March 15th, 2012
Righto, so far in this five part series we've looked at why you should research building, and how to figure out what it is you're really looking for. We've then taken our ideas and put pen to paper, writing a brief that will help clarify our needs over our wants. We've considered how much money we have to play with, we may have even pulled in our plans ... Read more
March 15th, 2012
Sunbeam is taking the cooking show's success with more than a pinch of salt as millions of Australians devour the drama. My Kitchen Rules is in it's third season and instead of getting bored Australians are hungry for more. A tempting mix of personality, food and fierce competition is drawing weekly audiences of up to 1.79 million viewers. Yesterday, over 8,000 Aussies 'Liked' the prior night's 'sudden death ... Read more
March 14th, 2012
There has been a positive uptake in the number of NSW residents applying for rebates on their new whitegoods. NSW residents are making better decisions about energy efficient appliances and getting cash rebates, according to the rebate provider Greenmoola.com. "This uptake is a positive sign that people are purchasing more efficient appliances, and that there is more awareness of the rebate program," Greemoola's founder Craig Jones said. Over the ... Read more
March 14th, 2012
Home Collection and Abode Oscillating Fan Heaters have been recalled. The risk of smoke, fumes and fire has caused a nationwide recall of the Big W and Woolworths fan heaters. The potential hazard is due to the incorrect assembly of parts and faulty internal crimping which may result in wires coming into contact with the heating element, and catching fire. No injuries have been reported, according to the advice ... Read more
March 13th, 2012
Trust Electrolux - with it's edgy, innovative designs - to come up with a series of vacuum cleaners that have been made from plastic taken out of the world's oceans. The Vac from the Sea concept was created to raise awareness about the 143 billion kilograms of plastic floating about the oceans and the threat it poses to marine habitats. According to Electrolux, using recycled plastic to make ... Read more
March 13th, 2012
Yesterday we looked at the first two essential considerations one must think about before building or renovating. Today we check in with heritage building designer Peter Latemore to find out what else the experts recommend. Most of these points help you better communicate with your builder so your expectations can be more easily, quickly and economically met. Write a brief This will involve discussing ideas with everyone in the household. ... Read more
March 12th, 2012
The smart washing machine knows when to separate your whites from darks, but will it find the missing sock? There's the fridge that tells you when you're low on milk, the oven that counts calories for you, and now there's a washing machine that knows what type of material it's cleaning. NXP Semiconductors, headquartered in The Netherlands, has recently unveiled a Smart Washer that can read information about ... Read more
March 12th, 2012
There are arguments for both keeping eggs in the fridge and for keeping eggs in the cupboard - but for fear of sitting on the fence (think Humpty Dumpty) we're going with the most recommended option, the fridge. The case for the eggs in the fridge. Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, easy to prepare and affordable to boot. Don't let them go to waste! Eggs will be kept ... Read more
March 12th, 2012
This week on the AOL Blog we'll be looking at 9 essential things you must consider before renovating or building, according to heritage building designer Peter Latemore. This website had a chance to chat with the building expert and siphon some pearls of wisdom from him last week at the Home Show at Brisbane. Here are the first two from Latemore's list of essential considerations. Research You! Ask yourself ... Read more
March 9th, 2012
Stainless steel kitchen appliances are the most popular, but white, black and colours are making a comeback. Stainless steel finishes leaped from commercial kitchens into our domestic abodes a long time ago, when metallic finishes still had that futuristic, slick modern look about them. And with good reason. Stainless steel is durable, hygienic, stain resistant and aesthetically it's not too shabby either. [caption id="attachment_8389" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Professional kitchens inspire ... Read more
March 8th, 2012
A construction site in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs has been broken into overnight. Police are appealing for witnesses or information from the public after a building site was broken into last night. The house-to-be on Brodie Avenue in Little Bay had over $20,000 worth of construction equipment and home appliances stolen between 6.30pm yesterday and 6.30am today. The thieves used bolt cutters to break into storage containers. The robbery comes as ... Read more
March 7th, 2012
Nespresso has boasted 20 per cent organic sales growth. As much as some people like to be the barista in their home, the ease of use and lack of mess from portioned coffee machines has made Nespresso and its manufacturing partner De’Longhi, a success story. The Swiss company has revealed sales over CHF 3.5 billion (over AU$3.5 billion), despite tight consumer spending. According to Nespresso, consumers like to ... Read more
March 7th, 2012
Samsung has announced an exclusive deal with the Naked Chef to be an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympics. From the kitchen to the track field, the British chef will play a key role in raising awareness of Samsung's role as a Worldwide Olympic Partner. Oliver, who is active in promoting growing gardens in schools in the UK, said he was pleased to partner with a company who ... Read more
March 7th, 2012
Smart electricity meters that are connected to household appliances will arrive in Australia soon. GE is already running a pilot project in the United States where appliances can monitor the electrical grid and adjust their settings to work at the most economically efficient level. The system operates independently and automatically with a Nucleus energy meter in the house acting as the go between the electricity provider and ... Read more
March 5th, 2012
Mainland cheese and Nuttelex margarine were some of the top picks in Canstar Blue's inaugural Taste Awards. Thousands of Australians have been asked to rate their satisfaction with the taste of a specific branded food or drink accross a number of categories. [caption id="attachment_8093" align="alignright" width="300" caption="This is what a "taste bud" looks like"][/caption] Big brands including home brands from Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths have also been included in ... Read more