides peace of mind and a degree of control over the event. ●

“The pleasure of good quality lasts longer than the joy of a low price.”

- Michael Sonntag

217 Moorabool Street, Geelong VIC 3220 phone 0433 235 127 sales@tulipkitchens.com | www.tulipkitchens.com.au 12433190-NG49-19

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AUTUMN 2020

SOCIAL NETWORK | PAKO FESTA

Pako Festa Pakington Street, Geelong West was a kaleidoscope of colour and cultural diversity during the annual festival PICTURES: SUPPLIED BY PAKO FESTA, MATT HOUSTON AND PHIL HINES

AUTUMN 2020

GEELONG COAST HOME&LIFESTYLE

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A message from our CEO Our entire community is going through an extremely tough time right now. As we all play our part in slowing down the spread of COVID-19, businesses and families across the world are being affected extraordinarily. As you’re no doubt aware we’ve been severely impacted at Avalon Airport as well.

you all on further changes as they arise.

Our priority is always our community - our staff, tenants, community partners and our wonderful passengers. your patience; some processes are necessarily slower as we adapt to new circumstances.

Stay safe, stay positive and stay home. spread our wings again in the not too distant future. circumstances.

Justin Giddings CEO Avalon Airport avalonairport.com.au 12441703-LB14-20