Interior Design, Building Design & Architecture
Elle Vidovich
Features Writer, Content Creator and Copywriter
Australia
Australia
Interior Design, Building Design & Architecture
A renovation is never a straightforward project, especially when you intend to do it yourself. If you have the tools, the skills and the time, it can be a cost-effective option. But first, consider projects that are within your capabilities.
Moving out of a home during a renovation seems like an obvious decision, but when you weigh up the costs of relocating and renting, it's not so clear-cut. The truth is a renovation is never a straight-forward project, and when it comes to knocking out the kitchen and ripping up those vinyl floors, tempers are tested, budgets are stretched and time-frames blow out.
There's nothing quite like a renovation to transform a home, but it can also be a sure-fire way to drain your bank account. Before you take out that second mortgage, consider if your home - and wallet - will benefit from a straightforward update rather than a full-scale renovation.
Renovating an investment property is often considered a foolproof plan guaranteed to boost rental return. The truth is it's not always as straightforward as it seems and when you're dealing with an unstable market, the financial gains of renovating can be outweighed by the loss in equity.
An extra bedroom can add value to a property, and it can be a cost-effective renovation if the home's existing footprint can be maintained. Each apartment on The Block 2019 features a formal living room in addition to a larger open-plan living area.
If a home renovation is on your winter to-do list, there's more to consider than just fixtures and fittings. Bad weather can cause damage, prolong the building process, and potentially put an unexpected dent in your wallet. However, if you're aware of what can go wrong, a basic plan can help to avoid the pitfalls of renovating during the winter months.
Before you rip up that worn out shower base or lift off those '70s tiles, take a minute. There are some key ingredients to consider before you take to your bathroom with a sledgehammer. To reduce the shock and keep your budget in check, implement some of these cost-effective tips.
Mention living abroad and most people will say they wish they could be as carefree as you. But the reality of living overseas and renting out your home is far less idyllic than it may seem.
Principal designer at Belson Designs, Sharyn McBride, describes her style as “Transitional-Hollywood glam.” And it is this style that has inspired the Malvern East triple storey designer home.
Nordic Architecture is what insipred Interiors Architect Tuuliki Sirokova in her recent project 'Graniidi'.
Clever and sophisticated single storey home designs by Leeuwin Homes. Part of the Residential Building WA Family.
Antoinette, an interior designer at Moss Melbourne, knows luxury. The recently awarded with House & Gardens top 50 rooms with the impressive bathroom design within a South Melbourne apartment converted from a commercial space.
If your living room feels dull and lifeless it's time for a new look. Using a balanced combination of light, colour and texture, you can transform a tired space into a room you don't want to leave. And the best part? It doesn't have to cost you a fortune. 1.
When designing a home, it is important to think about the future. If you see yourself in the same home for the next five years does it include kids, a pet, or a certain lifestyle? We have put together five tips to ensure you own a home you won't grow out of any time soon.
We have included a few ideas to help you create a designer space
The 'Scandi' inspired apartment in Mermaid Beach, Queensland invites you in with its cool crisp colours and earthy timber tones. Donna Guyler from Donna Guyler Design drew on the clients need for functionality and desire for a minimal fuss home to create this desirable piece of real estate.
A large room can be hard to furnish. However, breaking the space into zones can allow you to create a study nook within another room without it feeling odd or disjointed. It's a practical way to use the space. Creating a study nook under a raking ceiling can be a creative way to make use of an odd sized space.
Carpet is usually used in bedrooms and theatres. It makes for a warm and comfortable feel to these areas. It tends to be avoided in hallways and living areas due to wear and tear, and discolouration. Be sure to be mindful of manufacturers recommendations to keep your carpet looking its best for longer.
We have included a few ideas to help you create a designer space
Consider if you want a door between your bedroom and ensuite. To have no door is common in new homes. It allows a continuous flow from the bedroom to ensuite to robe, which creates an organic feel to the space.
Time frames that are set by land developers are a very important clause to consider. It is not only the time frame in which you should start to build on the block of land, but often includes time frames to complete the house, and a time frame in which to complete landscaping.
Cabinetry does not have to match. The base cabinets can be different from your overheads cabinets and your drawer facings may differ from your swing doors. This creates interest and gives personality to your kitchen. Note: There is a difference between mix n' match, and mismatch, so try to keep the styles matching to nail the look.
Double sided fireplaces are primarily used to heat two areas of the home, but they also work to separate the spaces while still creating the illusion that the rooms are connected. It is the perfect solution to a small space.
The kitchen is a great area for downlights. They create a strong light for working areas, so you can see grease or dirt, and also check if that delicious meal is cooked through. Pendant lights or under cabinet lighting also work well in the kitchen to create focus to a work bench or food preparation area.
Technical
Although you may enjoy what you do, even the most enthusiastic employee can fall out of love their SAP job. So what can you do to reignite that spark? Here are five ways to get out of that rut & fall in love with your job again.
It's nothing new for those in the business of building websites, but if you're not, you're going to want to read on and find out more about the importance of Google & mobile-friendly websites. Google has been shifting its indexing to take into account market behaviour and reflect user trends.
When it comes to SAP recruitment, timing may affect how you feel about job chasing, but should it always sway you when it comes to searching for your new position? Find out the highest and lowest ranking months and why.
As a website owner, it's important to be up to date with technology that can impact customer experience, improve time management, and save money. And a chatbot can do all those things. So what is a chatbot? A chatbot is an interface that can interact with your customers.
Unhappy at work? Speller international discusses 5 steps you can take to reclaim your happiness in your SAP contract role before handing in your notice of resignation.
A new job, a new environment, right? Well, sort of. Yet workplace politics are more common than you think. You may have seen first-hand the workplace rumour-mill churning, or irrational outbursts, however working as a SAP contractor does not mean you're immune to the political stuff. So how do you deal with it?
Travel
I have never had a bucket list. It just happened. Staying in one place was not for me and the more I travelled, the more I discovered I could go anywhere. I took bigger risks, I did without certain luxuries and I got savvy with my money.
For most people, the whole point of visiting Lorne on Victoria's Great Ocean Road is to do as little as possible. However, this relaxed coastal centre offers plenty to keep visitors occupied. Located just two hours from the Melbourne CBD, Lorne is also the ideal holiday destination for those looking to combine a quaint coastal town atmosphere with many of the luxuries of the big smoke.
Victoria's Mornington Peninsula is famous for relaxed coastal living, but there's plenty here to keep eager holidaymakers on the go. Elle Vidovich checks in suggestions for ten top things to do... The Mornington Peninsula in Regional Victoria offers access to a wide diversity of stunning coastal landscapes and some of the state's best gourmet food and wine experiences.
For years a favoured retreat for Melburnians in search of rest and relaxation, the stunning Dandenong Ranges offers so much for visitors to enjoy. Just thirty-five kilometres east of the CBD, the air dampens, the soil is richer, the trees are noticeably taller, and the lush landscape is dotted with quaint towns.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. Gracetown is 270 kilometres south of Perth, hidden amongst the bushland and endless stretch of coast line in the South West. This small country town encompasses both the beach life style and the layback country attitude.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. Trigg and surfing seem to go hand-in-hand, yet Trigg Beach has more than just waves to offer. It is complete with a BBQ area, children's playground, and plenty of parking. The playground area is tree-clad, providing ample shade on a hot summer's day.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. When someone suggests Fremantle, images of Little Creatures, the Café strip or Fish and Chips may come to mind. Yet five minutes down the road, South Fremantle exists.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. The Cape to Cape is a hiking track from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. The track hugs the stunning South Western Australia coastline. It is approximately 135km in length, yet beware, the track varies in terrain and hiker's ability should be taken into account.
Parenting
To those that have said to me, "You'll need to move into a house when the baby is born," you were wrong. Whether the dream of a big backyard is financially unobtainable or the lure of the big city life outweighs the suburban streets, raising children in an apartment is reality for a lot of people.
"At 5 pm everyday he says, 'Peppa,' points to the television and drags his highchair directly in front of it." If you had said to me three months ago, "Don't let your child watch television," I would have laughed, "What's so bad about television?" You see, I love television.
"I always thought another baby was on the cards, yet the older my son gets the more I find myself changing my mind about baby number two." Can you relate? Once you've popped out baby number one, it's not uncommon for people to ask, "When will you have your second?"
Many items in your baby's nursery signify 'last times'. There will always be a last time for something. And you'll never know when it will be. I'm in the middle of Marie Kondo'ing my son's room. And out of all the decluttering acts of my life, this is by far the hardest.
"We have told our parents not to give our son chocolate just yet. But they laugh and say, 'chocolate won't hurt him'." When did your little one experience their first taste? "We can give him chocolate," my partner says. Not a question but not quite a confident statement.
At first, Elle assumed she was just tired. But her aches, pains and lethargy were all symptoms of something far more sinister. If you asked me two years ago, I wouldn't have been able to explain why I cried most nights.
Four bouts of gastro, two ear infections, conjunctivitis, two rounds of bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, countless colds, and hand foot and mouth disease. I've had more days off work than I have been at work this year.So I have to ask myself, is childcare really worth it?
If you're a first-time parent, you've heard the words, "we never did that when I raised my kids." If you're a first-time parent, you've heard the words, "we never did that when I raised my kids." Gone are the days a three-year-old can sit in a car without a seatbelt or a newborn sleep in a cot with fluffy blankets and pillows.
Sure, a hot coffee is a definite bonus, but the novelty can wear off. What are your favourite things about venturing out into the world beyond baby talk?
According to research, growing up with a sister shapes your life for the better. Turns out all those tedious fights about borrowing clothes and tantrums about the last chocolate biscuit, weren't for nothing. Sisters rule! That's not me throwing out a ridiculous comment. According to research, growing up with a sister shapes your life for the better.
We all have regrets, but what really matters is how we learn from them. Being pregnant for the first time is daunting. A lot of advice is thrown around, but not everyone acts on good advice. Well, I don't. I will listen and nod, yet I know that I will never do any of the things suggested.
One mum shares how living away from family and friends isn't ALL bad. Raising my child far away from family and friends is hard, yet when I listen to other mothers speak about their family frustrations, a part of me thinks, 'gee, I'm glad I'm on the other side of the country'.
If this is a situation you have been in, you'll probably recognise the options that I put forward to my partner. "What surname do we call our child by?" I understand the indecisiveness involved with first names, the sentiment with middle names, yet with surnames there is a bigger issue.
Lifestyle
From HIIT yoga to rage yoga and everything in between, this is why we can't have nice things. Traditional yoga lovers across the world are fuming while everyone else seems to be happily enjoying not so 'yoga' practises. Think heart pumping, laughter inducing, and booze filled yoga. Weird, right?
It probably wasn't the best idea to become a Vegan Purist when your fridge and pantry aren't properly stocked. But with much of my newsfeed focused on Vegan Activists protesting, I wanted to know what it was like to choose a lifestyle for a cause.
What do Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Mark Wahlberg all have in common? They're highly successful people who claim they wake up at an ungodly hour each morning. My first thought is, "What the hell?" But according to the Wall Street Journal , 4am is the ideal time to start the day.
Avocado smoothies, lean meat, and bone broth. These are some of the staple foods Kourtney Kardashian thrives on, according to her recent blog. And by thrives, I mean lost a ton of weight eating. My first thought was, "could I eat like that?"
I've tried a handful of diets over the last ten years. From Atkins to Keto, intermittent fasting to Paleo. But there's a new diet doing the rounds amongst influences and celebs, and I want in. The 72-hour water fast claims to clear your mind, detox your system, improve immunity, and emotionally cleanse your system.
Entry to the area is free. You'll have to pay for your session but skate hire is included. Once you're in St Kilda, why not enjoy what the suburb has to offer. Acland Street has some great bars, shops, and cafes that are busy all year 'round.
Are you looking for live music that keeps your toes tapping and your hands clapping? Somewhere you can have a relaxing drink and enjoy the atmosphere?
Although Acland Street is St Kilda's hub, the food scene doesn't stop there. You can find some great little spots scattered across the area. For a health kick try 'Matcha Mylkbar', 'Sister of Soul' pumps out quality vegetarian, '7 apples' will give you your ice-cream fix, and 'La Roche' is packed with value for money.
They belt out your favourite tunes, classic beats, and good time oldies. Whether they add their own twist, stick to the original, or create a mix up, their job is to entertain you while you and your friends enjoy the afternoon on one of Melbourne's most iconic streets.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 3:46:14 PM What's not to love about toga parties? They're one of the oldest of party traditions, and that's why when someone says, "toga" we know exactly what to expect. But at Blossom Costumes it's all about keeping the sheets on the bed and standing out with toga costumes the Roman gods will envy.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 9:06:46 AM You're hosting a costume party but you don't want another Great Gatsby shin-dig, right? It's hard to be original, but the crew at Blossom Costumes have compiled a list to help you get through this dark time, and plan a party even Beyoncé will want to go to.
Let's throwback to the '70s and 80's when the easy-going sounds of John Denver made their way into Australian households. And guess what? He's playing at the historic Palais Theatre in St Kilda on Saturday 22nd December. If you're desperate to hear Leaving on a Jet Plane, Thank God I'm a Country Boy or Take Me Home Country Roads, this is your chance.
Hodge Podge Cafe & Pizzeria is just a short drive out of the Busselton Centre. It serves a hardy breakfast and a damn fine cup of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. If you want a café closer to the main drag try More café, The Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen or The Pantry on Prince for your morning caffeine hit.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. Gone are the days of skate parks with less than friendly bitumen paving and welcome to The Fremantle Esplanade Youth Plaza. Located just where it says it is, the Fremantle Esplanade, the Youth Plaza has been a hit for the small kids and the big kids of Perth.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. The man behind the popular Spanish Gourmet Caterers and Running Bull Sangria at the Queen Victoria markets, Manuel Jimenez-Navarro, recreates the flavours of Spain in an inviting glass frontage amongst the bustling streets of Melbourne's CBD.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. The Health Freak Café in Subiaco has a new sister café. Thursday 11th September saw the opening of the new Health Freak Café on the Scarborough Beach Esplanade. The Scarborough venue is opened from 6.30am until 7pm, Monday to Sunday.
With a cook time of over an hour, this winter warmer will allow the aromatic spices to gradually drift through the house. It serves four people and will definitely warm you up on a cold night. What says winter more than a hearty pumpkin soup.
The dog tipi takes the standard tipi design and shrinks it to a suitable size for a dog. All you need is some thick material, some lightweight timber and fixings, including rope. It's an easy fix for Rover's new indoor home. This dog's house combines all the luxuries of a mansion, in an easy transportable dog kennel.
Elle travels, takes photographs and explores ideas for new things to write about. Introducing Perth's newest microbrewery. Beerland- The Northbridge Brewing Company officially opened on Wednesday 6th August. The microbrewery, located adjacent to the Northbridge Piazza on Lake Street, brags the craft beer of master brewer Ken Arrowsmith.
It is no secret that living in regional Western Australia is an opportunity to have more space. Whether it is for the kids and pets to enjoy a big backyard, the sense of wide open spaces and endless roads, or just having that space between you and your neighbours, regional areas offer this luxury.
Short Stories
The Personal Ad By Elle Vidovich For the What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Award Seeking a relationship. I am Conrad, a single, 41 year old man. I am fun, 6 foot 3 inches, and I ...
I stumbled out onto the coarse sand eager to explore the world. I watched myself grab at the surroundings, take in the air through my skin, the greenery into my nostrils and absorb the prickle of plants and the silky water with my eyes. I remembered the day I was born.