OL' PAINTING

2016-02-03T22:31:00.001+11:00

It is time we wave Good bay to the leafy Naremburn.

Our main office moved to the new location at NEUTRAL BAY.
New beginnings are exciting!

2015-09-29T16:20:00.000+10:00

Ol'Painting became the finalist of the 2015 Local Business Awards. A big thanks for all our supporters! It means a lot to us.

2015-09-21T16:02:00.002+10:00

Are you a happy customer? We will appreciate you vote for Uncomplaining at the Local Business Award. It will take you only 20 seconds.
https://thebusinessawards.com.au/business/10800/OlPainting

Local Business Award nominations

2015-09-21T15:59:00.001+10:00

A big thanks to our mystery supporter (or supporters) who nominated Ol'Painting for the Local Business Award in not one but two categories. We just found our accidental while voting for another business. What a pleasant surprise!

https://thebusinessawards.com.au/business/10800/OlPainting

Front Door Painting Silent Auction at the Green Day Out fundraiser

2015-09-04T23:53:00.001+10:00

Do you need your front door painted? Love bargain hunting? Then check out our Silent Auction Item at the Green Day Out fundraiser. Bid online or visit an event tomorrow.

Ol’Painting will paint the entry door to the winning bidder's house. Either both sides the same colour or one side one colour.

Want To Be Part Of Channel Ten's 'The Living Room' ?

2013-04-25T21:43:00.004+10:00

If you follow Channel 10’s the Living Room you will love this! They are on a lookout for properties for the guided and mentored renovations by Cherie Barber. Both cosmetic and structural renovations are in.

To enter email casting@wtfn.com.au following details:

A couple of low res photos of your property;

A photo of yourself;

A short blurb on what you don't like & what you hope to have done to your property;

What budget you have to spend on your property;

Are you renovating to sell or renovating to rent? (Not targeting home owners - sorry!);

And when you'd be ready to have your reno started, if selected.

Super Colour Palette from Martha Steward

2013-04-25T21:25:00.002+10:00

According to Martha Stewart, these are 18 go-with-everything, paint-anything, put-anywhere colours that will work in any room and in any project. So if you are not brave with color, you can pick something from this selection.

Sourse: www.marthastewart.com

Baby News and Gender Neutral Nursery

2013-04-22T12:10:00.000+10:00

We have a beautiful baby who is gorgeous little person, an absolute joy to watch. But time if very scarce now and my blog was neglected for very long.

This is our gender neutral nursery. Our theme - Monkeys and Giraffes. Colour scheme - white, burned orange and olive.

We are renting while our house extension is in progress – can not paint or make any permanent changes. So wall decals are our solution. Decals are custom made by Etsy's PinkBlueBaby. We redesigned it from their standard design to our likings, colour, and size to fit our room. I painted furniture and mum-to-be made baby blankets and towels.

An old family photos display using old painted frames. Also framed the butterfly that did not made it through our wedding butterfly release. So is now pinned up on a wall for as a memory. Will fill empty frame with baby's first flowers.

Colour fan deck fight

2012-06-09T10:00:00.000+10:00

I had to share this!
Have a god long weekend :)

Project of the month - May

2012-06-03T20:47:00.001+10:00

Just spotted in a weekend SMH’s Domain a whole page article about the property we painted in it's preparation for the sale.

This an amazing house at Bronte with private beach access recently went through 1.5milion renovation. How gorgeous is this facade with 3 levels high shutters!!!

Source: McGrath

Review - Sonin 50218 Digital Moisture Meter

2012-06-02T16:32:00.004+10:00

My new favourite toy is Sonin 50218 Digital Moisture Meter.

I used few different moisture meters before, but this is the best one in my opinion. Unlike many other meters it is suitable formost surfaces – plaster, brick, concrete, hardwood and softwood timber. It’s compact and easy touse. It should measure a very wide range of moisture - from 0% to 40%. But I got a reading of 41% today.

Sydney received so much rainfall lately – it’s disturbing! Everysecond property has some water damage, and we repair water damaged areas almostdaily. So I will use my little Sonin 50218 a lot!

Taking All-White Interior to the Extreme

2012-05-17T17:10:00.000+10:00

All white interiors are very popular. But this one is what I call the Extreme White!

“Klaus Biesenbach, director of MoMa’s PS1, loves a vacuum. For years, he lived in a nearly empty apartment on the Lower East Side. Last summer, he lent the place to an artist friend, who brought in a sofa, table and chairs and painted the whole place white, even the TV.

Mr. Biesenbach was more amused than irritated. He considered his friend’s gesture a performance piece.

He tends to avoid the sofa, however, and has plans to jettison it. Since it is more story than object, he said, “the story allows you to throw it out because you are not throwing out an object but ending a story.”

The microwave and espresso machine, with their coat of white house paint, no longer function. Mr. Biesenbach never used them anyway.

Mr. Biesenbach was happy his friend did not paint the TV screen or the glass in his windows. “He honored the image,” he said."

Via: NYT

1,000 Doors Project

2012-02-02T17:26:00.000+11:00

I wonder what the Colour Specification for painters looked like?

Via: archinect

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 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.