ASK AN EXPERT
Each issue, we’ll find stylish solutions to all your decorating and design dilemmas from those in the know
Refinishing wooden floors, hanging chairs, coloured baths and backyard lawns… you ask, they answer!
Q Where can I find a rattan hanging chair to install
on my deck? Sue, via Facebook “Thanks to their popularity (who doesn’t want their own suspended relaxation zone?), there are now many to choose from,” says Inside Out market editor Natalie Johnson. “They vary in price – here are a few of my favourites. Take care when hanging your chair that it’s safely secured.”
Q Is it possible to refinish just an isolated portion of our wooden floor? Most of it looks fine, but some of the areas near access doors and windows have become
scuffed and faded. Alice, via email “If there’s an area of flooring showing more visible signs of wear and tear, it can be patch finished,” says Anne Plumb, general manager at Royal Oak Floors (royaloakfloors.com.au). “Oil finishes are easy to spot-repair, as it’s just a matter of rubbing in and buffing off the oil. If it’s a lacquer finish, it’s best to call a professional because the process can be difficult. You will need to mask off around individual boards with low-tack tape, sand down and then refinish this section. Sometimes, it isn’t possible to revitalise individual boards and you’re better off doing the whole area.”
QI’ve seen some freestanding baths with custom-coloured exteriors overseas, and I wondered if they were easy to find here in
Australia? Matthew, via email “Baths in custom colours can be a stand- out feature in your bathroom,” says Michael Swyny, general manager at Luxe by Design, distributors of Victoria + Albert baths and basins (luxebydesign.com.au). “The first decision to make is whether you want a matt or gloss finish. We can custom finish the exterior of any Victoria + Albert bath or basin to match a detail from your interior. In the past, we have colour-matched tiles, metals and even timber, but mostly our clients provide a paint colour to work from. There is also a standard colour collection, which consists of black, anthracite, stone and light grey, and these can be gloss or matt. We use a specialised automotive formula of paint for longevity and a superior finish.”
Q The lawn area in our new backyard is so tiny it hardly seems worth buying
a lawnmower. What would be a good replacement for the grass? Amy, via email “If the lawn is small, I agree it’s hardly worth your time laying turf and bothering with the maintenance, including buying a mower,” says landscape designer Adam Robinson (adamrobinsondesign.com). “In a situation like this, I often opt for an irregular layout of large-format steppers with a groundcover in between. Species such as mondo grass, native violet or kidney weed work really well. The end result is a usable area with a soft approach, which still provides a garden feel and avoids a single large area of hard paving.”