OL' PAINTING

Annual Assessment & Safety Accredited Contractor Certificates

2012-01-20T10:42:00.000+11:00

Our Annual Assessment and Safety Accredited Contractor Certificates by Trades Monitor/Ebixarrived in mail today.

Trades Monitor monitors the currency of our licences and insurances on behalf of our many corporate clients. Recently they also added an elective (optional for traders to participate) assessment of Occupational Heals and Safety Procedures (OHSP) and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS). In fact we are among first traders in Australia who had passed this Safety Assessment!

In a Press: SMH "Apartments You can't get Into"

2011-12-22T13:46:00.000+11:00

Spotted in this weekend's Sydney Moring Herals - Australian Financial Review an article “Apartments you can’t buy into” featuring one of our past projects – the magnificent La Corniche on Milsons Point! It was our Project of the Month some time ago.

Sydney Morning Herald featured this property as top 5 apartment blocks in Australia as “Apartments you can’t buy into” - they are too good to be sold, no matter what the money are. According to SMH despite constant offers to the owners the last sale here was in 2002, and the gossip is that the mystery buyer who then bought 2 of 5 apartments in this block paying 15milions for each was John Travolta! How about that?!

We have not seen John Travolta there (not that I would tell anyone if we did see him!). But I would not be too surprised - it’s an absolutely unique property. It was a real privilege to do such project!

How to get your home or renovation in glossy magazine

2011-10-22T13:45:00.009+11:00

Getting your home or renovation published might be easier than you think. Design magazines always on a look for suitable homes to showcase. If you believe your home have what it takes, you recently decorated, built or renovated – why do not show it off! Here are few magazine offers for you:

Home Ideas and Modern Home magazines are looking for stunning homes with personality and charm from all over Australia. To submit your home:

Post few photos to 50 Silverwater Road, Silverwater NSW 2128 and attention it to the magazine you think your home would be suitable for. Or email - homeideas@expresspublications.com.au with HOME SHOWCASE in the subject line.

Australian House & Garden is currently looking for the best gardens in Australia. They run it as a national competition with fantastic prises - trip to 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, more prices for finalists and winners of different categories. Check here for their conditions and Competition Entry Form

Real Living magazine also run a competition – this one is home decorating. Send them some photos and beside a thrill of being published in a glossy magazine you can win some fabulous prizes. See here for the competition entry details.

Handyman magazine. This one I can swear has a very real entry - one of our personal garden make-overs was published and we had indeed received a prize. I should send them my latest retaining wall!

So take few before-and-after photos of your renovation or building, furniture or weekend project, a photo of yourself, write a short description about how you did it, and submit it through Handyman submission webpage. If it is published they will also send you a cheque for $300.

Rainbow Stairway

2011-07-01T12:12:00.001+10:00

Wicked colour choice! Feature wall is a standard way of adding colour to the space, but not THE ONLY way! And why limit to one colour when you can use them all!

P.S.
The Man in Plaid must be a designer. The way he matches the staircase a liiiiittle bit too perfect...

Image Source - Dwell

Dulux EnviroWash ES 160 (160liters) unit for hire

2011-05-03T16:08:00.012+10:00

Ol’ Painting now offers the Dulux EnviroWash ES 160 (160liters) system for hire - the only place in Sydney that hires it. We are painters, not a hire company. But we have few units and usually at least one is available. So we are happy to share it. Contact us to confirm availability.

Many homeowners and businesses are very environmentally aware. Clients often request painters to use an EnviroWash on their project. Many DIY renovators want to use it in their projects. This is a great and important trend. But the EnviroWash is an expensive equipment and out of reach for many painters, not to mention once off use for most of homeowners who doing painting themselves. Many painters want to try it before committing to spend money buying one.

The cost of hire:

1 day - $100+GST
2-4 days - $70+GST per day
Weekly hire - $200+GST per week
Once off Administration charge - $20+GST per each hire event;
EnviroWash unit to be picked up and returned to our office in Lane Cove empty and cleaned.
If the unit is returned uncleaned – the cleaning charge is $50+GST
The price does not include Dulux EnviroWash hardener. But it is available from Dulux, 3D, Inspirations shops, as well and many hardware stores.

See this post about EnviroWash system and how it works

Home Renovation Wishing Well

2011-04-17T09:00:00.009+10:00

I’m at this stage if my life when you started to notice the whole parallel universe of wedding offers and services (funny how it works).

Just came across this online Wishing Well for Home Renovation. What a nice way to ask for a new kitchen, bathroom, or a house painting! Talking about a useful gift that will last for years. Use it for your wedding, birthday, or housewarming gift.

They set up a separate bank account were your guests can contribute in $50 or $100 increments – whichever you set up. Money then given to a couple as a cash contribution to go towards their Home Renovation.

P.S. They also have a Mortgage Contribution Wishing Well. Not bad either!

Little Living Space Design

2011-03-22T09:16:00.004+11:00

So much is said about how unaffordable the housing is - it’s depressing. So this video to remind you that happiness is an attitude! And a bit of attitude and creativity can go a very long way!

Christian Schallert created the most amazing place out of a tinny-tiny 24 squre metre (250 square foot) depilated pigeon loft that nobody wanted! It’s a Lego for grown up and a boat-inspired loft living! Everything is convertible and multi-used. It’s amazing how stylish, unclutters and functional this apartment is!

Disaster in Japan

2011-03-14T15:41:00.002+11:00

Poor Japan! One disaster after another! Can’t watch TV news anymore, can’t stop watching it!

Win $10,000 worth home re-painting!

2011-03-04T10:27:00.010+11:00

You can win $10,000 worth home re-painting, thanks to the First National Real Estate & Dulux! You do not need to be their client. But you have to be NSW resident. To enter the competition visit www.pimpyourproperty.com.au and follow the prompts.

Painting is one of the most important way to add value to the home. As National Communications Manager, Stewart Bunn put it - "I’m sure that whoever wins this competition will improve the value of their home by more than the $10,000 investment First National will be making on their behalf"

Good luck!

Solving housing affordability - Chinese style

2011-02-26T09:44:00.001+11:00

Isn't it amazing?!!
China is known for radical solving major political and economical issues. Overpopulation was resolved once and forever with one child policy. Now they found a fix for the housing affordability. Imagine this getting through our parliament!!!

"Pushed by fears of the inflationary effects of rapidly escalating property prices and the social effects of the decreasing affordability in major Chinese cities, the Chinese government has introduced tough new rules.

Announced on 27 January 2011, strict new property rules now apply to residential property investments in China, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Chinese property investors. These include:

Buyers of second homes will require a 60% deposit.

Ban on families purchasing a third home.

Allowed to purchase only one home outside their registered home city.

Stamp duty on full home sale value if sold within five years.

Stamp duty up to a maximum of 16% if sold within one year.

Changes to town planning rules will also have an effect, with up to 70% of all land for new housing development being for affordable or social housing.

These new rules are likely to have a significant impact, and in particular, the setting of home selling price targets with heavy financial penalties if values go beyond the targets set. As a result of these changes, we anticipate that Chinese buyers may reconsider their local property purchases and evaluate alternative investments elsewhere.

More Chinese buyers downunder are on their way."

Michael Matusik (property analyst) www.matusik.com.au

Image source

Project of a month - October

2010-10-03T12:38:00.001+11:00

One more Strata Building make over. This one is in Dee Why.

Val, the lovely older lady who is managing the property and owns an apartment here since the building was built in 60’s – is a great story teller! Hard to believe, but this was a very first building of a brand new green field subdivision. The land was previously owned by the Salvation Army, and the condition of property sale was that residents are not allowed to consume an alcohol. How peculiar!

And apparently Paul Hagan was growing up in this block! Val was telling stories of former residents “…We had those Hogans living here. Their young sun Paul was very naughty. The mother was always telling him off and saying – you will not end up well…” And then he grew up to become everyone’s favorite Paul Hogan! How funny!

After

Confirming colours

Before

Do man really colour blind?

2010-09-19T11:35:00.013+10:00

So many times I witnessed woman teasing man about being colour blind. It got me interested to do a small research.

Aparently colour deficiency is much more common in (European) man (8%) then woman (0.4%). This is not an urban myth! This is because it is linked to the X chromosome. Man only have one X chromosome and would get a colour deficiency if it’s impaired. Woman with one good X chromosome will still recognise colours.

So ladies – next time a guy asks you if something matches, just give him a hand!

Whant a quick test? Within patters below are dots which form a number visible to those with a normal colour vision.

How to paint ceilings without damaging walls & furniture

2010-09-12T12:00:00.007+10:00

Want to paint ceilings and worry that your walls or belongings can get damaged? Can’t move all furniture away? No need to stress out about!

This is what the preparation for a ceiling panting should look like. We seal with plastic drop sheets & tape all walls and cover all furniture. Obviously this is in addition to the canvas drop sheets that cover all floors. Only after everything is safely covered we would start repairs and painting.

I’m not going to hide – it is time & labour consuming work. But once we safely cover everything your walls and furniture will be protected even from tiny paint over-splash from a roller.

We always use new plastic drop sheet. We never reuse them, as over-splash from previous work would get on your furniture and can stick to it, or just create dust and dirt around your house. New drop sheets ensure your house will stay clean.

Feel confident your ceiling painting will be quick and safe? Concact Ol’ Painting for no obligation quote.

Project of the month - August 2

2010-09-12T11:48:00.007+10:00

One more strata project completed – this one is a large art deco apartment block in Point Piper.

We had to collaborat with other traders here - all brickwork was repainted and front wall recalled and we did painting as a part of the same project. We had to schedule our works so we all can work of one scaffold, to minimise inconvenience and cost to the residents. So the work was done in stages over few months.

Stencilled & wallpapered ceilings

2010-08-23T17:28:00.010+10:00

I was searching for some stencilles for a client when I came across these amaizing ceilings of the Peacock Pavilion rooms by decorative painter Melanie Royals from Royal Design Studios! Absolutely astonishing!

If you like to re-create the look check online stencil store at Royal Design Studios. Or you can use wallpaper can create a similar feel. And if you are in Sydney - contact Ol'Painting to book your project!

Pictures Source

Cool & easy designer's metal look by Liquid Metal

2010-08-23T13:42:00.018+10:00

Picture Source

Remember Sydney’s 3 Wise Monkeys Pub? Did you know that the iconic front sculpture is actually made out of an artist foam and covered in Liquid Metal! It’s cool, light, and looks and feels just like a real metal!

If you have a vision of a unique metal architectural or décor item, but hesitate at the though of complicated custom welding, casting, and expensive price tag – we suggest you check Liquid Metal Technologies (LMT) products.

This Australian company manufactures unique metal finishes that can be applied in cold liquid form to virtually any surface – timber, plastic, PVC, foam, ceramic, etc. Unlike metallic paints these are real metals in liquid form. It gives a surface a real look and feel of a solid metal.

LMT product range is impressive – they basically can provide any metal, and in many finishes. They also have a ready to install panels in variety of textures.

Picture Source

Project of the month - August 1

2010-08-12T10:10:00.001+10:00

Looking today at this gorgeous and spacious Surry Hills terrace it is hard to imagine that just few months ago this was a tiny dilapidated house! It was just redesigned and renovated by talented Jonathan Clarke from Urban Interior Design.

I do not recall such a spacious & brilliantly designed terrace (and I have painted a couple hundreds of them!). Helping to transform this tiny dark house was transformed into such a retreat was amasing. I’m still not sure where the light & space came from. Looking from the street you would never guess how large the house is inside - 3 high ceiling levels, 3 bedrooms (one with a study), 3 bathrooms, a dressing room, large kitchen, dining & living, & lots of light!

Courtyard is my favourite part of the house! How gorgeous are these manicured trees and antique mirrored French doors & shutters that Jonathan searched and selected in France himself! Some people just so talented!

Domestic Blitz Nomination Form

2010-08-06T08:13:00.019+10:00

Renovations shows are if a great interest to me. But Channel 9’s Domestic Blitz is one of my favourite! The great work they do for the inspiring families in need never fail to amaze me.

Right now they are looking for families to help! If you knows someone who is going through some tough times and need a help – put their name on a list. Here is an online nominating form.

Keep in mind - they can only consider people who own their home (this includes properties with mortgages), not renting. Don't tell the person you are nominating them. Domestic Blitz is based on surprise!

National Treasure. Project of the month - August

2010-07-31T15:54:00.013+10:00

The best thing about our work is that we get to meet some incredible people and learn some fascinating stories. But this is perhaps the best of all!

We did some project for a lovely family. As we helped them to move furniture to a new place the lady told us a story of her grandad. On 9 July 1900 on his property in UK and in this very chair was signed the Commonwealth of Australian Constitution Act! This it a true national treasure!!!

Most of furniture and the table a family donated to museums. But they kept this chair. I can't wait to hear the rest of the story tomorrow!

How to get timber turn a beautiful silver grey?

2010-07-17T10:54:00.026+10:00

The naturally aged “silver grey” timber becomes very popular, as we search for low maintenance, environmental solutions and a look. Cedar is best known for it’s beautiful natural grey. But any exterior timber can be used to reach this effect.

However, without regular treatment any wood will become discoloured, weathered, mouldy, and cracked. The best product to let timber age naturally into a beautiful silver grey is Cutek® Wood Preservative, or its low VOC version Cutek CD50® LVOC. It’s quite expensive, but it’s worth it.

Cutek® Wood Preservative is a timber oil. Literally! It’s a fatty liquid, like a cooking oil you buy in a supermarket, but specially formulated for the timber. It does not create a hard finish coat, like a decking coat or varnish. Instead it gets absorbed deep into the timber, like shown on a picture.

If you want to get a silver grey timber look – use colourless oil. Initially timber will look golden, as if varnished. But with time it will turn a nice silver grey.

Cutek oil is water repellent, fungus and mould resistant. It does not peel or crack. Instead it will fade gracefully over the time. It has to be reapplied every 1-3 years – when oil starts to wash off. Application takes time. It requires 2-3 coats at least 1 week apart, so oil can absorb in a timber. If your timber is old and weathered it has to be cleaned and restored first.

Picture source

Project of the month - July 1

2010-07-15T15:31:00.000+10:00

OL’ Painting just completed internal common areas painting of this Seaforth waterfront apartment block – walls, ceilings, unit, service and lift doors.

Painting unit doors always requires a good communications. We have to arrange each door to be open for few hours on 2 occasions – to put 2 coats of paint.

For resident’s convenience this is scheduled on weekends, few levels at the time. At the beginning of the project we send every resident a clear schedule with exact dates unit dors on their level will be painted. Then we simply stick to this schedule. If some people can’t be at home during scheduled days – they can contact us to arrange an individual appointment at time convenient to them.

The difference a good paintwork can do!

2010-07-10T14:55:00.006+10:00

A lot is said about a difference and painting can do. But a picture worth a thousand words!

These photos are of two almost identical Kings Cross buildings. One was recently repainted in a fabulous colour scheme (it was mentioned in my post on the feature doors). Other one was neglected for a long time.

Guess which of two buildings reached a street record unit price? Which has a triple rent?

Ol’Painting in NRMA motorcycle campaign

2010-07-09T14:01:00.012+10:00

Our manager Oleksandra with 4 other bikers went yesterday on the photo-shoot for the new NRMA motorcycle safety campaign by a talented photographer Dan Luke.

It’s freezing, windy and very wet in Sydney. The shoot took place in the Royal National Park - a long way from home and work. Oleksandra showed up back to the office late afternoon soaking wet, cold, and exhausted. Hope her effort will help to make roads safer for a motorbike riders!

Photos (drafts for now) by Dan Luke.

Check his website! He's so talanted!

Ol' Painting Kili Expedition on front page of OCRF

2010-07-01T09:46:00.001+10:00

I just noticed that a story on Ol’Painting Kilimanjaro fundraising expedition made to the front page of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation website. And they also created a separate page about us. Thank you guys! We are only happy we could help somehow!

Project of the month - June 2

2010-06-30T14:36:00.001+10:00

We are spraying metal window frames. Again!
I have 2-3 jobs like this every month – units, houses, offices, train stations...

Spray painting it’s an excellent way to give your tired old metal window frames a fresh look! And it cost much less then getting new windows. We use airless spray and 2 pack epoxy paint for extra durability.

Spraying itself does not take that much time. If you prepare everything all house windows can be sprayed in just few hours.

But preparation is a killer! We spend days masking windows of this house (it has lots of windows!). But preparations are not the place to rush and is a very-very careful work. Everything exposed will be painted; everything not sealed off completely will get over-splash. So bit, but bit everything that isn’t getting painted has to be covered up. If it gets too frustrated – just take a deep breath and go back to work. But after everything is sprayed and covering paper is removed – you get a grate painted finish!