Selling Houses Australia - Mudgeeraba

The LifeStyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 4 Season 9

The Story: Maria and Marissa, along with Maria's partner Alan, bought this iconic windmill property in 2001. The plan was that Marissa would run the family Indian restaurant business and Maria and Alan would bottle their chutneys and spices. They decided to close the restaurant to concentrate on the spice business. A few days after that, Maria's partner Alan passed away from cancer.

Since Alan's death, the girls have found it difficult to maintain their beloved windmill. Much of their time is taken up with the cooking and mixing of their spices and chutneys, not to mention regular visits to markets and food festivals to promote and sell their product.

The property has been on the market for two long years and this is causing no end of frustration to Maria and Marissa. They need to buy or rent a small industrial space to run and attempt to expand their small business, but cannot afford to do this until their quirky windmill sells.

The Problem: This commercial residence was very outdated, and needed to be cleaned up and brought out of the dark ages. It needed to find a way to show potential buyers that the house could be used for a number of purposes. The exposed brink on the inside made it darker than it should be, making the property feel gloomy. The restaurant area was overloaded with product, making the space feel really crammed and small.

The residence area was completely dated, but everything was in good working condition. From the purple and brown colour scheme to the old furniture, it needed a modern and fresh look.

The exterior looked quite sad, because the sails of the windmill was broken. The windmill looked odd next to the residential part of the house, and really needed to pop and create that wow factor from the outside.

The Solution: Bring back the identity of the windmill property by restoring the sails and bringing some modern into the interior. The exterior of the property was given a new paint job to brighten up the windmill. The light butter colour automatically made the windmill stand out and complimented the existing brickwork. The front door steps were also re-tiled to replace all the broken tiles.

The dark and very dated colours of the commercial space was replaced with an on-trend grey colour to brighten up the inside and create a modern look. The interior brick work around the fireplace was also covered up, which allowed for the vintage wooden ceiling to stay as something had to give.

It was important to highlight the commercial aspect of the property, but also needed to keep all options open by revamping the domestic area. In the residential part of the property, the horrible purple suede effect was painted over with a nice neutral colour, which automatically brightened up the property.

Roller Blinds in Atmosphere Translucent fabric in the colour Pure White were installed because they have a clean look and matched perfectly with the interior's colour scheme. Luxaflex Roller Blinds gave the property a stylish finish as well as offering functionality and easy operation.

The bedrooms were given some new appeal with new linen and furniture, and the dated curtains replaced with Luxaflex Roller Blinds.

All Luxaflex® Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex® Gallery dealer Tomorrow's Home Environment in Bundall, QLD.

Style your home with 4 NEW DESIGNER fabrics

This September, four stunning new fabrics have been introduced to the LUXAFLEX® Window Fashions Designer Series. The new fabrics, named Aria, Tempus, Alto and Luceeda all feature a diverse colour palette and modern stylised textures.

The new Designer Fabrics all deliver that finishing touch that will complement the many styling trends that are shaping the interior world. Each collection is available in a colour pallet that not only off sets its aesthetics, but delivers a surface design and unique appeal of perfection.

The four new fabrics allow for true co-ordination, providing the ability to match fabrics across both Luxaflex Roller Blinds and Luxaflex Panel Glide blinds, in every room in the house. The fabric choices include:

ALTO BLOCKOUT - Introducing the Glitz behind the Glamour of Alto Blockout. 

The Glamour pop of a plain metallic like no other in the range, Alto Blockout transforms any room from ordinary to extraordinary through its impeccable metallic lustre finish on its face surface. Alto features in 3 colours that will ignite any space.

TEMPUS - The light transcendence of Tempus Sheer

Capturing the true essence of a breezy Voile, Tempus fabric creates a meditative mood through its play on light in any room through its 5 astonishing atmospheric colours. This sheer is available in Roller and Panel applications, for that ultra-contemporary styling solution.

ARIA - The right understated Linen texture.

Encapsulating traditional yarn slubbing and delivering it through a modern de-tuned textured surface, Aria Translucent is all about delivering a simplistic modern realm. The range colourway’s allow for easy classic coordination to ignite any room.

LUCEEDA - That bold statement piece. 

Luceeda blockout fabric is all about that Sensuous appeal being delivered through elegantly woven lustrous yarns. Showcasing true elegance and harmony through its 5 statement colours at 2.8m wide, Luceeda adopts tonal foam backing to continue the range delivery of grandeur. A further delight to the offer is its sustainability of being Oeko-Tex certified

Selling Houses Australia – The House by the Sea

The LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia Episode 13 Season 8

The Story: Angela Service always dreamed of a little holiday house by the sea. So when she saw a pint-sized ex motel unit at the bargain price $79,000, she snapped it up. For a while she made great use of the place, then life got in the way. Now she’s desperate to sell, but in 2 years hasn’t had a single offer. Can Charlie and Shaynna think outside the box and turn tiny into terrific?

The Problem:  The Batehaven home was a tiny home, full of little challenges. The entrance led straight into the lounge room, where the lounge room was enough to send buyers away because it was small, had no character and connected to the kitchen and dining room. The blue wall and cupboards just gave the room a tacky and run-down look.

The bathroom was literally a hole in the wall, where the water tank was smack bang right next to the sink, and not to mention the horrible bright blue walls. The outside of the home was not any better. It lacked character, was small and very bare. And then there was the very tiny courtyard screaming out for a transformation.

The Solution: For the interior, a lot had to be fitted into the tiny space. Smart hidden storage space was created throughout the home, as to not take up anymore room. Space efficient appliances were installed and a brand new coat of paint, and new floor boards in the lounge and kitchen area created that whole new difference to the lounge room. Grey, navy and cream tones were used in the lounge and kitchen area to give the room a sophisticated look. Complimented with Roller Blinds in the fabric Havana Blockout and colour Fog, the grey tones of the Roller Blinds was the perfect match for the navy wall, and the boat feel of the room.

The bathrooms were given new fittings to add a bit of bling, where cupboards were added for extra storage along with the Luxaflex® Roller Blinds to compliment the white-toned bathroom.

The master bedroom was given a brand new bed with under compartments of storage – perfect for a small space, which added great functionality. The bare sliding door window was given a revamp and replaced with Luxaflex® Roller Blinds.

The fabric Soltec and Silpcast Blockout in the colours White and Versailles were used throughout all the bedrooms and were the perfect match for the décor and colour tones, working with the white and neutral tones of the bedrooms, but also adding a pop of colour.

All Luxaflex® Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex® Gallery dealer Platinum Blinds and Awnings.  

Watch Selling Houses Australia every Wednesday, 8.30pm AEDT on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. 

Selling Houses Australia – Great Bones and Character, But That’s About It

The LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia Episode 12 Season 8

The Story: Divorce can lead to some odd living arrangements, as Cherie and Bryce found out. The couple bought an old Queenslander as their family home and for time they were very happy. When Cherie and Bryce split, Cherie and her new partner bought Bryce out. But Bryce didn’t move out, he stayed put as the tenant and moved his new partner in! This complex plan was to keep a stable base for the kids, but now they’ve grown up its time to sever ties. But there’s one big problem, the place is in such a state, nobody wants to buy.

The Problem:  This house had plenty of space, great bones and character. But the main thing that kept buyers away was its lack of curb appeal. The exterior of the home looked awful. All the paint on the exterior of the house and on the fence was beyond pealing. It looked as if it had gone to hell and back. The concrete path was ugly and overgrown with weed and grass.

The entrance into the home led directly into a bedroom, which was completely off-putting for buyers and the lay-out of the home needed a lot of rejigging. The bathroom was too small for the size of the house, and placement of rooms throughout the home did not make sense.

The Solution: The home was automatically given street appeal with a new coat of paint on the house and fence – and what a huge difference that made. The grey tones of the house matched with the white fence brought life back into the home. It gave it a modern touch, and made it pop against all the other houses on the street.

A wall was created in the entrance bedroom to create two useable rooms so that buyers would not be walking straight into a bedroom, but instead a foyer. The wall meant that a functional foyer and functional bedroom were created.

At the back of the house, doors were blocked up and new doorways created and walls knocked down or moved. The old bathroom was transformed into something spectacular. It was bigger, better and even had a bath tub. 89mm NEWSTYLE® Polyresin Shutters in the colour White were installed in the bathroom, the perfect complement for the white and grey tones of the room. NEWSTYLE® Polyresin Shutters are perfect for bathrooms because they will never blister, peel, flake, corrode or fade, even under intense sunlight or exposure to water due to the technologically advanced Polyresin compound.

Two of the old bedrooms were transformed into a fabulous master bedroom with a walk-in ensuite – something which property buyers really value today. Again, NEWSTYLE® Polyresin Shutters were installed in the bathroom to create an elegant look with the soft, matte lustre look of fresh paint.

Roller Blinds in Blockout Cotton White and External Louvres outside the windows were chosen for the home because they help battle the Queensland heat and harsh sun. Metal Lourve Awnings are extremely effective for providing privacy, light control and air flow because you can control light and privacy by adjusting the awning panels.

All Luxaflex® Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex® Gallery dealer CBD Blinds in Milton, QLD.

Watch Selling Houses Australia every Wednesday, 8.30pm AEDT on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. 

Selling Houses Australia – The Ramshackle Country Mansion

The LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia Episode 8 Season 8

The Story: When Julienne Wilson saw her ramshackle mansion in country New South Wales, it was love at first sight. For 17 years she battled to restore its crumbling beauty, but when her husband died she decided it was time to move on. The place is falling down around her ears and Julienne doesn’t have the energy or funds to fix it. To add to her woes, country markets are slow and after 3 years and just 7 inspections, her chances of a sale are looking slim.

The Problem: This grand old home was in definite need of some tender loving care to restore it to its former glory. The home was previously a hospital and turned into a family home, which definitely took its toll on the home. The real buyer turn off was the fact that the outside of the house was decaying, which deterred buyers from even entering the house to see the interior. Even though the home had great potential and was full of history, the kitchen was in a need of a massive overhaul, and was literally falling apart. The walls were cracking, the floors needed changing and bits and pieces around the house needed restoring.

The Solution: The home was packed with potential and history, but just needed a good make-over. The concrete path leading to the home was removed and instead replaced with a deco granite path. New plants and trees were planted to give the home a more country feel, instead of a yard that was cramped by overgrown shrubs. The decaying verandah was completely replaced with new cypress wood, and the exterior of the home was refurbished and given a new paint job. Now the home looked buyer friendly from the outside.

The kitchen was given a complete makeover and a fully functional living space was created, while still maintaining the period feel with the Victorian county look. The kitchen now had all the modern components, including the Luxaflex® Tiered Modern Roman Shade in the fabric Linen Weave and Beechnut colour. Tiered Modern Roman Shades stack up, down or anywhere in between, giving you greater control of the amount of light you let into your home.

The flooring of the bedrooms were pulled apart, and instead replaced with carpet to give the rooms a lift. Luxaflex® Roller Blinds in the fabric Waratah and colour Bounty were installed in the bedrooms to give it that final finishing touch. The colour of the Roller Blinds helped in keeping the heritage of the home, but it also makes a very versatile colour scheme for any home.

The use of Roller Blinds created a simple, yet aesthetically attractive choice for the country mansion. Because of the simplicity of Roller Blinds, it fitted closely to the window, and so blends in well with the décor of the home, and allowed for sheer curtains to be placed on top of the Roller Blinds to create that little bit of special touch.

All Luxaflex® Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex® authorised dealer Taylor Home Décor in Wellington, NSW.

Watch Selling Houses Australia every Wednesday, 8.30pm AEDT on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. 

Selling Houses Australia – The 7 Siblings Who Inherited a Haberfield Home

The LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia Episode 3 Season 8

The Story: Selling a house with two vendors can be hard enough, but how about selling with seven squabbling siblings? The trouble began when the Chols inherited a run-down renovator from their late mother. They wanted to sell, but couldn’t decide on a price or how to present the place. Months of discussions became years, while the house sat untouched and unsold. 

The Problem: This federation property was once a loved family home, but the beauty of the home had long faded away – something that often happens to a deceased estate. Buyers just passed by the home, and with time, rot and decay settled in. From the neglected exteriors, to the outdated interiors, every room in the home was wearing away, where the kitchen was in need of an extensive transformation. The front and backyard were also looking old and stale, and because the home is listed in a heritage conservation area, there are limits to what sorts of renovations can be taken outside the home.

The Solution: Transform the neglected exterior and outdated interior to give the home a near $2 million price tag. The Haberfield home was given some landscaping love, and the inside of the home was given a modern touch. From a new bathroom to a renovated open kitchen area, the home was given contemporary touches, but also keeping with the heritage of the home. 

The Luxaflex team installed Roller Blinds (Temple fabric in the colour Cotton White) and Roman Shades (Prague fabric in the colour Cottontail) throughout the home. Roman Shades are simple, functional, beautiful and full of versatility and have the ability to adjust light in any room whilst beautifying a window at the same time. Roman Shades in this Haberfield home compliments the heritage of the home whilst adding a contemporary look and feel.

The use of Roller Blinds creates a simple, yet aesthetically attractive choice for the Haberfield home. Because of the simplicity of Roller Blinds, it fits closely to the window, and so blends in well with the décor of the home.

All Luxaflex® Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex® Gallery dealer A Style of Shade in Double Bay, NSW.

Watch Selling Houses Australia every Wednesday, 8.30pm AEDT on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. 

Selling Houses Australia - The Dapto Home

The LifeStyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 1 of Season 8 aired last night.

The Story: Sharon and Brad are facing financial disaster. They thought they had the perfect business opportunity, but when their investor pulled out, they were left with a mountain of debts. The only escape is to sell their Dapto home for the best price possible. 

The Problem: Sharon and Brad's house was a sizeable property, just two decades out of date, where all the signs of wear and tear were showing. The other problem was that property buyers could get a brand new house and land package for the same price as this two decade old home. And there's also the fact that there is a railway line right behind their home. 

The Solution: The Dapto home was given a complete interior revamp, where a sleek window transformation was created with Luxaflex Roller Blinds in the rumpus room, formal lounge and master bedroom. Moorea fabric in the colour White was mainly used, with Harper in Glacier and Ultraweave Plus in Midnight making their notable appearance. Ultraweave Plus provides a level of day time privacy without compromising your view with a 6% openness factor. 

All Luxaflex Window Coverings were supplied and installed by Luxaflex Window Fashions Gallery Kiama Window Fashions in Kiama, New South Wales. 

Watch Selling Houses Australia every Wednesday, 8.30pm AEDT on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. 

Selling Houses Australia - Privacy Control

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia - Episode 2

WOLLONGONG – Privacy Control

OVERVIEW: The second episode of The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia featured a house in great need of privacy control. The owner, Rhonda, bought her weatherboard cottage in central Wollongong on NSW's Coast about an hour south of Sydney because of the seclusion of the enormous backyard, but this was destroyed when a milti-storey unit block was constructed next door with balconies looking into her home.

PROBLEM: The waetherboard cottage was in need of privacy both day and night, without losing natural light. Although privacy could be achieved with any window covering, the cottage needed a blind with dual functionality – privacy and light filtering, whilst also maintaining a view.

SOLUTION: The Selling Houses team opted for Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds, which effectively  managed the amount of light, heat and privacy they wanted in the home, simply by teaming up the Portobello 'Blanc' blockout fabric with Mist 'White' sheer translucent fabric.



HOW IT WORKS: The dual system works by mounting two blinds on one set of brackets, allowing
the homeowner to combine the functionality of two different fabrics in the one roller blind. This not only offers flexible light adjustment, but also day and night time privacy in the one application. In this case, the translucent fabric is perfect during the day as it ensures privacy and allows the entry of natural light, whilst also maintaining a view. The blockout part of the Roller Blind is ideal for eliminating light and ensures complete privacy at night.

Dual Roller Blinds are easy to operate and suitable for small, large, corner or bay windows, which can sometimes prove tricky to effectively cover. Available with the sleek and modern EDGE (Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency) technology, Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds come in a range of operating systems, including chain, crank or motorised and can be operated with a remote device such as an iPhone or an iPad.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.



BEFORE
 

AFTER

 

New Roller Blind Design Gives Luxaflex the EDGE

Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency is the secret to the new range of LUXAFLEX^® Roller Blinds with patented EDGE technology – offering unrivalled strength combined with a sleek design.

Designed in Europe, the roller blinds effectively cover large expanses of windows, without compromising on modern aesthetics. Their new hardware system is suitable for small, large, corner or bay windows, with a range of operating systems including chain, crank or motorised solutions.

Choose from over 200 fabrics to suit all your home interiors.

Top Trends for 2012

Modern Home Magazine’s Associate Editor, Selina Gordevich, shares her insights on the top trends in home design for 2012.

“This year is all about black. As interior designers and decorators celebrate styles like Hollywood Regency, it’s collections by Versace Home and Kelly Hoppen that are truly reflecting the black trend in home design.

Using white as a neutral base, black is taking the lead in accents and is working its way into everything from sofas to cabinetry, tap ware to lighting. While vivid shades like turquoise, denim blue, sun yellow, apple green and chromatic pink being used to complement the dark hue.

The Hollywood Regency trend combines a mix of French and Greek design combined with Modernist touches. This exciting design trend was popular in the homes of movie royalty during the golden age of Hollywood.


Another style that continues to be popular, particularly in Australia, is Coastal Chic– think lots of white with soft accents of baby blue and creamy yellow.”

If you’re brave enough choose Luxaflex Duette Shades or Roller Blinds in a black or charcoal colour. Otherwise, keep it neutral with whites and creams and pick up the trend in other home accessories. Coastal Chic is perfectly complemented by the timeless look of Luxaflex Newstyle Polyresin Shutters available in Vanilla, Pearl or White.