Monthly Archives: March 2014

Painting over wallpaper

Most painters and decorators would probably advise removing wallpaper before applying a coat of paint to your walls, but this may not always be possible.

For example, the adhesive on the wallpaper may be particularly strong, making it difficult to tear it down without a considerable amount of effort.

In this case, it is often easier to just paint directly over the wallpaper, so here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve the best results.

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Feng Shui tips for your home

Feng Shui has been used for many years in China to help people find harmony in their environment, harnessing beneficial energies (Ch'i) and eradicating negative ones. The idea of Feng Shui is to harness as much Ch'i as possible in home and work environments in order to live happier and more content lives. 

The Western world has also adopted Feng Shui into their own environments, making it a popular interior design trend that provides guidelines for everything from colour selection through to home layouts and furniture placement.

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Designing a kindergarten

If you've been tasked with the renovations or interior design of a kindergarten, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed as to how to go about it. It's no ordinary building, and if you're used to decorating homes and more adult spaces it can be quite daunting. Take a look at this advice before you get started to ensure you design a space where kids and teachers will flourish.

Consider allergies

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Get the most out of your paint with these tips

It's every house painter's worst nightmare: closing in on the end of a job, and discovering there's not quite enough paint to finish the project.

Sure, you can always go back to your local Resene ColorShop and purchase another pail, but as is often the case, the best cure for this problem is prevention. Learn how to make your paint spread a bit further with these tips.

Work out how much you need

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Put safety first when renovating your home

Amateur DIYers can undertake many home renovations, reducing the need to call in the experts. While it's great to be able to sink your teeth into these projects, it's important to put your safety ahead of everything else when it comes to performing the various tasks required to transform your home. Take a look at this rundown of the most important safety tips to prevent injury or illness when renovating.

Potential paint hazards

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Erect a timber fence on your property

If you're looking for a bit of extra privacy or just want to update your property, it might be time to build a fence. Timber is a versatile and durable material to use for this, and you don't have to call in the experts to get the job done. Simply pop on your gumboots and get your spade out for a DIY job made easy.

To construct a timber tongue and groove fence, you'll first need to assemble your materials. You'll need two 100mm by 75mm H4 treated fence posts, three 120mm stainless steel dynabolts and eight lengths of 200mm H4 treated tongue and groove landscaping timber. You should also have 100mm galvanised nails, 1600mm of fence capping and 3.6m of 50mm by 50mm treated timber, along with the standard drill, hammer, measuring tape and paintbrush, Rapidset concrete is required too, along with Resene Waterborne Woodsman oil stain in whichever shade you desire.

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Help protect the environment with Resene

When it comes time to undergo renovations in your home, environmental concerns may not be at the top of your list of things to worry about. However, all it takes is choosing the right products and using them properly to help make a difference to the planet around you.

A history of helping

Resene has focused on developing waterborne paints and sustainable product solutions for many years, introducing the first waterborne paints in Australasia to reduce the level of toxic solvents in paint products. It was also one of the first brands to remove lead from its products in the 1960s.

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Hang wallpaper like a pro

Hanging wallpaper isn't as hard as you think. Before you start your next home renovations project, make sure you've read through the following tips.

Gather your tools

Any DIY expert will tell you it's a good idea to have all your tools in one place before you start the job. The exact tools depend on the type of paper you hang, but basics include paint brushes, scissors, and a good knife with a sharp blade. See the Resene wallpaper checklist for a handy guide to make sure you have everything.

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Fluoro fashion in your home

If you've got your finger on the fashion pulse, you'll know neon colours have been huge on runways and in stores recently. The trend has been around for at least a year and doesn't look like it's losing momentum, with colours trickling down into furnishings and home decor.

Add a little bit of brightness to your home with these tips – if you dare!

Curtains

Curtains are an easy way to add a bit of flair to your home, and they require less commitment than other more permanent renovations. If you're colour-shy, look for a print that has only a splash of neon, like Resene Abstraction – Flame. With mid-century design influences, this modern curtain has bright pops of colour against a neutral linen background. Acid yellow and vibrant green feature in the subtle pattern, which would look as good paired with stark white and sleek stainless steel furnishings as it would more bold colours and patterns.

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Design the perfect kitchen

When you're planning a home, you'll be well aware of how important it is to get the kitchen just right. The room is usually the hub of the house and is where families spend a lot of their time, so it has to be both stylish and practical.

Interior design can be made easier if you start with a central theme, colour or design and build around that. Many people will want this room to fit in with the decor in the rest of the house, but if you're starting from scratch you may get to let your imagination run wild!

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