Awesome Pallet Playhouse: Fun Play Space
Have you got kids and some time on your hands? Do you want a fun project that won’t cost a lot to do? Then why not use unloved pallets and reclaimed wood to build your kids this great cubby? What’s that… you don’t need a cubby? Then why not build it as a shed or workshop? This pallet […]
Free-Standing Decks: Versatile Structures
One of the first considerations an owner-builder needs to make is what type of deck you want to build. Decks come in all shapes and sizes, and functions. Could a free-standing deck be the right one for you. What is a free-standing deck? Free-standing decks are not directly attached to a house or other structure. […]
Beautiful Natural Plunge Pool: 3 Expert DIY Tips
With all that we’ve written about natural swimming ponds, it’s easy to look at some of the photos and assume that they only suit large yards. Nothing could be further from the truth. Today we’re going to cover natural plunge ponds.. The reality is that most pools are not used for swimming. They are used for entertaining […]
Build your own natural swimming pond – The Basics
Last week I covered the basics of natural ponds and the many reasons you might consider either installing one or converting an existing conventional pool. If you didn’t catch the post, you can find it here. As promised, today is all about getting your hands dirty. Remember that this is a guide, not a bible. Soil […]
Is a natural swimming pond the solution to swimming pool headaches?
If you’ve got a pool, you know the routine. Everyone’s happy to use it but you’re the bunny that has to maintain it! Doesn’t it make you wonder that while many homeowners consider it a necessity, others see it as a daily burden and a disaster waiting and begging to happen? It’s a fact that […]
Brain-eating Amoeba and other possibilities
If you’ve followed this blog from the start (a big thanks for that), you’ll know that it has been a long series of holes being dug and then being filled again. And the reed bed is no different, except for the fact that it is the last hole! I’ve read the comments from people worrying […]
Our Natural Swimming Pond Build: The day the pond got car jacked
We’ve certainly had our ‘moments’ during this project. It started as an idea, became a dream and at times came close to becoming a nightmare. But three daughters asking ‘can we have a swim yet?’ has kept my determination up. Our very limited budget has needed us to innovate more times than I want to count, […]
Our Natural Swimming Pond Build: Boys and their Toys
OK – it’s been a while! But before I could continue with the latest antics of our swimming pond project, I had to take a deep breath. Why? Because although the overwhelming feedback for my first eight blogs was positive (for which I thank you), the last post seemed to raise a few male hackles. […]
Professional Finish For Your Deck: Is Oil or Stain the Best?
Now that you’re done constructing your deck the only thing left to do is to add the finishing touches. Both oils and stains have their own distinct advantages. In this post we’ll have a look at both finishing materials. Finishing your deck with an oil or stain is an important step to ensure that your […]
Our Natural Swimming Pond Build: Sand, Cement, Water and one very irate woman!
Well, well, well – three holes in the ground. (OK – so it’s an old and tired joke). Actually, we just have one very big hole in our yard, with a factory second fibreglass pool in it. See? If you’ve been following my blog, you know that my dream is to give my girls a natural swimming […]