Easy Diy

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AUgust n September n OCTOBER 2011

SPRING LIVINg

250 ways to

Nail it!

your guide to nails and screws

cut the clutter

Perfect painting advice from our expert Cliff Kay

CRYSTAL CLEAR Get your pool summer-ready

Different strokes

Make

fabulous floating shelves n eco-friendly recycling centre n

All you need to know about paint brushes and more in our Savvy Shopper handbook

Improve brand new bathroom for under R6 000

At home

with the Mansfields Jeremy and Jacqui are cooking! Win Vouchers n Powertools n Toolkits n Outdoor décor

Old furniture new looks

maintain your outdoor pieces Plus all you need to know about restoring wood, cane, wrought iron and plastic R34.50 incl VAT

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editor’s comment

Welcome

This quarter I’m loving...

EasyDIY is packed (pardon the pun) with a plethora of storage ideas and solutions to keep your home spick and span.

here’s something about the imminence of spring that brings out the feather duster in me. It always seems to be the time of year when I can’t bear the site of my messy cupboards, cluttered rooms and dusty garage. The problem is, not everything can simply be discarded as unnecessary rubbish. Going through one’s home methodically is a skill that, sadly, I appear to be lacking. I’m a hoarder of note and spend considerable time finding the ideal boxes, cartons and shelves to store all those items I truly believe I can’t live without. So it’s with a considerable sigh of relief that this, our second edition of EasyDIY is packed (pardon the pun) with a plethora of storage ideas and solutions to keep your home spick and span. This doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise and we explore all the options, from buying great storage boxes to using furniture to store your goods in a functional and attractive manner (see our clever fire pit on page 108 or our brilliant ottoman project on page 26). This edition we were also lucky enough to get up close and personal with Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield in

their lovely Jo’burg home. We met the dogs, cats and had a good look at their second cookbook Zhoozsh! Faking it that two lucky readers will win (see details on page 62). Our art director Martin Hiller worked on the shoot and was left green with envy after seeing Jacqui’s home library. “The Mansfield’s are a fabulous and generous couple,” he says. So dip in, take a look and enjoy all our lovely projects for indoors, outdoors, maintenance and more. Don’t forget to check out our Savvy Shopper too for the latest in paintbrushes, door handles and of course, those handy shelves. See you at the hardware store!

BOSCH Winners

FROM A READER

Congratulations to the following readers who won a Bosch power tool: Rob Goedhals, Joseph Mafodi, Fibashnee Naidu, Manus De Lange , Joseph Modise and Gerhard Labuschagne. Be sure to enter the Skil competition on page 113

"I want to congratulate you and your whole team on the launch of your magazine. I believe it will go far. I found the articles very refreshing and helpful – for a couch potato I was very eager to get my hands dirty and try some of the DIY projects!" – Colette Boshoff

Reel Gardening’s pre-fertilised seed strips. These clever strips encase the seeds at the perfect depth and distance apart – a pleasure for gardening amateurs like me! The strip is marked at the correct depth with a coloured line indicating both depth and seed type. The strips come in various ranges including a mixed veg strip pack, mixed herb sachet pack, single variety veg or herb seeds and others. Available at Builders Warehouse or www.reelgardening.co.za Win! Reel Gardening is giving away 10 delicious salad mix garden packs to the first 10 lucky readers to email with the subject line “reel gardening” to [email protected].

Duram’s self-cleaning exterior wall paint. Duram NanoTech uses smart technology that develops a dynamic, protective molecular layer. The self-cleaning, photocatalytic nano particles are continually energised by the sun’s UV rays, even on cloudy days, to loosen and decompose dirt, mildew, fungi, algae and pollution. Bottom line, an environmentally-friendly product that protects your home beautifully against the harsh weather conditions. Available at leading hardware stores from R900 for 20l.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 1

Waterproof imit l o N re secu al & se

rs

Gutte

Po ols

Pipes

USES: • seals and bonds any material. • various colours, even crystal clear. • in wet or dry conditions.

, Any cracks even in ponds

• mould resistant. • flexible. • paintable.

rs howe

s

Ro of s r epair

2

1

3

Apply 1st coat with block brush

4 USES: • can repair balconies, terraces and other concrete surfaces. • waterproof new and old buildings (internal and external). • waterproof of showers, tanks, containers & water reservoirs/ponds. • can be painted and covered with tiles. • effective on negative (damp proofing) or positive(waterproofing) side. • non-toxic.

Call 011 306 9000 or visit www.abe.co.za / as advertised

2 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

to Allow r dry fo s 12 hour

6

5 Apply 2nd coat

to Allow r dry fo s r u 12 ho

Paint or tile

...we’ve got

• adhesives • waterproofing • primers • sealants

•

it yourself with 1 flat te re conc o of r

2 1st

Clean

USES: • Flashings. • Parapet walls. • Flat roof waterproofing areas. • Suitable for use in potable water & total water immersion conditions. • Ideal for waterproofing of koi ponds.

1

3

4

2nd Coat

ote Silvaoktect r p to umem bit

IBR ated corrug r o of

3 USES: • As a sealer for most roofing defects, i.e. overlaps, valleys, gutters, downpipes, roof screws. • As a repair compound for roofs cracks, flashings, cracked roof tiles and patch repair to tanks.

5 Stick and seal

USES: • Seals and repairs leaky, galvanised roof sheeting, holes and overlaps, valley gutters, downpipes, roof screws, pipe vents, ridging and capping.

you covered!

2

ng

4

ps

Overla

6 Ar ound y chimne

Coat

7

Flashi

Ro of Scr ew

Sheet openings

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resin & bituminous coatings • flooring products • grouts

Make

Maintain

Restore

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CONTENTS august

september

october 2011

ON THE COVER 18

Nailing the basics! Your guide to nails and screws in DIY101

20

Cut the clutter and dejunk your life

30

Old furniture new looks – restore a wooden table

40

Expert pages – Painting up a storm with Cliff Kay

43

Expert pages – Picture Perfect pools

52

Bathroom Beauty. A brand new bathroom for under R6 000

60

Celebrity homes. At home with the Mansfields

66

Shelve it! Make a fab floating shelf

69

The Savvy Shopper’s handbook

93

Recycle it. Make a functional recycle centre

114 Old furniture new looks – outdoor restore

26

How colour creates the mood

20

Cut the clutter and make the most of space and storage solutions

EXPERT ADVICE Our experts tell you all about...

STYLISH LIVING

Inspiring people and fabulous homes

19

Need a handyman? When to call the experts

20

Dejunk your life Cut the clutter and make the most of space and storage solutions

Painting up a storm with Cliff Kay The magic of colour

46

Style Icon. Shopping around with Mike Shapiro Shop fitter with a vision

Picture perfect pools with Ryan Nesbitt Keep your pool in mint condition this summer

60

Celebrity homes: At home with the Mansfields A peek inside Jeremy and Jacqui’s laid-back home

64

Get the Mansfield look

86

Reader homes: Channelling Colonial A stylish family abode in the heart of Jozi

89

Get the Colonial look

98

Colour Confident How colour creates the mood

18

Nailing the Basics All about nails and screws in our DIY101 series

32

Let the sun shine in Understanding photovoltaic tiles with Andrew Etzinger

40

43

18

Nailing the basics

106 Our winning reader project

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SAVVY SHOPPER Smart choices for smart DIYers

70 10 handy paintbrushes 75 10 great door knobs and handles 78 10 space-saving shelves

DIY BULLeTIN

Beautiful buys and all the latest trends and news

108

Cosy outdoor living for those evening braais

DIY PROJECTS Make an ottoman A practical and pretty storage solution

Restore a wooden table Refresh your patio with this easy restoration

35

Make a home secretary Smart home-office storage

66

84

93

Stylish Buys Builders Warehouse Trade Fair

Get even more from EasyDIY

30

52

Handy News

REGULARS

Our DIY Divas show you how to:

26

8 12 82

64

Get the Mansfield look

Improve your bathroom for under R6 000 Step-by-step instructions on how to do it right Make a floating shelf An eye-catching design feature for any room Restore wrought iron furniture And have it looking like new in no time Make a recycling centre No need for different bins; we show you how to do it in one unit!

102 Improve cane furniture Update an old look 108 Make a fire pit Cosy outdoor living for those evening braais 114 Maintain outdoor furniture You don’t need to replace; just renew

WIN AND SAVE 1

Win with Reel Gardening What a way to start your summer garden

16

Send us your DIY tips and win a Builders Warehouse voucher

50 Subscribe to EasyDIY and win 59 Win with TAL 104 Send us your letters and win a Stanley/Afmit hamper 105 Win a chiminea with Décor Features 107 Tell us about your home DIY project and win with Makita We want to hear from you! 120 Send us your funny DIY story and win a Makita toolkit

1 7 16

Editor’s Comment

50

Never miss an issue Subscribe to EasyDIY and win

90

Green pages Eco-friendly DIY news

Reader Tips Smart advice from our DIY readers

104 Your letters 111 Garden pages Gardening news and getting down to the nitty gritty using gravel as a decorative garden feature 119 What to look forward to in our next issue 120 DIY Laughing Justin Wolff gets sexy with DIY

This magazine may be recycled. For more information go to www.paperpickup.co.za.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 5

How to find us

8

Beautiful buys and all the latest trends and news

6 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

contributors Jolene Raison grew up playing in the aisles of a hardware store, with a spanner in one hand and a fountain pen in the other. Her fascination with tools developed as quickly as her passion for writing. Jolene helps us with choosing the best nails and screws for your DIY job on p18. My favourite DIY tool is my Hilti handy tool because

I’m absolutely incapable of hitting a nail into the wall without breaking the nail itself, the plaster, my fingers or all three. I use it so often that I keep it in my desk drawer. My idea of cutting the clutter is categorising everything and storing it in stackable containers. We have cardboard boxes, plastic containers and even wooden trunks at home filled with everything from ribbon to mementoes to screws. Spring is a great time to throw out all the junk you’ve collected in the last year. It’s my clean-up time of year when I weed out everything that’s cluttering up my life.

Kate Sidley is a feature writer and humourist. She lives in a very old house with her husband, children and many pets, all of whom are much better at breaking things than they are at DIY. Kate brings you smart ways to green your home on p90.

Kim Novick

EDITOR [email protected]

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EDITORIAL BOARD Janice Anderssen, Peter Du Bruyn, Andrew Etzinger, Sandra Gordon, Clifford Kay, Nancy Machungwa, Peter Middleton and Stephen Pellerade CONTRIBUTORS Cara Bouwer, Amy Chansellor, Kerryn Kemp, Levi Letsoko, Jolene Raison, Beth Shirley, Kate Sidley, Christine van Deemter and Justin Wolff Projects DIY Divas: Janice Anderssen and Nancy Machungwa stylists Martin Hiller, Ingrid Loud and Peta-Anne Stroud PHOTOGRAPHERS Noeleen Foster and Debbie Yazbek Cover photo: Debbie Yazbek LAYOUT Ideaology Design, Advertising and Digital Art Director: Martin Hiller Production Manager: Michelle Pretorius PROOFREADER Terry Katz ADVERTISING SALES Natalie Sanders (National Sales Manager) 082 450 2317 n [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS

My favourite part of the day is early morning.

I’m an early riser, so I get a peaceful little moment before the rush starts. I use that moment to gaze at the garden, eat a paw paw and enjoy the quiet until some member of my family, inevitably, arrives with a question that starts: “Where’s my...” My home is in most need of a blank cheque. Failing that, I would love to recarpet now that my children and pets have grown up a bit. Our carpets look like something from CSI Miami! If you do one thing to green your life it should be to start a compost heap - put all those potato

peelings and tea bags to good use, and reap the rewards in the garden.

RNA Distribution (011) 473 8700 Email: [email protected] Sms nr + shortcode: 33110 subs easy Smss charged at R1.50 12 Nobel street, Industria West, 1700 PO Box 725, Maraisburg, 2093 website www.easydiy.co.za PUBLISHED BY Wag the Dog Publishers (Pty) Ltd (011) 447 7740/1 PO Box 1574, Parklands, 2121 243 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg PUBLISHER Sandra Gordon n [email protected]

Christine van Deemter is online and print copy editor at Ndalo Media, working on DESTINY and DESTINY MAN magazines. Her love for DIY comes from watching her mom find things for her dad to do at the crack of dawn on weekends. In this issue (p60), Christine meet up with the Mansfields to chat about their love for food, animals and their home. I loved the Mansfield shoot because their

home is as open and friendly as they are and their dogs are adorable! My home is most in need of a paint job – I would love to paint my bathroom a bright yellow or dirty acid green. The end of winter means no more fabulous boots and coats! But also no more freezing toes and electrified dry hair. This season I’ll be drinking Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc because it’s my favourite wine and my best 2011 discovery.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Ronéll Buitenbos n [email protected] PRINTED BY CTP Cape Town, Boompies Street, Parow, Cape Town EasyDIY is published on a quarterly basis and distributed within the South African boarders. Copyright EasyDIY is a registered trademark. Should you wish to lift any material from the publication, please liaise with the editor beforehand. Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure that the contents of this publication are accurate and legitimate no guarantee is given. Views and opinions expressed, made or implied are those of the authors unless clearly stated as being the Publisher’s. The responsibility lies with readers to verify any representations, claims and offers made by advertisers in advertisements that appear in this publication. Any objections or claims should be referred to the advertiser concerned. The publishers, owners, staff, distributors and associates of this publication will not be liable in any way for claims arising from its contents. The distribution of prizes is the responsibility of the competition sponsor and EasyDIY cannot be held responsible for failure to deliver or the loss of or damage to winners’ prizes. Prices are only an indication of what you may pay and may vary.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY August 7 n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 7

DIY BULLETIN

This quarter's latest news and events

PLASCON CREATES A ROYAL MESS

No doubt royals Kate and William never imagined being depicted using mayo, jam and peas. But that is exactly what Plascon commissioned artist Jarryd Kin to do when it launched its Art From Mess Project earlier this year to prove how effectively Plascon’s Double Velvet unique Stain BarrierTM formulation works. Plascon challenged the Capetonian artist to create a series of artworks live on the web, with a twist. His palette included a smorgasbord of foods and household items that leave nasty stains, including jam, lipstick, colouring pens, tomato sauce, coffee, lotion, red wine and mustard. The canvas? A board coated with Plascon Double Velvet interior paint. The paint proved its mettle as the messy art was wiped clean, leaving a lovely, stain-resistant canvas. Great marketing from Plascon. Visit www.facebook.com/PlasconSA and www.twitter.com/plasconsa to see just how messy Plascon and Kin got!

WINDOW POETRY

Drawing inspiration from international retail trends, Poetry lifestyle store was inspired to celebrate Mother’s Day 2011 with an eye-catching, hand-painted window display. Poetry appointed talented local artist Megan Hart to create a beautiful enchanted garden in each of the Poetry store windows nationwide. Hart’s floral

monochromatic themed garden required up to five hours of intricate hand painting per store and was inspired by Poetry’s love of the arts. Known for their support of artistic initiatives, the retailer was keen to showcase local talent and dress up their window space with fanciful hand-painted characters depicting the bond between mother and child in nature.

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DIY bulletin DECOREX ROCKS CAPE TOWN With close on 40 000 visitors flocking through the doors of Decorex Cape Town this year, the 13-year-old design expo gave the Western Cape’s design, manufacturing and homeware retail sector a tremendous boost. Themed ‘Beauty and the Basics’, Decorex Cape Town lifted the lid on lovely things and the practical know-how to incorporate them in the home. Wood made its presence as the current number one in the world of design, particularly planks and raw timber. Notable displays included: n Best Green Stand: BOS Tea House. “Decor is dead. RIP.” This provocative slogan scribbled with chalk on a weathered secondhand table at the BOS Tea House

reflected curator Neil Stemmet of Koncept Design’s approach to home and retail spaces.The BOS Tea House represented a new kind of communal, neighbourhood meeting place as part warehouse; part trading post; part art gallery; part library, urban farm and eatery. nB  est overall stand: Rustic Roots, curated by Laurence Brick. nM  ost Innovative Product: ‘Tree Of Life’ Palm Flooring by Forest Flooring. nP  lascon Award for best use of colour: Marcelle Crowther for Hocus Interior Design. nB  est Small Stand: ‘It’s all in the Detail’ stand designed by Candice Woodward. Don’t forget Decorex Jo’burg from the 5th – 9th August 2011 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng

Doing projects yourself is the only way to get them just how you want them. That way, each project is a reflection of yourself. Say no to leaded paint

PUPPY LOVE

Next time you pop into Builders Warehouse Fourways Crossing, Strubens Valley, Rivonia or Edenvale on a Saturday, keep a little spare change handy for Animals in Distress. They’ll be collecting donations for their worthy cause outside these stores on the last Saturday of every month. Donations are also collected outside Builders Warehouse Edenvale on the first Saturday of every month.

It’s almost a year since government banned the manufacture and sale of leaded paint, following numerous research papers confirming it as a health hazard. Yet it seems lead-based paint is still available from unscrupulous manufacturers and retailers. Now the National Department of Health plans to investigate reports of the ongoing availability of hazardous lead-based paint in South Africa. Professor Nicky Padayachee at the Department of Health

DIY THE DIVA WAY

says the health consequences of lead poisoning are severe, including reductions in IQ scores, hyperactivity, learning difficulties and poor performance at school. Deryck Spence, Executive Director of SAPMA, said the association would welcome increased governmental pressure to aid its campaign against leaded paints. SAPMA’s lead-free campaign helps consumers identify retailers that support the sale and use of lead-free paint, by placing stickers in their stores. Make sure next time you go paint shopping, that you look out for this lead-free paint initiative.

Look out for our own DIY Diva Janice Anderssen’s book, DIY for divas (also available in Afrikaans). Full of great DIY info and advice, the books can be found in most bookstores for R166 or contact LAPA Publishers on 012 401 0700 or [email protected]. n

10 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

upfront diy: stylish buys

i can’t diy

without... Our stylish trends editor KERRYN KEMP brings you the latest innovative products

Instant transformation Spring cleaning is about more than just getting rid of dust. Get a fresh new look in a minute with Decorland’s Walnut-look Curtain Track Clip-on Wood. By simply attaching it to your existing curtain track, you enhance your window dressing

immediately and don’t even need to reach for your toolkit! The Walnutlook Clip-on is made from solid wood with finger-joins to add strength and prevent bowing. A matching joiner is also available for wide doorways and windows. Available from Game stores from R200. Visit www.decorland.co.za for more information.

DUST BUSTER Make a clean sweep of dusting with Decorland’s practical and nifty Microfibre Blind Cleaner. This clever household tool has ‘prongs’ for you to insert between the blind slats. Just squeeze and glide back and forth to remove dust from both the top and bottom of the slats at the same time. Dust, grease and grime is easily lifted and trapped in the microfibre covering. Decorland’s Microfibre Blind Cleaner works for both wet and dry cleaning. The tool is easily cleaned by gently rinsing the cloth covering. It retails at R25 and is available exclusively at Game stores or visit www.decorland.co.za.

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No mess, no fuss Adding a splash of vibrant colour to the walls to liven up a room can be a tricky business, especially if there are many corners or small areas on doors or windows that need to be painted around. The Trim-It Paint Pad System helps make painting these awkward areas super easy. The 2-in-1 paint pad and paint container tool gives you up to 18.3m of paint in one filling. It is suitable for all exterior and interior walls and works particularly well with water-diluted emulsions and latex paints. Available from Builders Warehouse.

Gardening’s a breeze With Fragram’s Power Blower & Vacuum, manual sweeping, raking and gathering of leaves this spring is a thing of the past. The 2200W garden helper has 3 functions: it blows grass cuttings, leaves and other debris into a single pile; crushes the debris and then sucks it all into the 50-litre

Love2Paint? Start colouring your world with 2 innovative new paintbrush ranges from Addis. Inferior painting tools that shed bristles into the paint finish, are difficult to clean and can leave a less-than-perfect end result. ADDIS is proud to introduce Zero Loss

collection bag for easy disposal. It can also be dismantled in 3 easy steps and has a 2 x 1.9mm 2 PVC HO5FW-F cable, making it the perfect gizmo for today’s gardener. Available at leading hardware retailers for R450. For more info visit www.lgtools.co.za.

and Quick2clean paintbrushes; both designed to make your projects easier, more fun and ensure a professional, smooth and flawless look. It’s a whole new way to paint. Available at leading hardware and retail stores from R7.

Bathroom beauties Give your bathroom new life with Cobra’s new Sanware 2011 range. The Design+ and Verona toilets are a great choice, offering water-saving technology, soft close with quick release seat function, durability and hygiene features. The 10 super trendy basins in the range ensure there’s a little something for everyone, from counter-top, wall hanging and drop-in basins, to round, square or shallow designs. For more information visit www.cobra.co.za.

Organise in style Get rid of winter clutter with Wildberry’s gorgeous tallboys. Made from natural bamboo (an eco-friendly alternative to wood) and walnut, the tallboys make a stylish addition to any room and offer a versatile combination of drawers, cupboards and shelves. Storage has never been more chic. The tallboys are quick and easy to assemble, come in 3 contemporary designs and make the perfect accompaniment to Wildberry’s Tiered Shelves. The Wildberry range is exclusively available at Makro stores. Call 031 717 6800 for more information. n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 13

upfront diy: stylish buys

an eye on design There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. - Jane Austen Kitchen update Adding a bit of pizzazz to your kitchen is now as easy as 1, 2, 3! Inova’s Glass Splashbacks offer an innovative way to get a new look and keep your walls free of any hard-to-clean splatters. The DIY boards are very easy to install and come with instructions, turning you into your own interior designer. The different options are super stylish and are available in 600mm by 750mm or 900mm by 750mm blocks. The solid blocks start at R1000 and the patterned blocks start at R1 250. Get yours at your nearest Builders Warehouse. n

A stylish revamp for spring

Nothing says spring quite like a completely new look beautifully executed. CaesarStone tests this principle to the max with their Motivo range of quartz surfaces. Originally used as kitchen surfaces, CaesarStone has many exciting quartz wall finishings. The Motiva range features the world’s first range of quartz surfaces with a textured, embossed feel. This opens up a whole new world of creative décor options,

guaranteeing you individual style like never before. The White Lace pattern from the Motiva range is particularly fitting for spring, with its fresh, crisp look and feel. This pattern is a breathtaking addition to your home if you’re redecorating this spring. The sky is the limit with CaesarStone’s wide range of quartz surfaces. They can also be used as bar surfaces, floors, steps and more. Check out their website to see just how imaginative you can get. Visit www.caesarstone.co.za to find a stockist near you.

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LIVE LIKE A CELEB

Thankfully the weather’s becoming warmer and we can now enjoy some time outdoors. The Plantation Co. offers a great solution to enjoy both the outdoor climate and indoor comforts with shutters in sliding, folding or hinged configurations. Plantation shutters are used as a window or door dressing, typically instead of curtains or wooden blinds and can also be used as partitions or dividers. The high-quality indoor operating window and door shutters are super stylish and can be made to fit any size door or window in the colour of your choice. In demand by celebrities and design gurus alike, this is a must-have addition to your home. Stunningly stylish, the shutters are made from certified high-quality timber from select sawmills that harvest the timber in a legal and sustainable manner. According to co-owners Michael Lindau and William Duk, “At the Plantation Shutter Co., we only settle for the very best, whether it’s our exclusive design, personal service, superior quality or attention to detail.” In 2009, The Plantation Shutter Co. became the first shutter manufacturer in South Africa to move their entire finishing process

Did you know?

For the safety-conscious with an eye for design, The Plantation Co. has an aluminium range of shutters available in a range of on-trend colours. The shutter is equipped with secure stainless steel locks with a solid metal 2-way bolting system. The louvres have a 10mm solid aluminium rod, holding each one in place and are also able to lock, making the Plantation Security Shutters a highly effective security barrier.

away from solvent-based coatings to a water-based finish. Because of this, they have been approved by international assessor, Ecospecifier (an independent ratings organisation for green building materials based in Australia). In addition to this, The Plantation Shutter Co. is also a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa. Plantation Co. stores are open in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu- Natal, Nelspruit, Knysna and Port Elizabeth.

Beautifully secure

Keep your family safe without locking out the beauty of nature this season. ViewProtect’s transparent security barriers offer similar protection to standard steel security bars, but are made from polycarbonate – one of the strongest thermoplastics ever produced. They don’t constrict the view of your blossoming spring garden and are virtually indestructible. They are also easily installed. Fixing materials, installation instructions and tips are included and because they’re rust and maintenance free you’ll never have to worry about them again. Available from Builders Warehouse. n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 15

DIY: HINTS AND TIPS

n keeping new tiles squeaky clean After laying a new set of tiles and grouting them, give them a good coat of car wax. This will prevent dirt from sticking to them later on. (Dave, Pretoria)

DIY tips to transform

your life n spring cleaning Before giving the house a good scrub in the spring, make sure to leave the doors and windows open to avoid breathing in all those chemicals from the cleaning products. (Sandra, Cape Town)

n Recycling your old paintbrushes Remove bristles and metal casings, and you now have a handle that can be used to spread glue. If you go one step further you can cut a slot in the handle and make a scraper or spatula! (Mark, Johannesburg) n your veggie garden Plant different types of veggies together in one patch of ground. This helps prevent bugs getting to the tender plants. (Peter, Bloemfontein)

n cutting pipes when plumbing Wrap a piece of paper around the pipe and line up the edge. Tape the edges of the paper together and then use this as a guide to cut a square edge. (Deon, Worcester)

WINNING TIP

n hiding any traces of nails If you don’t want to see a nail head, carefully chisel a sliver of wood off and drive the nail in underneath it. Then, glue the piece of wood back over the nail. (Junaid, Pietermaritzburg) n removing a broken bulb If a bulb has broken at the base, push a carrot into the base and use this as a handle to twist the bulb out. (Kyle, George) n Storing paint To prevent leftover paint from drying out, turn the paint container upside down, this way you won’t have to cut away a skin when you next use it. (Jane, Cape Town)

16 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

n preventing sticky doors Just after painting a door, I wait for it to dry and then rub the edges with a candle to prevent it from sticking to the doorframe. (Thabo, Johannesburg) n

Photos: iStock

Share your DIY hints and tips with us. Email [email protected] and you could win a Builders Warehouse voucher worth R100.

Easy DIY project With Eureka’s Cut Screws it is easier than ever before to make cool and functional projects in half the time Please use one or more of the following products 1. Cut Screw (square drive)

Cutting point

2. Decking Screw (square drive)

Cut Screw advantages: • Self-cutting = no pilot hole needed for size 3mm - 4.5mm • Square drive = better grip and makes one hand operation possible

Readers are invited to design and make a useful woodworking project (examples below). • • • • •

Project should be fast and easy to make (± 4 hours after design stage) Create your cutting list and cut accordingly Eureka Cut Screws or Decking Screws to be used in the project Only general hand tools and a power drill may be used Basic woodworking techniques allowed (eg. no dove-tail joints)

E-mail the following to [email protected] 1. Picture of the completed project with yourself, please display Eureka products and packaging used 2. Step-by-step instructions with pictures 3. Cutting list 4. Your contact details 5. Please submit in Word or PDF format

If your project meets above criteria, your project will be featured on our website and Facebook page and you will also receive a R500 hamper with Eureka (fasteners) and Fort Knox (security) products. For completed projects go to www.eureka.co.za or contact Eureka on 011 471 0800, enquiries: [email protected]

diy 101: As with all DIY, practice makes perfect

NAILING

THE BASICS Reached the point where glue guns and double-sided tape aren’t the magic-fix they once were? Do you need the permanent fastening power of screws or nails? Is the idea of taking to your home with a hammer or drill more chilling than thrilling? Read on…

Cup hook

You can screw these ultra-convenient hooks into wood without drilling a hole or worrying about splitting the object you’re screwing them into. They’re available in a range of sizes, making them extremely versatile and perfect for everything from holding up light rods for thin curtains, hooking back tiebacks, hooking your hairdryer in place on your bedside table, to holding plastic bags in your broom closet.

Picture hook

A light tap or two is all it takes to hammer the thin metal pins of this plastic hook into the wall. It’s not designed for heavy weights, but is ideal for hanging kitchen towels or light frames.

Saddles – 9mm

A no-mess, easily removable way for leading and neatening cords. Simply place the white, semi-circular plastic ‘saddle’ over a cord, tap the attached nail to secure it and move further along to hammer in the next one.

Wall screws

There are just too many types of screws to fit into a single toolbox, so rather than stocking up on an impressive array of screws, stick to one basic DIY essential: a simple masonry screw, 6mm x 50mm in size. When buying your screws, remember they have the annoying

tendency of wriggling out of walls if they’re not kept firmly in place with a plastic anchor, called a plug. For this reason, you’ll need to buy plugs to match the size of your screws; or even better; buy the screws and plugs as a set.

If you think you might need to remove a screw at some point in the future, rub a little oil onto it before you screw it in and it will be easier when you need to remove it.

Wood screws

You can recognise a wood screw by the fact that the threads (spirals running down the length of the screw) don’t go all the way to the top. Most are self-tapping, which means you don’t need to drill a

It’s better if …

n You glue wood together before you

fasten it with screws; the final result is far sturdier. n You use galvanised nails and screws if they’re going to be exposed to water. nYou choose countersunk screws when working with wood as the

18 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

WORDS: JOLENE RAISON hole for them, firmly and forcefully screwing them in will work perfectly. Once again, there are many different types of wood screws, but a countersunk slotted screw of 6mm-8mm in diameter and 40mm-60mm long should work for most home DIY jobs.

Chipboard screws Since so many DIY projects use chipboard or other manufactured wood like Supawood; 6mm-8mm chipboard screws in lengths varying from 30mm-60mm are a must. If you compare these screws to regular wood screws, you’ll see the threads are fairly dense, meaning better grip and less likelihood of them pulling out.

Wire nails

Galvanised nails known as ‘wire nails’ are ideal for use in wood, but most DIY experts prefer to use screws over nails as screws provide a better, more permanent joint. head will sit flush with the surface of the wood rather than standing out. n When screwing in a self-tapping wood screw, you drill a small ‘pilot hole’ a few mm narrower than the screw and then screw the screw down into that. Not only is it easier but there’s less chance of the wood cracking. n

DIY NOTES

WHEN TO CALL

THE EXPERTS You may be an amateur DIYer or a first class Fix-It person, but when the project is too daunting, how do you know the tradesman you’re calling is the right person for the job? WORDS: PATRICK GRAFTON n Never just take the first quote and

our home is the most valuable thing you will ever purchase and sometimes its upkeep is a costly exercise. Some of us are very handy when it comes to DIY and with the aid of DIY magazines and sound advice from local DIY stores, we can manage a fair amount of the work ourselves. Painting, tiling and small repairs are generally always within the scope of most of us; we just need the will to do it and of course the time! However, larger jobs like electrical and plumbing work can be daunting for even the more experienced DIYer. It may be that what’s needed in some cases is the services of a tradesman to do those jobs that need an expert touch. Here are a few tips for finding the right person for the job: n It’s always better if someone comes via a recommendation from someone you know, but failing that, do your homework and obtain at least 3 quotes from different tradesmen. You can get advice on where to find such a person from your local hardware store. There are also a number of sites, like www.rated-tradesmen.co.za that will source suitable tradesmen for you.

It’s always better if someone comes via a recommendation from someone you know but failing that, do your homework and obtain at least 3 quotes from different Tradesmen.

always tell each tradesman that you intend getting other quotes. n Ask for qualifications and references and always ask for a schedule of work, detailing start and completion dates. n Once you’ve found the right person for the job, walk them through the specifics and make sure that all parties understand what is expected. Too often at the end of a job there is a dispute over what was expected or promised. n If the job is relatively costly, set up a payment schedule allowing you to pay as the work progresses. Never make final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work and (if necessary) certificates of compliance have been issued. n Finally, when inviting workmen into your home, ensure you protect your valuables and contents against loss or damage. Cover all your furniture and do not leave valuables lying around. At the same time, do whatever is reasonable to facilitate the tradesman in his work by allowing him reasonable access to your house so that he can get on with the job. n Patrick Grafton is an experienced DIYer and qualified tradesman and is the owner of www.rated-tradesmen.co.za

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 19

storage solutions Decorator Jenny Westoby of JW Design lives by the de-cluttering mantra “Be Ruthless. If you haven’t used it for the last three years then toss it or put it in storage”.

LIFE

Mess and clutter are God’s way of telling you that you’ve got too much stuff. Or so the old adage goes. Alternatively, it could mean you aren’t employing clever techniques to manage your space and store your stuff. These days there is no shortage of tips and products to help you keep your home looking neat, tidy and stylish. Just take it one room at a time words: CARA BOUWER

enny Westoby, Director of JW Design, says taking the de-cluttering bull by the horns may seem more overwhelming than it is. She recommends you begin by isolating the room in your house that you use the least. Once you’ve de-cluttered that room use it as your dumping ground as you tackle the rest of the house. There is nothing worse than living in a chaotic house, says Westoby, so always finish one room before moving onto the next. Unfortunately South Africans in general can afford to be more complaisant about space, says architectural design guru Stephen Pellerade. So we are not wise when

20 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

it comes to storage solutions. “We have bigger homes and generally don’t utilise our space well,” he says. “In London, for example, they use the roof as an extra bedroom and to store clothing. This is starting to become a trend in South Africa and we’re beginning to design higher pitches to allow for roof storage.” It’s this sort of forward-thinking approach to space and design that can help prevent you ever falling prey to the clutter curse. If you’re building or renovating, you’re perfectly poised to factor storage into your thinking, but even without knocking down walls there are some effective techniques you can employ to ditch the mess.

photos: www.home-designing.com

DE-JUNK YOUR

LOUNGE

Floor-to-ceiling cupboards (painted the same colour as your walls) are the ideal solution, believes Romaine Lowery, author of The Clutter Clinic: Organise Your Home in Seven Days. These cupboards can then be subdivided into shelving. But if a full-wall transformation isn’t for you then try out a sideboard for the TV or some shelving, which you can use to display small objects and collectables. Modular ‘box’ options are growing in popularity too. Try out Castle Timbers’ Hanging Wall Cubes (available from Builders Warehouse, R314 for a pack of 3). Play with the positioning of the boxes on your wall by taping newspaper cut-outs to the wall first; that way you can step back and admire your arrangement before bringing out the drill. Pellerade’s tip: “If you have a smaller property, the best thing to do is make it more open plan to create more space.

KITCHEN

The experts at Eclipse Furniture & Hardware Supplies say more than 60% of all kitchen buyers realise too late that they need more storage space. They recommend using their Blum Zone Planner (www.dynamicspace.com) to determine upfront how much storage space you’ll need in your kitchen. There are some fundamentals you should apply to your design, such as avoiding shelves in lower cabinets, which makes searching for items difficult and often leads to ‘dead’ or unutilised space. For example, Blum’s corner pull-out drawer helps you access hard-to-reach places while the company’s ‘wrap-around sink drawer,’ has a cut-out for the base of the sink, but still gives you enough space for bitty dishwashing items. BUILDING OR RENOVATING? Pellerade’s tip: “Do an audit of every single item that will be going into your kitchen – pots, plans, appliances, knives and forks. A designer can then work backwards with those numbers to see how much space you need.”

STUDY

nDeal with each piece of paper

A peg board or pin board is a great storage option to employ in your study or hobby room, as is creating set places for files, making use of stylish storage boxes to hold computer disks and manuals, wrapping accessories or stationery. While an organised desk and work space may seem impossible, try these quick tips:

only once. Either file it, bin it or pass it on immediately, don’t let it mount up. n Keep in-trays for specific projects. n Keep all notes in a single book or organiser or use a bull clip to keep notes or bills grouped together. n Label files, boxes, plastic folders and in-trays clearly, and stick to their allocation.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 21

storage solutions BEDROOM

Start with your cupboards and be ruthless! Throw out anything you haven’t worn for two years or which no longer fits. Do you still have a crammed and cluttered problem? If so, then divide your clothes into a winter and summer wardrobe; keep the appropriate season in your cupboard and pack away the other clothes until the season changes. Look at a side table with draws or a blanket box in which you can store linen or those out-of-season clothes. Consider a stand-alone unit like Wildberry’s tallboy range of units, which are quick and easy to assemble. Prices range from R1 299 for a 40cm x 35cm x 166cm Bamboo tallboy with slatted door, to R1 359 for the woven door version in Bamboo (38cm x 28cm x 190cm). A range of 3, 4 and 5-tier shelves are also available, with the 3-tier (36cm x 36cm x 77cm) White Bamboo option – ideal for a kid’s bedroom (R459). The Wildberry Range is available at Makro stores. Another option for soaking up kids’ clutter is the colourful BigJIm drawer, available from Builders Warehouse for R359. Pellerade’s tip: “Look at your builtin cupboards. Most cater for a 600mm depth, but your coat hanger is around 400mm. If you don’t have space then just do the maths. I, for example, allow for just 500mm for built-in-cupboards. As for shelves, all you need for shoes is 300mm. Be surgical about the space available to you; every little bit counts.”

For men a top tip is to sort clothes by category or colour, so you’ll never scramble to find another work shirt.

DRESSING ROOM

Shallow storage bins, flexible shelves – like Elfa’s 40.5cm 3-basket storage unit starter pack (R589 from Builders Warehouse) – and simple hooks for ties, handbags and scarfs are effective dressing room organisers. For men a top tip is to sort clothes by category or colour, so you’ll never scramble to find another work shirt. Women should look at categorising their shoe or handbag collection in the same way, making shoes you wear regularly accessible and tucking those seasonal or special-occasion pairs in clear plastic boxes on the top shelf. Pellerade’s tip: “Again, do an audit. How many long coats do you have? How many dresses? How many shirts? Too often professional designers are scared to ask clients to do homework, but when it works out it really is a win-win situation. Get involved!”

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 23

storage solutions BATHROOM

Invariably there is never enough room in the bathroom but, as Sam de Mello, founder of Waste of Space, told The Independent newspaper in the UK: “You’ll probably find that at last half the contents of the bathroom cabinet are out of date, so before you do anything, have a good clear out.” A quick and easy solution is to buy a hanging shower caddy (Eleganza, R124 from Builders Warehouse) or switch to a linen wash bag rather than a bulky stand-alone basket. Pellerade’s tip: “Your bathroom can be a storage place too, but don’t be fooled into thinking these new free-standing vanities are good for storage. Rather ask yourself what needs to go into the bathroom. Remember that boys have different requirements to girls, so if it’s a boy’s bathroom you’ll possibly have space to accommodate a linen washing bag in the cupboard.”

GARAGE

With most South African homes having the advantage of a lock-up garage, it’s a temptation to turn this additional space into a dumping ground for everything from sporting equipment to gardening and DIY tools. Begin by throwing out anything you don’t need, then tally the items that should be stored in the garage and make space accordingly. A toolbox is a must, but don’t stop there. Elfa’s peg board and hook system makes perfect sense in a garage or store room. Garden gear is easy to grab and put away when it has an allocated spot on the wall, plus the peg board approach gives you flexibility to reorganise at will. In addition to your hanging solution, shelving in a garage is a boon. You can go with simple DIY steel shelving which will set you back about R664. Stephanie Denton, author of The Organised Life, also offered

the following tips in a recent issue of Secrets of Getting Organised magazine: n Use large, stackable, clear plastic drawers to store equipment. Builders Warehouse stocks a variety of options from a 32cm hobby box (R40) to the Buddi mini 5-drawer unit (R80). Make sure you label each draw. n Hang bicycles on the wall using a wall-mount storage rack. n Group bitty items and sporting gear by using a large plastic bin or you can try a hammock-style net attached to the wall. Pellerade’s tip: “If you’re building, then the best thing is to build in a gap of about 500mm or more and put open shelving both left and right. Make sure these shelves go right to the top and can accommodate all your needs, from chemicals to garden equipment or sports equipment. That little bit of extra space costs very little but makes a huge difference.” n

Notes: Jenny Westoby design [email protected] Eclipse Furniture & Hardware Supplies (0861 325 4773 www.eclipsegroup.co.za)

24 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

DIY PROJECT: make

You will need:

SMART

STORAGE

This decorative storage cabinet is perfect for bedroom storage. Place at the end of your bed and use it to store your bed linen PROJECT: JANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

NOTE

We used 1 sheet of 16mm PG Bison SupaWood for this project. It is important to specify PG Bison SupaWood as there are lower-quality boards that do not have the same smooth surface, which is essential for a project that will ultimately be painted.

26 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

1 sheet of 16mm PG Bison SupaWood 2 of 386mm x 1240mm – top and bottom 1 of 100mm x 1240mm – base front 2 of 100mm x 354mm – base sides 3 of 250mm x 330mm – uprights 2 of 100mm x 386mm – top sides 3 woven baskets of not larger than 250mm(h) x 275mm(w) x 330mm(d) Acrylic PVA, white (or any colour of your choice) Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint, kona brown Wood filler Wood glue 50 of 3 x 30mm cut screws Masking tape 220-grit sandpaper

Tools Drill/driver and assorted drill and screw bits Countersink bit Jigsaw and clean-cut blade Trestles or workbenches

TIME  2 DAYS COST  R800 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

storage ottoman ottoman

1 base sides

drawn cut outs

n T o cut the base front, back and sides, measure in 50mm from each end and 40mm from the top down and draw lines. Use a template (we used a roll of masking tape) to draw a rectangle with rounded top corners. Repeat this for the front and back but measure in 100mm from each end. Cut out the sections with a jigsaw. nO  n the top, measure in 20mm, 36mm, 414mm and 430mm from both ends and draw pencil lines. These lines are for mounting the individual uprights. nW  ithin each of the drawn lines we are now going to mark off for pilot holes. Measure in 60mm from front and back and 193mm as the centre; mark with a pencil. NOTE: The two end sections are 378mm wide while the centre section is 380mm wide.

2

GOOD TO KNOW n Sand the edges of SupaWood with 180- or 220-grit sandpaper before painting. n Sand away the sharp edges of the board with 220-grit sandpaper. n Wipe away excess wood glue with a cloth before it dries. n Always work on a flat, level surface for accurate joining.

3

4

pilot holes

top

20mm mark

upright

top pilot hole uprights

Place the top and bottom sections together and drill pilot holes through all the marks. By doing it this way you only have to mark and measure on one board. Use a countersink bit where the pilot holes are on the top and bottom of each section.

Place all uprights together so that you can measure and mark all at once to save time. Measure and mark at 32mm in from each end and at 165mm for the centre. Drill pilot holes with a 2mm wood bit to a depth of 20mm.

Place the top on its side to attach the uprights to the top. When attaching the uprights, partially drill the screw through the top so that the tip is visible on the other side. This helps you to line up the pilot holes for accurate positioning.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 27

DIY PROJECT: make

5

6

base

7 wood glue side panel

upright top upright

Place the top face down so that you can attach the base to the uprights.

8

Place the frame face down on a flat, level surface. Apply a bead of wood glue to the top edge of the front and back panels and align to the front and back edge of the base.

Add a bead of glue along the top edge of the side panels. Add glue to the side edges as well and then place on the base as shown. Leave the wood glue to dry overnight.

10

9 curved corners

top

Once the glue is dry, drill 2mm pilot holes, countersink and drive screws through the front panel into the side panel for added strength.

Cut the top side with a jigsaw so that it has a slight angle (about 20 degrees) from back to front, and rounded corners.

11

Apply a bead of wood glue to the bottom of the top side and glue at each end of the top. Drill 2mm pilot holes from underneath the top; countersink and then drive two screws through the top into the sides for additional strength.

12

Sand the entire project with 220-grit sandpaper and then wipe clean.Pay particular attention to all edges, as SupaWood is extremely absorbent and sanding will bind the fibres, making them less absorbent and easier to paint. Apply acrylic PVA (matt) as a primer, with a foam roller.

28 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

We sprayed the unit with two coats of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint - Kona Brown – allowing each coat to dry completely and then topped it off with a fabricwrapped piece of high-density foam. n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 29

DIY PROJECT: restore

1

Cracks are common in wood that has been left untreated. We sanded it down with 180-grit sandpaper.

2

before

old furniture

NEW LOOKS

Reviving second-hand furniture or inexpensive furniture is an economical and creative way to add unique and unusual pieces to your home PROJECT: J ANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

TIME  2 DAYS COST  R300 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 ot only can you save money by finding bargains, there’s the satisfaction of having transformed an old piece of furniture into something that suits your lifestyle. When shopping for items, take time to inspect the piece before you buy to determine how much work will be required for the restoration. Water damage, deep scratches, a flaking finish, or burn marks can easily be repaired by sanding and refinishing the piece.

You will need: 180-grit sandpaper and sanding pads Mineral turpentine Wood filler Epoxy filler Lint-free cloths Woodoc 20 (or your choice of sealer) Gel stain Artist’s paintbrush Woodoc steel wool Paintbrush

Tools

30 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Orbital sander

After wiping down with mineral turpentine, all the cracks were filled in with wood filler in a colour to match the finished stain and left to dry. We then used an orbital sander with 180-grit sanding pads for larger areas and sandpaper for the smaller detailed sections.

3

For large dents and chips you can use epoxy wood filler that sets extremely hard; once applied, leave to dry for two hours and then sand smooth with an orbital sander and 180-grit sanding pads. Let the epoxy cure completely overnight.

promotion

MEET THE original

4

DIY DIVA

To bring out the detailed areas on the table we used Imbuia gel stain applied with a paintbrush.

5

Before applying the sealer, wipe down with a lint-free cloth and mineral turpentine to remove dust. Apply sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We used Woodoc 20 in a gloss finish. n

after

asyDIY magazine’s very own DIY Diva, Janice Anderssen truly believes that DIY is a unisex pursuit. With a lifetime of experience under her belt, she has launched DIY Divas workshops across the country so that the ladies can learn all the tips, tricks and techniques of home DIY. Having founded www.Home-Dzine.co.za as an online platform to provide South African women with more information on DIY related topics, Janice was bombarded with requests to present workshops for those wanting to find out more about doing it for themselves. “It’s only in

Janice Anderssen, founder of DIY Divas.

Janice was bombarded with requests to present workshops for those wanting to find out more about doing it for themselves.

the last few years that women have finally realised that they too can DIY it. The Internet and the airing of overseas home improvement programmes has definitely helped women see that DIY is for everyone,” says Janice. “Power tools are now designed to be lightweight and easy to use, hardware and building supply stores that offer everything under one roof are on our doorstep and women are looking to become more involved with the day-to-day maintenance and repairs,” says Janice. Janice and her team of Divas have attended building and tiling

courses and design workshops. Ultimately they have built up a store of knowledge over the years that they are available to share at workshops in various Builders Warehouse and Builders Express stores across the country. Visit www.DIY-Divas.co.za for more information, or email Janice at [email protected]. n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 31

diy expert: ENERGY

MEET THE EXPERT

Andrew Etzinger has worked for Eskom for 21 years in a wide range of fields including power system planning, information technology, business planning and demand-side management. His primary focus has been in the areas of energy efficiency and marketing. He is currently responsible for Eskom’s national energy saving programme.

let the sun

shine in South Africa is a sun-blessed nation and with the slow onset of global warming, we can only expect hotter rays. Year-round sunshine bodes very well for a country under an electricity siege. Andrew, explains how we can use the sun to our advantage with the simple technology offered by photovoltaic (PV) tiles words: B  ETH SHIRLEY outh Africa is somewhat behind in using renewable energy technologies compared to countries like China, Europe and the USA. Historically, there was not great incentive to use alternative sources of energy because South Africa’s electricity costs were low. Now, with price increases, we can use our resources – the sunshine in particular – to our advantage,” says Etzinger. Photovoltaic or PV tiles are an application of PV technology. Solar cells produce direct current electricity from sunlight that can be used to power equipment or recharge a battery. PV tiles look exactly the same as roof tiles and may be easily installed over original roof tiles. They are made of plastic material with built-in PV panels. They are hail-resistant and very durable. Even very weak PV tiles can charge batteries for phones and other battery-run appliances.

32 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

How do you know if your home is suitable to install a PV tile system? n Do you have a sunny place to install your PV

tiles? You’ll need a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of north and isn’t overshadowed by trees or buildings. If the surface is in shadow for parts of the day, your system will generate less energy. n Is your roof strong enough? Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles. If in doubt, ask a construction expert or an installer.

diy expert: ENERGY In the future, it can be expected that households would operate entirely off-grid, or not at all reliant on Eskom’s electricity supply.

Each home could, with the assistance of PV tiles, produce about five kilowatts of electricity a day. Five Kilowatts is enough power to supply all the electricity requirements of an average home with the exception of the geyser that draws 3 Kilowatts. Fortunately Solar Water Heating is a very effective alternative to heating water and can be used in conjunction with PV roof tiles. “There are a few issues one should be aware of if considering using a PV tile system. PV tiles are more expensive than normal roof tiles and have to be cleaned every 4 months, eventually needing replacement. But costs should gradually decrease over time as the trend to use sustainable energy technologies gains momentum and technology advancements result in better PV tile systems,” explains Etzinger. Costs are calculated for each watt a PV tile produces. For a normal household to power its appliances, the overall cost of PV tiles would be about R50 000. However, the long-term financial savings make installing a PV systems a significant investment. “In the future, it can be expected that households would operate entirely off-grid, or not at all reliant on Eskom’s electricity supply. When electricity needs to be used at night, there is a back-up supply of energy that was generated during the day, so the house can operate this battery. In fact, over time, the savings are immense,” says Etzinger. n

34 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

How to install a PV tile system? n Panels can be flush mounted as well as tilted up. n Whenever possible, it is best to install solar panels

mounts while your home is being re-roofed. n Solar mounts ‘flashed’ in during the roofing process

will eliminate any possibility of roof leaks. n It is easier to locate rafters when the roof is off. n All mounts need to be secured onto the roof with

stainless steel lag bolts bolted through the rafters. n Having structural attachment points ‘flashed-in’

is a wise method of installing solar panels and the future cost of removal and re-installation of solar panels can be avoided for a long time. n Composition shingle roofs are the easiest to work with. Source: solarexpert.com

DIY PROJECT: make

final photo: Noleen Foster styling: Martin Hiller

You will need: 16mm SupaWood cut to the following sizes 1 of 500mm x 1020mm – desk base 2 of 400mm x 500mm – sides 1 of 968mm x 500mm – desk top 2 of 100mm x 230mm – front panels 2 of 100mm x 500mm – panel inserts 1 of 220mm x 968mm – bottom shelf 1 of 150mm x 968mm – top shelf 2 x 100mm x 220mm – bottom shelf supports 2 x 100mm x 200mm – top shelf supports 1 of 98mm x 460mm – bottom drawer front 2 of 98mm x 220mm – top drawer fronts 12mm SupaWood cut to the following sizes 1 of 80mm x 436mm – bottom drawer back 2 of 80mm x 215mm – bottom drawer sides 1 of 203mm x 436mm – bottom drawer base 2 of 80mm x 176mm – top drawer back 4 of 80mm x 200mm – top drawer sides 2 of 176mm x 188mm – top drawer bases Wood glue Joiners Mate Wood filler 3 handles 1,8 metre length of pine quarterround trim Acrylic PVA matt – broken white

HOME OFFICE

SOLUTIONS This great secretary is perfect for those who work from home. The design features plenty of storage for your office essentials

Tools

TIME  4 DAYS COST  R900 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

Drill/driver and assorted drill and screw bits Jigsaw and clean-cut blade Workbench Orbital sander with 220-grit sanding pads Clamps Tape measure Pencil Foam roller and paint tray

PROJECT: J ANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 35

DIY PROJECT: make

1

2

3

base

base

side

drawn line 20mm from edge

First, cut out the shape for the sides of the secretary. Enlarge the template until it fits perfectly onto the 400mm x 500mm section.

On both sides of the base, measure in 10mm and draw a pencil line from front to back. This is where the sides will be mounted.

5

4

desk top

Apply a bead of wood glue along the bottom edge of each side and glue to the top of the base, on the inside of the drawn line. Clamp in place until the glue is dry. Turn over the glued assembly.

6 top shelf

side side base

upright drive in screws

front panel

bottom shelf

Drill 2mm pilot holes, countersink and drive two screws through the base into the side sections at the front and back. Remember to drill at not less than 20mm from the edge to avoid splitting the wood.

7

Using the front panels as supports, drive screws through the sides and into the edge of the top shelf. EasyDIY TIP: Once you have mounted the shelf you can apply a bead of wood glue to both front panels and insert at either side of the front opening.

For the next two shelves, which are the top shelf and the one on top of the drawers, measure up 105mm from the desk top and make a mark at the front and back of each side as a guide to attach the shelf; drill through the sides and into the edge of the shelf. Mount the top shelf by using the drawer fronts as supports for the height and attach in the same way.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER

Between the top and second shelf, make a mark at 220mm and glue the uprights into position.

36 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Use 220-grit sandpaper to round off (chamfer) and polish all edges. Polishing binds the surface, making it less absorbent and easier to paint.

DIY PROJECT: make secretary desk

8

10

9 back

desk top

front panel

draw support

sides

front

desk base quarter-round trim

To make the drawers (2 at the top and 1 at the bottom), glue the drawer back to the sides and then glue the sides to the back of the drawer front. Leave the glue to dry.

Because of its compact nature, secretary desks are perfect for a room with limited space.

Make the drawer supports for both top drawers by gluing a quarter-round to the side frame of the desk and to the drawer support [H]. We used Joiners Mate as the glue dries in 10 seconds. To attach, use the drawer front as a guide for the width; apply a bead of wood glue to the top and bottom of the drawer fronts and insert.

Apply a bead of wood glue to the top and bottom of the side supports for the bottom drawer and insert so that the front edge lines up with the front panel. Once the glue has dried, apply quarter-rounds to both sides as per point 9.

GOOD TO KNOW

Joiners Mate is ideal for all woodworking applications as it joins wood and sets in 10 seconds, instantly creating a strong bond and allowing you to finish your projects much faster.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 37

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If you want a finish that is as smooth as silk, use 1000-grit wet sandpaper and lightly rub over the painted surface in a circular motion, wiping off moisture as you work. Leave to dry for about 30 minutes then apply Woodoc antique wax according to the instructions. Antique wax from Woodoc finishes off our secretary with a water-resistant surface that is easily cleaned and polished.

1

EasyDIY TIP: There are two options to consider: You can purchase turned legs from a wood turner or find a second-hand bargain that has beautiful turned legs that you can use.

2

We found a damaged laminate dressing table with solid wood legs. The laminate sections were replaced with SupaWood that were attached using a pockethole jig and the entire assembly sanded and painted to match our top. If you don’t have a pockethole jig, use corner brackets or dowels and wood glue to add the new sections. n

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Paint the entire assembly with two to three coats of acrylic PVA; we used matt Broken White. Use a foam roller for a brush stroke-free finish and a small paintbrush for getting into corners. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next coat.

outdoor maintenan ce PLUS restore cane, wrought iron, plastic and more

D

Design ery box. perfect jewell nd out our weeke PLUS try make your own project and garden bench

YOU INW ITH THE TER WARM T S HIS W MAN WERTOOL HOME HERS PO SFIELDS S VOUC

EasyDIY TIP: The final sanding after filling is critical. A smooth surface on the finished project will give it a more professional look.

12

OLD FURNITURE NEW LOOKS

R6 000 WITH WOO WORKINGand make the

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You are the colour you choose

CHARITY

and Riaan Michelle ter join Garforth-Ven celebs like artists and Edith Venter and Watershed ing doors for in design Welfare Jo’burg Child

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OVE

Fill all holes with wood filler and let this dry before sanding smooth.

For an elegant look we need turned legs for the base, but not being a wood turner and without a lathe, this is not easy.

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Making the base

See what you get:

n

secretary desk

38 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 39

diy expert

MEET THE EXPERT

Cliff Kay has over 32 years experience in the paint and home improvement industry. He was with the Jack’s Paint Group and Earthcote Paints. He is an expert on home trends and is a trend forecaster and innovator at Builders Warehouse.

PAINTING UP A

STORM For Cliff Kay colour is his most powerful weapon. Paint is the least expensive and easiest way to decorate. With just a few litres of paint you can change the entire feeling of a room words: kim novick ainting your home is a means of expressing yourself. As Cliff says, “With paint, we make our environment our own, reflecting our single personality.” There is a dazzling and seemingly ever-growing array of paint colours, textures and finishes. You have shimmers, pearlescents, textures, sheens, suedes, matts, washes, stains...the list goes on and on. As such, paint can turn a formal room into a cosy retreat and can make a small, dark corner appear bright and airy, cleaner, bigger, sexier or just plain better!

Planning a paint scheme

Paint can raise ceilings (although Cliff says white is always preferable on ceilings), lengthen walls, give rooms space or hide design flaws. “Don’t be intimidated by the language of colour. The human brain can perceive 7 million different colours; in theory, however, there are only about 30 original names for colours. “While there are thousands of paint colours with poetic names that seduce the consumer, the best way to test the colour that has captured your eye is do prepare a mood board or test the colour on the wall by painting a patch and living with it over a 24-hour period,” says Cliff.

40 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

When planning a room, breaking it into colour elements is as easy as 60:30:10. “The space you are about to decorate will have separate percentages of differing hues. The largest expanse will be the wall colour, i.e. about 60% of the colour in the room. “Then the window treatments, floor covering and upholstery will make up the next 30% of the plan. Last is the accent colour (10%) that includes accent pieces, lamps, books and floral arrangements.” This is a quick and easy way to look at your decorating project and indeed, emphasises the importance of being satisfied with your paint colour choice.

Colour is ‘canned magic’. It can flatten the glare in an operating theatre, encourage nursery school children to play and create a soothing cocoon in an otherwise cramped room.

paint

Setting the mood

“There are many books out there telling you that cool colours make you feel calm and warm colours make you feel cheerful. But I think the most important thing you need to do is what works for YOU,” says Cliff. However he does recommend some practical tips: n In rooms where daylight hours are spent, use warm colours on walls that receive northern light and use cool colours for southern exposures. n For walls exposed to sunrise and sunset (eastern and western light), neutral colours generally work best. n Colour is never static. The position of the sun will change a colour minute by minute. When the sun sets and we turn our lights on, colour will again be altered. n In daylight, yellow is the colour we see best. At twilight it’s blue/green and at nightfall orange and red appear darker than either green or blue.

Make it yours

“Forget about fashion; make it yours,” says Cliff. Personal style is what counts when it comes to colour choice. If you choose colour that reflects your personality and your lifestyle, your room will glow and people will respond positively to it as it is representative of you, your family and your welcoming home. n August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 41

42 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

diy expert: POOL

PICTURE PERFECT

POOLS

Our swimming pool expert, Ryan Nesbitt of Rhino Pools offers advice on keeping your pool in mint condition during the summer months words: LEVI LETSOKO

outh African summers just beg to be spent in the swimming pool, so it’s important to keep ones’ pool in sparkling condition. Just like any other maintenance procedure, if the correct method is followed and adhered to, looking after your pool should be a breeze. According to Ryan Nesbitt, owner of Rhino Pools, the best way to monitor the cleanliness of one’s pool is by

MEET THE EXPERT

RYAN NESBITT of Rhino pools has been renovating and preparing sparkling pools for the past 11 years. Rhino pools operates in Pretoria and Johannesburg and specialises in pool heating and swimming pool filtration.

maintaining it yourself instead of getting someone else to do it for you. “Pool maintenance is generally considered to be hard work but in fact with regular (and surprisingly minimal) maintenance, one can easily enjoy year-round pool pleasure. The trick is to be consistent and hands-on in your approach,” he says. Regarding the most important and basic way to keep your pool clean, Ryan says, “Firstly, backwashing and rinsing of the filter should be done religiously and consistently on a weekly basis.” He emphasises that rinsing the filter every other week or on Saturday one week and then only on Thursday the following week is the single biggest mistake most pool owners make. “This is because the filter is the heart of the filtration system and must be clean and clear in order to do its job effectively,” he says. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 43

diy expert: POOL

Chlorine, Salt or Ozone? Chlorine has always been relied on to purify water and is definitely a viable option, although the addition of 2 – 3 cups twice a week adds up at the end of the month. A salt-chlorinated pool also requires chlorine from time to time as does an ozonated pool since these machines run at set levels and aren’t programmed to manufacture more chlorine or ozone after a cloudburst, for example. The main reason for the introduction of salt chlorinators and more recently ozone generators is to reduce maintenance and running costs as well as to have a slightly more automated system. There is also some research to suggest that chlorine may be carcinogenic and harmful to one’s health. Our atmosphere is cleaned with ozone and it’s now possible to generate ozone (O3) via corona discharge or UV light. Ozone is also the most highly-oxidative substance known to man and is known to destroy up to around 98% of all known bacteria and viruses. Ozone is 3000-3500 times more effective than chlorine in purifying water and creates water almost as pure as mineral water for you and your family to swim in. The delivery mechanism for the ozone into your pool is via a venturi installed on the pipework inside the pump box. In the case of a salt chlorinator, the delivery mechanism would be the electrode that is also installed on the piping inside the pump box.

Pools treated only with chlorine granules are usually the most expensive to run, followed by salt chlorinated pools. An ozone treated swimming pool, if managed properly, is the cheapest to run. 44 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

What is better –

pool tiling or painting?

“Stick to marblite or, if you can afford it, fiberglass. Algae cannot manifest on fiberglass as it does on marblite and therefore it can be brushed off with ease leaving a clean, smooth surface. Never ever use any kind of pool paint to waterproof your pool as this is only a temporary solution to a permanent problem,” says Ryan.

How to manage a backwash cycle The backwash cycle should run for about 1 full minute for small pools and about 2 full minutes for medium to large pools. The rinse cycle should be done straight afterwards as it is a secondary yet final cleaning cycle and need only run for approximately 15-20 seconds. The pool cleaner (usually either a Kreepy Krawly or Barracuda or similar) should be unplugged during this cleaning cycle as the resistance offered by a pool cleaner drastically reduces the flow through the filter.

Top tips for a healthy looking pool n Clean the baskets and the filter regularly. n Test the PH and balance it regularly. n It’s a good idea to add a cup or two of chlorine granules straight after

a storm or cloud burst. n Keeping the pool free from leaves and other floating debris helps

prevent decomposition that ultimately leads to the growth of algae. n A salt chlorinator or an ozone generator is supposed to lower the

maintenance of the pool water. But, these systems still need to be managed as they either create chlorine or ozone respectively and do nothing for the pH of the water. Maintaining pH is a totally separate part of the pool management cycle and needs to be tested regularly so that the chlorine (whether added by hand or manufactured by a salt chlorinator) or ozone can be effective. n

style icon Display counters at Metropolitan Cosmetics show the detail of Mike’s work.

SHOPPING AROUND

Name Mike Shapiro Born South Africa Company Andi’s Interiors cc

WITH MIKE SHAPIRO Mike Shapiro works his magic to turn empty spaces into ultra-desirable stores words: kim novick PHOTOS: DEBBIE YAZBEK he words ‘shop fitter’ may not conjure up the most glamorous of careers, but when one considers how important the appearance of a store, restaurant or night club is in the mind of the consumer, it takes on a far shinier hue. Indeed, Mike Shapiro, together with his partner Tony Povall have been turning empty spaces into things of beauty for the past 16 years. Think the likes of Browns Jewellers, the iconic Nicci chain of boutiques and Metropolitan Cosmetics; these are all stores Mike and his team have crafted. Shop fitting style guru Mike Shapiro with partner Tony Povall.

46 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

MIKE SHAPIRO The road to retail

Mike’s career in shop fitting took a rather circuitous route; he started out with a BCom in accounting. “After working for 8 months in a corporate environment, I decided I’d never work for anyone but myself again,” says Mike. Instead, he took up dairy and vegetable farming in Klipriver (where he still lives and works) which he keeps up all these years later. “I started making things as a hobby; chairs, tables and such,” says Mike. Then a cousin asked him to fit a concession store. “We’d be milking cows in the morning and making shelves in the afternoon! The business grew from there and I’m very happy to say I still have most of my original staff,” laughs Mike.

“You can do your finishes yourself. If you’re not confident, look for someone that specialises in great finishes; otherwise the trick is to pay attention to the detail and give yourself time to do the job. It’s all possible, you just need to focus and persevere.”

Display cases showcase glittering jewels at Browns Jewellers.

Talented hands

Mike is adamant that everything he does is self-taught and can be learned by anyone who puts their mind to it. “I’m very technical; in fact I should probably have done engineering. When I started making things I just went by gut feel. Our first store was on a mine. It was 1400m² and we did everything – counters, bulkheads, shelving. The entire job cost about R40 000, today it would be over R1 million. Stores can literally cost from R100 000 up,” he says. While the concession store all those years back may have been fairly basic, today Mike, Tony and the team work with rich and varied materials. Mike says while he enjoys working in solid woods it has become so costly no-one specifies it anymore. “The bulk of the work we do is in wood. Right now my favourite is Mahogany. It’s easy to work with, hardy and finishes nicely. Woods go through phases of popularity though; the darker ones, particularly Walnut are in favour at the moment but it changes all the time,” he says. Mike also points out that from a cost point of view, veneer boards are good substitutions and there are plenty of finishes to choose from these days.

Making it work

As with any job, Mike says half the work’s done with proper planning. “Planning helps you work your costs correctly, optimise materials required and meet

A perfectly crafted column shows the detail of Mike’s work.

your deadlines. Just like you have to meet all these expectations in a work environment, if you’re working in a DIY environment at home, you need to follow the same steps,” he says. This means putting everything down on paper first – as Mike points out, it’s better to mess up in the planning stage than incur a big cost or do a job badly during the execution stage. “The bottom line is you can probably do whatever it is you have in mind, but prepare properly. Also, rather make whatever you need yourself as opposed to buying ready-to-install ‘kits’ that are generally cheap and badly constructed. There’s a lot more satisfaction for you if it’s a job well done and independently done.” August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 47

style icon

The shop fitter’s right-hand woman:

interior designer Claudette Rosen hile Mike’s job is to kit out space beautifully, Claudette Rosen of Spin Interiors is the ‘prologue’ to the area Mike and his team will work in. Simply put, Claudette custom designs spaces to create a functional plan that Mike will turn into reality. “We work predominantly in the retail and corporate space and every design we do is completely custom-made,” says Claudette whose portfolio of stores includes Stuttafords, Apsley House and Cameraland. While Claudette has interior design as a background, her work is more complex as each plan has to allow for the nuts and bolts like electrical, plumbing and tiling requirements as well as all the detail that is required in a functional store. Claudette works with computer generated 3D renders of the store to be designed. “Nowadays, anyone that wants to open a store in a centre needs to take their business proposal to the centre management for approval; part of that proposal has to be 3D renders of the store. What we’ve done to accommodate people is prepare generic plans as a starting point. We’ve covered about 16 standard designs, from funky to minimalist to male – or

female-dominated. Prospective clients can then get an idea of what they’d like and we take it from there,” she says.

On planning your home space

Claudette says when planning a room for homes its key to work at making a space look large and airy. “Often rooms tend to be too small and badly designed as they are planned by developers more than by people with an understanding of space. So work on creating the perception of space using colour, texture, flush cupboards (built into the wall rather than having a free-standing cupboard), recesses and such,” she advises. Similarly, use storage space that is part of the furniture, for example, ottomans, beds with storage underneath and cupboards designed in such a way that instead of shelves and a rail you actually have compartments that specific things can be packed into. Claudette’s website, www.interiorsonline.co.za can help you plan your home. “If you need some help, answer our interactive question format to give us an idea of what you like. Then you can upload a picture of the room in question and we’ll show you how to design a great working space.” n August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 49

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DIY PROJECT: improve

after

BATHROOM

BEAUTY Our DIY Divas tackled a bathroom that had originally been done on a shoestring budget and was stuck in a 20th Century time warp

TIME  3 DAYS COST  R5900 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

PROJECT: JANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

52 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

before

bathroom makeover n this project we show you how easy it is to update a bathroom with new sanitaryware, taps and bamboo flooring for a contemporary and environmentallyfriendly bathroom. “I recently strolled through my local Builders Warehouse and was a bit shocked to discover that I could have given the bathroom a makeover years ago; who knew that sanitaryware was so affordable?” says Janice Anderssen.

Put on your thinking cap If you want to make changes to a bathroom you need to spend time thinking about what you will want to do, how you will do it, what you will need, and most importantly, can you afford it. Décor websites and magazines will provide you with inspiration to help you with your decision. Do some window shopping too. Take a stroll down the aisles of your local Builders Warehouse or Tile

Warehouse to see the various ranges available. At the same time you can jot down prices and get a good idea of how much everything will cost.

Plan the project With an idea of the costs involved, you now need to think about how you are going to tackle the project. You don’t want the bathroom out of commission for months, so plan your project schedule carefully.

making the vanity stand – DAY 1 Our first step will show you how to remove and replace a bathroom sink and install a modern tap, plus build a vanity unit upon which the sink will sit. Ripping out the old basin and installing a new one is a 1-day job that requires only a few basic tools.

Making the vanity The vanity is designed to hide the pipes and connectors but it is freestanding so that we can still get to them for maintenance or repairs. For the vanity we are using 20mm thick bamboo board. WHY BAMBOO Bamboo is an eco-friendly material and is resilient enough to take occasional splashes of water.

GOOD TO KNOW

This little piece had us baffled until we realised it’s the overflow cover!

3

1

There are 2 sides and a front section that have been joined together using a pocket hole jig. Brackets and wood glue can be used if you don’t own a pocket hole jig. Our top is glued onto the frame beneath.

2

For your basin you will need additional parts needed that are not supplied, like a drain mechanism and plug to fit the sink.

DIY TIP

Whatever shape or size basin that you select, you will need to measure and mark for correct placement and drilling for drain holes and tap fittings. Use a hole saw to drill a hole in the top of the vanity for the drain.

As we are mounting the basin on top of the vanity and not sinking it into the top, we have built a small box frame with some of the bamboo off cuts to elevate the tap so that it sits nicely above the basin.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 53

PlasterKey® A Universal Waterbased Bonding Aid Makes It Easy!

bathroom makeover

replacing the basin – DAY 1 Once the vanity has been completed, it’s time to remove the old sink and pedestal and install a new basin and stand.

4

1

take note n Be sure to purchase the right taps. A high basin will require a tall tap and vice-versa for a small basin. n Have a bucket and old towels handy for any water still in the pipes. Switch off the water at the main stopcock – located on the property, usually close to the water meter. Switch off the geyser. To empty the system, open the hot and cold water taps until water stops running.

n Before

drilling into walls (especially tiled walls), use an electronic detector to check there are no pipes or wires in the wall. If the display is ‘green to go’ you are safe. If the display ring is red, you will need to move to another position until the display ring indicates green. n When you turn your water back on, wait until all trapped air has been released and the water is running smoothly and then turn the geyser on.

COST  R800 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 You will need: Basin (we used Builders Pride basin R600) Taps (R95 from Builders Warehouse) Outlet fitting Waste fitting (if necessary as some sinks have a built-in waste that goes into the outlet) Old towels Bucket Conex elbow fittings (1 for each outlet) Adjustable or lockable wrenches Hacksaw and sharp blade Silicone sealer

2

Use a pair of wrenches to tighten the new Conex fittings onto the top of the cut copper pipes. The Conex fittings have an integral sealing ring which when fully tightened, provides a water-tight seal.

5

hot and cold hoses

Conex elbow connectors hot and cold hoses

existing drain pipe

Loosen the existing taps and drain pipe so that you can remove the basin and pedestal. We were lucky, as the sink came away freely from the wall as did the pedestal. As both had been mounted on top of the tiles we didn’t have to replace any.

The hot and cold braided hose is connected to the corresponding Conex fitting and the other end is screwed tightly into the tap using adjustable or lockable wrenches, once again matching up hot and cold.

6

3

Use a hacksaw to cut through the copper pipe. You need to do this to install the hot and cold braided hose connectors that are now supplied as standard when buying new taps.

Turn the water back on at the main stopcock and open both hot and cold taps. Check for any leaks, and if any, turn off the stopcock and release water from the pipes by opening taps, then tighten where necessary.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 55

DIY PROJECT: improve

replacing the TOILET – DAY 2 We are now ready to tackle the toilet.

take note

1

3

main stopcock

n Before placing the new cistern

onto the toilet, assemble all the components according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Bolts are provided for mounting the cistern securely onto the toilet base.

COST  R1200 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

Before removing the old toilet, switch off the water supply at the stopcock. If there is no stopcock close to the toilet you will need to switch off the main water supply stopcock. Flush the toilet to ensure the water supply is indeed off and then loosen the hose from underneath the cistern.

2

It was necessary to raise the height of the toilet in order to fit in the outlet pipe. We cut a piece of bamboo board to the shape of the toilet base, glued it in place with Pattex PL700 and then glued the base to the floor, sealing around the board and toilet base with Pattex PL700.

4 cut open to fit

You will need: Toilet (we used the Pamela Suite toilet R1 000 from Builders Warehouse) Wax seal Pattex PL700 Old towels Sponge Bucket

Tools Adjustable or lockable wrenches Hammer Chisels

Take off the cistern by removing any wall anchors and disconnect the toilet by loosening the bolts at the base of the cistern. This toilet base was cemented to the floor so we we used a hammer and chisel to remove it. Check on your base to see if there are any anchors holding the base in place, in which case you can remove the base whole.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER

Use a sponge to remove water from inside the toilet.

You need to seal around the pipe for a watertight connection. Cut the wax seal at one point to allow it to be fitted around the join between the toilet and outlet pipe. Press and mould the wax seal so that it completely blocks and seals the opening.

5

Use the hammer and chisel to remove any excess material from the floor so that it is perfectly level and ready for mounting the new toilet.

56 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Mount the cistern on top of the toilet base, securing with the provided anchors. Turn on the stopcock and check for leaks.

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Learn to decorate like a Pro The Home Channel’s own interior designer Juliet Newell coaxes her colleagues to spill the tricks of the trade. From beach house to Bauhaus, she’ll show you how to create stunning spaces on a budget you can afford. Mon 7pm Tue 10.30pm Wed 11am Thur 3pm Sat 1pm & 10pm Sun 8am & 5pm

bathroom makeover

bath modification - Day 2/3 In this step we are modifying the bath so it also serves as a shower.

take note n The glass panel is heavy and you will need to lift it into place. Place a blanket on the floor to prevent chipping the base of the glass as you manoeuvre it into position.

1

2

fit track to wall and floor

COST  R2100 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 You will need: 10mm thick safety glass (half the length of the bathtub and slightly lower than ceiling height) 12mm aluminium U-tracking Wall plugs and screws, 5 x 40mm Tape measure Pencil Spirit level Pattex PL700

Tools Drill/driver or impact drill Assorted drill and screw bits

To mount the glass along the side of the bathtub, aluminium tracking was fixed to the wall and floor. Use a tape measure, pencil and spirit level to mark the wall and floor for screws at 300mm apart and then drill to accept wall plugs and screws. Run a thick bead of Pattex PL700 along the tracking. This provides additional security and also covers the screw heads before inserting the glass panel. Leave this to dry overnight and then mount the glass panel carefully into the wall and floor tracking.

With the glass mounted in the tracking, apply another bead of Pattex PL700 to fill any gap between the glass and tracking. You want the glass to be firmly and securely mounted in the tracking. Clean off any excess adhesive with a dry cloth while still wet. EasyDIY TIP: For two non-absorbent, or water-sensitive surfaces use Pattex PL 700. Ensure surfaces to be bonded are clean and free of dust, grease or oil. Surfaces should not be continuously damp.

bamboo flooring- Day 3 In this part of the project we are creating a side panel for the bath and putting down bamboo laminate planks.

COST  R1800 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 You will need: Eco-Logic bamboo flooring (www.oriental-bamboo.co.za) Drawn plan of the floor, with exact measurements Tape measure Pencil Graph paper

Tools Rubber mallet Jigsaw and clean-cut blade Workbench

what to do n Take exact measurements of the space to

draw up a plan to scale on graph paper. Measure and mark the location of the toilet, bath and sink, door opening and any other fittings in the room. n Sanitary sealer is applied around the toilet base where the flooring butts against the bath panel, the join between the bath and side panel by and around the inside of the glass panel to ensure a waterproof seal. n We have created a panel for the side of the bathtub using floor planks mounted onto a wood frame to provide a more appealing finish and additional support for our glass panel. Once mounted, we are ready to lay the floor. The new floor butts against the panel. The planks are angled slightly to link together and then lightly tapped with a rubber mallet for a tight-fitting join. n

Win with TAL TAL is giving away 5 of their fantastic Goldstar Groutsealers, each valued at R50. The Goldstar Groutsealer comes in an easy to apply aerosol can for mess-free application in your bathroom or kitchen. To win, email [email protected] and tell us why you need one of these fab products. A special thank you to n Eco-Logic for the bamboo flooring. www.oriental-bamboo.co.za n Finishing Touches for the Basewood Mahogany Blind. Finishing Touches is avaiable at Builders Warehouse.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 59

CELEBrity lifestyle The property A homely haven in the heart of leafy Morningside

Homeowners Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield

When celebrity couple Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield need time out from their busy schedules, they retreat to their perfectly-tailored home in Johannesburg

At HOME WITH

THE MANSFIELDS words:CHRISTINE VAN DEEMTER PHOTOS: DEBBIE YAZBEK STYLING: PETA-ANNE STROUD AND MARTIN HILLER ucked away in Morningside lies Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield’s home. Best-selling authors, TV personalities and all-round Jo’burg legends, their space is homey and functional, coloured with rich, earthy tones and organic textures. Their home is als on inhabited by beloved family pets (and Zhoozsh! cover stars) rescue dogs Alex and Jesse; and cats Patch, Raka and Honey. The Mansfields made this their home nine years ago and still “absolutely love it”, enthuses Jacqui. It is designed around their lifestyles and personalities, with an expertly equipped kitchen (for Jeremy, of course), a large, inviting bar overlooking the pool and garden (ditto) and a delightful library nook (for Jacqui and the cats). Everything has its place and is in its place, giving the house a naturally uncluttered and practical feel. The couple recently released Zhoozsh! Faking it, the follow-up to their successful 2009 cookbook Zhoozsh!. They’ve also designed a stunning range of Zhoozsh! cutlery, crockery and glasses in partnership with Inter Table Top Company, available exclusively at Boardmans.

60 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

How do you work your spaces effectively? Jacqui: We both like open flow, yet need our separate spaces for our own downtime or when we are entertaining friends. By creating different areas that are separate, but not totally separated, we have created multi-use spaces in our home, which work beautifully. what do you love about your home? Jeremy and Jacqui: It’s an ideal home for us as it’s spacious yet intimate. It has all we need and want. Our master bathroom, especially, is a win. The one exterior wall is almost completely glass (including the roof), looking out onto a private enclosed garden. There’s a large indoor and private outdoor shower. We also love the area in which we live: there’s a park down the road to walk our dogs, there’s a river nearby and we can hear frogs singing in summertime. Our home is central to the places we like to go to and with multiple access roads to our suburb, we don’t get snagged in traffic, as there is always an alternative route. We have all we need.

The millions of words in hundreds of books seem to fill the air and make it still, peaceful and muted and everyone seems calm and content - Jacqui August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 61

CELEBrity lifestyle Left: The Mansfields love entertaining family and friends and serving meals out of their own range of crockery in their welcoming dining room. RIGHT: Rescue dog Alex enjoys the sun on the Mansfield’s patio. BELOW: The charming living room is filled with collectibles the Mansfields have brought back from their travels.

Have you done any renovations? Jeremy and Jacqui: We renovated a couple of years ago. We enclosed an outside patio area to create a large bar/ entertainment area and moved a wall to enclose an outside walkway that created a library/reading nook. We knocked through a (previous exterior now an interior) wall and added a two-sided, ventless gas fireplace. This effectively gave us two additional and separate lounge/conversation areas. A wooden deck also extended the bar area and gave us an outside entertaining area. It took about two months. Are you planning any more renovations? Jeremy and Jacqui: Yes, we want to enlarge the deck and add a roof to cover part of it, so that we have a more substantial outside entertainment area. We are in heated (no pun intended!) discussions regarding a fire pit, another braai area and the size of the deck. Where do you take time out? Jacqui: When I want to get away from it all, I go to the solitude of our garden. A large section of it is secluded and the light is beautiful there – dappled by massive Oak trees. We don’t use any pesticides or insecticides anywhere in our garden and there are always butterflies, fat bumblebees, bugs and critters getting on with their lives. It offers me perspective and reminds me that I am just one small item in a greater plan. Jeremy: Cooking relaxes me, so if I’m stressed, you’ll find me in the kitchen. I like the concentration and focus cooking requires. My favourite de-stressing dish is a stir-fry – all that

62 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

chopping and slicing and dicing then a quick flash-fry of all the ingredients in the wok and I’m relaxed.

What’s your favourite space in your home? Jacqui: Without a doubt it’s my library, my tranquil haven. When I’m in there reading and listening to my vinyl records, all the pets come in too. Jeremy: My bar! It is 100% my space. It is where I go to unwind and work. I go there to be alone and when my mates are over, that’s where I entertain. What are your favourite places to buy dÉcor and furniture? Jeremy and Jacqui: Neither of us is big into décor or decorating, so we don’t have a favourite place to buy furnishings, but we will keep an eye out for things when we travel. We have bought handmade furniture and furnishings in Zambia, China, England, Vietnam and Alaska and we always visit antique shops when we travel in South Africa. n

GIVEAWAY!

Two lucky readers will each win a signed copy of Zhoozsh! Faking it. Email: [email protected] and tell us how you plan to make the most of your cooking with Zhoozsh! Faking it.

Inspired by nature! FIRED EARTH launches two new paints, both incorporating nanotechnology, and ecowise qualities, as well as a 7 year quality guarantee.

all-in-one

BEYOND NANO SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY

Fired Earth all-in-one plaster primer is a high quality pigmented, alkali resistant primer, penetrating sealer and undercoat for both interior and exterior use. It can be used on sound cement, cured gypsum plaster, concrete and brick substances. As an ecowise product is it lead free, ammonia free, acrylic, low voc, low odour, and incorporates nano technology, with a 7 year guarantee.

LEAD FREE

WATER CLEAN-UP

WATER RESISTANT

MOULD RESISTANT

ultimate

LOWER VOC

LOW ODOUR

NANO TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

Fired Earth ultimate is a luxurious mid sheen pure acrylic wall coating for both interior and exterior use. As an ecowise product is it lead free, acrylic, low voc, low odour, as well as incorporating enviro-cide. Ultimate is all weather and uv resistant, washable and stain resistant, as well as alkali resistant. The paint incorporates nano technology to maximise protection, along with a 7 year guarantee.

LEAD FREE

WATER CLEAN-UP

UV & WATER RESISTANT

PRO-TEFF SCUFF RESISTANT

MOULD RESISTANT

LOWER VOC

LOW ODOUR

For more information and available colours visit www.fired-earth.co.za

Tel: 012 804 7305

GET THE LOOK

YOU CAN DO IT TOO Peta-Anne Stroud shows you how you can create a home that is homey and functional...

Earthly tones and organic textures are used throughout the mansfield’s home

Beautifully made Damask R60 and Tweedle R130, both from Mr Price

HAVE A SEAT Suede dining chair R600, Mr Price Home

TRENDY crockery Zhoozsh! tableware from R40 - R200, Boardmans

MOSAic Must-Have Mosaic Vase R130, Mr Price

GREAT THROW

WIRE DELIGHT

Chocolate, bronze and taupe R180 each,Boardmans

Wire chickens R70 (small) and R90 (large), both from Mr Price

BRIGHT IDEA Metallic bronze lamp R370 and brum lamp shade R140, both from Boardmans STOCKISTS Boardmans 0860 692 274, www.boardmans.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, www,mrpricehome.co.za Prices are correct at time of going to press

64 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

DIY PROJECT: make

Super

stylish

storage solution You will need: 2 of 22mm pine 200mm x 900mm - top and bottom 2 of 9mm pine 44mm x 180mm – sides 1 of 9mm pine 44mm x 900mm – front 1 pine batten 44mm x 44mm x 850mm Wood glue 80-, 120-, 220-grit sandpaper and sanding pads Lint-free cloths Mineral turpentine Woodoc gel stain in your choice of colour Woodoc 10 (or your choice of sealer) Gel stain Woodoc steel wool 80mm wall plugs and 120mm screws

Tools

shelve IT This easy floating shelf can be designed to fit into any room for added storage of books, DVDs or pretty ornaments PROJECT: J ANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

66 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Orbital sander Impact drill and assorted drill bits Drill/driver (or screwdriver) and assorted screw bits Spirit level Tape measure Pencil Paintbrush Rubber gloves

TIME  2 DAYS COST  R200 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

floating shelves

1

2

3

front

bottom wood glue side side

bottom

bottom front

Place the shelf bottom on a flat, level surface. Apply a bead of wood glue to the top at the front and sides.

4

Firmly press the front and side sections onto the wood glue. Wipe away any excess glue.

5

Apply a bead of wood glue to the top of the front and side sections and position the top shelf onto these sections. Wipe excess wood glue. Leave overnight to dry.

6

sand mounting batten

Sand the top, bottom, front and sides so that you have perfectly flat, smooth edges all around. Start off with 80-grit sandpaper, use 120-grit to go over once and finish off with 220-grit sandpaper.

Sand the mounting batten so that it fits easily into the shelf cavity. EasyDIY TIP: Start off with 80-grit sanding pads if there is uneven wood to remove.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER

7 wall

EasyDIY TIP: Apply the gel stain with the grain of the wood, for a professional-looking finish. n

screw batten to wall

batten

Place the batten at the required height. Use a spirit level to check and mark with a pencil. Measure and mark three holes on the batten and drill 5mm holes with an HSS bit. Let the bit mark the wall behind. Drill holes in the wall. Reposition the batten and insert long screws through the front and into the wall plugs and screw tight.

Wipe the wood clean with a cloth lightly dampened with mineral turpentine to remove all traces of dust. Pop on your gloves and apply Wood Gel Stain with a soft cloth. We used Ebony stain for this project. Finish off with Woodoc 10 interior sealer applied as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

GOOD TO

KNOW The batten is 44mm wide and you are using 120mm long screws. To allow for full insertion of the screw, use a spade bit and drill to a depth of 20mm where the holes are located.

Place the wall plug against the bit, allowing an extra 5mm-10mm length, and wrap masking tape around the bit to know how deep to drill.

August n September Augustn nOctober September 2011n October EasyDIY2011 67 EasyDIY 67

Sealant for sanitary applications

Crack sealant

Isocyanide free

Innovative Sealant Technology

Sika i-Cure technology is the latest innovative and intelligent hardening system that allows curing without any odours or defects. It has been proven to be environmentally friendly, have increased longevity, improved durability and safe to use.

Sika Customer Service KZN: Tel 031 792 6500, Fax 031 700 1760 E-mail [email protected] Website www.sika.co.za

Gauteng Tel: 011 608 6100 KwaZulu-Natal Tel: 031 792 6500

Western Cape Tel: 021 555 0755 Eastern Cape Tel: 041 453 2813

Zululand Tel: 035 797 3814 Export Tel: 031 792 6564

The

SAVVY

SHOPPER’s

handbook

We make it it easier for you to find the best of life’s little essentials in our simple buyer’s guide

SORTED THIS MONTH paintbrushes door handles Shelves

“Nothing like a new lick of paint to transform a room” August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 69

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best

paint brushes

You don’t need to be the sharpest tool in the box to realise that there must be some difference between the multitude of brushes out there. However, pinpointing exactly what that ‘difference’ is can be a little more challenging. The very thing that differentiates brushes from each other – be they designed for painting, sealing, treating, varnishing or even applying wallpaper paste, is the one thing they all have in common, bristles

Brush up on the basics Keep it simple Don’t despair when you’re in a store and faced with a rack of seemingly cloned brushes; no matter how huge the range, you can separate them into just 3 categories: n Natural bristle brushes. These are commonly made of hog hair. Also called Chinese bristles, they are more suitable for oil-based paint or varnish. The tips of the hairs will split naturally over time, allowing them to hold more paint. On the down side, their innate ability to hold paint makes them more difficult to clean. n Synthetic bristle brushes. Machine-made bristles are excellent for water-based paints and glosses because they won’t show brush strokes in these relatively quick-drying paints. When choosing between brushes with synthetic bristles, remember there’s likely to be a vast difference in quality offered by the different brands; with the cheapest often also being the nastiest. n Mixed bristle brushes. It’s likely that all manufacturers offer brushes that use a mix of natural and synthetic bristles, giving you the best of both worlds and making the brushes suitable for any type of paint.

By the brush Despite the differences in bristles and design, with so many brushes on the market, people question whether there is any benefit to using a high-quality brush. The answer is a most definite “yes”. A good brush improves the overall appearance of the medium you’re applying; it provides a smooth finish, free of streaks or telltale hairs. It also soaks up the paint and releases it well, providing good coverage without you having to paint and repaint an area.

70 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Don’t do it! n Once

you’ve used a paintbrush with water-based paint, don’t use it for oil-based paint, and vice versa. It shortens the lifespan of the brush. n Don’t soak natural bristles in liquid; it ruins them.

This is The perfecT brush for professional and d.i.Y use.

A mixture of synthetic And nAturAl bristles for the do-it-yourself mArket.

This is The perfecT brush for professional and d.i.Y use. The long superfine sYnTheTic brisTle and rusT free sTainless sTeel ferrule ensure good painT reTenTions characTerisTics. used for applYing enamels, varnishes, pva/waTer based painTs on rough, medium and smooTh surfaces.

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best

paint brushes

Harris No-Loss Evolution

R29

Nothing to lose When it comes to bristles guaranteed to stay firmly in place for life, this brush is the perfect choice. What’s more, a rubberised easy-grip handle means you’ll enjoy painting in comfort with those locked-down synthetic bristles.

NOTE: We used 75mm brushes, but they’re all available in a range of sizes.

we didn’t want to give it back!

R20

Harris Down to Earth

Builder’s Pride Paintbrush

R29 Plays rough The thirsty, broad bristles of this block brush are just what rough textured walls and grainy or uneven surfaces such as roof tiles need. The convenient clip on its handle means you can balance it over the edge of a can while working. You can also use it for wall paper glue.

Addis Midi Block Brush

Take one for the world This is the ideal eco-friendly paintbrush. Every part of it is recyclable, biodegradable or made from recyclable materials. The plastic-looking handle is 65% cornstarch. This is great for those painters with a conscience.

R24

No commitment necessary If you’re not sure whether your foray into DIY will be a lifelong love affair or a quick fling, then this lightweight, entry level paintbrush is for you. It’s low on cost yet big on performance.

R35 Painter’s friend If you need a dependable brush at a bargain price, then reach no further than the Layman. Made from lightweight plastic, it’s easy to work with while the pure Chinese bristle head makes it a natural choice for a fine finish.

Millennium Layman

Don’t wash brushes with boiling water as the ferrule will swell and the bristles will loosen. 72 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

paintbrushes Fluffy, split looking natural bristles aren’t a sign of a defective brush; just the opposite; it holds more paint.

R36 Loves the outdoors From coating the wooden jungle gym in creosote to painting the shed with a preserver; this stout brush gives excellent coverage with less splash-back, thanks to the mix of synthetic and natural fibres.

Addis Shed and Fence

R56 Go pro or do DIY This multi-purpose brush is popular for home improvements and for semi-skilled labour. Treated well, its natural Chinese bristles will keep performing perfectly for years to come.

Academy Everyman

Editor’s choice!

R44 Lovely to look at, better to hold We couldn’t decide what we loved more; the ergonomic design; the non-slip, soft-touch gel pads or the high-quality synthetic bristles that drink up paint. This one comes highly recommended.

Harris Gel

R70 means business A sturdy, no frills paintbrush that’s geared towards the professional but will still work wonders in the hand of the DIY enthusiast. This no-nonsense brush has a thick head of synthetic and natural bristles; good for all paints and all surfaces.

hamilton’s professional

OUR SAVVY SHOPPER SAYS n A good brush should have a full head of bristles, held in

place by a sturdy, non-rust band, called a ferrule. n Sponge-tip ‘brushes’ are excellent for thinner liquids

such as stains. n Many people won’t use hog hair brushes for religious or

Harris Easyclean

R50

A clean finish The silky synthetic bristles of this beautiful brush ensure that both water- and oil-based paints are applied easily and flawlessly and that they wash off the brush with equal ease.

animal rights reasons, so don’t be shy to ask your salesperson for a suitable synthetic option. n Many brushes offer promises, such as a ‘no bristle loss’ guarantee, which may make them a better long-term buy. n

SHOP SMART

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 73

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best

door

handles

If there’s a single, important fact you should know about door handles it’s this: you shouldn’t have to live with a handle you don’t absolutely love. They’re a comparatively inexpensive and easy way to give your home a facelift or make a statement. Plus, with a phenomenal range on the market, you’ll most definitely find the perfect handle at the perfect price

Opening doors What to choose When it comes to choosing your door handles think location, location, location. Most materials will last well on inside doors, so feel free to experiment with brass or bronze fittings here, whereas durable aluminium will hold up better on doors exposed to the elements. Knob locks (with spherical or tulipshaped handles) are extremely popular for front doors, whereas lever handles (the traditional type of handle with a lever that you pull down to open) will last longer in high-traffic areas inside the house. You could even opt for specialised handles in certain rooms, such as a handle that only locks from one side for bathrooms, or one that won’t lock at all for children’s rooms. You also need to look at the location of the existing handle and lock within the actual door, as your new lock will need to fit the existing holes and cavities. You can’t, for example, drill a few holes and hope to jam a lever-type handle and lock into a door prepped for a knob lock, because everything from the shape of the lock to the position of the latch is different.

Try it If you want to draw attention to a designer handle, consider choosing a lever handle that fits onto the door with a small ‘rose’. Since they and have a separate keyhole cover and no plate, the handles stand out as the focus of attention.

TAKE NOTE If your new handle is the same as your existing one there’s no need to buy a new lock, so double check that you aren’t inadvertently taking a pack with a lock, as you’ll pay more for it.

EXPERT ADVICE “For extra outdoor security install a 5-lever lock along with your door handle rather than the more common 2-lever, because they’re a lot tougher to break or pick” Spencer Xana DIY Salesman; Gleneagles Builders Warehouse. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 75

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best

door

handles Mackie Cambridge Suite Brass Handle

R209

Solid brass shine Beautiful to look at and heavy to hold, these solid brass lever-type handles have a natural warmth and shine that become richer over time. Keep in mind however, that since brass is fairly soft, keys and rings can cause dents and scratches; but aging gracefully is part of the beauty of brass.

Décor City Brass Lever

R160

Old world style This ornate brass plate with scrolled handle lends itself perfectly to a well-crafted door or to adding a little glamour to a plain door. The thin plate and fine patterns give it an attractively delicate appearance.

Mackie Antique Brass Rim lock

R140 Like a lollipop Cute as a round, brass-coloured button, this plastic-handled rim lock fits on the surface of a door rather than inside it; which makes it perfect if you need a lock on a new door but don’t have the skill or patience to cut holes for a lock. This kind of lock is great indoors, but doesn’t have the security features required for a perimeter lock.

Builder’s Pride Victorian Scroll

R70

Curves and curls If you love luxurious finishings and bold accessories that make a statement, you’ll love coming home to the scrolled handle, generous curves and Alice in Wonderland style keyhole of this durable aluminium door handle.

76 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

we didn’t want to give it back!

Dortello Tube

R120 Italian wave With its waves and curves it turns opening a door from an action into an experience. You will need to fit the escutcheons over the keyhole separately.

DOOR HANDLES

Editor’s choice!

Jaguar Antique Copper Entrance Ball Lock

R140

Guaranteed for 10 years This made-to-last knob with an old, copper finish, is ideal for a front door. It’s sturdy, attractive and can be locked with a key on one side and a knob on the other. It comes with a small encyclopaedia of information and instructions that will put even the most nervous DIYer at ease. REMEMBER: Make sure you’ve got the keyhole showing to the outside of the house and the knob on the inside.

Builder’s Pride 2-Lever lock set

R60 Inner lock and outer handle included Lock, stock and handle Ideal for new homes or if you’re replacing your locks, this all-in-one set comes with a lock mechanism, handle, keys and screws. The solid, standard aluminium design makes it easy to both install and maintain.

Yale Tulip Knob Set

Dortello Antique Brass Handle

R115

Not what you’d expect A designer handle for a designer home! This unusual handle slots in with a normal 2-lever fitting and the scroll design with antique brass finish fits in perfectly, with unique or unusual furniture or fittings. Remember that the escutcheon needs to be fitted separately over the keyhole.

Lever locks with a very wide keyhole need a different style of lock than those with small keyholes, so if you’re changing from one to the other, remember to buy a new lock too.

R300

Brass beauty The timeless design and durable brass finish of this Yale lock means it will age beautifully. What’s more, as with all Yale locks, it comes with a promise of exceptional strength and craftsmanship; just what you need for an outwardfacing door.

Mackie Entrance Lock

R160

For thick and for thin An easy-to-install knob lock that can be adjusted to fit doors in a range of thicknesses. Made from durable aluminium, it’s designed to be locked with a key from the outside and a simple twist of a button from the inside.  n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 77

INNOVATIVE SHELVING SOLUTIONS

by Tel: 021-508-1250

SUMO BUNGEE GLASSLINE

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best shelves

When you’ve cluttered up floors and cupboards, don’t despair; start storing upwards, with shelves to store, carry or display anything from cosmetics to clothes to your collectible comics. The good news for those of us whose idea of shelving has always been three bricks and an old bit of board, is that today’s DIY shelving is attractive, sturdy and best of all, incredibly easy to mount

Happily on the shelf Range of materials n Wood

– usually pine It’s hardwearing and great for kids’ rooms because the scratches and dents simply add to the charm and are easy to repair. It’s also very versatile because it can be stencilled, painted or stained any colour of the rainbow. n Glass Although very common in bathrooms, glass can be used throughout the house as it’s usually toughened, making it almost as strong as wood. It’s particularly good for areas where there’s water or moisture, or for displaying collectible items because their lack of colour won’t detract from the items, themselves. n Manufactured wood such a Supawood Made by bonding wood fibres with resin, the strong, lightweight nature of this wood makes it perfect for shelves, in particular floating shelves that attach to the wall with hidden bolts. It comes in a variety of colours and is fairly durable.

Smart Selection While your DIY dreams probably have no boundaries, your DIY skills might, which is why it’s a good idea to match your shelf to your abilities. If wielding a drill is still daunting to you, steer clear of shelves with more holes than a dot-to-dot, or that require installation equipment that seem

better suited to removing a limb than mounting a shelf. It’s also not a bad idea to unpack your prospective shelf in-store to make sure that it either comes with everything you need to put it up, or that a sales person can match up anchors or brackets for you. Finally; go shopping with an idea of what you’re bringing your shelf home for. How much space do you have for it? How heavy are the items you’ll put on it?

TRY IT n If

you don’t have a spirit level, simply ensure your shelf is straight by measuring upwards from the ground with a tape measure. Mark 3 spots at the same height and then draw a guide line between them. n Rather than drilling all the holes at once when installing your shelf, try this: drill one hole, position the shelf and press a screw through the first hole to hold it in place; now mark the position of the next hole; remove your shelf and drill it. It takes longer, but at least you won’t end up with a row of holes slightly out of line. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 79

SAVVY SHOPPER

10 best shelves

R370 Design Yourshelf For work and play A strong, simple shelf with rounded edges, supported with small scoop-like arms; this kit makes it so easy to do it yourself. A 20kg capacity makes it ideal for holding files or books in an office, or just about anything at home, especially since its durable finish resists stains. Max Weight: not stated Size: 600 X 200 X 19mm Available in: Pine, mahogany, white and silver

Beechcraft and Scoop Shelf

we didn’t want to give it back!

Hanging Wall Cubes

R369

Castle Timbers Neat to be square Think out of the box with these versatile squares. Fun and functional, this set includes 3 squares that you can hang and space individually. The closed sides make them great for storing books. Size: 240 X 240 X 117mm; 270 X 270 X 117mm & 300 X 300 X 117mm Available in: Mahogany; white; pale pink and pale blue NOTE: NO screws or plugs are included. Buy three L hooks and matching plugs when you buy your shelves.

Corner Coco

R249 Dolle Where the heart’s at Play with your packing space with Dolle’s range of corner shelves. This burgundy heartshaped shelf adds a splash of fun and colour to any area in the home, from the bedroom to the kitchen. Plus it holds a phenomenal 35kg. Max Weight: 35kg Size: 350 X 350 X 21mm Available in: Burgundy, white and silver NOTE: The screws and plugs are hidden under the black plastic edging.

SOLID WOOD

R120

Decorative Solid Pine Shelf Wildberry Homestyle Accessories Ingrained beauty You simply can’t duplicate the natural shades, texture and grain of solid wood. What’s more, even when it’s been bumped, scratched, hung and rehung, a little sanding paper and varnish or stain is all you need to restore it. The large bracket gives it extra stability, making if great for kids’ rooms. Size: 600 X 200mm Available in: Mahogany, treated Pine and raw Pine

80 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Floating Wall Shelf

R229

Wildberry Just like magic With no visible screws or brackets, this thick shelf seems to float up against the wall. It’s stylistically pleasing and visually impressive, but it’s not entirely suitable for heavy items. Max Weight: 10kg Size: 600 X 235 X 38mm Available in: White, oak, silver and mahogany

SHELVES Create magic by illuminating your glass shelves with coloured lights. Editor’s choice!

Little Fat Boy

R360 Dolle Back to basics A shelving heavyweight that can hold up to 15kg, this chubby little helper tucks in against your wall on hidden mountings. It has a beautiful sheen that makes it attractive on its own and striking when partnered with other Little Fat Boys. Max Weight: 15 kg Size: 3445 X 250 X 50mm Available in: Wood, coloured black, white and silver

Step 4 Wire Ladder Dolle

and Lite Shelf Glass Line Shelf Dolle (with jam clip)

R210

R119 Dolle Clearly beautiful Available in a range of shapes and sizes, these tempered glass shelves are too beautiful to hide in a bathroom. Simply select the shelf you love then choose from a range of gorgeous – or inconspicuous if you prefer – clips to mount it. Max Weight: Unknown Size: 600 x 150 x 8mm Available in: Various shapes and sizes

R90 R120

Dolle Step, flex, fix The simple brilliance of this build-ityourself set will astound you. Use the plain wire ladders to build a network of supports, then rest shelves of any length between them, creating perfectly sized nooks and packing spaces. Max Weight: 40kg in total per ladder Size: 500 X 250mm; but you can use any length and thickness of shelf Available in: Silver

Support Belt

R220

Dolle

and Lite Shelf Lite Tri

R190

Design Yourshelf Hanging strong The perfect packing space. This long broad shelf has space to spare and since it’s flanked by two sturdy supports you won’t need to worry about anything toppling off the ends. Plus, it holds a phenomenal 30kg with ease. Max Weight: 30kg in total per ladder Size: 600 X 150 X 19mm Available in: Silver

R120

Dolle A long way to go When you’re short on packing space, go long on shelving with these strong, versatile support belts. Since you simply slide any appropriate board through to form a shelf, you can keep adding on belts to support longer boards or build additional shelves. Max Weight: 40kg in total per ladder Size: 300 X 25mm; but you can use any length of shelf Available in: Silver  n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 81

BUILDERS WAREHOUSE TRADE FAIR

Builders Warehouse Fourways Manager, Rob Van Straaten and representatives from Make a Difference.

Builders Warehouse Northriding, Peter Pretorius and representatives from The Lighthouse.

Stand-up comedian Barry Hilton had everyone in stitches.

Builders Warehouse hosted a successful Trade Fair in June this year, offering commercial customers the opportunity to view new and innovative products. they also showcased some great specials!

Mod Ngejane and Tyron Govender from Cast Away, suppliers of bathroom accessories and taps.

he fair, well supported, was hosted by Builders Warehouse Strubens Valley, Fourways, Rivonia and North Riding stores. Each store nominated its favourite charity and donated a generous R5 000 to that particular worthy cause. The charities that received donations included: The Lighthouse, Make a Difference, Logwood Village and Touch of Care.

“Builders Warehouse annually invests money into the local community in which our stores operate. We look for initiatives that will uplift the community in some way or other, even through store-based donations,” said Janet Pieterse, Marketing Executive for Massbuild. A number of lucky customers enjoyed some great giveaways while Barry Hilton, South Africa's premiere stand-up comedian, kept everyone entertained. n

Afrisam showcased their environmentally friendly Eco Build Cement.

Rodney Borman and MJ Voges from Harris.

Turf-Ag with their display of the Hunter irrigation system.

82 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

DIY PROJECT: restore

before

You will need:

WROUGHT IRON

RENEWAL

To show you how easy it is to restore metal or wrought iron furniture, we got our hands on a patio set that was almost falling apart, after being left at the bottom of the garden PROJECT: J ANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

84 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Paint scraper Rust-Oleum rust stripper Bucket of clean water Small paintbrush Rubber gloves Epoxy steel weld Dremel multitool and sanding ring – or 60-grit and 180-grit sandpaper Drop cloth or newspaper Rust-Oleum protective enamel spray – gloss white

TIME  2 DAYS COST  R150 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

wrought iron

1

Use a paint scraper to remove as much loose or flaking paint as possible. Pop on your rubber gloves and then apply Rust-Oleum rust stripper according to the instructions, using a small paintbrush. You need to rinse off the rust stripper with clean water in order to neutralise the acid.

2

3

Cut a small amount of epoxy steel weld – just enough to work on a small section of the repair and knead/mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Press small pieces firmly into the area to be fixed, blending the pieces together as you work to fill up the damaged area. Leave the putty to dry for 2 hours.

We have only let the putty dry for 2 hours so that it is not completely cured but dry enough to sand. If left until completely cured the putty becomes extremely hard to sand. Use 60-grit sandpaper or a multitool and sanding ring to smooth the putty so that it matches the original finish. Leave the putty overnight to cure properly.

4

Working outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, start spraying the furniture. Spray in light even strokes from a distance of no less than 30cm. It is better to apply 2 light coats than 1 thick coat that runs. Let each coat dry before applying the next coat. n

After August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 85

channelling

colonial words: AMY CHANSELLO PHOTOS: NOLEEN FOSTER

86 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

The easy, laid-back style Janine Miller has created in her home can be beautifully achieved by combining natural fabrics, cane, wood and well-chosen decorative pieces

The property Colonial Revival family home in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg

Homeowners Michael and Janine Miller

even years ago when Michael and Janine Miller started looking for a new house, they set their hearts on finding somewhere that would evolve into the perfect place to raise a family. At the time their daughter was just a tiny baby, but already Janine knew she wanted her children to have a large garden to explore and run around in, as well as spacious rooms. “We spent time trawling the property pages and were thrilled to find something available in this area. When we drove up the driveway and saw the lush garden with so many huge trees, we knew this was where we wanted to live,” says Janine. The previous owners had transformed the house from a 1930s Art Deco to a modern and more functional Colonial Revival style. Michael and Janine liked the fact that the home was newly renovated. With a brand new baby to consider, they were not keen to embark on a renovating project, big or small.

Large trees line the long driveaway leading up to the house.

Laid back living Driving up the long driveway, one is struck by the unspoiled, lush garden that is home to several giant trees as well as a magnificent Magnolia bush. Garden beds are planted with simple, hardy, verdant plants that can withstand the digging paws of young pups or the impact of a misdirected soccer ball. Well-maintained lawns make up the rest of the garden, giving the children ample space to run off surplus energy. An enormous tree hung with ropes and a swing offers a clear indication that children play a central role in the lives of this family. To complete the idyllic picture, charmingly tucked away in a corner of the garden is a pretty white Wendy house with a sign on the door announcing “My House”. A few steps away, a large wooden jungle gym keeps the children and their friends happily entertained. Inside the double-story home it’s a similar story. Janine has managed to expertly combine classical elegance with the needs of her growing family. Stylish and functional, comfortable furnishing are covered in robust, resilient fabrics and a family-friendly, yet serene colour palette of taupe and duck-egg blue provides the ideal backdrop for display cabinets and an informal wooden dining table. The casual look is emphasised by the choice of natural fibre rugs and wicker baskets for storage. The hub of the home is the open-plan family room, dining area and kitchen. Sunlight streams in through glass-panelled

double French doors leading out onto a small courtyard garden. The effect is a cheerful, homely space where family and friends feel free to commune. On the opposite side of this large room, wood and frosted glass-pained doors also allow a fair amount of light in, and when left open, the family is rewarded with a wonderful view over a large covered patio and into the garden. The kitchen, French country style, is cleverly designed with a dividing wall to provide storage on both sides. The back of the kitchen serves as a scullery-cum-laundry while the front provides space for cooking while a large centre island offers a convenient preparation surface. “We’d like to have a separate laundry. It’s something we may eventually build on,” comments Janine. However she doesn’t see it as an immediate necessity but rather a ‘nice to have.’ Despite the fact that the emphasis is on informal family living, there are two formal rooms leading off either side of the central space - a large, and very ‘grown up’ dining room and a formal lounge. Here, specially chosen pieces and favourite objects are tastefully displayed out of reach from curious little hands, an indication that these two rooms are less lived in but no less loved. While remaining within a similar colour palette for the formal areas, Janine chose to add splashes of stronger colour to these rooms to lend an air of sophistication. Patterned cushions and accessories in a mix of materials, such as glass and metal, add depth to the scheme. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 87

READER HOME

Light and airy, this French country style inspired kitchen is a wonderful gathering place for friends and family.

Twin beds in both children’s rooms provide enough space for sleepovers. Shelving above the beds makes for an eye-catching display area.

The spacious master bedroom gives Michael and Janine space to relax and unwind.

Where little heads go to rest The upstairs living area contains four bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. “This is one of the features that sold us on this home,” says Janine. “We also felt the rooms were all a good size and the flow of the space upstairs gives it a great feel,” she explains. The furniture in all the rooms remains classically stylish and practical. The children’s rooms are uncluttered and both feature a long length of shelving stretching across the expanse of one wall of each room. Here favourite teddies and sentimental items are displayed. This points to Janine’s practical approach to organising children’s paraphernalia. “I hate children’s toys being part of the décor, so they’re either tucked away in toy boxes and cupboards or in the Wendy house,” she says. Because the children were too young to have a say in the decorating of their bedrooms, Janine’s personal taste influenced what she chose to do in their rooms. However she recognizes that the rooms have evolved a bit as the children have grown up and collected their own stuff and will continue to do so. The master bedroom is very large, allowing ample room

for a king-size bed, an exquisite solid-wood armoire, an oversized chest of drawers and comfortable reading nook. However, the most irresistible feature of this room is the built-in fireplace directly opposite the bed. A large dressing room leads off the bedroom and beyond it, a spacious, crisp white bathroom. While Janine maintains she doesn’t have a favourite area in her home, it’s clear that sentimental items lovingly displayed in the master bedroom make this a special space where she retreats to for some peace and quiet reflection. When it comes to keeping a handle on family clutter Janine advises a simple approach. “Simplify, simplify, simplify. Throw out everything you don’t use and give it to people who need it,” she says. As with so many homes set on large properties in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, this home provides a real retreat from the mad pace of everyday life. Once the school run is complete and the frenetic schedule of afternoon activities dies down, this family of four close their doors on the world for some downtime together in their beautiful home. n

88 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

YOU CAN

get the look

DO IT TOO

Ingrid Loud shows you how to create Janine’s colonial style with these must-have items... FABRIC DELIGHT Naz’s Fabrics from their EN STYLE range, from R700/m

PLAYFUL FABRICS R274/m. Wild Blue Yonder (on rhs), R210/m, both from Scarlett Fine

DECORATIVE VASE

SHADES OF BLUE

Vase R257, Griffiths and Griffiths

Choose your perfect hue of blue from these Plascon swatches

FLOWER POWER Characoal flower candle holder R200, Loads of Living

Classic curtains Curtains from R460, Loads of Living STOCKISTS Griffiths and Griffiths 011 444 5744. Loads of Living 0861 565 565, www.loadsofliving.co.za Naz’s Fabrics 011 444 6339 Scarlett Fine 011 262 3147. Prices are correct at time of going to press

COMFY CUSHIONS Scatter velvet palace cushions from R290, Loads of Living August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 89

Green Pages

Did you know? The energy saved by recycling 1 aluminium can is enough to power a computer for 3 hours. Recycle 1 glass container and you save enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours. You know what you have to do.

GREEN STYLE words: KATE SIDLEY

Smart products for greener homes www.sustainable.co.za is a great source of eco-friendly products. Start off with their smart interactive tool, the Energy Saving Calculator. Input details about your home and your energy usage and it will calculate how much money you can save over the next ten years by implementing sustainable energy products. The range is extensive and covers Solar Water Heating, water conservation, energy efficient products and more. Owner Zeke Murphy says Solar Water Heating has really taken off in South Africa, helped along by Eskom’s rebates. He says that by installing solar

90 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

heating systems to supplement your electricity needs, you can save 40% of your bill. The initial outlay is quite steep, but technological advancement means the cost is coming down quite dramatically. OK, so not every suburban DIY enthusiast is in the market for a wind turbine kit or a solar heating system, but even small improvements can have a big impact. One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to reduce your energy consumption (and your bills!) is to improve geyser efficiency. You’ll find a full range of geyser timers and geyser blankets that will help you make the most of your geyser’s energy. www.sustainable.co.za delivers countrywide and can recommend installers if necessary.

Green Pages

Tidy up Planning some spring cleaning? By re-using containers, you can cut clutter and recycle. Here are some ideas for the home or the workshop: n Baby food jars or other small glass jars are perfect for small screws

and nails – nail the lid to the underneath of a counter or shelf and screw the jars in. That way, you can see what’s in each jar and unscrew the jar when you need to use the contents. A similar idea, also good for storing small items, is to superglue strong magnets onto the lids of jars or onto the back of small tins. Attach a metal strip to the wall. The tins and jars are held in place, but easy to remove when needed. n Pill bottles are good for storing even smaller items – pins, needles, paper clips, press studs, beads and other odds and ends that hobbyists need. n Shoe boxes are great for storing light bulbs and batteries.

We’re floored There is such a variety of fantastic, environmentally-friendly flooring options that are popping up. Here are some of our favourites: Resysta decking looks and feels like wood, but is wood-free. In fact, it’s made of bio-waste - rice husks, salt and mineral oil – in contrast to much of the timber decking, which derives from rain forests. It won’t swell, rot, crack or give you splinters, it’s easy to maintain and it’s recyclable. Go to www.resysta.co.za for more info. Bamboo flooring is growing in popularity as an alternative to hardwood floors. As you’ll know if you’ve ever grown it, bamboo grows very fast and is a renewable, sustainable resource. It’s also very strong and hard-wearing and oh so pretty! Rubber carpet tiles are easy to install and very durable – perfect for the workshop, playroom, hobby room or anywhere else that demands a tough surface. They are very ecofriendly, because they are composed largely of recycled car tyres that would otherwise be filling up our landfills. Floors Direct stores in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal stock them in black, red, yellow, green, blue, brown and grey. For more information on these and on bamboo flooring, visit www.floorsdirect.co.za.

92 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Fired Earth launches two new paints Always inspired by nature, Fired Earth has now launched 2 new products. Fired Earth all-in-one plaster primer is a high-quality pigmented, alkali-resistant primer, penetrating sealer and undercoat for both interior and exterior use. It can be used on sound cement, cured gypsum plaster, concrete and brick substances. Fired Earth ultimate is a luxurious mid-sheen pure acrylic wall coating for both interior and exterior use. Ultimate is all-weather and uv-resistant, washable and stain resistant, as well as alkali resistant. Both products are eco-friendly (lead- and ammonia-free, low voc and low odour) and incorporate nano technology to maximise protection. They also come with a 7-year guarantee. Look out for them at your local hardware store. n

DIY PROJECT: make

You will need:

recycle IT Build this practical recycling centre featuring bins for aluminium, plastic and glass and make a real difference to your carbon footprint

1 sheet of shutterply cut to the following sizes: 2 of 500mm x 1000mm – sides 1 of 532mm x 1000mm – top 2 of 500mm x 1000mm – doors 2 of 500mm x 1000mm – shelves 4 brass hinges, medium 3 brass hinges, small 30 of 3 x 16mm screws 50 of 3 x 30mm screws 2 handles and screws 120-grit sandpaper Optional: Rust-Oleum spray paint for hinged lids 3 plastic bins

Tools Drill/driver and assorted drill and screw bits Jigsaw and clean-cut blade Trestles or workbenches

PROJECT: JANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

NOTE

Shutterply is manufactured from recycled wood and is very affordable. Shutterply is suitable for outdoors if protected with an exterior sealer. You will also need some off-cuts for this project.

TIME  1 DAY COST  R500 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 93

DIY PROJECT: make recycling centre

1 centre line at 500mm

lines in from end

On the top section measure in 250mm, 500mm and 750mm from end and then 500mm from the sides. Make a pencil mark at these points.

2 paint tin lid

drilled hole

You will need a template to cut out the circles in the top. We used a paint tin lid and drilled a hole in the centre to see our marks. Draw three circles on the marks you have made.

3

4

5

8mm hole to allow jigsaw blad

Support the top section on two workbenches and drill a hole with an 8mm drill bit to insert the jigsaw blade to cut out 3 holes. There must be no obstructions underneath where you are cutting.

Butt one side and the top section together and drive in 3 x 30mm cut screws at the top, middle and bottom edge of the top section. Repeat this for the other side.

94 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Insert the horizontal supports at the top and bottom of both the front and back with two 3 x 30mm wood screws at each end. Make sure all edges are aligned for a neat finish.

Winter is time to relax indoors but dont forget your cosy corners in your winter garden... Growing Citrus Trees Regardless of whether your climate is tropical or wintry, learn how to grow your own citrus trees at home. Citrus plants offer a wide array of juicy fruit, including oranges, lemons and grapefruits. You can grow your own right at home, even if you live in a colder climate.

How to Make a Conc Fire Feature rete Instead of throwing out an old fire pit, reuse the metal bowl. By creating a square concrete frame and filling it with gravel, you can set the bowl in place, surround with decorative rock, and enjoy a beautiful new fire feature. Step 1: Grade Area: Make sure you have a solid foundation. Grade area. Step 2: Build Concrete Exterior Form: Nail together four 4-foot lengths of 2x12 boards to make a square. Step 3: Build Concrete Interior Form: Repeat same steps for the inside frame, but make it smaller. Step 4: Add Reinforcement: Secure foot pieces in the ground and sits below the edge of the frame. Step 5: Add Wire Mesh For extra reinforcement, add wire mesh or matting.

Winter Gardening

Plant Broccoli, Broad Beans Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Lettuce, Peas, Spinach and Radish. Now’s the time to plant onions, including and spring onions. They like a sunny, sheltered spot in limed soil. Plant garlic cloves in a light, well-drained soil in full sun.

Step 6: Pour Concrete Pour concrete inside the frame. Tamp down the concrete so all holes are filled; you don’t want any spaces inside the form. Smooth off the top with a trowel. Tap forms while concrete is still wet — this releases the concrete from the forms while drying. Let dry overnight Step 7: Strip Forms: Once the concrete is dry and set up, carefully strip the forms. Step 8: Add Finishing Touches to Concrete Frame: Add a thin layer of mortar along the outside of the frame to add a smooth finish. If desired, cut pieces of slate to fit the top of the frame and mortar in place. Fill with stones. Step 10: Set Bowl in Place and enjoy.

Plant strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and currants.

Tel: (011) 825-1100 | Fax: (011) 825-7428 | Email: [email protected] or [email protected] or visit their website www.lasher.co.za or www.lasher.mobi

DIY PROJECT: make

6

7

8

cabinet frame cover flap

small brass hinge

brass hinge base shelf

cabinet top door

Insert the base shelf and drive 3 x 30mm wood screws to attach to the front and back base supports.

9

Working on the inside of both sides, measure down 300mm from the top and mark. Hold the shelf in place or put the unit on its back to mount the upper shelf by driving 3 x 30mm screws through the sides and into the shelf.

Using the same paint lid, draw three more circles and enlarges these by 2cm to create the cover flaps. Cut a straight edge at one end.

Rinse recyclable items before throwing them into the recycling centre. This will reduce unpleasant smells and keep insects and rodents out of the bins.

decorative painted lids Attach the bracket to the top section to create a hinged flap that will prevent rain entering the bins.

10

Measure down 10cm from the top of both doors and mark. Measure the distance between the holes on the handle and measure and mark this onto the door. Drill 4mm holes with a wood bit to insert the screws and attach the handles. n

It isn’t necessary to spray the hinged flaps but it does add a nice decorative touch to the unit, which then matches the coloured bins. We used Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint in red, blue and green to match our bins.

96 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

COLOUR confident

COLOUR me

PRETTY Colour affects our brains, the way we think, behave and make decisions. Selecting the right colours for our home interiors is vital to creating the harmonious living space essential to our wellbeing words: AMY CHANSELLOR

e all want our homes to be a refuge from the busy, stressful world outside and it’s important that our personal spaces provide the ideal environment in which to unwind, relax and enjoy family time. Paint is the perfect (and inexpensive) tool to create space and make rooms feel airy and fresh. Anne Roselt, Colour Manager at Plascon and Ingrid Loud, interior decorator and owner of Scarlett Fine (kids’ fabrics, furniture and décor) share some valuable advice to help you make good colour choices for your home. “Colour creates a mood and is the first thing we notice when we enter a room. In decorating it’s the most important element in creating the overall scheme,” says Anne. Anne believes that by understanding the qualities and effects of colour on us, we enhance our quality of life and bring an atmosphere of harmony into our homes. Every colour holds certain significance – historical, cultural, religious and political. However, the most important factor to consider when choosing colours for your home is how they make you feel.

Want to make a room look larger? Allow as much light as possible to stream into the room.

DID YOU KNOW? Different cultures react to colours differently, but most of the research done on how colours affect us is based on responses from people living in the Western Hemisphere. Anne suggests that when choosing a colour for a room you should consider the following: your favourite colours, whether the room you are painting is warm or cold, large or small, light or dark and what function the room fulfills in your home.

98 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

HOW COLOURS AFFECT YOU – the all-important link between colour and the emotions they evoke. Red Bold, stimulating, exciting, energetic, draws attention, action-oriented, promotes feeling of physical strength Anne’s comments: Works best in rooms where activity takes place like kitchens, dining rooms and recreation areas. Orange Fun, flamboyant, radiates warmth and energy Anne’s comments: Stimulates the appetite, gets the creative juices flowing, is friendly and welcoming, provides a wonderful backdrop for candle light and stimulates the sexual organs. Pink Youthful, fun, exciting, romantic, sensual – not as aggressive as red Anne’s comments: Nurturing and pacifying, it also creates a feeling of security and is suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms and relaxation areas. Yellow Promotes optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Advances from surrounding colours, sparks creative thoughts Anne’s comments: Aids clear thinking, decisionmaking and sociability. Yellow works best when combined with other colours. Light goldenyellows and butter-creams are best. Green Brings balance and harmony to spaces. Promotes relaxation and peace of mind as it is reminiscent of the natural world Anne’s comments: It’s a colour that’s good for the heart emotionally and physically. Steer clear of dirty greens or yellow greens, which can be depressing. Green works well in relaxation rooms, as it is cool and tranquil. Blue The colour of communication, seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. Invokes peace and calm. Brilliant blues are dynamic and dramatic. Deep blue and indigo promote profound insights and spiritual growth Anne’s comments: Blue is one of the world’s favourite colours and this is not surprising considering the gentle, calm and relaxing effect it has on us. Blue is best used in rooms used for relaxing such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Avoid too much blue as it can be cold or introduce some energising yellow for balance.

Choosing colour for your environment is an adventure. Don’t be afraid to play around, but as Ingrid advises, get sample pots of the colours you want to use before you commit. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 99

COLOUR confident

Create the

t’s fairly simple to create the illusion of space in your home using the right colour scheme. “Lighter colours are generally key to opening up a room’s space,” says interior designer, Ingrid Loud. “This is because they have wonderful natural reflective properties. Neutral colours like soft whites, creams, and shades of beige work well, but if colour is your thing, consider cool colours like light greens or blues,” says Ingrid. Design rules also dictate that to get your space looking large and airy, you should go for a monochromatic scheme. This means your walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and window treatments should be within the same colour family. “Monochromatic schemes do not have to be boring,” says Ingrid. “You can still choose a bold colour for a few key accessories to keep things interesting.” Ingrid says that people often make the mistake of believing that white or very light walls will make a dark room look bigger and more cheerful. But white walls in a dark room look grey and gloomy. “A dark room will be much more inviting when warm colours are used to create a rich interior space. Using mirrors in the space will add to the atmosphere and create the illusion of space where colour cannot,” she says Many people also assume that white is a safe colour when it comes to making a room brighter. It’s the colour of hygiene and cleanliness and it’s bright and airy, but used in decoration on its own can make a room look very cold and void of any emotion or life. It is more successful when used as a backdrop to set off other colours. “If you want to use white in your scheme, choose from a variety of soft whites that are less alienating,” says Anne.

Mix it up If the thought of choosing just one colour doesn’t appeal to you, you can still achieve the illusion of space by introducing colour harmonies. This might mean introducing warm touches to cool colour schemes and vice versa.

Colours that work well together Colours are divided into four groups - warm colours, cool colours, mixed colours and neutrals. Examples of warm colours: Red, yellow, orange, pink, gold Examples of cool colours: Silver, blue, turquoise and green Examples of mixed colours: Purple and lavender fall Examples of neutral colours: Black, grey, white and brown (Neutral colours are usually used to either highlight n September colours August or tone down the effectnofOctober darker, more 100other EasyDIY 2011 overpowering colours.)

Popular colour combinations Ingrid says, “My favourite at the moment has to be shades of grey for walls. The old idea that grey is dull is a thing-of-thepast. Grey allows bright colours and fabrics to burst. It is also calm and soothing”. Other good combos are cream and chocolate, the latter being used as an accent colour. This allows light cream furniture, shelves and artwork to stand out. A chocolate wall won’t make the room seem smaller, it will just add some drama. n

Photo: Plascon Spaces magazine

illusion of space

NURSERY KNOW-HOW PROJECT: JANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

102 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

final photo: Noleen Foster styling: Martin Hiller

DIY PROJECT: improve

cane furinture In a baby or small child’s nursery there’s one simple rule; the more storage you have, the better. In this project we show you how easy it is to transform old furniture into items that can be put to practical use. We found a cane cabinet and a bent cane rocker at a second-hand store and thought they would be perfect for a nursery You will need: 80-, 120- and 220-grit sandpaper or sanding pads, paint stripper or heat gun Clean cloths Rust-Oleum primer Rust-Oleum 2X or Universal in your choice of colour/s (we used Muslin and Berry Pink) Drop cloth

Tools Orbital sander Optional: Heat gun

2

1

Both the chair and cabinet only required sanding to remove a fine layer of cracked varnish. We started with 120-grit and finished with 220-grit, wiped clean and then applied our spray primer and left to dry for 20-30 minutes. If you have pieces with layered paint or varnish you will need to use either a stripper or heat gun, or a combination of both depending upon the amount of detail.

3

Place the pieces in a well-ventilated space for spraying (the fumes can be overwhelming). Put down drop cloths to protect flooring and surrounding areas. Shake the can for at least 30 seconds to ensure the contents are well mixed. Spray from a distance of no less than 30cm away from the surface; any closer than this and you will end up with runs.

4

TIME  2 DAYS COST  R200 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 DIY JUST GOT EASIER

If you are spraying more than one colour, apply the first colour. Use masking tape to cover those areas not being painted.

Gently peel off the masking tape once the paint has fully dried. The cabinet and bent cane rocker are done.

GOOD TO KNOW Two light coats of paint are better than one that is over-sprayed and messy.

You can use a variety of materials for stripping and removing old paint or varnish. An orbital sander is perfect for large, flat surfaces. An eco-friendly paint stripper can be used to remove paint from items with lots of detail and a heat gun will cut down on time when you need to remove layers and layers of paint or varnish. n

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 103

your Letters

Ask our EASYDIY panel of experts

janice anderssen EasyDIY expert

DArrin Mail Senior Paint buyer Builders Warehouse

Andrew Et zinger EasyDIY electricity expert

Jackie simmonds EasyDIY gardening expert

Share your comments or DIY queries with us by writing to EasyDIY Po Box 1574, Parklands, Johannesburg, 2121 or email [email protected]. Mark from Gardens emails: The plumber’s bakkie left a huge oil stain on my brick paving! I’ve tried to remove it with turpentine, acetone and Handy Andy to no avail. Darrin Mail replies: Try Builders Pride Driveway and Paving Cleaner 5LT, R170 and apply as follows: n Pour on undiluted (note: if the driveway is painted it will also remove the paint. In that case dilute 50% with water to reduce the risk of damaging the paint); n Let it stand for about 5-10 minutes. If the stain is in direct sunlight, wait until sundown as the sunlight will evaporate the detergent; n Scrub with a hard bristled broom or brush; n Rinse with clean running water until all detergent has been diluted; n Repeat once a week for 3-4 weeks or until the stain has been removed. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves, goggles and shoes as this product is corrosive. Linda from Pinetown writes: My son’s room has cables running all over the place; from the TV and DVD to the Xbox, cell charger and reading lamp. Is it dangerous to simply plug them into adaptors that plug into other adaptors? Secondly, is there any way to keep them neat and untangled? Andrew Etzinger replies: There is a simple rule for electrical plug connections. You should never plug an extender

or adapter into another extender or adapter. Rather buy an adaptor that can take several plugs and use it as your base adaptor. As for tidying up the wiring, you can get wire clips from various hardware stores as well as music stores. They act as wire sorters and will keep your wires neat and tidy. Candice from Bloem emails: There’s clover spreading out all over my lawn. How do I kill the clover without killing the grass? Jackie Simmonds replies: Clover is a very common weed and can be found invading many lawns. Hand weeding is not an option as it’s impossible to get all the roots out and the clover will regenerate quickly, often even thicker than previously. It therefore has to be treated with a selective weed killer that specifically controls broadleaf weeds, for example Banweed or Hormoban. As these are selective weed killers they won’t kill the lawn. The grass may turn yellow for a while but it will soon revert to its usual green. Persistent weeds can be spot treated with non-selective total weed killers like Ridder or Roundup,

write in and win

Send us your comments or questions and you could win an incredible Stanley/Afmit Hamper full of fantastic DIY goodies to the value of R2 500!

104 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

but these may damage the lawn if they get onto the grass blades, so use them very carefully. Never spray your weeds on a windy day as the spray will drift and cause damage to other plants. Ethel from Kensington writes: I have a slate WINNING floor in my kitchen, question which I seriously dislike, but my husband refuses to allow me to pull it up because of the underfloor heating.Would it be possible for me to lay something on the slate to level it so that I could put laminate flooring on top? Janice Anderssen replies: I am in exactly the same predicament! You are going to have to lay a concrete screed over the slate tiles to level them out. My tiles are at varying heights, so it’s imperative to get a level surface before I can lay or install a new floor. I want to install bamboo flooring and will be laying down a 5cm thick concrete screed. If you are going to be doing this yourself, you need to mix up high-strength concrete with 1:4 cement and sharp sand. You will need a bonding agent to ensure that the screed bonds well with the slate tiles. The bonding agent is either laid over the tiles, or mixed with the cement - be sure to check when you buy it. Builders Warehouse has everything you need and will also be able to offer additional advice. You will need a steel or timber straight-edge, which is a long, straight rod, a wood and steel float and a trowel and something for mixing the concrete in.You are not going to be able to use the kitchen for a few days. n

competition

win a chiminea One lucky reader stands a chance of winning with EasyDIY and Décor Features

Chimineas were first used by Mexican tribesmen as a means of providing heat for their family as well as a vessel for cooking and baking. Nowadays Chimineas have become a popular patio and deck accessory.

To stand a chance of winning a chiminea from Décor Features worth R1 600, email “chiminea” in the subject line to [email protected].

For other competitions Page 1: Reel Gardening is giving away 10 delicious salad mix garden packs to the first 10 lucky readers to email “reel gardening” in the subject line to [email protected]. Page 16: Share your DIY hints and tips with us. Email editor@easydiy. co.za and you could win a Builders Warehouse voucher worth R100. Page 59: TAL is giving away 5 of their fantastic Goldstar Groutsealers, each valued at R50. The Goldstar Groutsealer comes in an easy to apply aerosol can for mess-free application in your bathroom or kitchen. To win, email [email protected] and tell us why you need one of these fab products. Email [email protected]. Page 62: 2 lucky readers will each win a signed copy of Zhoozsh! Faking it. Email [email protected] and tell us how you plan to make the most of your cooking with Zhoozsh! Faking it. Page 104: Send us your comments or questions and you could win an incredible Stanley/Afmit Hamper full of fantastic DIY goodies to the value of R2 500! Email [email protected] Page 107: Do you have an interesting project you’d like to share with other EasyDIY readers? It could be as small as fixing a piece of furniture or as large as a home renovation. You will also stand in line to win a Makita 8281DWPETC Cordless Impact Drill/Driver toolkit, complete with 2 batteries, a charger and a 116-piece accessory set. Email [email protected]. Page 120: Send your funny DIY story to [email protected] and win a Makita toolkit.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 105

Reader Project

after Before

Reader Liesl van Rooyen sent us pictures of her home makeover and we were so impressed with the clever and cost-effective ways in which she redid each room, we had to make her our home project winner!

lIesl’s BEDroom makeover

Liesl: My DIY adventure started when my friend’s daughter outgrew her pink princess room and we decided it was time to repaint. l es Li I am a sports massage d Elcora an therapist and my friend, Elcora is a PA, so both of us didn’t have much of an idea where to start and what to do. Initially we were ready to give the room a coat of white paint, hang some pictures and ta-da, we would be done! I’m not sure if it was all the paint fumes or the time of night (we could only do this whenever we had some free time), but we started throwing some silly ideas around and in the end decided that white was so boring.

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Reader Project

inspired by paint

We gave the walls a blue frame and then filled the inner square with green. We used brown paint to divide the ceiling from the wall and the wall from the floor and to add just a splash of colour to the closet. We were so impressed by what we had accomplished we decided to redo the spare bedroom too. We took a bit more initiative and with the help of a few DIY websites we built the bed, a display cabinet and framed the picture. In addition to these rooms, we have redone another two. In the first room we painted Tetris style images all over the wall to cover marks, paint chippings and cracks. We covered the more severe cracks by painting a crack-like image over the polyfilla. In the master bedroom we went for a multicolour pillar look. We used black, maroon and grey as this matched the bedding and cushions. We have decided to redo the whole house whenever we have funds available. n

Win with makita Do you have an interesting project you’d like to share with other EasyDIY readers? It could be as small as fixing a piece of furniture or as large as a home renovation. Either way, we’d like to hear about it. Send your high-res before and after pics plus one of yourself and a description of how you did it to [email protected] and your project could feature in our magazine. You will also stand in line to win a Makita 8281DWPETC Cordless Impact Drill/Driver toolkit, complete with 2 batteries, a charger and a 116-piece accessory set. This prize is worth R2 400, so get going on those DIY projects right away.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 107

DIY PROJECT: make You will need: 2 bags of cement 4 bags of sand 200 bricks* Fire pit surround Stainless steel drum or old braai Woodoc 30 exterior sealer Woodoc steel wool Woodoc brick and stone sealer Paintbrush 2 sheets of 16mm shutterply Wood glue Pack of 4 x 30mm cut screws 120-grit sandpaper

Tools Drill/driver and assorted screw bits Angle grinder and masonry cutting disk (or hammer and chisel) Jigsaw and clean cut jigsaw blade Wheelbarrow Builder’s trowel Carpenter’s square Spirit level Straightedge Safety glasses or goggles Gloves *There are 51 bricks in a square metre

Warming up the

This rustic outdoor fire pit is ideal for your outdoor entertainment on cool summer evenings PROJECT: JANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS ire pits have been used since early man as a source of warmth and a way to cook food. In this project the DIY Divas take you step-by-step through the process of building your own fire pit and seating surround. It’s surprisingly easy and at around R800 is incredibly cost effective. The fire pit can be placed

TIME  4 DAYS COST  R800 SKILL  1 2 3 4 5 anywhere in a garden as long as it is a flat, fairly even surface. For our project we are building

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the fire pit on top of an existing concrete base. If you are building the fire pit directly onto the soil, dig to a depth of 300mm x 300mm wide. Mix up cement to the ratio 1:2:2 (cement, sand, stone) and fill the dug foundation to 20mm below the level of the surrounding area. Let this dry for 7-10 days.

final photo: Noleen Foster styling: Martin Hiller

GREAT OUTDOORS

fire pit

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3 mix sand and cement trowel

Day 1 Start by dry-laying the bricks in the arrangement for your seating surround. We are building the seating on two sides of our fire pit, at a distance of 80cm away so that there is plenty of space to move around.

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Mix the mortar to the ratio 1 spade of cement to 4 spades of sand. Mix a quantity to last half an hour; after that it will be too dry. Make a well in the centre of the mix and add a small amount of water until you have the consistency of a thick paste.

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Start at one end by placing the first brick on a 20mm layer of mortar with the trowel. EasyDIY TIP: To ensure the seating is a circular shape, lay the bricks beforehand. Move them around until satisfied with the layout.

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20mm layer of mortar

For the next brick you will also lay on a 20mm bed of mortar but you will ‘butter’ one end of the brick with a 20mm layer of mortar. Repeat this process to the end of the first row.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER

For the next row, the bricks are laid in a staggered pattern, with a half-brick space at the end of each row. This will allow for easy corners once the rows are finished.

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Corners are laid in the same way as rows, with a staggered pattern. This type of design provides a strong bond.

DAY ONE

angle grinder

Old water feature cutting line

Use an angle grinder and masonry disk, or hammer and chisel to cut bricks to size. Remember to wear gloves and safety goggles when using an angle grinder and to always ensure that the safety guard on the angle grinder is positioned to protect you from flying debris. It is also important to work away from your body when cutting.



A wooden spoon works just as well as a brick jointer

For a neat finish, use a brick jointer or similar implement to smooth off between the rows and bricks. Use a wire brush on the face of the bricks before the mortar is completely dry to remove excess mortar.

Day 1 is complete. We have done all the brickwork for one side of our seating area. We have also placed our fire pit surround, which is an old water feature that wasn’t being used.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 109

DIY PROJECT: make

8

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10 Battens

shape drawn on underside

Day 2 is spent building the opposite seating and cutting the seat tops. To measure the seat tops, place the shutterply over the brickwork and use a pencil to draw a line. Increase the line by 5cm to give an overlap and cut out with a jigsaw. To use the inside for storage, the lid is cut into 3 sections. Sand with 120-grit to remove splinters.

The seat top is held in place with battens glued and nailed to the bottom of the shutterply to prevent it from sliding around. Use the line drawn to cut out the board and measure in 120mm as the position for mounting the battens.

Apply Woodoc 30 exterior sealer to the seat top, bottom and sides as per the manufacturer’s instructions. EasyDIY TIP: You need to apply 3 coats, allowing drying time between each coat.

how to make the fire pit

11

12 Woodoc Brick and Stone sealer

We used Woodoc Brick and Stone sealer on the face of the bricks. Sealing the bricks brings out the colour and protects the bricks from staining.

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For our fire pit we have used a large clay pot that was originally part of a water feature, and an old braai that has seen better days. Another great idea is to use the stainless steel drum from an old washing machine. Look around your home for other items that you could use. The only requirement is that it be steel and have ventilation holes at the bottom. The area between the clay pot and the braai was filled in with mediumsized pebbles for effect.

GOOD IDEA

MISSING PICTURE

STORAGE SOLUTION To finish off the seating, pop down to your favourite décor store and buy various cushions and throws.

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We have designed our seating area so that it is perfect for your outdoor storage needs. Simply lift off the seat top and you have storage space. n

diy gardening

NEW Wall & Floor Grout in Mushroom

HEALTHY

GARDENING

ALL YEAR ROUND eutrog has introduced a year-round fertilising programme, designed by experts to provide consistent and sustained growth of your garden plants and lawns throughout the year. All you need to do is apply whichever specific Neutrog fertiliser is recommended, to your garden and lawn during each of the four seasons. Neutrog’s Bounce Back for gardens and Blade Runner for lawns will improve soil structure and drainage along with increasing earthworm and microbial activity. This way your plants and lawn will have a head start for spring when maximum sustained growth is required. In the past, when fertilising our gardens and lawns we tended to only apply fertilisers in autumn and spring when maximum sustainable growth is required. The main reason for this was the fear that the nutrients in chemical fertilisers would ‘leach’ in winter and ‘burn’ in summer, providing no positive impact. However, Neutrog’s premium 100% organic fertilisers have been manufactured to also suit the needs of your garden in the winter and summer months. Winter now calls for ‘consolidating’ fertilisers, when new growth is not expected but root systems need strengthening. n For more information: 021 972 1958 or www.neutrog.co.za. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 111

THE PROFESSIONAL CHOICE

Tiling is easy thanks to TAL TAL takes care of all your tiling needs and we're introducing a new colour to our TAL Wall & Floor standard set grout range. We offer quality tiling solutions that include tile adhesives, primers, grouts, screeds and tiling tools so that you can get the tiling job done, whether you're tiling floors or walls and inside or outdoors. TAL Wall & Floor is a cement-based grout suitable for filling interior and exterior wall and floor tile joints. The grout prevents moisture penetration and resists bacterial and fungal growth. The new mushroom colour complements our lighter-coloured grouts and perfectly matches tiles with a neutral tone that still remain very popular for bathrooms and living areas. TAL Wall & Floor grout is available in 5kg and 20kg bags from major retailers and you can choose from these colour options: super white, white, light grey, dove grey, dark grey, light brown, mid brown, dark brown, terracotta, beige, calico cream, ivory and now also mushroom. TAL is ISO 9001:2000 accredited and our products are designed, manufactured and tested to TAL standards, assuring you of the quality of our products.

TAL is a division of NORCROS SA PTY Ltd and TAL and TAL Wall & Floor are registered trademarks of NORCROS SA PTY Ltd. more information contact the TAL Technical Advice Centre n October August n For September 2011 EasyDIY 111 0860 000 TAL (825) or visit www.tal.co.za.

GETTING DOWN TO THE

NITTY GRITTY

Using gravel as a decorative feature in your garden is a simple and cost effective way to create a lovely focal point that harmonises well with plants words: kim novick arden landscaper Jackie Simmonds took a neglected rose garden and turned it into a neat and pretty landscape by laying a pretty, light, grey gravel. “The garden did have gravel but being a pinkish colour, it

112 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

had blended in a bit with the brown soil so it didn’t define itself well. It was also laid without a base, so weeds kept creeping through that were almost impossible to remove as they were embedded between the gravel,” she says.

final photo: Noleen Foster styling: Martin Hiller

diy gardening

diy gardening

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3

2

4

Laying the biddum

When working with gravel, edging is a good idea, otherwise the gravel will become scattered into surrounding areas. Jackie used: n 3 bags of gravel per m² n Biddum underlay to prevent weed growth Both are available from your nearest garden centre and there is a wide range of gravels in assorted colours and sizes to choose from.

Preparing the area Jackie began by preparing the rose garden for its makeover. “We removed all the existing gravel by raking and collecting it. Then we took out any grass or weeds that had grown on the planned area. Last, we raked the entire area level.” Jackie recommends working with gravel when the weather is good and the ground relatively dry. “It’s far easier to lay biddum when you have a solid piece of ground to work on. If it’s damp it tends to be a bit soft,” she says.

Jackie then laid the biddum over the area to be gravelled and cut it to size. “Where a join is necessary, make sure the material overlaps in order to prevent weed growth between the cracks,” she says. Once the biddum was laid out and correctly overlapped, Jackie emptied the gravel in piles onto the biddum. The gravel was then raked evenly to cover the entire area of the biddum. Depending on the size of the area you’re intending to gravel, it may be necessary to edge with bricks or cobbles in order to contain the gravel in the selected area. Here she chose small bricks and cemented them together to keep them even and firmly in place. The whole process took less than a full day and the result was a newly restored and elegant rose garden. n Jackie Simmonds is a garden landscaper based in Johannesburg, who consults on preparing compost and growing vegetable gardens. She can be contacted on 083 458 7779.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 113

www.skil.co.za

GOOD TO KNOW

DIY PROJECT: maintain

Keep your garden furniture in tip-top shape for year-round use

A BRAND

NEW LOOK PROJECTS: J ANICE ANDERSSEN/DIY DIVAS

114 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

Whether your garden furniture is plastic, wood, wrought iron or cane, harsh weather conditions may affect the look and condition of the pieces. Follow our easy guide to keep your outdoor furniture in good condition and you’ll be able to use them for years to come

outdoor furniture

PLASTIC Plastic garden furniture is still one of the most affordable types of outdoor furniture and it’s handy to have stacked away in case you need extra seating. Plastic is resilient and can withstand the elements but over time it does become dirty and stained, especially when kept outdoors.

Colour your chairs You may want to consider painting your plastic chairs in a new colour to brighten up the garden. Use Rust-Oleum Paint to spray bold, bright colours onto plastic.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER n Use a toothbrush to get into small tricky

areas in and around plastic chairs. n For stubborn dirty spots, mix a paste of

vinegar and baking soda and apply to soiled areas. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with clean water.

You will need: Household washing powder Soft scrubbing brush Toothbrush Vinegar Baking soda Bucket of clean water

A good scrub with a thick paste of water and regular household washing powder will remove much of the grime that tends to build up on plastic. Wet the chair thoroughly and scrub with a soft scrubbing brush. Let the solution sit on the chair for approximately 5 to 10 minutes so that the enzymes in the detergent can get to work to release the grime. Rinse well with clean water.

wood With our weather extremes in South Africa, wood does not age as it does in other countries. For this reason it is necessary to seal garden furniture and accessories to protect them from the elements and to keep them looking good.

DIY JUST GOT EASIER Raw wood furniture that has been left untreated or exposed to the elements may need a light sanding before sealer is applied. Use a 180-grit sandpaper to remove any splinters and smooth off the surface.

Where furniture shows black areas of rot, use a Wood Reviver product to kill any bacteria and restore the wood to its original condition.

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You will need: Woodoc 30 (or Woodoc 50 for coastal regions) Woodoc steel wool Paintbrush Mineral turpentine Clean, lint-free cloths Orbital sander with 120- and 180-grit sanding pads or, 120- and 180-grit sandpaper Drop cloths

Treated wood furniture that has been varnished will need to be sanded to remove all traces of old varnish. Start with a 120-grit sandpaper to remove the varnish and then finish with 180-grit sandpaper to smooth.

Where wood has been previously sealed and only requires maintenance, use Woodoc steel wool. Wipe the surface with a clean, lint-free cloth and mineral turpentine to remove all traces of dust.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 115

DIY PROJECT: maintain

wood When staining and sealing your project, make sure you use a product that is suitable for where the final piece will be placed. For outdoor furniture use an exterior sealer.

3

n Use this step if the table has not been

sealed. Sealer is best applied with a paint brush to ensure that the grain is thoroughly saturated. Start at one end of the table and work to the other end in smooth even strokes. If the sealer is quickly absorbed into the work – in under 10 minutes – reapply until saturation no longer occurs. Leave to dry overnight.

nUse Woodoc steel wool to lightly rub

over the surface of the first coat. The reason for this is to remove any excess sealer that remains on the surface, so that the second coat can be absorbed. Apply a second coat and leave this to dry. n No rubbing is required between the second and third coats, simply apply and let dry for the specified time.

wrought iron Wrought iron garden furniture is a lifetime investment. It’s relatively indestructible but does require maintenance from time to time and may develop rust spots, although these are easily treated. These lovely wrought iron and wood garden benches had been left outdoors. They were in good condition but were covered with layer upon layer of thick flaking paint.

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DIY JUST GOT EASIER If wrought iron furniture becomes stained, you can easily refresh it with a specialist paint that contains an anti-rust additive such as the Rust-Oleum Stops Rust range of protective spray enamels. Lightly sand the painted surface with 180-grit sandpaper and wipe clean before re-painting. Spray on a light first coat and allow drying time before spraying on a second coat.

If wrought iron furniture has been painted and the paint is peeling or signs of rust are starting to appear, it is best to remove all the old paint. Apply paint stripper according to the instructions and wear rubber gloves.

Wait for the recommended time before using cold water to neutralise the paint stripper. Use a scrubbing brush to remove as much paint as possible. If there are layers of paint you may need to repeat the process until it has all been removed.

RUST SPOTS It is essential to remove any rust spots with Rust Stripper as rust will eat into the wrought iron and eventually destroy the piece. See page 84 for details on using rust stripper and painting wrought iron or steel furniture.

You will need: Paint stripper Stiff scrubbing brush or nail brush Wire brush 180-grit sandpaper Bucket of clean water Rubber gloves Long-sleeved t-shirt Old cloths

Maintaining wrought iron furniture n C  leaning painted wrought iron furniture should be done at least once a year with

n

a mild solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Use a soft brush and clean cloth to lightly clean and dry. Applying car wax to the furniture will also help maintain and protect your wrought iron furniture. T o prevent rust spots, furniture that has detailed depressions need to be kept dry, so store your wrought iron furniture under cover when not in use.

116 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

outdoor furniture

wicker Wicker or rattan continues to be a popular choice for outdoor furniture due to its natural beauty and more recently, as an eco-friendly and sustainable choice for patio and garden furniture. Wicker becomes more comfortable as it ages but it’s not as durable as other types of outdoor furniture and requires care and regular maintenance. The most important point to remember when buying wicker furniture is to keep it on a covered patio to protect it from harsh sunlight and over-wetting. This type of weather will result in deterioration of the fibres. Where wicker is left exposed to the elements, painting or varnishing is recommended but this should only be done by spraying on light coats in order to avoid clogging up the wicker and causing it to become dry and brittle.

You will need: Bosch PFS spray system for oilbased paint or, Rust-Oleum spray paint Soft scrubbing brush Old toothbrush Mineral turpentine Scissors Drop cloth or newspaper Linseed or tung oil

Painting wicker furniture n Clean wicker with a soft brush and

a soft cloth. Gently brush in the direction of the pattern to remove stubborn dirt. A toothbrush will come in handy for tight corners and detail. A small amount of mineral turpentine can be used to loosen hard dirt that can then be brushed away. n Use a pair of scissors to trim off any loose bits but be careful not to cut through strands as this will eventually cause the weave to fall apart. If there are damaged strands, use 2-part epoxy glue to repair. n Wicker should be completely dry before painting. Take outdoors and place on a drop cloth or newspaper for painting with either a spray

system or spray paint. These are the easiest options for a professional painted finish on wicker furniture. n Working from a distance of not less than 30cm from the surface, spray a light, even coat onto the furniture, allowing time for the layer to fully dry before applying another layer.

Caring for natural wicker Regular cleaning with a soft, dry brush will keep wicker clean, as will the application of oil, such as linseed or tung oil once a year just before summer. Oiling natural wicker will make the material supple, avoid breakage and extend the life. n

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amateur handyman

Amateur Jack is our everyday handy-guy-around-thehouse. He’s on the constant lookout for smart, good value tools that all the other handy guys (and girls) out there can use for their home DIY projects and maintenance requirements

AMATEUR JACK GIVES US THE LOWDOWN on...

THE MAKTEC RANDOM

ORBIT SANDER SPECIFICATIONS n Model:

Maktec Radom Orbit sander n Paper size: 125mm n Orbits per minute: 12 000 n Dimensions: 127mm(L) x 123mm(W) x 142mm(H) n Price: R600 n Available at: Builders Warehouse and other leading

hardware stores

mateur Jack (AJ) used the nifty Maktec Random Orbit Sander to sand down the wooden tabletops of his newly renovated kitchen, in preparation for giving them a fresh coat of varnish. This neat sander is ideal for sanding large surfaces of wood, plastic and metal materials and is great for stripping paint

AJ’S TIP

If you’re using the Maktec Random Orbit Sander try to work in an outdoor area, (if you can move the item you’re sanding outside) as there is no dust absorption capability and your house may be very dusty after you’ve put the sander through its paces.

EasyDIY advertisers

off furniture. At a lightweight 1.1kg, the sander was easy to manage and fitted comfortably in AJ’s hand. There was no problem sanding the wooden surfaces and the sander glided smoothly around corners without losing any of its effect. The tabletops were smooth in no time at all. AJ was also pleased to note that a wide range of sandpapers fitted easily into the sander. Overall the Maktec Random Orbit Sander fulfilled its job smartly and is a sound basic sander. n

Next issue we test the Dremel Multi-Max 8300.

Henkel

105, 107

Roco

83

Isca

6

Ruwag

9

Robert Bosch Powertools

IFC 113

Lasher Tools

95

TAL

111

Builders Warehouse

48,74,97,OBC

Mackie

29,78

SA Ladder

33

Cedar Paint

42

Makita

65

SIKA

68

Colourtone

11

Plascon

39

Summit

58

Eureka

17

Progressive Impressions

25

Topline

91

1st for Women

IBC

Promac Paint

63

Vermont Sales

22

Foresta

119

Prominent Paint

45

Webco

57

IN OUR NEXT EDITION

Loving the South African lifestyle!

All things beautiful and South African.

Lighting it up How to install a dimmer switch, make the most of your lighting and the newest in eco-friendly lighting options.

Our projects We show you how to: n Waterproof those hardworking areas

of your home.

Songbird Louise Carver invites us into her home. Clever cheats Hints and tips for fixing those home problems when you

n Work with grouting and sealants. n Fix those rickety cupboard doors. n Restore a faded deck.

don’t have time for the real thing in DIY101.

Summer living

Perfect pool area garden Your pool may be looking good but what about the area around it? We show you how to plan your pool area garden.

n

 uild a braai bench and cover that ugly B pool pump.

August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 119

BACK PAGE HUMOUR

DIY laughing Justin Wolff puts the ‘sexy’ back into DIY o I was thinking the other day - always a dangerous thing for me to do, especially while trying to fix a lawnmower gone wild. I was thinking about sex which made the whole scenario doubly dangerous. Now we’re all pretty much aware, or should be, that the old chestnut of men thinking about sex every seven seconds is just rubbish. I mean, thinking about anything that frequently wouldn’t leave much time for man to have wrought all the wondrous works that he has – things that clearly have nothing at all to do with sex, like the Taj Mahal, those tall skyscrapers or that giant metal willie in Paris – the Eiffel Tower. What I was pondering during my mechanical meanderings was the clear link between DIY and sex. Just the name ‘hardware’ says it all, doesn’t it? Sure those geeks can try and toughen up their ‘software’ with things like stiffies and hard drives, but nothing beats the raw animal sensuality of a good hardware store. And it’s only the most repressed of people that will try to deny this as they walk along the rows of tools, nuts and studs, sweating as they desperately try to ignore the pungent veneer of sex mingled inextricably with the smell of sawdust. I won’t even mention screws, given that this is a family magazine. OK, maybe it’s just me and that was my seven-second anniversary. But even the lingo of sex borrows heavily from DIY. Just think of the rallying cry of the ‘big-boned’ man, “You need a big hammer to drive

Now it’s one thing to get your kicks at the hardware store, but it’s in the home that the DIY-as-sex theory sees its full expression.

120 EasyDIY August n September n October 2011

a long nail” or the greeting, “How hangs the hammer?”, that dedicated DIYers prefer over the more traditional South African, “Howzit”? I even have a friend who talks of his bed as “The Work Bench”. Now it’s one thing to get your kicks at the hardware store, but it’s in the home that the DIY-as-sex theory sees its full expression. It’s expected of us men to be continually thumping things into walls, perfecting perpetual motion machines and slapping up small blocks of flats in our backyard every weekend. Even as you read this, wives, girlfriends and partners (and sometimes all three at the same time) across the country, are planning this weekend’s latest project for their man to implement. The really cunning women are even able to make it seem like the whole thing was their man’s idea in the first place. And woe betides the men who don’t produce; awaiting them is the yawning Sahara of sexual denial for non-delivery on unspoken expectations.So when you pop down to your local hardware store this weekend, watch out for all those lust-crazed men battling to resist the avalanche of sexual innuendo that threatens to engulf them as they hurry to get supplies for the job at hand. They’re only too aware that if they get the job done, paradise awaits, but if they don’t, they’re just going to have to Do It Themselves. n

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