Homemaker The Valley is in full Christmas cheer mode! The halls have been decked with garlands and trees, and the fairy lights are twinkling throughout. Every day we are seeing more and more retailers adorning their stores with new season Christmas decorations and filling them with the sound of carols. We have seen quite a few trends coming though for Christmas 2019 from pops of bright colours and whimsical creatures to traditional and nostalgic themes. Today we are sharing with you our top 4 favourites from retailers found at Homemaker The Valley!

Woodland Fairy-tale

One theme we are seeing popping up at various retailers is a ‘Woodland Fairy-tale’ theme. Think natural textures and tones mixed with adorable ornaments that will bring a smile to every child in the room (even the big kids too!). Adairs have some gorgeous little woodland creature tree decorations made of wool, dressed in sparkly tutus and gold Christmas hats. They also have some beautiful wooden trees that work well with a minimalist Christmas theme in varying sizes and shapes. The Woodland Fairtytale theme incorporates plenty of natural textures such as timber and wool, whilst keeping to a fairly neutral colour pallet of warm whites and browns mixed with soft blushes and greens. When decorating your Christmas dining table ensure you use textured wooden accents in pieces such as coasters or placemats. We also recommend hanging a few snowflake garlands around the room to create a whimsical atmosphere on Christmas Day. For the finishing touch, wrap your gifts in a natural brown paper with a beautiful glittering bow – voila!

Our favourite pieces for the Woodland Fairy-tale theme are this delicate golden tree centrepiece and this adorable Christmas tree decoration, both from Adairs.

Pop Of Blue

As the Christmas decorations started to pop up throughout the many retailers at Homemaker The Valley, we have started to notice one clear colour trend of the season – blue! From dark navy accents to bright blueberry tones, blue is a clear favourite this year for all. The strikingly dark navy seen throughout all of Freedom’s Christmas decorations this year creates a dramatic and sophisticated vibe to your home decorating. Try adding this colour in your tableware, napkins and decorations for a refined and polished Christmas theme. We love the fun navy-blue paper Christmas tree table decorations that you can pick up in store in varying sizes! This year, Provincial Home Living opted for a brighter blue in their decorating items that pairs well with white and natural green for a more traditional feel. They have an array of gorgeous homewares in varying shades of blue from duck egg to dark berry in items such as plates, bowls, napkins, placemats and much more! Provincial Home Living even have the option to match your wrapping paper and gift tags to your serviettes and placemats – genius! Our favourite is the blue and green tinsel berry wrap that will have all your gifts sitting pretty under your tree!

Sparkling Blush

A theme we are seeing running throughout many retailers this holiday season is ‘sparkling blush’. This theme incorporates soft pink tones mixed with glittering rose golds and brass accents. Freedom and Domayne have included these colours throughout all their Christmas decorations and have trees adorned in these beautiful tones in store. Rose gold, brass and classic gold are the perfect backdrop for displaying new and old Christmas ornaments, so stock up on a few baubles to enhance your tree. Sparkling blush is the perfect theme to decorate your Christmas dining table in this year too. Think textured gold placements, moody blush toned dinnerware with sparkling bonbons and glittering candles. Twinkling fairy lights are the perfect accessory to this theme, so add them to just about every surface you can to creative a festive atmosphere throughout your home. You can pick up battery powered fairy lights from a variety of retailers, which provide an easy way of decorating your dining table, mantle or entertainment unit in. To finish off the blush theme we absolutely love these dusty pink paper stars from Freedom that you can hang down your hallway, above your entry or on your staircase.

Classic and Charming

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional theme that embraces nostalgia and makes us feel like we’re in a European winter wonderland. There are many of us that no matter what colours and trends are coming through each year, will stick to the traditional Christmas theme that matters most. Having a classic Christmas theme every year does not have to be boring, try adding one or two items from the current season that pair perfectly with ornaments you’ve had for years. We love these handmade Christmas tree decorations from Early Settler that look like you’ve had them in your collection since childhood! This blueberry wreath from Provincial Home Living is a classic piece that will bring a smile to your face each time you walk through your door this holiday season. A classic and charming Christmas theme should include a colour pallet of greens, reds, golds, whites and silvers. This theme will be seen from the Christmas Tree to the home décor to the dining table on Christmas day. Keep it traditional by adding some natural pine garlands, a few festive scented candles and twinkling fairy lights throughout the home.

Merry Christmas and Happy Decorating!

Spring is the season of cleaning, refreshing and organising your home. As the weather gets cooler and the days get longer, we find ourselves opening up the windows, dusting off the cobwebs and removing the winter layers of our humble abodes. With the upcoming season of entertaining upon us, it is time to get our homes in order and renew them accordingly. Below are our top tips for refreshing and organising your home this Spring.

Step 1 – The Spring Clean

In order to make our homes feel fresh and inviting for the holiday season ahead, they need to be spic and span. Spring is the perfect time of year to undertake all the tasks you have been putting off throughout Winter. The weather is warmer, and the days are longer, which means you can spend a day on the weekend outside in the sunshine, cleaning your exterior windows, blasting your alfresco area and ensuring your garden or pot plants are looking amazing.

Spring is also the perfect time of year to tick off the cleaning tasks in your home that you have been avoiding. Write down a list of everything you would like to achieve, then set aside one weekend to tick everything off in one go – time batching! Cleaning tasks we suggest for Spring are to dust skirting boards and architraves, clean light switches and doorknobs, dust ceiling fans and lights, remove marks from walls, clean fly screens, wash windows, remove and shake out rugs, wipe down all furniture and dust artwork and frames. You can also dive into a deep clean of your bathroom, kitchen and laundry including disinfecting all surfaces, cleaning the oven, defrosting the freezer and so on. Your home will feel amazing after and the process will give you renewed energy to see your space with fresh eyes and be thankful for the wonderful home you have!

Step 2 – Organising

Now that your home is sparkling and is the cleanest it has been in years, it’s time to get organised! The Marie Kondo movement was huge this time last year, but have you maintained the organisational systems you put in place and still follow the ‘only keep what sparks joy’ mindset? If not, don’t fear, we have a few simple tasks that you can undertake to get your home organised and working efficiently in no time! This step includes the fun part of popping in store and picking up all the beautiful and effective storage solutions!

The main areas of the home we need to focus on when re-organising are the kitchen, wardrobes and storage areas. These are the main sections of the home that tend to build up over time without anyone noticing.  Start with the kitchen and remove everything from the cupboards and assess if you have used it in the last 6 months, is it functional and is it necessary? Try cutting down on any items that tend to turn into collections over time such as mugs, glasses and serving ware – unless it is ridiculously sentimental, brings you joy or belongs to a lovely matching set, it has got to go. Wardrobes are another area of the home that burst at the seams and we ignore for the most part as they’re behind closed doors. The wardrobe has very similar organising principles to the kitchen – remove everything, keep what is essential as specified above, then organise. Sorting by clothing type, then by colour is the most efficient way to categorise and save you time when getting dressed. Pick up some gorgeous matching hangers from Howard’s Storage World to ensure it is visually pleasing.

The last aspect of the organisation transformation is the storage areas of the home such as linen cupboards, under the bed, storage cabinets and garages. This process will take a bit of time to sort through, but if you dedicate a few hours each weekend, it will become more organised in no time at all.

Once you have sorted out all your essentials you can then look for storage solutions to make everything look beautiful and function well. We recommend baskets, labelled boxes or plastic containers in varying sizes. Pop into Howard’s Storage World to see an abundance of storage solutions that will make everything work more effectively in your home! Be sure to check out Freedom, Tk Maxx and Oz Design Furniture for some beautiful baskets and furniture storage ideas too.

Step 3 – Preparing For The Upcoming Season

Summer in Australia not only includes summer holidays and outdoor entertaining, but Christmas and family time all rolled into one. Our homes need to be functioning at 100% to ensure we have a stress-free holiday season and get to enjoy the time spent with family and friends.

When organising your home in a Spring refresh you will inevitably come across your Christmas decorations and Summer entertaining supplies. We recommend taking everything out and making sure all items or decorations are in good condition, still work properly and they still bring you happiness. You will find that once you have simplified your Christmas decoration pile, you will have more joy when putting them up as December rolls around. This may even open up the opportunity to buy some gorgeous new decorations that bring a refreshed feel to your home this Christmas! Adairs and Freedom have some absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations to adorn your home with this season!

Step 4 – Decorating For Spring

The last, and what we believe to be most enjoyable step, is decorating your home for Spring! As we have said goodbye to Winter, it is time to pack away any heavy blankets, excessively fluffy cushions and the pile of throw rugs from the living room sofa. Try adding a few brighter soft furnishings into your space with some on-trend colours such as a coral, sage green or blush pink. We are loving the lemon cushion pictured below from Freedom! No Spring refresh is complete without adding a beautiful bunch of flowers to your coffee table or kitchen counter. Café 63 have fresh flowers on offer every day and their seasonal bouquets are perfect for Spring!

With new furniture and homewares ranges popping up every few days, it is hard not to get excited about revitalising your home this Spring! Pop into any of the stores at Homemaker The Valley this Spring to see some gorgeous new ranges that will brighten your home and have you looking forward to the holiday season ahead!

Magazine worthy bedrooms. There’s a reason we love them.  A bedroom should be a retreat away from the busyness of life. A place of rest. And stylists have this incredible way of making an ‘unmade’ bed look luxe, inviting and comfortable all at once.

The problem arises when we attempt this look at home – and it turns out looking less than ordinary. Well, we’ve decided the tricks of the trade belong with you! (2019 Bedding Revolution, here we come!) and what better time than Spring to give your bedroom a luxe-comfort overhaul.

Step 1. What Lies Beneath Matters

A luxurious bedroom starts with a comfortable mattress. If you’re not quite ready to replace your mattress, mattress toppers are an affordable solution to that comfort you need for a good night’s sleep. They also help contribute to that overall plush look synonymous with a magazine worthy bedroom.

Mattress and Pillow Protectors are a must all year round, but particularly as our weather warms up. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, breathable and thermal regulating – so is the perfect material for your protectors in the warmer months.

Step 2. Invest in Quality Sheets – they’re the hug you didn’t know you needed! 

They not only feel great, but they last beyond a season and are an affordable way to add that luxury look to the bedroom.

Have fun with colour and pattern. Pair a bold patterned sheet set with a plain coverlet for a playful contrast.

Love florals? Highlight one of the less dominant colours in your floral quilt cover by choosing a sheet set in complementary tones.

And if you’re not a fan of ironing, you are in great company! Try these Stone Wash Linen Sheets to achieve that ‘unmade’ bed look that stylists achieve – without looking like a throwback to your unkempt teen years.

Step 3. The Right Bed Covers

It’s time to roll away the heavy feather duvet and embrace the Spring coverlet. This lighter counterpart to a duvet is cooler in the warmer weather but is still heavy enough for those who love being snuggled under a blanket.

For neutral lovers, embrace a textured coverlet or quilt cover to add a subtle sense of luxury to your bedding.

If you really want to finish off that luxury look, buy a size up in your coverlet or quilt – allowing the edge of your bedding to touch the floor.

Step 4. Layers and Textures

Finally, the ultimate way to achieve that magazine worthy bedroom is layers and textures!

Throws

Here are a few ideas on how you can use a great throw:

• • A light throw is the perfect addition to your Spring bedding. Casually drape it on the end of your bed, not too neat, to achieve that luxe-comfort look.
  • Add interest to a plain knit throw with tassels.
  • For a casual luxe look, try this 100% cotton throw with raw edging.
  • Bring a subtle sense of playfulness to your room with a pom pom throw.

 Cushions

You either love them or hate them, but cushions are here to stay. For the luxe-comfort look, mix and match cushions in similar tones, steer clear of symmetry and aim for odd numbers for the perfect vignette. Whether its velvets or linens, textured or plain fabric – a feather fill makes for a plump cushion.

And there you have it. Your very own magazine worthy bedroom. And we’d love to see it! Post a photo on our socials for a chance for us to share out on our Instagram page.

Contributor: Kirsty Emery is founder of www.thehomechronicles.com focusing on interiors, DIY, food and family.

You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook for tips to make your house a home.

There are few items that can transform a space as quickly as a new rug. The right rug can lift a living room from bland to beautiful, add warmth to a cosy bedroom and define an outdoor space for entertaining day and night.

As far as cost-per-use is concerned, the living room is the perfect place to invest in quality floor furnishing. It’s a much-loved and well-used space that can make a real statement. A bold rug is a piece of art, for those who know what they like. DecoRug has a wide range, including the Splendor Grey rug (pictured) that would work well in a modern or industrial style home. The key to working a bold rug is to let it do the talking, and surround it with more neutral pieces and natural materials. Grey sofas, like the 2-seat Allegra from Focus on Furniture, pair nicely with a striking rug.

When picking a rug, it is important to make sure the size is right for the space it’s in. Too small can look poky and too big can actually make a room look cramped. There are always exceptions to a rule, but a good measure to go by is to make sure the rug can slide under at least the front legs of a sofa in a lounge room. In a bedroom, the rug should be there under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning. In a dining space make sure the chairs fit on the rug as well as the table, otherwise it becomes a tripping hazard. If you have a rug you love that doesn’t quite work in the space it’s for, consider layering it on top of a larger, neutral rug to give the required coverage.

A jute rug is a natural and inexpensive addition to a bedroom that adds warmth and texture. A bedroom should be a calming place so bold colours aren’t always the best choice. Instead, a jute rug can set a relaxed mood and put you in the right headspace for sleep. Early Settler has a round option that is hand stitched, and James Lane has a larger rectangle piece that is just as on-trend. It’s an effortlessly cool bohemian style that works with a good collection of throw pillows, like those from Domayne (pictured).

Whether your outdoor space is a compact balcony or an expansive deck, a rug can help to make it one of your favourite places to hang out. Meld together the indoors with outdoors by adding a Scandi-style piece like the Hana Natural Rug or the Hex Occasional Mat from Adairs. An outdoor rug needs to be hard-wearing and versatile. Surround your seating area with lots of greenery at different levels to create an inviting jungle-like space. Hanging plants, plant stands and mounted shelves can help to create this look.

For more ideas visit us at Homemaker The Valley, Corner Ann & Wickham Streets, Fortitude Valley.

Styling your home can sometimes be a tedious job, but someone has to tackle it. The living room is undeniably a vital component of your home styling. It’s the sanctuary for lounging around, enjoying me-time and sharing happy memories with friends. It should create a warm and welcoming embrace and reflect the décor style you’re trying to emulate throughout your entire home. To achieve a stylish and welcoming atmosphere in your living room, here are some different styles to adapt to your space.

If you’re looking for a bit of detox in your home, a natural theme for your living room is a perfect fix. Earthly shades of greens and browns is a solid foundation to begin your design. The mint green Mercer + Reid Mandarin chair from Adairs would inject a natural-looking style from your living space. Don’t be afraid to add a splash of navy to contrast with your greens and browns.

To complement this space as inspired by the outdoors, make sure to utilise houseplants to their full potential. Decorating your coffee table or bookcase with these lovely natural accents. For a plant that brings a perfect blend of wild and homely, Adairs have a lovely Home Republic Pothos on offer. For Houseplants that bring more to the room then just cute decoration, why not opt for living plants instead of plastic. Plants like mother-in-law’s tongue, peace lilies and ferns will grow well in even dark rooms.

To achieve a warm, classical look, experiment with a vintage style for your living room. To hark back to the days of elegance and antique screen doors; embrace welcoming tones of navy, granite, and beige for your furniture and accessories in the living room. Switch houseplants for vintage screen doors and antique-styled wall clocks. Try the charming black lined Frame Clock from Oz Design Furniture to create a slick vintage character. To tie in your vintage pieces, add an elegant gold Bella Screen from Oz Design Furniture.

Lighting can either make or break the mood of your room, too bright and the room is harsh and uninviting, and too low limits the functionality of the space. Hanging lights are a splendid option for creating a cozy feel. To further enhance a welcoming space, it’s best to reduce clutter and only choose a few accent pieces that catch your eye.

Experimentation is key when constructing a welcoming atmosphere that matches your desires for the space. To invoke a charming and cozy mood for your living room, try a romantic theme. When choosing a colour scheme, it’s best to select a couple of darker shades and pair them with neutral and light tones For a romantic look, you can from choose a myriad of pastel pinks, purples or greens, then pair them with some darker shades of grey or gold. The Home Republic Loft Table lamp from Adairs comes in beautiful pastel pink and would contrast perfectly with a dark blue Bushland cushion from Oz Design Furniture. Floral arrangements are always a must to complete a welcoming, romantic theme; they add a spot of nature and a sense of calm to the atmosphere of the room.

The design of your living room not only affects functionality, but it can also have an influence on the mood of your guests. Creating a welcoming environment for your living room is one of the key aspects of maintaining a happy household. With a plethora of options to suit your décor style, the sky is the limit when it comes to your living space.

For decorating inspiration find us at Homemaker the Valley, corner of Ann & Wickham Streets, Fortitude Valley.

TRANSFORMING YOUR BEDROOM INTO THE ULTIMATE SLEEP HAVEN

The bedroom is one of those areas of the home that should never be neglected. A messy laundry and untidy kitchen drawers are acceptable, but setting the right mood with bedroom décor is undeniably important. Your bedroom should feel like a place of serenity; a sanctuary away from the rest of the world where your dreams are sweet and your rest is uninterrupted. Unfortunately, that isn’t the reality for most people. Putting a stop to your midnight worries is a topic for another day, but for now, here are our top tips to transform any bedroom into the ultimate sleep haven.

Embrace Colour

If you’re a lover of colour, pastel is definitely the way to go for your bedroom. Bold, contrasting colours can make it difficult to get to sleep and aren’t conducive to a restful environment. This doesn’t mean you have to opt for boring shades. Pastels hit that sweet spot between bright and inviting, while still being calming.  Light toned blues, mustards and dusty pinks like in the Mercer + Reid Jewel Quilt Cover from Adairs will instantly lift a room, making it feel more inviting for some Z’s. If pastel tones aren’t quite your vibe, cool toned turquoise and deep wooden accents will also help create a shut-eye worthy space. Throw pillows and rugs will also add extra plushness and make you want to swan dive right onto your bed at the end of a long day.

Add Warm Lighting

One of the most underrated aspects of any sleep haven is lighting.  Harsh, blue light (from your phone and florescent overhead bulbs) decreases the production of melatonin in your brain, the chemical that helps send you off to the land of nod. So put your phone on “do not disturb” mode, switch off those lights and discover the magic of lamps. A gorgeous rose gold Geo Touch Lamp from Beacon Lighting is dim, gives off a warm toned light and is on-trend.

Keep The Space Clutter-Free

Ample storage is always a necessity in the bedroom, as a cluttered room equals a cluttered mind. Consider a bed with storage if you need more space, or read our tips for decluttering. A clean bedside table with only a few accent pieces will make a big difference. Plants are a good option for this surface space as they not only clean the air, but a touch of nature is instantly calming.

Make Use of An Accent Chair

As well as having clutter free surfaces, keep your bed exclusively for sleeping by incorporating a comfortable sitting chair into your space.  The Elly 1 Seater Sofa from James Lane is perfect for reading and chilling out before bed. This sets a mental boundary for your brain between chill time and sleep time, so when your head hits the pillow, you’re on your way to the big ZZZs.

Indoor Plants For The Bedroom

For a dream-worthy boudoir, neutral shades, slate blues and a myriad of plants will do the trick.  Have greenery hanging as well as in pots to really bring the outdoors in. The range of plants at Early Settler are perfect for those who are after something a little different. The Aloe Vera pot is a beautiful fit for the bedside as the blue tone of the leaves will tie in nicely to a duck egg blue bedspread.  The objective of a bedroom such as this is to evoke light, breezy vibes while oozing effortlessly cool style.

Shop The Best Mattress

While décor is vital to achieving this look, what underpins it all is a stellar quality mattress. We guarantee you’ll find the perfect mattress at Homemaker the Valley with Forty Winks, Sleepy’s, Snooze and Beds N Dreams all dedicated to helping you get more shut eye. Once you’ve got your dream mattress sorted, make sure to carefully plan out the other décor items around your space. Experiment with where everything in your room fits until it feels most calming and restful.

Your bedroom decorating style has a big influence on how restful your night is. Create a calming environment and you’ll be on your way to a dream filled evening in no time. Destination Sleep Town, population YOU!

For more ideas, visit us at Homemaker the Valley, Corner Ann & Wickham Streets Fortitude Valley