Author Archives: dev

Quiz: Find Your Interior Design Style

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.

For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop. If you need help finding your interior design style, book a free styling session with our resident stylist, Eliza Grace.

How To Decorate: Mid-Century Modern Style

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. 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 Furniture

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 Colours

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 Shapes & Textures

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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Incorporating The Style Today With Homemaker the Valley

As Mid-century modern style is becoming more popular through home design, furniture and décor pieces, 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! For more styling inspiration, read our blog or book a free styling session with our interior stylist, Eliza.

Streamline Your Home Organisation Systems For 2023

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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Ensure Everything Has A Home

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

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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The Wardrobe

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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Create A Drop-Zone

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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Add Dates To Your Calendar

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.

How To Mix & Match Furniture Like A Pro

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.

Choose Complementing Interior Design Styles

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.

 

Don’t Be Afraid Of Mixing Timbers

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.

Pick Your Statement Pieces

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.

 

Ensure There Is Balance

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.

Colour Palette Cohesion

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.

How To Decorate: Transitional Style

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.

What is Transitional Style?

Essentially, Transitional Style refers to a design style that mixes both traditional and modern furniture, finishings, 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.

 

What is the colour palette?

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.

What furniture pieces do I choose?

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.

How do I style my home décor?

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!

5 Home Decorating Myths Debunked

We believe that decorating your home should be a fun and enjoyable experience. There can be some conflicting information out there in the interiors and home renovating world as we are bombarded with new material every day. To make your home decorating experience more pleasant we have compiled a list of the most common myths we see when it comes to styling your home. We hope this gives you the confidence to head in-store and start your home decorating journey today!

1. You must stick to one design style

This is probably the biggest myth of them all and is often why people hesitate in starting to redecorate their home or taking a risk in designing a room. Your home should be a reflection of you, the people who reside there, your lifestyle and your personal style. Specific interior design styles such as Hamptons, Provincial, Bohemian, Mid-Century Modern and Farmhouse are there to take inspiration from and incorporate in a way that works for you and your home. We recommend blending a couple of different design styles to create a unique look. The key to a cohesive design is to choose design styles that have similar elements, shapes, textures, and colour palettes. For example, you can easily blend a mixture of Hamptons and Country whilst incorporating a modern twist as they both incorporate a predominately light colour palette and classic shapes. If you would like advice on how to include multiple design styles into your home then you can book in with our Resident Stylist for your complimentary styling session, simply click the ‘Stylist’ tab on our website, or click here now to book.

2. Small rooms need small furniture

A common misconception when decorating and furnishing a small home is that you need to choose small pieces – this is simply not true. When you walk into a room where all the furniture is compact and tiny, you are automatically triggered into thinking the space is small. The trick is to mix ‘normal-size’ pieces and small pieces in a clever way that gives the illusion of space. For example, choosing a regular-sized two-seater sofa, but opting for a smaller round coffee table to balance out the space. In a bedroom, we always recommend choosing a double or queen bed and going for a slightly narrower bedside table option if you are tight on space. Our beautiful retailers have so many great options for furniture that suits both large and small spaces and you can ask them for advice on styling them together in your home too!

3. You shouldn’t mix timbers

Having the same timber throughout an entire space can actually create the look of the dreaded ‘matchy-matchy’ interior. To create a balanced and flowing space that has points of interest, it is essential to incorporate at least two different timber tones. For example, you could opt for a large dining table in a darker walnut timber paired with the legs of the dining chairs and nearby bar stools in a lighter oak timber. The trick is to ensure you have a balance of either 50/50 or 70/30 in terms of percentages of timber throughout the room. Incorporating two different types of timbers is easy and shouldn’t be overthought. Simply make sure you have an even balance and not a small amount of one and a large amount of another. Head into Homemaker The Valley to retailers such as Freedom, Oz Design Furniture and James Lane where you will see some great examples of this displayed.

4. Beautiful homes must have expensive furniture

Designing with expensive furniture in order for a space to look beautiful, is a huge myth in the interior design and decorating world. There are so many wonderful stores offering a variety of affordable price points here at Homemaker The Valley – we have an abundance to choose from! We always recommend investing in quality pieces and ensuring that items such as your sofa, bed, linen, and rugs are considered in terms of the price. Pair these higher ticket items with more affordable soft furnishings and furniture pieces that don’t get a lot of wear and tear such as a console table, entertainment unit or buffet. A beautiful home is created by pairing pieces that complement each other well and are of a high quality, not what the price tag says.

 

 

5. You must always include some ‘trend’ pieces

Trends come and go with every season and the trick is to identify which ones resonate with you and your home. We love seeing the gorgeous new homewares and furniture pieces that our retailers bring out here at Homemaker The Valley, but it is about choosing which ones will work with our current interior. We recommend choosing classic styles and avoiding trends when it comes to larger furniture items such as your sofa, bed, dining table and chairs. Where you can experiment with trends and trend colours is in your soft furnishings such as cushions and blankets or artwork for your walls. When purchasing a new item for your home, think about if the colour, shape, and style will match or complement your current interior, if the answer is yes, then go for it!

dining tablescape

Creating The Perfect Dining Tablescape

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.

 

Types Of Styles

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.

Setting The Mood

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.

Which Retailers Can Help

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!

A Step By Step Guide

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!

How To Update Your Home For Spring

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!

 

It’s Time To Head Outside

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.

Update Your Vase Collection

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!

 

De-clutter And Spring Clean

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!

Swap Your Soft Furnishings

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.

Refresh Your Colour Palette

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!

 

Our Resident Stylist’s Top Home Styling Tips

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!

 

Tip 1 – Choosing Cushions For Your Space

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.

Tip 2 – Decorating Your Coffee Table

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.

Tip 3 – Choosing The Right Size Rug

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.

Tip 4 – Stylish Storage Solutions

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.

Tip 5 – Adding Stylish Touches To The Bedroom

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!

 

The Ultimate Guide To Soft Furnishings

The days are getting cooler here in Brisbane and we are finding ourselves snuggling up on our sofas and comfy beds more and more. Now is the perfect time to think about soft furnishings in your home and how you can create a warm and cosy vibe in your space. Soft Furnishings are often thought of as a winter essential, but we are here to tell you that they are a year-round necessity and can be simply switched up with the changing of the seasons. Soft Furnishings can be described as anything from blankets and cushions to floor rugs and bath towels. Below we go into detail for everything you need know about choosing the right textures, colours and finishes to create the perfect, cosy abode.

 

cosy pillows and cushions on a bed

Textures For Summer

When choosing soft furnishings for summer it is important to think about what they will be used for and what kind of climate you live in. Here in Brisbane, we have unbearably hot summers, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to snuggle up on the sofa. To ensure you stay cool, but still cosy, we recommend opting for fabrics and textures such as linen or cotton in items like cushions or throw rugs. Keep soft furnishings as simple as possible and avoid any items that have embellishments, thick textures or cushions in faux fur. Opt for fabrics and textures that are breathable and allow you to relax and unwind without having to worry about becoming hot and bothered.

 

warm toned pillows and cushions on a bed

Textures For Winter

Winter is the perfect time to embrace all your favourite soft furnishings and make every room in the house as cosy and comfortable as possible. We have so many amazing stores here at Homemaker The Valley that offer a wide array of soft furnishings in snuggly fabrics such as Adairs, The Sheridan Outlet, Freedom and more! Head in store today for inspiration! In the cooler months we recommend opting for soft furnishing items including cushions and throw rugs in fabrics such as wool, faux fur and cotton blends to ensure they are super warm and cosy. We love layering cushions and throw rugs together on sofas, occasional chairs and beds to give a warm and inviting feel.

 

colourful patterned cushions and bedspread

Cushions

Cushions are one of our favourite ways to add colour, texture and cosiness to a space. They are an affordable way to completely change the feel of a room by switching up colours from season to season. When decorating a sofa, we recommend grouping cushions in sets of three to create a pleasing and balanced look. Opt for a variety of sizes for a relaxed feel or use the same size throughout to create a uniform and sophisticated style. When selecting cushions for a sofa or occasional chair that your family or guests will be lounging on it is important to select soft and simple fabrics that are free from embellishments. We love a neutral colour scheme using a variety of tones from the same colour family such as white, flax and greige with a pop of a seasonal colour like mustard or sage. The bedroom is the zone where you can be more experimental with decorative cushions as they can be removed easily when sleeping and added back in when making the bed for a styled look. To create interest, we love adding textured and patterned cushions to the bed in a variety of colours or a completely neutral scheme. Next time you are at Homemaker The Valley you have to check out the Adairs cushion wall to be hit with all the inspiration necessary!

cosy modern bedroom with warm soft furnishings

Throw Rugs & Blankets

Just like cushions, throw rugs are an essential styling tool for the bedroom and living room. Not only do they look great, create interest and inject colour and texture, but they are a functional aspect as well. There is nothing better than snuggling up after a long day under a comfortable throw rug with a warm tea or hot chocolate. We recommend using neutral toned throw rugs and blankets if you have opted for coloured cushions to create a subtle backdrop. If you have used tonal or subdued colours in your cushions, we recommend using your throw rugs to create a pop of colour. For a casual and relaxed vibe simply drape the throw rugs over the sofa or bed in an ‘undone’ fashion or neatly fold them for a sophisticated and luxe look. Some of our favourite retailers to find amazing throw rugs and blankets in at Homemaker The Valley are Adairs, The Sheridan Outlet and Freedom.

soft pillows and blankets

Bed Linen & Bath Towels

Bed linen and bath towels can also fall into the category of soft furnishings and should not be forgotten when creating the perfect colour and style in your cosy home. For bedding inspiration pop into The Sheridan Outlet or Adairs as they have some beautiful beds made up with every detail considered down to the sheets, pillowcases, quilt cover, throw rugs and varying cushion sizes. We recommend including all of the above to create the dreamiest bed that gives you a ‘hotel’ vibe at home all year round. Colour is huge in bed linen and bath towels at the moment so go for bold tones and patterns that flow from the bedroom to the bathroom. Our favourite combinations include mustard, burnt orange and blush or forest green and wine-red.

soft furnishings in a modern living room

Floor Rugs

Floor rugs are an essential part of designing a room as they bring everything together, create a boundary and add warmth to a space. Always choose a rug that is slightly larger than you initially thought as there is nothing that looks more off balance than a small rug floating in the middle of a room. Opt for a rug that allows you to sit the majority of your furniture pieces on top. For example, in a living room the sofa and occasional chairs should always be sitting approximately one third or halfway onto the rug with the coffee table in the centre. This allows for the space to feel grounded and cohesive. We love using neutral toned rugs as it allows you to switch up the colour palette of your furniture, homewares and accessories with ease. Here at Homemaker The Valley we have some amazing stores with beautiful rugs such as Deco Rug, Carpet Call, James Lane, Freedom and more! We look forward to seeing you soon!