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Save 30-60% off Last Chance Styles at Provincial Home Living. There’s furniture, bed linen, lighting, cushions, and more. These pieces have been our favourites and yours. We’re sad to see them go – but we need to make room for new products due to arrive. Shop in stores or online, get them before they’re gone!
People have been taking interior design inspiration from the Hamptons for decades now and we’re not seeing it fade in popularity anytime soon. We are however, seeing the iconic coastal Hamptons style evolve and take on new variations, thanks to interior lovers adding more modern and fresh pieces into the mix. If you’re a fan of the Hamptons interior design aesthetic and are looking to bring it into your home, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve pulled together our best tips to incorporate the coastal Hamptons interior style into your home, so you know exactly how to emulate the luxurious beach style in your own space.
When selecting furniture pieces for a coastal Hamptons style aesthetic, it’s essential to opt for classic shapes and styles. Go for furniture in light to medium toned timbers or a classic white shade, that will blend perfectly with the neutral colour palette a coastal Hamptons style home requires (more on this later!). Coastal Hamptons furniture pieces should have a classic shape and include details like turned legs, natural-looking blemishes, and curved edges. Try to avoid furniture that has harsh lines or is made up of reflective or glossy finishes — the more natural the better! We recommend heading in to some of our gorgeous stores such as Provincial Home Living, Freedom, or Eureka Street Furniture where you will find pieces that will fit perfectly within this design style.
One of the key aspects of a coastal Hamptons-style home is using a bright and fresh colour palette that includes a variety of neutral tones. For a modern take on this trend, we recommend including some warm tones such as tan, terracotta, blush, and cream in your decorative accessories. This will add a touch of warmth to your space, without fully deviating from the iconic Hamptons style you’re going for. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to lean towards a more traditional look, then add pops of light blue, navy blue, or pale green to your colour palette through soft furnishings such as cushions, throw rugs, curtains and rugs or decorative accessories such as vases, books, and artwork. Adairs has an incredible selection of cushions and throw rugs in beautiful blue hues that’ll really emphasise the beachy aesthetic that’s synonymous with the Hamptons.
To keep the Hamptons trend feeling modern and contemporary, try adding some more subtle decorative accents to your space such as pampas grass, white textured coral, and artwork in soft neutral tones. They’ll still give off the vibe of a relaxing coastal oasis without being too on the nose. Other decorative accents to include in your coastal Hamptons-style home are large textured terracotta pots, throw rugs in chunky cable knits, and soft pastel linens to breathe a bit of extra life into your space. Pastel tea towels can also help upgrade your kitchen into a more coastal Hamptons style kitchen, which always looks divine! Head into stores like Early Settler, Provincial Home Living, Freedom and Oz Design to browse their gorgeous home décor accessories that will work perfectly with the iconic Hamptons style.
When we think about the coastal Hamptons style, we usually think of bright white spaces, with warm neutrals that give off a fresh and clean vibe. One aspect that’s often forgotten about when styling a Hamptons-style home is the exterior design. If you’re able to, try painting the outside of your home in a cool white shade or off-white tone such as eggshell it’ll breathe new life into your home and most certainly catch the eye of your neighbours. If you’ve got a veranda, pop a natural-looking coffee table and chairs out there with a small plant, to give yourself a cosy spot to sip on your coffee every morning. A coastal Hamptons style exterior is just another way you can incorporate this iconic design style into your home, and you can pick up a great range of outdoor furniture from Early Settler to really help tie the exterior of your home to its gorgeous interior.
There’s nothing more chic than a clean and crisp coastal Hamptons style home and here at Homemaker The Valley, we can help you get everything you need to inject this classic design aesthetic into your space. So, come and visit our friendly retailers so they can help you create the breezy home you’ve always wanted!
1. How do you want your home to feel when you walk through the door? A) Warm and Cosy B) Classic and Welcoming C) Minimal and Chic D) Light and Bright
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2. When choosing a pop of colour, I’d pick: A) Burnt orange B) Navy blue C) Dusty pink D) Sage green
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3. Which timber tone would you prefer for your furniture? A) Walnut B) Weathered Grey C) Japan Black D) Oak
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4. You are out shopping, what would catch your attention first? A) A retro style sideboard B) A gorgeous blue and white ginger jar C) A sleek round mirror D) Textured cane bar stools
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5. Which era interests you the most? A) The 1950’s B) The 1990’s C) 2020 and beyond D) 19060’s
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6. What home activity sounds most like you? A) Making a cocktail using ingredients from your bar cart B) Having a cup of tea in a comfortable armchair C) Sipping your espresso in your modern kitchen D) Sitting on your balcony with a fresh fruit salad
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7. Which is your favourite neutral tone? A) Brown B) Grey C) Black D) White
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8. When selecting artwork, which would you choose? A) An abstract piece with brightly coloured shapes B) A series of framed printed coral pieces C) A large canvas with washes of muted colours D) An aerial view photograph of the ocean
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Mostly A’s – Mid-Century Modern Style You love a warm feeling home that is practical, yet stylish. Mid-Century Modern style includes rich timbers, vibrant colours and warm tones throughout. With a focus on wooden pieces in species of walnut and teak, this design style is an absolute classic. The furniture is practical and has clean lines, organic forms and is highly practical. Try experimenting with colours such as burnt orange, mustard yellow and muddy green to complete the look.
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Mostly B’s – Hamptons Style Inspired by the beautiful beach houses of Long Island, Hamptons Style has been popular for years now, with good reason. This design style is elegant, classic and welcoming and leans away from anything super modern or trend driven. Hamptons style furniture is classic in shape with luxurious, plush sofas, rolled timber leg chairs and accents of chrome and antique silver throughout. The colour palette is kept mainly neutral using whites, creams, greys and beige with pops of navy blue or green.
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Mostly C’s – Contemporary Style If you love a sleek, modern and chic interior, then you have hit the jackpot with this design style. Contemporary style lends itself to modern and minimalistic design with very little ornate details. Furniture is kept minimal and functional with emphasis on good quality and sleek shapes. The colour palette is kept very neutral using tones of white, grey and charcoal and adding contrast through mixed metals. Colour is kept to a minimum in contemporary interiors, but you will see subtle pops of navy, washed out pinks or dark earthy greens to add depth.
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Mostly D’s – Coastal Style As a lover of light and bright interiors and wanting your home to feel like you are on holidays at all times, coastal style is for you. Coastal design style incorporates a very light colour palette of white, soft beiges and light greys and adds interest through texture. Texture can be added through raw timber materials, cane furniture or wicker baskets to create an oasis-like feel. Keep your furniture shapes organic and choose rounded forms and soft edges. Colour is kept to a minimum and is often added through big, beautiful plants and greenery.
The term ‘Mid-Century’ refers to the design style that was dominant throughout the 1940’s to 1960’s. It is an iconic decorating style that furniture and homewares take inspiration from still to this day. In 2023 we are seeing this design style having a resurgence and gaining popularity once more, so what better time to dive into the details of what Mid-Century Modern style incorporates!
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Mid-Century modern style has a focus on functionality first and foremost when it comes to furniture pieces. It makes sense given the period of time in history as it represented the focus on maintaining a strong family unit and spending time in the home. The mid-century style of furniture is often referred to as a ‘rebellion’ against the much frillier and ornate pieces seen throughout previous generations. Most furniture pieces such as buffets, console tables, dining tables and more were made from timber in variations such as teak, rosewood and walnut. The richness of these timbers paired well with the colour palette of the time, which we will get into further below. When designing a space in mid-century modern style it is important that all timber furniture pieces complement each other and there are no clashing shades or tones. Throughout this era, we also saw the rise of some classic furniture styles that are still popular today such as the Eames chair, egg chair and wishbone dining chair.
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The colour palette for Mid-century modern style is one of the most iconic throughout design history. There was an emphasis on bold tones with depth and muddiness to create an overall brave, yet practical look. The main colours used in paint, wallpaper, soft furnishings and home décor pieces were deep brown, burnt orange, pale yellow, muddy green and striking crimson. This palette reflected the highlight on functionality and practicality as it steered away from any whites or cool greys and leant into colours seen more in nature. Colour is one of the main design elements of Mid-century modern style and it was used in unexpected and bold ways. Bright colours were seen in items such as sofas, wall paint, rugs, wallpaper and kitchen cabinetry to name a few. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The true testament of a great interior design style is when glancing at a space or a piece of furniture, you automatically know it is Mid-Century modern style. This style has distinct features in the shapes, textures, patterns and colours used to create a bold and unforgettable look. Bright and fun choices were made in finishes such as vinyl flooring, shag pile carpet, cabinetry and benchtops. Bold and geometric patterns also reigned supreme and were used in wallpaper, rugs and home décor pieces. Another key element of mid-century modern style is the use of clean lines, curved edges and large rounded shapes in the furniture. We have seen furniture items such as sofas and armchairs leaning into this style in recent years and believe it is gaining in popularity.
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As Mid-century modern style is becoming more popular through home design, furniture and décor pieces in 2023 it is important to learn how to incorporate this style into your home in a modern way if you wish to embrace this classic look. We recommend picking and choosing key pieces in a space that lean into the style such as a buffet, a dining suite or bedside tables. Freedom and Nick Scali have some great pieces that have a nod to mid-century modern style that would work perfectly. Try adding bold colours and geometric shapes in soft furnishings such as bed linen, cushions and throw rugs to lean into this look in a fun and easy way. The key to nailing this style in a modern and contemporary way is to select key pieces and aspects of your space and not go overboard. Remember to stick to rich timbers, functional furniture, curved shapes and bold colours and you will be on your way to mid-century style in no time!
With a new year comes a fresh start for getting on top of your home organisation solutions and systems. By putting in place effective systems at the beginning of the year ensures you not only start off on the right foot but have a better chance at maintaining them throughout the year as things get busier and busier. Below are our top tips, hacks and areas of the home to streamline your organisation solutions and take things to the next level!
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The number one rule to keeping an organised and clutter-free home is to ensure every item has a ‘home’. This may require some dedication to set up, but once created, will be a weight off your shoulders. We recommend categorising all like-minded items together and ensuring they are in a zone of the house that makes sense for their purpose. In areas such as wardrobes, playrooms and living rooms where clutter can build up easily, we suggest grabbing some beautiful baskets from stores like Freedom, Adairs or TK Maxx to collate each category. To encourage the entire household to get involved, we recommend adding sticker or swing tag labels to zones, so every member of the family knows where things are to be put back once used.
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The pantry is a highly used space in the home that cops the brunt of every mealtime, snack time and grocery shopping expedition. Here at Homemaker The Valley we have a few simple hacks that will help you transform, maintain and streamline your pantry to avoid an overstuffed and unorganised feel. Firstly, measure the pantry shelves and purchase some baskets or containers for each category you require to help organise. For example, cooking, snacks, drinks or baking, then categorise accordingly. We also love having a ‘backstock’ basket where you can place any overflow items as this allows for easy refills and checking of stock before the grocery shop. We love decanting pantry staples such as cereals, flour, nuts and baking supplies for a streamlined look. When decanting, a great hack is to stick a simple Dymo label on the underside of the container with the expiry date, so you can keep on top of when things are to be used by. Head into Howard’s Storage World this weekend to check out their amazing range of pantry containers to transform your space!
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Wardrobes are a space in the home that we suggest having either a seasonal or half-yearly clear out to avoid clutter build up. If there are items in your wardrobe that have not seen the light of day in over 12 months, then we suggest either donating or selling them to create more breathing room. We love using matching, felt hangers for all hanging clothes as they allow for a streamlined look and are perfect for space saving. If you fold your clothes, we suggest using the rolling technique and adding drawer dividers to your drawers to keep things neat and tidy. Lastly, any seasonal items such as swimwear or knitwear can be easily stored in baskets at the top of your wardrobe for a functional and space saving hack.
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We all lead such busy lives that our living spaces can become the dumping ground for incoming items that do not have a home and as a result create a cluttered and messy look. Once you have categorised and found a ‘home’ for all your everyday items in your spaces as mentioned above, it is essential to create a ‘drop-zone’ for any incoming items that are new. This can include things like bills, homework, borrowed items, gifts or letters that do not yet have a home. We suggest creating a drop zone that is away from the kitchen and living area in a space such as the entryway, home office or garage. Create a ‘drop zone’ by using either a basket, container or in-tray and labelling it with each member of the family’s name. To ensure clutter doesn’t build up within this space, we recommend setting aside five minutes each week to go through, action and find a home for the items that have been dropped in the last week.
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Lastly, to ensure your home remains streamlined and organised throughout the year we recommend locking in key dates early for maintaining these spaces. Just like a birthday, anniversary or event, add your ‘home organisation maintenance’ days to your calendar every month or quarter. It could be as simple as a Sunday afternoon every month, or a half day booked in at the start of each season. Home organisation and storage solutions work best when they are properly maintained and kept on top of to ensure your home stays streamlined and organised for you and your family.
Here at Homemaker The Valley we have a wide range of retailers that stock an array of different design styles and we can be spoilt for choice with what to purchase. When designing and decorating your home, it can be tricky to mix furniture pieces in a cohesive and balanced way. On one hand you don’t want the space to feel ‘matchy-matchy’ whilst on the other hand you want to avoid a ‘mismatched’ feel. Today we are sharing with you our top tips for creating a layered look and ensuring your home feels balanced, yet interesting.
We love blending different design styles to create a personalised and curated look. There are a handful of interior design styles that work really well together and some you should steer clear of. Our favourite styles that we know blend well together are coastal and Hamptons as they contain a similar colour palette, whilst having contrasting shapes and textures. Try heading into stores like One World Collection for all your Hamptons needs and Freedom for the perfect range of coastal furniture. Another great option is to pair mid-century style with industrial as they use similarly rich timber tones and contrasting colours. We recommend avoiding completely opposite design styles such as pairing Hamptons with Industrial or Mid-Century with Provincial.
A common mistake we see when decorating is using matching timber for every piece of furniture within a space. We understand it can be tricky to know which timbers work well together and the easy option is to select the matching set, but there are a few simple tips that ensure you nail the mixed timber look. Our biggest tip when mixing timber colours in your home is to ensure they have the same undertone. This undertone is easy to spot as most timbers either have a yellow, grey, orange, or red undertone. If you stick to the same timber tone throughout your furniture pieces will blend well together and complement each other perfectly. The other key aspect is to ensure you have either half or one third in one timber tone, with the remaining in another timber tone. This ensures that you don’t have any pieces that look like the odd one out. Try selecting your larger furniture pieces in walnut, for example and pairing them with smaller items such as a floor lamp, frames of artwork and side tables in an oak.
When decorating any room in your home it is important to choose a few statement pieces throughout and pair back on the remainder. When there are too many statement pieces in one room the space can feel overpowering, and the wow factors often gets lost as they try to compete with each other. For example, if you have a large, colourful artwork we recommend keeping the patterns and textures of the remaining items in the room simple. Or if you have chosen a statement bedhead, then opt for subtle tones in your bedlinen and cushions. If you are after a statement piece for your living room or bedroom, then head to stores like Early Settler or Oz Design Furniture.
Much like our tips on mixing timbers, it is important to have a balance of similar style furniture when mixing and matching. For example, a space feels more cohesive when there is for example a floor lamp, coffee table and side table in an industrial style and the remaining pieces in a contemporary style. Ensure you don’t have one single piece in a differing style as it will be obvious and look out of place in the room. Freedom does a great job of showcasing different interior design styles within their store. Don’t be afraid to ask the friendly staff for assistance with pairing one furniture piece with another to ensure they work perfectly together.
When mixing a few different furniture styles, it can be calmer and create a more unified look to keep the colour palette quite simple. This allows the shapes and textures of the furniture pieces to be the focal point and allows the eyes to rest and appreciate the styles. Spaces can appear crowded and over stimulating if the furniture shapes are mixed and there are too many colours introduced in one space. Try keeping your furniture neutral and adding subtle pops of colour through cushions, vases and artwork.
If you would like some more assistance with blending furniture styles within your home, then book in for your free styling session with our resident stylist. Eliza can share advice on what would work with your existing pieces and how to create more cohesion within the home.
Transitional Style has grown in popularity over the past couple of years and is gaining more and more momentum as the term becomes a more ‘household name’. The style has created a movement in the USA and Canada through the likes of Studio McGee and is starting to have the same effect here in Australia.
Essentially, Transitional Style refers to a design style that mixes both traditional and modern furniture, finishing’s, and décor to create a cohesive and unique look. For example, you may choose to use a variety of classic furniture pieces in a room but opt for more modern home décor items and soft furnishings to avoid a ‘stuffy’ and ‘outdated’ feel. The key aspect of this design style is that all elements of the space work cohesively and blend together well through the use of shape, colour and proportion.
The colour palette is a crucial aspect of nailing the transitional design style. The colour palette consists of a wide variety of neutral and monochromatic shades to create both a calming yet striking look. In a transitional style living room or bedroom, you will often see bright white walls, a soft grey or beige rug, warm timber furniture and black metal accents. The decorative accessories can be a mixture of neutrals paired with bold pops of tan leather, navy blue or olive green. We suggest avoiding any colours that are too bright or pastel when decorating in this style as the overall effect is for a calming and blended space.
When choosing furniture pieces whilst designing to a transitional design style we suggest looking for more traditional styles that ‘ground’ the space. For example, choose a bed that is in either a sturdy, warm timber, a large, upholstered bedhead or go the extra mile and opt for a sleek four-poster bed for a real statement! Early Settler and Provincial Home Living have some great beds that suit this design style perfectly! When selecting a sofa or occasional chair, we recommend choosing the largest option that will fit the space to give a sense of comfort and grandeur. Avoid any sofas that are sleek, angular and propped up with slimline legs. Check out Nick Scali, Freedom and James Lane’s gorgeous sofas that will suit the transitional design style perfectly. Black metal accents are popular with this design style to take it from traditional to transitional with a modern touch. Add black steel accents through the legs of an occasional chair, coffee table or nest of side tables for a sophisticated look.
Styling is key when perfecting the transitional design style and we have some tips for nailing it and where to shop for the best finds! The soft furnishings and home décor are where you can add a touch more colour and pattern to the overall design and play with texture. Having a curated coffee table is a key element of the transitional design style. We recommend playing with height by adding a tall vase with native green stems, a rattan tray to group decorative items together and a modern sculptural element to elevate the look. Head into stores such as Freedom, Adairs and Provincial Home Living for some great pieces to create your perfect coffee table for you. When it comes to soft furnishings we love a combination of tan leather, patterned navy and contrasting charcoal cushions to add a modern touch. Layer the look with textured throw rugs in a variety of wools and linens to give the bedroom and living room a cosy vibe. Adairs and TK Maxx have an amazing range of soft furnishings to suit the transitional design style, be sure to check them out this weekend!
Our resident stylist Eliza, loves this design style, so be sure to book in for your complimentary styling session to pick her brain on all things ‘Transitional’! We have a mixture of retailers here at Homemaker The Valley that are both modern and traditional, which allow you to create the perfect transitional design style we know you’ll love!
Creating the perfect dining tablescape is a fine art and there are a few key elements that go into creating a beautiful and memorable design. From different themes that are trending, ideas to set the mood and which retailers to head to for the best finds, we’ve got you covered! We’ve also added a step-by-step guide for how to lay your dining table to ensure you have everything ticked off.
Creating the perfect tablescape starts with nailing the perfect theme. We recommend having a browse through our retailers here or jumping on to Pinterest to get inspired! There are a few keys styles currently trending to create the most beautiful and enchanting dining table themes that will have your family, friends and guests blown away.
We love the natural and neutral tablescape theme including elements such as dried flowers, linen napkins and woven placemats. Stick to a colour palette of white, beige, oatmeal and linen tones and create interest through texture.
We also love a classic tropical theme using a variety of bright colours such as blues, greens, and oranges to give an ‘Amalfi Coast’ vibe. Think about using glossy green foliage and bowls of lemons or oranges to create a fun and bright atmosphere.
The last tablescape style we are gravitating towards is the ever-popular ‘minimalist’ theme. This table is super simple to create as the beauty is in the simplicity. Set the table using classic white dinnerware, clear glasses and embellish with a few simple candlesticks and some natural linen napkins.
When hosting a dinner party, we believe the mood is the most important thing following the food and drink! Setting the mood is easy with a few simple steps that will have your guests relaxed and at ease as soon as they step through your door. Always start with a playlist of soft music that creates an ambience and sets the mood for the night – we love jazz or acoustic guitar for a dinner party!
Next, add a few candles to your tablescape such as long, thin candlesticks on beautiful holders or pillar candles in glass hurricane jars. Ensure the candles on your table are scent free to avoid overpowering the food. No tablescape is complete without some greenery or foliage, so ensure you have some greenery lining the centre of the table or a few vases with small bunches of flowers. If you are lucky enough to have dimmer switches in your dining room, try dimming the lights to create a more relaxed mood that encourages guests to unwind.
Here at Homemaker The Valley we have an array of amazing retailers that stock beautiful pieces to make your next dinner party one to remember. Kitchen Warehouse has a huge range of dinner sets, glassware, cutlery, and napery to ensure you have every item to set your dining table with. They also have a great range of platters, serving ware and wooden cheese boards to present your delicious food on. Provincial Home Living and Freedom have some beautiful items to elevate your tablescapes such as table runners, napkins, candle holders, placemats and more! Head in to browse all our beautiful retailers to gather inspiration and pick up a few items to decorate your table with today!
Step 1 – Place or lay any decorations you are adding to the centre of the table down the middle. These can include items such as candles, vases, flowers or foliage.
Step 2 – Lay out the placemats for your guests and evenly space them with enough breathing room on each side.
Step 3 – Place the dinner plate in the centre of the placemat, followed by the side plate in centre of dinner plate and lastly the bowl in centre of side plate.
Step 4 – Add any decorative item to the centre of your dinner set such as a name tag, a sprig of rosemary or a beautifully folded napkin.
Step 5 – Place the fork to the left of the plate, followed by the knife closest to the right of the plate and spoon on the outside of the knife. Hint: All cutlery should be level with the bottom of the plate
Step 6 – Place the water glass at 1pm (top right) followed by the wine glass off to the right of the water glass.
Now that you have your theme and style down pat, your mood set and the formula for setting the table sorted, you can get shopping and planning your menu! We look forward to seeing you at Homemaker The Valley soon!
Spring is officially here in Brisbane! The flowers are blooming, the days are warming up and there is a certain freshness to the air. We love Spring here at Homemaker The Valley and often think of it as the perfect time to refresh our home and breathe new life into our spaces. Spring brings upon it the start of the entertaining season and the eagerness to spend more time relaxing and dining alfresco. In today’s post we are sharing our favourite ways you can update your home this season to ensure it feels fresh and new for Spring!
Spring is the time of year where we start to venture outside throughout the day and find ourselves spending more and more time relaxing in our outdoor spaces. Whether that is enjoying your morning coffee whilst sitting at a bistro table or having your friends and family around for drinks as the evenings get warmer and lighter. We recommend taking a closer look out your outdoor spaces, giving them a clean and spruce up by sweeping, wiping down all surfaces and tidying up your furniture. Spring is the perfect time to invest in some new outdoor furniture pieces to ensure you are ready for the entertaining season ahead! We have some amazing retailers offering a wide variety of gorgeous outdoor living furniture such as lounges, coffee tables, bar tables, sun lounges, dining tables and more! Head into Remarkable Furniture, Freedom or Early Settler this weekend to check out their new ranges.
Springtime provides us the perfect excuse to buy some beautiful blooms to add to our homes! The gorgeous colours of lilies, snapdragons, gardenias and roses and a pop of colour to your home and breathe life into any room of the house. Make sure you are doing these flowers justice by presenting them in a statement vase! Vases are not often something we buy ourselves and we usually end up with a collection of hand-me-downs or gifted vases that don’t necessarily reflect our home’s design style. Spring is the perfect time to treat yourself to a new vase and our stores here at Homemaker The Valley offer a huge range to suit any style. Head into Provincial Home Living, Freedom or Oz Design Furniture to find your perfect vase today!
Our homes can become quite cramped and stuffy after the winter months of being closed off and cosied up inside. We recommend setting some time aside to have a Spring clean or declutter to allow you to see your home in a new light and ensure it is feeling fresh for the months ahead. Start by opening all your windows and letting the breeze flow through your home. If you are struggling to know where to begin when it comes to decluttering, we recommend heading over to our previous post which details ’10 ways to inspire a declutter in your home’. Start small and go through room by room to ensure your spaces are looking and feeling fresh. If you need a little helping hand with organisation and storage solutions, head into Howard’s Storage World at Homemaker North to be inspired and find everything you could ever need when it comes to home organisation!
During Winter we usually find ourselves reaching for a faux fur throw blanket and a big fluffy cushion to snuggle up to of an evening. As the days and nights get warmer, we find ourselves avoiding the heavy blankets and wanting something lighter for Spring. We love Adairs beautiful range of linen cushions and throw rugs that are perfect for layering on your bed or sofa during the warmer months. Their lightweight material allows you to snuggle up and get cosy without feeling too hot and bothered. Opt for fabrics that have minimal embellishments in a range of bright or neutral colours to give your home a relaxed and fresh look. We also love adding some bright weatherproof cushions to our outdoor furniture to give a welcoming and fun vibe to our alfresco spaces. Head into stores such as Remarkable Living and Freedom for a great range of outdoor soft furnishings like cushions and rugs.
Spring is the time of year we can add bright colours and soft pastels to our homes to make them feel renewed and vibrant! Pack away your mustard, orange and deep green tones and make way for sage greens, blush pinks, baby blue and sunshine yellow. We love pairing these tones with an array of neutrals such as a fresh white, linen, or warm grey to make the colours pop! These bright hues bring joy to your spaces and can be added through items such as vases, artworks, decorative accents, cushions and throw blankets. Take inspiration from nature and the blooming trees and mix and match colours until you find the perfect palette for you. If you need help picking the perfect colour palette, why not book in for a styling session with our resident stylist, Eliza Grace? Did we mention they’re free! All you need to do is head to the ‘stylist’ tab on our website and book in a timeslot that works for you! We look forward to seeing you soon at Homemaker The Valley!
Hi, I’m Eliza Grace, the Resident Stylist here at Homemaker The Valley. I offer one on one styling sessions with clients from Thursday through to Sunday, to help you with all your interior design needs. Oh, and did I mention, these are completely free! Through meeting with clients, just like yourself, I have come up with some questions and queries that I get asked time and time again. You are not alone in wondering ‘What size rug fits my living space’, ‘How many cushions should I have on my sofa’ or ‘how do I store all my children’s toys in a stylish way’? Below I am sharing some of my most frequently asked questions during my styling sessions and some insider tips and tricks for styling your home. If you’d like to book in for your free styling session at Homemaker The Valley simply click the ‘Stylist’ tab on our website and choose a timeslot that works for you! I look forward to seeing you soon!
Some of the most frequently asked questions or concerns I have with my styling session clients are ‘How many cushions should I have’, ‘What colours should I choose’ or ‘what size cushions work best’? Cushions are often used to not only add comfort to a sofa or bed, but to inject personality and style into a space. I recommend keeping a neutral palette and adding in a pop of your chosen colour. My golden rule is 2/3 neutral to 1/3 colour! For example, I love working in the rule of thirds, so for each corner of your sofa add two neutral cushions and one coloured cushion. I’m loving combinations such as a warm grey with a sage green or a light beige with pink or mustard. For the bedroom, you could either have a bit more fun or opt for a more subdued colour scheme. I love the look of an all-neutral cushion combo on the bed, creating interest through different textures such as linen, tassels and woven wool. The size of the cushions should balance nicely with the furniture item you are placing them on. My biggest piece of advice is to never choose a cushion that is too small and when in doubt, always layer.
Another common concern I discuss with my styling session clients is how to decorate and design a coffee table that is both stylish and functional. It is hard to know where to begin with coffee table styling and I find that most people opt for a blank space, rather than giving it a go. Coffee table styling can be so much fun as it is all about adding personality to the living room and creating points of intrigue. My favourite and non-negotiable items to use for coffee table styling are a beautiful tray, a stack of books, coasters, candles and either a plant or vase of flowers. Depending on the shape of your coffee table you can arrange these in thirds, halves or group them all in the centre for a styled look. Ensure you have some breathing room between items to avoid a cluttered look and always make sure there is some space to place your coffee or drink of choice.
On almost every styling session shopping journey we make a stop at Deco Rug or Carpet Call to view their gorgeous ranges. When decorating a room, a rug is an essential aspect of the design in order to bring all items together and ground the space. When adding a rug to the living room I always recommend going slightly larger than you originally intended – the bigger the better! Choose a rug that can be placed approximately 1/3 of the way under your sofa and occasional chairs, with enough space for the coffee table to be placed in the centre. For the dining room, it is essential the rug is large enough so that when a chair is pushed out, it remains on the rug. In the bedroom, I recommend opting for a medium sized rug and placing it either halfway or one third of the way under the end of your bed.
Choosing storage solutions can be daunting for your home at the best of times. Making sure you have the right size, and the right amount is one thing, but making sure they are stylish and fit in with the interior aesthetic of your home is another. I often take my clients to stores such as Freedom and Adairs to view their range of beautiful baskets and Howard’s Storage World for all their organisational needs. Choose storage items in colourways that complement the palette of your home and stick to neutrals when in doubt. I love using baskets for stylish storage solutions in areas such as the linen cupboard, bathroom vanities, children’s playrooms and the living room. They are the perfect option to store a variety of items in as they offer a quick and easy way to tidy things up in a hurry. Freedom has a gorgeous range of baskets in a variety of colours, patterns and textures to suit any interior design style.
The bedroom is another area of the home that I often find my styling session clients needing advice on. It can sometimes be a forgotten area of the home as you spend most of your time entertaining, socialising and connecting in the living areas. To make your bedroom feel more inviting and a place you can’t wait to get to at the end of a busy day, use these simple tips and tricks. Make sure your bedding is on point by choosing soft sheets, a fluffy quilt with a beautiful quilt cover and matching cushions to compliment the look. Add some large bedside table lamps to create a design feature, entice you to read before bed and provide a soft lighting option. Add artwork above your bed to create a focal point in the room and bring personality or colour to the space. I recommend finishing the space with a few styled items on your bedside table such as a stack of beautiful books, a trinket tray, candle and a decorative vase with faux or real blooms. Bring the look together and add warmth through a cosy floor rug and your bedroom will be transformed in no time!
If you are wanting more tips and tricks for decorating your home or need help with a particular space, then book in now for your free styling session at Homemaker The Valley. I look forward to seeing you soon and helping you create the home of your dreams!
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