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Maximise that awkward corner or otherwise inaccessible space with sleek fitted shelves painted in Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
The Heart Foundation Lottery No. 144 is now open. For as little as one $15 ticket, you will be in the draw to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home worth just over a million dollars in beautiful Whitianga. There are also other great prizes to be won, including overseas holidays, $10,000 … View moreThe Heart Foundation Lottery No. 144 is now open. For as little as one $15 ticket, you will be in the draw to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home worth just over a million dollars in beautiful Whitianga. There are also other great prizes to be won, including overseas holidays, $10,000 cash and a new Toyota hybrid. Proceeds from all tickets help to fund life-saving heart research. Someone will win this incredible home on 30 November. Now that would make it a summer to remember!
October 14th is the last day for voting in the General Election 2023. And while there are some policies that are nice to have, there are other issues that are imperative to us. Where do your priorities lie this election? From the options below, choose what is swaying your vote the most.
Type … View moreOctober 14th is the last day for voting in the General Election 2023. And while there are some policies that are nice to have, there are other issues that are imperative to us. Where do your priorities lie this election? From the options below, choose what is swaying your vote the most.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Ryman Healthcare is proud to champion the women's game like never before. We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and celebrate their achievements, showcased through our official partnership with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens.
Our partnership brings a host of … View moreRyman Healthcare is proud to champion the women's game like never before. We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and celebrate their achievements, showcased through our official partnership with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens.
Our partnership brings a host of benefits that contribute to the growth and development of women's rugby. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of players and foster a vibrant community around the sport. Click here to learn more.
Hello Neighbours! We all understand bills are piling up for everyone.
What's been hitting your wallet the hardest lately, making you cringe every time you pay for it?
September was a big month for two Ryman Healthcare dementia advocates, with presentations at two high profile conferences and an interview on TVNZ Breakfast which showcased their research and knowledge.
Dementia Project Specialist Caroline Bartle and Senior Architect Sara McCunnie, who describe … View moreSeptember was a big month for two Ryman Healthcare dementia advocates, with presentations at two high profile conferences and an interview on TVNZ Breakfast which showcased their research and knowledge.
Dementia Project Specialist Caroline Bartle and Senior Architect Sara McCunnie, who describe themselves as ‘dementia nerds’, revealed their shared passion for their subject as part of Alzheimer’s Awareness month.
Caroline was interviewed by Matty McLean on TVNZ Breakfast last week to discuss the myRyman Life dementia care model and ways in which people can take steps to avoid or delay the onset of dementia.
Click to read more.
Choose retreat or residence as the winner of this brand-new, fully furnished home in beautiful Whitianga.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen,… View moreChoose retreat or residence as the winner of this brand-new, fully furnished home in beautiful Whitianga.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and loved by its new owners.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
A week to go, so ……………
While suturing up a cut on the hand of a 75 year old farmer, whose hand had been caught in the gate while working his cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation.
Eventually they got around to politics and how some MPs where so useless.
The old farmer said, … View moreA week to go, so ……………
While suturing up a cut on the hand of a 75 year old farmer, whose hand had been caught in the gate while working his cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation.
Eventually they got around to politics and how some MPs where so useless.
The old farmer said, "Well, ya know, they are just Post Tortoises."
Now not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked, “What's a ‘Post Tortoise’?"
The farmer explained, "When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a Tortoise balanced on top, that's a post Tortoise."
The old farmer saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he elaborated. "You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, he sure as hell isn't goin' anywhere, and you just wonder what kind of dumb clodhead put him there in the first place."
[now that's the best definition I've heard in a long while]
*****
"The budget should be balanced,
the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced,
the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,
and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.
People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."
- Cicero, 55 BC
[sound familiar?]
A good night's sleep is essential for your physical and mental well-being. If you find yourself tossing and turning, try these tips to help you achieve the sleep of your dreams.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga on most days of the week. … View moreA good night's sleep is essential for your physical and mental well-being. If you find yourself tossing and turning, try these tips to help you achieve the sleep of your dreams.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga on most days of the week. Just avoid exercising too close to bedtime, as it may increase alertness.
Setting up a regular sleep schedule can work wonders for achieving restful sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help regulate your body's internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
Electronic devices emit blue light that suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Not to mention that texting, watching television or scrolling are all stimulating, which can keep your brain on alert. Avoid using electronic devices for at least an hour before bed and turn off the TV.
Click read more for more tips on achieving a good night's sleep.
Create a birdbath with a natural sandstone paint effect with Resene Sandtex.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
“That tiny crack that runs around your door transmits more sound than you would know”
Noise is a daily occurrence that we all endure to a certain degree from noisy kettles, screaming children, loud TVs and the deafening thud of a bass. There’s sometimes little peace in ones day. Ongoing … View more“That tiny crack that runs around your door transmits more sound than you would know”
Noise is a daily occurrence that we all endure to a certain degree from noisy kettles, screaming children, loud TVs and the deafening thud of a bass. There’s sometimes little peace in ones day. Ongoing excessive noise is not only aggravating it can actually be harmful to your ears and has a significant impact on the way our spaces work in the home.
When it comes to residential design, the acoustics, (the way in which the structural characteristics of a space relate to how well sound can be heard) although a key design feature, are rarely considered during the building process and sometimes only tackled during a renovation.
Soundwaves seep through doors, windows, ceilings and cracks, so how do you reduce unwanted sound from affecting your day to day activities?
Hard flat surfaces tend to bounce sound waves around, sometimes creating a lasting echo effect if the surfaces are parallel walls. The softer and less uniform the surface, the less opportunity sound has to bounce off. Textiles, including drapery and upholstered furniture and furnishings not only deliver a design aesthetic they also play a significant role in the absorption of sound.
However not all textiles have equal sound absorption qualities however. The level of sound absorption is dependent upon a textile’s weight, composition, and/or construction. Generally (due to the large vertical mass) drapery provides the main textile source of sound absorption however, there are several other ways to achieve this.
To decrease the level of sound in a room you need to dampen the sound waves. This can be achieved by adding surfaces that absorb the sound (or reverberation) so the sound doesn’t bounce from one thing to another.
Here are some sound absorbing ideas that you can implement fairly simply into your home:
- Acoustic panels/tiles: These come in a range of colours and fabric styles and can be designed into your interior decor. The purpose of acoustic panels is to reduce, but not entirely eliminate, resonance within the room.
- Drapery: Fabrics are an effective solution for managing sound. The more drapery folds, the more sound absorption. Hanging a curtain a small distance off the wall increases sound absorption and softening opposing walls reduces sound waves from travelling wall to wall
- Upholstered furniture: The fabrics on your upholstered furniture also help to reduce sound waves. The thicker the fabric and foam the better. Add cushions and other textiles throughout a space for ultimate sound absorption.
- Cork flooring: While it may not be fashionable of late, cork is one of the best materials for sound absorption. Made up of a honeycomb design of air-sealed cells made of the bark of the cork oak. The cells each absorb the vibrations of sound, preventing those sounds from passing through to the other side. Cork reduces sound and noise vibration by trapping it in its cell structure. It reduces the sound transmission of sound through walls and absorbs the impact of feet through the floor to the ceiling below.
- Concrete flooring: Surprisingly, lightweight porous concrete can be effective in absorbing sound (however it essentially transmits the sounds through to the next room too).
- Carpets, rugs and padding: If your floors are timber, tiles or linoleum on subfloor concrete, you may want to try rugs or carpet coupled with a sound-absorbing underlay or foam rubber backing.
- Floating hardwood: This type of flooring installation includes a gap between the subfloor and your actual floors, which effectively dampens sound.
- Fabric pendant lamps/floor lamps: Update your light shades with a textile shade, the thicker the better. Every textile in a space will help.
A combination of the techniques above, depending on your budget and skill level should help in the overall acoustics in your home. Below we have outlined a selection of fabrics from our range that offer great sound absorption qualities due to the high level of either wool content, thickness and/or construction.
We've loving our Rugby World Cup fans sharing their photos on Neighbourly and bringing the spirit!
These fans below have won some spot prizes, keep sharing your photos to be in to win!
Now’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.
Ask … View moreNow’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.
Ask our staff for expert advice on everything from choosing the right colour and paint to how to apply it for the best finish.
Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied,
"Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took … View moreTwo engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied,
"Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."
"The second engineer nodded approvingly, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fitted."
(It’s good to know they still teach them to get their priorities right…….lol)
****
More Reasons Why The English Language Is Hard To Learn
- The bandage was wound around the wound.
- The farm was used to produce produce.
- The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
- We must polish the Polish furniture.
- He could lead if he would get the lead out.
- The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
- Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
- A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
- When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
- I did not object to the object.
Hi there,
I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?
If you… View moreHi there,
I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?
If you can relate to any such scenario, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or you can email me at sanda.arambepola@stuff.co.nz
Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it or your name to appear in the article.
Thank you for taking the time to share your stories.
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