Home-Dzine Online - April 2013

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Home-Dzine IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME

April 2013

Craft • DIY • Food • Green • Home Decor & Design

Bathrooms & Kitchens

a word or two

This month we focus on designing a bathroom and a do-it-yourself kitchen. Plus you will ďŹ nd a great DIY cabinet project that you could use in both a bathroom or kitchen, or any other room in the home for that matter. We also take a look at making space for a Man Cave for all our male readers.

And as we head towards winter, there are a few essential home improvement tasks you need to consider.

Enjoy!

Janice Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen.

All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

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BATHING BEAUTY Ideas for bathrooms SHAKE UP THE KITCHEN DIY kitchen options DIY CUPBOARD For bathroom, kitchen or dining room WIRE ART Simple way to make stunning art

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SEASONAL TASKS Time to winterize your home MAN CAVES A place to relax and entertain COLOURFUL GALLERY Grab a can or two of Rust-Oleum SWIMMING PONDS A chemical-free oasis

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NOW YOU CAN HAVE A CORDLESS SCREWDRIVER, DRILL/DRIVER AND HAMMER DRILL ALL IN ONE!

THE NEW BOSCH PSB 18 LI-2

Whether you are a DIY Diva or a DIY Guy, this is one cordless power tool you will want to add to your collection. The Bosch PSB 18 LI-2 is three tools in one; it’s a screwdriver, drill/driver and hammer drill.

It’s small and lightweight yet powerful enough to drill into concrete. Now you can hang up curtain rails and rods with ease, or install new bathroom fittings without working up a sweat.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Bosch Combi is always ready for use, with power enough to drive in 300 screws on full charge, and a charging time of 60 minutes.

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Toss out that cumbersome and heavy corded drill and move into the 21st century with modern technology and design. The keyless chuck makes changing accessories quick and easy (and you’ll never have to worry about losing the key!).

You will find the new Bosch PSB 18 LI-2 at your local Builders Warehouse.

decor and design

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BATHING

beauty While it may be the smallest room in a home, the bathroom is one of the hardest working spaces, especially in a family home.

Because the bathroom is used so frequently, it makes a lot of sense to make sure it caters for the needs of the entire family.

There needs to be plenty of light - whether natural or artiďŹ cial - for grooming, and enough storage space to keep bathroom essentials tidily stored for a neat, clutter-free bathroom.

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Unfortunately, many bathrooms are so cramped that there is little or no room for cupboards and cabinets, which means a little ingenuity and “out of the box” thinking is required to look at ways and means of fitting storage into this small space without making it even smaller.

LEFT: These beautiful storage cabinets are the perfect storage option for even the smallest bathroom.

They can be stacked on top of each other to take up minimum floor space in a small bathroom, or placed at either side of a vanity in a larger bathroom.

Build basic cubes using PG Bison 16mm SupaWood and be sure to fit pine feet on the base unit to raise the units off the floor.

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BATHING

beauty

LEFT: This bathroom might be long and narrow but it doesn’t lack for style.

A narrow vanity fits tightly into one end of the bathroom and a rectangular hand basin fitted to reduce the width required.

Builders Warehouse have a varied selection of hand basins to choose from, ranging from large to more compact size, and you should be able to find a hand basin that suits your needs without traipsing all around the country.

Beautiful mosaic tiles are fitted on the main wall behind the bath and above the vanity. It isn’t necessary to fill all the walls with tiles from floor-toceiling, and what you save on tiling costs can be spent somewhere else - like on a luxurious tub for soaking.

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BATHING

beauty

ABOVE: In this small bathroom there was no space to add a shower, so the homeowners added on a small extension to allow for a spacious shower cubicle.

If you want to modify or renovate a bathroom to increase the size, look at the various possibilities that might exist.

Is there already space inside the home where you can steal a bit of oor to install a shower cubicle?

Can you use an alcove or cupboard that backs onto the bathroom?

When you think about how big a shower cubicle is, it doesn’t take up a lot of room, and where space is already next to the bathroom, it means far less cost for plumbing it in to the existing water and drainage system.

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BATHING

beauty

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Light coloured furniture will not make a bathroom feel claustrophobic, so paint dark furniture in light colours and add brushed chrome or stainless steel hardware to up the reection factor.

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BATHING

beauty

Mirrors and glass are a bathroom’s BFF, so use these materials as much as you can. A long, rectangular mirror - plain or framed - will visually double the size of a bathroom, while a oor-to-ceiling mirror will make a room feel higher.

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In a smaller bathroom keep things light and bright.

LEFT: Glass or mosaic tiles are easy to install as a DIY project and you will ďŹ nd some stunning options at your local Builders Warehouse. I recently used glass mosaic tiles for my kitchen countertop and they are almost indestructible.

Opt for lighter colours or muted tones to freshen up a dull bathroom.

BELOW: An affordable way to add more natural light into a dark bathroom - and without losing privacy - is to use glass bricks. You can use these to replace an existing interior wall, or enlarge a window.

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If you prefer darker furniture for a bathroom, work with lighter elements in the room to enhance natural and artificial light.

You don’t have to opt for light cabinets, but to avoid making a bathroom feel darker it’s essential to combine dark wood cabinetry or furniture with lighter materials.

Choose light coloured wall tiles, or paint walls in a light shade of colour and look at installing additional lighting to avoid a bathroom that is too dark.

Accessories also work to lighten up a dark bathroom. Reflective surfaces such as mirror, glass, chrome and stainless steel will add a touch of glamour as well.

RIGHT: Mirror, glass and stainless steel combine to create a relaxing spa effect in this bathroom.

Crisp white towels break up the expanse of dark wood doors and drawers, while white fittings freshen up the countertop.

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BATHING

beauty

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BATHING

beauty

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shake up THE KITCHEN

If you are thinking about a new kitchen, then think about shaking things up with Shaker style. This style of kitchen is easy to DIY and you can custom design everything you need to fit in the available space.

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LEFT: Plain white units and yellow walls have given way to a painted kitchen that’s much more in keeping with the proportions of this older home.

A do-it-yourself kitchen can save you thousands of Rands if you consider that an average kitchen installation can cost in the region of anywhere from R50,000 - and that’s for a basic kitchen.

What’s also nice about a DIY kitchen is that you can do it as and when you can afford it. If you don’t have a large budget it’s easy to buy materials when funds allow and build your kitchen cupboard by cupboard.

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http://www.housetohome.co.uk

On page 22 you will find out how easy it is to make a Shaker cabinet, so there’s no reason why you can’t make a complete Shaker style kitchen.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk

It might be pretty basic in design, but this Shaker style kitchen looks anything but average. With it’s painted finish, beadboard detail and added moulding and trim, this kitchen belies its affordability as a DIY option.

You can choose to buy sheets of PG Bison SupaWood at your local Builders Warehouse, or shop around at timber merchants such as CitiWood, H & S Timbers, or Timbercity.

The standard sheet size for most thicknesses of SupaWood is 1830 x 2750mm, and this is more than large enough to make a standard 600mm cabinet for a cost of around R700.

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A Shaker style kitchen is designed to be freestanding, where individual units are constructed as single units and then put together to create the complete layout, topped off with your choice of countertop material.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk

You can be completely flexible with this design and add a much or as little detail to the framed doors, fitting your own handles and knobs to suit your pocket and your style!

When painting a DIY kitchen, use paints that allow flexibility.

Plascon Polvin is a matt paint that can be tinted in a wide selection of hues and can then be distressed and waxed to give you a reproduction Shaker kitchen, use Plascon Velvaglo for a satin finish or Plascon Enamel doors & trims for a high gloss finish.

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MY TIPS FOR A DIY KITCHEN 1. The first - and most important step - is to measure up. Measure from wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor, measure windows and doors and put this all down on a rough sketch of the space.

Don’t forget to mark the location of plug points and plumbing.

2. Check that walls are plumb from floor to ceiling, especially if you plan to fit any tall cabinets, as even a few millimetres can make a difference. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet might fit at the bottom half of the kitchen, but not at the top and you will need to make allowances for this.

3. Although you are going to be building a new kitchen, try to design the space the retain the original format as much as possible, unless you can afford to move plug points and water/drain pipes.

4. When working on a limited budget that only allows for new cupboards as and when you can afford them, try to divide the work into areas if you don’t want to inconvenience use of the existing kitchen.

You will find almost everything you need to build and install a new kitchen at your local Builders Warehouse.

Timber and Board

PG Bison BisonBord and SupaWood for building kitchen cabinets.

Moulding and Trim

Pine and SupaWood trim for door detailing and cabinet finishing.

Hardware and Fittings

5. Make up cabinets in advance so they are ready to fit immediately. If you work in this way you can remove the old sink unit and have a new unit ready to put into its place - even though it might be without a countertop for the time being.

Hinges, brackets, handles and knobs.

6. Leave any painting of cabinets until the very last when the installation is complete.

That way you can ensure a perfect colour match and paint everything in one go.

Floor tiles and wall tiles, plus adhesives and grout.

Taps and Sinks

Stainless steel sinks.

Tiles

Tools and Accessories

Make sure you have all the power tools you need for a quick and easy installation.

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diy project

DIY

STORAGE

This project is designed for all you beginner DIYers. You will see that I have eliminated quite a few steps and processes in the design to make the project simpler and easier to do, although it will cost slightly more.

Having said that, if you work out that you need 1 sheet of PG Bison 16mm SupaWood and other items to complete this project, at the end of the day you will still end up with a piece that comes in at 25% of what is would cost to buy new.

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One tool in particular that makes this project so easy is a Kreg Pockethole Jig. I use my Kreg Jig for a variety of projects as it allows you to join pieces together for an almost invisible finish, However, if you don’t have a Kreg Jig, you can substitute with brackets and braces.

YOU WILL NEED:

See cutting list below 3,5 x 30mm wood screws 16mm wood screws 4 butt hinges 2 double-roller door catches 2 sets drawer sliders and screws 2 handles and screws 2 knobs and screws Wood glue Wood filler 120-, 240- + 400-grit sandpaper or pads Double Velvet - white

A B C D E F G H I J K

QTY 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1

MATERIAL 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood 16mm SupaWood BisonBord or SupaWood BisonBord or SupaWood Masonite 1,8 metre length PAR pine

420 400 100 100 800 150 345 100 100 382 44

TOOLS Drill/Driver + assorted bits Countersink bit 12mm spade bit Pockethole jig* Jigsaw + clean-cut blade Dremel Trio - optional Multi or orbital sander - optional Tape measure and pencil Quick clamp Paintbrush and foam roller *Substitute with brackets and braces SIZE 840 900* 400 400 900* 700 612* 350 650 650 44

ITEM Top/Base Sides Base sides Base fronts - cut to size Front frame panel Drawer front Doors Drawer sides Drawer frame front/back Drawer base Drawer support

*I have made my unit quite high. To reduce the height cut down the height of the sides, frame and doors as required.

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Making the frame 1. Before you start, measure in 20mm from both short sides on the bottom and top [A] and draw a line across. You will use this mark to position the sides. Also draw a line 20mm from the edge of one long side on the top and bottom [A]. This mark will be used for mounting the frame later on.

2. To assemble the frame I offer two options: i) Use a pockethole jig to two holes at either side of the top and bottom edge of the side sections. ii) Using the 20mm marks as a guide, use a small piece of board to draw another line on the inside that is 16mm wide. Use this as a guide to drill 2mm countersunk pilot holes.

3. Place the sides [B] in position and then either i) use the pocketholes to drive in screws to attach the top and bottom sections to the sides, OR ii) screw through the top/base to attach the sides.

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Adding bottom detail 1. Use the pockethole jig to add holes to the top edge of both base sides [C].

Apply a thin bead of wood glue along the top edge before attaching both sides to the base. The sides should be 20mm from the edge. See below if you don’t have a pockethole jig.

2. Use a jigsaw to cut out detailing for both base fronts [D]. Drill countersunk pilot holes through the fronts to attach these to the base sides [C]. Also drill a countersunk pilot hole through the top of the base and into each base front.

3. For those who don’t have a pockethole jig, you can use brackets and braces to attach the base sides and fronts.

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Frame the doors 1. Use 6mm x 50mm wide strips of SupaWood to frame the doors. Each strip is glued in place and clamped until the glue has set.

Cutting out front frame This is where I have simpliďŹ ed the design so that the front is a single panel, rather than lots of individual sections.

1. Place the front frame panel [E] on a at surface and place the drawer front [F] and doors [G] on top of this, so that you can equally position and space them.

On my front panel the drawer front [F] is 60mm down from the top and 50mm in from either side. I then have a 45mm gap between the drawer front [F] and the doors [G].

2. Use a sharp pencil to draw around each piece. Add an extra 5mm to both sides of the door to allow for hinges and add an extra 2mm to the bottom of the door.

3. Drill a 10mm hole on the inside of your marks and cut out with a jigsaw.

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Edging top and drawer fronts Using a Dremel Trio (or router) allows you to add a decorative edge to the top and drawer front. If you don’t have a Dremel Trio (or router) you can glue on pine moulding strips for a decorative finish.

Hanging the doors Always be careful when mounting hinges that you have them the right way.

Not all hinges open fully, so it’s better to double check before you screw them in place.

1. Place the hinges 50mm from the top and bottom edges on both doors. It’s easier if you place the hinges and drill pilot holes to mount.

2. To mount the doors onto the frame, have a quick clamp and a 5mm thick offcut to hold everything while you line up and secure in place.

Check that each door is nicely aligned and fits perfectly top and bottom before you screw in place.

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Fitting the drawers 1. Make up the drawer by placing the side sections between the front and back and driving screws through the front/ back sections into the sides.

2. Use a staple gun to attach a 3mm masonite base to the drawer.

3. Place the drawer front onto the drawer frame and space equally before driving screws through the drawer frame into the back of the drawer front.

4. Attach one section of a drawer runner to both sides of the drawer frame.

5. Attach the other side onto a piece of 44 x 44mm PAR pine cut to length.

6. To position everything in the right place before mounting the PAR pine, I placed the cabinet face down, inserted the drawer into the space and then lined everything up nicely before drilling a countersunk pilot hole through the side of the cabinet to screw in place.

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Painting and Finishing To tie in with my dining room makeover, which I will be posting soon on the website, I decided to paint the cabinet in white.

I use Plascon Double Velvet to paint the cabinet and applied with a paint brush and foam roller.

For the base coat the paint was slightly watered down to allow absorption into the surface of the SupaWood, which will bond well with the next coat. The next two coats were full strength, with drying time between each coat.

Two double-roller door catches were ďŹ tted at the bottom. A pine block lifts the catches to the height of the bottom of the door.

After the two coats I used 400grit sandpaper to smooth the ďŹ nish before applying a further two coats.

For added detail I glued on a few pine moulding strips. This also helped to disguise any uneven edges!

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Make your own wire wall art This wire art is actually very easy to make and you only need a few basic hand tools and supplies to make this attractive decor piece.

What’s nice about this wire art is that you also recycle a couple of beer or cold drink cans for the decorative ower at the centre, so grab your supplies:

YOU WILL NEED

Medium-gauge wire 5-minute epoxy glue Tin snips or multi-purpose scissors Pliers and cutters Jar lid Couple of beer or cold drink cans Rust-Oleum Universal and 2X spray paint Upholstery pin 31

HERE’S HOW: 1. Begin by cutting each petal section from the wire. Use sharp cutters and make the sections about the same length.

2. Use a pair of pliers to bend over the end of each piece to join together. Press the joined ends as flat as you possibly can.

DIY TIP: I used a can to help me get the curved shapes. Use both hands to bend and shape around the shape of the can.

3. Layout out the petals until you are happy with the design.

4. Place your jar lid facing up and start mixing the epoxy glue. Only mix enough to fasten one petal at a time, as the glue sets very quickly.

5. Glue the first petal shape onto the lid and let the glue dry before placing the second and remaining petals on top - allowing the glue for each petal to dry before placing the next petal.

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6. To make the centre flower sections, cut up aluminium cans or trays to make three layers of different flower designs. I sprayed my wire petals with Rust-Oleum Universal aged copper, as well as the top flower.

The other two flowers were sprayed with Rust-Oleum 2X key lime and a touch of aged copper added to the tips while the paint was still wet.

The flower sections were joined together with an upholstery pin that was then hammered into the top of the wire flower centre.

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I made each individual centre flower slightly different but still used tin foil containers or aluminium cans to make up the flowers.

Each flower was sprayed with Key Lime or Aged Copper in varying orders and one on top of the other to vary the final effect.

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Here you can see how the centre flowers are mounted on top of the wire. You can also hammer in a picture hook to hang easily.

IMPROVED

home

A home is the biggest investment you will ever make and for this reason it makes sense to stay on top of any home repairs and maintenance projects.

As we head towards winter, whether you live in a winter rainfall region or not, there are certain projects that need to be done now.

Annual maintenance can be a pain in the butt, but unfortunately it’s one of those things you have to do if you want your property to stay in good condition.

It’s also wise to perform tasks seasonally to reduce the total amount of work that needs to be done in one go. In this feature we look at getting your home ready for winter - before we head indoors for our annual hibernation!

So grab your toolbox and head off to Builders Warehouse for all the supplies you will need to weatherproof your home for winter.

If you are unsure as to what needs to be done to ensure your home is ready for wind, rain or cold weather, take a walk around the exterior and take a good look at windows, doors, walls, roof and gutters and make a list of what needs to be done.

If you don’t have your own tools you can easily hire them for a weekend, or ask friends and family if they are prepared to lend you the tools you need.

However, as a homeowner you should have a few basic hand and power tools, plus a stepladder, to take care of any maintenance of repairs that need to be done.

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Seal around window & door frames Wind and rain have easy access to your home if there are gaps around window and door frames, so fill them up with exterior sealer.

You will find a wide range of products at Builders Warehouse from ABE, Alcolin, Den Braven and Henkel/Sista. Make sure that you use an exterior sealer.

Use a paintbrush to clean the area before applying sealer and then apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pay special attention to roofing While we normally suggest that you check for any broken, loose or missing roof tiles, thatch roofs also need to be inspected. A thatched roof requires regular maintenance to extend the lifespan and, when left unattended these roofs become more susceptible to leaks and rot.

Any holes or damaged areas of thatch need to be replaced if you want to avoid damage to your home and even more expensive repairs later on.

If you are unsure how best to proceed for thatch repairs, contact a professional in this field.

Companies specialising in thatch repair or replacement

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Cintsa Thatching - East London

Thatch Africa - Port Elizabeth

Hantam Thatchers - Mossel Bay

Zamani Thatching - Durban

JP Thatching - Johannesburg

Click on the links or visit Google “Thatch

Robbi Thatch - Cape Town

Repairs” for more options in your area.

Mould is a warning sign If there are signs of mould anywhere in your home, it’s a true indicator that water is getting into the brickwork.

Before the annual rains start (Cape) this problem needs to be resolved before it becomes a serious issue.

Before treating the exterior surface you will need to find the source of the problem. There are plenty of articles on Home-Dzine to help you along. Once the source is fixed, then you can apply a suitable waterproofing compound to prevent future occurences. You will find a wide selection of waterproofing products at your local Builders Warehouse.

Clean those gutters While blocked gutters may not be a problem if there are no overhanging trees, if there are trees close to the house you can be sure that leaves have collected in gutters.

If you don’t clean these out they block the flow of water to downpipes and this will eventually overflow, causing damage to walls, or even gaining ingress into your home through the gap between the walls and roof.

Don’t let your garden be a swimming pool In winter rainfall regions where water tends to build up or pool around the home, now is the time to sort this out. When water is left standing, especially close to the walls, the brickwork absorb moisture and this can also result in damp and mould problems.

Find instructions on Home-Dzine on digging out for a French drain, or look at other options for diverting water away from any buildings.

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MAN CAVES What guy doesn’t dream of having his own Man Cave? A place to gather his friends together to watch sport, or just have a fun game of snooker, darts or cards.

Just like we women love to go shopping (sans husbands), so guys like to have the opportunity to do their own thing as well.

I must admit to being the type of wife that loves to get my hubby out of my space for a while. And if he wants to pop down to the putting range for an hour or two, or go see a game of rugby - all fine and well. But if you man had his own ‘Man Cave’ at home, you could send him in there as often as you like - and you would both benefit from a bit of time on your own.

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Unfortunately, here in South Africa we don’t have the luxury of a basement that could be converted into a Man Cave, but there are plenty of other options to consider.

Last year my elder son asked if he could buy a dining table that opened up into a snooker table. While it did look good, my mind was running full speed ahead on thoughts of a dining room full of rowdy guys standing around talking chicks and downing drinks by the bottle.

No really something I wanted in the dining room.

MAN

CAVES

An attic conversion would be a great place for a Man Cave.

This normally wasted space could be put to good use and would have enough space for a snooker table, big screen TV and a couple of lounging chairs.

If you are considering this option, be sure to insulate the space well, as this part of a house gets hot during the day. Decent ooring is another thing to consider if you don’t want to hear big, heavy feet pounding throughout the house.

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MAN

CAVES

A garage conversion is another option to consider for a Man Cave, and it doesn’t have to be completely masculine.

What is important is attention to detail.

It’s not enough just to knock down a wall, convert a garage or do an attic conversion - you also want to create a well-designed space.

Many years ago I knocked down a wall between the kitchen and single garage to be able add a dining space to the kitchen. It wasn’t long before hubby realised the potential for fitting a snooker table into the room, but it worked out nicely.

It’s worth the money to get in an architectural designer to look at the best - and most affordable - way of increasing or adding on the space, as well as providing valuable input as to what can or cannot be done. These guys also draw up the necessary plans for municipal approval.

The kitchen counter was extended to allow for bar stools and a small seating area set up for when family and friends came round. When it came to selling up and moving on, this added space instantly sold the place.

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With approved plans and a solid idea you can then get on with the conversion at your leisure - either by doing the work yourself as and when you can, or letting professionals do it for you.

MAN

CAVES

Of course, not every home has the option to add on out or up, and making use of the space you have can sometimes offer up an alternative at little cost. A bar area with a couple of TV’s is a place where the guys can get together and enjoy a couple of beers while watching their favourite sport.

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http://runninglawyer.blogspot.com

UPCYCLED

style

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Reuse - Recycle - Repurpose What better way to repurpose and upcycle picture frames than to make a colourful picture gallery.

Visit any secondhand store or residential auction sale and you can pick up old picture frames for bargain prices, and some are even valuable.

Or perhaps you have some old picture frames lying around at home.

Then all you have to do is pop into your local Builders Warehouse store for all the supplies you will need to create your picture gallery.

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UPCYCLED

style

satin cinna mon

metallic pure gold satin lagoon

satin aqua satin su mmer squash 44

UPCYCLED

style

satin midnight blue satin sweet pea

gloss real orange

gloss berry pink

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UPCYCLED

style

metallic pure gold

gloss cranberry gloss apple red

gloss key lime

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UPCYCLED

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100643135/picture-frames-gallery-wall-shabby-chic

style

If you prefer a more distressed or Shabby Chic look for your picture frames, grab some 120- grit sandpaper and rough up the edges a little.

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UPCYCLED

http://itstwoam.wordpress.com

style

http://soveryvicki.wordpress.com

Start collecting small or large picture frames to make your own gallery wall - or mix them up.

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The bold frames will add vibrant splash of colour to any room in the home and will instantly add interest to a passageway or staircase.

If you’re in a rented home - no problem. Mount pictures onto the wall with double sided tape... the landlord will never know !

glorious gardening Work with Mother Nature for a chemical-free oasis!

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Natural Swimming Ponds An ecosystem swimming pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, lowmaintenance piece of paradise.

It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place.

Leave out one of the elements and you’ve got an unbalanced ecosystem that won’t be so lowmaintenance anymore.

Check out the things you’ll need to get your ecosystem pond fired up:

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Circulation System is really just a fancy way of saying pumps and plumbing.

The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants.

Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water.

A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor.

Aquatic Plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing colour and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.

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Fish are an integral part of any ecosystem.

Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare.

Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they feed on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor.

Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria have been a controversial element for many years. But rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/bjl-aquascapes/aquascape-pond-ecosystem-pond-contractor-pond-installation-ponds-water-gardens-b/141 52

Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.

Use all these elements and work with Mother Nature for a chemical-free wonderland of water! The truth is that most people opt for the ecosystem way of water gardening because it’s easier and it just makes sense.

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Sign up for the DIY Divas Dremel Workshop on Saturday 6 April in Randpark Ridge and discover the fun world of Dremel Tools.

We’ve got the new Dremel Moto Saw for you to try out...

You will get handson experience using the Dremel Moto Saw, so that you can see for yourself what this amazing portable scroll saw can do.

Use the versatile Dremel Trio to add decorative detail to timber and board. Or learn how to cut out dadoes for shelves.

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Discover how to use your Dremel MultiTool for amazing crafts projects and other projects in and around the home.

We’ll show you how to engrave on glass to upcycle glass jars, as well as a host of other crafty and DIY ideas for using your Dremel MultiTool and the various accessories.

We will show you a variety of tips, tricks and techniques for using whatever Dremel Tool you already have, or for the Dremel Tool you are planning to buy.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR THIS WORKSHOP 55

By popular request, join the DIY Divas Timber Pallet Workshop on Saturday 18 May in Port Elizabeth and ďŹ nd out how you can upcycle timber pallets

CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR THIS WORKSHOP

n u F e h t Joi n

More great projects for you to make and take home Beginners & Advanced Workshops Basic Electrical and Plumbing Workshops Basic Welding | Career Workshops Saturday & Sunday mornings from 09:00 to 12:00

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DECORATING, HOME IMPROVEMENT OR DIY PROJECT - WE WANT TO KNOW! IN FACT, WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR PROJECT AND ENTER YOU INTO THE QUARTERLY DRAW FOR BOSCH, SKILL AND DREMEL TOOL HAMPERS.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS USE YOUR BOSCH, SKIL OR DREMEL TOOLS TO MAKE, REPAIR OR INSTALL AND SEND US A FEW ‘BEFORE’ AND ‘AFTER’ PICS. THEN TELL US HOW YOU TACKLED THE PROJECT.

SEND IMAGES AND DETAILS TO: home-dzine@iburst.co.za

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IMAGE SOURCE: INMAGINE.COM

IF YOU ARE TACKLING ANY TYPE OF