Molly at Re/Max

30/05/2016

4 ways to personalise your home.

Here are our top tips to apply when accessorising your home.

1. Add texture
One way to make sure your space is far from boring is to have a mix of textures and materials. This creates depth, adds contrast and personality to the room, which makes it far more interesting to look at. Having a wide range of materials and fabric types, bringing in objects in a range of different sizes and using various colours all add interest to a room. Also try using different throws, having vases in different shapes and sizes and a range of different candles.

2. Be colour conscious
We always say that you shouldn’t be afraid of using colour — whether it’s on the wall, your couches or chairs, a rug or in a number of your décor accessories. Just be sure that you pick the right colours. We suggest using a maximum of four complementary colours — and various shades thereof, together with your neutral bases.

3. Create added space
Using your décor accessories smartly should not only give a room character, but should also make the most out of the actual space. Lights and mirrors — when used correctly — create the illusion of more space. The easiest trick is to place your mirrors opposite a window or door to reflect open spaces and light, which makes your room look bigger. Bringing in extra lamps, light reflective décor items and light-up objects will also add light, making the room look larger.

4. Finishing touches
Much like a statement necklace completing an outfit, it’s those last little elements and final touches that you put in a room that can just bring it all together. Use artwork or even a clock, a focal wall — which can be wall papered, painted a bright or different colour, or covered in a different material to the other walls — or even a great plant to complete your space.

http//www.essentials.co.za

25/05/2016

Property news: Small homes show big price growth.
http://ow.ly/Sskl300x2X0

The increased demand for smaller homes by home buyers due to affordability pressures is driving strong price growth in that segment.

23/05/2016

Here are ‘off-the-wall’ ways to benefit from the mirror effect …

We all know that mirrors help reflect light and add depth, making a space appear bigger and brighter. However, you don’t have to line walls with mirrors to boost the natural light in your home.
Here are a few different ways to use mirrors in your home…
• Mirrored frames – Add sparkle to a gallery wall by framing art and photos in mirror picture frames.
• Mirrored trays – Mirrored pieces are popular in event design, so why not bring the look home? During the day, a round mirrored tray on a dining table will help make a dining area appear lighter and, during a special occasion it will reflect the centrepiece – be it a flower arrangement or candelabra – making it look all the more impressive.
• Mirrored vases and ornaments – Don’t underestimate the effect seemingly insignificant mirror-finished objects can have in your home.
• Mirrored furniture – Mirrored front cabinets and dressers are utterly elegant but, if this idea makes you nervous, you could also opt for a metallic finish. It has that reflective quality but is child-friendly and far more durable.
http//all4women.co.za

20/05/2016

11 Easy Bathroom Style Tricks.
http://ow.ly/zP6s300p3kN

Get more bathroom style ideas here http://www.thenest.com/Home-Decor/Bathroom/results.aspx?type=15&room_type=Bathroom From eco-friendly sinks to...

16/05/2016

May is Energy Month! It’s easier than you think to save electricity around your house!

Water Heating
With winter approaching, we are likely to use more hot water, but there are savings to be made too!
• Always wash with cold water - your laundry detergent works just as well. If you have to use hot water for your laundry, make sure you are washing a full load.
• Shorten your shower times and install water saving showerheads to reduce your hot water usage.
• Install a solar water heater to save energy by using solar power.
• Set your geyser to between 55°C to 60°C. This will save electricity while keeping water hot enough for showers and cleaning dishes.
• Install a geyser blanket to retain heat.


Appliances
• Choose energy-efficient appliances. They don’t just save you money – they’re good for the environment because they use less energy.
• Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers.
• Defrost food in your fridge overnight, rather than use your microwave.
• Don’t open your fridge door unnecessarily and make sure the seal is intact
• Let hot food cool down before placing in your fridge
• Keep your freezer full – it uses less energy. For maximum savings, consider filling your freezer with containers of water.
• Use your dishwasher on economy mode to use less water and electricity.
• Turn off your dishwasher after the wash cycle and let your dishes air-dry.
• Keep the oven door closed while cooking.
• Turn your oven or stove plate off when food is almost ready and let the existing heat finish the cooking for you.
• Use tight-fitting lids on pots and pans when cooking to shorten your cooking time and save energy, or use a pressure cooker when preparing food that takes a long time to heat.
• Match your pot size to the stove plate. Heat is lost when small pots are used on large plates.
• It is more economical to boil water in a kettle than on the stove.
http//www.pennywise.co

11/05/2016

Property Advice: Low Levies Not Always a Good Thing. http://ow.ly/4ni3Pi

Low levies might be tempting when hunting for your sectional title home, but beware - it could indicate neglect and disrepair. Check the financials…

09/05/2016

Gardening tip: How to pamper your poppies.

One of the most favoured poppies for modern day gardens are Iceland Poppies. Standing approximately 30cm high when fully grown, their appeal for brightening that one, mainly green flower bed is palpable. They can either be planted in groups or as borders and are the perfect complement to other spring annuals. When buying poppy seedlings, don’t fret if there aren’t in flower yet, it just means you’ve arrived early enough to ensure a long blooming good show. It’s best to get them in the ground as early in the season as possible if you’d like a showy display right through into spring. Since poppies need a home where they bask in the winter sun, preferably all day, but are not fans of heat, try to keep them away from heat reflecting walls.

Poppies are incredibly rewarding but need a little TLC until they have found their feet in their new home. Plant your seedlings about 15cm apart and try not to plant them too deep. Using the seedling tray they came in will assist in judging this depth correctly. Watering the seedling tray before transplanting them will go a long way to making sure they don’t feel unnecessarily disturbed, as they can be lifted out and replanted with the tray soil still intact.

Water your poppies frequently until they’ve established themselves and are firmly rooted in their new home. Once they start blooming, remember to deadhead the spent flowers regularly to keep them coming or, even better, take cut flowers and fill your vases as often as you like. If you don’t, they’ll quite possibly go to seed earlier than necessary and your flower production will stop as swiftly and unapologetically as it started. So, if you love to have a house full of blooms straight from your garden, just pop into your local garden centre and pick up some poppies. Your garden will also be brighter for it.
www.lifesagarden.co.za

06/05/2016

With hard work, there are no limits.

02/05/2016

May is Energy Month! We will be focusing on how you can save electricity around your home. It’s easier than you think!


Heating
Now is the best time to start preparing your home for the approaching winter.
• Use the sun to heat your home. Leave your curtains or blinds open during the daytime.
• Hang thick curtains over your windows to stop heat escaping.
• Cover all bare floors. Carpeting or rugs add to comfort and heat retention.
• Limit your use of portable heaters. Rather investigate options such as energy efficient wall panel heaters
• Run your ceiling fans on a low setting in a clockwise direction during winter. This creates an updraft that sends the warmer air pooled near the ceiling back into the living space – cutting heating costs by as much as 10%.
• Electric blankets are great! Use your electric blanket to heat your bed for about an hour before sleeping and you won’t need to use an energy-draining heater for the whole night.


Lighting
We all need to light our homes, but do you know just how easy it is to save energy while doing so?
• Switch off lights in rooms that aren’t being used. This may sound like common sense, but you will be amazed at how many homes waste electricity by lighting empty rooms!
• Replace standard bulbs with CFLs. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are more energy-efficient than regular light bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light.
• Make the best use of the light emitted from your light bulbs by selecting light-coloured lamp shades. Place lamps in corners so they reflect light from two walls.
• Use fewer bulbs in your home by opting for bulbs of a higher wattage. For instance, one 100 watt bulb produces the same light as two 60 watt bulbs.
• Use motion-detector lights for all your outdoor lighting. These turn on only when movement is detected and turn off automatically. This feature not only helps with security, but saves you electricity as you won’t be running your lights all night.
www.pennywise.co

27/04/2016

Property News: Pre-load only the electricity you need http://ow.ly/4mL1eq

Search property for sale or to let in Cape Town. IOLProperty is South Africa's biggest property site... by far.

25/04/2016

A beautiful kitchen can make a home 🏠

Expert kitchen design tips

A kitchen is the heart of the home, but creating that perfect space requires a few magic touches. Megan Bond from OBJEK (Architecture and Interiors) shared some tips that will ensure your kitchen exudes that stylish and sophisticated look.
“When designing your kitchen, you need to make sure of three things – your space needs to be functional, of good quality and should have the right lighting. Incorporating these three elements ensures that you not only have a stylish space but that it also promotes maximum efficiency,” Bond suggests.

Neutral basics
When one thinks 'functionality', it doesn’t sound all that fun or trendy. However, focusing on function first, and keeping the design simple, allows you to explore different trends.
A neutral colour palette isn’t boring because it allows you to have fun with other trendy kitchen finishes.

Dare to be bold
Bond recommends being daring with your walls and worktops. “You could paint your walls a bold colour if you want to make more of a statement. Playing with interesting materials, colours and textures in splashbacks and worktops will give your kitchen more character.”

Modern and urban chic
In a male or couple’s kitchen, you may want to give the space a modern, urban chic and subtly masculine look.
To get the look, use a darker palette streamlined with a touch of stainless steel.
“I say, avoid awkward and unnecessary corners. Let your kitchen breathe a little and don’t go overboard with the storage on the walls,” advises Bond.

Lighting up
It’s the thing that let’s everyone see your kitchen in all its glory – lighting.
When considering light solutions, a balance of task and ambient lighting should be the most important element. Besides needing to see what you are doing in the kitchen, lighting creates a warm atmosphere.
www.all4women.co.za

25/04/2016

Expert kitchen design tips

A kitchen is the heart of the home, but creating that perfect space requires a few magic touches. Megan Bond from OBJEK (Architecture and Interiors) shared some tips that will ensure your kitchen exudes that stylish and sophisticated look.
“When designing your kitchen, you need to make sure of three things – your space needs to be functional, of good quality and should have the right lighting. Incorporating these three elements ensures that you not only have a stylish space but that it also promotes maximum efficiency,” Bond suggests.

Neutral basics
When one thinks 'functionality', it doesn’t sound all that fun or trendy. However, focusing on function first, and keeping the design simple, allows you to explore different trends.
A neutral colour palette isn’t boring because it allows you to have fun with other trendy kitchen finishes.

Dare to be bold
Bond recommends being daring with your walls and worktops. “You could paint your walls a bold colour if you want to make more of a statement. Playing with interesting materials, colours and textures in splashbacks and worktops will give your kitchen more character.”

Modern and urban chic
In a male or couple’s kitchen, you may want to give the space a modern, urban chic and subtly masculine look.
To get the look, use a darker palette streamlined with a touch of stainless steel.
“I say, avoid awkward and unnecessary corners. Let your kitchen breathe a little and don’t go overboard with the storage on the walls,” advises Bond.

Lighting up
It’s the thing that let’s everyone see your kitchen in all its glory – lighting.
When considering light solutions, a balance of task and ambient lighting should be the most important element. Besides needing to see what you are doing in the kitchen, lighting creates a warm atmosphere.
www.all4women.co.za