No-build tricks to update your guest loo for the holidays

From out-of-town relatives, friends, colleagues and of course, the in-laws – there’s never a shortage of visitors around the festive season. If your holiday guests stay for more than just a few moments, they’re certain to end up in your guest bathroom. Make family and friends feel right at home with these great tricks that’ll have your bathroom looking brand-new, but without the stress of a complete revamp.

Bathroom Essentials

Dress up bare windows with eye-catching curtains or blinds and place decorative towels around the bathroom. Add some scented candles, hand wash and lotion, or even patterned toilet paper to change up the look of your guest loo, without it leaving a dent in your wallet.

Fake A New Look

Replace worn-out toilet seats and lids, old mirrors, rusty taps an

Entertaining outdoors in the warmer months is a must, especially with South Africa’s climate, but we know too well that the weather can change in seconds – from sunshine to thunderstorm. Liza Watermeyer, Tile Africa’s Retail Display's Manager, explains why an enclosed outdoor area is the perfect investment and gives top tips to make it an entertainer’s dream

However much you love your patio, entertaining in the wind, rain and cold is not ideal. By enclosing your patio, you’ll be able to entertain in style all year around. And choosing the right building materials, furniture and finishes, this outdoor area will be as comfortable as any other room in your home.

This project doesn’t have to cost a fortune as there are options to suit every budget – go all out with French sliding doors or simply add pull down screens to the side of the area. Here are some easy ways to ensure this space is weather-proof, stylish and comfortable:

An element of privacy

Ther

3 Essential elements of the ultimate bachelor kitchen

The kitchen is no longer the exclusive domain of women and those with too much time on their hands. These days, the sophisticated gentleman knows his way around the kitchen, and has a few secret recipes up his sleeve, in case he needs to impress on short notice. With more and more bachelors putting as much effort into their kitchens as they do for their man-caves, we’ve got a list of some of the most important elements in the ultimate bachelor’s kitchen. These tips are the perfect place to start when putting together a kitchen any bachelor would be proud of.

Splashbacks

Nowadays, a modern man is as much a virtuoso in the kitchen as his female counterparts, but still seems to lack the fairer sex’s knack for cleanliness and order, while cooking up a storm. Splashbacks are an essential part of any kitch

Consider factors like bathroom size and features when shopping for a bath

A shower is the fastest way to get clean but when you have a bit more time, the bath can be a relaxing alternative.

“Baths have become more than a place to wash. In addition to getting your family clean; baths are a soothing reward, a meditative reprieve and provide a truly personal experience,” says Debra Retief marketing manager at Tile Africa.

With a multitude of styles, choosing the right bath to suit your family’s need can be difficult. Consider the following factors before making a decision.

How much room is available?

Determine the exact dimensions of the space where the bath will be placed.

“The golden rule is to measure your space. Nothing could be worse than finding that your ideal bath is 10 centimetres too long for the space you’ve allocated. Don’t forget to include

Creating decorative looks with tiles

If anybody knows how to enjoy the outdoors, it’s the Mediterraneans.Just saying the word conjures up images of bronzed skin, sun-faded terraces, olive groves, and sun-speckled ocean views.Luckily, with our long, hot summers, mild winters and limited rainfall, we have a similar climate to the Med – so we don’t have to spend a fortune to get there, in order to enjoy a bit of the lifestyle.If you love outdoor cooking and entertaining friends and family, take inspiration from the gardens of Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco for an outdoor space you’ll never want to leave.Here are a few ideas to help you design your very own Mediterranean hideaway:

Seating is non-negotiable

When you think of the Mediterranean lifestyle, the image that invariably pops in

Create warmth this winter with wood-look tiles

Wood-look ceramic and porcelain planks combine the natural beauty of wood with the durability and practicality of tiles. Medium and lighter shades are currently trending, as well as patterned tiles.

The inspiration for many of these wood-look patterned tiles comes from the original inlaid tiles as seen in many Moorish designs.

Ink-jet printing technology allows for very high definition printing on uneven surfaces. This has led to the development of tiles that look exactly like wood and natural stone. Inkjet printers give realistic and detailed patterned finishes, allowing every tile to be different.

Wood-look tiles are popular because of their natural look. They work well with most design concepts as they provide a natural base colour from which to work.

There is an increased demand for butt jointed and virtually

The modern bathroom is no longer the dirty secret of your home, it’s a place to showcase your personal style as part of your home décor. Make a statement in your bathroom with these top tips, to bring your space to life.