Displaying posts labeled "Support"

Over the last month or so I have received some really awesome things that I wanted to share. Nothing excites me more than packages on my front porch! I’ll start with some encaustic pieces – a medium I was really not familiar with.

Tracey-Mae Chambers of TMC Design Collection is an Indigenous Canadian encaustic sculptor who lives in Southern Ontario. She uses melted beeswax mixed with Damar resin to strengthen the wax and this liquid is then formed into her beautiful collection of vessels. They are then treated with clear gloss lacquer to make them more durable. I had a really tough time deciding which pieces to get but thought this stunning copper flower bowl and black vase would work really well in my home. Thanks Tracey-Mae!!

I had seen some fabulous pillows popping up on some of my favourite U.K. based Instagram accounts lately and was super excited when Karen Sedgwick of Wild Rice Designs (based in Nottingham, U.K.) got in touch about these infamous pillows of hers. Again, I had a really hard time picking my favourite pillow (the runners up were this one and this one).

In the end I went with the vintage floral velvet because I fell in love with the pattern.

It is soooo beautifully made and I could not be happier with it (I’m a bit picky about pillow quality – the feather fill and cotton linen backing with that adorable pom-pom trim totally sold me). Here’s her Instagram, website, and Etsy shop. Thank you Karen!!

I also received another little gem of a book from Tuttle Publishing called Miniature Terrariums. So cute!

What I love about this book is not only does it give lots of instructions for being able to execute these terrariums, but it shows you the beauty of repurposing glass containers such as a lab flask, wine glass, mason jar, or an inexpensive glass box or hanging bulb. It gives some examples of using moss and fern, air plants, succulents and other types of plants. I REALLY want to try some of these this summer. Find this book on Amazon here.

Living well starts with good choices, and living in Dubai’s golf communities where fabulous fairways and clubhouse amenities are at your doorstep is the redefinition of luxury living. Setting a new standard for luxury golf course living, Dubai’s golf communities features first-class golf villas that come either furnished or semi-furnished with modern, high-standard finishes and well-designed layouts.

Each villa offers owners the luxury of space, peace and privacy, all under one roof.

The emirate of Dubai is the home to many world-class golf communities that offers upscale villas offering luxury living, opulent amenities, and strategic location. If you are looking to own a golf villa in Dubai, then we advise you to check this article for it provides you with simple guidelines to owning your own golf villa in Dubai.

1- Find the right location

When you look for villas for sale in Dubai, you can find plenty of upscale residential developments that offer luxurious and elegant golf villas such as Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches, The Lakes, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Victory Heights, Emirates Golf Club Villas, Mohammed Bin Rashid City and Dubai Hills.

The green fairways, luxurious clubhouses, and an enviable lifestyle are some of the finest aspects of living in one of these stunning villas surrounded by golf courses. These developments feature 4 bedroom villas, 5 bedroom villas, 6 bedroom villas and up to 10 bedroom villas to suit all families. Head for one of these projects and book your villa now.

2- Set your budget 

Golf villas prices vary according to size, location among other criteria as well that every developer will inform you. To make any sort of real estate investment, sorting out your finances is the first step.

A 3 bedroom villa for instance in Dubai Hills that extends over an area of 3,100 square feet is for sale for 3,563,8888 AED, while a 7 bedroom villas in Emirates Hills is for sale for 69,999,000 AED. Small-scale investors are on a tighter budget than others, hence, it is wise to do a proper market research to know if your budget will fit what’s on the market or not. 

3- Get the help of a good property agent

Whether you decided to head straight to the developer or a brokerage company, make sure that you are working with a recognized name in the market. This is a huge investment, so you better make sure you are investing in the right place and with the right people.

Look for agents that have plenty of experience in the UAE real estate market such as Better Homes, Hamptons International among others. When making a purchase that huge, you need to have a reliable partner by your side.

4- Property Inspection

Dubai has many renowned property inspection companies that offer services such as analyzing and reporting on the physical condition of the property and making professional recommendations for repairs, replacements, upgrades, etc. Property investment comes with huge gains and losses, that is why resorting to such establishments will help you identify the real value of the property by carefully checking the property and making sure it adheres to codes and quality. Many online listings fail to show the inside space of a properties or miss to show them all; that is why you need to inspect the property well before sealing the deal.

5- Freehold areas

Foreigner investors living in the UAE and interested to invest in its real estate market are allowed to own properties in Dubai Freehold areas. In May 2002, the crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued a decree allowing foreigners to buy property on freehold ownership. If you aren’t sure about which areas you are allowed to own a golf villa in Dubai, consult with your agent and they will guide you to the areas you are allowed to buy a property in.

6- Get familiar with the legal steps

Whether you want to purchase off-plan, i.e., under-construction property from a developer, or opt for the secondary market or resale from an owner and/or an agent, you need to get familiar with all the legal steps needed to complete the purchase. For off-plan purchases, the buyer will submit an application form to the developer, which outlines the terms and conditions of the agreement and if the property isn’t completed yet, then make sure the sales agreement includes the completion date. As for the secondary sale, the sale contract between the buyer and seller is registered with the DLD, outlining the terms and conditions of the agreement. 

7- Title Deed Transfer

For off-plan property direct from the developer, title deeds are usually issued at the developer’s office, whereas the resale of the off-plan property, the seller applies for a NOC from the developer. As for the secondary sale, if the buyer and seller are GCC nationals, The DLD conducts the transfers, others are done by a Real Estate Registration Trustee. All transfers are either held at the office of a Real Estate Registration Trustee or at the developer’s office. Upon obtaining the title deed, the buyer will get the property’s keys and access cards to the new property.

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Jamie Moulton is a senior content curator at JustProperty.com, a leading real estate portal in the MENA region, headquartered in Dubai, UAE.

This time of year I always get a bit antsy with my decor and start thinking about making spaces over. If you’re based in Australia and you’ve got the decor itch, head over to Fantastic Furniture. They’re a great resource if you’re looking for budget-friendly furnishings, and they have a wide range of styles to choose from, on top of offering everything you could possibly need for your next project. 

A modular sofa with chaise is a family-friendly, movie-night watching necessity. This is the Dakota 5-seater modualr chaise with storage.

Futons are awesome for compact spaces and great if you need a place for friends to crash. I love this Siesta 3 seater futon.

Photo by @alwaysloved_designs of her Jazz 3 seater sofa. 

I’m shocked. This is a futon!! The Drift 3 seater futon with a cool scandi vibe. There are also several options for lounge sofas from Fantastic Furniture.

I’d love a new bed frame (as much as I appreciate husband having built our current one). This one is lovely! It’s the Willow queen bed frame in black.

My bedroom is TINY! Extra storage under the bed would be a dream! This is the Modena queen bed with storage. (I should note Fantastic Furniture sells mattresses too).

Fantastic Furniture is your one-stop shop for dining sets. This one is the Zoe 7-piece dining set with Zara chairs. 

Love this rustic scandi sort of style dining set. The Toronto 7-piece dining set with Parker chairs. Also digging the buffet in the background. Find it here. 

This set is really classy in this space. Love the green walls and the marble top on the table. Monaco 5-piece dining set.

I know I’m not the only one always lacking decent storage solutions. The Coda range could work in any room. 

To finish a space off you must add some eye candy in the form of wall art. Fantastic Furniture has some great choices. 

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This post is in partnership with Fantastic Furniture

Do you love the modern industrial look? Exposed brick walls and loft like spaces make you weak at the knees? How about rust and steel, old wooden benches and Edison bulbs hanging in wire cages? You’re not alone. Modern industrial furniture is one of the biggest styles trending over the past few years and it’s definitely here to stay. It’s one thing to live in an untouched warehouse in a big city or to have the cash to splash on fabulous old pieces that dealers have pulled from the depths of a derelict factory but how do the rest of us get the look?

Luckily I found this fabulous collection from Memoky. Created by a team of artists who are committed to making it accessible and affordable, Memoky hand selects the highest quality products crafted from the finest materials from factories that share their commitment to accessible art & design. What does that mean for you? A carefully curated range of furniture with a luxury look but without the huge price tag. I’ve chosen a few of my favourites from their range but I’ll tell you the truth, it was hard to keep it to just these few. Whether you’re after seating or storage, lighting or accessories, beds or desks, Memoky has the right piece to build your modern industrial look from scratch or just add that final statement piece you need.

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Industrial not your thing? Don’t worry. You’re spoiled for choice. Mid-century, traditional, boho, Scandinavian, country or contemporary you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love at Memoky.

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This post brought to you in collaboration with Memoky.

You might find a sudden urge to knock down a few walls at your Sydney house and create a brand new zen garden. Renovation is an art form and if you pull it off correctly you could end up having a lot of fun. Besides, renovating is all about upgrading your property, which means it can help you increase the value of your most prized asset.

So, if you’re considering renovating your home, here’s what you need to know:

Rules and Regulations

In case you didn’t know this already, Sydney is the largest city in the country. Nearly a fifth of all Australians call it home and the city is jam-packed because of it. What keeps it all in order are the rules and regulations around property. You may need to get permission from your local council to approve the renovations you’ve planned. Do some research online and figure out the local building code, legal limitations and the health and safety requirements before you get started. If you own a strata titled property, for example, you may have to figure out what exactly you own. Technicalities on ‘airspace’ and ‘cubic boundaries’ may come into play here. You may also need to get a DA onboard if your planned renovation project involves removing trees or heavy demolition. Don’t get caught up in the renovation red tape.

Plan Perfectly

Consider a renovation project as important as a new build. You wouldn’t start building a house without a blueprint, so why consider tearing down the kitchen without a written plan? Get all your redevelopment paperwork out of the way and hit the drawing board as soon as you can. Figure out how much you want to push yourself, what tasks you’ll be doing on your own and how much you should budget for the project. Create a simple checklist for everything you need to do. Plan as much as you can, but be prepared for the unexpected.

Do It Yourself

If you love handy work and have some time on hand, consider doing some of the simpler tasks yourself. Putting together a new cabinet, demolishing the patio or tearing down a wall is not just easy, it’s incredibly fun. DIY enthusiasts are always available to help you out with quick tips if you ever get stuck. Doing part of the project yourself will also help cut costs.  Just know your limits and call in an expert for the seriously complex stuff, like heavy construction, electrical wiring and landscaping.

Aim for Value

Your house is an asset, so renovating it should help it appreciate. Aim for value-oriented projects that offer a return on every dollar you invest. Add space, redesign the kitchen or make the bathroom nicer. Balance your need for personal expression with the need to add value. A bright red wall may look trendy, but it won’t appeal to everyone. All these efforts are sure to get you a better price for your home when it comes time to sell.

Cut Costs

It should be obvious, but cutting costs is a big part of renovating. It’s really easy to go over budget with even the most simple home project. Cut costs wherever you can, but balance it out with a focus on long-term value. If it costs extra for reinforced cabinets or better quality windows, go for it.  Build a house that’s meant to last forever. Frequently repairing and replacing stuff is likely to cost a lot more time and money than simply buying the best quality. The way a project shapes up financially depends on how well you’ve planned the budget and how much money you have as contingency.

Be inspired

Walk around the block and gets some ideas from your neighbors. They probably have homes similar to yours, and some of them are bound to be really fancy. If you’re genuinely interested, pick up ideas on blogs and Pinterest. Experiment a bit. Your house is the ultimate form of personal expression, so make it count.

Like any other major city, Sydney has a protocol on how residents can repair or renovate their homes. Get in touch with the experts and do your research before you get started. Stick to the rules, do some of it yourself, cut costs and aim for value. Your house will need some upkeep every few years, but there’s no reason for this process to be stressful or expensive.

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This post is a contribution by a guest writer