Practical projects and tips for the backyard DIY fanatic
Margaret and Allan Spencer built their dream house, ‘Gracelands’, six years ago. In December each year thousands of people visit the house to see the spectacular Christmas display of lights and decorations. Putting up the decorations is a family affair,...
In the past, if you wanted colour in your garden you had to grow flowers or foliage contrast plants. However, it is now possible to create striking effects anywhere in the backyard using a new range of colourful mulches and pebbles. Don thinks that these new products...
Wonderful effects can be obtained if the paint colours on a house match or contrast with the colours of flowers and foliage in the garden. The house Don looked at in our segment is a good example of clever and tasteful colour coordination. The front of the house opens...
Balconies can be real problem areas for people who live in apartments. When space is very limited, it’s often difficult to come up with a design that is both functional and attractive. Jamie Loft’s innovative design for a tiny balcony includes a fountain,...
If something is broken, giving it a good kick or a thump might make it work. True or false? (Well it all depends). Often with electronic equipment the so-called “technical knock” will get some things working but with motor vehicles it’s...
Don visited a Mexican-style house and garden in Noosaville, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The front garden uses the structural form of succulent plants such as euphorbias and yuccas to reinforce the design of the house, and to set off the white and terracotta...
Anna Chandler is a designer of decorative home ware. She lived in Morocco and Spain for four years, and this experience has had a huge influence on both her design work and the style of her house. When Anna and her husband Mick bought the house as an investment...
Drainage Problem The worst problem you can have around your home and in the garden is bad drainage. In our segment Don discovered some wet, mouldy sand in the corner of an indoor horse arena. He investigated the problem and found that it was caused by bad...
Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, looked at angle grinders for the home toolbox. As with most power tools grinders can be dangerous, but they are very handy for jobs around the home and save on lots of elbow grease! Grinders can be fitted with abrasive...
Tara Dennis transformed the MDF box from Reverse Garbage into a stylish, portable coffee table that can be used for storage. Materials1 MDF box spray adhesive Stanley knife 4 castor wheels self tapping screws 1 sheet laminated safety glass (edges polished for safety)...