Southern Shores | Your Guide For Coastal Living

Your Guide For Coastal Living

PVC plantation shutters: Are they actually worth the money?

Date July 10, 2025 Category Home Design

Your windows probably aren’t working as hard as they could be are they? Maybe you’re sick of constantly adjusting blinds that never quite block the light properly or you’re dealing with curtains that collect dust all the time.

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about plantation shutters but can’t decide if PVC is worth it or whether to stick with timber?

PVC plantation shutters have become quite popular recently but there’s still some untrue information floating around about what they can and can’t do.

How to Increase Your Home’s Value with the Right Paint Job

Date July 2, 2025 Category Home Maintenance

Thinking about selling? Or maybe you want to freshen your space up?

Well one of the simplest ways to bump up your home’s value is paint!

Now before you roll your eyes and mutter something about obvious advice, hang on a sec.

Glass Pool Fencing: Safety, Style & Installation for Australian Homes

Date June 13, 2025 Category Gardens & Landscaping

Glass pool fencing looks amazing but choosing the wrong system for your pool is expensive.

You spend thousands on what you think is a safety solution and then find out it doesn’t meet Australian standards or your local council requirements because you picked something designed for overseas markets.

Using Pantry Labels To Help You Properly Organise Your Pantry

Date March 27, 2025 Category Home Design

In most homes, the pantry will be in one of three states of order which are, completely unorganised, somewhat organised, or well organised, and for many of those pantries that are organised well, it is pantry labels that have contributed massively to that level of order being possible.

For anyone wondering what pantry labels are, the answer is they could not be any simpler as they are labels that are durable, easy to apply, and can be used to label just about anything you can think of in your pantry.

Transform Your Home: Expert Interior Design Tips to Create a Space You’ll Love

Date January 21, 2025 Category Home Design

Transform Your Home: Expert Interior Design Tips to Create a Space You’ll Love

Home truly is our special place. With summer approaching, it’s the perfect time to refresh your living space. The good news? Creating beautiful interiors doesn’t require a huge budget—often small furniture updates and simple home improvements can make a big difference without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re working remotely, exercising at home, or simply relaxing after work, there are numerous design approaches to maximise your space. Below are some essential guidelines that professional interior designers use to create stylish homes.

GIB Tiling suggests that before you contact a tiler, consider how colours affect the atmosphere of your rooms. Colours play a crucial role in setting the mood throughout your home. Warm tones like red, yellow, and orange bring energy and comfort—making them great choices for living areas where people gather.

Cool colours such as blue, grey, and green promote tranquillity, perfect for bedrooms or home offices where focus and relaxation are important. White and beige serve as versatile neutral foundations that bring balance and flexibility to any space.

How to Select the Best Concrete Mix for Your Outdoor Projects

Date August 14, 2024 Category Renovating

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Hey there, DIY enthusiasts and home improvement heroes! Grab your hard hats and let’s dive into the world of concrete. Whether you’re planning to pour a new patio, build a sturdy retaining wall, or create some funky garden sculptures, choosing the right concrete mix is crucial.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty (metaphorically, of course – always use the right building supplies and wear gloves when working with concrete!)

Why the Right Concrete Mix Matters

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why choosing the right concrete mix is so important. I remember my first concrete project – a simple path from my back door to the garage.

I thought, “Concrete is concrete, right?” Wrong! I ended up with a crumbly mess that looked more like a rocky road than a smooth path.

The right concrete mix can mean the difference between a project that lasts for decades and one that crumbles faster than a cookie in milk. It affects everything from how easy the concrete is to work with, to how strong and durable the final product will be.

Heritage Home Renovation Specialists: Blending Old and New

Date August 7, 2024 Category Renovating

Heritage Home Renovation Specialists: Blending Old and New

Owning a heritage house is a privilege.

It’s not just any dwelling space – there’s interesting history behind it.

However, having this type of property does come with disadvantages. To maintain its historic charm, you’ve got to give it a bit of TLC, so it can adapt to the modern century.

Thankfully, there are heritage home renovation specialists like Northside Developments who can do the tasks for you.

Now let’s enter the world of heritage renovations in Perth and learn how to breathe new life into these architectural wonders.

Plant Smart: The Art of Selecting the Perfect Plants for Your Landscape Design

Date March 10, 2024 Category Gardens & Landscaping

Creating a landscape that mesmerizes and thrives is akin to painting a masterpiece. The key lies in choosing the right plants – a decision that intertwines aesthetics, environment, and functionality. Let’s delve into the art of selecting the perfect plants for your landscape design, transforming your garden into a living work of art.

Understand Your Landscape’s Microclimate

Every garden has its unique microclimate, influenced by factors like sunlight, wind, and soil type.

Tips:

Sunlight Analysis: Observe how sunlight moves across your property.
Soil Testing: Understanding your soil type helps in selecting plants that will thrive.

Aesthetic Alignment: Choosing Plants that Complement Your Home

The best landscapes create a harmonious balance between the house and the garden. This synergy is achieved by choosing plants that complement the architectural style of your home.

Considerations:

Color Coordination: Select plants whose colors enhance the hues of your home.
Architectural Symmetry: Choose plant shapes and sizes that complement your home’s architectural features.

Smooth Moves: Tips and Tricks for Stress-Free Removals in Your House and Garden

Date February 22, 2024 Category New Home

Moving into a new home is a big event that can be both exciting and stressful. The thought of moving your life and garden can be overwhelming, but the idea of a new place to live is like a fresh start. The good news is that your move can go as smoothly as the sea if you plan ahead and know what you’re doing. These insider tips and tricks from furniture removalists that will help you make the change without stress by helping you focus on the important things with ease.

Before the Move

Craft a Checklist

Make a simple list to begin. What needs to happen before the big day? When you break things up into manageable pieces, you can turn big problems into small ones.

Declutter with Purpose

Take this chance to go through your things. It might be time to part ways if it doesn’t make you happy or carry you forward. Moving is easier when you don’t have as much to carry.

Packing Like a Pro

Room-by-Room Focus

Take it one room at a time to keep from getting too stressed. It makes progress clear and cuts down on chaos, which makes packing (and unpacking) more organised.

Label Love

Mark each box with the room it goes to and a short description of what’s inside. This one simple step will make moving day go much more quickly.

How to Create a Dog Friendly Landscape Design

Date February 19, 2024 Category Home Design

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Since dogs are a large part of many people’s lives, Perth landscapers must consider this when creating a landscape design. After all, dogs have needs, too. Making an outdoor space that does not consider their needs will mean that the dog is always getting into trouble for ruining the garden, or the owner is dissatisfied with the result of the dog’s natural activities. The way out of the dilemma is to plan a dog-friendly landscape design but one that is also person-friendly.

What do dogs like to do?

To do this, you have to remember – or find out – what is natural for a dog to do. Most people know dogs like to roll around on the grass, dig holes, and pee on the lawn. Many people don’t realize that dogs are highly territorial and like to run around the boundaries of their backyard to protect it. The trouble is that most outside areas include a narrow garden along the boundaries.

Must-Have Items for a Bathroom Upgrade

Date January 19, 2024 Category Renovating

Bathroom Upgrade

Bathrooms, like anything, have an expiry date. They may not go off like milk in your fridge, but they get to a point where they are no longer serving their purpose correctly. If your bathroom is at that stage, it’s a good idea to start looking at a bathroom renovation to change things like shower screens, faucets, paint schemes, and tiles.

However, even though you might know your bathroom is past its used-by date, you might not know where to begin. How could you start a bathroom upgrade without knowing what it needs? Read on to discover what building materials and items should appear in your new bathroom.

Shower Screens

There’s nothing dowdier or dated than a shower curtain. They stick to your body in the breeze of a ventilation fan, harbor mold and mildew, and often aren’t the prettiest. They may shield your body from prying eyes while you clean yourself, but that’s where the benefits stop.

Shower screens, however, provide both protection and privacy most stylishly yet. They are custom-fitted to your preferences and requirements and come with many benefits. They are easy to clean, can be framed or frameless, and could even have foggy glass for privacy. The best part is that something as simple as a shower screen can add a touch of contemporary elegance you may not have thought was possible.

7 Simple Actions That Extend The Lifespan Of Domestic Carpets

Date January 19, 2024 Category Home Maintenance

Buying carpets for your home is not the cheapest investment you will make domestically, and even after they have been purchased, if you want them to last, you will have to spend money on cleaning services and maintenance to keep them looking good for as long as possible.

As for why you would want them to look good for longer, there is the obvious one: you will not have to replace them as often, thus saving you money. We also presume that you take pride in your home and want it to look smart whenever guests visit. There is also the possibility that one day you might want to sell your home, whereby well-maintained, clean carpets will help in that endeavor.

Thankfully, there are numerous actions you can take to ensure or at least help your carpets have a long lifespan and, throughout that time, look at their best. Here are seven of those actions.

Start By Purchasing Only High-Quality Carpets

Whilst the others are actions taken after you purchase carpets, this is one that you decide upon beforehand. If your budget allows, buy the best quality carpets that you can. The reasons are that they will not only look and feel better, but they will be more robust thanks to better workmanship and higher quality materials that should last longer.

Downsizing Your Home? Consider Renting a Storage Unit

Date January 11, 2024 Category New Home

Downsizing your home can be a great way to simplify your life and reduce your expenses. However, it can also be a challenge to figure out what to do with your belongings, so why not consider using a facility that offers storage space for rent and store your items there? Apart from solving the obvious problem of lack of space, there are multiple reasons why renting storage units in Perth makes sense when downsizing your home, so let us look at some of those benefits.

Peace of Mind: We are placing this first because moving home is stressful enough. Renting secure storage to allay any concerns or worries about lack of space brings you peace of mind, which is undoubtedly a paramount benefit. With the peace of mind that a storage unit provides, you can focus on downsizing your home without worrying about the security of your belongings or where you will store them.

More Space In Your New Home: Downsizing your home can be challenging with limited space. Renting a storage unit provides extra space to store your belongings until you are ready to use them again. This can help you avoid cluttering your new, smaller home and provide a solution for storing sentimental items, seasonal decorations, or excess furniture. Also, you can keep your new home organized, comfortable, and tidy with more available space.

Save Money: Renting a storage unit can be a cost-effective solution for storing your belongings, especially compared to the cost of renting a larger home or getting rid of and replacing them later. You only pay for the space you need, and you can choose a unit that fits your budget. With a storage unit, you can keep your expenses under control and avoid the need to spend more on removalists than might be the case if you were moving everything at once.

All You Need To Know About Air Conditioning Government Rebates In Western Australia

Date September 27, 2023 Category General

Whether you have ducted air conditioning, split system air conditioning, or a portable air conditioning unit in your home, one thing they all have in common is that they cost you money. Those costs include the original purchase price and installation, if applicable. Maintenance, cleaning, repair, and running expenses have energy bills, including the electricity used to operate your air conditioning.

For many, depending on where they live, the cost of air conditioning is considered essential due to the climate of the location. For example, residents in cities such as Perth, WA, will need air conditioning more due to almost constant high temperatures than in Hobart, Tasmania, where average temperatures are below 20 degrees centigrade throughout the year, including in summer.

Some argue that this places an unfair burden on those citizens who live in Western Australia compared to those living in more temperate areas. Suppose you live in Perth and are considering investing in an air conditioning system from the professionals at Air & Water. In that case, this article will briefly examine what government financial support or rebates are available for those in Western Australia who purchase and use air conditioning in their homes.

Energy Concession Extension Scheme

For residents and homeowners in Western Australia, the primary financial support for conditioning comes from a program called the Energy Concession Extension Scheme, which is shortened to ECES.

The ECES is paid out annually to those entitled to it, and its purpose is to provide financial assistance for energy costs, specifically electric bills related to air conditioning in the home. The scheme has three main elements which are:

Energy Assistance Payment
Dependent Child Rebate
Air Conditioning Rebate

Whilst only one of the three elements specifies an air conditioning rebate, their energy bills will be reduced if someone is entitled to all three. It also follows that not qualifying for Energy Assistance Payment or Dependent Child Rebate does not preclude someone from qualifying for the Air Conditioning Rebate and being able to reduce their electricity bills with that.

Energy Concession Scheme Eligibility

As with any scheme, eligibility rules specify who can and cannot claim it. Firstly, those who pay their bills to either Horizon Power or Synergy must contact those companies to discuss their eligibility, as they cannot claim via this scheme. Other electrical company customers, including Alinta Sales and Perth Energy, may be eligible if they meet other criteria.

The following criterion is the accommodation type, with only certain types of accommodation being eligible. These are:

Apartment buildings
Retirement villages
Long-stay caravan parks
Tenants whose landlords recoup electricity costs for bills they have paid to Horizon Power or Synergy

Air Conditioning Rebate

Eligibility for this rebate will first depend on where your home is located within Western Australia and, more specifically, whether that location experiences prolonged periods of heat discomfort.

For those living in the eligible locations, the following criteria that must be met are having a WA Seniors Card and any of the following:

Veterans’ Affairs Concession Card
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

An alternative means of qualifying for the Air Conditioning Rebate is having dependent children and any of the following:

Veterans’ Affairs Veterans’ Concession Card
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Veterans’ Affairs Veterans’
Centrelink Health Care Card

Finally, for anyone experiencing extreme financial hardship and who might be at risk of being disconnected, the Western Austrian Government’s HardsGovernment’sGrant Scheme (HUGS) is an option to consider.

Dealing with Noisy Car Exhausts from Neighbors: A Guide to Finding Peace At Home.

Date August 9, 2023 Category General

Unfortunately, many of us have been in a situation where the serenity of our living spaces is disrupted by the thunderous roar of a neighbour’s over-the-top car exhausts. It sounds similar to having an unexpected rock concert invading your sanctuary of peace and quiet. Handling this noise can be quite a challenge, but don’t worry; we’re here to offer some suggestions to help you navigate this issue in a way that will keep the overall peace with your neighbours, too, as angry neighbours may be even worse than loud exhausts!

You can consider several approaches depending on the circumstances and your rapport with your neighbour.

1. Addressing the Noise Directly

If having an honest conversation with your neighbour or involving authorities feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. There are subtle ways to mitigate the disturbance. You can experiment with white noise machines, noise-cancelling headphones, or good old-fashioned earplugs. These tactics work best when you’re indoors and seeking respite. While soundproofing might seem like the ultimate solution, it can be pretty expensive and is more suitable for interior spaces.

2. The Art of Open Communication

Sometimes, a simple chat can work wonders. Knock on your neighbour’s door and engage in a friendly conversation about the noise issue. They might not even know how disruptive their car’s noise is. When approaching the topic, do so with a friendly demeanour and an empathetic tone. You’d be amazed at how practical this approach can be in resolving the matter without any ill feelings.

How To Choose The Right Solar System For Your Home

Date March 18, 2023 Category Home Maintenance, Renovating

How To Choose The Right Solar System For Your Home

When writing, the worldwide market for solar systems that generate electricity is over 270 billion AUD. For us here in Australia, we can take particular pride in knowing that no other country in the world has a greater percentage uptake of domestic solar systems, with over 30% of residences already having had a good sense of installing solar panels.

If you have not yet joined the many Australian homeowners who already benefit from solar energy but wish to, continue reading which will help ensure a seamless selection of a solar energy system for your home.

Seek Recommendations And Reviews

Start your search by asking for recommendations from your friends and family because, as we have already mentioned, around a third of those you know are likely to have migrated to using solar power. They can provide you with feedback on the benefits and drawbacks of their various systems and identify solar panel companies they recommend. This way, you can avoid solar energy systems unlikely to meet your requirements.

In addition to seeking recommendations from those you know, you can also research online. Review websites such as Trustpilot and the websites of local solar panel companies will provide lots of information and feedback. Only consider solar panel systems and installation companies with multiple positive reviews.

Consider The Various Types Of Solar Systems

Solar panels fall into three main categories, each with specific pros and cons. Understanding each type is crucial to you making the right choice, so here are the main types to consider.

An Overview of the Different Types of Truck Trailers

Date February 23, 2023 Category General

An Overview of the Different Types of Truck Trailers

Buying a truck trailer – or thinking about buying a truck trailer is an important decision for any transportation-related company.

With a truck trailer, businesses can significantly enhance their ability to transport goods, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. But with so many types, sizes, and models on the market, it’s essential to identify the most advantageous option. Investing has many benefits, and by understanding each type of trailer’s features, capacity, and flexibility, you can make an informed choice that meets your needs and budget.

Whether you are looking for a nice flatbed trailer, an enclosed trailer, a tilt or drop deck trailer, or a specialized trailer, there are many options to choose from.

Maximizing payloads

Investing in a truck trailer can be an excellent way for businesses to maximize their payloads and save on overhead costs. They are designed to maximize the weight capacity of a truck, allowing people to haul more items per load and reduce their transportation costs. It can also reduce their carbon footprint, as fewer trips will be required for a given shipment, thus reducing fuel consumption. Truck trailers can be customized to meet specific requirements, allowing you to take advantage of the latest technologies further to increase the efficiency and safety of their operations.

8 Carpet Types And Recommendations For Cleaning Each Of Them

Date November 15, 2022 Category Home Maintenance

8 Carpet Types And Recommendations For Cleaning Each Of Them

If the majority or all of the flooring in your home is carpeted, then you will know that carpet cleaning is essential to keep those carpets looking great and prolonging their lifetime. Carpets are certainly not the cheapest items you can buy to enhance the interior of your home and the fact is, there will be less to spend on other desirable items if you keep having to replace your carpets sooner than expected.

When we use the term carpet cleaning, we are not referring to one specific carpet cleaning process but rather to several processes which constitute a carpet being cleaned effectively. Professional carpet cleaning companys use their cleaning methods such as vacuuming, spot cleaning stains, and shampooing. In addition, it is important to know that not every carpet type will benefit from the same types of carpet cleaning processes.

Further to that is the fact that what will work for one carpet to clean it properly, may not work for other types of carpet and worse may even damage other carpet types. It is therefore essential that you know what carpet cleaning is appropriate for the types of carpets that you have in your home. To help you with that task here are eight popular carpet types with various piles and materials and the most effective means by which they should be cleaned.

Carpet Type #1 – Wool: A luxurious carpet material, and thankfully wool carpets are also one of the most dirt resistant that you can buy although they can still stain. Water and some mild spot cleaning fluid will remove stains but for proper cleaning of wool carpets, you should call in professional carpet cleaners.

5 Benefits Of Having Your Home’s Exterior Pressure Cleaned

Date June 23, 2022 Category Home Maintenance

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Ask people how the interior of their home should be cleaned, and most should be able to give a reasonable answer, however, ask the same question about their home’s exterior, and many will struggle, and that, unfortunately, means that they may not be aware of the advantages of pressure cleaning.

Pressure cleaning is a relatively simple process whereby water is blasted toward a target using a high-pressure cleaning device. This requires a supply of water, the apparatus to generate the water pressure, and a wand with a nozzle to direct the water where intended.

You can buy pressure cleaners to use yourself, however, the best advice if you wish to use pressure cleaning to clean outside your home, is to hire a professional pressure cleaning company. Not only will they have the best pressure cleaning equipment, but they will also have the knowledge and experience to complete any pressure cleaning work successfully.

Homeowners wishing the exterior of their home to be pressure cleaned is one of the most common reasons pressure cleaning companies are hired. This results in several benefits, and if you read on you will see that we have explained five of those benefits for you.

How Siri, Alexa, And Google Assistant Can Boost Your Household’s Oral Hygiene

Date May 4, 2022 Category Home Design, New Home

How Siri, Alexa, And Google Assistant Can Boost Your Household's Oral Hygiene

One thing that transforms how dentists work, and the sorts of dental treatments that are available to everyone, is technology. Examples include digital x-rays, laser treatments, and dental implants which are the modern alternative to having dentures. We are also at the stage where technology available to us at home can also positively impact our dental health.

We are not talking about DIY dentistry at home, but instead, technology that can help everyone care for our teeth and gums better than we have done so before. One prime example of this is home assistants. This is not someone turning up at your home to whiten your teeth but instead, devices which include Google Assistant, Siri from Apple, and Amazon’s Alexa.

If you have never heard of these or what they do, here is the briefest of explanations. They are small, portable devices that sit in any room at home to which you give voice commands. Depending on the voice command you give, your home assistant will answer or carry out a function.

If you wish to listen to your favourite music, tell your home assistant, and it will start playing it. Want to know what the traffic is like before you set off to work, your home assistant will tell you. Want current share prices, the latest news, or the weather, they can all be asked for vocally and your home assistant will give you the answer vocally too.