Our Home Spring 2022

STYLE & DESIGN //

// LIFESTYLE

on a reputation

Building excellence.

Development Edge is the innovative company behind some of Shepparton’s and the Goulburn Valley’s most exciting residential developments.

MICHAEL LEWIS, Director

Co-Founder and Director of Development Edge

Michael has more than 25 years’ experience in civil engineering and infrastructure facilitation in both local government and private practice. Michaels’ industry experience, knowledge and innate ability to problem solve has been key to our portfolio of developments’ success and enables Development Edge to successfully source development opportunities and acquisitions and see them through to completion.

PETER MINTERN, Director

Co-Founder and Director of Development Edge Peter has more than 25 years’ experience in the building industry. Peter is the cornerstone of the Development Edge team being organised, motivated and driven. Peter is highly regarded by colleagues, key stakeholders, business partners and Development Edge investors and has a strong emphasis on getting the job done.

RUSSELL ALLEN, Director

Russell is a Chartered Accountant with over 40 years’ experience in the accounting profession. Russell provides the expertise to Development Edge to assess the financial viability of projects, projected returns and cash flows and address the multitude of tax issues associated with property developments.

Formed ten years ago, the group is a collaboration of professionals who share a passion for creating beautiful spaces for people to live.

The Development Edge team draws on the expertise of its members to complete projects from the due diligence prior to land acquisition stage, through to design, construction, sale and ongoing maintenance.

Seven Creeks Estate, Providence Field, The Vines, Woodlands Estate and Sanctuary Park form part of the Development Edge portfolio.

CONTACT US

We work with landowners to provide the experienced resources to realise the full potential of a property.

Celebrating

TEN YEARS SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Development Edge was formed in 2012. We value relationships and aim to deliver high quality development outcomes that benefit the broader community and the environment while facilitating an outstanding outcome for the landowner, partners, and investors. We work with landowners providing the professional experienced team to realise the potential of a property.

We offer a comprehensive development management service from pre-commencement, due diligence and feasibility analysis through to funding, tender procurement, government management, project planning, development design, construction, marketing, sales and after-sale support.

ROSS & HEATHER GANGE

Development Edge offer landowners a host of options that can be customised to suit their circumstances. Development Edge can straight out purchase at an agreed value or enter into a joint venture, Development agreement with the landowners to share in the project profits or manage and deliver the development project on behalf of the landowner or the deal could be customised with a combination of options to suit the landowner.

When we decided to develop part of our property (The Lemon Tree Stud), where we have lived for 43 years, we quickly realised undertaking a residential development was going to be daunting and certainly overwhelming. Due to those negatives, we came to the conclusion we were out of our depth and needed assistance, so we approached Development Edge’s Peter Mintern and Michael Lewis to undertake the subdivision totally themselves.

They were in the process of developing Seven Creeks Estate which adjoined our property. With their extensive expertise, networks, knowledge and experience we were able to structure a contract of sale that resulted in the development of our land.

From our first meeting with Peter and Michael we both felt instantly comfortable with them undertaking this project. We were impressed with their open communication, attention to detail and professionalism.

When Development Edge became involved, the project was expedited and all the blocks sold extremely quickly. They took care of everything. We couldn’t be happier as we would not have achieved the final positive outcome ourselves. We are extremely proud of the finished product, Sevens View in the Seven Creek Estate.

SEVENS VIEW IN THE SEVEN CREEKS ESTATE

Property owners – Ross & Heather Gange

FROM THE editor

Take a deep breath.

Spring is synonymous with change and new growth — it’s time to evolve.

I know it’s much easier said than done, giving your home the spring cleaning of its life and letting go of what no longer serves you. But if the pages that follow show you anything, dear reader, it’s that change doesn’t have to be scary.

I mean, it probably will be scary — but it will also be exciting.

Hopefully, this fresh edition of Our Home can ignite that spark needed for a new renovation or to try something completely left of field in your garden.

If it does scare you, it’s probably a good thing. We’re opting for growth this season.

Our Home writer John Lewis delved into the changing landscape of building a house, with many families opting for larger homes to accommodate multi-generational living. See page 10.

Flip to page 37 to lean into the curiosities around the tiny house trend — we don’t doubt after reading this you will be bending over backwards to have your very own little barracks with My Little House.

Pop the kettle on to settle into the Bourkes’ story on page 29, finding their forever home in Tatura. While it still needs a fair bit of work, they’re not alone on their journey. Fittingly named The Ark, they share residence with, well — a zoo — as they commit to the long haul of renovating.

From the art of flipping a home with Lush Property on page 63, to what’s popping up in the interior design sphere on page 68 — we’ve spread our reach far and wide to embrace change.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Our Home without a peek at all the latest trends making waves in stylish homes. We’ve got you covered on page 17.

We’ve added the spice of life to this edition — some houses are the stuff of childhood dreams, others are getting ready for a makeover.

All involve a journey, and we want to bring you along with us.

Until next time,

Caitlyn Grant Editor

Got a scoop on an exciting house for the next edition of Our Home? Get in touch: caitlyn.grant@mmg.com.au

Contents

STYLE AND DESIGN

The style edit : What’s trending in the design world. 17

Dialling up the care factor : Interior design after COVID-19. 68

Art for art’s sake: A guide to finding the perfect piece. 88

Colour your world: More fun than watching paint dry. 42

HOME

Thinking outside the box: Is multi-generational living the future? 10

The long haul: The Ark is calling. 28

Growing trend in tiny homes: Dive into the tiny trend. 37

Home is our happy place: How we are using space. 53

A successful flip: A lush idea. 63

Light up your life: Tips to find the right lights. 86

LIFESTYLE

Cat out of the bag: Making kitty litter chic. 32

Ready for a good grilling: Barbecue time. 74

Get fresh: Tomato heaven. 77

Reforms rewrite rental rules: Changes to renters’ rights 91

BACKYARD

At one with nature: Building a sustainable home. 20

Fall in love: Serene and beautiful landscape. 44

Blooming marvellous: A colourful garden wonderland. 80

Bec Haycraft.

by Michelle Slot.

page 68.

3188

5820 3167

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Sharing a home with grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins has not been the traditional way of living for most Australian families. But things are changing.

STORY: JOHN LEWIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: HOLLY DANIEL

Shepparton’s Monteleone

Homes has seen a big growth in demand from migrant families who want housing designs for multi-generational living and dual occupancy.

But it’s not only migrant families that are driving change.

After two years of enforced interior living during COVID-19, traditional Australian families are now also seeking to create more living space in their homes.

Third generation company office manager Anthony Monteleone said the company had seen an increase in requests over the past two years from larger families that want to provide for members who might live overseas.

“We have families who are potentially looking at bringing members over to Australia for extended stays of three to six months — and they really do want that element of ‘this is our house collectively’,’’ he said.

Anthony said there could be culturally sensitive aspects of home building, which have to be taken into account in terms of space.

“For instance, there are particular rooms like prayer rooms, or having separate living areas in the Afghani communities — or extended garage areas if the family was to have a pretty large function.”

He said different cultures had different needs.

“For instance, the Afghani community likes larger living areas, whereas the Indian community would prefer bigger bedrooms — things like that.”

Anthony said families would often come with specific ideas for al fresco functions.

“They’ve often put a lot of thought into that, they come to us with wellthought out designs — with widths and lengths drawn up. It’s then up to us to make sure we can build it to the specifications they want.”

He said it had been a learning curve for the company to take on and adapt to new demands for dual occupancy.

“We anticipate that people will still want independence but also want

that family tie right next door, should they need it.”

Anthony said the National Construction Code was looking at new regulations for larger toilet and showering suites with wider doors to allow wheelchair access.

“Given that these things are specific requirements, they can be tailored to particular clients.”

He said the company also catered for Italian and Albanian families who want their own specific designs for homes

“We get repeat clientele — through word of mouth, people coming back and building again because they feel comfortable with our sales approach and our operations.”

Anthony said changes in the economy and the experience of

COVID-19 lockdowns in the past few years had seen other, more traditional Australian families move towards dual occupancy designs for new homes.

“More and more people are warming to the idea — it’s been a pretty exciting venture for us.”

He said dual occupancy could be a multi-faceted thing.

“It can focus on a young family wanting more space and then being able to grow into a home, but still have privacy.

“Then there are others with elderly parents who want to come back into the home, but still have independence.”

Anthony said homes might have dual occupancy with shared utilities, including household bills.

“Everything is joined with the same power or water bills. When we say multi-dwelling we’re not referring to separate addresses, it’s all under the same roof.”

Anthony’s grandfather Tony started Monteleone Homes 40 years ago, building homes around the Shepparton district.

He said the family’s Italian heritage had helped the company thrive and adapt to the demands of a changing population demographic.

“There’s always been a fair bit of multicultural influence in what we do and our approach to dealing with prospective clients.

“We also have a multicultural staff in the office — we have people with Indian and Afghani backgrounds.

“Shepparton is a very multicultural area and growing very rapidly. So it’s good to leverage people’s experiences and their understanding of what they want in their home.

“It’s incredibly rewarding for us to make these homes the best they can be, and to see that people are satisfied and proud of their new home.”

This newly-built brick home in north Shepparton is an example of the type of property Monetelone Homes is being asked to build for large families. The design features two fully optioned kitchens, three spacious living areas, three ensuites, a common bathroom and two separate garages for families with members who want to maintain their independence, yet stay close to each other.

Naveen Mathew of Monteleone Homes, with company director Joe Monteleone and clients Biju and Sumi John happy with their new dual occupancy home in north Shepparton.

LIVING LARGE

EDIT

We know how hard it can be keeping up with trends coming in and out of circulation, so Our Home did the hard yards and dug deep to discover what’s making the rounds this season.

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT

BACK TO BASICS

It might be controversial in taste, but there’s no denying the rise in greens and golds.

Providing an elegant edge, the deep emerald green can be seen on just about every Pinterest board through feature walls, rugs and furniture with special mention to the velvet couch.

It’s almost impossible to elude the forest hue, so why not become a part of it? Paired with a muted gold lamp or coffee table, your area will feel effortlessly balanced and chic.

The monochrome gold additions will be sure to pop against the background, making just about any piece a statement, no matter how small.

ROUND AND ROUND AGAIN

The 1970s called, and wants its trends back.

Trends go round in a cyclical manner, passing from decade onto decade until it begins all over again.

We’ve looped back around in time and for those young enough to be experiencing the ’70s look for the first time, it’s a blast.

Glassware with a tint is currently all the rage, whether it be whipping out a set of deep orange glass tumblers at a dinner party or for everyday use.

Acrylic has also wound its way back into the design realm, just about any coloured glassware holds an acrylic dupe so there’s no need to worry about little ones and your nice glassware.

WHEN IN DOUBT, VASE IT OUT

For those who feel their space is lacking that sliver of pizazz, embrace the humble vase.

Vases are a great way to make any room feel warmer without the added effort of being a huge feature piece.

An earthy terracotta-look pot is the classic piece to boost any room, filled or empty, the rough touch speaks for itself — and they come in every colour under the sun.

Or try popping two coloured vases of differing sizes side-by-side to provide contrast.

IS IT TIME FOR A HOLIDAY?

If you thought cane and rattan had done their dash in the design world, you might have been mistaken.

The wicker trend has evolved over time, going from the ever-popular boho look layered with a multitude of patterned throws and colourful cushions, to now a minimalistic outdoor style staple.

A cane setting with rattan details holds the best of both worlds and gives any space a holiday-from-home feel.

Comfortable and modern in design, cane hanging egg chairs in particular have also made a transformative comeback across porches and patios.

To inspire a vacation feel further, try accompanying your furniture with a potted mature elephant leaf plant or ficus.

FIERY DESIGNS

As the balmy nights become more frequent, a fire pit may seem obsolete.

That’s why purchasing one with a cooking grill is integral to your outdoor living space.

Fear not, while this type of fire pit may provoke imagery of bulky chunks of metallics, it doesn’t have to.

Sleek designs are provided with an additional grill to be placed on top, so your firepit can go from day to night in one smooth motion.

The hunt for the perfect firepit can be daunting with such a broad array on offer, but luckily this means there are plenty that won’t break the bank.

If you’re after something to give a bit of wow-factor, opting for a fire pit with a stone base is sure to attract a few starry-eyed looks from visitors.

GET CREATIVE

Plants have been on the trend train for a while and don’t look to be going anywhere soon, so why not make the most of them?

Plants are an easy way to make any space look put together and well-cared for, and if your green thumb isn’t so green, there’s no shame in incorporating a fake plant or five.

Before heading out to purchase a new pot or planter, have a look around your property for something unusual to grow your plant in. Try a bird bath, old teacups, pottery, baths, wheelbarrows, even the drawers of a dresser.

outdoor kitchen

alfrescokitchenco.com.au /3d-design/

The Alfresco Kitchen Co outdoor kitchen range is focused on design, quality, style, functionality and versatility.

You can design your dream outdoor kitchen by mixing and matching a premium range of cabinets, door colours, benchtops and of course appliances.

The options are limitless with your outdoor kitchen – depending on your budget and the size of your alfresco area.

BBQS SINKS

Choose your BBQ from a select range at Barbeques Galore.

Choose your sink module

FRIDGES

Choose your fridge size

CUPBOARDS BENCHTOPS CABINETS

Choose your configuration

Choose your cabinet colour Choose your benchtop colour

Use the 3D planner to design, visualise and experience the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.

Alfresco Kitchen Co is available exclusively at Barbeques Galore.

202 Corio Street, Shepparton

AT ONE WITH nature

A love of nature and the environment has prompted Louise Costa and her family to create and build a passive house in bushland near Rushworth.

STORY: JOHN LEWIS

Seventeen years ago, Sheppartonborn landscape architect and artist Louise Costa bought a miner’s cottage on 16 hectares of cleared and grazed land near Rushworth.

A lifelong nature lover, Louise said her friends thought she was crazy buying a property on box ironbark country where the ground was hard, stony and dry.

“They wondered how I could possibly raise a garden in a landscape with no topsoil but I was inspired by the bushland on my doorstep,” she said.

Two sides of the property are flanked by state forest where a large variety of wildflower and shrub species thrive.

“I thought that if I could reintroduce just some of these species back onto my property, I could create a beautiful native garden to live in and I would be encouraging wildlife to return,” Louise said. »

Recycled ceramic tiles are a feature of King Billy Retreat and of the new passive house property.

Recycled bricks, wood and metal feature in the cottage garden made of carefully selected native plant species.

The interior of the new property is sealed with a breathable membrane before cladding is installed in accordance with passive house technology.

“It was the only place I could afford outside Shepparton, but I thought it was priceless and I was desperate to live there. I felt as though I’d finally come home.”

Louise spent more than 10 years digging holes with a crowbar to plant native seeds sourced from a 20km radius of the property. She covered the ground with eucalyptus mulch to stop seeds blowing away.

She created gravel paths and built garden features such as bird baths with recycled materials. To save on water and maintenance, she kept no lawn on her property which she named King Billy Retreat after the last tribal Elder of the Ngoorailum Wurrung who is buried at Murchison cemetery.

The cottage is now surrounded by a garden of carefully selected native plants that blend into the surrounding landscape.

Along the way, Louise met and married Les Pelle and they now have two children.

“This has made life infinitely more exciting and ridiculously busy with less time for gardening and birdwatching,” she said.

“These days I’m likely to rake the paths once a month just for meditation. The plants, birds and animals take care of themselves.”

Three years ago Louise and Les decided to embark on an even bolder sustainable venture by building a new off-grid, all-electric home using the passive house construction method.

“Our miner’s cottage had become too small for the four of us and we wanted something bigger, not to mention more comfortable,” Louise said.

“The miner’s cottage is a glorified caravan — hot in summer and freezing in winter.”

Instead of removing their carefully nurtured vegetation for the build, the couple purchased 24ha of cleared land across the road from their established property.

They decided on the passive house approach after researching a variety of alternative building options including rammed earth, mud-brick and straw bale.

Louise said a passive house required only 10 per cent of the energy used by traditional homes for heating and cooling.

She said the passive house approach involved minimising heat and energy loss by following strict insulation rules in which the entire building is wrapped inside and out in a high-tech, breathable membrane before cladding.

To make sure there are no penetrations of the membrane, all services such as plumbing and electrics are installed in a ‘service cavity’ independent of the membrane.

Ventilation is provided through a system of fans, vents and ducting throughout the building.

Louise said windows were the weakest point in any energy efficient building.

She called windows “gaping holes”, which can be addressed by installing triple-glazed, passive house certified windows.

To reduce their new materials footprint, they opted for low-maintenance, recycled corrugated iron external cladding. They are using reclaimed materials wherever possible — including salvaged windows and ceramic tiles.

The property is about three to four months away from completion, and has so far exceeded passive house standards by passing the ‘blower door’ test, meaning there are practically no air leaks in the entire building.

Louise said she and Les were continually motivated on their environmental journey by their love of nature.

“We are part of nature and feel we are kidding ourselves if we think we can remain healthy and happy while the natural environment declines,” she said.

“In that way, part of our desire to live in a healthy natural environment is completely selfish. We want to thrive, not just survive alongside some suffering ecosystems.

“Our love of nature shapes the way we see the world and gives major importance to creating a healthy environment for the future of our children.”

More information on passive house technology can be found at: passivehouseaustralia.org

The lowdown

LANDSCAPE

Creating habitat and providing reliable, clean water for birds and animals around your home can be the difference between whether they survive an extreme weather event or not.

Lawns are high maintenance and a mono-culture.

Reduction or removal of lawns wherever possible creates more space for nature.

RETRO-FITTING AN OLD BUILDING

Upgrade insulation whenever possible and if affordable, replace windows with double glazing.

Use second-hand materials for garden or house projects.

Avoid buying firewood from unlicensed dealers to ensure it has not been stolen from the natural environment. Wherever possible, install an efficient split-system for heating.

NEW HOMES

Consider double-glazed windows. Money saved on single-glazed windows will later be spent on heating and cooling.

Consider the practicality of building a passive house.

Louise Costa with husband Les Pelle and their two children Ellis, 4, and Marlowe, 2.

& O

E

Control

& O cer in E ective Control

For Property Management

For Property Management

Colleen Sutton and her team are your go-to experts for great results & there is a reason why their portfolio continues to grow. Our philosophy is...

Colleen Sutton and her team are your go-to experts for great results & there is a reason why their portfolio continues to grow. Our philosophy is...

“If we wouldn’t put them in our property, we wont put them in yours.”

“If we wouldn’t put them in our property, we wont put them in yours.”

Award Winning Sales Team

RateMyAgent award winners!

Award Winning Sales Team

RateMyAgent award winners!

Covering Greater Shepparton, Kialla, Mooroopna, Toolamba, Tatura & surrounding areas.

Covering Greater Shepparton, Kialla, Mooroopna, Toolamba, Tatura & surrounding areas.

Questions For… CARDAS!

Peter

Property Management Team

Peter Cardamone

Brad Campbell Sales Executive

Property Management Team

Peter Cardamone

Brad Campbell Sales Executive

Brad Campbell Sales Executive

Jordyn Squire O ce Administration

Ellie Darcy Assistant Property Manager

Elivia Hall O ce AdministratorLindi Cardamone Administration Manager

Stephanie Johnston Assistant to the Sales Executives

Emma Burke Assistant Property Manager

Brendan Webb

Personal Assistant to Peter Cardamone

Colleen Su tto n Senior Property Manager

Peter Cardamone Director &

Control

Ella Suveges Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Kialla

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PICK UP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE.

IN IT FOR THE long haul

For some people, a forever home is something to dream about but never actually find. A forever home can become a castle in the sky, full of bucket lists and wishful thinking.

STORY: JOHN LEWIS

Maryan and Jeremy Bourke are one of the lucky few — their dream became a reality two years ago when they bought 2.5 hectares of land with two neglected properties sitting on a corner block near Tatura.

Known to locals as Wilson’s Corner on the Undera side of the Midland Hwy-Tatura roundabout, the Bourkes have renamed their property The Ark, which is entirely appropriate, as they now share their life with an expanded family of alpacas, sheep, ducks, dogs, cats, cows and a goat called Sir Carol.

“Most of our animals are rescued and they thank us each day by living their best lives here with us,” said aged care worker Maryan, or Maz as she prefers.

Maz said she and builder husband Jeremy would often dream about moving from their little house in Mooroopna on to a farm to raise

their four children, two of whom have special needs.

“We lived in the ‘burbs’ and got on with life, but the dream of having those few acres still lived in us,” she said.

For 10 years, whenever Jeremy drove past Wilson’s Corner on building jobs he would eye up the property as a potential “forever home” for their family.

In 2014 he noticed the property was up for sale, but the Bourkes were in no financial position to buy.

On top of that, the buildings were in such a state of neglect Maz didn’t like the look of them.

However, Jeremy saw the potential.

“I’m a builder, and I don’t care if it looks horrible – I can make it look beautiful,” he said.

So they continued to dream.

Five years later, they got another chance.

“In 2019 we couldn’t believe it was up for sale again. We had been looking at properties for 12 months and Wilson’s Corner was still in the back of our minds,” Maz said.

“We almost didn’t go for an inspection as we thought it was too good to be true, but talking with Brett the realtor from Ray White in Tatura we went along, and we knew immediately this was it.”

They received the keys in March 2020 just as COVID-19 hit.

Nevertheless, they began renovations straight away and haven’t looked back.

Jeremy has made the 1960s brickbuilt four-bedroom house liveable by ripping up ugly purple carpet tiles, which covered the living area. In the process they uncovered Tasmanian pine floorboards, which are now polished, adding a touch of beauty and warmth.

Jeremy also took down a wall between the kitchen and lounge area to open up more light and space.

The other property is a twobedroom weatherboard house built by the original owner Archie Wilson who called it ‘Rodney’ — which Maz and Jeremy have adopted as their pet name for the 108-year-old building.

Despite the old house not having any power or water, Jeremy and Maz are determined to restore Rodney to its former glory.

“I’m probably going to have to gut the inside, but it doesn’t worry me if it takes another five years,” Jeremy said.

They plan to eventually rent the property as a farm-stay bed-andbreakfast to provide income for their two special needs children, as they grow older.

Outside, there is a thriving vegie garden and a greenhouse made from old glass doors and trampoline frames, which they call the “caboose”.

Produce from their home-grown vegetables and fruit is made into jams and chutneys which are sold at farmers’ markets along with an abundance of eggs from The Ark’s flock of chooks and ducks.

Money from their produce sales goes into a special savings account for Rodney’s renovations.

“We are heavily into re-using items and giving them a new lease of life rather than them going into landfill. We will be using more trampoline frames to make an arbour to grow grapes on that we have found around the property,” Maz said.

As Maz and Jeremy acknowledge, this is not an overnight project. They are in it for the long-haul because after all, it is their forever home.

“We have so many things we still have to do,” Maz said.

“I’m sure my friends get sick of hearing me talk about fencing and planting trees. I feel like I’m forever doing it but I love it.”

Looking around their ramshackle property surrounded by acres of green, with tools piled waiting for a proper shed, vegetables and new fruit trees planted, sheep quietly grazing the paddocks and old dogs lying in the sun, you just know the Bourke family is prepared for the long haul.

It might take years of patience and passion, a bit of cash and a lot of love to create a forever home. But you get the feeling that if anyone can do it, it’s Maz and Jeremy Bourke.

A Facebook support and information page for The Ark and the Bourke family’s restoration project has been set up at ‘Home at the Ark’.

We are heavily into re-using items and giving them a new lease of life rather than them going into landfill.

MARYAN BOURKE

“

LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG

For years, cat owners have had to put up with gaudy cat toys and litter boxes ruining the aesthetic of their home. Thankfully, that’s now a thing of the past.

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN

P

et equipment companies are starting to cotton on to the dilemma of cat trees clashing with the couch, and are creating litter boxes and scratching posts that can either blend in with, or are unnoticeable against, your decor. As well as creating toys that are far less of an eyesore.

Here are three litter boxes available on the market, that look as good in your home as they are comfortable for your cat.

And for those looking for some aesthetically pleasing cat trees, we have a couple of options for you.

MICHU VIGOUR PARTY CAT TREE ($189)

This cat tree is minimal and sleek, while keeping your cat continually entertained.

It is a 105cm, three-level tree, with plenty of jumping platforms for your cat. It is covered in rope, giving your cat an opportunity to scratch and use its claws on it, instead of your beloved furniture.

The design of the tree also features a partition base, where you can store either cat supplies or other items around the house, giving it multiple uses.

MICHU SELECTED REAL WOOD CAT TREE ($209)

Most cat trees all look the same, but the Michu Selected Real Wood Cat Tree offers a unique and luxurious design that will set your house apart.

Although it is quite small, measuring between 72cm and 78cm, it can blend in far more easily into the room, while also providing a great place for your cat to play by jumping up between the two levels, or by scratching the structure poles.

It has a minimalist Scandinavian design, which will make the tree look perfect in most homes.

MAYITWILL XL CASTLE 2-IN-1 ($169)

While it might not blend in with the furniture as much as the other two options, this is the perfect one-stop shop for your cat, who can use it as a litter box, a rest area and a scratch pad.

The litter can be hidden away in the drawer and can be easily opened and removed when it needs to cleaned.

It also comes in three colours — white, green, and purple.

TEMPLE AND WEBSTER TUSCANY HIDDEN CAT LITTER BOX ($189)

Indoor house plants are all the rage now, providing extra colour in the home, as well as providing a much calmer atmosphere.

The Temple and Webster Tuscany Hidden Cat Litter Box hides the litter box in the pot of the plant, meaning that not only are you being discreet about the litter box, but you are also using it to style the house.

It is on the more expensive end, but when you consider you are getting both a litter box and faux indoor plant in one, it seems worthwhile.

AMAZON COSTWAY CAT LITTER BOX ENCLOSURE ($150)

This litter box has two functions. The open side space can be used by your cat as a scratch pad or a litter box can be inserted.

Next to the open space, the enclosure also has a two-door cabinet that can either be used to house all the cat equipment or can be used as another storage option.

This two-in-one enclosure can seamlessly blend into the house, with multiple functions for both your cat and the home.

GROWING TREND IN TINY HOMES

Being little has never been lovelier, thanks to the giant growth in the appeal of tiny houses — full of everything you need in a compact package.

STORY: MURRAY SILBY. PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER/MY LITTLE HOUSE

My Little House agent Sam Loughran with his little family — wife Renee and daughters Lillyanna (left) and Karly.

It seems with the passing of each day there is another reason to go ‘tiny’.

At first, when the trend towards tiny homes emerged a few years ago, it was for the quirky of nature, those willing to abandon belongings for a minimalist lifestyle while doing their best to live off-grid.

Increasingly though, the tiny living concept is becoming more mainstream, while the constructions being offered are also adapting to a variety of purposes.

Sam Loughran, of My Little House, said people can get themselves into a tiny house for a fraction of what it might cost for a conventional home,

and that will also help with ongoing issues such as home loans, soaring energy bills and even a lower carbon footprint.

“There certainly is a trend towards tiny homes these days for a number of reasons,” Sam said.

“Interest rates, rental properties are hard to come across, people are struggling to buy their first homes — yes, I believe that our tiny homes really do offer a solution to a lot of that.”

Sam said a tiny home could be a step towards a larger home, an addition to a current household or a home in its own right.

“They’re extremely affordable, they will hold their price, people can use them to live in, build a house and then sell the tiny home and pretty much get what they paid for it.”

The range of tiny homes on the market has also grown in recent years, providing something for most circumstances.

“Our basic unit is a studio cottage, which looks like a shipping container. It’s that size. It’s got a bathroom and a bedroom,” Sam said.

“Then we step it up — we do one, two, three and four-bedroom options. We do a 40 foot [12metres] option, which is new to us, and we also do what we call a premier studio, which is visually stunning.

“It’s shaped like a container — you fold down one wall and then you push out a glass room. So one whole wall is glass. It looks fantastic.”

Sam also believes his range of tiny homes can help ease the accommodation shortage in the Goulburn Valley region, and quickly — with the timeline between paying a deposit and delivery around 14 weeks.

“Granny flats are a big winner, but the one that I really think is a great option, especially in the Goulburn Valley area given the amount of orchards and farms, will be workers’ accommodation,” he said.

“We’ve already set up a few orchards with workers’ accommodation, but if you can put, for instance, if you can put four of these on your property, four twobedroomers, you’ve spent a little over $100,000 to sleep up to 10 people.

»

“So I really think there’s a huge application there for farmers, orchardists and the like.”

Sam is the agent for My Little House Australia servicing Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, and is opening a display centre at 109 Archer St in Shepparton on October 1.

“We will have a display of our tiny homes, our toilets, our toilet showers, as well as my other business Goulburn Valley Shelving, which will have a complete range of shelving,” he said.

“There will be a lot for people to view, as well as other associated products.

“We’re thinking about putting in a range of decking; obviously tiny homes and decking go hand in hand.”

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YOUR WORLDColour

When we think of a summer colour palette we often think of strong whites and yellows. But trends come and go, and with warmer weather fast approaching, Our Home has found the most effective colour palette to give your living areas a much-needed spruce up.

STORY: LAUREN FORMICA

Colour is powerful in its ability to lift our spirits and liven our mood.

But many of us struggle to know what colours to choose.

Luckily, colour expert Haymes Paints recently announced its latest colour library, titled Energy Shifts, that is sure to spark your imagination and influence your home interior choices this season.

It can be easy to rely on safe shades and neutrals when decorating your home, but Energy Shifts proves that being adventurous with colour can elevate our surroundings and have a positive effect on our mood.

The 2023 colour library focuses on three colour palettes: Light Play, Carefully Nurtured and Live Wire.

The palette is an attempt to encourage Australians to leave the uncertainty of the past two years behind them and move towards new and exciting times ahead.

LIGHT PLAY

“Our sense of playfulness is returning, bringing with it a newfound need for fun,

experimentation and an ‘anything goes’ attitude,” Haymes Paints colour and concept manager Wendy Rennie said.

“We can now do this by bringing this sense of vitality and energy into our homes.”

Dark and moody, the palette consists of different shades of blues, greens and reds, offering a fun, unexpected and playful colour combination.

This palette contrasts bright and fantastical shades with newer colours that offer depth and intimacy, that is sure to bring an edge to your home.

The daring colours of Light Play are bound to give your home a dramatic effect.

CAREFULLY NURTURED

“Carefully Nurtured addresses the knowledge that colour can affect our moods and mindsets by encouraging a holistic and healing approach to colour and interiors,” Wendy said.

“As we move into a new era, many of us have found it helpful to transform our homes into nurturing sanctuaries where we can

retreat from the outside world and rejuvenate.”

This colour palette pays homage to the earthy tones of the Australian landscape, featuring a combination of warm oranges, cool greys, light browns and sunset yellows.

The colour palette complements modern retro furnishings and wood cabinetry, adding a unique finish to your living space.

LIVE WIRE

A nod to the vibrancy of an Australian summer, Live Wire is reminiscent of a Brighton Beach box.

Featuring an array of bold blue tones, strong yellows, a pop of orange and pastel green, it’s lively and dynamic in nature.

“Live Wire helps us break down rules and reinvent old trends,” Wendy said.

The palette is a nod to the simpler times, as it brings the strong energetic colours of the outdoors, inside your home.

Energy Shift’s colour forecast is the perfect taste of what’s to come this spring and summer.

FALLING INlove

A natural waterfall is but one of the beautiful attractions of The Falls, a spectacular property at the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges. Its owners have created a diverse garden that extends out to into the surrounding paddocks.

STORY: GIANNI FRANCIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER

“ “

At the edge of our garden there is a transition to the natural bush.

IAN BALL

The Falls is a working farm and country homestead set at the foot of a spectacular granite ridgeline that forms part of the Strathbogie Ranges.

Joan and Ian Ball were first attracted to the property 16 years ago by the natural waterfall fed by the Nine Mile Creek, which cascades over the granite mountain range and flows into a stream running through the garden.

The garden is broken up into ‘rooms’.

Walking under an ornamental archway veiled in wisteria will lead to a section comprising an ornamental lake and rustic pavilion.

Following a stone path that meanders through the garden will lead to an intersecting oasis with two lily ponds that cascade into one another in imitation of the falls.

Further along the path is a secluded area with a statue of Pan, Greek god of nature, as the centrepiece.

“Which is appropriate, because at the edge of our garden there is a transition to the natural bush,” Ian said.

Several generations of pastoralists have added their touch to the property over the years.

Much of what is seen in the older garden was planted and established by Andrew and Elly Cameron who purchased the property in 1967.

When the Ball family purchased the property from the Cameron family in the early 2000s, they employed landscape garden designer Robert Boyle to create the master plan for the garden that saw new native and exotic plantings with an emphasis on seasonality and plant diversity.

“We’ve adhered to that plan pretty religiously to the point now where we’ve got a pretty extensive garden,” Ian said.

Joan and Ian have added significantly to the property by extending the garden out into the surrounding paddocks with the guidance of Robert.

Robert worked with local tradesmen to create stone walls and terracing, fountains and elevated pools, an enclosed espalier orchard and, most recently, an ornamental lake and collection of oak trees to complement a line of 80-year-old cork oaks.

Ian said the cork trees were planted at a time when Longwood and the surrounding area had a focus on vineyards for wine in the region.

Now these cork oaks provide a kind of central spine to the garden’s design.

The garden is a regular stop for many garden club tours and each year the garden’s magnificent cork oaks and pavilion provide the setting for the Euroa Health Long Lunch fundraiser.

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As local consultants, we appreciate and respect the aspirations of our region.

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HOME IS OUR HAPPY PLACE

New data released earlier this year has shown how Australians are seeking to create homes that meet their needs in new ways.

The annual Houzz Australia Emerging Home Design Trends Report uses data collected from Australian-based internet searches on the popular international architecture and interior design website.

The report shows Australians are looking for new ideas to create dedicated activity spaces, storage areas and indoor-outdoor living areas.

From home bars and bathroom mirrors to outdoor kitchens and butler’s pantries — people are mixing things up to get the most out of the spaces they own.

Here is a breakdown of the report’s search data collected between January and March this year, compared to the same period last year.

DEDICATED ACTIVITY SPACES

As visits to hotels and restaurants became impossible, people looked for somewhere to relax and serve up a drink at home.

Home bar: up 79 per cent. Media room: up 48 per cent. Library: up 46 per cent.

Rumpus room: up 43 per cent. Studio: up 43 per cent.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Making the most of outdoor areas has become apparent as Australians look for the Hampton style of blue and white beach houses with gabled roofs and open floor plans — made famous by the wealthy residents of New York’s Long Island.

Hampton’s exterior: up 331 per cent.

Coastal kitchen: up 116 per cent. Greenhouse: up 111 per cent. Decks: up 105 per cent.

Outdoor dining: up 66 per cent. Palm Springs: up 54 per cent.

BATHROOMS

Upgraded bathroom areas have become important to Australians looking for the luxury and comfort of big hotel brands at home.

Bathroom mirrors: up 151 per cent.

Bath: up 110 per cent.

Wet room: up 64 per cent. Ensuite: up 38 per cent.

We’ve all had to spend more time at home than ever before during the past few life-changing years. So not surprisingly, people have looked carefully at how they use their living, play and work spaces.

KEEPING CHARM AND CHARACTER

Warmth, style, history and taste became essential to people looking to create the unique look and experience of somewhere to call home.

Exposed brick: up 199 per cent. Australian native garden: up 132 per cent.

Balustrade: up 101 per cent. Federation: up 52 per cent. Industrial: up 41 per cent.

SMART STORAGE

With family at home more often, sensible storage has become even more important to avoid clutter and those “what did I do with ... ?” moments.

Butler’s pantry: up 311 per cent. Garage storage: up 90 per cent. Built-in wardrobe: up 77 per cent.

Mudroom: up 64 per cent. Walk-in wardrobe: up 58 per cent.

POOLSIDE

Somewhere to store the toys and the maintenance equipment, and perhaps sit in the shade to enjoy a cool drink, topped the list of searches for Australians looking to upgrade their pool area.

Pool house: up 107 per cent. Swimming pool: up 60 per cent.

Swim spa: 52 per cent. Pool cabana: 42 per cent. Plunge pool: 29 per cent.

There’s no doubt that the current economic outlook is a little gloomy, but there is a silver lining. Building costs in the past few years have skyrocketed to all-time new levels across the Goulburn Valley. The high costs are driven by an overwhelming backlog of building contracts throughout the region, with most builders having 12 months of work ahead of them to catch up. Notwithstanding this, the future for block investment and residential building looks bright. The COVID-19 block boom is now largely over, the boom that was driven by the high cost of living, that saw seeing inflation and interest rates rise rapidly, and resulted in spiking block prices. Block prices are beginning to stabilise, with many re-sale lots coming back on the market – giving buyers

greater choice and the opportunity to negotiate a fair price, helping to offset the rise in building costs. The next 12 months should give those wanting to build more opportunity to negotiate price with builders.

Those looking to build in the next couple of years should take the opportunity to secure a block now as there will be a lack of new development estates and land available over the next few years. It’s also important to keep in mind that developers have paid today’s market price for Englobo (undeveloped) land to develop, and the high cost of developing estates will make it difficult to sell blocks in the future for less than an average of $300,000, depending on size and location.

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL FLIP IS LUSH

It feels like house renovation programs have taken over our television screens, which is probably reflective of most people having at least a passing interest in the possibility of making money out of improving houses.

STORY: MURRAY SILBY. PHOTOGRAPHY: RECHELLE ZAMMIT before after

Luke Jorgensen, from Lush Property, outside a house he has just ‘flipped’.

Before: The front yard was invigorated by removing overgrown plants and trees.

before

after

The American term for turning a quick profit on a house renovation is ‘flipping’, and it is quickly taking hold here in the Australian vernacular.

The idea is that you buy a reasonably priced house with good ‘bones’, and make necessary and cosmetic renovations to it before returning it to the market for a profit.

One Goulburn Valley business with experience in the practice, both on its own and in partnership with customers, is Lush Property.

Kurt Jorgensen, from Lush Property, said the Shepparton market had experienced great growth in recent years, but there were still good options for people interested in flipping.

“It’s still good value,” Kurt said.

Cupboards were retained in the kitchen and tiles painted rather than replaced to save on renovation costs.

“During COVID, and up until the start of this year, getting a property that was — let’s call it a gem or money-maker — was like trying to pull the card out of a deck that wasn’t a joker.

“So in that scenario you’re almost guaranteed to have made money, and now it’s like trying to pull the jokers out of a deck of cards.

“Not every property will make you money in the short-term. There are still those few diamonds in the rough though, and that’s what we look for.”

Kurt has just finished a house renovation in Shepparton South in partnership with a client.

“Between the purchase price and what it’s under offer for is $115,000 difference, and then the bank actually did a drive-by valuation the day that we locked this up, and they valued it $5000 less than what it actually sold for,” he said.

“So not only was a purchaser willing to pay that amount, but the bank was willing to value it at that as well.

“The total renovation budget was $18,500 and it was achieved in, realistically, about five-and-a-half, call it six, weeks.”

Before: The new flooring and some additions refreshed the kitchen space.

Before: A fresh look was created by keeping a white palette and removing the ‘marble’ lino.

before

after

“

The renovation included replacing flooring, painting, upgrading lighting and tidying up the garden.

Kurt said local knowledge was the key to success, however, to avoid paying too much for the property in the initial purchase and then not overspending on the renovation.

“It’s just knowing where to spend the money to get the right amount of uplift and when not to spend money,” he said.

“I could have gone and put in a pool at $80,000, but does that translate to even $80,000 of uplift? Maybe, but is it worth 90, 100? We try and get at least $2 back for every dollar that we spend.”

Lush Property can enter into partnerships with people seeking assistance with flipping, or preparing properties they already own, in order to help them get the best economic outcome possible.

“The most common way, and the best way for everyone involved, is a profit share arrangement, because at the end of the day, if the owner makes more money, I make more

“

– KURT JORGENSEN

money, they get helped, I get helped, everyone wins, rather than if I came in and had a fixed cost,” Kurt said.

“The risk is on me, not on the owner, because at the end of the day, the property — if it was purchased for X, pick a number — once it’s renovated, it’s going to be worth at least that number anyway.

“So there’s no risk to the owner. The risk is for me to make sure that I don’t overspend, but maximise value, in order to get the best outcome for everyone involved.”

Kurt and Lush Property can also operate as a buyer’s advocate, introducing buyers to potential purchases in the region.

“So the company offers a range of property services,” he said.

“We do valuations, we do consulting for renovations, we do the renovations, we do joint ventures for

development, buyer’s advocacy as well, which was quite strong through COVID-19, especially the interstate and Melbourne-based investors wanting to get into Shepparton, but couldn’t get into the state or get out of Melbourne.

“The key thing is, especially with renovations, people get too caught up in the romance of [television program] The Block.

“So they’ll look at and see a kitchen and go, ‘Oh I should put in 40mm stone bench tops’, which will cost you $10,000 — well this whole renovation cost 18-and-a-half and of that, half of it was floor coverings.

“Knowledge of the local area or your target area is what pays dividends.”

Not every property will make you money in the short-term. There are still those few diamonds in the rough though, and that’s what we look for.

overwhelming.

STAGED HOMES SELL FASTER AND FOR A BETTER PRICE

First impressions are vital when selling your home. Mulberry Lane Property Styling helps your home reach its full sales potential with enhanced interior design services.

Mulberry Lane Property Styling is Expanding!

Mulberry Lane Property Styling is Expanding!

First impressions are vital when selling your property! Due to high demand for Michelle’s expertise, Mulberry Lane is growing exponentially now providing Interior Design and Make-over services.

First impressions are vital when selling your home. Mulberry Lane Property Styling helps your home reach its full sales potential with enhanced interior design services.

First impressions are vital when selling your property! Due to high demand for Michelle’s expertise, Mulberry Lane is growing exponentially now providing Interior Design and Make-over services.

So if you are creative, have some interior design qualifications, and are computer savvy then Michelle would love to hear from you.

So if you are creative, have some interior design qualifications, and are computer savvy then Michelle would love to hear from you.

Call today for a free quote

Call today for a free quote

Michelle Slot - 0408 088 681 mulberrylanepropertystyling.com.au

Michelle Slot - 0408 088 681 mulberrylanepropertystyling.com.au

Michelle Slot - 0403 207 874 mulberrylanepropertystyling.com.au

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DIALLING UP THE CARE FACTOR

COVID-19 has changed the way interior design decisions are being made.

STORY: ANNA MCGUINNESS

Style guru Michelle Slot says the new approach to interior design in our post-pandemic world rethinks spaces to make way for health and wellbeing.

“Community and sustainability are really being pushed forward in the design world as we move away from the pandemic with a bigger appreciation for our mental wellbeing,” Michelle, from Mulberry Lane Property Styling, said.

Michelle has decades of experience designing and decorating private properties across north-east Victoria and the Goulburn Valley.

She said the ‘I need to buy that right now’ mindset had been replaced with a slower, more considered approach to buy items for longevity.

“This trend is important as it’s the forefront of rethinking purchases for your home.”

During COVID-19 lockdowns, homes were forced to become multi-functional spaces — gyms

took over living rooms and kitchen tables became school and work desks.

Michelle said spaces seemed to be overlapping with working from home, as the return to offices had been slow for some workers.

“It’s important to create flexible zones with the ability to swap over from working nooks to living spaces,” she said.

“Zoom zones should be quiet with a generic backdrop that doesn’t show all of your private life to the world.”

When it comes to trending colours, Michelle said breakfast room green and incarnadine (a pinkish-red) brought an inspiring, cheerful vibe to the home.

“The hero colours presently are very punchy for those who need colour in their life.”

But, interior designers continue to use calming neutrals for a feeling of peace and safety coming out of the turbulence of the pandemic.

What’s in, what’s not

In: Lots of curves.

Out: ‘Teensy’ pendant lights.

In: Large titanic pendants with a ‘wow factor.

Out: White and pristine, massmade with cold finishes like glass.

In: Items with flaws and imperfections. Bespoke pieces create a more high-end look and hold meaning.

Out: Fancy and mosaic tiles.

In: Texture, travertine, country house herringbone wood floors in white oak or walnut.

Out: Big stitch blankets.

In: Well-woven throws.

We offer a wide selection of designs and floor plans and can custom build to your personal requirements. Whether you need to make design alterations, or a redesign altogether, we provide the expertise and know-how that enables you to create a house that you and your family will love.

FROM ONLINE CLASS TO COOKBOOK

During the pandemic, many people found comfort in cooking. Whether it was trying to create the perfect sourdough bread or bake the moistest cake, or maybe just trying to improve skills, the kitchen was a safe haven.

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN. PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH CRAVEN

hen the COVID-19 lockdowns hit, Jady Roberts turned to cooking — enrolling in a six-month ‘nutrition in culinary practise’ course.

W

The online course, which was based out of London, taught the farmer from Strathbogie how to cook meals that were both delicious and nutritious.

Every second week, Jady was required to take a photo of her cooking and upload it online, but she also decided to create her own cookbook out of the photos and the recipes, with some of her classmates telling her she should get it published.

“Obviously I couldn’t publish it because they weren’t my recipes, so I decided to change them and improve them, so they were my own,” Jady said.

“Over the last few years, I’ve been experimenting and playing around with the recipes so I could come up with my own cookbook.”

Her cookbook, Nutritious & Delicious, is already a huge hit, reaching number one on the Amazon Best Sellers list.

However, Nutritious & Delicious is more than just a cookbook.

“I wanted to combine the nutrition side, with the cooking side,” Jady said.

“The book is filled with delicious recipes, but it is also filled with a lot of information on nutrition too.

“This book provides the reader with easyto-access information on the fundamentals of nutrition, carbohydrates, protein, fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals, grains, herbs and spices, glycaemic index, planning ahead, portion control and pre and probiotics.”

Jady, who is now a qualified culinary nutrition specialist, intends to teach classes at her Strathbogie home, teaching participants how to cook nutritionally.

“I want to start up cooking classes, so people can come to me, and I can show

them how to prepare healthy meals.”

Nutritious & Delicious can be purchased at www.onthetableland.com. au for $39.95, as well as Collins Bookstore in Shepparton, Euroa Pharmacy and Avenel Pharmacy.

AVOCADO BROWNIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 250g avocado

• 150g dark chocolate

• 60ml coconut oil

• 60g pitted dates, chopped

• ½ tsp salt

• 3 eggs, whisked

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 80g almond meal

• 1 tsp honey

• Crushed pistachio nuts for garnish (optional)

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 170℃. Line a 20cm square baking tin with parchment paper.

2. Finely mash the avocado.

3. Place the chocolate and coconut oil into a heatproof bowl. Stand the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water to melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally.

4. Stir the mashed avocado into the chocolate.

5. Add the chopped dates and salt to this bowl. Using a stick blender, pulse the chocolate mixture until smooth.

6. Add the eggs and baking powder, pulse again until smooth then add the almond meal and honey. Combine with a silicone spatula.

7. Transfer the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the middle of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Insert a skewer into the brownies and if it comes out clean the brownies are ready.

8. Allow to cool in the tin and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting.

9. Top with crushed pistachio nuts.

DUCK BREAST WITH GINGER AND THYME SAUCE

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 duck breasts

• 2cm piece of fresh ginger, grated

• 50g chopped mixed nuts

• 2 tsp chopped thyme

• 3 tbsp nut oil

• 1 tbsp dark brown sugar

• 3 tbsp orange juice

• 3 tbsp marsala

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 300ml chicken stock

• 1 tsp chia seeds to thicken or 1 tbsp of arrowroot

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 180℃. Pat dry the duck breasts with paper towel. Score the duck skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut the flesh. Season the duck with sea salt and black pepper.

2. Starting with a cold heavy pan, place the duck breasts skin side down over medium heat. Cook for 7 minutes. Turn breasts over and sear the other side for 2 minutes.

3. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for about 10 minutes for medium to well done, depending on the thickness of the breast.

4. Rest the duck for 10 minutes prior to serving.

5. Sauce: Heat the oil in a frying pan over a low to medium heat and add the grated fresh ginger, nuts, thyme and sugar. Cook for 1 minute, then add the orange juice, marsala, balsamic vinegar and stock and simmer for about 4 minutes.

6. Add the chia seeds or arrowroot mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and continue to simmer, stirring to thicken to a light syrupy consistency.

7. Serve the duck and sauce with red cabbage and bok choy.

Recipes from Nutritious & Delicious by Jady Roberts.

READY FOR

GRILLING

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN

If you already have a barbecue, there are some great accessories that can be purchased to help up your barbecuing game. And for those who are in the market, there are some great options available that can help take your cooking to another level.

Shepparton’s Barbeques Galore manager Jason Bathman said investing in a barbecue could really make a big difference.

“A good barbecue will really help you cook the most delicious food, and for those who already have a

great barbecue, there are some great accessories available to help keep your food tasting great,” Jason said.

“The more you spend on a barbecue, the better the quality and the better the cooking experience you are going to get.

“Not everyone is able to afford an expensive barbecue, but thankfully, there are some quality affordable ones available on the market.

“The Zeigler and Brown portable barbecues and the Weber Q are great options that won’t break the bank.

“If you’re looking at splashing some

cash though, the Zeigler and Brown Turbo series is a really great option.”

Some of the best accessories available are silicone hotplate mats, which get the same result you’d get from a hotplate or grill, while saving yourself from the dreaded clean-up.

“Instead of washing the whole barbecue, you can just wash the silicone mat,” Jason said.

“No flavour is imparted from the mat, and you can still brown a sausage or fry an egg on it.”

A grill mat is also available for those keen on using the grill.

As summer fast approaches, it’s time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy those lovely warm days outdoors.

BARBECUE VEGETABLE MEDLEY

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp garlic, minced

• ½ tbsp salt

• ½ tbsp cracked black pepper

• 1 red capsicum, de-seeded and cut into 2cm strips

• 1 yellow capsicum, de-seeded and cut into 2cm strips

• 1 purple onion, cut into 2cm pieces

• 1 whole zucchini, cut into 2cm cubes

• 225g of mushrooms

• 1 sprig of fresh thyme, chopped

METHOD:

1. Combine olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium-size bowl.

2. Add all chopped vegetables to bowl with olive oil mixture and toss until evenly coated.

3. Add to barbecue hotplate.

4. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Rest and cover with aluminium foil for five minutes before serving.

Source: charbroil.com.au

HONEY SOY CHICKEN MARINADE

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup soy sauce, all purpose or light

cup honey (or maple syrup)

cup cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)

cup Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry

• 1 tbsp sesame oil, toasted

• 1½ tbsp garlic, finely minced

METHOD:

1. Mix all ingredients into a large bowl.

2. Pour over chicken, and marinate for 24 to 48 hours (minimum 3 hours)

3. Place chicken on hot grill. Cook for 2 mins then flip. Cook for 2 mins. Flip and brush with marinade every minute after for a total of 10 mins, or until chicken is cooked.

4. Rest and cover loosely with aluminium foil for five minutes before serving.

Source: www.recipetineats.com

fresh

One of the best parts about spring and summer is watching vegie patches and herb gardens thrive and produce food that can be turned into delicious meals.

Tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, spinach and snow peas grow really well in Australia, as does basil, mint, thyme, rosemary and coriander.

Thankfully these vegetables and herbs go great in many fresh and easy summer meals, so we’ve compiled a few easy recipes that can be made using your very own, home-grown vegies and herbs.

Seeking inspiration for warmweather meals? Look no further than your own backyard.

ISRAELI SALAD WITH FETA

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cucumbers, diced (no need to peel)

• 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes halved

• 4 thinly sliced spring onions, white and green parts (about ½ cup)

• ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint

• ½ tsp of oregano

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1½ tbsp lemon juice, from 1 lemon

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 170g feta cheese, diced (about 1 cup)

METHOD:

1. Prepare all the ingredients.

2. Add to a large bowl, except for the feta, and toss well.

3. Add the feta and gently mix.

4. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper and lemon juice if necessary and serve.

5. Note: This salad can be prepared up to 3 hours before serving, without the feta, and stored in the fridge until needed.

Source: Once Upon a Chef

BRUSCHETTA

INGREDIENTS:

For tomatoes:

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 4 large tomatoes, diced

• ¼ cup thinly sliced basil

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tsp salt

• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

For bread:

• 1 large baguette, sliced 2cm thick

• Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing

• 2 cloves garlic, halved

METHOD:

1. Make marinated tomatoes. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, heat oil. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden, 2 to 4 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.

2. In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add garlic and oil from the skillet and toss to combine. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, toast the bread. Preheat oven to 200°C. Brush bread on both sides lightly with oil and place on large baking sheet. Toast bread until golden, 10 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Let bread cool for 5 minutes, then rub tops of bread with halved garlic cloves.

4. Spoon tomatoes on top of the bread just before serving.

Source: Delish

CAPRESE SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 large tomatoes

• 4 bocconcini, sliced

• ¼ cup torn basil leaves

• Salt and cracked black pepper

• Extra virgin olive oil, to serve

• Balsamic vinegar, to serve

METHOD:

1. Slice each tomato from top to bottom into 1cm thick slices.

2. Slice up the bocconcini into thin slices

3. Place both the tomato and bocconcini on a serving plate and top with basil leaves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Before serving, drizzle the salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

5. Note: Sliced peaches can also be added to this dish. Slice each into the same size as tomato and add to the plate with the tomato and bocconcini.

Source: Taste

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blooming marvellous

Nothing says spring quite like a garden draped in a rainbow of blooms. Our Home spoke with Sally Moseley of Billabong Garden Complex in Shepparton about how to make your garden a sea of colour — and keep it that way.

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT. PHOTOGRAPHY: RECHELLE ZAMMIT

WHERE TO START?

As the spring-summer months start rolling by, expert gardeners are reaping the rewards of their hard work in the chillier months.

To keep up with annuals, Sally suggests following the two season rule: autumn planting for spring bulbs, winter planting for summer bulbs.

Staying six months ahead in planting will ensure a garden stays lively and as vibrant as can be.

“You can mix it up all year round with your annuals, that’s the best thing about them — pots, hanging baskets, wheelbarrows, old recycled things like bird baths — just fill it,” Sally said.

“Fill it with colour and change it up every season.”

As not all who pot and plant are expert gardeners, and even those who are may need a refresher from time to time, Sally gave the rundown on seasonal plants.

She said over the coming months, gardens are expected be filled with lavenders, osteospermums, boronia and natives, with bottle brushes in particular flowering along the way.

In bulbs, look out for tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

And, no surprise, roses are a “big one” that are going to start booming.

A POP OF COLOUR

A person’s garden is a glimpse into their being.

As Sally says, it’s a deeply personal thing — some people choose blues, others choose pinks — neither is right and neither is wrong.

But with a colour theme, there’s the chance of falling into a slump — colours gradually blend into one look.

“It can get quite dreary or monotonous. I’ve learnt from working here that just a splash can lift things up,” Sally said.

“To add a pop of red, orange or yellow, just a few plants — nothing major — the transformation really is amazing.”

In an expert tip, she said it’s not just your traditional vibrant hues that make all the difference, in fact, a hit of white can make an even larger impact.

Sally said although a mixture of colours helps in attracting birds and bees, the nursery has “funnily enough” found their main fauna magnet is white plants.

CHECK YOUR SOIL

If the foundations are crumbling — no matter the effort, no matter the time — building will never be in your favour.

As new houses are built by the dozen, many don’t realise the detriment it could be causing to their to-be garden.

As cement is laid, acids can seep into the dirt affecting the pH of soil and therefore, how well it will home new plants.

And in the process of landscaping with soil being tossed about and combined with who only knows what, Sally has one solution: get your dirt tested.

“We do it here and it’s free, it takes like no time at all — five to 10 minutes.

“We can asses the soil, where it’s sitting and get an idea of what the customer would like, whether it’s going to be planting natives, nonnatives or a blend.

“Then from there, we can say, right, this is how to prepare your soil and fix it.”

GIVE IT A GO

While seeing a stunning garden can evoke feelings of excitement and admiration, it can also prove sorrowful — why doesn’t your garden look like that?

Patience and consistency go a long way in nurturing a bed of perennials, or any growths for that matter.

Whether it’s a vegetable patch or a more advanced tree, Sally advises to simply give it a try.

“It’s all just trial and error, you never get it right the first time.

“It’s always learning, always.

“And we still do even working here — you learn something new all the time.“

Nursery manager Tracy Lamont and Jessica Bentley showing off Billabong Garden Complex’s spring blooms.

Make it about your home, not your home loan.

Your GMCU lender supports you every step of the way, so you can focus on what’s really important.

Speak to your local team or visit gmcu.com.au today.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

Warm, soft, bold in shape or even misshapen, lighting is bigger and better than we have ever seen before.

STORY: LAUREN FORMICA.

As the warmer weather approaches, so too does our love for all things outdoors.

Now, thanks to modern exterior lighting, our days outside no longer have to end with sunset.

Home security and kerb appeal are one of the many reasons that outdoor lighting is becoming more and more popular.

Mark Librio, from Lights Plus Shepparton, said more and more people were focusing on garden lighting as the weather heats up.

He said carefully placed lighting helped enhance the mood and ambience of outdoor spaces.

“Outdoor lighting gives a soft ambient look as it creates a different effect, especially with the types of LED fittings that are on the market now.”

Mark said one of the many benefits of the new LED technology was you no longer need to run your cables as deep as you did when you needed to get power to each fitting.

“Lighting has become more energy

saving efficient, which means people are no longer scared to leave their garden lighting on for longer periods of time.

“Up-lighting trees and through shrubs has increasingly become more popular as it creates a ghostly effect, especially on a backdrop fence or a feature wall.”

Mark said LED lights come in a range of different colours, varying from warm to white lights, which means there is a light to match all outdoor colour palettes.

As for inside the home, as Channel 9’s The Block has highlighted, interior lighti ng is no longer limited to downlights and complementary pendants.

With innovate designs, lighting has now become a grand interior feature.

Choosing the perfect lights for your home is fun, as there is such a large array of styles available, but when it comes to fittings it can be tricky to know what’s best.

“I’m a big fan of wall lights as it creates a nice warm, ambient look in

a home rather than having overhead lights on,” Mark said.

He said pendants and chandeliers had made a comeback, with homeowners opting for larger styles to create that ‘wow factor’ over kitchens, dining room tables and entries.

Feature pendant lighting has also been introduced to ensuites and bathrooms beside mirrors to accentuate and elongate the heights of ceilings and create a point of difference.

For a subtle feature, Mark recommends opting for LED strip lighting as the hidden light complements the atmosphere of the home and can accentuate the lines of cabinetry and furnishings.

So, if you are feeling the need to quickly spruce up your home, or wanting to give your garden a refresh, now is exactly the right time to invest in an array of light fittings.

They’ll improve the entire mood of your surrounds with just the flick of a switch.

ART FOR ART’S SAKE

Choosing a new piece of art can be stressful, but it’s important to remember that it is an opportunity to showcase you and your style, so take your time choosing and have fun with it.

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN

There is no denying that a large piece of art can bring a room together.

It is the first thing you see when you walk into a room, and it helps bring life into the space.

Nowadays, so much of our home is filled by machine-made and massproduced items.

With art, you get the opportunity to see up close the effort and time that went into creating that piece, as well as the skill.

You see the brush strokes, the marks, the fine lines, the flaws — all telling a unique story.

Not just the story or the artist, but your story as well.

Art acts as an extension of yourself, and it allows visitors to your home to get to understand you.

Because of this, it can be quite a daunting task to find the right artwork that speaks for you and complements your home.

When choosing a piece of art, there are a few things to consider to ensure what you select is perfect for the space.

Firstly, the artwork must meet your budget and your own personal taste.

It is no good choosing a piece that might be ‘fashionable’ at the time yet doesn’t satisfy your own style.

Secondly, you want to make sure the piece you are choosing works well within your space.

If you’re happy with the furniture and design of your house, then you want to choose art that will complement your existing design.

Conversely, if you are looking at changing up your décor, you will want to decide on a piece that will help you create that new look you want to achieve.

Thirdly, make sure you are aware of the size of the space.

If the piece you are looking at is quite large, it might stick out like a sore thumb in a smaller space; similarly, a small piece will be consumed by a large room.

Therefore, it is important to think of the space you are designing and try to find something that suits the size of the room.

Fourthly, it is important to decide on the impact you want your new art to make.

McKellars Picture Framing in Shepparton is there to personalise your artwork.

Do you want it to make a statement? In that case, choose a piece with bold colours or an impossible-to-ignore subject matter.

If you are looking for a piece that complements the room, look for colours that match the room and maybe look for something that isn’t as striking.

And finally, ask for help. If you are stuck on what to purchase, speak to friends or family about what they think will look good in the space.

Or if you want professional help, an interior designer can always help you find the piece and style you are looking for.

It can be a daunting task, but there are many websites available to help you in the decision-making process,

and thankfully, there are many sites you can use to purchase pieces of art at every budget level.

If you’re looking for pieces that are one-of-a-kind, and want to support local artists, then Bluethumb is the perfect option.

This site has supported local artists for more than a decade and allows you to not only purchase pieces of art, but also to see the artists who created it and some of their other work.

Bluethumb gives artists the opportunity to dip their toes into the commercial market, and to financially support themselves.

So, if you’re looking to invest in a unique and quality piece of art, this is the place to go.

When

A & G Custom Fencing work exclusively with pool fencing and gating options, meaning that we offer focused, specialist work to help keep your pool or property safe and secure.

Our custom glass fences and gates will be created to the specifications required at your property, giving you custom solutions that will work the best for your pool.

Although glass pool fencing is our specialty at A & G Custom Fencing, we also offer many options for other types of pool fencing and related products. We can assist with aluminium fencing, slatted screens, custom sliding gates, stainless steel, perforated pool fencing, wire balustrading and much more.

REFORMS REWRITE RENTAL RULES

It is the bind that ties a time-honoured relationship together. It can be mutually beneficial or occasionally tense. It is the rental agreement.

STORY: MURRAY SILBY

Significant changes were made to Victoria’s renting laws in 2021, including to the regulations relating to modifications renters can make to rental properties.

Renting laws lay out the rights and responsibilities of both the rental provider and the renter.

The term ‘rental provider’ is actually one of the changes made to relevant terminology

in the reforms. ‘Landlords’ are now called ‘rental providers’, ‘tenants’ are now ‘renters’ and ‘leases’ are now ‘rental agreements’.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says under the new rental laws, renters can make certain modifications to their homes without the consent of the rental provider. Other changes will still require consent from the rental provider.

Glass

Examples of modifications that can be made by a renter to a property they are renting (that is not listed under the Heritage Act 2017) without the consent of the rental provider include:

• Picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves or brackets on surfaces other than brick walls.

• Wall anchoring devices on surfaces other than brick walls to secure items of furniture.

• Low-flow shower heads if the original shower head is kept.

• Blind or cord anchors.

• Hardware-mounted child safety gates on walls other than brick walls.

• Security lights, alarm systems or security cameras that do not impact on the privacy of neighbours, can easily be removed from the rented premises, and are not hard-wired to the rented premises.

The following modifications can be made by renters without consent in all properties, including heritage properties:

• Non-permanent window film for insulation, reduced heat transfer or privacy.

• A wireless doorbell.

• Replacement curtains if the original curtains are retained by the renter.

• Adhesive child safety locks on drawers and doors.

• Pressure-mounted child safety gates.

• A lock on a letterbox.

Approval from the rental provider must be sought for any other modifications to the property.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says if a renter believes consent has been unreasonably refused, they can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the decision and VCAT must hear the application within five days.

The renter must reverse the modifications or pay the rental provider for the cost of reversing them unless both parties agree otherwise.

In the circumstances of a rooming

house, caravan park or residential park, consent is required from the operator for any modifications. Consent cannot be denied, however, if an occupational therapist has determined that reasonable disabilityrelated modifications are necessary.

The renting law reform changes also introduced:

• New minimum notice periods.

• Limits on the number of times a rental provider can show the property to prospective renters or buyers and how long the inspections can last.

• Restrictions on open inspections when a resident is a protected person under family violence or personal safety legislation.

• The possibility of renters to seek compensation for loss of property and damage while a rental provider or their agent is on the premises.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says the changes span the life cycle of a rental agreement, from before the rental agreement is signed until after it ends.

We’ve been inspiring the most amazing renovations for over 60 years, you’ve probably seen lots of them on popular TV shows like The Block, House Rules, Selling Houses Australia and more! Now it’s time to bring your own renovations dreams to life and we’ll show you how and help along the way

Address: 1/16 Florence Street, Shepparton VIC 3630, Australia

Phone: 03 5822 2118

We are here to bring your dream project to life, in fact, we love doing that!

MAKE A SMART MOVE

A few years ago it would have seemed ridiculous to think you could pull out your phone from your pocket and turn on the lights and the television, put down the blinds and play your favourite music.

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN

Smart homes are no longer confined to science fiction. They have become our everyday fact.

You can unlock your door via your phone. You can check the security cameras or the front door camera no matter where you are. You can stay completely connected with your home and in control of it at all times.

So how do you make your home into a smart home?

There is a plethora of gadgets on

the market that can be used to help sync all your devices in your home, all which vary at different price points.

Thankfully, most devices that are available on the market these days have smart home capabilities, with all the major tech brands — Samsung, Sony, Apple, LG, Fisher & Paykel, and more.

Smart devices like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s HomePod all offer you an interactive

speaker that can listen to commands, and act on them.

These speakers can be a great starting point for those interested in syncing up their home’s devices, as you can easily sync up a few gadgets such as your music streaming account and your phone to test and see whether you would enjoy having a smart home.

Kitchen appliances like your fridge, oven, microwave or even your coffee

machine are all getting ‘smart’, with the option to sync your phone up with them to turn them on, or be notified when your cooking is done, or even to see inside your fridge to check what you need to buy at the shops.

The house’s lighting can also be linked up via an app or smart assistant, allowing you to either turn off certain lights, change the light’s colour or dim them. The same can be done with your thermostat.

Joel Garner from Watters Electrical says more and more customers are wanting to sync up their blinds, thermostat, TV and sound systems.

“A lot more customers are wanting to automate their homes,” Joel said.

“They want to be able to have their blinds set on a timer, so they go up and down at certain times in the day, or have their heating turn on when it reaches a certain temperature outside.”

With more and more people wanting to set up their houses as a smart home, Watters has begun installing data wires at the building stage, so they are there for when the homeowner, or next occupant, wants to automate their house.

“We like to pre-wire a house, so in 12 months’ time, when they are wanting to add in a multi-room sound system, or they want to automate their lights or ‘smart up’ their kitchen, they are able to do that because the

cabling is already in place,” Joel said.

“It’s much cheaper for us to do this on the install, than for us to come back and try to do it as a separate job.”

With so many options to choose from, it means there are so many different financial options for those looking to turn their home into a smart home.

If you want to sync up only a few devices, then a smart speaker can be purchased for less than $100. Smart switches are also available for around $50, allowing you to tap a button on your phone and turn on a couple of lamps at once.

For a few extra hundred dollars, devices that connect to your home wi-fi device can be bought that will allow you to control your thermostat, your lights, your speakers, etc.

And if you want to completely upgrade your home, this can be done from anywhere from a few thousand dollars, to upwards of $10,000. This would include purchasing new smart devices, such as a new fridge, new blinds, a new TV or new speakers.

Sadly, it’s quite difficult to retrofit your old devices, so if you are looking at changing to a smart home and syncing everything up, it will require an investment into the latest gadgets.

“My biggest piece of advice would be to do your research,” Joel said.

“Ask your friends what they have automated. Go online. Have a really great understanding of what you want done so when you are doing it, it’s as seamless as possible.”

Also, when you are investing such large amounts of money into this transition, it is worthwhile to work with an electrician who can ensure everything is done safely and correctly.

Watters Electrical has dedicated teams who are experts in automated technology, and who understand how best to equip a house so any part can be automated.

Watters Electrical is at 19-35 New Dookie Rd, Shepparton, phone 5821 3944.

With a range of savings on carpet, timber, laminate, luxury vinyl, hybrid, rugs and window furnishings it’s the perfect time to find the decorating solution for your home. Hurry into your local showroom or view the online sale catalogue at www.choicesflooring.com.au

Sale starts 25th September until 3rd December.