Australian Houzzer? Say hi!
Luke Buckle
9 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (889)
SKYVISION SKYLIGHTS
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Australians call some household things by different names
Comments (691)Air condition is called aircon, the combo air conditioner & heaters that you hang high on a wall are called swingers. Countertops are called benches, yards are called a gardens, closets-wardrobe, bonus room-rumpus room, hardwood floors or any wood is called timber. Living in the country is living in the Bush. Carpenters are called a Chippy, electrician -Sparky, brick layer-bricky, plumber-dunny driver. Downtown is called CBD. Neighbor is spelled neighbour. If a room is painted and decorated in updated colors & pattens they are called “Fresh”. If a house is updated in higher end-sophisticated materials it’s called “smart”. Fittings-are basically light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances. Color is spelled colour. Picture rails are still pretty common. Queenslander-is a traditional style of home in Queensland that has a bungalow/Victorian/country/cottage feel. “security screens” are popular on windows & doors-which is a metal lattice. Full fences around your property are also popular....See MoreWhat could Australian homes learn from the rest of the world?
Comments (135)I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad......See MoreHi
Comments (1)@joannetaherne, Need some pictures and dimensions to help with some constructive advice from us houzzers. To get info on plunge pools and pools in general, all you need do is google to see what the local pool companies are offering. They will alway include dimensions etc... You also need to say if you have flat land, or live on a slope and if you have rocks and or ease of access to help install it. Also do you want it inground or on ground??? Once you google plunge pools, if you're lucky, you may get an arry of pictures to work out what you like too. Cheers, Barbara...See MoreCalling houzzers! Open plan living/dining decor ideas please.
Comments (36)Hi @Lindel, The easy answer to your question e-screens. Can you put screens in front of the windows in the other gabled half of your frontage (where you have the drapes)? - You may not be able to coordinate with the blue screens in the dining room. If this is the case, then you might consider sacrificing them to the cause. It would also open up your choices with regard to selection of fabrics for the Romans. The relative cost of e-screens is fairly minor and will be more than offset by the wow effect of the statement you'll make with some nice Romans, and at the same time provide a uniform exterior projection across your entire house frontage. I'd strongly suggest 'pelmets' with the Roman Treatments. Yes. - It will add to the overall cost but it really would tie it all in. I would suggest you do not have your Roman's and pelmets in the same fabric. There are many coordinated fabrics as options from reputable Australian suppliers. Do the job properly with someone who will custom make Traditional Soft Roman's (as opposed to 'Hard Roman's' aka Casual Romans, Beach Blinds. If not within budget today better to wait; than to settle for second best. Properly lined custom made Romans + e-screens with pelmets, are going to save you on heating costs. (I have them through my own house, replacing some pre-existing verticals and it did make a big difference to my comfort in winter and $$$ saved on my heating bill). Here's an example of a Soft Roman with a single pelmet tying the treatments across three windows together: Above: Traditional Soft Roman Blinds (Lined) with a single pelmet tying the three windows together. Treatment variation: 4 pelmets completing the treatments for 4 windows. Alternatively, depending on the spacing between your windows, three separate pelmets could be used (marginally more cost - fabric for the returns/sides). Personally, I would go for a straight pelmet box for a more formal projection (rather than concave edged pelmets pictured above in your space). Pelmets can also be varied in fascia depth and depending on the height of the window. I would suggest min 20, 25 or maximum 30cm height. Ours look great with 20cm fascias. - Go for 'coordinated' rather than same fabric, to really set it off, along with high quality flange cord trim. You'll find a lot of the images that come up in your 'Roman Searches' from Oz, 'land' you on US Treatment search results; most of which are unlined and tend to have that 'saggy' look. You'll find more images of Traditional Soft Roman's raiding the photo archives of the Houzz sites in Europe. (although there are a number of excellent images here here on Houzz Oz). We recommend Warwick Fabrics, Charles Parsons, James Dunlop (Mokum/Pegasus), Nettex. Jump on their websites, view their collections. In most cases you will be able to order cuttings at no charge. - You'll be able to touch and feel and see how they will look in your home. Don't rush. Take your time as getting it right contributes greatly to the impact and projection of the vision you realise for the overall room. Above: Another example of a soft roman but without pelmets. It suits well in this interior, top-fixed to the ceiling (which would not be the case in your room). The above image also lacks the formal projection (or at least 'transitional') that you need for your space. In the above image, it is also worth noting that when viewed closer-up the head-rail is far more noticeable, and given the proximity of your windows to the dining table, far better covered over by pelmet(s). You will literally 'warm the cockles' of your dining guest's hearts during winter with the extra insulation that pelmets add to the treatment. Finally, this from Charles Parsons via the Window Coverings Association of Australia (WCAA) may prove enlightening: Energy Savings - Window Fact Sheet (via WCAA) All the best and do make sure you post the before/after shots, whatever solution you land on. Nancy....See Moretherockster
8 years agoEverscapes
8 years agoNZ Timber
8 years agoEuropean Marble Centre
8 years agoFranklyn
8 years agoGround Level Landscaping
8 years agoWaters Edge Pool Solutions
8 years agoMacedon Ranges Interiors
8 years agoConcept Studio
8 years agoC J Bell Pty Ltd
8 years agoUser
8 years agoAsset Photography | Linda Mandy
8 years agoUser
8 years agoCentral Coast Tile & Stone Warehouse
8 years agoNZ Timber
8 years agoLionel Bennett
8 years agoSmartDigital
8 years agoPat Kelly & Sons
8 years agoVincent design supply
8 years agoReal Sheds & Barns
8 years agoTrayd Pools
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoJust Patios
8 years agoBelle Roller Doors
8 years agoDIY Waterproofing
8 years agoFits Of Colour Design
8 years agoBright Spaces Design Studio
8 years agoPeter Blakey Building
8 years agoPR Painting
8 years agoeverton_galepacific
8 years agoDysgin Constructions
8 years agoFORREST designs
7 years agoFORREST designs
7 years agoHannah Millen
7 years agoHannah Millen
7 years agoBrands United Group Pty Ltd
6 years agoBrands United Group Pty Ltd
6 years agoSusan
5 years agoFoshan Yubang Cabinets
4 years agoRWD Joinery Manufacturers
4 years agoEcofin Solutions ForU
3 years agoAffordable Colour Design
3 years agoStyle with The House of Strauss
3 years agoNexGEN Decking
3 years agoRefresh Renovations Sydney - Michael Harich
3 years agoHU-301812425
3 years agoInstyle Blinds and Interiors
3 years ago
David Wilkes Design