Living with a teenager can sometimes be like living among the orang-utans of Sumatra. They often communicate only with grunts and signals, you know there is intelligent life hidden under shaggy hair and gangly arms and when the food disappears so do they. But don’t despair, there can be order and calm found under that wild exterior. I will not promise utopia but vast improvement can be achieved by a little A.P.E. Read the rest of this entry »

If you have a teenager in your home, chances are at times it feels like a zoo where a troop of chimpanzees have been let loose. Their bedroom may resemble the wild jungles of Borneo and their seeming lack of organisation is driving you bananas.

Can the wild beast be tamed and your home returned to the tranquil oasis you long for? I will not promise Utopia but vast improvements can be achieved by a little A.P.E. Read the rest of this entry »

The misconceptions about things often stop us even having a go. If we believe the myths surrounding certain tasks we will never discover the delight in that experience. Being organised has been shrouded in myths for too long. Today we dispel these misconceptions and open the door to the truths about becoming organised. Read the rest of this entry »

How can you achieve anything in this pigsty?

If you don’t get yourself organised you will never go to Uni!

Just get on with it, that essay won’t write itself!

How many times has a teenager heard something like this from a parent or teacher?  

Unfortunately not many adolescents know how to go about “getting organised” and not many adults know how to explain it. It is not as simple as picking up the clothes on their floor or filling out the study schedule handed to them at school. Read the rest of this entry »

So the big picture has been considered and is organised. Now for the small stuff. These are the coordination issues that are often the cause of much frustration, disputes with contractors, suppliers and spouses, the raising of your blood pressure and sleepless nights. If the timing is right you will feel your reno was a breeze, a satisfying experience that you would recommend to others. If however the schedule is all over the place you will be found curled in the foetal position at the mere mention of the word hammer. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s an age old question: are our skills innate, passed on through our DNA or are they a product of our environment, external forces placed on us as we grow up shaping how we live in our world?

Our ability to be organised I believe is both- some of us are more naturally organised but all of us can learn strategies that will help us organise our lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Timing – the secret to a successful renovation!

Great, you have trawled through the magazines, watched every home improvement show on tele, lovingly caressed taps or fabrics at the local supply shop and made the decision to renovate. Is it just a matter of phoning a builder and getting started?

As with many things in life, timing is everything. Read the rest of this entry »

There is no doubt that these days the hub of the home is the kitchen.

It’s often where the kids do their homework, holidays are planned, mail opened, events celebrated, injuries mended and friends welcomed. Many of us entertain in an open plan kitchen/family that often incorporates an outdoor area. So how do you ensure your renovation is a success and your new kitchen really works for you?

Whether you are organizing your existing kitchen, renovating, building from scratch or assessing a new home you can apply the following principles. Read the rest of this entry »

Renovating can be a very satisfying way to improve your property value or the quality of the way you live within your home. when contemplating a renovation consider these 10 tips to ensure your project is an entire success. Read the rest of this entry »