Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Property tip: Don't try to pick the market ups and downs


Predicting when the property market has hit the bottom or peaked is near impossible -- calamities and recoveries always take us by surprise. It's better to buy property for genuine investment or owner occupier reasons rather than attempt to speculate or 'ride the market'.


Pictures: 
LeonarderCollins

Friday, March 26, 2010

Q&A: Removing gutters


Q. With so much talk on conserving water, what do you think of removing all guttering so water falls into the garden and is not sent directly down the drain pipe into the sea, where it is definitely not needed?
A: I certainly wouldn't suggest it! The gutters are designed to improve the longevity of your house by taking water away so it doesn't pool close to bricks or foundations. I understand how expensive water conservation systems like rainwater tanks or grey water diversion is - it's frightening - but removing gutters probably won't do the structural integrity of your house any favours. There are cheaper, smaller tanks that you can put under your downpipe but these don't hold a lot of water and can be expensive. Gutters are vital for keeping your house dry and your roof in tact. Keep 'em at all costs.
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Pictures: Terragram, landscaping by Sitta - a guru!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Home hint: store tools in the garbage can


There are never enough spaces to stores rakes, brooms, shovels and hoes in our garage ... so we shove 'em all in an old metal garbage bin (along with the totem tennis) and can always find things easily. 

Pictures: RealSimple

Monday, March 1, 2010

SMALL SPACE FIX: A concealed designer kitchen


I don't mind dabbing a bit of Fendi perfume on my wrists, but now I have my Fendi sights set a lot higher. The Italian designers have branched into homes and have created this concealed kitchen - perfect for that chic inner city pad. At just 2.46m wide, the kitchen is behind sliding doors. Oh, and I can't find out how much it is ... but I'm betting it's worth a tad more than my duty-free bottle of Fendi perfume.

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Pictures: FendiCasa via Freshome
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