Some jobs...
Under deck - Cammeray
This space underneath the deck and next to the pool was in a mess. Another problem was that the drop from the top of the deck to the ground was under the requirement for pool safety regs. Solution - remove extraneous bricks, re-mortar new brick line into place, excavate the area to increase drop from deck, level and backfill with Eucy Mulch (we chose this as a temporary solution) with a view to come back to the job when it was decided whether it should be planted out with shade plants, install some decking panels for seating, etc.
Satellite Dish removal - willoughby
When I looked up this client's address I could see this monster from space! They inherited it with the house and it's been cramping the whole family's style. It has been defunct and without power for ages, but had to go...socket wrench, spanner, screwdriver, angle grinder - check! The beauty was that after it had been totally dismembered for council pick up the next day, a scrap metal merchant happened by as I carried the last piece out, awesome!
Door Frame Damage - Naremburn
Dogs can be our best friends...but a houses worst enemy!
Door refurb - Lane Cove
This small timber door allows access to under the house - rarely used, but it was sure a mess. Rusted and broken hinges, slide bolt the same, paint peeling and not fitting into the door frame. New hardware, peel, prime, repaint.
Bathroom Ceiling - Naremburn
Chipped, peeling and developing mould patches - after a good session, refreshed, bright and mould-free
Waverton - Weather beaten roof
This was an unsightly mess and allowed to progress, would have caused greater grief down the track. Strip, peel, sand, new timber beading, prime and a couple of top coats (plus a gutter clean, prune of branches above and a re-alignment of gutter for correct fall) and some peace of mind - now to come back for the rest of the ceiling!
Interactive Intelligence - Commercial client - North Sydney
Before and after - applying the corporate slogan to a blank, curved wall was tricky, but the result was pleasing, as was the addition of new metal city placards to replace the worn old ones.
Chatswood - Kitchen floor
Re-grouting has made a huge difference to the look and feel of this previously tired kitchen floor.
Mosman - Rotten door frame
Moisture and age had done a number on the frame of this laundry door. Pulled out rotten timber, replaced frame, generous use of colour-matched caulk to keep the wet out, hefty coat of primer and 2 top coats - fresh!
Before and after
This bedroom was looking pretty rough, the ceiling was peeling and the last paint job on it was in high gloss. Repair and repaint ceiling, fresh paint on walls and all trim throughout done in high gloss - a nice contrast with the dark purple walls.
Garden tap - Waverton
The old tap was leaking and difficult to use - swapped for a new one, fast and easy.
Lane Cove - Before and after
This garden bed is directly at the front of the house and was looking a bit worn around the edges. My client put the Gardenias (her favourties) in some time ago and though they were flowering, they just seemed lonely. So with a spare piece of railroad sleeper from under the house, this bed extension was put up. The space was then filled out with a couple of additional Gardenias, Star Jasmine, a white Rose (also her favourites and found that out after the planting out!)...and a few Petunias at the corner next to the front door for the season...a healthy dose of Seasol and mulched with sugar cane, plus a few decorative stones thrown in...done.
Vanity & Fixture upgrade
It is amazing the difference a new vanity and shower head can make. The new vanity also includes new faucet and taps, with the mirror and towel rack being repositioned to balance the space.
Stormwater drain install
Rainwater had been draining directly into this bed from the downpipe and a drain that simply ended in the bed itself. I removed all the plants, installed the pipes, gave them a quick paint to match the house and replanted the bed (all those large pebbles were unearthed whilst digging, so recycled them into a border)
Terrace garden - Waverton
Most of this sunny terrace was overgrown and buried under a thick layer of debris...with a few dead potted palms thrown in. Solution - Rigorous prune, leaf litter removal, shapely trim of creeping fig and 4 new Lasiandra jules...the space is refreshed and ready for use.
Front Gate - Waverton
Before and after - small touches can make a big difference. Appropriate coloured anti-rust paint, new latch that secures well...a refreshed entry to the property.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE - Commercial premises North Sydney
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Weathered & mouldy
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Cleaned, sanded & freshly stained
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Cleaned, sanded & freshly stained
CEILING RESTORATION - Lane Cove
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Damaged, stained, peeling paint
BELOW - AFTER - Peeled, sealed, repaired & painted
BELOW - AFTER - Peeled, sealed, repaired & painted
GARDEN PATIO - Waverton
A lovely client of mine had a rough and unused corner in the garden, but an outlook over the Harbour that was stunning. She wanted an area where she could relax, entertain, view the fireworks and absorb the city happenings - she also liked the look and feel of the crunching paths down at the old BP site in Waverton. The only access to her garden was through the house, so I brought it through barrow by barrow (DECO-GOLD from the good folks at ANL) right down the stairs and through the loungeroom, much to the amusement of her dog and mild annoyance of the cat! This is what we did, drying just in time for the 2011 to 2012 fireworks!
WAVERTON GARDEN
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Overgown with weeds & desperate for a clean-up & prune
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Now a weed-free & tidy courtyard perfect for the kids and entertaining
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Overgown with weeds & desperate for a clean-up & prune
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Now a weed-free & tidy courtyard perfect for the kids and entertaining
TERRACE GARDEN - Commercial premises St Leonards
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Overgrown with grass, existing shrubs either dead or requiring hard prune, creeping plant unruly, poor soil & aesthetically unpleasant.
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Thorough weeding, removal of dead shrubs, hard prune to encourage new growth, soil aeration & application of organic fertiliser / liquid seaweed. New plants added to fill gaps, and mini-environments created with borders and use of both Eucalyptus & Sugar cane mulch.
TOP ROW - BEFORE - Overgrown with grass, existing shrubs either dead or requiring hard prune, creeping plant unruly, poor soil & aesthetically unpleasant.
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER - Thorough weeding, removal of dead shrubs, hard prune to encourage new growth, soil aeration & application of organic fertiliser / liquid seaweed. New plants added to fill gaps, and mini-environments created with borders and use of both Eucalyptus & Sugar cane mulch.
FRONT GATE - McMAHONS POINT
TOP ROW - BEFORE
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER
TOP ROW - BEFORE
BOTTOM ROW - AFTER