light home - blogs

Eco living on a grand scale

It’s not just one light home that Boris Planinac is building – it’s 17.

Room to breathe

Rather than building to the boundaries of their block, this couple created a home with a whisper-small footprint, leaving them plenty of outdoor space.

A lightweight success: eco economical home

Queensland architect Jim Mullins faced a list of challenges with his Bilinga project – and it was to be his own home, so it had to be perfect for his family.

An Edwardian Makeover

Six people in an Edwardian cottage was becoming a little too close for comfort for one Melbourne family. The solution? A renovation marrying old-world charm with new-world flair.

A dream of going green

Renovate or rebuild? It’s a curly question for any homeowner but the family living in this Norah Head home took a bold step to create a house for the future.

Renovation ideas: from holiday rental to permanent home

Turning a holiday home and rental into a full-time family house was the challenge set for Queensland building designer Simon Scott.

Energy-efficient ski chalet design

A $200 quarterly electricity bill – in the snow? In designing an energy-efficient ski chalet, Cox Architecture turned to passive solar, lightweight materials and even an indoor sauna.

Energy efficient building: beachside star

Our latest Design Ambassador’s Choice demonstrates how a light home can overcome an orientation that’s not ideal – and still be comfortable all year round.

Fire resistant building with eco friendly design

Eco friendly house built in a bushfire zone using sustainable architecture and fire resistant building materials.

Design challenges of island living

Building an eco friendly holiday house on an island can present multiple design challenges that can be overcome with careful planning.

Energy efficient homes: Dunsborough delight

A builder’s own home shows off the beauty of energy efficient, sustainable house design.

Beach house escape – Surf House 1

Design Ambassador Ed Ewers reveals why Surf House 1 ticks all the boxes as a beautiful beach escape – and simply constructed light home.

Son of a builder rises to the occasion

The Cape Rise project in Western Australia ticks all the boxes for sustainable passive solar building design.

Sea for yourself: The blueprint to beach house design

Here comes a set of five designers to get you amped about the modern day makings of the humble Aussie beach house.

Australian Design: Sustainable beach house

An award winning sustainable beach house design built in just eight weeks on the NSW mid north coast.

Australian architecture: Built around the Tuckeroo

Design Ambassador, Shane Denman, chose Fingal House as his Ambassador’s Choice this month for the way the design wraps around a 135-year old tree to really blur inside and out.

Universally appealing

A home designed for a wheelchair bound client suits him perfectly – and looks like any other house…

Australian Design: Light Box

A contemporary cubic form constructed primarily with glass and concrete has become an adored family home brimming with light and style.

Art House

Combining building design with art has created a house that is a living, breathing artwork to be enjoyed every day.

Design Ambassador: On prefabricated homes.

Design Ambassador Ed Ewers broke with tradition this month, and rather than discussing a particular project chose to talk about prefabricated homes including both the construction and the end results.

Australian design: Four-way Win

A contemporary beach house showcases how sustainability principles can be a win for client, designer, builder and the environment.

Australian Home Design: Multi-generation living

An innovative new display is designed for multi-generational living, allowing the one house to be used as four separate homes.

Renovation ideas: ‘Before and After’

When an existing house no longer provides the living solutions required but the location remains ideal, choices include bulldozing or renovating. Adding an extension onto an existing house can be a cost-effective and sustainable option.

Australian Home Design: Shipping Container House

From shipping containers to country home – two readers share how they did it.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Currumbin Duplex

Design Ambassador Shane Denman chose Malcolm Cummings' beachside duplex as his Ambassador’s Choice largely because of the way Cummings ‘read’ the site.

Green design: new approach to retirement living.

When three older couples decided to have a home designed to suit all three of them, it really set the local town tongues wagging.

Energy efficient homes: Vineyard Vista

Peter Sutton’s lakeside project in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley brings together the location’s stunning views with elegant and energy-efficient design.

Green building: Cyclone-style

On this build in cyclone-prone Broome, lightweight materials were the solution.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Kurreki House

A beautifully designed courtyard home that uses a simple plan and palette of materials to create a modern beach house that's perfectly in touch with its older neighbours.

Renovation ideas: Going up in Bronte

When adding a second storey to this Bronte home, building on top of a brick structure needed a light touch.

Australian Home Design: Sunshine days

Building higher on a block means this Queensland home is now suitable for all seasons, come rain or shine.

Australian Home Design: Simply smart

Keeping it simple helped this Queensland builder create a castle for his wife in a build that was virtually stress free.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Christian Residence

This innovative inner-city renovation cleverly and efficiently combines old and new.

Australian Home Design: Brighter times

Going up has made all the difference to the owners of this inner city terrace.

Australian Home Design: The renovator

Take a peek inside a massive renovation by one of our readers.

Australian Home Design: Enchanting Escape

We take a look inside a Victorian escape by Australia's most famous architect.

Australian Home Design: Universal Success

Smart design and plenty of forethought, have made this universal-access home a haven for all seasons.

Australian Home Design: Seeing double

We take a look at how Melbourne architect Ed Ewers is progressing with his innovative dual occupancy project in Geelong.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Sunbrite Residence

The old style beach house gets a modern twist through cutting edge style and design.

Australian Home Design: Life on land

After years at sea, this Queensland home has ensured its owner remains a happy land lubber.

Australian Home Design: Look twice

The two faces of this Launceston renovation have left its owner/builder with room to spare and a style he loves.

Australian Home Design: Renovation Insider

We’re following one of our readers as they undertake one massive renovation. Here’s how she’s going.

Australian Home Design: Smart Style

Combining practical with luxury is easier than you’d imagine.

Australian Home Design: From pew to wow

A successful church conversion leaves its owner/builder very satisfied.

Australian Home Design: Mixing it up

An innovative dual occupancy project sets out to challenge design conventions in downtown Geelong.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Charlotte House

A home for all seasons.

Australian Home Design: Throw the plans out the window

Time and chance took care of this stunning cottage renovation.

Australian Home Design: Bouddi beach house

Everybody needs good neighbours.

Design Ambassador's Choice - Tree House

Design Ambassador Ed Ewers chose Jackson Clements Burrows’ Tree House as his first featured Light Home because it’s just “a stand out lightweight house”.

Australian Home Design: Light is right

Light was right to help this Queensland home capture the best of the views.

Australian Home Design: Wily Willett

Good design and a clever use of materials turned a 1920s timber shack into a peaceful but modern haven.

Australian Home Design: Renovator's reality

Over the next eight months we’ll be following one of our readers as they undertake one massive renovation.

Want a happy home? Invest in design

Cast aside practicality, function and pragmatism – and think happy. The secret of great design in the 21st century is its ability to make the consumer happy

Hot trend: Bring the outside in!

Extending the inside to the outdoors and vice versa is one of the big design trends of 2012, and clever designers are reinventing the way we look at internal and external space.

Green interiors: Green paint of all shades

Overwhelming paint fumes can be enough to put you off painting that second coat. And that’s without beginning to worry about what it’s doing to the environment. Green paint is the way to go if you want to get away from the toxic fumes that can be bad for you, and for the environment. There’s plenty of choice and advice on the eco market.

Green flooring: Sustainable carpets

Did you know that corn can be turned into carpet? Or that a sheep’s wool is brilliant at absorbing and releasing moisture? And ever heard of llama and alpaca carpets?

Green interiors: Finding an eco-friendly mattress

Chemical-free, organic wool, soy-based foam and even green latex – the future of the humble bedroom mattress is eco-friendly indeed.

Green Interiors: Finding sustainable chairs

Fancy sitting on a pile of tennis balls? Probably not – until you see the designs of some of the most sustainable chairs around.

Green interiors: Finding beautiful sustainable lighting designs

Light up your life with sustainable lighting designs that are sure to brighten up the indoor and outdoor areas of any home.

Green interiors: Finding a sustainable dining table

It’s just a table, right? How green can it really get? Very, very, green, as Light Home found out when we went looking for dining tables with a sustainable edge.

Green interiors: Finding that perfect sustainable chair – for babies and kids

We’re on a green furniture trip at the moment but we’ve also a new baby in our midst here at the Light Home office. So following last week’s post on finding the perfect sustainable sofa we thought we’d do a quick round up of something not far removed: how to find that perfect sustainable chair for your baby or child.

Green interiors: Finding a sustainable sofa

If you’re about to turf your old, sagging sofa, what will you replace it with? Here are a couple of the sexiest sustainable sofas around – and a 9-point shopping checklist.

Bathroom interior design trends and makeover ideas

Bigger bathrooms, premium shower heads and high tech gadgets are steaming up bathroom interiors in 2012.

Interior Design: Kitchen design trends for 2012

Things are heating up in the kitchen with new open plan designs, modern finishes and stylish new doors.

Interior Design: Colour trends for 2012

Citrus colours, grey neutral tones and retro furnishings are making a huge comeback this year to liven up our homes with a vengeance.

Get soaking and start glowing

As with any great design, the best solutions often come in the simplest packages. It’s the same with beauty products like Epsom Salts. Who knew this oldie-but-goodie could bring relief to aching muscles, aging skin and the common cold?

Green healthy eating to-go

Is healthy eating high on your to-do list? Dress it up with these lovely, eco-friendly containers from To-Go Ware and make it less of a chore using these simple tips.

Design Everyday; Organic Textiles

Hi! Iím Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, an online portal to fabulous interior design and designers. I am crazy about design and spend my days writing guest posts such as this one on Light Home.

Top interior design trends for 2012

Lisa Ferguson shares trends (and her magic design formula)

Green Gifts

Eco-friendly made eco-charming

10 inexpensive, thoughtful gift ideas

It’s hard to find the perfect gift, especially an inexpensive, thoughtful one. Here are a few ideas to make it easier on you and your budget - most are well under $50.

Spending the holidays with stylist, Jason Grant

Mr. Jason Grant humbly describes himself as a stylist, writer, blogger and happy shopper. Yet, his expertise has graced the pages of Australian and international magazines such as Real Living, House and Garden and one of my faves, Elle Decoration UK.

Shifting American design

Beyond the barcalounger

The practical & aspirational

Nothing will make more of a statement in your home than lighting. It sets the mood, directs attention and expresses who you are, both practically and aesthetically. It’s so important from an energy-savings standpoint that you might want to enlist the help of an expert before you even change a light bulb. Designers can help narrow your needs and navigate the plethora of choices.

Transforming trash to treasure

The Picker Sisters

Shopping trolleys with street-style

Rolser makes us want to walk

Green Interior Design: better world art

ethical gifts, sharing culture

Green Interior Design: From nurse to designer

Designing a home (and life) that feels great

Green interior Design: Preserving inspiration

Simplifying the process with Houzz, Modenus and Pinterest

Green Interior Design: Browsing bespoke with Balatro

Discovering Balatro - a Surry Hills Fine Arts Gallery in NSW

Green interior design: Running the wrong way.

There's much more to this Sydney store then must-have goods and gorgeous gifts.

Green interior design: Cycling with style.

Treadlie takes it to the streets.

Green interior design: Design tips from Sibella Court

Creating a home you love

Green interior design: Claiming ELLE's green-ness

ELLE DÉCOR seems pretty green to me

Green interior design: Insider insight from a sofa-selling veteran

Leather isn’t bullet (or kid) proof

Green interior design: Delicious, by design

Yulli’s goes beyond great food

Green Interior Design: Buy cheap, toss tomorrow?

Young designer resists the temptation.

Green interior design: Green furniture guidance

When it comes to buying furniture, designers suggest putting your biggest dollars into the big three - the sofa, dining room table and bed.

Green interior design: Designer whites

Finding the right white paint.

Green Interior Design: Bring your palette to life

Eco-friendly paint

Green Interior Design: Colour me

Making the "right" colour choices

Green Interior Design: Boost Boxes

Energy saving made easy

Green interior design: Green shopping

What you find, when you ask

Drift into gorgeous interior design

Here’s another beautiful way to stay on the trend toward “pretty, crafty, artsy, anything expressing individuality” . Designer and artist, Kerri Shipp of Driftwood Interiors has a new series of watercolors called “Interior Portraits” that celebrate gorgeous interiors. Some are based on rooms designed by today's most talented interior designers, while others were born from her imagination.

Green Interior Design: Green glamour

Welcome to Light Home's Design Everyday blog where we’ll explore how good design makes us feel. I’m excited to share green interior design concepts, products, style, and chat with designers along the way.

Green Interior Design: 6 design trends

Design trends often signify the mood of the moment. According to ELLE Decoration (UK), we’re feeling “pretty, blue, crafty and natural” and we’re going to stay that way in the coming months.

Green Interior Design: Tips for a happy home

Green design certainly has its serious, technical side. However, once the smart, clean lines have been established, it’s up to you to put some soul in the space. This can be intimidating... and wasteful if you’re not in tune with your style or understand what you really need.

Healthy homes: Plants are a lifeline

Plants could hold the secret to a simple, easy, cheap and fail-safe way to improve your home’s health.

Energy efficiency basics: building an eco home

Passive solar design, grey water recycling, solar panels, bio pools and light bulbs. Knowing where to start when you’re designing an energy-efficient home – or making eco changes to your property – can be tough.

Water recycling: How to recycle blackwater

It sounds nasty and it sounds out of the question, but it’s not. There are systems out there that make it possible to clean and re-use the sewage generated from your home.

Water recycling: the lowdown on greywater systems

Did you know you could save thousands of litres of water every year by getting to grips with greywater?

Green outdoors: Bio pools and how they work

We love our swimming pools in Australia. In the summer months, they’re pretty much an essential.

Green windows: What is WERS?

Choosing energy efficient windows for your home can mean the difference between sweating it out indoors or getting the right amount of heat in – and out.

Protect your home from bushfires: Part 2

To ensure your home is safe in a bushfire prone area, look at your building design, know your bushfire plan and commit yourself to ongoing maintenance!

Protect your home from bushfires: Part 1

Making a home safe in a bushfire prone area starts with the basics: creating a defendable space and removing excess vegetation.

Green Cities Conference 2012 – Rating Tool Revolution: Part 2

The future of energy and water efficiency ratings for green buildings will see current rating tools merge into one according to a leading panel of sustainability experts from the Green Cities 2012 conference.

Green renovating – an expert’s tips, part 5

Vertical ventilation is the key to cooling your home without having to use electricity argues solar consultant and architect, Derek Wrigley.

Green renovating – an expert’s tips, part 4

Locating building materials so that they absorb, store and release heat in all the right places is a aspect of designing an energy efficient home.

Green renovating – an expert’s tips, part 3

Free heat? Now that’s worth having. Here’s a simple tip on making the most of wasted sunshine to help make your home more energy efficient.

Green renovating – an expert’s tips, part 2

With a moving source of heat energy a seasonally adjustable sun shade device combined with small eaves, makes far more sense than fixed eaves, argues architect and solar consultant Derek Wrigley.

Green renovating – an expert’s tips, part 1

Do you want to sacrifice glamour for comfort? In a new six-part series we share the top tips from architect and solar consultant Derek Wrigley on putting comfort first.

Painting roof white saves energy and cools buildings

New research by a leading Australian university has revealed that painting your roof white can reduce heat by about 30°C.

Speed date a sustainable designer

Hundreds of homeowners will be hooking up with leading architects and building designers for the annual ‘Speed Date a Sustainable Designer’ event this weekend.

Green light: LED lighting more energy efficient

Commonly used to light up gadgets and everyday household appliances since the 1960s, LED lights are now outshining fluorescent and incandescent bulbs as the best alternative for energy-efficient lighting.

Green building: the zero carbon home

Building an affordable house with zero carbon emissions is now a reality for everyday Australian families thanks to the latest CSIRO project.

Green Undressed: Top Stories for 2011, see you in 2012!

Lighthome recaps the most interesting and most viewed stories and podcasts in our Green Undressed stories this year.

Green prefab walls

A reader asked: “Is there a company in Australia that manufacturers prefabricated wall systems in industrial hemp that could be used in conjunction with steel framing?”

Sustainable Building - The Vertical Forest

Should we be expanding vertically in urban areas rather than spreading out in urban sprawl?

Green Undressed: Green Roofing - Steel vs Tiles

How do I choose between tiles or steel for my roof?

Green Undressed: Green Cement

Greening the concrete jungle just came a step closer with an eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete.

Green flooring: How green is linoleum flooring?

In our search to find the greenest flooring material possible, we look at linoleum, a flooring choice making a comeback.

Green flooring: How green is hardwood flooring?

In our search to find the greenest flooring material possible, we check out hardwood’s credentials.

Green flooring: How green is bamboo flooring?

In our search to find the greenest flooring material possible, we see how bamboo stacks up.

Green flooring: How green is rubber flooring?

We’re looking at the most sustainable flooring options on the market. This week we’re checking out rubber’s green credentials.

Green products reviewed: green flooring

In our search to find the greenest flooring material possible, we’re looking at the most sustainable flooring options on the market.

Green building explained: Are you in hot water?

Hot water is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the home. Here are two ways to use hot water smarter

Green building: Have you thought about the future?

If you’re taking a green approach to building your home, you won’t just be thinking about the environment, but also about the community, future generations and your quality of life.

Green building explained: How green is your roof?

Green roofs vs rooftop garden: While typical rooftop gardens are primarily an aesthetic feature of a buildings ‘roofscape’ the green roof embodies proven sustainable concepts.

Green lighting: Make the switch to LEDs.

Save money and the environment by making the switch to a more efficient type of lighting: LEDs.

Green lighting: Make the switch to CFL.

We take a look at how you can save money and the environment by making the switch to more efficient types of lighting.

Green lighting: Why you need to make the switch.

We take a look at energy efficient lighting and why all households should make the switch.

Green building: The science behind solar panels.

We take a look at the science behind one of the most talked-about alternative energy sources in the world today.

Green building explained: Building with reconstituted limestone blocks.

We delve into R-values in response to a reader’s question about using reconstituted lime blocks.

Sustainable Building: The 10 Star Challenge

Designers are stepping up to the challenge of designing a 10 star home.

Green kitchens: How green is stainless steel?

In our last green kitchen post, we take a look at just how green stainless steel is to use to deck out a sustainable kitchen, and find out what materials Sydney couple Vanessa and Dan Winter have selected to use in their green kitchen.

Green kitchen: How green is bamboo?

Want to get the most sustainable kitchen possible but don’t know what products to use? Over the past two weeks we’ve followed Sydney couple Vanessa and Dan Winter on their search for the greenest possible kitchen. This week, we take a look at how well bamboo stacks up.

Green kitchens: How green is plywood?

Last week we introduced you to Vanessa and Dan Winter, a Sydney couple on a search to find the most sustainable materials for their new kitchen. This week, we’re taking a look at how well plywood stacks up.

Sustainable Building: How to get a green kitchen

“How do I design a kitchen that uses sustainable materials?” From plywood to bamboo to stainless steel, we’ll research just how green these materials are to help you can create a green kitchen of your own.

Sustainable Building: What’s green about pre-fabricated huts?

When you’re thinking green, smaller is often better.

Sustainable Building: What makes an 8 star home?

While a 6 star energy rating is good, we look at what it took to build this 8 star home.

Sustainable Building: How to fix the weakest link

Glazing has a very big impact on the energy efficiency of a home. But what do you do if you've got too much facing the wrong way?

Sustainable Building: Design demo

How a design duo is using their own urban infill project to explore green building and an urban farm.

Sustainable Building: Why double brick is nuts in Perth

Challenging convention in the double-brick market of Perth.

How to heat your home… without burning through cash

Electric or gas? Oil-filled or convection? Knowing which is the best option for keeping your home warm over the coming months can be tricky.

Shipping goods? Beware condensation

Shipping into and out of Australia is big news. With emigration, immigration and international business shipping, protecting worldly goods along the way is also big business.

How do I… Start composting at home?

To fully embrace eco living, be prepared to get a little dirty. We’re talking composting, worm farms and the new word on the street: Bokashi.

How do I… Keep chickens and keep my neighbours happy?

Keeping chickens is a fantastic way of embracing green, sustainable living. But how do you strike the balance between eco living and happy neighbours?

How do I: Create a secret room?

Secret rooms, moving bookcases, panic rooms – and high-end spiral wine cellars to die for. The humble hideaway is making a comeback.

How do I… regulate the temperature of my solar hot water system?

There is a simple solution to maintaining a constant hot water temperature on your solar-powered system year round.

How do I make my home safe for my epileptic son?

This week’s question is from Ivonne, a Light Home reader who wants to ensure her home is renovated to be safe for her epileptic son.

Building a green 10 Star home

How to build a green, energy efficient house with a 10-star energy rating.

How do I learn more about NABERS green building ratings?

This week’s question comes from Light Home reader, Jon Wong, who asked us about the NABERS rating tool and how it will affect building ratings in future.

Kitchen makeovers – Benchtop, splashback and flooring choices!

Stone bench or Laminex? Glass splashback or Lamipanel? Uber glamour or faux glamour? This is a dilemma faced by many about to undertake a kitchen makeover.

What is a spandrel?

This week’s question is from Jan, a Light Home reader who lives in a high-rise apartment building overlooking Sydney Harbour near Circular Quay.

Green homes: working with west-facing windows

While having north-facing orientation is something many of us would like, sometimes you have to work with what you have. We share a few tips for those with west-facing windows.

How do I add a curved bench top to my kitchen?

Renovating your kitchen with a modern rounded countertop is easy with the new Laminex Freestyle Curve.

How do I build a duplex on a sloping site?

Two leading building designers from Perth talk about the top things to consider before building on a sloping site.

How do I build green on a budget?

An award-winning builder asks about the key green building must-haves that don’t blow the budget.

How do I protect my roof from the harsh Australian sun?

Insulating your roof from sun damage is possible with a double roof system.

Dear Design Expert: Top stories for 2011, see you in 2012

Lighthome recaps the most interesting and most viewed stories and podcasts that you asked our Design Experts.

How do I... get the light in? Part two

A revolutionairy project is underway, lighting up the homes of the poor.

How do I... get the light in? Part one

We look at various ways of redirecting natural sunlight indoors.

How do I... Add another level to my home

A reader recently wrote to us with the following question: “How do I add a second floor to a house in Maitland NSW that will be light weight while keeping the costs down?”

How do I... Plan my solar system? Part Two

In part two of this focus on planning and setting up a solar system, we look at how to optimize your solar system.

How do I... Plan my solar system? Part One

We look into important factors to consider when planning a solar power setup for your home.

How Do I… protect from the western sun and storms?

A reader asked us: “How do you design to protect /insulate the Western side of your exposed build from Heat and South West Storms ?”

How do I make my home pet friendly for animals?

Sharing your home with your fur, finned and feather kids just became a lot more fun.

How do I make my home pet friendly for dogs?

This week we look at some tips for stylishly accommodating dogs in your home. But as backyards shrink and lifestyles change designers are increasingly being asked to factor pets’ needs into houses. Installing a dog flap is only the beginning.

How do I...get the right orientation?

A reader asked us: "How many degrees off north can you place a house before you lose the benefit of the northern aspect?"

How do I … make my home friendly to cats

Sharing your home with your fur kids just became a lot more stylish.

How do I …build green on a slope?

We ask one of our Design Ambassadors to answer this reader’s question.

How Do I...Watch Out For Building Problems

Rather than talking about what design actually looks like, we take a look behind the scenes and check out some of the things that can cause building defects.

How do I …recycle smarter?

Composting organic waste can not only reduce landfill, it can also help make your garden grow.

How do I…build a modular, prefabricated, solar powered home?

The New Zealand First Light entry into the Solar Decathlon 2011 demonstrates that you really can have it all.

How do I…get that Australian look?

A travelling green architecture exhibition, Built for the Bush, explores some of the energy efficient features of Australia’s 19th century country homes and their reappearance in contemporary green architecture.

How do I... get the wow factor in my bathroom?

Reader question: I am interested in the feature using Scyon™ products on internal shower/bathroom walls. Can you please provide me with more information about this product?

How do I... stop a leaky bathroom?

Reader question: I am interested in the feature using Scyon™ products on internal/shower bathroom walls. Can you please provide me with more information about this product?

How do I... build a vertical garden?

"We have an ugly back fence that we would like to disguise with a vertical garden but don't know where to start. Any suggestions?"

How do I... get a chunky window trim that won't deteriorate?

You asked, and we've answered. Here's how to get a window trim that won't deteriorate.

How do I... design using passive solar design principles?

I have a post war timber frame, plastic clad home which I would like to make passive solar by renovating. How could I do this?

How do I... get maximum insulation?

You asked: What type of cladding would provide maximum insulation for a long wall of a house that faces west? We've answered.

How do I... build a fire and storm resistant home?

This home is built to last.

How do I... get a stylish, eco-friendly home?

All the elements you need to consider if you want to design a stylish, eco-friendly home.

How do I.. work with the natural landscape?

Working with the natural landscape was the highest priority when designing this holiday retreat on the NSW mid-north coast.

How do I... build faster?

When it comes to building your home, it really is a case of the early bird getting the worm. Find out how you can build faster to save both time and money.

How do I... get a coastal look?

This beachside stunner is a great example of how you can achieve a coastal look in your own home.

How do I... renovate in heritage character?

This gorgeous Queensland renovation easily and stylishly blends old and new.

How do I.. build in a bushfire zone?

Bushfires are an everyday threat for the dry Australian landscape. Here’s what you need to know before building in a bushfire zone.

How do I... re-clad my home?

Beautifully proportioned but desperately in need of some tender, loving care and an urgent facelift, this 1890s home in South Fremantle, Western Australia was given a new life with an extensive renovation and re-clad. We take a look at how home-owner Deanne Neilson reclad her home and gave it a totally new look.

How do I... articulate walls?

If you don’t want the outside of your home to look bland and boring, what can you do to easily add a bit of ‘zing’?

How do I... build a pool shed?

Looking for a quick and easy building project to do around the house? Take a long weekend and build your own pool shed or cute cubbyhouse by following these nine simple steps.