Good Looking Barrier Walls
Barrier walls are an essential element in every South African’s home. It keeps us safe and adds tremendous value to our homes if they are designed and built beautifully. Precast walling is a common perimeter wall choice due to its strength, affordability, and low maintenance. For all its practicality, precast walling does tend to lack aesthetics, especially when it comes to curb appeal.
We share a few creative ways to make your walls not only look good from the outside, but also compliment the architecture of your home and landscape.
Recreate Nature
Recreating nature when considering your walls is a naturalistic way to give you more curb appeal. Gabion walls melt seamlessly with the landscape. Gabion is derived from the Italian word “cage” and is a wire container that holds inorganic material. They can form flexible, permeable structures that work well in many environments. Combining rock with metals and even wood in a Gabion-type design will emphasize your home and garden’s features cleverly.
Exposed Brick
Brick may seem like a boring option, but homeowners can get quite creative with the types of brick they use, by combining colours that complement each other and their home. Pairing assorted colours of brick can challenge your creativity, not to mention, look very cool. Architects and designers have been incorporating beautiful brick walls whenever they need a touch of texture, traditional character, and timelessness.
Plant a Garden
Designing boundary walls with garden features are always a showstopper. Homeowners can consider using elements of nature as inspiration. Walls with water features or rock and plant gardens built into them look fresh and contemporary. You can even create vertical gardens to grow on your boundary walls that will look stylish and lush.
A Good Paint Job
Give your barrier walls a new life with a coat of paint in the colour of your choice. It is vital to prepare your walls to make sure the paint lasts. Start with a fungicidal to kill any spores and limit fungal growth. Next, check for moisture by covering your wall in plastic sheeting for a full day. If there is condensation on the plastic, you will need to seal your wall before painting.
Once that is done, apply one coat of masonry or water-based primer to your wall followed by two coats of acrylic exterior paint. Remember to buy more paint than you think you will need to avoid colour differences in different batches.
Find the right company to give your walls a makeover on HOMEMAKERS.
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Different Paints for Different Places
Paint has a magical way of making your home look well-kept. A small job like covering up cracks and holes in walls can easily be transformed with a bit of crack filler and a dash of paint. Homeowners are sometimes caught off guard by not knowing where the paint goes and whether it could lead to early peeling or just not the right type of paint for the surface. There are many different paints for different places.
We share some advice on where you should be painting what, where.
Interiors
An eggshell finish has a subtle shine and is a good choice for a first-time painter. It is not too matte (flat) and not too shiny, making it easy to clean. Eggshell paint is a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms.
Satin paint has some sheen to it, and is an excellent choice for hardworking rooms, like kitchens and bathroom walls. It is easy to clean, but the gloss effect can highlight wall imperfections like cracks and poorly patched areas.
Exterior Walls
Acrylic water-based paint is one of the best choices for outside and barrier walls. Acrylic paint also waterproofs your walls, making it a top choice among homeowners. Textured paint also works well for outdoor walls – especially if your walls are naturally textured already. If your walls have been immaculately sealed with concrete, a smooth paint will do it wonders. Exterior walls also need a primer for extra protection. It is important to match your primer and paint, as some are oil-based and others are water-based.
Ceilings
Ceiling paint is specially made to cover edges and to hide any imperfections. The paint is also created to eliminate dripping, making it easier to paint on. Traditionally ceilings are painted white, but you can create illusions with paint, especially in dark colours or even pastels.
Wood and Appliances
Semi-gloss paint works wonders on wood. It also works well on skirting boards and any other wood trimmings you may have in your home. The semi-gloss sets the wood apart from the walls, which is important if you’re not distinguishing it by colour. It is also easy to care for with soap and water or dust cloth.
Paints for appliances can vary. It will be determined by the type of appliance and whether or not your appliance heats up. Epoxy paints work great for appliances and are great for unifying the colour of your appliances. Applying this self-priming paint is easy with options to either brush or spray, and comes in all of the standard appliance colours available.
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The Story of Tjhoko Paint
HOMEMAKERS and Tjhoko Paint have walked quite a mile together. From seeing them on our magazine covers to enjoying their workshops at our Expos, we can’t help but think it is a blossoming friendship, indeed.
We have come to know them as a passionate and caring team that gives their all in every project that they tackle in their hardworking, honest way. We had a chat with owners Jaco and Nadine Vosloo to find out more about their mother brand Paint Master and how Tjhoko Paint fits into the grand scheme of things.
Let’s Talk Differences
Paint Master is a uniquely formulated household brand based on family values and great service, created specifically to fulfil your every painting need.
Tjhoko Paint, again is a proudly South African chalk paint with no chalky residue, is easy to work with and can be applied to most surfaces. “Tjhoko Paint gives you a beautifully rich, matt surface,” says Nadine. For extra UV and steam resistance in bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors – apply one of their two glaze options. Both paint and sealants are water-based and eco-friendly.
Tjhoko Paint is formulated from a family recipe that has created high-quality decorative paint products for more than 18 years. With a focus on incomparable quality and family values, many of the carefully crafted colours are named after one of our team members. Tjhoko Paint is a brand of passion and inspiration, try it once and you will love it forever!
Small Beginnings
Jaco Vosloo had a dream to assist his father in the Paint Master business which resulted in it becoming a third-generation family business. Job creation is high on this family’s priority list and they now have the privilege of being able to employ the children of their employees and hope that their children will want to continue with the dream one day and become a fourth generation.
The Paint Master offering is versatile, and you will not only be able to purchase your interior and exterior paints from them, but so much more. They are expert paint contractors and provide a quality service in that regard. Being suppliers of all the stages of paint from primers to roof and waterproofing, they offer excellent advice, support and guarantees.
Tjhoko Paint was created after identifying the need for a unique chalk-based paint and as a result, the brand has been able to empower and employ many people.
Versatility is Success
As many know, Tjhoko Paint is an extremely versatile product and there are so many ways to use it. You will never look at the world the same way after trying Tjhoko Paint. You will see possibilities and new life for everything. If you can imagine it, you can Tjhoko it – furniture pieces, kitchen cupboards, stationery, clothing, fabric, metal items, pieces of paper or even plastic!
Going Virtual
Tjhoko recently participated in the Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Virtual Event and transformed Liz Meiring’s kitchen into a Micky and Minnie Mouse revamp which came with its own challenges and rewards. Nadine explained that the challenge with every brief is always the same. Pure, emotional angst. Because they are so passionate about the project, they feared that Liz may not have liked it as much as they did. But they were wrong! The most rewarding part was to create something exciting and playful but still sophisticated and, of course, the fact that she did love it as much as they had hoped.
Expecting nothing less than an out-of-the-ordinary theme from Liz and with high expectations from the Tjhoko Team, the audience was in awe!
Tjhoko It
Paint Master and Tjhoko Paint is opening a new concept store in Vereeniging and feels blessed to be able to create job opportunities as well as create a space that inspires and uplifts the mood. Not close to a Paint Master or Tjhoko Paint supplier? Find everything you need right here!
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Painting Tips for Beginners
Taking on the daunting task of painting is a big deal. Depending on how much you need to paint, the colours used, techniques attempted and how many hands that will help you, will make a big difference in the outcome. (more…)
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Painters on call
A good paint job will instantly transform your home from looking old and dilapidated to new and modern by adding real character and personality. Painting your home is not only for enhancement purposes, but it also acts as a defence against weather, insects and other potential threats. Regular painting is an important aspect of home maintenance to keep your property protected and to retain its market value.
When the time comes to repair and paint your home, many homeowners tend to go for the cheapest quotation which many times result in disaster and end up to be more expensive than what it should be. Painting a home is not just about attractive colours and a few paint rollers. All paint projects require knowledge, experience and skills to ensure a long-lasting finish.
It’s all in the preparation
To guarantee a long-lasting paint job, certain steps need to be taken. If these steps are not taken correctly, paint manufacturers will simply void the paint guarantee.
It is common for interior and exterior walls and ceilings to crack due to certain weather conditions. There are many types of cracks caused by various reasons and it is therefore important to investigate the source of the problem first. Once the source has been established, be it through water damage, dampness or structural fault – only then can the damage be properly fixed with the correct material and in the correct manner. Therefore intense water and damp proofing should be carried out followed by painting. If any of these steps are missed, the same or more cracks will surface not long after the completed project, leaving the project in a poorer condition, which will also be more costly.
It is also very important to use specific paints on certain textures and structures. Using the incorrect paint will shorten the length of time in which you need to renovate again. Using the correct, high- quality paint will ultimately cost you less over a period of time.
Following Precautions
It’s been a while since we could just pick up our phones and make a quick call to our local handyman. Not just because of COVID restrictions, but also because we are afraid to let people into our homes.
You can be assured that all the 0861NUTSMAN employees are equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment. Their staff have been thoroughly trained to sanitize and wash their hands frequently on the job. Team leaders ensure that all staff are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms and make sure their staff do not use public transport. You can also rest assured that all their equipment and tools are also disinfected after every job.
Did you know that 0861NUTSMAN is a vetted HOMEMAKERS supplier?
Keep an eye out for vetted clients in our directory!
2020 Colour Trend Forecast
Colour is everything. Using it effectively will make any space you create sophisticated and timeless.
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Preventative Maintenance for Summer
There is truth in the saying that “prevention is better than cure”. Preventative home maintenance can save you thousands of Rands.
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What to do with leftover paint
It’s very rare to get to the end of redecorating to find that you’ve used up all your paint. It’s quite usual that there’ll be half a tin or so of leftover paint, and most people don’t know what to do with it.
Have you ever popped the lid back on and stored the tin in your garage, thinking that you’ll be able to use it again later if you need to touch up the walls? Then the tin lives in a corner for years and is completely dried out when you think about using it. We can help you avoid this situation.
Have a look at these three options for dealing with your leftover paint simply and safely.
Leave with lid off to dry out
If you just want to throw away your left overs, it’s important to do so in a way that’s safe for the environment. The tin – whether it’s metal or plastic – can be recycled. However, this can’t be done while it still has paint in it.
Place the open tin in a well-ventilated place. Outdoors and in the sunshine is the best as the paint will dry out quickly. Just be sure that’s it is in a safe place that children and animals can’t get to.
Depending on how much paint is left over, you could need to leave the tin out in the open for several days. Once all of it is completely dry, the paint should pop out of tin in one piece and can then be safely thrown away.
Store properly sealed and in a safe place
If you do want to keep the paint for touch ups at a later date, then it needs to be stored properly. The tin must be properly sealed as soon as you’ve finished with it. Use a hammer to push the lid down as far as it will go. You can also use masking tape around the lid as an added layer of protection. Alternatively, use jars that seal completely and transfer your left over paint into them for storage.
To store the paint, put it in a cool, dark place that doesn’t get wet or damp. If the space gets too warm, the paint will dry out quicker even with the lid sealed properly. If the area is damp, mould could start to grow in the paint and make it unusable.
Image credit www.goodbyehousehellohome.com
Use up on accents around the room
The last option is to avoid the problem all together by using up the paint. It’s wonderful to keep a theme running through a room and the easiest way to do that is by matching colours throughout your décor.
Take the paint and use it on a variety of accessories and furniture in the room. Good options are your picture frames, the backboard of standing shelves, small pieces of furniture like side tables, or the legs of stools and chairs.
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The ultimate monthly home maintenance guide
Check, clean and repair patios and decks.
Becoming a homeowner is always exciting. Making sure that your home remains in good condition can take time. Use this simple maintenance guide to keep up with regular maintenance and avoid the most common maintenance issues.
Although we’ve tried to keep this guide as simple as possible, it is always best to seek professional help if you are unsure. Find a range of home lifestyle professionals here.
SUMMER
December
Assess possible insect issues. Clear cobwebs and prepare your insect repellent measures.
Check, clean and repair patios and decks. Ensure that it is sealed properly, check for loose boards, insect infestations, cracks and that the railing is secured.
January
Check for cracks, blisters, bubbles and peeling paint, especially on exterior walls. Look out for water stains, moisture and damp in walls and ceiling.
February
Remove sediment and prolong your geyser or water heaters life by flushing it.
Service fireplaces/built-in braais and clean chimneys.
AUTUMN
March
Check paving for cracks.
Check windows and door seals, replace broken or cracked panes of glass and apply new putty where necessary.
April
Check batteries and test smoke/ carbon dioxide detectors.
May
Prevent grime and build up in less frequently used spaces such as guest bathrooms by running water and flushing toilets.
WINTER
June
Check that power outlets, switches and light bulbs work.
July
Check window and door handles and locks are in working order.
August
Clean build-up residue in shower heads.
SPRING
September
Clear gutters of leaves and debris to ensure proper water flow. Make sure gutters are properly secured and connected allowing water to flow away from the house.
Check for roof leaks and damaged roof tiles.
October
Check and fill wall, ceiling and foundation cracks.
Clear dead plants and shrubs, check that plants are not growing into cracks and trim trees where necessary.
November
Check the grout in bathrooms and kitchens.
Check for small leaks in plumbing and taps
EVERY MONTH
Check, clean and if necessary change air conditioning filters.
Clean sink disposal using vinegar ice cubes (this cleans the disposal and sharpens the blades).
Clean stove extractor fan filter with degreaser and hot water.
TWICE A YEAR
Test geyser or other water heater pressure relief valve.
Do a deep clean: Thoroughly clean appliances, windows and surfaces.
Vacuum refrigerator coils. Dirty coils cause fridges to run less efficiently and use more electricity.
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Chalk Paint Trio
Chalk paint has been changing the DIY decor industry since its invention in 1990. Chalk paint is exceptionally easy to use, doesn’t require any prep, goes on almost any surface and dries quickly. If you’ve ever used it, you’ll know that the creative possibilities are endless.
Whether you’re a chalk painting pro or still need to try it out, here are 3 ways your home can be given new life with a coat of chalk paint.
Garden
Your garden can be an upcycling treasure trove of things that need a little love. Spruce up an old garden bench by giving it a few coats of chalk paint. Choose a simple single colour or mix and match with different colour slats, arm rests and legs. A light blue and white work particularly well for a rustic, country garden look.
Walls
A plain chalkboard wall works well in children’s rooms and the kitchen where you can use it to write notes, reminders and a running shopping list.
Want a perfect rustic style brick wall? Add water to your chalk paint and give it a light wash of paint to make it stand out.
Furniture
Own or recently inherited some antique furniture? Chalk paint is your answer to give it a modern twist. From chairs to headboards, chest of drawers and side tables, chalk paint works beautifully on antique wood.
Depending on your style, you can use Vaseline and sandpaper to get that perfect distressed look. For a more trendy mid-century modern look, paint some geometric patterns on your chest of drawers or the backrest of your chairs.
For the adventurous creative, you can even get a very realistic weathered leather look by painting the fabric of your old chairs.
Whether you are a beginner or a DIY enthusiast it offers so many possibilities. The only difficulty is resisting the urge to start painting everything in sight. It can be used on almost any clean surface and offers a range of techniques to suit different styles. Chalk paint may have started as a decorative paint but it has grown to be used across the home from furniture and decor to walls and floors. Chalk paint is a decorative dream.
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