April 2021 | Modern Group

Month: April 2021

Keep Enjoying your Backyard This Winter!

Posted on by Maddie Grice

Now that summer is drawing to a close and winter is creeping up with its cold temperatures and wet weather, it only feels natural to want to hide indoors under a blanket with a warm cup of tea.
After a summer filled with gatherings in the backyard, it seems a shame to have to retire that part of your home for the better part of three months… so why should you?

Here are some great ideas to help you embrace your outdoor areas and keep that space as valuable and welcoming as it is in summer!

Make the Space Inviting
As we mentioned earlier, in the colder weather, it can be tempting to hibernate indoors, so you want to make your space look and feel just as cosy as your favourite spot on the couch.
If you don’t already have an outdoor furniture set, even though they are perfect for summer, they come into their own in winter. A comfortable couch and chaise will be worth every penny.
Adding extra cushions, rugs and blankets in thick textures such as wool, flannel, velvet and faux fur will make it even cosier and inviting.

Warm it up Visually
A trick regularly used by interior designers to create warmth in a room is to make sure any lighting used is a warm golden colour.
Swapping out any cool white globes in favour of more golden ones will make the space look more appealing in colder weather and give it a more luxe appeal!
To achieve this you can swap out the globes in lighting already installed in your outdoor areas or even purchase some outdoor lamps. For a budget option, fairy-light’s and candles will give the space a warm and inviting glow, just make sure your candles are in a safe area away from anything that might catch light! 

Photo: Pinterest

 

Winter Drinks Station

Having a dedicated space outside where you can make warm drinks to help keep you warm will further entice you and any guests outdoors.

Set up a small station with a kettle, some tea bags, coffee options and maybe even a hot chocolate. Adding a small coffee table and comfy chair will finish off the area and make it a go-to space for Sunday afternoons!

You could also incorporate some extras to help make some delicious winter cocktails! 

Get Toasty!
Nothing says winter in the outdoors quite like a fire pit!
To make your own, gather some kindling and place it in a well-ventilated area far away from anything that might catch alight. Collect some rocks to create a boundary, and voila!

If DIY isn’t for you or you’re working with a smaller space, you can pick up fire pits in all different shapes and sizes from your local hardware or barbecue retailer.

If you think this is something you and your family will love, you can also invest in in-built fireplaces that will enhance the look of your outdoor space!

Invest In Outdoor Blinds
If you want to make use of your outdoor space during winter, investing in Outdoor Blinds will be one of the best things you will do for your home! Weather-resistant and made to last, they will keep you tucked away from the elements and let you enjoy your outdoor areas, rain or shine!
For a free in-home consultation, contact your local service team on 13 11 78!

Warm up your home this Winter

Posted on by Maddie Grice

Warm-up with Colour and Texture

Winter is the perfect time to change up the colour scheme of your home. The colder weather is ideal for embracing rich colours such as dark green, jewel tones, reds, and oranges. A lux Fabric selection will also help create all the cosy ‘vibes’. Velvet, wool, soft cotton and (faux) fur will bring warmth and texture to any room.

Add Greenery

Bring a little of the outside inside with easy to maintain indoor plants. Alternatively, a fresh bunch of flowers from the farmers market or a high-quality silk alternative will brighten up even the coldest corners of your home. Rich greens, reds, yellows and also whites will work well with any winter colour pallet.

Reorganise and Rearrange

Change is as good as a holiday. Have a quick look over your living, dining and bedrooms and see if there is any way your space could be made more functional? Even experimenting with different trinkets and unique pieces to decorate coffee tables and sideboards can make a small but impactful difference. If you’re looking to make a significant change, a textured bedhead can warm up your bedroom and completely change the room’s overall vibe. You would be surprised at how even the most minor change can breathe a whole new life into a space.

Winter is for Layers

One of the easiest and most effortless ways to make your home feel cosier is to introduce layers. Throws cushions, rugs, and heavy curtains all help to create a cosy space you’ll love spending time in during the winter months.

Play with light

With winter comes shorter days and, as a result, less natural lighting.  The lack of natural light creates an opportunity to play with light and create a whole different mood at the flick of a switch. In Denmark, the concept of Hygge mentions the importance of using light to enhance your mood. Pools of warm light, candles and lamps to create a sense of intimacy and cosiness. With the proper lighting, you’ll be looking forward to cosy nights in all winter long.

Keep enjoying your outdoor spaces.

Don’t let winter keep you from loving your outdoor living areas. While the weather is less inviting, Modern Outdoor Blinds create an intimate space that allows you to enjoy all that is wonderful about the outdoors with none of the bits you don’t.

If you want to enjoy your outdoor area all year round, contact your local service team on 13 11 78 for a free consultation.

Take Care of Your Home Post Rainfall

Posted on by Maddie Grice

It’s no secret Australia is home to some of the worlds most extreme weather. From bushfires to floods and 40 degrees celsius to minus 10, Australians and their homes can be pushed to the limits.

Recently, the eastern parts of Queensland and New South Wales have received unprecedented rainfall. Breaking river banks and records it was a timely reminder to us all of exactly how powerful Australian weather systems can be.

Living in Australia, you have a responsibility to check your home after powerful weather systems for any damage that may have occurred.

Considering the recent downpour, here are some of the most important things to check post rain, to make sure your home is kept in the best condition possible.

After experiencing storms or heavy rain. The first thing to do, is a visual external check of your home. To be safe, it is also a good idea to turn your gas and electricity off before your first inspection.

Look for-

  • Broken Glass
  • Damage to the structure of your home
  • Pooling water
  • Mould
  • Broken or damaged trees

If you have pets or young children, it’s also important to check your backyard for any mushrooms that may have sprouted with the wet conditions. Most of these can be extremely poisonous and deadly if consumed. To remove them, wear gardening gloves and dispose of them in the bin.

It is also a good idea to check all areas of the inside your home for any standing water. Mould takes just over 48 hours to start growing when there is water present and it can also lead to corrosion of the foundations of your home.

If there is any mould in your house, for the safety of everyone living there it is important to clean it thoroughly. To clean any mould off walls and windows, create a mixture at a  concentration of 80% vinegar to 20% water and pour into three separate buckets.

Using a microfibre cloth, dip it into the first bucket, then use it to clean a patch of mould. The same microfibre cloth should then be rinsed in the second bucket, then rinsed again in the third to ensure cross-contamination doesn’t occur.

When you get the opportunity and it is safe to do so, check your roof and gutters 

Check gutters and roofing for any signs of damage.

Your roofing and gutters are your homes first line of defence during wild weather. You may have noticed a leak during the rain or storm, or one may have occurred during that you haven’t noticed yet.

Gutters may have also become clogged or damaged with debris and to keep your home and roof safe, clearing this and inspecting them for damage is extremely important.

Don’t take a risk with your roof, contact Australia’s leading roofing experts for more than 40 years for a free 33 point inspection on 13 11 78.

Next time it rains, you’ll be very glad you did.

 

 

Note from State Emergency Services NSW, during severe thunderstorms and weather events that people should:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.