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Bunnings' inspired makeover proves a smash hit with Bluey fans

<p>Bunnings' latest <em>Bluey</em> inspired makeover has proven to be a hit among fans, as they brought to life part of the cartoon-world. </p> <p>The hardware giant collaborated with the hit children's cartoon and rebranded six of its Australian stores and one New Zealand outlet with the moniker "Hammerbarn."</p> <p>This is an homage to a popular episode with the same name, where the cartoon heelers go to a hardware store that looks exactly like Bunnings. </p> <p>“We’re excited to be working with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio to bring Hammerbarn to life in stores across the country,” says Ryan Baker, chief customer officer of Bunnings.</p> <p>The rebranding goes beyond the exterior with special Hammerbarn merch, Bluey-branded trolleys, and Bluey-themed workshops, meet-and-greets and scavenger hunts every weekend.</p> <p>“Our team across Australia have had kids and parents referring to Bunnings as Hammerbarn ever since the episode aired, so making this a reality in our stores for customers is really special," Baker said. </p> <p>“We wanted the Hammerbarn experience to be accessible to as many ‘Bluey’ fans and customers as we could, so it’s great to have a Hammerbarn transformation in each state – even down to the kids’ trolleys that have been rebranded."</p> <p>Hammerbarns resemblance to Bunnings is no coincidence as the episode reportedly took inspiration from a real store in Keperra, Queensland.</p> <p>“The design of Hammerbarn draws inspiration from the Bunnings Keperra store in Brisbane, the home of Bluey, which adds an extra layer of significance," Ludo Studios, the creators of the series said. </p> <p>“We are thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience Hammerbarn for real life; it’s everything we’ve ever wanted!”</p> <p><em>Images: Perth Now</em></p> <p> </p>

Home & Garden

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Get the kitchen you’ve always wanted!

<p dir="ltr">The kitchen is quite possibly everybody’s favourite place because that’s where all the delicious food is – obviously.</p> <p dir="ltr">And because we keep walking in and out every day, it’s also fairly easy to get tired of the same old same old. However, if you don’t have the kind of ready cash needed for a full-blown renovation, worry not – there are plenty of things you can do that will result in a splendid makeover to keep things feeling fresh and new. </p> <p dir="ltr">Start with these easy basics: </p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Paint </strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Almost everything in the kitchen can be painted and if you want to feel like it's a brand new room in the house, then why not? </p> <p dir="ltr">From cabinets, walls, trims, splashback and even floors – paint can be splashed wherever you like. </p> <ol start="2"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Pantry makeover</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Instead of keeping your dry foods in their bags or boxes, just empty them into a clear container and label it. Not only would you have so much more room but imagine how organised your pantry would be.</p> <p dir="ltr">Baskets can also be used for fruits or veggies. Don’t forget to use racks and brackets on the back of the door to hold spices, paper towels, aprons, dustpans and brooms.</p> <ol start="3"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Replace handles and fixtures</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">If you’re feeling just that little bit more imaginative, why not replace the door knobs and drawer pulls with something else that could go with the fresh coat of paint? </p> <ol start="4"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Update appliances</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Do you even remember the last time you bought new appliances? Grab your coat and head to the shops and buy that new toaster or kettle that you’ve been dying to get. </p> <ol start="5"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Create a signature nook</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">It seems that almost every kitchen has that weird corner/cupboard that just doesn’t really need to be there. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, that space can actually be used to put items away, or have your baked goods on display. The kitchen (world) is your oyster.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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How to decorate the perfect guest bedroom

<p dir="ltr">When renovating your home, or just updating your style in your key living areas, it's easy to overlook a spare bedroom that doesn’t get much use. </p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of just using it for functionality with a basic bed or desk for guests to use, see a spare bedroom as an opportunity to step out of your styling comfort zone and try some new looks. </p> <p dir="ltr">Think of the task as a challenge to create a warm and welcoming space that could be enjoyed by anyone. </p> <p dir="ltr">Following these handy tips will ensure a restful space for anyone visiting your home. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Maximise on space</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When planning the layout of your guest bedroom, capitalising on the space you have is key. </p> <p dir="ltr">A double or queen bed with a fold out single or sofa couch can be a good balance in a bedroom that isn’t as big as a master suite. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you have a nook in your guest room, consider a single bed or desk, or other furniture that can serve more than one purpose to make the space comfortable and functional. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Create a cosy environment </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The bed is truly the pièce de résistance of any bedroom, so don’t skimp on the quality. </p> <p dir="ltr">Picking a comfortable and supportive mattress is the first thing that should be considered, before deciding on a timeless colour scheme and adding all the comfy trimmings such as throw rugs and cushions. </p> <p dir="ltr">You want your guests to feel like your heart and soul has been injected into making their temporary home as comfortable as possible. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Think about storage</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While the main priority of a spare bedroom is to make it comfortable for guests, think about how you can maximise storage while it's not being occupied. </p> <p dir="ltr">Think underbed storage or a chic and stylish chest of drawers that can double as decoration. </p> <p dir="ltr">When the spare room is being used, having somewhere for guests to unpack their belongings can go a long way. </p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of expecting your visitors to live out of a suitcase, they would appreciate an empty section of a wardrobe or an unused bench top to store their belongings. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Bedside tables and lighting are a must</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When decorating your spare room, a bedside table and a lamp are must-haves. </p> <p dir="ltr">This seemingly simple addition will make all the difference to your guests, with functionality in mind while also adding to the style of the room. </p> <p dir="ltr">Think about adding practical trinkets to a bedside table as well, such as candles, notepad and pen or a tray for jewellery.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Add easy-to-forget essentials</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It's not uncommon for travellers to arrive at their destination and realise they have forgotten essentials such as toothpaste, body wash or hair products. </p> <p dir="ltr">Adding these products to a spare bedroom will take the hassle out of forgetting these important essentials, while also adding another element of thoughtfulness for your guests.</p> <p dir="ltr">Consider adding travel-sized products for guests to take with them if they choose, as these are much easier to replace for the next guest – for such a small gesture they leave amazing impression. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Burnt is out, ‘skinscreen’ is in: How sunscreen got a beauty makeover

<p>Under Australia’s harsh sun, we’ve long slapped on sunscreen to protect ourselves from skin damage and cancer.</p> <p>Now the product, once known for protecting skin against harmful UV rays, is becoming part of beauty routines. Sunscreen products are described as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8xsloAFPbi/">rich</a>, <a href="https://www.mecca.com.au/mecca-cosmetica/to-save-face-spf50-superscreen-75g/I-020875.html">luxe</a>or <a href="https://www.sephora.com.au/products/fresh-sugar-lip-treatment-sunscreen-spf-15/v/icon">nourishing</a>.</p> <p>When did the cultural perception of sunscreen as a health imperative shift towards a lifestyle “must have”? And will this new pitch work to keep us sun safe?</p> <p><strong>Campaigns of old</strong></p> <p>Sun safety promotions work to combat dangerous tanning behaviour.</p> <p>The iconic <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/videos/past-tv-campaigns/slip-slop-slap-original-sunsmart-campaign.html">Slip, Slop, Slap campaign</a> paved the way for how we see sun protection today. In the 1980s, it was instrumental in educating Australians about sun exposure and skin cancer.</p> <p>Sid the Seagull in full flight.</p> <p>The campaign’s mascot, Sid the Seagull, sang and danced on our screens, encouraging us to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.</p> <p>The slogan was extended to <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/videos/current-tv-campaigns/slip-slop-slap-seek-slide-sid-seagull.html">Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide</a> in 2007, adding two more tips to preventing sun damage: seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses.</p> <p>These campaigns aimed to refocus Australians’ attitudes to sun protection as a necessity, despite our traditionally sun-drenched lifestyle.</p> <p>In the 1990s, advertisements shifted their tone from catchy jingles to sexual appeals. The <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/videos/past-tv-campaigns/leave-your-hat-on1.html">Leave Your Hat On</a> campaign took inspiration from a striptease scene in the film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091635/">9/12 Weeks</a>, reversing it with a couple putting on sunscreen, clothes, hats and sunglasses.</p> <p>Take it all off – no wait, put it back on again!</p> <p>The campaign targeted young men, as they were most at risk of developing skin cancer. However, the messages of these advertisements did not stick in the minds of Australians. The <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310537900_Australian_young_adults'_tanning_behaviour_The_role_of_ideal_skin_tone_and_sociocultural_norms">cultural norm of tanning</a> remained steadfast.</p> <p><strong>Education through fear</strong></p> <p>When sex didn’t work to implement sun safety practices, campaigns used scare tactics instead. In the summer of 2003, skin cancer was branded as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrenZCKMgjc&amp;feature=youtu.be">killer body art</a>and the effects of sunburn, even if only mild, were portrayed as creating a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=witly6zMCVw&amp;feature=youtu.be">timebomb</a> under the skin.</p> <p>These “<a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-45596-9_17">slice of death narratives</a>” – where the advertisement’s focus is on the negative consequences of poor decisions – highlighted the potentially fatal results of sun exposure. In 2007, <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/videos/past-tv-campaigns/clare-oliver-no-tan-is-worth-dying-for.html">Clare Oliver</a>, battling end-stage melanoma, shared her story to highlight the dangers of solariums and the cultural ideal of tanning.</p> <p>The true story of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1P1po6bH3w&amp;feature=youtu.be">Wes Bonny</a>, told by the relatives of a 26-year-old man who died from melanoma in 2010, spoke volumes about skin cancer affecting an everyday “Aussie guy”.</p> <p>In 2016, Melbourne mother <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/about/media-campaigns/current-campaigns/belindas-story">Belinda</a> shared her story before her death from melanoma.</p> <p>Melbourne mother Belinda urged others to learn from her story.</p> <p>The campaigns were created to increase people’s vigilance with sun protection, and sunscreen became a product critical to protecting one’s health.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25794474">Evidently</a>, these messages were effective. Research showed <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4732951/">lower sunburn rates</a>across the population, and sun protective behaviours improved.</p> <p>Moreover, research into the investment into such campaigns <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0147665">found</a> every A$1 invested brought a return of A$3.85 by lowering treatment costs and increasing productivity. The campaigns reduced the rates of illness and death and the economic burden of skin cancer.</p> <p><strong>A new beauty product?</strong></p> <p>As consumer demand bloomed, the perception and branding of sun protection products changed.</p> <p>The Australian sunscreen market is expected to tip <a href="https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Asia_Pacific_Australia_Sun_Care_Market_Report_2017/128516">A$159.3 million this year</a>. By marketing sunscreen as a key step in a daily skincare routine, brands are repositioning sunscreen as a beauty essential.</p> <p>The new buzzword “<a href="https://www.whyhellobeauty.com.au/2019/06/20/sunscreen-or-skinscreen/">skinscreen</a>” has been coined for products that combine skincare and sunscreen. To persuade women to add skinscreens in their beauty regimes, products are marketed with appealing fragrances and textures, and are encouraged to be worn under makeup.</p> <p>Beauty influencers on social media have jumped on-board the skinscreen craze. It is now marketed to highlight its anti-ageing <a href="https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/1691733/sunscreen-prevention-skin-aging-randomized-trial">benefits</a>: preventing age spots, fine lines and wrinkles.</p> <p>There are pros and cons to luxe skinscreen messaging. It may encourage frequent sunscreen application, but it also suggests women’s beauty and youth are inextricably linked and women’s value lies chiefly in their appearance.</p> <p>Despite sunscreen’s new home in the beauty aisle, health messaging has not completely disappeared. The social media initiative <a href="https://www.calltimeonmelanoma.com.au/">Call Time on Melanoma</a> aims to spread awareness about skin cancers and protecting skin from harmful rays.</p> <p>With more than 21,000 Instagram followers, the account encourages people to wear sunscreen everyday, get regular skin checks and debunks myths about sunscreen. The initiative builds awareness by sharing the story of Natalie Fornasier, a woman who was diagnosed with stage III melanoma at age 20.</p> <p>Skincare brand La Roche-Posay was an <a href="https://www.laroche-posay.com.au/article/la-roche-posay-the-official-sunscreen-partner-of-australian-open-2019/a36405.aspx">official sunscreen partner</a> for the 2020 Australian Open. They offered a UV Experience to educate tennis fans about sunscreen protection and ran a campaign to raise awareness of the daily UV index.</p> <p>Although important questions should be asked about the re-branding of sunscreen creating additional appearance-based pressures and “beauty work” for women, sunscreen appears to be more popular than ever. Sunsmart campaigns may have laid the health messaging groundwork, but today’s skincare brands continue to build awareness. This is a welcome step towards keeping Australians sun safe.</p> <p><em>Written by Lauren Gurrieri. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/burnt-is-out-skinscreen-is-in-how-sunscreen-got-a-beauty-makeover-131292">The Conversation.</a></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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96-year-old grandfather gets stylish makeover

<p>For his “fashion has no age limit” photoshoot, Aman Kumar, a Delhi-based graphic designer, decided to give his grandfather a stylish makeover.</p> <p>Ram Shankar Pandey, a 96-year-old farmer from northern India, was initially sceptical, used to the comfortable clothes he wears while working. But the photos far exceeded his expectations! Scroll through the gallery above to see Ram’s amazing transformation. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/80-years-olds-prove-you-can-be-sexy-at-any-age/">These 6 women prove you can be sexy at any age</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/beauty-products-that-are-toxic/">6 common beauty products you didn’t know were toxic</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/how-to-make-your-own-facemask/">How to make your own face mask</a></em></strong></span></p>

Retirement Life

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Meghan’s regal makeover for Buckingham Palace reception

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan have teamed up with the Queen to host a star-studded reception in Buckingham Palace.</p> <p>The Duchess of Sussex had a regal makeover for the prestigious event, drawing comparisons to her sister-in-law Duchess Kate with her polished curls.</p> <p>Meghan donned a double-breasted powder pink Prada dress for the Queen’s Young Leaders reception.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hats off to <a href="https://twitter.com/emynash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@emynash</a> tonight! Best quote of the night from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrinceHarry</a> speaking to <a href="https://twitter.com/QueensLeaders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QueensLeaders</a> winner from Namibia on where he and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeghanMarkle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeghanMarkle</a> went on their honeymoon “ No, we didn’t go to Namibia. I’m not going to say where, with Emily Nash scribbling away furiously! “ 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/bjr4RW0kx1">pic.twitter.com/bjr4RW0kx1</a></p> — Carolyn Durand (@CarolynDurand) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarolynDurand/status/1011727387074220032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Guests at the reception included David Beckham, Sir Lenny Henry and the chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, former Prime Minister Sir John Major.</p> <p>The Young Leaders programme, now in its fourth year, celebrates the achievements of young people across the Commonwealth who have made a positive impact on their communities.</p> <p>This year’s cohort of changemakers includes those who have advocated for a range of issues including supporting those with mental health problems, access to education, promoting gender equality, food scarcity and climate change.</p> <p>The Queen’s Young Leaders programme was launched in 2014 in honour of Her Majesty’s lifetime of service to the 53 countries in the Commonwealth.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkgFgdSHbzy/" target="_blank">A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal)</a> on Jun 26, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In April, Harry was appointed as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, which will see him support the work of young people across the 53-member states.</p> <p>Meghan will join him in this role and the newlyweds are understood to be planning a number of foreign tours to member states.</p> <p>The Buckingham Palace reception is the Queen and Meghan’s second joint engagement this month, after the pair travelled to Cheshire.</p>

News

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Woman’s $100 Kmart pantry makeover has to be seen to be believed

<p>A Brisbane teacher has become the envy of thousands of Aussies after she revealed her stunning pantry makeover on the Kmart Mums Australia Facebook group.</p> <p>Kathie Ginman, 52, was inspired to revamp her cupboard after reading the best-selling book <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-marie-kondo%2Fprod9781607747307.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</em> </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">by Marie Kondo</span></strong></a>. Three garbage bags, three trips to Kmart, two days and $100 later, her pantry became every neat freak’s dream.</p> <p><span><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816467/4a33662400000578-5502337-image-a-1_1521071159796_499x665.jpg" alt="4A33662400000578-5502337-image -a -1_1521071159796" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></span></p> <p>“Two days. Three trips to Kmart. Three garbage bags. Family think I have issues,” Kathie wrote. “House is a mess. Found seven jars of cranberry sauce at the back! Thanks Kmart.”</p> <p>Her newly-ultra-organised pantry drew endless praise from other members of the group, who said the finished product “looks amazing”.</p> <p>“Wanna come do mine?” one person asked. And they weren’t the only ones – some members claimed they would even pay Kathie to revamp their space.</p> <p>Earlier this year, 26-year-old Iryna Federico <a href="http://www.fromgreatbeginnings.com/diy-command-centre/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">unveiled her jaw-dropping walk-in pantry</span></strong></a>, which she says took two years and almost $3,000 worth of Kmart, IKEA and Costco items to complete.</p> <p><span><img width="500" height="595" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816466/4a33672c00000578-5502337-image-a-10_1521071233557_500x595.jpg" alt="4A33672C00000578-5502337-image -a -10_1521071233557" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></span></p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what does your pantry look like? Would you ever go to extreme lengths like this to get it organised?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Kathie Ginman/Facebook.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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5 mantelpiece makeover ideas

<p>With the cooler weather creeping in more eyes will be turned to the fireplace - and, by default, to what's sitting on top of it. </p> <p>So how do you create a mantelpiece display that works with your room? </p> <p>Think of your mantelpiece as furniture (similar to a console or sideboard) rather than an architectural detail, say the experts. When you want to change the feel of your room, change your display.  </p> <p>Interior blogger and stylist Kelly Evans of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://thehomescene.nz/" target="_blank">Home Scene Journal</a></strong></span> says, "before you begin selecting items to display, consider the character and design of your fireplace. Try and select items that will tie in with both the aesthetic of your fireplace and home.</p> <p><strong>1. Size matters</strong></p> <p>As in all design, balance and proportion are key factors in styling a mantelpiece. </p> <p>Evans says "create an impact by selecting one item as your statement piece and arrange smaller objects around or nearby." </p> <p>"Too many small objects, for example trinkets, books and candles, can look messy, so it is always a good idea to balance large items with small items. Starting with a large item such as a poster and building items of varying sizes around it (such as stacks of books or maybe even a bust) would be the way I would go about it," says stuff columnist and interior design student Henry Tuck. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38562/in-text-1_499x280.jpg" alt="In Text 1 (12)"/></p> <p><strong>2. Mirror, mirror</strong><br /> <br /> A mantelpiece is often a great place, and usually an appropriate height, for a mirror to sit. Additionally, a mirror makes a statement piece on a mantel.</p> <p>Because it makes such an impact, the style of the mirror can often set the tone for the style of the room. An oversized, gilt-framed mirror says romantic and traditional, for example. </p> <p>Tuck suggests, "consider the relationship between between the frame of the mirror and the style of your mantelpiece. Frameless mirrors are guaranteed to work, although the contrast between a modern mirror and a traditional fireplace, and equally the contrast between an antique mirror and a modern fireplace, can look amazing." </p> <p>A mirror on the mantelpiece is a great way to add light to a room, but ensure it's not too small. If you're using it as the statement, make sure it's not overwhelmed by the other items on the mantel, says Evans. </p> <p><strong>3. Curate a collection </strong></p> <p>Run out of storage for your ceramics? A mantelpiece offers the perfect spot to show off a growing collection. </p> <p>"Don't overwhelm the space," warns Evans, "too many items will often result in a cluttered look." <br /> <br /> Mix pieces according to colour, shape, size and texture. <br /> <br /> "Don't be afraid to play around," says Tuc., "I end up changing the display on my mantelpiece every month as it freshens up the room and means I can take turns showing lots of my favourite objects off." </p> <p><strong>4. Art on display</strong></p> <p>A great idea, especially for those renting or with little wall space, is to use the mantelpiece as a picture ledge. <br /> <br /> Layer prints and art by just leaning them against the wall to showcase an evolving collection. </p> <p>Tuck says, "if you're going to style only with art, create depth by placing smaller works in front and compose rhythm by varying the heights of the works along the length of the mantel." </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38563/2_499x280.jpg" alt="2 (181)"/></p> <p><strong>5. Not just art and mirrors</strong><br /> <br /> Evans says there are a multitude of options when it comes to styling a mantelpiece, it doesn't just stop at mirrors, art and ceramics. <br /> <br /> Candles, vases with fresh or dried flowers and branches, vertical or horizontal stacks of books and shadow boxes holding a favourite item will all make for an interesting and eye-catching mantel. </p> <p>"If you have more of a collector's feel in your home then special travel souvenirs, books, and artworks may work atop your mantelpiece better," says Tuck. </p> <p>"I would suggest being a bit ruthless here however. Pick souvenirs to display based off the look of them rather than the memories they hold for you. Don't throw other souvenirs away, but curate the ones that work with the colour scheme of your room and its atmosphere."</p> <p><em>Written by Bea Taylor. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a> Image credit: via Stuff.co.nz.</em> </p>

Home & Garden

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Police officers give homeless man a makeover

<p>A homeless man named Bobby from City of Rome, New York had a very unlikely experience with a group of police officers.</p> <p>Police officer Aaron Page was on duty making rounds when he met Bobby on the streets.</p> <p>Bobby opened up to officer Page and explained that he had been going through a difficult time and how he really wanted to have a shower and get a haircut.</p> <p>Officer Page told Bobby to come to the police station the next morning. Page recruited a few more officers, Sargent Frank Fragapane, Jeff Buckley and George Gebo, to help collect donated clothing and hair clippers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36085/bobby-2_499x665.jpg" alt="Bobby 2"/></p> <p>The officers gave Bobby a complete makeover by helping him shave, cutting his hair and giving him some clean clothes. The makeover was a huge success and Bobby looks great.</p> <p>The officers shared the makeover photos on the City of Rome NY Police Department page and many users were astounded by Bobby’s transformation.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36084/after-pic-bobby_499x665.jpg" alt="After Pic Bobby"/></p> <p>"After some interaction with a man down on his luck, Bobby, said he'd love a haircut and warm shower. Through the efforts of Officer Page, we were able to make that happen. This morning we provided Bobby with a haircut, a shave, a shower and a whole new wardrobe of donated clothing. Bobby left looking like a whole new person and couldn't thank us enough,” the post's caption said.</p> <p>One of the officers explained the importance of helping those in your community and the impact an act of kindness can have.</p> <p>"Officer Page spearheaded the idea on this one, and it was a great way to help someone who needed a hand," one of the officers wrote on Facebook. "We're always trying to come up with new ideas how to help and give back to our community."</p>

News

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Homeless man bursts into tears after free makeover

<p>A homeless man from Mallorca, Spain, has been given a new lease on life a free makeover. Footage of 55-year-old Jose Antonio’s incredible transformation went viral last week, and report suggest it’s already made a positive impact towards getting him off the streets.</p> <p>“It wasn’t just a change of look,” he told <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/heartwarming-moment-homeless-man-breaks-10037869" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Mirror</span></strong></a> of the video, which was first shot back in 2015 but only recently posted online. “It changed my life. What I want now is a proper job.”</p> <p>Watch the unbelievable makeover for yourself, we think you’ll be blown away by his transformation.</p> <p><em>Credit: YouTube/La Salvajería and Dr Filmgood via Storyful</em></p>

Retirement Life

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A great way to makeover your terracotta pots

<p>As autumn sets in, the flowers and colourful shrubs in the garden can begin to fade. When this happens, why not add some colour back in using brightly decorated pots?</p> <p>You might already have some terracotta pots lying around that are ripe for decoration. If not, they are quite inexpensive to buy from a garden centre or reclamation yard.</p> <p>Then all you need to do is decide on your colour block palette. Colour blocking is matching two or three colours together to make an impact. It looks great to paint the same pattern on a group of pots rather than just one.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>3 to 4 terracotta pots of any size</li> <li>Plain white acrylic paint</li> <li>Two other bright acrylic paints</li> <li>Paint roller, small</li> <li>Paintbrush</li> <li>Masking tape</li> <li>Plastic plates</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <p>1. Give each pot two coats of white paint, including the inside rim, using a paint roller or paintbrush.</p> <p>2. Use masking tape to create strips around each pot. You can either place them all in the same spot on each pot, or make the pots all different.</p> <p>3. Tip out some of the coloured paint onto separate plastic plates. Paint sections of the pots different colours with your paintbrush. Allow drying completely before filling with your favourite plants.</p> <p><em>Image credit: alabamawomenbloggers.com</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/03/make-decorated-mugs/" target="_blank">How to make decorated mugs with the grandkids</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/03/make-a-no-dig-garden-bed/" target="_blank">Create a no-dig garden bed</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/02/how-to-set-up-a-potting-bench/" target="_blank">Have you considered a potting bench?</a></span></strong></em></p>

Home & Garden

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7 times people were surprised by terrible TV home makeovers

<p>Home makeover shows have given us the good, the bad, and the ugly. And then some more ugly. Really, a whole lot of ugly. Things especially get out of hand when amateurs somehow find themselves with paintbrushes in their hands. The BBC show<em> Your Home in Their Hands</em> and the TLC show <em>Trading Spaces</em> have provided audiences with delight and horror after seeing home owners react to room makeovers that will make you grateful for your meagrely decorated home. </p> <p><strong>1. Pattern overload (see above)</strong></p> <p>On the BBC show Your Home in Their Hands, people entrust amateur designers to redecorate your house, which is their first mistake. This couple opened their door to reveal a headache-inducing amount of conflicting floral patterns and colours. They requested the designer be “locked in a cupboard”.</p> <p><strong>2. Orange you glad you can paint over this?</strong></p> <p>The TLC show Trading Spaces has given the world plenty of horrendous home designs, including this kitchen that is reminiscent of Donald Trump’s skin tone. The home owner has a mega-awkward breakdown right on camera. It looks like they won’t be asking their neighbours who did the paint job over to eat in their Nickelodeon-orange kitchen any time soon.</p> <p><iframe width="513" height="315" src="http://www.tlc.com/embed?page=113096" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>3. The makeover that turned the owner’s world upside down</strong></p> <p>Not every reaction to a Trading Spaces room makeover is tragic. In this case, one partner was totally digging their new room and the other … well, not so much. The designer decided to go with the least practical home design ever and just hang furniture upside down off the ceiling. That will be fun to take down.</p> <p><iframe width="513" height="315" src="http://www.tlc.com/embed?page=113028" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. A totally sketchy bedroom makeover gone wrong</strong></p> <p>In another episode of BBC’s Your Home in Their Hands, a family handed their keys over to amateur designers to decorate their home, but they may as well have given some crayons to a kindergartener and asked them to draw on the walls. The first room gets a lukewarm reception, but the second one (1:10 minutes in) is the doozy.</p> <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AaOqbzpPv5A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>5. The living room design so bad the home owner had to leave the room to cry</strong></p> <p>This room is hardly the ugliest that Trading Spaces has ever done, but boy did the home owners hate it. The home owner even had to step off-camera to cry it out, but her microphone was still on, leaving viewers to hear her sobs from off-screen. Host Paige Davis is probably still cringing 14 years later.</p> <p><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-4pVZlRbwtw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>6. This home looks like something out of Little Shop of Horrors</strong></p> <p>“At this moment in time, I’m regretting it,” says the woman who just completely got her home renovated on Your Home in Their Hands. From the bizarre wall of fake greenery to a bedroom that looks like a John Waters-meets-Barbie playhouse nightmare, it is really hard to say anything nice about this design.</p> <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qCtTLGKjShc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>7. The Pepto Bismol look, for when you want someone to hate your design</strong></p> <p>Just ask these dudes who gave their roommate a bedroom makeover when he was out of town for a week. They painted his walls a shade that would make Pepto Bismol​ look pale. Even though the room-mate was a relatively good sport about it, he did want to paint it back, to which the cameraman responded: “We’re going to help you paint it back … but after a little while.”</p> <p><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOPhX7Gxp-w?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong><em>Written by April Lavalle. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au.</span></a></em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/09/5-most-exciting-shows-of-the-year-so-far/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 most exciting shows of the year so far</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/08/should-couples-have-a-tv-in-the-bedroom/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Should couples have a TV in the bedroom?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/08/best-shows-of-the-70s/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>10 best TV shows of the 1970s</strong></span></em></a></p>

TV

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Queen Mary 2 cruise ship gets pet-friendly makeover

<p>If you’re someone who’s ever bemoaned the fact you couldn’t bring Fido or Felix along on your luxury cruise around the world, we have some very good news for you.</p> <p>Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has undergone an extensive $132 million remodelling project, and it’s not just two-legged passengers who look set to reap the rewards.</p> <p>The cruise liner has been outfitted with 24 spacious onboard kennels as part of the refurbishments, making it the only long-distance passenger vessel to house pets.</p> <p>The new kennels were unveiled in an opening ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, and as you can see from the gallery above the cutting of the ribbon was quite an event!</p> <p>Some of the internet’s most popular pet sensations were on hand to cut the red ribbon Chloe the Mini Frenchie, Wally the Welsh Corgi and Ella Bean the Yorkshire mix.</p> <p>Hilary Sloan, owner of Ella Bean said, “I grew up going on cruises with my grandparents and taking a dog on a cruise would be the most fun ever. Traveling with pets is becoming more and more the norm. This is a fun and unique way to bring them on trips.”</p> <p>What’s your take on this new development? Do you think it’s a good thing that cruise lines are catering for pets, or are they not appropriate on a cruise?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / RMSQueenMary2</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/06/just-how-much-does-each-day-on-a-cruise-cost/"><strong>Just how much does each day on a cruise cost</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-secret-confessions-from-cruise-ship-employees/"><strong>5 secret confessions from cruise ship employees</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/8-reasons-why-cruising-is-the-perfect-family-holiday/"><strong>8 reasons why cruising is the perfect family holiday</strong></a></em></span></p>

Cruising

Over 60

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