INSIDE | RENOVATE
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We are building our dream home and I am conscious of using environmentally friendly building products where possible. Do you have any recommendations? Hannah, via email When planning to build a sustainable home, you really can’t look past brick. The humble brick is an iconic Australian building material that has incredible eco credentials, and is also extremely cost efficient. Bricks last forever, can be reused and recycled, are energy efficient and reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Bricks also have excellent thermal mass, which has the potential to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, creating an inviting home for you and your family to enjoy. BRETT WARD, GENERAL MANAGER OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING, BRICKWORKS BUILDING PRODUCTS
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What are the best tips for priming my winter garden for the warmer months? Lynne, via Instagram Winter is an ideal time to move plants in the wrong spot. Water plants well before the big move, and dig up as much of the root ball as possible. It also helps to wrap the root ball in plastic or hessian to reduce further damage in transit. Keep the water up with newly transplanted plants and give them a good dose of seaweed-based plant tonic to encourage strong, healthy root growth and reduce transplant shock. When cool-season crops have finished, rip out any old plant material and prepare your vegie beds for spring planting. Dig in plenty of compost and organic matter to nourish and improve the soil, and remember to practice crop rotation. Now’s a great time to do some armchair gardening and order seeds for spring planting. You can start seeds of tomatoes, eggplant and capsicum on a warm windowsill in late winter, ready for planting when the soil warms. MELISSA KING, HORTICULTURALIST
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ask an expert Stylish solutions for all your design dilemmas from people in the know
GUTTER CREDIT DEREK SWALWELL (BRICKWORKS) PHOTOGRAPHY:
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I’m finally ready to tackle my pantry. What are the best ways to organise and customise without blowing the budget? Lena, via Instagram Upcycling is a great way to organise your pantry on a budget. Reusing glass jars (such as those used for sauce, coffee or jam) as storage containers can provide a great solution for your dry ingredients. Sort your jars and food into categories (herbs, spices, rice and pasta etc) and then have fun organising. It’s easy to add a touch of personal flair to your pantry with the Cricut ‘Joy’ cutting machine. Stock-standard labels won’t always cover the ingredients that you personally have at home, and are often not designed to your personal taste or size needs. Customising labels with the Cricut Design Space App is simple, and you can use the Cricut Smart Label Writeable Vinyl to draw, cut and create all your labels.
During the cooler months, what are some of the best ways to keep heat in using window furnishings? Anna, via email Window coverings are extremely important when thinking about keeping heat inside your home. Many people don’t realise just how much heat can be lost through windows. The best product to keep your home warm is Wynstan’s Whisper Cellular blinds. This style provides great insulation by trapping air in its unique honeycomb structure. That little bit of insulation goes a long way, and can save you up to 32 per cent on your heating bill! They are also highly durable and come in a range of styles, so you don’t have to compromise on looks for functionality. If you are after a different look, another option is plantation shutters. Although they’re not as insulating as Whisper Cellular blinds, the solid structure of shutters provides an extra layer of insulation, while also giving you ultimate privacy and light control. Wynstan offers a variety of insulative materials, including timber, PVC and aluminium, all of which come in a range of colours. TAYLOR PRICE, BRAND MANAGER, WYNSTAN
Whisper Cellular Duo-Lite blinds in Beechwood & Honeysuckle, (180cm x 195cm), $2488 including installation, Wynstan.
ALETA SHEIL, REGION MARKETING LEADER AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, CRICUT
Cricut Joy cutting machine, $329, Spotlight. INSIDE OUT | 101
