AUTUMN | 2020
DEEP CLEAN YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN
AUTUMN GARDEN REVAMP
RECIPE: MUSHROOM GOODNESS!
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5 reasons why you should deep clean your home in autumn WE’RE all familiar with doing a spring clean in the home, but have you ever done an autumn clean? Experts say it can be an essential way to achieve a healthier winter. With a drop in temperature and the heating on, fabrics in the home can be a haven for the germs, bacteria, mould and mites that thrive in our warm winter environments, and it takes just a few simple steps to help to increase chances of a healthy winter and keep seasonal bugs at bay. 1. Fresh Thinking The main problem cited in winter homes when it comes to passing on germs is the lack of ventilation and warm moist air (because of indoor washing and drying). This is an ideal environment for bugs and germs to flourish. Household members are also more likely to be bringing germs into domestic spaces during the winter months on their hands or breathed in within enclosed unventilated spaces. To combat this, try to open windows as much as possible. More ventilation can help to freshen stale air and lessen the likelihood of coming into contact with the tiny drops of mucus that are sneezed or coughed into the air when people are ill. And, while it’s tempting to make the most of the energy used for heating the house, drying clothes on a radiator can cause unwanted moisture in the air. Using a dehumidifier (The Pro Breeze 1500ml Dehumidifier is an Amazon best seller) can offset the moisture particles thought to increase the spread of germs in the air, but it’s worth thinking about alternative ways to dry clothes. Remember, central heating and closed windows also create dream conditions for dust mites, bacteria and mould. Dust mites love warm environments but can’t stand the cold. However, we can keep mites at bay with a few simple measures.
PREPARE FOR WINTER: Autumn is the ideal time to have a thorough clean of your home in preparation for winter.
2. Winter wipe down To prevent winter bugs being passed via germ-ridden hands, ensure that all surfaces are properly cleaned with an anti-bacterial cleaning fluid, going further than focusing on kitchen and bathroom surfaces. For example, if a door is being regularly used it’s likely to pick up all sorts of germs that can easily pass through body contact. This is especially important if children are around. 3. Floors, furniture and fabrics Carpets, sofas, pillows and duvets/mattresses are another hotbed for mites and bacteria, which should all be regularly cleaned. Think about the food crumbs, spillages, dead skin cells and sweat that accumulate in these materials during everyday life. The onset of autumn is an ideal time for carpets to be professionally cleaned. Ensure
vacuum cleaners are working effectively older appliances may well be leaving lots of allergy-inducing particles behind. 4. Don’t let the bed bugs bite We all have different bedtime habits and body types - whether that’s being partial to drinking a cup of tea in bed (with potential spillages) or excessive nighttime sweating. But on average, everyone expels 200ml in sweat and sheds hundreds of dead skins cells every night - and dust mites can live in their thousands in unwashed bedding. Some of the best washable duvets can be washed in a domestic washing machine and dried as quickly and easily as bed linen, so it can be back on the bed the same day. Are you an allergy sufferer? Buy from specialist Anti Allergy ranges. It is generally accepted that synthetic pillows and duvets are non-allergenic - meaning they’re friendly for
allergy sufferers. And always read the care instruction on duvets and pillows, as some products need to be professionally cleaned and handled in specific ways. Like duvets and pillows, mattresses are another haven for the mighty mite! The recommended frequency to vacuum mattresses is weekly to reduce risk of mites, but even doing this during an autumn and spring clean is better than not at all. Use an upholstery brush attachment and wash mattress covers every month at 60°C . Also allow it to air between bedding changes. 5. Empty bins For those who’ve caught the dreaded winter lurgy, another top tip is to ensure bins are emptied daily - especially if there are tissues in there. For more information go to housebeautiful. com.
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Last look at award winning homes HADAR Homes will be creating three exciting new display homes opening in Wodonga later this year so now is the time to take one more look at their award winning Madison and Dunedin display homes before they close. The Madison took out the 2019 HIA Victorian Display Home of the Year Award for the $350,001 - $400,000 category, one of two major wins for Hadar Homes at the awards. They also took out the region’s best Townhouse/Villa Development with Abalina Cottages in Cherry Lane, Bright. Hadar Homes manager Rick Leeworthy was understandably excited about the wins which set the bar for the company which they are determined to reach again this year. “This was something we should all be so proud of,” he said. “It was well done by the team, it’s so awesome to be recognised for all the hard work and effort we put into our homes.”
The state award judges described the design and floor plan of the Madison as “something that made it stand out in the eyes of the judges. “It works excellently in the configuration on display, but it also has a huge number of variants available that can be mixed and matched to suit the requirements of the buyer,” the judges’ comments said. “The quality of the kitchen in this home was also something that received special praise from the judges.” The Dunedin, like the Madison, is part of Hadar Homes ‘Prestige’ range at White Box Rise, Wodonga, which are designed for spacious family living without the need for a massive block of land. Whether for a couple who want to entertain and have guests to a family with small kids, the Prestige homes and superior inclusions allow that balance of luxury living at a reasonable price.
DON’T MISS OUT: Hadar Homes’ ‘Dunedin’, another Prestige display home which will close later this year.
BEST OF THE BEST: Hadar Homes’ ‘Madison’, the best overall display home ($350,001 - $400,000) at the state final of the 2019 HIA Victorian Housing Awards.
HIA DISPLAY F HOME O R THE YEA
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Home staging secrets, a buyer’s perspective MULBERRY Lane Property Styling is a results driven staging and styling company in North East Victoria. They work with real estate agents, builders, developers and vendors to achieve the best sales outcome when selling your property. “At Mulberry Lane we increase the aesthetic appeal making sure every part of your home is looking its best to ultimately attract more buyers and achieve greater results,” head stylist Michelle Slot said. “So if you are selling your home, then we suggest starting with the home stage secrets here and putting yourself into the buyer’s shoes.” The one-year rule If you (as a house buyer) can see yourself living in the property for the first year as is, then you will strongly consider buying it, even if you want to change the coloured bathroom or replace the carpet at some point you will accept the decor and fittings you have inherited. Why personalisation fails FACT: Homes that reflect the current
homeowner’s personality takes three times longer to sell. WHY: Because people will either like it or they won’t. Chances are you will have a very limited number of people your home will appeal too. Let there be light FACT: People don’t buy dark houses. WHY: Because light represents clarity, openness and airy spaces and Australians love open spaces. De-clutter and be free FACT: Statistics suggest that pre-millennials have an inbred clutter culture. People don’t make offers on houses that are filled with clutter. WHY: Clutter is a distraction and because it is extremely personal to the owner, it says so much about them as an individual and most people can’t see past this. Free up movement FACT: A property with too much furniture is harder to sell. WHY: It comes down to traffic flow. If you cannot get around effortlessly then the house will feel too small. Too much
furniture distracts the viewer from seeing the room. Colour schemes that sell FACT: Overpowering colour schemes can really put off buyers. Stick to neutrals. WHY: The thought of having to redecorate because they must, rather than when they want to, becomes a strong negative. “When staging a home for sale, staging seeks to remove the owner’s personality as much as possible from the house and neutralize any strong schemes,” Michelle said. These secrets will make your home more desirable to nine out of 10 future buyers, as they need to imagine themselves living there. Contact us today for your free consultation and let us help you achieve the best outcome possible when selling your property. https://www.mulberrylanepropertystyling.com.au/ mulberrylanepropertystyling@gmail. com Insta: @mulberrylanepropertystyling
KEEP IT SIMPLE: Too much furniture distracts the viewer from seeing the room.
STYLED 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.
Call today for a free quote Michelle Slot - 0403 207 874
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Autumn in the garden AUTUMN is arguably the loveliest season in the garden. The heat of summer is over, we have had some rain to revive parched gardens and lawns, and the evenings and early mornings have a lovely coolness about them. It’s enough to make you feel inspired to get back out into the garden and enjoy the change in season. Jobs that are timely to do now are; hand weeding gardens and lawns - if hand weeding is too big a job, consider a chemical herbicide (be sure to follow safety recommendations), boiling water or household vinegar are also effective in some situations. Once weeds are removed, top up any mulch that is needed in garden beds, and feed lawns - sow lawn seed, or plant runners in any bare patches to prevent weeds establishing again. Pull out end of season vegies from vegetable gardens, and freshen up the soil with organic matter - compost, or aged cow manure are ideal. Vegies to plant now are Asian greens, broad beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, garlic, kale, leeks, salad greens, and silverbeet. Then mulch with pea straw to keep weeds at bay,
MIX IT UP: Autumn provides wonderful opportunities to add colour to your garden.
and to add more organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. Autumn is also one of the most spectacular
times of year for colour in the garden. Between changing leaf colours and gorgeous flowering plants, there are so many options
for the garden. Some of the best autumn colouring trees are Japanese maples - check with your local nursery about whether there is one that will suit your garden, as they can be a bit finicky. Canadian maples are just as spectacular, and are hardier to grow. Ornamental pears really come into their own in autumn with some beautiful leaf colourings and they are one of the easiest trees to grow in our region. Autumn flowering plants include some interesting natives such as banksias, correas, croweas, grevilleas, and philothecas - or wax flowers. These autumn beauties are important for the birds and, especially, bees who have had a challenging time through the summer. Now is also a great time to plant some cool weather annuals such as dianthus, lobelia, pansies, primulas, poppies, snapdragons, and stock - don’t forget to plant spring flowering bulbs now for displays of daffodil, hyacinth, iris, and tulips from late August through to October. The most important job for autumn though, is to get outside and notice the small wonders in your garden - there are many to be found if we take the time to look.
Make your garden colourful this Autumn
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Polenta gratin with sautéed wild mushrooms Polenta gratin 2 cups chicken stock 2 cups water 1½ tbsp (30 ml) olive oil 1½ tbsp (30 ml) butter 1 cup polenta ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese ½ cup thinly sliced taleggio cheese Butter, for the baking dish 1½ tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
THIS creamy, rich and full flavoured dish is a perfect recipe for these cooler autumn nights and for those wanting something not quite wintry but still enough to be considered comfort food. This relatively quick and easy recipe is ideal as mushroom season is just beginning and all their unique varieties will be available, perfectly matching with the subtle flavours of polenta enriched with strong notes of taleggio cheese, while the addition of parmesan gives it a sharp bite.
Instructions Cooling time: at least 30 minutes 1. For the sauteed mushrooms, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eschalot and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, or until soft. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly soft. Add butter and cook for another 2 minutes. 2. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Reserve. 3. For the polenta, bring water and chicken stock to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
Ingredients Sauteed mushrooms ¼ cup(60 ml) olive oil 2 eschalots (French shallots), peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed (minced) 4 cups assorted wild mushrooms, roughly chopped 3 tsp fresh thyme, roughly chopped 1½ tbsp (30 ml) butter
Add salt, pepper, olive oil and butter and stir. Add polenta and whisk vigorously. Reduce heat to medium-low, add parmesan cheese and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Once nicely thickened, remove from heat. 4. Grease 8” x 8” (20 cm x 20 cm) baking dish with butter. Transfer polenta to baking dish and spread evenly. Try to make sure there are no air bubbles. Cool in refrigerator until completely set, about 30 minutes.
5. Pre-heat oven to 190°C (375°F). 6. Remove polenta from baking dish and cut into even squares. Arrange polenta portions in an ovenproof frying pan (skillet). Top with sauteed mushrooms and sliced taleggio. Place in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. 7. Once cheese is bubbly and edges of polenta are golden, remove from oven. Serve portions of hot polenta with mushrooms. Garnish with parsley.
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Gardening trends for your autumn revamp GARDENING activities for 2020 are focused on making the most of what you have and creating spaces that are good for all involved gardeners, local wildlife, and the earth as a whole. Gardening Vertically Owners and renters of small homes, condos, and apartments are finding creative ways to incorporate green into their lives, no matter the size of their space. These small gardens are called “micro-sized spaces with big impact.” One of the best and easiest ways to add green to a small space is through vertical gardening. Turning to tech for houseplant help Houseplants continue to get more and more popular as people recognize their mood-enhancing effects and contributions to decor. If you’d love to join the houseplant movement but need some help keeping your plant babies alive, you’re not alone! More and more gardeners are turning to garden tech to help keep their indoor greenery green. Composting for a more sustainable garden Though sustainable gardening isn’t new, we are happy to see that it’s a movement that continues to gain traction. Over the last few years we’ve seen gardeners switching to natural methods of pest control and taking steps to support local pollinators. One more way to garden sustainably is through composting. Some of the reasons composting is gaining ground includes reducing the carbon footprint, providing plants with nutrients they need to thrive, enhancing the fertility of garden soil and it can be done on both small and large properties.
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MULTIPLE BENEFITS: Using water efficient features such as fountains or bird baths from your own recycled supply enhances your entire garden.
DIYing and repurposing While making your own instead of buying prefabricated items has always been “in,” there has been a definite resurgence as awareness of the environmental impact of consumerism grows. Adding water for yourself and the birds As many garden designers say; the presence and sound of water in the garden is sparkly, restorative, refreshing, and relaxing.
Published seasonally into the Wangaratta Chronicle on a Friday and regionally on a Wednesday in the Myrtleford Times, Alpine Observer and Ovens & Murray Advertiser, this special quarterly supplement will be read by an estimated 25,000 people across North East Victoria.
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From DIY to major projects, from renovations to garden beds, and all things associated with keeping your home beautiful inside and out. Accessible at anytime, the most recent edition is online at nemedia.com.au/all-supplements P/31D56159/1220
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More and more gardeners are turning their gardens into retreats for relaxation, and including a fountain is part of the plan. If a fountain isn’t your thing, consider adding a bird bath. Birds need clean water to bathe and drink, so placing a birdbath in your garden and cleaning the water regularly will make a huge difference for birds in your area. Including plants that perform double duty
In the spirit of keeping things low maintenance, adding plants that have more to offer than just good looks has become more common. Here are some ideas of what to look for when shopping for plants. Scent - There’s nothing quite like walking through a beautiful garden and encountering plants with delightful fragrances - it’s a treat for the senses. Food - Landscapers tell us that many of their clients are asking for blueberries, thornless blackberries and raspberries. Easy access to delicious fruit. Cooling effects - Do you have a room in your house that gets unbearably hot? Plants can help! By installing an expandable trellis on the wall directly outside of the room and planting a quick-growing vine such as passionflower at its base, the plant will eventually block the sun from heating the wall. Mosquito repellent - If you have an issue with mosquitoes disturbing your time outdoors, take a look at these 12 mosquitorepellent plants. Plant them in or near the places where you spend the most time. Immersing yourself in beauty More and more people are realizing the restorative effects of being in nature (in fact, did you know that some doctors are prescribing time outdoors to their patients as way to help with chronic disease and increase health and happiness?). Taking a trip to a botanical garden or arboretum is a great way to immerse yourself in the beauty of plants and take a time out from the stresses of the real world. Plus, when you visit local gardens, you’ll get lots of great ideas for plants to add to your own garden.
Are you interested in advertising in our next edition? Contact the office today to find out more, 5723 0100
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What doesn’t go in your dishwasher IT’S pretty inhospitable inside your dishwasher, even on a gentle cycle. That’s why they clean so well, but it means not everything is dishwasher-safe. So what are you better off washing by hand according to Choice? Wine glasses Fragile glassware can scratch or break easily. So if you value your stemware then handwash it instead. Even durable drinking glasses can fall foul of the dishwasher and develop a white haze over time. Alkaline detergents slowly dissolve the glass itself (silicate filming and etching), leave tiny crystal formations (devitrification), and abrasives in the detergent can physically scour your glass (this gets worse with cheaper powder detergents). If you’re washing in hard water then you may even find cloudy calcium deposits on your glass, though unlike other causes of hazing, this can be removed. CHOICE tip: If your wine glasses have lingering red wine stains, use denture cleaner to remove them. Lead crystal Leave your nan’s lead crystal glassware in the display cabinet next to the teaspoons, because your dishwasher’s high temperature and alkaline detergent can convert the lead
into a soluble form which can be ingested next time you’re enjoying a creme de menthe. Delicate metals Sterling silver, pewter, aluminium, brass and copper will discolour in your dishwasher, and light aluminium items can also mark other items as they bump around during the wash cycle. Pewter can even warp due to its low melting point. Nonstick cookware Nonstick coatings will deteriorate rapidly in your dishwasher - follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to extend their life. (And ask yourself - if they’re really non-stick, why is there anything to wash off in the first place?) Hand-painted ceramics Glossy, gold-coloured or hand-painted items will dull and fade in your dishwasher, and fragile items can be damaged by bouncing against other items or even by thermal stress. Wood, glued or composite materials The glue that binds hollow-handle knives, wooden cutting boards or other laminates will melt or soften in a dishwasher, and high temperatures and moisture damage wood, so handwash wooden items instead. Plastics A hot dishwasher can warp or damage some plastics, and squeezing plastic items into small spaces may also cause warping -
BE SELECTIVE: Not everything is suitable for cleaning in your dishwasher.
so while you can put them in the dishwasher, they should go on the top shelf. Plastics also have a low thermal mass, so they don’t dry especially well in your dishwasher.
Cast iron Your dishwasher won’t damage the cast iron itself, but it will strip off the layers of seasoning that protect your pan from rust and make it virtually nonstick. But your skillet shouldn’t go near the sink either - just wipe it out with paper towel to clean it, and remove stubborn cooking remnants with salt and elbow grease. Sharp knives Dishwasher-wise, your good knives don’t make the cut - their high carbon steel corrodes rapidly in your dishwasher’s harsh, alkaline environment, and bouncing around with other items will dull carefully honed cutting edges. Plus, emptying the dishwasher is a far riskier proposition with a 6” chef’s knife somewhere inside. Other contaminants Items contaminated with wax, cigarette ash, poisons, mineral oils, wet paints and oiled tools should never go in your dishwasher, as contaminants can be left behind and redeposited on future loads. Likewise, objects contaminated by solvents or flammable liquids could explode in a dishwasher, so (carefully) handwash them instead. Check out Choice.com.au for more household tips.