In a Press: SMH "Apartments You can't get Into"

Spotted in this weekend's Sydney Moring Herals - Australian Financial Review an article “Apartments you can’t buy into” featuring one of our past projects – the magnificent La Corniche on Milsons Point! It was our Project of the Month some time ago.

Sydney Morning Herald featured this property as top 5 apartment blocks in Australia as “Apartments you can’t buy into” - they are too good to be sold, no matter what the money are. According to SMH despite constant offers to the owners the last sale here was in 2002, and the gossip is that the mystery buyer who then bought 2 of 5 apartments in this block paying 15milions for each was John Travolta! How about that?!

We have not seen John Travolta there (not that I would tell anyone if we did see him!). But I would not be too surprised - it’s an absolutely unique property. It was a real privilege to do such project!

How to get your home or renovation in glossy magazine

Getting your home or renovation published might be easier than you think. Design magazines always on a look for suitable homes to showcase. If you believe your home have what it takes, you recently decorated, built or renovated – why do not show it off! Here are few magazine offers for you:

Home Ideas and Modern Home magazines are looking for stunning homes with personality and charm from all over Australia. To submit your home: 

Post few photos to 50 Silverwater Road, Silverwater NSW 2128 and attention it to the magazine you think your home would be suitable for. Or email - homeideas@expresspublications.com.au with HOME SHOWCASE in the subject line.

Australian House & Garden is currently looking for the best gardens in Australia. They run it as a national competition with fantastic prises - trip to 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, more prices for finalists and winners of different categories. Check here for their conditions and Competition Entry Form

Real Living magazine also run a competition – this one is home decorating. Send them some photos and beside a thrill of being published in a glossy magazine you can win some fabulous prizes. See here for the competition entry details.

Handyman magazine. This one I can swear has a very real entry - one of our personal garden make-overs was published and we had indeed received a prize. I should send them my latest retaining wall! 

So take few before-and-after photos of your renovation or building, furniture or weekend project, a photo of yourself, write a short description about how you did it, and submit it through Handyman submission webpage. If it is published they will also send you a cheque for $300.

Rainbow Stairway

Wicked colour choice! Feature wall is a standard way of adding colour to the space, but not THE ONLY way! And why limit to one colour when you can use them all!

P.S.
The Man in Plaid matches the staircase a liiiiittle bit too perfect...

Image Source - Dwell

Dulux EnviroWash ES 160 (160liters) unit for hire

Ol’ Painting now offers the Dulux EnviroWash ES 160 (160liters) system for hire - the only place in Sydney that hires it.  We are painters, not a hire company. But we have few units and usually at least one is available. So we are happy to share it. Contact us to confirm availability.

Many homeowners and businesses are very environmentally aware. Clients often request painters to use an EnviroWash on their project. Many DIY renovators want to use it in their projects. This is a great and important trend. But the EnviroWash is an expensive equipment and out of reach for many painters, not to mention once off use for most of homeowners who doing painting themselves.  Many painters want to try it before committing to spend money buying one.

The cost of hire:

• 1 day - $100+GST
• 2-4 days - $70+GST per day
• Weekly hire - $200+GST per week
• Once off Administration charge - $20+GST per each hire event;
• EnviroWash unit to be picked up and returned to our office in Lane Cove empty and cleaned.
• If the unit is returned uncleaned – the cleaning charge is $50+GST
• The price does not include Dulux EnviroWash hardener. But it is available from Dulux, 3D, Inspirations shops, as well and many hardware stores.

See this post about EnviroWash system and how it works

Home Renovation Wishing Well

I’m at this stage if my life when you started to notice the whole parallel universe of wedding offers and services (funny how it works).

Just came across this online Wishing Well for Home Renovation. What a nice way to ask for a new kitchen, bathroom, or a house painting! Talking about a useful gift that will last for years. Use it for your wedding, birthday, or housewarming gift.

They set up a separate bank account were your guests can contribute in $50 or $100 increments – whichever you set up. Money then given to a couple as a cash contribution to go towards their Home Renovation.

P.S. They also have a Mortgage Contribution Wishing Well. Not bad either!

Little Living Space Design

So much is said about how unaffordable the housing is - it’s depressing. So this video to remind you that happiness is an attitude! And a bit of attitude and creativity can go a very long way!

Christian Schallert created the most amazing place out of a tinny-tiny 24 squre metre (250 square foot) depilated pigeon loft that nobody wanted! It’s a Lego for grown up and a boat-inspired loft living! Everything is convertible and multi-used. It’s amazing how stylish, unclutters and functional this apartment is!

Disaster in Japan

Poor Japan! One disaster after another! Can’t watch TV news anymore, can’t stop watching it!

Win $10,000 worth home re-painting!

You can win $10,000 worth home re-painting, thanks to the First National Real Estate & Dulux! You do not need to be their client. But you have to be NSW resident. To enter the competition visit www.pimpyourproperty.com.au and follow the prompts.

Painting is one of the most important way to add value to the home. As National Communications Manager, Stewart Bunn put it - "I’m sure that whoever wins this competition will improve the value of their home by more than the $10,000 investment First National will be making on their behalf"
Good luck!

Solving housing affordability - Chinese style

Isn't it amazing?!!
China is known for radical solving major political and economical issues. Overpopulation was resolved once and forever with one child policy. Now they found a fix for the housing affordability. Imagine this getting through our parliament!!!

"Pushed by fears of the inflationary effects of rapidly escalating property prices and the social effects of the decreasing affordability in major Chinese cities, the Chinese government has introduced tough new rules.

Announced on 27 January 2011, strict new property rules now apply to residential property investments in China, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Chinese property investors. These include:

• Buyers of second homes will require a 60% deposit.


• Ban on families purchasing a third home.


• Allowed to purchase only one home outside their registered home city.


• Stamp duty on full home sale value if sold within five years.


• Stamp duty up to a maximum of 16% if sold within one year.

Changes to town planning rules will also have an effect, with up to 70% of all land for new housing development being for affordable or social housing.

These new rules are likely to have a significant impact, and in particular, the setting of home selling price targets with heavy financial penalties if values go beyond the targets set. As a result of these changes, we anticipate that Chinese buyers may reconsider their local property purchases and evaluate alternative investments elsewhere.

More Chinese buyers downunder are on their way."

Michael Matusik (property analyst) www.matusik.com.au

Image source