As autumn steps in, temperature goes cooler, days go shorter and the warm summer days are long gone. With the season change, it’s important to review what design trends are in store for us.

1. Retro Glass Lighting

This is probably the ultimate interior design for 2020. From warm vintage glass bulbs to mid-century statement lights, glass is the it item of the season. Glass lighting is a versatile item where you can incorporate it to different interior design themes or aesthetics. The dynamic design of retro glass lights projects light in multiple directions, especially when paired with warm bulbs creating a warm ambience in the space.

2. Nature Tones

Earth tones are a great addition to your autumnal colour palette. It provides a relaxing and nurturing feel in contrast to the shiny, metallic finishes of our technology. Although colours are a very personal thing, nothing is more versatile than a good terracotta tone. It’s a good unexpected accent colour with whites, keeping it fresh and vintage, providing a calm and ground interior. Olive green is now more commonly seen as a chic option for any space in your home. You can subtly add it in through a velvet pillow, an ottoman or even just a throw.

3. Large Scale Art

Say goodbye to minimalism and hello to bold maximalism. Another trend we’ll be seeing more of this year are large scale art, wallpapers and murals. It’s a great way of bringing in a personality to a basic white wall.
Large scale art is more than just an oversized painting. It oftens makes a space feel smaller. If you want to start lightly, you can begin with hanging a tapestry or a wall chart.

4. Indoor Plants

The addition of indoor plants have been recently popular in Australia. They are known to many health and wellbeing benefits while adding style to our homes and outdoors. You can start small by adding small pots of succulents. If you like it big, choose mature plants that are over a metre tall and look for rich shades of greens with luscious leaves and thick foliage. You can play with how your plants are displayed, either grouping them together and using different sizes and colours of pots.

5. Organic Furniture

Keeping it close to nature is the key trend this year. Today’s fast-paced and busy life encourages us to want to come home to a soft space where we feel we are close to nature. Natural materials such as rattan, linen, jute and timber can add a personal touch to your space. Essentially, anything that looks handmade will create an organic texture moment.

6. Mindfulness

Since being busy is the new trend, we all want to enjoy a restful and refreshing home to relax to. Decorate your home by choosing natural finished and layered textures that create a tranquil ambiance to your space. Living in spaces decorated with gentle and nurturing tones can subtly impact your wellbeing, in a positive way. Think simplicity, floor beds, low furniture, floor cushions, natural materials and a calming palette with whites.

What will you incorporate to your interior design this season? To us, these trends are versatile where you can get them to adapt any season. Start with subtly adding earthy and natural tones to your colour palette, then you’re on your way.

Here’s some inspo to get you started!

Choosing a builder can be a challenging task.

But it shouldn’t add unnecessary stress to the building process. In fact, the right builder should alleviate your concerns – making you feel safe, heard and in control of the process from start to finish.
After all, this is your dream home we’re talking about! Not to mention, it’s your hard-earned dollars being put into making your dream a reality.

If you’re ready for the next step and you’re considering which builder you want to work with, read on to learn why you’re in the best possible hands when you build with Ross North Homes.

1. Our awards.

The Ross North Group is Perth’s multi-award winning new home builder. Although we don’t like to brag, we have won just about every award for home designs in Perth that the WA Home Building industry has to offer! These include the highly coveted Gold Key and People’s Choice Awards alongside more than 20 Master Builders Association (MBA) awards and recognition from the Housing Industry Association as winners or finalists on an incredible 70 separate occasions!

2. The test of time.

Winning awards is one thing, and although we are extremely proud of our successes, we truly believe that there is no better measure of success than the ability to stand the test of time.

After 40 years, the Ross North Group remains one of the leaders in new home building in Perth.

More than 30,000 Western Australians have chosen to build with the Ross North Group – and it’s no surprise given our obsession with the highest quality build and customer service standards and our reputation in the market.

3. Our team.

Our experienced and personable team brings the home building journey to life. They will hold your hand throughout the entire process, recognising that your comfort and sense of security is an integral factor in a smooth journey with Ross North Homes.

Each of our consultants prides themselves on years of experience within the Property Development and Real Estate Industry. Coupled with a wealth of knowledge, they will share with you the perfect mix of industry experience, construction knowledge and design specifications so that you are fully equipped to make the right decisions when it comes to your biggest investment!

4. What the people of Perth have to say.

Did you know that Ross North Homes has a 4.5 star rating on Product Review?

This is a completely open platform where the public can submit feedback and reviews on their experience with any product or service. The best part? You know you’re getting the whole truth – because we are unable to remove or edit unfavourable reviews.

So if you want a comprehensive overview of what it’s like to build with us, we urge you to take a look at what others have had to say! Whether you choose to build with Ross North Homes or not, we encourage you to do
your research and ensure you have all the knowledge you need before you make a decision.

More than anything – remember to trust your gut! You’ll be working closely with the builder throughout the entire process, so if something doesn’t feel right, don’t just brush it under the rug.

And last but not least, enjoy the process! This is a big step and the start of a new chapter in life – embrace everything that comes with it!

So, you’ve decided you want to build a home.

Perhaps it’s your first home, a stepping stone while your family grows or even an investment property.

No matter what purpose your next home serves you; the process of choosing a suburb, finding the perfect block and a home design to suit it can be gruelling and frustrating.

Thankfully, House and Land packages can take a big chunk of the stress away from building a home.

We’ve got great news for you!

With over 40 years of experience, the team at Ross North Homes are excited to announce an exclusive release of House and Land packages in the beautiful Success Gardens Estate.

Situated mere moments from Thomsons Lake Nature Reserve, Success Gardens Estate boasts the epitome of picturesque natural surroundings. You will enjoy an array of bush walkways at your doorstep and have access to the Beeliar Regional Park and Harry Waring Marsupial Reserve in addition to several local parks and open spaces.

The friendly, family-oriented community falls within the catchment area of Jandakot Primary School and Atwell College. You’ll also have easy access to Cockburn Gateway Shopping City, the Kwinana Freeway and Aubin Grove/Cockburn Central Train Stations as well as quality childcare and medical facilities.

Take advantage of abundant leisure and sporting opportunities, with a short drive to the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreational Centre, Success Netball Association and Regional Sporting Facility.

We have specifically created an exclusive range of homes to fit on the block of your choice.

And the best part – all homes are fully complete. All you need to do is move in!

The quality inclusions you will enjoy are:

• Stone benchtops in your kitchen
• Stylish window treatments
• Modern 600 x 600 floor tiles in the main living area
• Fully ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning
• Carpets in all bedrooms
• Siteworks and service connections included (*conditions apply)

With available block sizes ranging from 354 – 420 sqm, there is something to suit all needs and budgets. All blocks are located within walking distance to a public open space.

If you are worried you can’t afford a House and Land package with us, think again!

Packages start from $440 per week, and with so many different designs and packages available – you are sure to find the perfect fit for your family.

This is a very limited release so it is crucial to act fast in order to secure your dream home.

Industrial Chic is so in right now. But what exactly is Industrial Chic?

The term refers broadly to a trend in interior design which draws inspiration from old factories and industrial spaces that have recently been transformed into lofts and living/working spaces. Think trendy New York City apartment and you’re pretty much there.

Originally coming to popularity in the late 2000s, this trend has stood the test of time and remains increasingly popular today. It’s not hard to see why.

Unlike its minimalistic and structured counterparts (think monochrome, Scandi and so on) there are very few rules when it comes to this design trend. You are free to mix and match textures and tones, provided you remain within a certain colour palette.

Industrial Chic is gender-neutral, commanding and yet versatile enough to allow you to totally own your space.

So what are the 5 main components you need to nail for this trend to work?

1. Concrete. The first thing most of us probably think of here would be polished concrete flooring. This is a great option if you are just starting out with building a new home, but unfortunately it is not so practical to rip up your existing flooring to get a completely new look. Instead, you can opt for Concrete-look laminate (which you can easily purchase from a number of retailers) or concrete accents in your benchtops (again, laminate is your best friend). If you’re not keen to renovate to such an extent, there are plenty of concrete-look decorative items out there.
2. Brickwork. Who doesn’t love a good exposed brick feature wall? If you consider yourself particularly DIY savvy, you can expose a brick wall yourself. Alternatively, you can opt for some good quality wallpaper (and pay someone to install it, if you don’t have the patience nor precision).
3. Steel. Probably the easiest of them all, steel can be incorporated into a space in so many ways. Think coffee tables, bar stools and dining chairs, shelving, pendant lighting and even your kitchen tapware and handles. Don’t be afraid to pair differing colours against black, copper and brushed gold make for great accents here. You can even get creative and mount your bike on the wall for a conversation-starting steel feature.
4. Timber. Once again, flooring is an obvious choice here but you can also opt for some lesser-explored options like room dividers and sliding doors, or opt for a statement piece in the living area like a solid timber dining table. Why not be bold and use some crates as makeshift side tables?
5. Leather. The crown jewel of the Industrial Chic room is the rugged brown leather chaise. But if you don’t want to invest in a whole new lounge suite, you can explore leather ottomans, armchairs and even throw pillows. And if leather really isn’t your thing, velvet features also look amazing with this design style.

If you ask us, this is one of the most low-maintenance and timeless trends to apply in your home. Add some stylish abstract art, a touch of greenery and a rug or two and you’ve got yourself a cosy and stylish space that is sure to impress anyone.

And if you’re still stuck, here’s a few pictures to strike inspiration!

Building a new home should mean you get exactly what you want – and how you want it!

Building means you remove compromise – the layout of the property, how big (or small) you want your house to be, how much space you leave for a front or backyard, interior finishes & fixtures, general theming and colour decisions… By having control over these elements, you give yourself the best chance of bringing your dream home to life.

But before you can start laying the (literal) groundwork for your new property, it’s important to make your vision as clear as possible. To make the process a little less overwhelming, we’ve come up with some key areas of consideration when planning your first building project.

Consider Your Long-Term Budget

Buying a house, or land to build your first home is one of the most important financial decisions you will make during your lifetime. That’s why it is essential to have sound understanding of your current financial situation and be well-assured that this will be stable for the foreseeable future.

Careful budgeting is the first step – it’s important to be realistic, not only about your current financial circumstances but also about future costs. You need to work out how much deposit and monthly mortgage payments you can afford, especially if starting a family, or planning to do so in the future. Keep in mind that extra costs can increase conveyancing, bank fees, and mortgage insurance can cost well over $10,000.

It’s also important to explore your options for assistance – the first home buyers grant, as well as other government grants and stamp duty concessions are available to assist first-time buyers.

Consider Sustainability

Green is the only way to go. Making efforts to ensure the home your building is both environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient has massive repercussions for yourself and the community you live in.

With the rise of electricity costs and the strong focus on minimising carbon footprint, there are several avenues to explore to ensure you’re living sustainably; the addition of solar panels, rain-water tanks, or greywater gardening systems all massively contribute to reducing the impact on your local environment.

These features also pay themselves off in the long-term, potentially saving you a fortune on electricity and water bills.

Efficiency should also influence your layout design – thinking about where major appliances are going to be used allows you to strategically position power outlets where you need them most. Furthermore, careful consideration of room layout allows you to plan around smaller appliances like lamps, hairdryers, phone chargers, etc.

Consider Resale Value

Eventually, most homeowners reach a time where they may consider selling their house and land. When that time comes, you’ll want to know that you already maximised your profit potential through careful planning and long-term strategy.

Ensuring the potential suburbs you are considering have consistent growth in the median house value is a great place to start. Equally important is proximity to local schools (both primary, secondary, and even universities), amenities (shopping centers, business districts, recreation centers, gyms, etc.) and community spaces (parks, playgrounds, sports ovals).

All of these features can massively improve the livability of a suburb, and therefore the value of your property in that suburb.

It’s official – the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2020 has been announced and if you haven’t been tuning in, we’re here to share the outcome with you.

But first, let’s talk a little bit about how the Colour of the Year even comes about in the first place. Well, in a nutshell, the Pantone Colour Institute carefully sifts through pop culture, product design, interior and architectural trends, relevant social channels and even things like up-and-coming technologies or events. They do this to look for new colour influences on product development as well as purchase decisions in industries like fashion, product packaging and industrial design.

We’ve previously touched on how the colours in your home can affect your mindset, so it should come as no surprise that the power and emotion of colour can be cleverly used in any design strategy.

So, what exactly is our Colour of the Year for 2020?

Pantone 19-4052, Classic Blue, is set to instil calm, confidence and connection in our lives all year long.

According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute, Classic Blue is representative of a solid and dependable hue which we can always rely on (especially when we are living in a time that requires trust and faith). Evocative of an infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to expand our perspective, open our flow of communication and look beyond the obvious.

In Feng Shui, the colour blue is believed to encourage energies of calm and peace, bringing about an overall sense of relaxation and healing.

So where are some of the best places in the home to incorporate the colour?

It’s really very individual, but think about the spaces in your home where you feel you could benefit with a calming presence.

You may opt to incorporate the colour into the kitchen, dining room or front entryway where there is a lot of traffic and things can get chaotic easily. Alternatively, you can add it to spaces you find yourself in when yearning for relaxation, like the bedroom, the alfresco or even the bathroom.

And remember, adding a new colour to your home decor or furnishings does not have to break the bank. It can be as simple as incorporating a piece of artwork, a feature wall using paint or wallpaper or just a new doona cover. The possibilities are endless!

Making the decision to adopt a pet is a long-term lifestyle commitment – whether it’s a dog, cat, bird, fish (or any other exotic animal for that matter), it takes a lot of love, time, and effort to keep your furry friends healthy and happy.

This can be easier said than done, especially when you’re renting property from a landlord. The following guide provides some tips on owning pets while you’re renting, and what regulations are in place for each state.

Communication is key

It can be quite daunting to apply for rental properties when you have pets – especially when the default policy for many landlords and property agents is “No Pets Allowed”.

However, this is usually a placeholder rule – the only way you’ll find out how your landlord or property agent feels about having pets on the property is by talking to them. Depending on the type of property being rented (i.e. a house or apartment), you may be surprised at how receptive your landlord could be to the idea – the important thing is to be open, transparent, and above all respectful of the owner’s decision.

Understand your state’s regulations

Despite what you may think, there are very different regulations for keeping pets in rental properties between each of the states.

If you live in Western Australia, you are required to pay a $260 pet bond to cover the cost of cleaning and fumigation once you decide to vacate the property. While this may seem like a lot, it is quite common to have most (if not some) of this amount refunded if you keep your pets outside, and make sure you’re cleaning up after them.

Many of the Eastern States have stricter policies when it comes to renting with pets, but recently there have been calls to reform some of these to give renters more bargaining power. If you’re unsure of the rules in your state, head to your state government’s website to double-check what the current regulations are.

Prepare your application in advance

On the topic of bargaining, it always helps to be prepared before approaching your landlord. Creating a “pet reference” that includes the animal’s age, size, temperament, and vaccination history shows that you are a serious and proactive pet-owner.

You can even add character references from your vet or previous landlords to give your application some extra legitimacy from a third-party. The key is to provide your landlord with as much assurance as possible that you are a responsible caretaker.

Including a super-cute photo is another great way to get the landlord on your side – it is a lot harder to say no with big puppy dog eyes staring back at you!

Try to see things from your landlord’s perspective – understand the reasons why they may be hesitant to approve your application and come up with some strategies to put their mind at ease. Having a formally written agreement to address these concerns is another great way to accomplish this.

Did you know that Australia’s capital cities are expected to experience an increase in housing prices in 2020?

According to the latest Housing Boom and Bust Report, this could be as a result of the recent RBA rate cuts, decreased cost of lending and loosening of credit restrictions plus our nation’s consistently strong population growth rate.

In fact, housing prices are set to raise between 7 and 11 percent in the coming year, says SQM.

The increase in the value of our homes coupled with rising pressures on the rental market due to increasing demand alongside a shortage in rental supply is believed to be the catalyst we have been waiting for to launch the Perth property market back to pre 2017 levels.

Many of us would have been holding out to purchase, build or invest in property due to the recent falls in the market. However, now could be a great time to take the first step if you are hopeful of reaping the benefits of an increase in the value of your home, or investment, over time.

In fact, we have already started to see signs of recovery in Sydney and Melbourne, with the respective markets having grown consistently in value over the last four months.

Employment growth is also expected to be a factor in the rise of the nation’s property market over 2020/21.

The annual capital city property value is projected to increase between 5 and 10 percent in 2020.

So what does this mean for you?

2020 would be a great time to start thinking about what it is that you are looking for in your dream property – whether it be your very first home, an upgrade to suit a growing family or an investment to diversify your portfolio.

Ross North Homes is proud to offer a wide range of homes and services including house and land packages, demolish and build options plus the opportunity for investment in a Display Home for sale and lease back.

Demolish and Build is the ideal option for the discerning individual who is more than happy with their surroundings and suburb, but is looking to upgrade their home and establish more of a street presence.
For those who already have a block of land in mind, we offer a broad selection of stunning, family-sized home designs to suit a variety of block sizes and your own needs. We offer single storey, two-storey, farmhouse series and narrow lot designs – so there is plenty to choose from, truly something for everyone.

Finally, our Display Homes for Sale – The Paramount and The Sentosa – offer an excellent investment opportunity. Competitively priced and available for purchase and lease back, the homes offer a 6 per cent return on purchase price. More information on this can be found under the ‘Display Homes For Sale’ tab.

If you’ve been thinking about your plans for the new year and feel that you are ready to take the next step toward your dream family home in 2020, contact us today to learn about the ideal home design for you.

The New South Wales government has been called on to take more drastic action in response to the unprecedented start of the 2019/2020 fire season. Capturing international attention, out-of-control fires in the state have burnt more than two million hectares of land, destroying up to 684 homes since October.

In response, the New South Wales government have announced level two water restrictions – the harshest restrictions put into action since the early 2000s drought – to be in effect from the 10th of December.

Under the level two restrictions, people are only able to water their gardens using a watering can or bucket before 10am or after 4pm. Pools can only be refilled with a trigger-nozzle hose for a maximum of 15-minutes per day, and cars can only be washed using a single water bucket. Homeowners who fail to comply with the new restrictions can expect a fine of up to $220, and businesses can be fined up to $550.

In the wake of such devastation, it’s more important than ever to think about how we use our water, especially when it comes to maintaining healthy lawns and gardens. To help you out, we’ve come up with some tips and strategies for keeping your garden green while minimising water usage:

Timing is everything.

Depending on the size and type of garden being cared for, it’s important to know the most efficient times to water plants and gardens. The Water Corporation recommends that for lawns and garden beds, the best time to water is before 9am so plants have enough moisture during the sunny hours. For potted plants, after 6pm can lead to healthier, stronger growth when compared to watering throughout the day.

Start water harvesting.

There are several ways to capture and recycle water to save it from being wasted. One of the most popular water harvesting methods is to install a water tank that can capture and redirect both rainwater, and run-off water from your roof, into your garden. You can also recycle water used during cooking – water used to boil vegetables is packed with garden-friendly nutrients that double as a fertiliser. Other options include reusing fish tank water, which is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, or even reusing (soap free!) shower water.

Throw that mulch down!

One of the most effective moisture holding strategies you can employ, a healthy layer of mulch can save up to 70% of water during hot summer days. It also prevents water-thieving weeds from sprouting up in garden beds, and provides vital nutrients for soil.

‘Audit’ your plants and use ‘water wise’ garden designs.

Curating plant species that have lower water requirements can ensure your garden stays lush, even during the peak summer heat. Large leafed plants require significantly more water to photosynthesise sunlight. Replacing these with more water-efficient, narrow-leafed plants such as natives or succulents is much more sustainable. You can also group together plants with similar watering needs to maximise moisture absorption – for more information on effective garden planning, you can visit https://www.watercorporation.com.au/plants

By taking a fresh look at how you garden you can be part of the solution, reduce your water use, and still keep a great looking garden all year round.

The holiday season is a time to unwind, celebrate and reflect on the year that has passed. We are all enjoying time away from work, and we find ourselves with many more opportunities to spend time with our loved ones.

Of course, it would come as no surprise to most of us that the majority of our entertaining and social events will happen during the December and January period. This means that our household consumption and waste will increase as well.

We’ve already discussed the importance of home maintenance during the warmer months, including checking your air conditioner, pool filter and leak-proofing your home. But did you know that there are several steps you can take to ensure you are looking after our environment as you entertain this year? (And they don’t involve you having a dinner party in the dark without air conditioning on a 40 degree day).

It’s easy enough to make a few switches to your settings, food and decor to ensure it’s a party you feel good about having! Read on for some of our favourite (and simple) ideas.

1. Location, Location, Location.
Entertaining at home impacts your carbon footprint more than you’d realise. Having people over will generally mean you are using more water, power and gas than you would on any given day – not to mention the wastage and rubbish as a result of food and drinks you are serving. If you’re planning on having family and friends over for a barbecue, why not relocate to the beach instead? There are communal barbecue facilities for you to use (many of which are designed to conserve resources), the cool breeze and ocean act as natural air conditioners and there’s no need to rely on power for lighting because the sun will be out all day!

2. Ask your guests to help you reduce wastage.
This one is fairly simple. Challenge your guests to a no waste party – use glass containers, metal straws and biodegradable cutlery (your usual dining cutlery is fine, of course, but if you are entertaining somewhere other than home then try to steer clear of single use plastic cutlery). Try not to bring snacks in plastic packaging – ask everyone to make something from scratch and bring that along instead.

3. Environmentally friendly decor and gift wrap.
Did you know that you can buy or make your own biodegradable confetti out of dried up leaves? There are plenty of instructions to DIY online, or you can simply purchase some for fairly cheap! When you are wrapping gifts, try to use butcher’s paper, newspaper or cloth as these are all biodegradable options.

There you have it! Of course, there is so much more you can do, but this is a great starting point. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you can spend time doing what you love with the people that are important to you without it being detrimental to the environment.