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In 2023 we are seeing the rise of brightly coloured interiors coming into focus again. Here at Homemaker The Valley we love a colourful home, but know it can be tricky to implement with confidence. Today we are sharing with you our favourite ways to add colour into your home in a simple and easy way. These tips can turn any lacklustre space into a bright and inspiring home in no time!

Brighten up your walls

The easiest and most effective way to add colour into any space is to add a colourful artwork. This trick is super simple as it is just one piece, can be relatively inexpensive and completely transforms the space! If your home is very calming and neutral in tone, try adding a soft pastel coloured abstract artwork that injects a pop of colour in a subtle way. If you’re brave enough to go bold, we love Adairs range of brightly coloured canvas artworks in a range of different styles from Mediterranean to Coastal and more. Some great places to add artwork into your home are down a hallway, above your bedhead, a large blank living room wall and the kitchen. We love having fun with art as it is such an effective way to draw the eyes up and bring life into a space.

Mix up your soft furnishings

Another easy way to transform a room is to switch up your soft furnishings for some fresh new colours and styles. If your living room or bedroom currently has a selection of neutral cushions or tired looking soft furnishings, we recommend swapping them out for a new selection in an array of your favourite colours. The current trends are leaning towards a combination of either pink and orange or sage green and beige, so have fun and try something new in your home this season. If you are on a budget but would still like to experiment with adding colour to your spaces, try starting with one or two coloured cushions and allow the space to evolve over time. Head into stores like Freedom, Adairs or The Sheridan Outlet to see their gorgeous range of soft furnishings this weekend.

Have fun with paint

Paint is a great way to add colour to your home and is an affordable way to go bold without the commitment of something as long term as wallpaper or tiles. We love a feature wall in rooms such as the bedroom, dining room or living room to transform the space and create a more elevated look. If you are wanting to add colour in a subtle way, try paint colours such as a soft blush, sage green or a washed out blue. Painting old furniture or second-hand finds can be a great way to not only add colour but give a dated piece a new lease of life. Items such as side tables, console tables or the legs of stools can look fabulous painted in a fun colour.

Add in small doses

Colour can be brought through in various aspects of the home and even the smallest touch can add a subtle difference to a space. We love adding colour in fun and easy ways such as the tea towels in your kitchen, the books displayed on your coffee table or the pot your plant sits in. Oz Design, Adairs and Freedom have some beautiful home décor pieces such as vases, bookends and candlestick holders in on trend styles and colours. We suggest styling a few small pieces and mixing them in with your existing home décor items to create a subtle pop of colour.

If you would like some help with selecting the right soft furnishings, artwork or decorative pieces for your home then be sure to book in for your free interior styling session with our resident stylist, Eliza. Just head to the ‘styling inspiration’ tab on our website to book in a time that suits you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is your bedroom looking bland, uninspiring and in need of a refresh? Have you had the same furniture for years and are finding that it is starting to look a little lifeless? Then today’s blogpost is the perfect one for you! Today we are discussing some simple and easy ways you can inject life back into your bedroom and create a more elevated and styled space. We have so many great examples of furniture, homewares and soft furnishings bedroom displays at our beautiful retailers here at Homemaker The Valley, so be sure to head in store soon!

Tip 1 – Upgrade your bed linen

When was the last time you treated yourself to some fresh new sheets? Or splurged on a fluffy new pillow and doona insert? We spend so much of our lives sleeping that it is important to invest in this area to make it comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious for you. When selecting some new sheets be sure to opt for a higher thread count as this ensures the linen is of a superior quality, feels softer and should last you a long time. Check out stores such as the Sheridan Outlet and Adairs for some beautiful and luxurious bedding options. Play it safe and choose a neutral colour scheme of white, black and grey for a ‘hotel at home’ feel or go for this season’s most popular tones of terracotta, blush pink or sage green for an injection of colour!

Tip 2 – Declutter & Sort Your Bedside Tables

Bedside tables are one of the main zones in the home that accumulate and attract clutter. Whether it be books, technology accessories, candles, notepads, water bottles, receipts, or anything else you like to store on top of or inside your bedside table, they become messy quickly! We always recommend choosing a bedside table that has built-in storage with either drawers or a cupboard to allow you to store items within and not on top. We suggest decluttering and sorting through the drawers each season to ensure no clutter accumulates over time. If you are after a beautiful new set of bedside tables, Freedom and Oz Design Furniture have some great options to suit any design style. Simply decorate with a gorgeous lamp, a frame photo, your favourite book, and a home scent for a minimal, yet stylish look.

Tip 3 – Create a Hotel Vibe

There is something so special and luxurious about spending a night away at a hotel. You can create a similar vibe at home by switching up a few items and adding in some finishing touches to elevate your space. Once you have upgraded your bedding as suggested in Tip 1, be sure to physically make your bed every day. Getting into a made-up bed at the end of a busy day is so much more satisfying than an untidy one. Spritz your linen with a beautiful scent such as sandalwood or jasmine and light a candle to set the mood for the space. To create the ultimate hotel bedroom design, we recommend investing in some sheer curtains, a soft rug, and a comfortable occasional chair to finish off the space and create the hotel look at home.

Tip 4 – Cosy It Up With A Rug

Rugs are the finishing touch for every bedroom and allow the design to be taken to the next level. Rugs work to not only add softness and warmth to a space but work to ground the room and bring the furniture pieces together. We love choosing a soft rug in the bedroom to create a cosy vibe underfoot. Head into Deco Rug and The Rug Est to check out their beautiful range of styles and textures to suit any design style. When placing a rug in a bedroom it should sit approximately halfway under the bed and extend beyond the foot of the bed. We love using a 230cm x 160cm sized rug in a bedroom with a queen bed as it usually fits perfectly within the proportions of most standard bedrooms.

Tip 5 – Choose A Fresh New Colour Palette

If you have had the same colour scheme in your room for what feels like years, then it might be time to upgrade your soft furnishings and decorative accessories in order to feel inspired by the space again. The bedroom can often be a room that gets forgotten in the home as we spend so much time focusing on the interiors in communal rooms such as the living room or dining room. Updating your colour palette in the bedroom can be as simple as purchasing some new cushions and a fun new quilt cover from Adairs. Pair these soft furnishings with a few beautiful new decorative pieces such as vases, books, lamps or plant pots from stores such as Freedom or Domayne.

If you have had the same colour scheme in your room for what feels like years, then it might be time to upgrade your soft furnishings and decorative accessories in order to feel inspired by the space again. The bedroom can often be a room that gets forgotten in the home as we spend so much time focusing on the interiors in communal rooms such as the living room or dining room. Updating your colour palette in the bedroom can be as simple as purchasing some new cushions and a fun new quilt cover from Adairs. Pair these soft furnishings with a few beautiful new decorative pieces such as vases, books, lamps or plant pots from stores such as Freedom or Domayne.

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!