QUEENSLANDSAdapted from the TV show

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Issue 6 - 2012 Published by Paul Le Mura and Associates © ABN 77 010 526 833

Designs that DazzleOwnit Homes' newestdisplay homes

There's a new Aussie icon in the backyard - The Outdoor Kitchen

Exotic homewares fromFar Pavillions

A taste forthe outdoors

Furniture from afar

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COVER SHOT: One of Stylemaster and Alliance Homes custom-designed inspirations

QUEENSLANDSAdapted from the TV show

© Designs that dazzle

The company’s creative team has lovingly crafted homes for thousands of families, like the latest success, the Palazzo 321, on show between two other stunning display homes in Brisbane.

A narrow frontage of 10 metres means the Palazzo 321 is tailor-made for tricky, infill blocks of land that increasingly dot the urban landscape.

The full-width balcony on the upper level can be accessed from the master bedroom, giving plenty of fresh air and me-time space. The wide front entrance is set back at the right side of the home with a window above.

An abundance of ultra-comfortable living space is provided inside. Quiet contemplation can be considered on the charming timber-decked patio with atrium to the right of the entrance hall. Outdoor entertaining and recreation is well catered for with a family-friendly alfresco at the rear of the double-storey Palazzo 321. This wonderfully functional area can be fashioned to include a barbecue, a shady arbour or garden gazebo.While indoors, light showers every corner of the home through picture windows. Durable and easily maintained slate-grey ceramic floor tiles blend admirably with the earthy tones in the bathrooms and ensuite. The décor is crisp, clean and holds sudden surprises when decorative feature walls attract the eye.

There is ample opportunity for quiet seclusion with a well lit study downstairs and two appealing study nooks on the second level. Two slim windows flank the living room, set apart slightly with a cutaway wall from the open plan family and meals rooms. Opposite is the centrally placed kitchen, its servery

Up-to-the-minute designs that add pizazz to Queensland’s homebuilding arena have been the hallmark of Ownit Homes for its entire 40-year history.

offering plenty of shelf and easy-glide drawer space. Wide windows above the Smartstone benchtops bring necessary light into the food preparation area. The fastidious finish includes white-polished cabinets and prestigious DeLonghi appliances.

Flared stairs lead up to a second family room and four expansive bedrooms. The master bedroom is huge with a striped feature wall for colour and an inviting ensuite offering double wall-hung vanities and a spacious shower with bottle shelf.

Walk-in robes are built into all the bedrooms.With this innovative design, Ownit Homes has transferred the quality and professional workmanship of its award-winning homes to a haven of exemplary living. The Palazzo 321 offers an enviable lifestyle, with high ceilings adding to the impression of space. The design of the home carries great flexibility to suit tastes and budgets. This home is generously sized and Ownit Homes’ legendary attention to detail and quality is obvious.

Its uncluttered yet striking façade has undoubted streetscape appeal.The Palazzo 321 has investment value that would be hard to beat. This home is terrific value for money and has design attributes that will stand the test of time.

Ownit Homes’ policy of offering upmarket extras in its standard list of inclusions extends to a ducted vacuum system, front door intercom and security. Every home built by Ownit Homes is constructed to the highest standard. Over 40

years the company has developed a reputation for building fine executive-style family homes that show intricate attention to detail, combined with superb quality materials and finish. An owner’s wishes can be tailored to fit any requirement.

Inspect the Sorrento, Palazzo and Mirage at the Master Builders Display Village, Skyview Avenue at the Arise Estate, off Gardner Road, Rochedale.

Visit ownithomes.com.au for more info.

2QUEENSLANDS

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A taste forthe outdoorsPreviously only thought of as a luxury reserved for the rich and famous, today’s ‘must have’ item is actually adding value to homes and increasing resale potential.

Australians have come a long way with our outdoor entertaining. There was once a time when a sausage on the barbie with a cold beer would suffice the crowds, but these days it seems our barbeque taste buds have become a little more discerning. Instead we prefer our gourmet pizzas straight from the wood fired oven, our steaks and shitakes sautéed under the stars, and... Well basically we just love to impress our friends and create fabulous meals to enjoy outside.

One of the great appeals for cooking in an outdoor kitchen is that the host doesn’t spend all their time shuffling items out from indoor spaces. So for frequent entertainers a fully equipped standalone kitchen is ideal.

Some of the features you may wish to incorporate in your standalone kitchen are a sink, beverage refrigerator, cook top and extractor if near the house and possibly a small dishwasher – great for all those greasy hotplates.

Step aside Hills Hoist, there is a new Aussie icon in the backyard – The Outdoor Kitchen. With our fabulous Queensland climate and growing love affair with cooking it is no surprise that the humble barbeque has been raised to new esteem.

Waterproof cabinetry for pots, pans, woks, trays and all the essential cooking apparatus is also a great addition if you have the space. And for bench tops it is recommended that you select a durable surface such as granite or stainless steel.

Your Outdoor Kitchen design can be as simple as a built in BBQ or as fully equipped as your indoor kitchen. But the most important thing is to ensure that your outdoor kitchen is well designed for your individual needs and cooking style, as it can be a considerable investment and an area that you really want to enjoy using. Think about the best position for your kitchen and how often you intend to use it. Do you already have water and power connections? Do you plan on adding an outdoor television, fans or lighting on dimmer switches? If you are building a new home, think about the addition of a capped off plumbing waste point, gas and electrical points, as this will cost substantially less at construction stage than if you run these services in later.

You may wish to design your outdoor kitchen area as an extension or your home, in which

case it is possible to consult your builder in the early design stages. But you can also consider a ‘pavilion style’ option where your kitchen zone is in a separate area of the backyard. Generally these structures are sheltered from the elements, but do ensure that the cooking area is well ventilated, particularly over the grill to reduce smoke.

Flooring is another style statement that can also impact on your safety. It is important to select a surface such as timber decking or textured pavers to reduce the chance of slipping.

When it comes to the business of cooking the barbeque grill is always a winner, but there are other options to consider. A wood fired oven is great for entertaining and provides great versatility when it comes to cooking everything from seafood, roasts, tagines, bread and or course homemade pizzas. These can be quite heavy so if you intend to mount one on your counter top it is important to ensure that you have adequate structural support.

A more informal cooking option is a fire pit. These are ideal for cooking with rotisserie, skewers or grilling over the flame, but make

sure you have a safety grate as these are not always a safe option where small children or active pets are concerned.

But nothing is more warm and welcoming than a beautiful outdoor fireplace even if the only thing you cook in it is the odd marshmallow. There are many options available including wood burning and gas, and it may pay to consult a professional about which option is right for you. Although in Queensland you may only need them for a few months of the year, once you are curled up in your favourite outdoor sofa chair, sipping your drink of choice or enjoying a delicious meal – the cosy ambience of your outdoor room is sure to keep you entertaining all year round.

Visit stylemasterhomes.com.au for more great tips from Stylemaster and Alliance Homes multi-award winning interior designersSharon Piconi and Angela Grayson

With Stylemaster and Alliance Homes multi-award winning interior designers Sharon Piconi and Angela Grayson

STYLE TIPSImage depicts winning entry – 2011 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards Trade Contractor Award –

Swimming Pool, Outdoor living & Landscaping

4QUEENSLANDS

Adapted from the TV show

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©Copyright : Alliance Homes Pty Ltd T/A Stylemaster Homes. - QBSA LICENSE NO. 1025309. DISCLAIMER: Facade and photo is for illustrative purposes and should be used as a guide only. It may depict items such as landscaping, fences, lights, balustrades, external wall fi nishes, roofi ng material, outdoor entertaining areas which are not included in our standard pricing. Internal items such as decorative fi nishes, fi xtures and fi ttings may not be included. Alliance Homes Pty Ltd reserves the right to make alterations without notice. Bonuses may vary depending on house type and subject to change without notice. Offers not valid on any other designs, specifi cations or promotions. No credits issued for specifi cation alterations or substitutions. Check with consultants for full details.

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PAINTINGSWITH PIZZAZZHer love of strong, bold colours is reflected in her paintings. Though the subjects may vary dramatically, their vibrant colours remain the dominant thread. Christine works in acrylics, and tends to paint more of the female figure, though never in the traditional sense.

It is the ‘essence’ of the person rather than the reality that Christine strives to capture. Some of her favourite places are Bali, Thailand and India.

"I’ll always come home with lots of sketches and ideas – it’s not just the people but also the “colours” of the countries that I visit that end up on the canvas."

"Wherever I go, I love to wander around the markets. The Ubud Markets in Bali is one

of my favourites - very early every morning the Balinese ladies sit around surrounded by baskets full of brightly coloured flowers and fruits chatting happily away while selling their wares to the locals to make their daily offerings. I’ve just returned from Turkey and went to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul… that’s my idea of heaven!"

Vibrant colour and lots of energy are the trademarks of Christine's paintings - the use of strong, bold colours are the dominant thread in her work. Her favourite artists are Modigliani and Picasso - her paintings have often been called 'whimsical'. "I don’t try and analyse what I do or why I do it. I find that the answers or reasons tend to present themselves sometime after the

painting is finished. I believe that anonymity, far from showing lack of detail, allows the viewer to dream"

"One thing I love is when there is a story attached to the person who buys one of my paintings. I’ve had a lady buy one of my peacock paintings… she had been searching for the perfect peacock to tattoo on her body, and when she saw my painting she decided that was the one! She even promised to send me a photo when she had the tattoo done!"

Christine also does commissions. It could be a painting that is done specifically to match a colour scheme in a home or office, or a portrait done in her style, capturing the “essence”, as opposed to the reality.

"I’ve recently done a “wedding tree,” where I painted a lovely tree and the guests put their fingerprints on the branches, and the bride and groom could then hang the painting on the wall."

Christine has a range of greeting cards and bookmarks, and each year does an Art Calendar that sits on your desk and adds a burst of colour to your day. The 2013 calendar is available now.

Visit www.pizzazzart.com.au for more on Christine's paintings and products.

Christine Donaldson has travelled extensively and draws inspiration from the many places she has visited. From the markets in Ubud Bali, to the rice fields in Vietnam, and the busy streets of Mumbai in India, she captures the local people as they go about their daily lives.

Below: 'Geisha Garden' byChristine Donaldson

6QUEENSLANDS

Adapted from the TV show

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FURNITURE FROM AFAR

You’re going to get a better result with a smile and a show of

respect than you are by playing the seasoned tough guy

Far Pavilions owner Michael Edwards knows how to bag a bargain. Bringing back treasures from around the world is a dream come true for most travellers and lovers of exotic homewares, but how do you know if you’re really getting a good bargain?“Bargaining is an art, for sure, but it’s actually very simple if you stick to a few basic rules,” says Far Pavilions owner Michael Edwards.

“The first is that you’re going to get a better result with a smile and a show of respect than you are by playing the seasoned tough guy. It helps a lot to know what

Michael Edwards, Far Pavillions CEO

you’re looking for in the first place and know roughly what you should be paying." Local advice can come from unexpected sources. Treat a taxi driver well and provide a moderate tip and he’ll tell you where to get good stuff and the kind of price you should pay.”

Michael first started collecting old artefacts

and furniture on trips to Indonesia, the US and Mexico. He began restoring them for his own personal enjoyment until his hobby led him to open his first showroom in Paddington in 1995. He now has 14 Far Pavilion stores in Queensland, including a factory outlet in Salisbury.

Michael’s prowess at bargaining means you can get exquisite homewares from all over the world at an affordable price without stepping foot on a plane. He does all of the hard work for you, constantly travelling throughout the world in search of the latest trends in homewares.

Michael organises shipping directly to his southeast Queensland showrooms, cutting out the overheads and passing those savings on to his customers. From lounges, dining settings and beds to mirrors and other accessories, Far Pavilions has

furniture and homewares for every room in the house.

Visit one of Far Pavilions stores for a look at the ever-changing collection of stylish and innovative pieces from afar.

To view Far pavilions extensive range of furniture and homewares go towww.farpav.com.au

8QUEENSLANDS

Adapted from the TV show

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Where should I put my new Gazebo?

The very first thing you need to decide about your new Gazebo is where will it go? You can choose from any of the following:

• Front yard; • Back yard; • Over the roof of your house; • Down the side; • Attached to the house; or • A combination of any of the above

You may not know a few of the more unique ways your Gazebo can change your lifestyle…

You could have a lovely pitched roof Gazebo with a waterproof join, so you can walk in-between your house and your new outdoor entertaining area. Another option may be to place your new Gazebo in the back corner of your backyard surrounded by plants, even perhaps with a water feature or a pond. Or what about placing your new Gazebo not so far from your pool, perhaps on the timber decking or pavers surrounding your pool.

How do I know what style of Gazebo to choose?

With so many differently styles of Gazebos it can be confusing to decide which one is best for you. You may want to match your house, create a themed area in your garden or you may even want to do a combination of both.

Themed areas are a very popular option! You can choose a Bali Hut, Modern Shingle Gazebo or an African Gazebo. The range of Gazebo choices is huge, but don’t get confused, it is easy to narrow it down to the exact type you may like for your home by simply starting with just your favourites. When creating a themed area, to make it even better you can add plants, pebbles, water features and statues to match your chosen theme.

Is there a shape that suits my area better than others?

Square and rectangular Gazebos are the most popular and 6, 8, 10 or 12 sided Gazebos or Multi-sided Gazebos are great. Generally, any type of roofs can be fitted to any type of Gazebo. So if you like a Bali Hut and want to have a 10 sided Bali Hut 5.0 m across, it can easily be done.

Square and rectangular Gazebos will give you the most space inside as the corners are at 90 degrees to each other, so if your plan is to put a spa along with a table and chairs under your Gazebo, you may be best to go with something like a 5 x 4 rectangular Gazebo.

When making the choice for the shape of your new Gazebo, ask yourself two questions:

1. Where is my new Gazebo going to be in my yard?

2. What will I use my new Gazebo for?

Once you work out the answers to these two questions, everything will just fall into place.

How do I choose the floor type for my new Gazebo?

Once you have chosen the type and shape of your Gazebo, you can choose your floor type. Once again, many options are available and they include:

• Concrete – There are many styles available ranging from plain concrete, stamped concrete, stencilled concrete and polished concrete. Many concreters have a great range of finishes and can match existing concrete you may have or extend existing concrete you have at your home.

• Pavers – These are great as a floor for your new Gazebo. There is many to choose from and you can either have them installed or install them yourself. You can choose from clay pavers, sandstone pavers, concrete pavers or pavers with designs • Tiles – Can be used under your new Gazebo but normally you will need to put down concrete first then lay the tiles on top. Tiles are very low maintenance and usually very easy to clean.

• Timber decking – Timber decking is available in either pine or hardwood, and will match your

JGC_Stripad_QBL_Nov_2012R.pdf 1 23/11/12 10:20 AM

GAZEBO

TIPS10 things you must know about Gazebos, Bali Huts and Decking before you purchase...Article by Matt Buchel

new Gazebo nicely, after all the frame is made from timber. Pine is normally more cost effective and withstands weather well.

Don’t forget there is also a wide range of handrails you can add to your Gazebo when ordering, for safety or for looks.

How do I know if my Gazebo will be water proof?

Most Gazebos are water proof, including tiled roofs, Colorbond and modern roofing. You may also wonder if Bali Huts, African Gazebos and Koda pavilions are waterproof...

Bali Huts are 100% waterproof, when done correctly. African Huts are essentially waterproof, but only 99% waterproof. What this means is that if you have a spa as well as a table and chairs underneath, in general you will be able to sit underneath even in rain, but sometimes in heavy rain, water can get through. To combat this we import thicker tiles and this seems to help as they are specially made to our specifications.

Koda pavilions are 100% waterproof. We actually have the covers made out of marine grade material, so you can sit underneath in pouring rain and not get wet.

Every other Gazebo available, when built correctly, is 100% water proof. So this means you can leave your valuable outdoor setting underneath and it will be completely out of the weather.

Continues on page 14

Matt Buchel is the owner of Tropical Lifestyle and has been in the building industry for 16 years. He currently leads the team at Tropical Lifestyle, Australia’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of Gazebos.

12QUEENSLANDS

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GAZEBO

TIPSHow to be 100% sure your Gazebo is engineered for your area

When choosing your new Gazebo it is important to make sure the structure has been engineered. Each area has a different wind rating, ranging from N2 with the lowest up to C3 (cyclone 3) or sometimes higher. The wind speed is normally checked by an engineer. Or you may already know the wind speed for your area. One more thing that may affect your engineering is footings. Your Gazebo can be mounted in a few different ways:

1. Posts concreted into the ground (when posts are treated correctly).

2. Mounted onto existing slab or tiles with stirrups. Stirrups are normally an extra charge and not included with most kits.

3. Mounting onto footing with stirrups - done mainly with untreated posts, such as hardwood posts, as they are not rot and termite proof. If stirrups are used, generally your new Gazebo may also need some bracing up top.

How do I choose the type of materials for my Gazebo?

Gazebos can be made from steel or timber. Steel Gazebos and patios are generally made of thin steel. The posts and rafters, if any, are all very thin and while they will not fall over, there is an ever increasing trend towards timber framed Gazebos. There are three types of timber used in constructions of Gazebos: Pre Primed Timber, F7 Structural Pine and Hardwood.

• Pre Primed Timber is generally quite expensive but does come in some great shapes, such as ladies waistcoat and pre-rebated to suit handrails. Generally, expect to pay more with this material.

• F7 timber is a structural grade of timber – it has to meet certain structural requirements before it can be classed as F7 timber. It is kiln dried of moisture, so unlike most timbers, will have very limited amount of imperfections.

• Hardwood, available in many varieties, the most well known being Merbau. Merbau, or Kwilla as it can be sometimes known, comes from Indonesia and in most cases takes a long time to grow. As a rule, Gazebos are not made out of Hardwood unless specifically asked for by the owner.

What paint or stain finish is best for my new Gazebo?

When you choose your new Gazebo you may want it painted or stained. Staining is the most

common finish as it brings out the grain in the timber of your new Gazebo and looks great.

A good manufacturer will use an expensive stain to ensure a long lasting great look. When painting your Gazebo, the process is much the same as staining.

If you are taking a stained product and changing it to a painted product, any good manufacturer should be able to do this to your Gazebo easily without any fuss or hassle. When choosing where to purchase your new Gazebo, be sure to dig deep and understand exactly how your new Gazebo is produced. How easy are DIY kits to install?

Install or DIY is always a personal choice. If you have limited skills and limited time you may wish to go with the installed option and in some cases you may wish to purchase a DIY kit and install some of it yourself and then later on, get a tradesman to help you.

You may like a turnkey service. A turnkey service is great when you are doing a timber deck and things get a little complicated i.e. the deck is bigger than your Gazebo and is on a multilevel, this can be done in a kit form but unless you are really handy, it may be worth paying for an install.

Generally when allowing for an install, the cost price is normally about 30% of the cost of your kit. This can vary depending on the type of Gazebo.

When choosing to go DIY with your new Gazebo or install it yourself, the most important question you need to ask is “what type of instructions will I get and how detailed are they?”

A Gazebo manufacturer with their systems in place will have a detailed instruction booklet – they should also have a team in place to help you with technical support i.e. a dedicated

Continued from page 12

person who will answer your questions.

How do I customize my Gazebo?

When choosing the Gazebo style that most suits your needs and style, you may want to customise it, using decorative timber in-fill or timber bracing fabricated a certain way to match your house, or colour to match your house.

When choosing your new Gazebo make sure you ask if it can be customised to suit your exact needs and desires.

Hopefully all this information helps you in making your Gazebo choice. At Tropical Lifestyle we can help you with all aspects of Gazebo design and installation Australia wide.

The Tropical Lifestyle Super Store is located at9 Upton St, Bundall QLD, and we are proud to have the largest display of Gazebos in Australia. Currently 32 gazebos covering all different styles are on display.

We manufacture each Gazebo just for you in our 2,000 sqm factory which is located half way in-between Brisbane and the Gold Coast at Ormeau. We also have a specialised parts manufacturing facility in Sydney, close to Windsor.

Whether you have chosen DIY or install, once complete, your new Gazebo will be an added value to your home and an added value to your lifestyle. Now is the time to sit back and enjoy. At Tropical Lifestyle we have the team to make your Gazebo project easy.

To order your new Gazebo, contact the team at Tropical Lifestyle on 1300 788 929 todayor visit www.tropicallifestyle.com.au

When choosing your new Gazebo make sure you ask if it can be customised to suit

your exact needs and desires.

14QUEENSLANDS

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