Author Archives: Nicole McGovern

Everything old is new again and in our search for sustainability, ancient traditions and modern science combine. Multi-generational households are re-emerging supported by new technology and services, with granny flats/demountables housing additional family members on one block.  Others are leaving our cities for sustainable tiny home communities enabled by the...

The locksmith industry has been around forever, in fact, it’s one of the oldest professions – dating back over 2500 years. Locksmithing has evolved since its creation and continues to evolve in this day and age, particularly with technology changing the way we operate locks. The locksmith industry now revolves...

Beekeeping is a fantastic hobby, but it is a labour of love and not necessarily for everyone. However, there are things that everybody can do to help both native bees and European honey bees – such as planting flowering plants, leaving some bare dirt patches around the garden un-mulched, allowing...

How smart are our homes? Smart technology is becoming more integrated with our daily lifestyles and will only continue to grow. The introduction of devices such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa means many homes can become “smart homes”. This allows users to control aspects of their houses via voice...

People are becoming more and more aware of their carbon footprint and impact on the environment. This leads to searching for the most environmentally friendly way to heat a home in the cooler months. You may assume that wood-fire heated could be detrimental to the environment due to the production...

What is the purpose of a rangehood? Rangehoods extract and filter cooking by-products from the kitchen environment. Cooking by-products can be heat, steam, grease and odour. Why do rangehoods have filters? Some cooking by-products such as heat and odour need to be extracted from the kitchen and expelled into the...

Invoking a sense of love within a home primarily starts with the inhabitants. If those living in the home are missing feelings of love, chances are this essential feeling will be missing. However, you can add certain décor rules and tricks to strengthen the feeling of love throughout the home....

About to embark on a new kitchen? Follow a kitchen designer’s checklist and simplify the process. ࡫ The space: is your kitchen where you want it to be? Can it be relocated if it isn't? ࡫ The footprint: is the layout right? ࡫ Regulations: plumbing/electrical constraints? Australian Standards? ࡫ The budget:...

Unsure what to cook for dinner? This salad is a beautiful meal on it's own or can be a side dish for a roast. Firmer vegetables like beetroot and carrot retain their intense flavour and texture when cooked in the SMEG Combi-Steam Oven. Prep + Cook Time: 45 Minutes Serves...

Investing in your home Synthetic grass is a long lasting and cost-effective option for your home! While it may seem expensive at first, it is actually an investment that will improve the value of your home for years to come. How, you may ask? No watering your grass – saving...

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) is an Australian Government initiative to support eligible first home buyers to purchase a home sooner.  The scheme allows Australians to have the government act as "guarantor" on their loan with a deposit as little as 5 per cent, allowing first home buyers to avoid the...

Our homes are getting so smart, soon we'll be paying their tuition fees! Here are some genius products graduating out of the next decade. Smart Home Hub Here's a round-up of the new Smart Home Hub feature which contained some pretty impressive voice-controlled tech.  SyncWise Smart Building Solutions The...