31 July, 2010

National Treasure. Project of the month - August

The best thing about our work is that we get to meet some incredible people and learn some fascinating stories. But this is perhaps the best of all!
We did some project for a lovely family. As we helped them to move furniture to a new place the lady told us a story of her grandad. On 9 July 1900 on his property in UK and in this very chair was signed the Commonwealth of Australian Constitution Act! This it a true national treasure!!!

Most of furniture and the table a family donated to museums. But they kept this chair. I can't wait to hear the rest of the story tomorrow!

17 July, 2010

How to get timber turn a beautiful silver grey?

The naturally aged “silver grey” timber becomes very popular, as we search for low maintenance, environmental solutions and a look. Cedar is best known for it’s beautiful natural grey. But any exterior timber can be used to reach this effect.

However, without regular treatment any wood will become discoloured, weathered, mouldy, and cracked. The best product to let timber age naturally into a beautiful silver grey is Cutek® Wood Preservative, or its low VOC version Cutek CD50® LVOC. It’s quite expensive, but it’s worth it.


Cutek® Wood Preservative is a timber oil. Literally! It’s a fatty liquid, like a cooking oil you buy in a supermarket, but specially formulated for the timber. It does not create a hard finish coat, like a decking coat or varnish. Instead it gets absorbed deep into the timber, like shown on a picture.

If you want to get a silver grey timber look – use colourless oil. Initially timber will look golden, as if varnished. But with time it will turn a nice silver grey.

Cutek oil is water repellent, fungus and mould resistant. It does not peel or crack. Instead it will fade gracefully over the time. It has to be reapplied every 1-3 years – when oil starts to wash off. Application takes time. It requires 2-3 coats at least 1 week apart, so oil can absorb in a timber. If your timber is old and weathered it has to be cleaned and restored first.

15 July, 2010

Project of the month - July 1

OL’ Painting just completed internal common areas painting of this Seaforth waterfront apartment block – walls, ceilings, unit, service and lift doors.

Painting unit doors always requires a good communications. We have to arrange each door to be open for few hours on 2 occasions – to put 2 coats of paint.

For resident’s convenience this is scheduled on weekends, few levels at the time. At the beginning of the project we send every resident a clear schedule with exact dates unit dors on their level will be painted. Then we simply stick to this schedule. If some people can’t be at home during scheduled days – they can contact us to arrange an individual appointment at time convenient to them.

10 July, 2010

The difference a good paintwork can do!

A lot is said about a difference and painting can do. But a picture worth a thousand words!

These photos are of two almost identical Kings Cross buildings. One was recently repainted in a fabulous colour scheme (it was mentioned in my post on the feature doors). Other one was neglected for a long time.

Guess which of two buildings reached a street record unit price? Which has a triple rent?

09 July, 2010

Ol’Painting in NRMA motorcycle campaign


Our manager Oleksandra with 4 other bikers went yesterday on the photo-shoot for the new NRMA motorcycle safety campaign by a talented photographer Dan Luke.
It’s freezing, windy and very wet in Sydney. The shoot took place in the Royal National Park - a long way from home and work. Oleksandra showed up back to the office late afternoon soaking wet, cold, and exhausted. Hope her effort will help to make roads safer for a motorbike riders!
Photos (drafts for now) by Dan Luke.
Check his website! He's so talanted!