hints how-tos&notebook.

HomeLive la dolce vita with smart Italian homewares, fi nd a new use for milk bottles, and learn how to preserve your paintbrushes so they’re prepped for your next project. By Sarah Allen.

Things we love1. Curtain call It’s not Italian made, but the captivating Venetian scene on this shower curtain by US company Izóla Shower, $49, will certainly transform an all-white bathroom into something fantastico. Available online at www.tdhomewares.com.2. About face Milanese artist Piero Fornasetti made quite an impression on decorative items in the mid-20th century. Future collector items – if they’re not already. Sugar bowl, $450, teapot, $595, and creamer, $348, by special order from Macleay on Manning; www.macleayonmanning.com.3. Sleeping beauty The new-season collection by luxury Italian linen company Frette has arrived in Australia. The ‘Izmir’ bed set, from $2,192, is a taste of Frette’s new contemporary designs and a dreamy indulgence. Visit www.frette.com for stockists.4. Toast time Italian company Casa Bugatti brings new meaning to the term ‘sleek and stylish’ with the ‘Volo’ toaster, $299. Available in nine fashion-forward colours, the toaster is

packed with clever features – not the least being a power-saving mode, motorised lift system and a bun warmer! Call(02) 9420 2007 for stockists.

130 www.notebookmagazine.com

Marilyn Hyde from Wellington, NSW, won a gorgeous gift

pack from Australian designer homewares brand Dandi to brighten up her kitchen and

laundry. The prize includes an ironing board cover, pini, tea

towel set, oven mitts and pot holders, valued at $129.30.

For your chance to win great products, visit www.home

life.com.au and send us your best tips for making life

simpler using everyday items from around your home in

new and clever ways.

I have a second fridge I only use at Christmas. The rest of the year I use it as a cupboard to store things.

pack from Australian designer

Christmas. The rest of the year I use it as a cupboard to store things. it as a cupboard to store things. Christmas. The rest of the year I use it as a cupboard to store things. Christmas. The rest of the year I use

life.com.au and send us your

simpler using everyday items

laundry. The prize includes an

Expert tip“When investing in a new oven,

stay away from gimmicky products, such as electronic functions that aren’t

really necessary. Keeping it simple means keeping it easy to use and maintain. Bold

colours are making a comeback, prevailing over the dull greys I call ‘safe’ colours.

Express your personality in the kitchen… you spend so much time there

it should be uplifting.”Cooking enthusiast and marketing manager for Ilve Daniel Bertuccio

is one of Australia’s most knowledgeable and dynamic voices in the domestic kitchen industry. Visit www.ilve.com.au.

contemporary designs and a dreamy indulgence. Visit www.frette.com for stockists.

1

2

3

4

Supplies and inspiring ideas for kids’ parties.

Notebook: May 2010 131

HO

W T

O, S

ECO

ND

LIF

E &

SPI

T &

PO

LISH

PH

OTO

GRA

PHY:

AN

DRE

W L

EHM

AN

N

BRI

GH

T ID

EA P

HO

TOG

RAPH

Y: G

ETTY

IMA

GES

ST

YLIN

G: C

RYTS

AL

OSB

ORN

G

AM

E O

F SK

ILL.

FO

R C

OM

PETI

TIO

N T

ERM

S &

CO

ND

ITIO

NS,

VIS

IT W

WW

.HO

MEL

IFE.

CO

M.A

U.

STORE PAINTBRUSHES

How to...Good-quality brushes deserve high-quality care, so reserve a little energy for cleanup once your painting project is done – it’s well worth the effort. • Gently comb through bristles

with a wide-tooth comb as you rinse the brush, with water fl owing towards the tip of the bristles, until it runs clear.

• Gently fl ick the brush to remove excess water. Press bristles with a soft towel and hang upside down to dry completely.

• Fold newspaper into a narrow strip, roll the brush in the

paper to conceal the bristles, and secure with a rubber band. Store upright in a tin or jar, or hang upside down.

www.festoon.com.au The place to fi nd pretty fabric bunting if you have neither the time nor temerity to sew your own. From $33 for a three-metre strip.

www.thepartyparlour.com.au Hard-to-fi nd lollies, kits with everything you need for a coordinated soiree, classic games, napkins in every colour, plus a page on fabulous party themes to inspire you.

www.detailsdetails.com.au This beautifully designed site is a pleasure to browse and offers a fabulous collection of stylish accessories and supplies for a contemporary celebration.

www.iloveparties.com.au The delightful range of vintage-inspired party supplies is a refreshing alternative to garish primary colours. It’s all about pop culture from another era. The Retro Wagon Popcorn Bags, $3.50 for a pack of 10, caught my eye.

www.thepartystudio.com.au The new range of sophisticated invitations sets this site apart. It’s also the place to fi nd unique party accessories such as balloon-shaped candles and pretty lolly boxes.

BRIGHT IDEA: If your rubber gloves become tight and difficult to remove after washing up in hot water, rinse your hands under cold water for a moment to loosen them.

webwatch

With its upright design, convenient handle and generous opening, a two-litre milk bottle makes an airtight and easy-to-pour vessel ideal for storing breakfast cereal or any dry pantry staple. Wash the bottle in hot soapy water and leave upside down to dry completely. Remove the label or apply a new label marked with the contents directly over the old one. Transfer items into the bottle using a funnel.

Reclaim, reuse and reinvent everyday items.

Good for milk… and cereal

SECONDlife

easy-to-pour vessel ideal

reinvent everyday items.

Allow some basic chemistry to take the hard work out of cleaning antique silver. • Place a sheet of aluminium foil in the base of

a saucepan. Place silver in the pan, making sure there is good contact between the silver and aluminium. Silver scratches easily, so clean one piece at a time if you have several that require cleaning.

• Add 1 tablespoon of washing soda (available from supermarkets) to the pan and slowly fi ll with boiling water until silver is completely submerged. Place saucepan over very low heat to maintain temperature and leave to fi zz and bubble for 3 to 5 minutes.

• Using tongs wrapped in a tea towel to avoid scratching, carefully remove silver from the pan and drain. Wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Polish with a microfi bre cloth.

* This method is not suitable for silver with soldered parts. To confi rm your item is indeed silver, look for a hallmark on the base. Every country uses a different hallmarking system, so search the internet for information on your individual piece. The website

www.925-1000.com is a good place to start.

SPIT & POLISH

a saucepan. Place silver in the pan, making sure there

saucepan over very low heat to maintain temperature

* This method is not suitable for silver with soldered

a hallmark on the base. Every country uses a different

130 www.notebookmagazine.com

home life: solutions

Helen Fox, Kensington, NSW. Helen won an Electrolux Ergorapido 2-in-1 vacuum, worth $219.95. Manoeuvre around obstacles with ease and switch between an upright and hand-held with the click of a button. To win great products, share your best tips at www.homelife.com.au/competitions.

SEE STANDOUT GARDENS BY LANDSCAPE DESIGNER PETER FUDGE IN HIS NEW BOOK TRUE FORM (MURDOCH BOOKS, $69.95).

Try your hand at DIY, acquire some housekeeping know-how and make your house a home. By Sarah Allen.

hints&how-tosHOME

TIP. “I use an eraser to remove black marks on the walls and to get rid of stickiness left by price labels. Simple and effective.”

bright ideaDOGS (AND THE

OCCASIONAL GREEDY CAT) CAN MAKE

A MESS AT MEALTIME. A FOLDED SHEET OF NEWSPAPER PLACED UNDER YOUR PETS’ FOOD BOWLS WILL

CATCH SPILLS. SIMPLY ROLL IT UP AND PLACE IT IN THE RECYCLE BIN

AFTER DINNER.

Expert Tip“WE’RE SO BOMBARDED WITH IDEAS, WE ARE TEMPTED TO TRY MANY IN OUR OWN GARDENS. DECIDE ON A STYLE THAT SUITS YOUR HOME AND AREA. REPEAT PLANTING SCHEMES AND USE JUST ONE OR TWO MATERIALS.”

As coats and scarves come out of hiding there is a distinctly unpleasant scent in the air – mothballs. Naphthalene, the main ingredient in conventional mothballs, is a known carcinogen, not to mention one of the most malodorous ways of protecting animal and plant fi bres – including wool, silk, cashmere, angora and bamboo – from being devoured by moth larvae, which cocoon in fabric while they mature.

Preparing your clothing for storage is essential. Place clean items in sealed bags and routinely air them in sunlight during the warmer months. Boost your defence against these little assailants with homemade mothballs that use fragrant herbs to deter mature moths from laying eggs in your wardrobe.

YOU WILL NEED 20cm muslin; 1m string or ribbon; 225g whole cloves, 30g each dried rosemary, dried mint (optional), dried thyme and dried ginseng (available from health food stores and herbalists. Ginseng tea is a good alternative if dried ginseng is not available, but avoid using tea that has been blended with other herbs, if possible).

METHOD Makes 61 Cut muslin into six 20x20cm squares. 2 Mix herbs and ginseng in a bowl. Divide evenly among each muslin square. Gather corners together and tie with string. Tie muslin bags to the neck of coat hangers or the hanging rod in your wardrobe. Replace each season.

How to: MAKE YOUR OWN MOTHBALLS

Cloves

Thyme Ginseng

GA

ME

OF

SKIL

L. F

OR

TER

MS

& C

ON

DIT

ION

S, V

ISIT

WW

W.H

OM

ELIF

E.C

OM

.AU

.

Rosemary

Notebook: July 2010 131

3 OF THE BEST – DOORMATSA pretty and practical mat will encourage guests to wipe their feet.

DOORMAT DESIGNS ‘CROWN’ DOORMAT, (FROM) $65. A ‘king (or queen) of the castle’ reference is just too tempting to pass up! An ideal way to add a hint of regal humour to your home. For where to buy, see www.doormatdesigns.com.au.

LAURA ASHLEY ‘WELCOME’ DOORMAT, $39.95. Made of tough coir with bright teal-coloured printing, this mat creates a sweet, traditional look for a budget price. Visit www.laura-ashley.com.au for store details.

CHANNEL ENTERPRISE CAST-IRON MAT, $65.An intricate design softens the look of this heavy-duty mat. Perfect for the back door where you can stomp in muddy boots after a day in the garden. See www.channelenterprises.com for stockists.

web watchHOW THE OTHER HALF LIVELook online to see opulent interiors of the rich, famous and occasionally tasteless.

Hooked on Houseswww.hookedonhouses.netDescribed by one follower as “Disneyland for those of us who love to decorate”, here you can peek inside Reese Witherspoon’s $6.9-million country house, Whoopi Goldberg’s $3.99-million loft in New York or recoil at Christina Aguilera’s Beverly Hills homage to pop-star style. Author Julia also posts still shots of houses and interiors from fi lm and television, plus delightful vignettes of old, tiny and retro houses. To offset the opulence and good design there’s ‘Bad MLS Photos’ – some of the worst real estate listing photos of all time. A true guilty pleasure.

This is Glamorouswww.citifi ed.blogspot.comClick on the ‘At Home With’ link under Weekly Features to enter the domestic world of stylists, famous fashion designers, photographers and the occasional Hollywood star. Describing her site as “a design and style blog exploring… the romance and glamour of everyday life,” author Roseline Lohr is renowned in the blogging world for her fl awless good taste.

Dwellings and Décorwww.twolia.com/blogs/dwellingsanddecorSadly, Twolia stopped hosting blogs more than a year ago, so there are no recent posts, but archived material remains, and it is fabulous. Architecture, colour-coded interiors, bathrooms and lighting abound. Rachel Follett has since shifted her blogging to www.lovelyclusters.blogspot.com where she focuses on handmade and vintage, but inspiring interiors still make an appearance.

Whether you lay a garden path to highlight a focal point or lead to the clothesline, the fi rst step is groundwork – literally. A completely level path is actually not ideal. Although pavers permit water to soak through into the subsoil below, some water will stagnate and this can lead to a slippery surface. To assist drainage, reduce the amount of sand used at one end of the path, which creates a slope.

YOU WILL NEED Wooden pegs/stakes, string, spirit level, measuring tape, spade, treated-timber edging boards, coarse river sand, rake, screed board, paving bricks, rubber mallet, timber slab, broom (availablefrom hardware and landscape supply stores).

1 Set out wooden pegs and string lines to mark the perimeter; check string lines are level. Using a spade, remove turf then dig

to the depth of your paving brick, plus an extra 5cm for a sand bed. Place edging boards on either side of the path, just below ground level; support on outer edge with wooden stakes.

2 Pour sand along the path; distribute with a rake. Use a screed board (a wooden plank the width of the path with notches

at either side that sit above the edging boards) to smooth and compact the sandy surface.

3 Lay pavers in your chosen design, tightly spaced. Tap into place with a rubber mallet. Check each row with a spirit level

and adjust pavers or sand bed accordingly. Use a plate compactor (available for hire) to compact the paving. Alternatively, place a wooden slab (as wide as the path and as long as at least two rows of paving) at one end and knock with a mallet to compact pavers. Continue along path. Pour sand over pavers and sweep into joints with a broom.

Weekend project: Pave a garden path

HO

W-T

O P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

Y: A

ND

REW

LEH

MA

NN

STY

LIN

G: M

ESC

HA

MA

RTI

N B

RIG

HT

IDEA

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY:

GET

TY IM

AG

ES I

LLU

STR

ATIO

NS:

CR

YST

AL

OSB

OR

N

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

132 www.notebookmagazine.com

What is a ‘smart’ home?Installation of a home automation system turns an ordinary house into a smart home. These systems streamline the way you operate various technologies in your home, from security, lighting and air-conditioning to home theatre and motorised blinds. The system operates through a series of clever user interfaces, ranging from futuristic touch-screens to traditional wall switches that communicate on a dedicated network.

Once you choose a style of interface that suits you, the individual switches and dials required to operate lighting, audio-visual, security, etcetera, will be combined into a single type of interface (just imagine being able to toss that infuriating home alarm control panel, with its codes and mystery buttons, once and for all!).

The look of the future

HOME HELPBoost your home’s IQ

Home automation is typically programmed using software you upload onto a PC (not Macs, unfortunately), which allows you to tailor the appearance and functions of the interfaces. Plus, some systems, such as C-Bus ‘Wiser’, can be controlled via SMS, iPhone applications and online, so you can potentially disarm home security or turn on garden lights from anywhere in the world.

It might sound intimidating, but home automation is designed to simplify your life, not complicate it. Plus, it o� ers real lifestyle and environmental benefi ts and can improve your home’s resale value and appeal.

Making the right choiceLeading manufacturers include Clipsal, with its C-Bus automation products, and Philips Dynalite. Although interfaces require 240V

wiring for power, there is a limited range of wireless options available, ideal for when wall access for wiring is not an option.

One exciting feature is the ability to create ‘scenes’ with the touch of a button. Turn on entry lights, fi ll the house with music and disarm your security system in one action – perhaps even using your 3G mobile as you pull into the driveway. Likewise, a ‘goodbye’ setting allows you to shut down your home and activate security as you head out the door – a time-, energy- and sanity-saving option when you’re in a rush.

Find an approved installer who can design a system as well as o� er training and support. There are many variables when it comes to cost, but $15,000 for a small home, or $3,000 for multi-room audio, is the starting point.

Standout features• Sensors can automatically switch lights

o� when you leave a room and adjust curtains and blinds to keep your house cool during hot summer months.

• Activate lighting that creates a ‘lived in’ look when you’re away, or illuminate the whole house if you suspect an intruder.

• Lower the projector screen, close blinds and dim lights all in one action for a true home cinema experience.

Find out morewww.clipsal.com.www.dynalite-online.com.www.homeautomationaustralia.com.

C-Bus ‘DLT’ panel, left, and touch screen

Dynalite ‘Revolution Series’ panel, left, and screen

HO

ME

HEL

P P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

Y: P

HO

TOLI

BR

AR

Y S

PIT

& P

OLI

SH, O

RG

AN

ISE

& S

ECO

ND

LIF

E P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

Y: A

ND

REW

LEH

MA

NN

STY

LIN

G M

ESC

HA

MA

RTI

N

Notebook: July 2010 133

home life: solutions

Spit & polishCLEAN A RESISTANT COFFEE STAIN FROM CARPET

Mix warm water and a drop of enzyme-based laundry liquid in a spray bottle. Spray on stain and blot with paper towel. Spray with clean water and blot again. Repeat. Cover with paper towel. Wrap a heavy object in plastic and place on top to absorb moisture. Light-coloured carpets might respond to undiluted liquid three-per-cent hydrogen peroxide, then blot with paper towel, but test on an inconspicuous area fi rst.

TIP. If a coffee spill on fabric or carpet has been allowed to dry, apply glycerine to the area and rub into fibres to make the stain ‘fresh’, then clean as normal. The

same principle applies to other tannin-based stains.

ORGANISE KIDS’ ARTWORK

IF YOU HAVE A PROLIFIC LITTLE PICASSO IN YOUR LIFE, STAINLESS-STEEL CURTAIN WIRE

AND A PAIR OF EYE SCREWS (AVAILABLE FROM HARDWARE STORES) MAKE A GREAT WAY TO DISPLAY THEIR ARTWORK. ATTACH SCREWS

TO THE WALL AT A HEIGHT LITTLE CHILDREN ARE UNABLE TO REACH (FOR SAFETY), THEN

STRING CURTAIN WIRE BETWEEN THEM. TIGHTEN WIRE AND TRIM EXCESS. ATTACH

ARTWORK WITH METAL PAPERCLIPS OR PEGS. ART CAN EASILY BE REMOVED OR REARRANGED.

BRIGHT IDEA.REMOVE THE COVER FROM YOUR IRONING BOARD AND WRAP A LAYER OF ALUMINIUM FOIL, SHINY SIDE UP, AROUND THE BOARD. SECURE FOIL TO THE UNDERSIDE WITH STICKY TAPE. REPLACE THE COVER. THIS CAN HELP CREATE A HEAT-REFLECTIVE SURFACE AND SPEED UP IRONING TIME.

Take a wardrobe accessory on the roadHanging shoe bags phase in – and out – of fashion, but if you have a little person who requires distraction while confined to a car seat, here’s a re-use for them. • Cut down to size and hem raw edges.• Attach a wide band of elastic at the top

and bottom to stretch around the front passenger seat of your car.

• Fill with books, toys, drink bottles and other road-worthy entertainment. Kids can retrieve and replace items in pockets themselves, avoiding that old over-the-shoulder-pass from the front seat each time your child calls out, “Mum, can I have my…”

Second Life Take a wardrobe accessory on the road

Make way for new additions by sliding artwork along the wire.