Handyman january 2016

READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES $6.50 • DEC 2015/JAN 2016 page 46 28 deSiGn THe oUTdoorS Inspirational decks by the experts 58 THe BeST BoardS Pick the decking to sui

DESIGNER LOOKS, DIY FIXES

& STEP-BY-STEP MAKEOVERS

READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES

READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES

$6.50 • DEC 2015/JAN 2016

Check out the Bosch website: www.bosch-do-it.com.au

The Syneon Chip from Bosch enables energy efficient working with Lithium-Ion cordless tools It controls the energy according

to the application at hand For optimum power and maximum endurance throughout the entire project,

using only the power you need – meaning a longer battery run time Making cordless tools more efficient.

Smart technology.

Optimal power,

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Rejuvenation

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A simple and cost effective

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READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES

READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES

$6.50 • DEC 2015/JAN 2016

page 46

28 deSiGn THe oUTdoorS

Inspirational decks by the experts

58 THe BeST BoardS

Pick the decking to suit your place

60 TimBer TaBle revive

Stain a faded old outdoor setting

62 STepped planTer

Use timber steps for a pot holder

65 coolinG THe deck

Beat the summer heat outside

70 dine oUT

Set yourself up for outdoor living

page 152

page

176

126 craFTy kidS

Fun projects for the summer

132 TakinG TecH oUTdoorS

Check out the latest gadgets

139 5 eaSy wayS To SecUre yoUr Home

Keep the house safe these holidays

112 THe BeST oF BoTH worldS

A dilapidated Victorian house becomes a modern masterpiece

122 SlidinG door inSTall

Build a new entry to save space in a small bathroom

Get the garden summer-ready

166 GiFTS For oUTdoor livinG

Treat the gardener in your life

170 naTUrally naTive

Attract wildlife with Aussie plants

176 STandoUT SUmmer veGieS

Grow organic seasonal produce

186 BUild a Garden Bed

Make a raised planter with sleepers

188 BloominG BeaUTieS

Fill your backyard with colour

200 5 exTraordinary USeS For wrappinG paper

Turn tins into vases, and more

28

page 152 page 5 8

For a fresh, updated look, this deck

was rebuilt with wide grey-stained boards and hidden screws The seamless design was continued with the addition of the outdoor shower screen The shower and barbecue on the deck create a fun and flexible area for daily summer activities, with plenty

of open space for entertaining

love the cover?

get the

look

main picture stuart scott

Concealed fasteners and wide timber boards give this deck a modern finish

taubmans endure Low Sheen exterior, $185 for 10L taubmans.com.au

a grey deck stain was chosen for a c ontemporary finish.

matador artiste Four-burner Barbecue, $749.

matadorbbqs.com.au

cabot’s Deck & exterior Stain

in Beach House Grey, about

$88 for 4L cabots.com.au

FiSH ponD

Summer Daze reve rsible pool and Beach towel, $9 0 for four

beachtowelsonline com.au

6 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

SALLY KLOPPER, SALLY CAROLINE INTERIOR DESIGN

PMOD9

THE MODA COLLECTION

A door is a statement of what to expect as you enter a room That’s why Sally

Klopper of Sally Caroline Interior Design starts with Corinthian’s Moda

Collection With 24 timeless designs to choose from, a Moda door will be

right at home in your home To watch Sally talk about her timeless design

principles, visitCorinthian.com.au

At the forefront of style and innovation,

Gainsborough’s Matt Black range provides a

blend of contemporary and chic; perfect for

homes looking to showcase the latest trends.

To find out more about our range of

Matt Black door handles contact us on 13 14 18 www.gainsboroughhardware.com.au

PRIVACY PASSAGE

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ANGULAR TRILOCK EXTERIOR VIEW

Be bold

Enter with style.

Welcome to the December

2015/January 2016 issue

of Handyman It’s packed

with outdoor projects to get your place

holiday-ready, decorating ideas and

recipes for a delicious festive feast

It’s also our annual deck issue, so

we’re featuring a gallery of beautiful

architect-designed alfresco spaces to

inspire you to create your own

this

issue

managing Editor LEE DASHIELL

editor’s letter

Product of the month

The Moda Collection by Corinthian

Doors combines simplicity and

classic design to create doors

that are perfect for an array of

architectural styles

There are 24 new designs with

horizontal and vertical rails that

will match the lines of any interior

From contemporary to elegant and eclectic, the Moda range is a versatile door style that will be right at home

in your home (corinthian.com.au)

of readers and followers Just visit handyman.net.au and follow the links

Sign up for our newsletter, enter competitions and send in photos of your DIY projects to have a chance to get them featured in the magazine

Enjoy the issue,

If you need to replace the boards on your deck, we show you how, on page

40 If it needs repairing or you want help choosing the boards, see page 50

Team Handyman

We’re lucky to be part of an incredibly talented team, and during 2015, we’ve redesigned the magazine to showcase the content in a more interactive way

We’ve launched a website full of

information for the Handyman pillars,

Renovate, Build, Decorate, Outdoor and Garden, and created over 70 videos

Across the social media channels, we’ve uploaded projects, ideas and tips, developing a strong community

Happy holidays from

the Handyman team

Back row: Daniel,

Artemis, Amanda, Lee

Front row: Kate,

to see the full range of Maddison

adhesive products visit naleon.com.au

Adhesive Toilet Roll Refill Holder M6626

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One hand operation

sEnior subEditor nicK BanKs GrAphiC dEsiGnEr cOnnie LeunG fEAturEs writEr ashLeiGh perriOTT wEbsitE produCEr TaLisa cLavijO diAGrAMs sTephen pOLLiTT

adVErtiSiNG

Group AdVErtisinG dirECtor sherOn whiTe t: 61 2 9018 6280 AdVErtisinG sAlEs MAnAGEr KrisTina FrOhLich t: 61 3 8844 5542 ACCount MAnAGEr nsw crisTian arraTia t: 61 2 9018 6253 ACCount MAnAGEr Qld curTis wOODwarD t: 61 2 9018 6254 ClAssifiEds aLeK jOvanOvsKi t: 61 2 9018 6255

nEw ZEAlAnd hAwKhurst MEdiA sErViCEs Kerry McKenZie

rEadEr’S diGESt aSSoC iNC.

prEsidEnt & CEo BOnnie KinTZer ViCE prEsidEnt & Coo intErnAtionAl Brian KenneDy

Editor-in-ChiEf intErnAtionAl MAGAZinEs raiMO MOysa

Editor-in-ChiEf thE fAMily hAndyMAn Ken cOLLier

aUStraliaN HANDYMAN MaGaZiNE

Gpo box 4353, sydnEy nsw 2001 E: handyman@readersdigest.com www.handyman.net.au

SUbSCriPtioNS aNd ENqUiriES

t: 1300 300 030 E: customerservice.au@readersdigest.com

handyman magazine is printed on pEfC-certified paper, providing an assurance that the paper is produced from sustainably managed forest, recycled and controlled source.

published by reader’s digest (Australia) pty ltd (Abn 81000565471) 80 bay st, ultimo, nsw 2007

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16 tuas Ave 5, singapore 639340 distributed by ndd distribution pty ltd

All content ©2015 reader’s digest (Australia) pty ltd, all rights reserved

reproduction without permission is prohibited All prices and information are correct

at the time of printing prices quoted are recommended retail prices and may vary All material sent to handyman (whether solicited or not) will not be returned All do-it-yourself activities involve a degree of risk skills, materials, tools and site conditions vary widely the editors have made every effort to ensure accuracy but the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials and methods Always obey local codes and laws, follow manufacturers’ operating instructions and observe safety precautions reader’s digest (Australia) pty limited collects your information to provide our products and services and may also use your information for the marketing purposes of rd and/or selected corporate partners if the information is not provided you will be unable to access our products or services our privacy policy at www.readersdigest.com.au/privacy-policy contains full details on how your information is used (including how we may share your information with our affiliate companies in the us or other overseas entities), how you may access or correct information held and our privacy complaints process.

The ST ANLEY F ATMAX®240L J ob Ches t

MOVI GEAR NG .

12 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

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Keep wine cool

using the hassle-free Corkcicle Wine Chilling Cork beyondcool.com.au

Christmas

gift guide

handy

stuff

wordsAshleigh Perriott

Pick the right present every time with this fantastic round-up

store photos forever

with the Kogan 5-in-1 Combo scanner by saving old slides

to UsB kogan.com.au

Brew Coffee with the

Nespresso Pixie Clips, with interchangeable side panels nespresso.com.au

pot up in the standout

950 x 950 x 650mm tuscan Path Aztec tribal Big Pot tuscanpath.com.au

ditCh deBris around the

garden with the light and compact Victa two-stroke 26cc Blower victa.com/au

$119

$20

$30

Add AmBienCe with

the haven 25cm Coastal Chic Coastguard lantern

haveninspired.com.au

tote GeAr in the big

and tough hickory hill home raffia Bag, with decorative leather tassel kogan.com.au

proteCt peepers with

UV Wraps safety overspecs, available in Clear or smoke lenses uvwraps.com.au

Keep time with the

unique Melbourne Watch Company Avalon design melbournewatch.com.au

fry up a healthy feast

using the Kambrook Air Chef Air frying oven, with 2.5l basket kambrook.com.au

fix it fast diy with the

stanley 117-piece tool Kit,

complete with carry case

stanleyblackanddecker.com

$23

$99

$799

the Bosch PrA MultiPower radio, with Bluetooth

with 15 different weights in

one dumbbell kogan.com.au

$159

$170

17 Handyman.net.au dec 2015/jan 2016

hANdy stUff

For the home

do up the kitchen with

a 50s retro style smeg fAB 28 refrigerator-freezer smeg.com.au

speed throuGh a reno

with a Wagner flexio 990

direct feed Paint sprayer

wagneraustralia.com.au

sliCe ’n’ diCe fruit and

veg with ease using the shun Premier 15cm Chef’s Knife haleimports.com.au

whip up cafe-quality

coffee at home in just 90 seconds with a Breville the oracle breville.com.au

wAter wisely with

the premium gardena Metal Multi-Purpose spray gun

gardena.com/au

Cut GrAss and save

shed space with the Masport

490 Mow ‘N’ stow lawn Mower masport.com.au

relAx BACK and soak

in a spa industries sterling

Marble five-seat oasis spa

RYOBI 36V GARDEN RANGE.

POWER MADE EASY.

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One 36V Lithium Battery powers more than ten tools.

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hANdy stUff

For the kids

tuCK toddlers into

a cosy swingz n thingz

120 x 60cm Kids swag when camping out swingz.com.au

CreAte Cute and healthy

homemade snacks with

a Zoku individual slow Pop

zokuhome.com

Keep Covert missions

under wraps with the World’s smallest Walkie talkies

lover in your household with the Wood Worx racing Car Kit colorific.com.au

Get Kids interested

in cooking with the little

gardeners Pizza garden

let littlies learn and

have fun on the indigo Jamm little Carpenters Bench

woodenwonderland.com.au

Chill ’n’ ChuG drinks

in a colourful Aladdin 473ml Milk Bottle tumbler cambur.com.au

$20

20 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

IMPACT

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Clear cover

Try Invisible Zinc 4hr Water Resistant SPF 50+ for undetectable protection, about $22 for 50ml

Water wear

Swim all summer long with the Cancer Council Active Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+, about $15 for 110ml cancercouncilshop.org.au

Pain preventer

Avoid adverse reactions with the gentle formula of Banana Boat Sensitive SPF 50+, about $16 for 200g bananaboat.com.au

Wear both sunscreen and insect repellent

to look after your skin during hot, sunny weather

Use the Banana Boat Faces

oil-free SPF 50+ to help prevent

premature skin ageing, about

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Ray reflector

Minimise UVA and UVB exposure with Nivea Sun Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, about

Avoid harsh chemicals with

Wotnot Natural Sunscreen

For Babies SPF 30+, about $20

for 100g wotnot.com.au

23 Handyman.net.au dec 2015/jan 2016

Bite blocker

Hike all day and ditch creepy crawlies with Bushman Personal Insect Repellent, about $13 for 130g bushman-repellent.com

Oil obstructor

Deter mozzies, flies and sandflies with Ego Naturals Moov Insect Repellent Spray, about

$7 for 120ml moov.com.au

Swarm stopper

Escape the onslaught of intense

insect activity with Aerogard

Heavy Duty 40% Deet, about $11

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Beach buddy

Steer clear of bugs and soothe

bites with Rid Medicated Tropical

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about $8 for 150g rid.com.au Holiday helper

Find relief from biting insects with Off! Tropical Strength Insect Repellent Spray, about $8 for 150g scjohnson.com.au

Insect inhibitor

Dodge strong smells and sneaky suckers with Aerogard Odourless Protection, about $9 for 150g aerogard.com.au

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Be inspired to create your ideal outside space with these innovative deck ideas from the experts

Design the outDoors

wordssita simons

A deck is more than a rectangle

of boards A well-considered design harmoniously extends living spaces from the indoors to the

outdoors to create a functional space

that can be used year-round

Timber is visually appealing and

a solid construction will last a long

time with yearly maintenance And

advances in manufacturing have led to

a boom in composite products, which

look good and need even less upkeep

28 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

a back of house renovation turned a Californian bungalow

in a northern sydney suburb into

a space for a growing family

outdoor entertaining and cooking were key factors in the design for architect Ed Davis (davisarchitects.com.au)

‘there was a tiny deck, but nothing to connect the indoors with the outdoors, so we added this 12m blackbutt deck to extend the living spaces,’ he says

‘integral to the design was the roof extension over the dining area, it gives shelter and shade while also letting light through

‘at the kitchen end of the deck, the roof has an open void so the overhang doesn’t block light from the house and allows the sunshine

to bounce into the kitchen.’

timber tones

Landscape designer Denise Staffa

(outsidein.net.au) was briefed to create

a stylish, low-maintenance outdoor

living space in a high-end investment

property in a suburb of Perth

‘I classify timber as a soft material

element in landscape design It softens

the hard elements and brings warmth

to any outdoor space,’ says Denise

‘In this garden, I wanted to create

an easy transition from the residence

to the backyard and the pool

‘The decking steps serve the

function of directing you, as well as

bringing another texture and tone

into the space, layering and breaking

up the hard surfaces,’ she says

‘We used a composite timber product for the low-maintenance factor But bear in mind that if these products get scratched or damaged they can’t be repaired, only replaced

‘Researching the brand is also important as some have a major fade factor and can heat up and become too hot to walk on,’ says Denise

TWO COATS COVER OVER ANY COLOUR

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® Dulux, Wash&Wear, Worth doing, worth Dulux, 101 and Barrier Technology are registered trade marks of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd

although set on the picturesque nsW south coast, architect tony trobe (ttarchitecture.com.au) calls this an English beach house

relaxed living needs practical and easily maintained outdoor spaces this is achieved here with

an engineered decking product

‘the material we used is

a recycled timber composite, so

it looks like timber but requires less maintenance,’ says tony

‘it’s regular in appearance,

as it is manufactured, and tends

to have a long life span

‘it is also ideal for bushfire zones, where you wouldn’t want

to use lots of timber,’ he says

‘the installation is a clip system, making it relatively easy

to lay and avoids nail holes, which are an aesthetic concern.’

to designing this property in Sydney’s Queens Park, the outdoor areas took

on those influences

‘I wanted to create that feeling

of easy luxury at home It’s not fussy, it’s pared back and simple The narrow space had to accommodate the pool,

design tip

to create a sense of

resort-style luxury at

home, it’s important to

keep the decor simple

and not over-decorate.

‘A space was also created at the end

of the pool with a large daybed Sitting there among the plantings, you feel like you could be in a resort,’ she says

32 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

Fight the visible signs of ageing.

Care for your deck Cabot’s your deck.

a cold and dilapidated terrace situated

in a beautiful location on the north

coast of nsW needed an extra floor to

capture the views and provide much

needed light and space

But that meant that the long back

garden at ground level would be hard

to access, says architect fredric kakish

(stubbsdesigntribe.com.au)

‘the best way to address this issue

was to build an elevated deck With

the kitchen and living area opening up

onto it, a simple but well-engineered

a small kitchen extension on this

property in Canberra changed

the whole planning of the house,

and an even smaller jarrah deck

became an outdoor feature

architect Bruce townsend (t-a.com.au) says the brief was to

build the deck without damaging or

disturbing any established trees

‘We did this by using small pads to make the tiniest holes

in the ground and use the least

concrete We also had to design

a self-cleaning roof,’ says Bruce

‘hidden in the foliage like the world’s biggest rainwater head is

a piece of sculptured steel, which

provides the deck cover and

redirects rainwater off the roof

‘the self-cleaning method means no downpipes, with water

dripping down the chain instead of

directly into the garden,’ he says

eco modern

34 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

A house renovation in Victoria’s

Port Melbourne saw the need for

improved landscaping and outdoor

spaces, and architect Matt Gibson

(mattgibson.com.au) provided

practical solutions in sculptural style

‘A traditional pergola was built

off the living spaces and featured

a thatched roof to provide shade and

protection from the elements And

to provide another outdoor room at

the rear of the garden, we designed this 3 x 7m deck,’ says Matt

‘Because you look out onto it from the house, it needed to have more form and volume than a simple flat expanse of decking

‘It comes off the garage, and the extruded cube makes a point of interest

in an area that would otherwise be quite utilitarian and bare Over time, vegetation will grow over the frame.’ cubed charm

a clean palette to work with

the challenges were screening the neighbour’s house from the courtyard and meeting the council requirement to keep non-penetrable surfaces to 65% of land cover

this meant that at least 35%

of the space had to be garden beds, mulched areas or lawn

lush escape

‘in the front garden, i wanted to create a large garden bed with lots

of green foliage plants,’ says Jim

‘not allowed to add more paving, and not wanting to have a small patch of lawn to mow, i incorporated

a black stained floating timber deck to sit nicely among the foliage,’ he says

slatted stools create a private nook t hat works in harmony with the surro

unds.

36 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman

Stay cool this summer

Escape the Heat

The HOLMAN Misting System product range comprises of three box kits, and an individually available selection of parts, that allow you to set up the design that best suits your location Misting Kits are available in 4m, 7m and 20m.

HOLMAN - 50 Years and still Australian owned.

This garden in a suburb of Adelaide had been paved and needed a makeover

Builder Russell Wingard (Wingard Building Services) worked with the owner to create an expansive deck

‘What was unusual about this job was it wasn’t planned to the nth degree

It grew and developed as we went

‘The plants, vegie patch and trees

expansive timber structure,

real precision is required to

the keep the angles and

lines right as you go.

natural blend

element of the brief was to work around what was there,’ says Russell

‘We couldn’t get machinery in, so

we had to pull up all the pavers and

do a lot of excavating by hand

‘We began at the top and built the

6 x 7m pergola at ceiling height with the house so it feels like a continuation and not an isolated structure The timber used is merbau,’ he says

38 dec 2015/jan 2016 Australian Handyman