Paul has been a plumber and gas fitter for over 30 years, but his interest in a trade began as a child watching and learning the craft of engineering and joinery from his father.
After completing school, working in a bank and then delivering seafood he decided on a career in Plumbing. He excelled in his apprenticeship coming second in the Victorian Workskills Competition. This earned him a place in the Nationals where he narrowly missed travelling to Sweden to compete in the World Championship.
He also inherited a strong work ethic and perfection in whatever he sets his mind to so, after working on construction sites and
general plumbing, he started his own business installing heating and cooling systems. He has since branched out to renovations, including tiling, welding, flooring as well as general property maintenance.
His love and pride in his family (wife Danielle, daughters Leilani, Kianna and ‘son’ English Staffy – Buddy) extends to his work and completing a job to exceed expectations.
His warm and vibrant personality are apparent when meeting and talking to people and especially animated and vocal when supporting his beloved Hawks.
His innovative ideas in coming up with a solution to customer’s needs match his creativity in the kitchen, where he can serve up a hearty curry or a delicate prawn ravioli.
From home life to work life Paul excels in being present and committed and always the right person for the job.
We are proud to work with Paul Bartolo. So much so that he is considered an integral part of our business and, an official member of the SSRE Team
The doors of Melbourne’s hospitality venues were shuttered for dine-in services when the federal government announced a nationwide shutdown. Now, dining establishments around Melbourne have been given the green light to start operations again – though within strict physical distancing parameters. As of June 1, venues will be allowed to have a maximum of 20 patrons at one time.
We’ve collated a rolling list of Melbourne’s venues that will be offering dine-in services. It’s by no means an exhaustive list of the venues taking action right now; rules and restrictions are changing quickly, and everyone is doing their best to keep up. We recommend checking the social media accounts of your favourite venues for the most up-to-date information.
Note that with the number of patrons capped at 20 people, bookings are essential for all venues on this list unless otherwise stated. Don’t be a jerk and do a no-show; people’s livelihoods are at stake.
Where you can eat
CBD
Embla
Book your seat online at one of Melbourne’s most-loved wine bars serving food cooked over woodfire from June 1.
Daughter In Law
Modern Indian food served with high spirits, smart cocktails and a punchy wine list can be enjoyed in-house from June 1. Book online.
Mrs Singh
Book your table online to be in one of three seatings at Jessi Singh’s ‘Champagne disco’ where you can pair Champagne (obviously), classic wines and modern cocktails with bar snacks injected with an Indian flair. Don’t go past the butter chicken paté.
Marameo
Great news! Marameo will be trading under its usual (and full) hours from June 3, so call your closest friends and plan your lunch and dinners. Bookings are essential via its website and takeaway will run until restrictions are lifted.
Cumulus Inc
Melbourne’s original all-day diner is back, with a few changes. Bookings can be made via the website and for parties six and larger. An email will be required to see if the restaurant can accommodate. Seating times will be in place for each service, check the website for more details.
Supernormal
Lunch ramen and dinner banquets featuring Supernormal’s greatest hits will be back from June 6. Bookings are possible for both services and available on its website. Email through if you have a party of 8 or more.
Ruyi
Want a venue all to yourself for a private function? Modern Chinese restaurant, Ruyi is offering this from Mondays to Wednesdays from June 4, with regular dining from Thursdays to Saturdays. Book online.
Mjolner
For some escapist dining and drinking, Mjolner is reopening on Fridays and Saturdays from June 5. Walk-ins are welcome, but bookings via the website are strongly recommended due to dine-in restrictions.
Eau de Vie
For speakeasy-style drinking and dining, from June 5, you can book a table or even an event at Eau de Vie. It will be open on Fridays and Saturdays only until restrictions ease.
Boilermaker House
If your whisky collection is looking a bit sad and you’re hanging out for some beer on tap, you’ll only have to hold out until June 5 for some variety. Boilermaker will be open for walk-ins and functions on Fridays and Saturdays, but bookings are strongly encouraged.
Fancy Hanks
Rip into some smoked meats and southern classics from June 1 by booking a table via Fancy Hanks’ website. Capacity is reduced due to government restrictions, so risking a walk-in would not be recommended.
Tian38
From June 1, chilli crab jaffles, bottomless yum cha brunch, short rib Vegemite rendang and taro-misu will be back in action at the modern Chinese diner, Tian38. Walk-ins welcome.
North
Ides
The dining room will reopen from June 4 so you can smash (quite literally) that Masterchef Black Box dessert for yourself. Book via the website.
Bar Liberty
Capacity is severely capped, but word is Liberty will be open for bookings from June 1 via its website. In the meantime, it will continue its ready-made meal service and takeaway bottle shop.
Capitano
This red sauce restaurant will reopen the week of June 1 with bookings available online. Takeaway and delivery will still run until a full restaurant dine-in is available.
Ichi Ni Nana
The benefit of having many private rooms is being able to serve more people. Book a spot for you and your friends via the website to enjoy modern Japanese izakaya food and drinks. Just be aware that each seating is one hour and 45 minutes long, so don’t be late.
Builders Arms Hotel
Do you miss the whipped cod roe, cheeseburger and meat from the rotisserie? Well, Builders is back from June 1 for meals in the public bar and dining room. Bookings are essential via the website. Email for parties larger than 8.
Cutler and Co
From June 4, McConnell’s fine-diner will open Thursdays-Sundays and will be running a more relaxed service for all-day dining on Sundays. As always, bookings are essential.
Future Mountain
Reservoir’s brewhouse will reopen from June 4 with capped numbers for dining and drinking in. Roadhouse BBQ will be providing smoked meats to go with those beers, but if you’re unable to be seated, one-litre howlers are still being delivered within a five-kilometre radius.
Red Sparrow Pizza
From June 1, you’ll be able to order your vegan pizza and eat it in-store as well. Bookings are essential and can be made via its website.
Old Raffles Place
This family-owned and operated Singaporean restaurant in Collingwood is reopening from June 2. Enjoy its signature laksa, Assam dishes and street food classics by calling 03 9417 4450 to make a booking.
Mary Eats Cake
Book your next high-tea experience at this Brunswick cafe. Enjoy scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and artisan teas from June 4 by booking your seat on its website.
Ciao Mamma
Do you miss receiving your pasta in a bowl rather than a takeaway container? Ciao Mamma is reopening for sit-down dining from June 2. Book via the website.
The Rochester Hotel
Pub meals, pints and good banter will return to the Rochey from June 5. The pub will open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until restrictions are lifted. Booking can be made via email.
Teta Mona
If you’ve got a hankering for some vegan-friendly Lebanese soul food, make a booking at Teta Mona for June 1 now by calling 03 9380 6680. It’s not that the entire menu is vegan, but if you bring your vegan mate, they won’t miss out.
Rin Sura
Brunswick neighbourhood favourite, Rin Sura, is back from June 2, dishing up modern Thai food. Call 03 9942 7047 for more information and how to book.
Old Kingdom
If iso-life has robbed you of the communal, sliced-at-the-table, Peking duck experience with a side of sass, cheap BYO and guaranteed good times, then call 03 9417 2438 to book the number of ducks you’d like to push down your face hole from June 1.
Lagoon Dining
From June 4, Lagoon is opening its doors from Thursdays to Sundays to serve up its modern Chinese menu. Bookings are essential and available via the website. If there is a demand for dining in, the team will extend its days of trade.
Carlton Wine Room
The benefit of having so many rooms and private areas is that Carlton Wine Room will be able to serve its anchovy on fried bread, boozy rum baba and excellent wine list to more people than most venues. Doors are set to open from June 1 with seatings being limited to 1.5hrs. Bookings are available via its website and it will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the restrictions change.
West
Bia Hoi
Jerry Mai’s Vietnamese beer hall and grill restaurant will reopen June 3. Book via the website.
Dukkah
You can enjoy Middle Eastern fusion that is vegan, vegetarian and coeliac friendly in South Kingsville’s Dukkah by calling 03 9399 3737 to book your table from June 2.
South
Yagiz
Toorak Road’s Turkish fine diner will open its doors on June 2 with a 6pm and 8pm seating, with the ability to accommodate for 20 people. Bookings are essential and can be made via the website.
Omnia
Bookings will be available from June 1 at South Yarra’s swanky fine diner.
Bang Bang at the Rifle Club
Bang Bang will reopen with a new menu, serving up the same Asian-fusion flavours it’s known for. With limited seats available at any time, bookings are essential and can be made through emailing the restaurant directly with your enquiry.
Bar Carolina
Miss being seen while eating stellar Italian fare? Bar Carolina is opening from June 1 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bookings must be made via the website, but don’t despair if you miss out, takeaway will still be running until the restrictions are fully lifted.
Tetto di Carolina
Dining in Tetto will resume under varied hours from June 3, with up-to-date hours and bookings available through the website. We hear whispers of a whole new menu, so keep an eye out.
Ichi Ni
The benefit of having many private rooms is being able to serve more people. Book a spot for you and your friends via the website to enjoy modern Japanese izakaya food and drinks. Just be aware that each seating is one hour and 45 minutes long, so don’t be late.
Point Leo Estate and Laura
If you like your meals with a side of sculpture park, you’ll be glad to hear that Mornington Peninsula’s Point Leo Estate and its fine-diner counterpart Laura is reopening from June 1 for lunch, 7 days, and dinner from Thursdays to Sunday. Bookings are essential via its website.
Miyako
This 20-year-old Japanese diner and teppanyaki house in Southbank is taking bookings for June 1 and beyond. With private dinings rooms and different zones, there will be capacity for more than 20 diners, but bookings are still essential via the website.
Oro Bianco
If you plan on going to Dandenong from June 1 and suspect you’ll be craving Italian food cooked in a woodfire oven, Oro Bianco is taking bookings via its website. The full menu will be on offer and Oro Bianco will be open seven days.
Ripponlea Food and Wine
From June 3, you’ll be able to book into one of three seatings, which run for 1.5 hours each, including a cocktail hour beginning at 4.30pm. The full a la carte menu will be available alongside specials like pasta Wednesdays and Negroni Thursdays. Bookings are available via the website and takeaway will be running alongside dine-in until restrictions change.
East
Mister Bianco
Joe Vargetto will be running an authentic Sicilian menu for dining in, along with the hot pick-up and delivery service. Guests will be seated in the main dining room and also in the private dining areas. Call 03 9853 6929 or email [email protected] for bookings.
Future Future
Bookings for this casual Aussie-Japanese restaurant are now available online. Takeaway will also run until restrictions are fully lifted.
Oster
This modern Italian eatery is now taking bookings for June 1 and beyond. Visit its website or call 03 9428 0749 to make a reservation.
O My
Beaconsfield’s farm-to-table favourite is reopening with bookings available from June 4. Book online, via its website.
Augello’s
This Balwyn pizzeria and restaurant is reopening from June 1 for reservations. Order from an extensive menu of traditional and gourmet pizza. Ring 03 9830 4700 to reserve your table.
We Melburnians are serious about coffee, which means quality beans and brewing kits are a home necessity
Melburnians are notorious coffee snobs. We are proud of our coffee culture, the quality and standards that we have set for ourselves and the rest of the world recognises that. It is not unusual to come across a commercial set up in someone’s home or be served coffee out of an Aeropress in an office. Thankfully, along with the gadgets, quality beans in whatever form designed for your ideal preparation is always available to be delivered to you – these are the cream of the crop. Need some food to go with that delivery coffee? These restaurants will sort you out. Prefer to go out for food instead? Head to a farmers market.
The best coffee delivery in Melbourne
Market Lane Coffee: Queen Victoria Market
Market Lane, one of the first and best specialty coffee shops in Melbourne has opened its fourth store inside the deli hall. It’s the same deal here as at all the other joints – brewing equipment and bags of freshly roasted coffee beans fill an immaculately designed space. Owners Fleur Studd and Jason Scheltus are two of the most coffee-devoted individuals in this city. Hit the website to order single bags, coffee subscriptions according to your consumption, equipment and even find out the best methods for brewing at home.
Restaurants- St Ali, South Melbourne
Melbourne’s most well-known specialty coffee house, St Ali, will deliver single bags of coffee, coffee packs, subscriptions, its own instant coffee, tea and even hand sanitiser to your door. Brewing kits from St Ali are just as serious as its coffee offering, with Moccamasters coming with coffee subscriptions and La Marzocco machines available for purchase alongside a personal training session from its award-winning staff. St Ali takes caffeine very seriously.
Coffee at Parlour Lane Roasters
It started out as a third-wave café in Melbourne, now it’s a coffee empire. Proud Mary wears many fancy hats: unbelievably popular warehouse-style café in Collingwood, wholesale coffee roasters stocking some of Melbourne’s best venues and training ground for award-winning baristas. The online store stocks a range of its beans, from blends to single-origin and the pricey, coveted Geisha available only via subscription.
Coffee at Seven Seeds
Seven Seeds is all about the coffee: see the in-house coffee plants, coffee laboratory and temperature-controlled storage space. Do they make a good coffee? The answer, folks, is yes. Order the beans online where each blend or roast is accompanied by as much detail as you would receive if you were in store. So shop with confidence. You can always refer to the website for brewing instructions, or even the best coffee to suit the equipment you already have at home. Brilliant.
Restaurants, Cafés, Dukes Coffee Roasters
Melbourne
Inside the beautiful old Ross House building on Flinders Lane is Dukes Coffee Roasters. It’s committed to ethical trading with coffee sourced from farms and small co-operatives that they bring home to roast here in Melbourne. Purchase bags or subscriptions via its website, alongside basic equipment perfect for a filter drinker.
Three Thousand Thieves
If you like to spread the love, Three Thousand Thieves only offers coffee subscriptions and highlights a different local roastery every month. Each roastery that is involved picks the beans they want to highlight so you can get excited about what they’re excited about, too. Who knows, maybe you have preferred a high acid profile rather than nutty all along. This is probably how you will find out.
Axil Coffee Roasters, Melbourne
The priority at Axil is high quality, ethical coffee. Its environmentally and socially friendly beans are roasted locally in Hawthorn. Coffee from its online store is available in 250-gram bags or one kilo. If you’re the set-it-and-forget-it kind of person, subscriptions deliver fortnightly or monthly. Make sure you already have your equipment, though, Axil is all about the beans.
Code Black Coffee North Melbourne
Roasters opening cafés is a formula that’s worked brilliantly because you already know the ingredients are excellent, which is the story for Code Black Coffee. Its website is a one-stop-shop where you can pick up beans, Hario gear and even a La Marzocco machine to make the perfect espresso at home.
If you’re struggling with that balcony garden, here are some handy tips on how to kickstart growth with Mat Pember from Little Veggie Patch Co. Being self-sufficient is a brilliant step in the right direction for sustainability and filling in all those extra hours in the day that we now have. But it is even hard for the most advanced gardener to achieve. Growing your own food is not as easy as throwing a few seeds into a pot and feasting in a fortnight. We spoke to Mat Pember, co-owner of the local, independent nursery Little Veggie Patch Co, about how to grow food anywhere, successfully, and in a calm and rational manner.
Infrastructure is the first big mistake people can make when they first start gardening
“People think that the more pots they have, the more food they can grow. This isn’t necessarily true. Pots can be too small for what people want to grow and it can lead to the plant dying too quickly, there is not enough nutrition in the soil, there is no room for the plant to move and it becomes pot bound and stunted.”
There is no such thing as a bargain with soil
“The quality of soil correlates to how you grow things. There is only one soil supplier who supplies all the nurseries in Melbourne. Even if you buy cheap soil, you will have to add nutrients to it which will end up costing you more in the long run if you are to successfully grow anything in it.”
It is important to know when to plant things
“Planting out of season is probably one of the biggest mistakes people can make. Some people start planting tomatoes in August, but you really can’t put them in the ground before November. If you’ve missed the window, I’d recommend going to a nursery and buying seedlings instead of pushing through. Knowing if you can directly plant into a patch versus propagating and transplanting into a garden is important as well. People can be derailed from the very beginning.”
Don’t forget to buy something you can water with
“People often forget about watering. I’d recommend something with a fan spray so it doesn’t blast your seedlings from the soil. You don’t always need a spade. If you’re going in a pot, use your hands. Then, you can afford a better quality potting mix (so you don’t need fertiliser or additives) and spend on the plants that you want. I’d also advise buying a net to keep away the cabbage moths and caterpillars.”
To get the most out of your plants, knowing when to harvest is key
“People usually wait for a full head of lettuce before they harvest, but it’s a super delicate situation. There is a very short time frame between it tasting like lettuce and overcooking, shooting a seed head and becoming really bitter. You can actually harvest it leaf by leaf and you’re letting the plant become more productive. Beans and peas should always be picked. This way, you free up energy on the plant and end up producing more. It’s amazing how much food is wasted by it going to seed or bolting.”
Grow high-yield and high-return food
“Leafy greens and herbs are the best value foods you can grow. They keep reproducing and you can always preserve, freeze or dry them if you have too much. Growing with some foresight helps, as you might have nothing when you put the seeds down, but all of a sudden, you can end up with too much.”
Saving your seeds to replant will give you better-performing plants each year
“Everyone has the ability to save heirloom seeds each year and build on how they perform in their own climate. Chillies, tomatoes, eggplants and capsicums will perform better next year in the same climate and spot. Fruiting vegetables are easy to extract the seeds from, leafy greens are a bit harder as you’ll have to let them cook, bolt and go to seed.”
When planting, more doesn’t necessarily mean more
“When putting things in the ground, it’s hard to picture the full plant. If you plant your seeds too close, it won’t allow enough space for the full plant when it grows. Start with very basic things that reproduce their harvest like leafy greens and herbs. As you pick them, they regenerate. Autumn is the best time to be planting these things. Buy a really good quality potting mix if you’re starting from scratch and make sure your vessel is at least 30 centimetres deep with a good surface area to allow your plants to grow.”
If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, Little Veggie Patch Co has developed a planting calendar specific to Australia that they bundle with heirloom seeds.
Generally when we Victorians turn back the clock by an hour to mark the end of daylight saving on Sunday 5 April, it’s a reminder to check your home smoke alarms are working. However, if you haven’t managed to get around to this yet, here is a gentle reminder. Victoria’s fire services are asking people to do this life-saving check after recent research showing that the number and location of functioning smoke alarms increase your family’s chances of escaping a fire. They are urging Victorians to use to check smoke alarms and carry out home maintenance like checking on fire risks such as damaged power cords or inspecting heating systems.
“Over the past 10 years, most fatal fires started in either someone’s loungeroom or bedroom,” says Gavin Freeman, Country Fire Authority deputy chief officer. “I urge Victorians to keep themselves safe as we head into winter, when heaters and electric blankets bring a greater risk of house fires.”
He says many fatal fires start at night and the smell of smoke won’t wake people up. The CFA recommends smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery, installed on the ceiling at least 30 centimetres from the wall and interconnected so when one alarm sounds, all the others do the same. MFB’s deputy chief officer David Bruce says having a working smoke alarm is “your first line of defence in the event of a fire”. “If you’re doing the right thing and staying home it will only take a few minutes to clean and then test your smoke alarm by pushing the button,” he says. “Regardless of the type of smoke alarm you have, all smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.”
With a big increase in people working from home offices, the fire services say it’s also important to check that you’re not overloading power-boards, which can also be a fire risk. Now is also a good time to check heating and cooling systems, and ensure home fire extinguishers or fire blankets aren’t out of date. The fire services also recommend drawing up a family fire plan, similar to the plans you would have in an office, ensuring all family members know the quickest two ways out of each room and how to call triple zero. The CFA says research shows that less than half of all properties attended by fire services had smoke alarms and, of those that did have alarms, one third didn’t work. It recommends maintaining your smoke alarms by:
Testing it monthly by pushing the test button to make sure it beeps.
Dusting the alarm with a vacuum cleaner brush.
Changing the battery at least once a year.
If your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, changing your alarm to a new unit with a 10-year lithium battery.
RACV’s head of home insurance Zoe Malempre says people working from home must take extra care when charging phones, laptops and tablets, as charging devices on soft surfaces like a couch or bed can be a fire danger. “Soft surfaces don’t allow enough air to circulate around the charging device so hard surfaces are best when charging.”
For our Renters, please contact us if you are concerned about the operation of your property smoke alarm/s. Owners, we have teamed up with Smoke Alarms Australia to provide an economical annual “health check” for all smoke detectors.. Contact us to find out more….
What’s ahead for our property markets in the next year or two?
That’s a question people are asking now that our real estate markets have been hit by the Coronavirus crisis.
It wasn’t that long ago that the media was predicting another property boom following the remarkable turn in Australia’s housing markets, with the rebound in house prices considerably stronger than many expected.
No wonder that those of us interested in property started 2020 full of optimism.
But boy have things changed…
COVID-19 and the shut down measures associated with its containment has derailed our housing recovery.
Weaker household income, falling consumer confidence, reduced population growth and weaker investment demand will combine to depress our property markets over the next year or two. However we don’t see a property markets collapsing, in fact house prices are holding up pretty well in our capital cities.
This is in part due to lack of supply of A grade properties and also because the banks are deferring home loan repayments which will prevent forced or mortgagee sales. So in this detailed blog, We going to have a look at what is ahead for our economy and also for the various property markets around Australia.
As quickly as day turns to night in the colder season, winter creeps up on us and we find ourselves cranking up the heat, wrapped up in electric blankets and thick, woolly jumpers. So, what can you do to prepare for the drop in temperature? Here are our tips for keeping your home comfortable in winter without upping your energy bill.
1.Use heavy curtains on your windows
Did you know up to 40% of the heat escaping your home in cooler temperatures is purely from not covering your windows? The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows. By investing in heavy drapes or curtains, you can ensure your windows will have extra insulation, keeping the warmth from escaping your home.
2.Change your ceiling fan settings
Many people assume ceiling fans are only for cooling in warm months, but they can be your best friend in winter too. During the summer months, your ceiling fan blades turn in a counter clockwise motion and use what’s known as the wind chill factor to keep you cooler. However, in winter, you’ll want to find the reverse switch on your fan to change things up. As warm air generated by your heating system naturally rises to the ceiling, and cooler air sinks, your ceiling fan will push the warm air back down to a comfortable level. To locate your reverse switch, look on your fan above or below the blades, or check the manual from your fan manufacturer.
3. Seal cracks and gaps
Unsealed cracks can account for approximately 15-25% of heat loss in your home throughout winter. These let unwanted cool air enter your home, and any attempts to warm it up will essentially ‘slip through the cracks’. By sealing gaps in your windows and door frames, you’ll keep nasty drafts at bay and seal in the warmth – making your home nice and cosy!
David says, My older style house has polished floor boards with many large gaps that would let the breeze through. The under floor insulation has sealed all the gaps and keeps my house significantly warmer in winter.
Read more… A well-insulated house can use as much as 45% less energy for heating and cooling. If you have raised timber floors, install Optimo Underfloor Insulation by Bradford, which provides a barrier to reduce heat loss and cold draughts entering through your flooring. As a bonus, it reduces the noise of floorboards and can even lessen noise transfer from different rooms. Additionally, you could invest in a higher grade insulation in your ceiling, which also acts as a barrier to the heat flow of your home. Not only will these products seal in warmth in the winter, when summer rolls around they will keep your home nice and cool too! If you have existing glasswool insulation, you can even top up.
5. Cover your walls
Your walls can be big contributors to losing heat in the winter, but there’s a simple trick to lock in some of that heat. You can significantly reduce energy loss by covering your walls with picture frames, a mirror or even a large book shelf. By adding an extra layer of thermal mass to insulate, you can raise internal surface temperatures by around 1°C.
6. Re-position your furniture
Understanding how heat moves and investigating the thermal properties of your house will help you brave the cold this winter. You will feel warmer if you position yourself and your furniture near warmer areas of the home, including closer to the inside of the house and away from cooler external walls. Try to place your furniture next to an internal wall or a spot that gets a lot of natural light and heat from the sun.
7.Let the sun in during the day
When sunlight enters your home, it is mostly ultraviolet radiation, which transfers easily through glass. Once it hits an object the sunlight becomes radiant heat. To capitalise on all this free energy and gain extra warmth, open your blinds and curtains during the day and let that natural heat wash over you. Don’t forget to shut your winter-weight curtains when the sun sets to keep that warmth in.
There are so many little ways you can save on energy costs and keep warm this winter. Don’t forget simple things like investing in warm socks and using extra bedding at night. There’s nothing nicer than making a cup of tea and getting toasty on the couch!
It looks like winter has come early, especially for those who have been hit hard by the sudden cold snap.
There are plenty of things that come to mind when the seasons change and if you’re thinking about how to give your home a refresh for the cooler months, you’re not alone.
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops we’re all thinking about how to bring more warmth in, which can be seen in the colours that are trending for winter 2020.
Alex Roberts, Product Development Manager and Chief Tint Officer of direct-to-consumer paint brand Tint, explains why we’ll be seeing more warm tones and how to nail the look at home.
“This year in general, warm colours are stepping up and pushing us away from those cooler tones we have been used to. Cool, blue-based greys are being swapped out for greiges and beiges; greens have more yellow and warmth to them and rich, deep colour palettes are finally making a comeback,” she explained.
When it comes to embracing these colours in homes across the country, Alex believes we will see a lot of monochrome and tonal spaces.
“By layering different tones of a similar hue you can tie a space together and create a calming, welcoming environment. Think about this when introducing new colours to your space, work with the colour in multiple shapes and forms — explore the colours though paint, hardware, fabrics, art and more,” she explained.
Before enlisting a property manager, you need to weigh up whether it is the best option for you. According to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA), property self-management is not uncommon. Despite 54.3% of occupied rented properties in Australia being managed by real estate agents, 22.7% are self-managed by landlords.
REIA’s research officer Evgeniya Hawthorne said, “Although investors who choose to self-manage their properties avoid paying management fees, the amount of work involved should not be underestimated.
“There is a cost to managing your own property. Investors have to keep themselves up to date with relevant legislation and regulations – something a professional property manager does under their continuing professional development.”
The value of a truly qualified property manager cannot be overemphasised, especially as we navigate the quickly evolving issues affecting our community. Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (some already in play ahead of full changes originally scheduled for 1 July 2020 but deferring to 1 January 2021 in response to the termporary COVID-19 legislation), the cladding “crisis”, the growing impact of domestic violence and, the critical state of emergency currently occurring as a result of COVID-19 are only a few reasons to consider putting the care of your property investment into qualified hands.
Mum takes son on dinosaur walks to brighten street
Across Australia many people are also putting teddy bears in their yards and windows so children can go on a bear hunt through their neighbourhood. However one Brisbane mother has chosen a different animal to bring positivity to her neighbourhood.
Lou Bromley and her four-year-old son Angus Love have been dressing as dinosaurs on their daily walks in Oxley in Brisbane’s west, brightening the days of nearby children who are studying at home.
“We were going a little stir crazy working from home and being homeschooled,” Ms Bromley said.
“A lot of friends are also homeschooling in our neighbourhood so we thought we’d put some smiles on people’s faces.
“We get lots of smiles — from parents as well as kids.”
We would love to hear about what you and or your community are doing for eachother? What is your Silver lining to the COVID-19 situation?
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