The Secret to Great Kitchen Design

They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Here we nourish our loved ones, chat with our kids, partners or house mates at end of the day. It’s the hub of activity, for family time and entertainment especially when kitchens and dining livings room are combined. Our reminders, bills, photos and the latest kids’ masterpieces all seem to end up stuck on the fridge and it’s where some of our most important conversations take place. The simple act of cooking a meal provides a sense of place and togetherness. So, when a space is this important, it makes sense to plan for your needs and invest wisely to ensure it is practical and beautiful.
Kitchen layout is the most important aspect of kitchen design and creating much needed functionality with the “Kitchen Work Triangle” is the secret.

The Kitchen Work Triangle is a principle that aims to determine the most efficient kitchen layout for the cook, delivering both aesthetic appeal and maximum functionality. It places three main work areas and facilities (stove, sink and fridge with the sink in the centre) within proximity to each other providing the shortest, practical distance between them – cutting down wasted steps and enabling the cook to move between them easily when accessing, preparing and cooking food. By default, the Kitchen Triangle also tends to position plumbing and power for cost effective installation.

However, there are more secrets to great kitchen design than the Kitchen Work Triangle. Queensland Building Solutions know all the trade secrets and have a few more up their sleeves.
Our design experts will work with you on key design elements to ensure:

• That the total length of the work triangle is between 4000mm and 6000mm.
• The shortest, practical distance between the three main work areas in the kitchen (stove, fridge, sink) is achieved.
• Placement of the things you need within easy reach.
• We cater for special needs and accessibility requirements.
• Island benches are fully integrated into the kitchen design and width of walkways are designed specifically to create a seamless flow.
• No dead spaces, especially in large kitchens. We can work with you to create multiple, individually designed zones and achieve superior storage solutions.
• Create a safer cooking space by positioning at ideal work height (1200mm), maximising workspace, allowing for adequate set down space beside stoves and designing to prevent foot traffic from crossing the kitchen work triangle.
• Ideal location of appliances, power points, extraction fans and lighting.
• Your new kitchen is tailored to your personal style, unique needs, your budget and consider the amount of cooking you’re likely to do.
• The best quality materials, closures, fittings and appliances for every budget.

Call Glenn Martin and Rebecca Martin at Queensland Building Solutions, the friendly experts in kitchen renovations on 0419 864 877 for a free no obligation quote.

www.queenslandbuildingsolutions.com.au
QBCC licence 1304991 Master Builders 68500

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Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge – The Facts

The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (Sippy Creek Animal Refuge Society Inc) was established in 1979. Our Mission statement is ‘Giving refuge to abandoned and surrendered cats and dogs until permanently rehomed and educating the community on responsible pet ownership”. The Refuge is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation and has a non-euthanasia policy. We also run education programmes for the community on responsible animal ownership.

All cats and dogs admitted to the Refuge are Vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, desexed, micro chipped and medically treated if necessary prior to being available for adoption to the public. We have comprehensive terms and conditions of sale to ensure the animals are adopted into an appropriately loving home.

The Refuge is managed by an unpaid, elected committee, and run by a small staffing compliment and a large dedicated group of volunteers.

The Refuge operates from a 1.08 hectare site at Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha (adjacent to the Council Pound) and can house approximately 50 dogs and 50 cats at any given time. We accept cats and dogs from the Sunshine Coast Council Pound after owners cannot be traced, and from private surrenders.

We rely on the support of the Sunshine Coast Council Partnership Funding programme, bequests, local businesses, clubs and the community in general, for which we are very thankful and could not survive without. If you would like to find out more about making a donation or bequest, please click here.

We always need reliable and dedicated volunteers 18 years plus, to assist with early morning work and afternoon work, feeding cats and dogs, cleaning pens, preparing food, lawn mowing, maintenance and washing.

VIEW OUR WEBSITE
http://www.sippycreek.com.au
Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge
28 Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha QLD 4556
Ph (07) 5494 5275

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Bravery Buddies

Bravery Buddies are a collection of dolls for children who are either battling cancer or who have a loved one with cancer.
These special dolls send the message “you are not alone”. They are inclusive dolls for both boys and girls of different ethnicities created to offer comfort and bring a glimmer of joy to the lives of children affected by cancer.

Tegan’s Story – How Bravery Buddies came about

I was 13 years old and in my first year of high school when I became ill. The doctor told me that I had leukaemia. Cancer.
One day I decided to design a simple bracelet – a representation of my journey and something that I could wear to remind me of what I have been through. That one bracelet turned into another product design, and another, and another. Until suddenly I had several product ideas in mind to honour those battling, those who have passed, and to raise awareness of something that truly touches us all – cancer.
I wanted to create something to counteract that feeling of loneliness, so I designed the “Bravery Buddies”.

The Bravery Buddies

The Bravery Buddies have no hair, just like a lot of children who are battling cancer. The aim is for the dolls’ physical appearance to help sick kids feel like they’ve got an empathetic friend on their side. To be able to look at their special friend and think, “Hey, you’re just like me.”

Children are able to form a bond with their dolls, to share the experience of cancer – to be a friend to them when they need one most.
On Christmas eve, my husband, son and I took a load of dolls to the Lady Cilento hospital in Brisbane and handed them out. I could tell it meant so much, not only to the children but to the parents as well.

I can honestly say that it was the most rewarding experience of my life and I had an overwhelming feeling that I had finally found it…. My purpose, my passion. And I just know I have to keep going.

How can you help?

Sponsor a Bravery Buddy to be gifted to a child affected by cancer. Buddies are delivered to hospitals on a regular basis and to children on the waitlist who’s loved ones have requested one to help spread a little joy in the lives of these amazing little warriors. You can leave a personal message for a child or remain anonymous.

Sponsor a Buddy at
www.braverybuddies.org.au

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Hats with Hair

Welcome to Hats with Hair. Each and every person deserves to feel confident in their own skin. Especially those going through chemotherapy.

Here’s how Hats With Hair aims to bring self esteem, love and care to those in the midst of the most heartbreaking and traumatic experience of their life.

Hello! I’m Samantha Harrison, and I have been a hair extension specialist on the Sunshine Coast for the last 6 + years.
I love what I do each day, but I realised there could be a deeper purpose to my work.

I have been moved by the stories of children and teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer. No one deserves to experience such a time in their young life. Childhood should be a time of innocence, freedom, and exploration.

We can’t give these children their health, but we can come together to give them a little bit of joy in the form of a self esteem boost and the memory of what it was like before.

That’s where Hats With Hair comes in. Each hat is individually hand made. The hair piece is detachable from the hat, meaning you can change styles as often as you like.

The hats have 150 grams of ethically sourced European double drawn Human Hair, that is of a beautiful high quality.
This means that the patients can wear their Hat With Hair with pride, without worrying about any tangling or shedding, and feel confident that it looks completely natural.

The hair is shaped and blended to the recipient’s desired length, and they come in a variety of colours and styles.

You can wash, colour, cut, curl and straighten the hair, which means it can be styled to suit the child’s favourite look and make them feel even more like themselves.

Each hat will last for upwards of a year and requires NO maintenance. Thats right, NO maintenance. EVER

The hats don’t have any glue, they’re super comfy, and best of all — they look completely natural.

I want to give these beautiful children back a little bit of their life before cancer.

I’d like to create as many pieces as I can, to donate to children and teenagers going through chemotherapy.

Because of the quality & thickness of the hair I use & the products to create such a piece, it means the cost of material is extremely expensive. Those going through chemotherapy already have massive medical bills to pay for, along with the time off work aswell. It is such a trying time for most families.

But thats where you can help! Your donation will be used to cover the cost of the materials, which means that I can get these beautiful Hats With Hair into the hands of as many children as possible.

I will be posting all of the hats created and sharing the story behind each new loving and deserving owner. I can’t wait to share this journey with you all.

Thank you to those who have already donated.

2 hats have been donated to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital
3 hats donated to young girls, Neveah who is fighting Acute Myeloid Luekemia, Josie who is fighting Osteosarcoma and young Summer

Ive also been able to create some at a discounted rate with the left over funding that has kindly been donated to Shelley Williamson, Sam Marty, Jessica Kate, & Claire Smart.

Visit our Facebook Page

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Avoiding Blockaholic Blunders

Who doesn’t love The Block? It’s exciting, inspiring and very dramatic. What these people achieve in such a short space of time is incredible and it’s enough to get us geared up to grab a sledgehammer knock down the nearest load bearing wall.

However, watching shows like The Block can give people an unrealistic sense of what it’s like to renovate and what’s involved. Unlike the everyday home renovator, The Block contestants are not owner builders. They’re generally amateur designers and project managers but some have trade backgrounds. They’re provided with generous budgets. They are fully insured, undergo strict safety induction processes, they have access to a team of licenced tradespeople, and are being supervised by architects and a building foreman. The foreman is on site throughout the build continuously checking to ensure all work is completed to code and enforcing safety regulations.

If you’re keen to take on a project as an owner builder, you need to understand that you are accepting most of the risk and you have responsibilities. Knowing the rules and regulations is important, ensuring you have the right permits in place and understanding your own limitations is critical.

QBCC specifies the extensive responsibilities for owner builders on their webpage https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-building-owners/owner-building/your-responsibilities-owner-builder

One of the key requirements for owner-builders is that anyone that is engaged to carry out building work on the project must be a licensed contractor, with a written contract in place for all work exceeding $3300. Under an issued owner-builder permit, no work such as plumbing, draining, gas fitting, or pest control can be carried out by the owner-builder unless they are licensed in that field, in addition fire protection work higher than $1100 must also be completed by a licensed contractor. There are other requirements on the owner-builder covering areas such as; the display of signage, work supervision, site safety, payments and contracts.

An Owner Builder Permit application to QBCC costs approximately $400. To obtain an owner builder permit, the owner builder needs also to complete an owner builder permit course. These are generally online, self-paced with prices ranging from about $180 to $400 depending on the provider. More information and a list of course providers can be found here https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-building-owners/owner-building/owner-builder-course-providers

Want the right help with your owner-builder project?

Call Glenn and Rebecca Martin at Queensland Building Solutions, the friendly property renovation experts on

07 5441 7706 or
0419 864 877

www.queenslandbuildingsolutions.com.au

QBCC licence 1304991
Master Builders 68500

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6 Reasons to Install a Skylight

1. Natural Light

The most obvious reason for installing a skylight is to bathe a room in natural light. It’s also wonderful to be able to look up and see the sky above your head. If you’re worried about direct sunlight, you can purchase skylights with UV filters or have them installed in a way that doesn’t allow sunlight to directly strike a room.

2. Ventilation

Skylights can be a perfect way to get ventilation into your home. Since they are installed on the roof, they also help expel hot air. If you’re installing skylights in an attic room, buy manual or remote controlled “roof windows” and enjoy fresh air in your attic room. A skylight that opens can also be great in a bathroom, where it will draw steam out the window or the kitchen, where it will help get rid of cooking odours.

3. Save Energy

Skylights help save on your energy bills by giving you natural light throughout the day. If you have a dark hallway or walk-in closet, install tubular skylights and you won’t need to turn on the lights.

4. Improves Your Home’s Resale Value

Skylights can improve your home’s resale value and will put your home on top of potential buyers’ wish list. This is particularly true today, when buyers are looking for more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes. According to a recent University study, skylights can add up to 10 percent to the value of a home if the home also has other sustainable features.

5. Interior Design

Skylights improve the interior design of any room they are placed in. They make a smaller room appear larger and bathe a large room in natural light that flatters any room decor. If you have a small bathroom, for instance, install a skylight and it will appear larger and you’ll love the connection your skylight gives you with the outdoors.

6. Health Benefits

Skylights can have many health benefits. Natural light is a mood elevator and can make you feel more energetic. The connection with the outdoors a skylight gives you also contributes to a feeling of well being. Ventilating skylights improve air circulation in a room and improve the air quality. Skylights can also help keep mould and fungus from growing in your home.

Get a free quote today.

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Sunshine Coast Window Tinting

Getting a Sunshine Coast Window Tinting service will help with these issues:

• Tinting improves appearance
• reduces interior temperatures
• reduces the entry of infra red (IR) and ultra violet (UV) radiation
• aids privacy
• reduces glare, and
• for some types of film, increases security

Does Car Tint reduce heat?

Since window tint filters wavelengths from the sun that generates heat, it naturally keeps your car cooler during hot summers. Now the most important part – how much heat can window tint block? Premium tint can provide heat rejection up to 75-80%.

Conventional Spray Rust proofing

The conventional spray system of rust proofing has been around for over 50 years and is a trusted method by even the most extensive 4WD off road users. The experienced 4WD owner would not even contemplate taking their vehicles off road if it hasn’t been rust proofed.
Our comprehensive rust proofing is done above Australian Standards for both application and products used. 4WD protection includes protection for off road usage. Passenger vehicles are also protected from the harsh Australian climate and humidity.

Window Tinting specialists, Tinted Sunshine Coast are the go to guys for car window tinting and rust protection.

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Sunshine Coast Windscreens

About Us

At Sunshine Coast Windscreens our expert autoglazier team can evaluate the damage before proceeding with any services. We will do our best to find a fast, effective and affordable solution. If a windscreen repair is not possible we will perform a windscreen replacement customised to your vehicle and your requirements. Our experienced professionals will evaluate the damage to your window then present you with the best choices available.

Repairs

There are times when your damaged windscreen will only require some simple repairs.

Then there are occasions where you will require emergency service to prevent significant damage or injury. Whatever the case the team from Sunshine Coast Windscreens will be there for you in no time and will have your windscreen or windows looking good as new.

Windscreen Replacement

Often a new windscreen brings piece of mind thanks to your insurer.

Although we always prefer to first try to repair any damage to your windscreen, sometimes the damage will mean that we recommend that the whole windscreen be replaced.

At Sunshine Coast Windscreens, we use only quality glass. All our stock is sourced from reputable global suppliers and all windscreen glass utilised meets the requirements of Australian Design Rule ADR 8/01. All of our glass complies with Australian Standard AS/NZS2080:2006 or equivalent International Standards. Remember to Explore the Sunshine Coast everyday with your new shiny windscreen!

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Seaview 322

With Birtinya at Oceanside being the latest in waterfront living on the sunshine coast, Integrale Homes have created a range of designs to suit this unique opportunity. Our latest Seaview 322 display home at Birtinya has been styled around the modern Scandinavian design concept, highlighting the latest trends and capturing the relaxed lifestyle of the Coast. It is a home that demands attention while still blending with the environment and all its majestic charm. With straight lines, muted colour pallets and a soft minimalistic approach, the Seaview 322 display home offers grand design elements with larger windows and doors and striking textures and materials. This modern and contemporary home encompasses all of the luxuries of resort style living. Functionality is the key ingredient while offering only the best in open plan living.

Upon entering the Seaview 322, you will instantly feel elated by the impressive layout. The light filled living space is central to the home, offering a stunning integrated kitchen fit for the most avid of chefs, with a large butler’s pantry and Grand Island bench perfectly positioned and showcasing what is the focal point of the seamless living space.

Birtinya is just a short drive from the Kawana Shopping World precinct which now has Gold Class cinemas and one of the best beaches around. For more information contact Integrale Homes and remember to Explore the Sunshine Coast everyday!

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Painting a Room

Eleven Simple Steps

1. Begin by determining the colour scheme for your room. Review our colour charts at your local paint or hardware store, or check out our colour inspiration section. Remember to consider colours you’ve selected for surrounding rooms and spaces before determining the colour palette for walls, doors, trims and ceilings.
2. Our paint calculator will help you determine the quantity of paint required for the room you will be painting.
3. Open any windows in the room to improve ventilation and drying time.
4. For professional results, it’s best to prepare the room for painting. Watch the How To Prepare A Wall video for more tips.
5. Place drop cloths on floors and on any furnishings that can’t be removed from the room.
6. Apply painter’s masking tape to fittings and any trim edges which may be fiddly and difficult to paint around.
7. When painting any room, we always recommend painting from the top, down.
8. Start with the ceilings. Watch the How To Prepare A Ceiling video to guide you.
9. Move onto painting the walls next. You can find lots of tips on the How To Paint A Wall video.
10. Once these are completely dry, paint the doors, trims and window frames. There’s a video on How To Paint A Door to talk you through this too.
11. Now it’s time to have fun styling your newly painted room. Go for it. Bring your vision to life!

• If you are painting a statement or feature wall, use painter’s masking tape around all edges of the wall to create neat, clean lines.
• For brush painting, pour paint into hand held pots to make the painting easier, particularly around trims and hard to reach areas.
• We recommend safely using a step ladder and/or an extendable roller pole when painting higher walls.
• A standard sized wall is approximately 4m².

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