Kiama Arts Trail - Saturday June 1st 2019

The Kiama Arts Trail is scenic travel through some of the most picturesque countryside in Australia, where you can also visit award winning artists’ studios and galleries.

Visit Cathedral Rocks, The Blowholes (yes, there are two) and other attractions. While you are enjoying Kiama visit artists at work in their studios and enjoy galleries and cafes.

The Kiama Arts Trail is generally open the first full weekend of each month: 10am - 4pm, and other times by appointment with the venue.

Entry to each of the venues is free.

With a range of artwork and a wide variety of techniques, such as drawings, paintings, photographs, prints and sculpture, you are sure to enjoy following the KIama Arts Trail.

Contact details for all venues and a brochure are available on the website.

For more information: http://www.kiamaartstrail.com

Moving tips

Moving from one house to another can be stressful and exciting all at the same time. Staying organized, making lists, and planning ahead make the whole process a lot easier, but so does having a few handy packing tips and tricks up your sleeve! Check out this great website listotic it has heaps of great ideas to make your move into your new home much smoother.

Tips from Nat Winter

What are your hot tips for styling a home? 
An inviting home, that flows well can be created by keeping a similar theme running through the house from inside to out, downstairs to upstairs, bathroom to living room. A trick of the trade is to use books to stack items on top, or trays to cluster items together on a coffee table, dining table, sideboard, side table or bedside. An easy styling tip is to display three objects at different heights.

How can people create a beautiful look on a budget?
If I’m working on a budget, I find a hero item that may (or may not) be more expensive and I mix with inexpensive items. To do this, try using my tips above with small items like vases, candles and trays. 
A few quick tricks I use are…

Recover an old sofa or outdoor set using Ikea linen curtainsWait for the mid and end of year sales at your favourite storesJoin sites like Temple & Webster for great deals on furniture and homewares Shop at Kmart, Target and Adair’s on sale Have a big clean out of the old and sell it on Gumtree, before buying something second-hand to replace it.

For more information from  Nat click here

 
Image Via Pinterest

After a project!

Are your children all grown up? Have you been wondering what to do with their  old cot? Check out this great conversion. Click here 

Pretty details

Sometimes it is the small details that make you feel at home. Here is an example from decor8 blog, how easy it can be to add some simple but so pretty details to your home. Make it interesting for the visitor  when they look around finding something quirky around every corner.

Rummage through your cupboards and I'm sure you'll find some old jars! Fill with water to prevent them from cracking from the heat of the candle and light with a tea light. A group of them gives a nice effect either on the kitchen table or a living room space. Cheap and quick!

A plain bottle can be dressed up with some ribbons, it's all in the accessories ladies.

The beautiful images and styling are by Leslie Shewring, you can find her blog here.

Images: print screens from here.

De Cluttering Tools

De Cluttering tools

Get yourself some de cluttering tools eg

Stacking shelves

Stackable containers

Baskets

Pretty boxes

Under bed storage baskets

Pins and small fabric bags

Perhaps a trip to IKEA would be well worth your effort.

 

Re arrange or recycle photo frames

Buy a multi photo frame for the wall. You will be amazed at the fresh new un cluttered look it will give to your walls. The walls look much less busy then 6-7 individual photos on the walls.

All images: print screens from the IKEA website

Getting the kitchen ripe for the photographer

A couple of quick tips to make your kitchen stand out for the photographer.

• Remove all the clutter from the bench tops
• Make sure the sink is clutter free. That means no dishcloths or hand wash to be seen
• Get rid of the tea towel hanging on the oven door
• Remove all the magnets and bills from the fridge
• Remove all the appliances from the bench tops
• Add some colour to the room, try putting some green apples in a bowl or add some flowers to the bench top

                                                       See pinterest

Making for a cosy living room shot!

We want to create a homely feeling, we want the buyer to imagine him/herself sitting in your living room playing with the children or entertaining their friends and family
Ask yourself these couple of questions and consider the following?

• Are the walls and floors clean
• How do the window treatment's present, are they clean and in working order?
• Can I bring the view inside, open the blinds let the sunshine in
• Does my sofa look clean and inviting. If not cover it with a throw rug and some new cushions
• Can I add some colour, perhaps a new piece of art work and some matching vases or jars
• Get rid of all them loose DVDs hanging around
• Throw out the old magazines and papers
• Remove clutter from cupboards and coffee table
• Set the mood, if you have a fireplace light the fire
• Your photographer will create the right light for the perfect picture

                                                                     Great fireplace

The Kiama Farmers’ Market is held every Wednesday at Surf Beach, located on Manning Street.

Do not forget tomorrow  is Kiama Farmers’ Market afternoon, held at Surf Beach, located on Manning Street.

You couldn’t wish for a more picturesque backdrop for your weekly shopping expedition! The market is started each week by the “ringing” of the bell and runs from 3pm to 6pm when Daylight Saving is in place and then reverts to 2pm to 5pm in the cooler months when Daylight Saving comes to an end. No market trading takes place until the bell has been rung.

This is a true farmers’ market that cares about the origin of food and the protection of local growers, producers and makers. A market where kids play on the beach, skim stones across the harbour, fossick in the rock pools or sit on the grass to have an afternoon picnic snack or early dinner.

Each week you will find a wonderful selection of seasonal produce being sold directly to you by the farmer or maker. Along with fruit and vegetables, you can expect to find seafood; oysters; local Wagyu beef; honey; eggs; milk straight from the dairy; gelato made from local milk; cider; wine; mushrooms; cakes and tarts; preserves; sourdough bread, street food, ready-made meals… and more!

For more information: http://www.kiamafarmersmarket.com.au

Different styles

  

Check out the Ray White blog for more ideas.  Click here 

Can capital gains still be found?

Yes. It may require a little more effort than it did three or four years ago, but if you’re after an investment it’s still possible to find a property that will increase in value over the short and long term. For example, if you’re willing to go south, Hobart has experienced value increases of 18 per cent over the year to January, according to CoreLogic.

As a whole, regional areas outside of the capital cities saw their values increase by 0.2 per cent in January alone, indicating that capital gains can be found in regional areas. Fast growing towns near large centres like Ballarat in VIC or Wyong in NSW are great places to start looking, despite being a little small and far flung.

Why use property styling

Property styling is a must when selling your property whether you hire a professional or doing it yourself it is worth spending some money on presenting your house in the best way. Property styling is all about setting your house up for sale so that any potential buyer coming through the house will see the benefits of your house. First impression counts, just think back to your first date did you go with unwashed hair and un-matching shoes? Didn’t think so. So get started. The goal is to get the best possible price and to get the deal settled as quickly as possible.

Why use property styling 

A beautifully styled home can increase the speed of a sales campaign, It certainly will make the property look more desirable. In my experience the better a home is presented for sale the greater the final sales price will be.

Homes that are styled purely for the purpose of selling stand out more, they look far more impressive in comparison to other properties that haven't been styled. Compare the styled and unstyled homes on the websites and in the newspaper's. The styled home without a doubt looks far  more impressive and has a greater WOW factor! Therefore creates greater buyer interest. Its a numbers game! The more the merrier.

A  well styled home will standout much more than an unstyled cluttered home. In this competitive market place we want our homes to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Buyers are searching for a property they can see themselves living in, I want them to walk in and feel right at home. Arh.... a wine sitting by the fire!

We want to create the Wow factor, i want my buyers to be excited the moment they enter your home. Take away the negative factors, you don't want buyers drawn to any defects, instantly thinking "Price reduction".

Should I put off buying a home during this period?

No. If it’s the right time for you there’s no reason why you shouldn’t buy a property now. If you wait for better market conditions you may end up waiting for years. However, it never hurts to be cautious when making such a big decision, particularly when you’re buying in an uncertain market.

To minimise risks associated with buying property:

• Buy well within your limits and keep money aside for unexpected costs.
• Speak to a mortgage broker to make sure your home loan is structured well.
• Buy with the help of a real estate agent who knows the local area well.
• Do your own research, and find an area that’s likely to grow in future.

If you’re careful and get all the expert help you need, you should have no reason to worry about the market. Instead of delaying and watching prices go up and down, get the ball rolling on your property aspirations and get in touch with a local real estate agent you can trust.

Organize your space

Seek friends with space to spare
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. If possible rent a storage unit or ask a friend if you can store items in their garage/shed. Remove pieces of furniture that block or clutter walkways and put them in storage. Create open decluttered spaces.

I need a home!

Everything in your home should have it's own home. You may need to find new more appropriate homes for some of the items you keep. So compile designated areas for ‘like objects’. For example a bathroom box for soaps, hair products; makeup etc; a book and magazine box, Jewellery box, miscellaneous box and so on. Under bed storage boxes are great for kids toys and out of season clothes and shoes.

Every girl loves their jewels

I hang my necklaces on pins behind my bedroom door but you could do the same inside your wardrobe door. It's fantastic they are all hanging there neat as pins and so organised I love it. I also have my bangles, earrings etc all in separate labelled boxes. I also have several small fabric bags to put the smaller items in.

This Saturday from 10.00-3.00

Established in 2003, the Kiama Makers and Growers Market is a make it, bake it, sew it, grow it market. It is held on the fourth Saturday of the month at Black Beach in beautiful Kiama, featuring delectable gourmet food, produce and handmade goods.

Managers, Claire Roberts and Kerrie Humphrey from HiViz Event Management and Promotions have taken the market to new heights, introducing more home grown, handmade, eco-friendly and sustainable products.

Stock up on plants and seedlings, spices, cakes, honey, jams, chili sauces and spices, olives, fudge, juices, handmade craft, fine jewellery, children's and adult clothing, homemade soap and skin care, and eco-friendly products. Try the International food on offer and listen to live music.

Kiama farmers market

The Kiama Farmers’ Market is held every Wednesday at Surf Beach, located on Manning Street.

You couldn’t wish for a more picturesque backdrop for your weekly shopping expedition! The market is started each week by the “ringing” of the bell and runs from 3pm to 6pm when Daylight Saving is in place and then reverts to 2pm to 5pm in the cooler months when Daylight Saving comes to an end. No market trading takes place until the bell has been rung.

This is a true farmers’ market that cares about the origin of food and the protection of local growers, producers and makers. A market where kids play on the beach, skim stones across the harbour, fossick in the rock pools or sit on the grass to have an afternoon picnic snack or early dinner.

Each week you will find a wonderful selection of seasonal produce being sold directly to you by the farmer or maker. Along with fruit and vegetables, you can expect to find seafood; oysters; local Wagyu beef; honey; eggs; milk straight from the dairy; gelato made from local milk; cider; wine; mushrooms; cakes and tarts; preserves; sourdough bread, street food, ready-made meals… and more!

For more information: http://www.kiamafarmersmarket.com.au

Stash it away

A cluttered room crowds and brings the walls in, making the room appear smaller. Incorporate more storage options and stash your stuff away. Notice how instantly the room appears larger and it will look more appealing to the potential buyer.

                                                   Great storage baskets, and cool colours
                                    

                                                                 Love this

Some ideas to keep you organized

                             

                                                        Pretty cool !

                                                                  One for the kids

                                                     Now for the garage

Autumn gardens

Preparing the bathroom for the photo's

In my opinion, I feel that bathrooms are a very difficult room to photograph

See below some quick tips

• Please make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the shower screen, bathtub, vanity and mirrors
• Remove any clutter eg shampoo bottles, soap, razors,kids toys and sponges
• Add some freshly laundered towels
• How about a small vase of flowers or a pretty bottle to the vanity top
• No bath mats please
• Remove any laundry baskets and scales from the floor
• Imagine that you are walking into a brand new bathroom, except for the towels that's all we really want to see in the bathroom

                                           I really really want this one

Set your property up for sale

You have to start somewhere!!!
Disassociate Yourself with your home, try and view your home as if you were the buyer. What wouldn't you like the buyer to see? Start a to do list! Nothing like ticking off a job that's completed, such a satisfying thing to do, i am addicted to ticking things off my list! You will love the feeling of ticking off items one by one as you progress and feel more and more organised as you do.

Prioritise
Prioritise most important to least important jobs. Make sure every room has it's own to do list. Designate a start day and make sure you have pre organised boxes, glad-bags, labels, etc.
Keep the list on the fridge it will help keep you motivated and once all jobs are completed sit down and have a glass of well deserved champagne...Chin chin

Start with you!

Start with your own disorganised areas.Tackle your own messy areas first, rather than your partners or your children’s. Otherwise it’s too easy to find an excuse not to get organised because it’s ‘their’ mess, not yours. Start with your drawers.

OMG... How many old sets of bra's and haha the old bikinis did u find? I know it's hard to let go but you have to do it. Don't fret there is light at the end of the tunnel! Think about it like this, theres room for some new bikins and bra's.

Rows of fresh organised, lovely linen!

I am a sucker for lovely linen, just cant resist, what i found frustrating was everything folded up all looked the same RRRRRRRRRRRR

I have labelled the shelves in my linen closet, nothing like knowing the sheet you just picked up is a single not a double, I also have separate piles for guest linen, boat linen etc. You can also label with the family's names. A Friend i know has colour coded her children's linen. Great idea! 

Not the kids room

I can hear all of you saying NO Way my kids rooms are disaster areas. Ha ha I agree. Frustrating but true. See below a couple of ideas that will help with the photography and also help you to stay organised whilst you are selling.

• Firstly get rid of the clutter
• Pack away (in the garage or roof) any unused toys, books and clothing
• Clean the walls and remove any excess drawings paintings etc
• Paint the room if need be
• Launder the bedlinen
• Freshen up the bed with some new cushions and a throw rug
• Make sure the window furnishings are in good order and are clean
• Maybe have the carpets cleaned
• Pop a rug on the floor to brighten up the room

                                                            Cool wall

                                                          Great cushion

Renovating to sell?

If you are renovating to sell, know your budget. How much you can comfortably spend on the renovations. Will the renovations increase the final sales price of your property? If in doubt call in your local agent and ask their professional advice. Nothing worse when the new owner wants to pull up the new carpet that you have just laid, so they can polish up the floorboards underneath. Be careful and make sure you do your research before you spend any money.

For more ideas click

How cool does this kitchen look, you could easily add a blackboard,paint an old cupboard,or why not add some shelving. These great ideas will not cost a fortune but will add a real WOW to your kitchen.

Cook and clean

Giving the bathroom and kitchen a facelift adds a feeling of decadance to a property.

Try adding a large mirror to the bathroom, maybe some fresh towels and matching accesories. Then clean clean clean

For the kitchen replace the old outdated handles with some modern ones, if needed increase bench space with an island bench or a removable cupboard. Add some colour with co-ordinating kitchen accesories and a bunch of fresh flowers. Again make sure the pantry,oven,dishwasher and cupboards are nice and clean.

If you can its always nice to walk into a fresh clean home, why not bake some cookies or brew some coffee.

Quote of the week

"Today I do what others wont, so tomorrow I can do what others cant"

They listed their home with me and we were under contract in less than 7 days!

They listed their home with me and we were under contract in less than 7 days! Plus they got the price they wanted. Very HAPPY sellers and buyers.

Preparing your house for sale

When preparing your home for sale, you must remove the emotional
attachment you have to your home! We all have so many ideas on what we
would like to do to get the home ready for sale; however the reality
is that you probably will not achieve even half of the really
important jobs. You need to take a practical approach to getting your
property ready for sale. You need to present your home so someone else
 emotionally falls in love with it – let go, step back and really
think about what will 'sell your house'. If in doubt get professional
help or ask a friend for their opinion.

                                                                    Cute Kitchen

                                  
                                    

                                                
                                                       Image from here
                                        
                

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