Category Archives: Inspiration

Where To Splurge & Where To Save In Your Home

There are so many components that go into decorating a home that it is hard to know where you should spend the money and where you should save. With budget options and high-end options for almost any aspect of the home, from furniture to bedding to accessories to rugs, it can all become a little overwhelming! That is why we are here to lend a helping hand and share our experience on what items are worth splurging on and where you can save a little bit of cash and go for a more affordable option. Homemaker The Valley prides itself on having a wide variety of retailers that stock quality items at an array of different price points, so let’s get shopping!

Splurge

 

Quality Furniture Pieces

Fast furniture has been a craze for the past few years as big box stores bring in new trend pieces every month at prices so low you question how they were even made! We are starting to realise that the cheap, trendy pieces end up needing to be replaced shortly after purchase as the quality and craftmanship is severely lacking. Investing in quality pieces that are built to last years and years is what we look for and pride ourselves on at Homemaker The Valley. Stores such as Provincial Home Living, Oz Design Furniture and James Lane offer amazing pieces that you can have peace of mind knowing you will have for a lifetime. We recommend not skimping on furniture items such as sofas, beds, dining tables and chairs. These items are used every day and as a result need to be built to ensure overall appearance and longevity over time.

Bed Linen

The bed is somewhere we spend hours upon hours sleeping, relaxing, reading and more, so it is essential we invest in quality linen worthy of such an important space. There is nothing better than sliding into bed at the end of a busy day to some luxurious bed sheets and snuggling into a soft doona and fluffy cushions. Head into our retailers such as The Sheridan Outlet and Adairs to touch and feel their gorgeous range of bed linen.

Fragrance

Having a high-quality fragrance that fills your home with a beautiful scent as soon as you open the door makes such a difference. We always recommend spending a little bit extra on candles and diffusers to ensure the scent is beautiful and fills the space on a larger scale. These items don’t have to cost an arm and a leg and the difference it makes in a home is immeasurable. You can pick up a gorgeous diffuser or candle from Adairs, Freedom or The Sheridan Outlet for around $30 to $50.

Lighting  

There is nothing worse than wonky bedside table lamps that are too small or a leaning floor lamp that looks like it might topple over at any second. Lighting is definitely an area of the home that we recommend investing in quality and not skimping. Saving up a little bit longer to afford some amazing pendant lights or some large bedside table lamps that create a beautiful focal point in the room is definitely worth it. Lighting is an area of decorating that you can often tell if someone has spent some time thinking about their purchase and invested in a quality product. We recommend heading to stores such as Early Settler and Freedom to check out their wide range of lighting options.

Save

 

Cushions

Cushions are a great place to save some money in the home and not spend hundreds of dollars per item. Cushions have a functional aspect, which means they are being relaxed on daily and as a result you do not want anything too precious or expensive. You often need to buy multiple cushions for a bed or sofa, so a great mid-priced option works best to avoid overspending. You really can’t go past Adairs when looking for quality cushions at a great price tag. The Adairs store at Homemaker The Valley underwent a renovation earlier this year, so if you haven’t popped in and seen the huge cushion wall, you need to do so asap!

 

Baskets

Baskets offer so many uses throughout the home and they are an item that you can definitely look for affordability when purchasing. As baskets rarely have other functionalities other than essentially storing items, it means they are not being damaged and worn down quickly. Some great uses for baskets throughout the home are storing blankets in a living room, shoes by the front door, a substitute as a pot for plants and so much more! Check out stores such as TK Maxx, Provincial Home Living, Adairs and Freedom for some amazing basket options at affordable prices.

Decorative Accents

Our favourite thing to switch up in our home and impulse purchase are decorative items! Think vases, trays for your coffee table, bowls to drop your keys into and little decorative objects to display on your open shelving. As all of these items are for display purposes only, they will not wear out and deteriorate over time, so you can rest assured that going for a cheaper option will be fine. Decorative items are usually on sale at retailers such as Freedom, Adairs and TK Maxx, so we recommend always looking at the clearance tables when in store to grab a bargain on your next shopping trip!

 

Kitchen & Pantry Styling Organisation

The kitchen truly is the heart of the home. Not only do we spend time in the space preparing and cooking meals, but the kitchen becomes a place for long conversations over a glass of wine, completing homework at the island bench or a space to dance around to your favourite tunes. Kitchens include a number of hard surfaces such as stone, tiles, laminate and stainless-steel appliances, so it is essential we soften and brighten them up by adding a touch of personality. We find that people are often scared to style a kitchen as there is a fine line between ‘stylishly curated’ and ‘cluttered’. Today we are sharing our top tips for creating a stylish kitchen without going overboard by adding a touch of personality and breathing life into the space.

 

Benchtop Styling

The benchtop is the perfect space to add personality to the kitchen and display some of your favourite items styled in beautiful vignettes. Try adding a tray to your island bench with a vase of flowers, coasters and a fruit bowl. Not only does this bring colour and life to the space, but it can also hold items that you reach for regularly. Another idea for benchtop styling is to lean a gorgeous timber chopping board against your splashback with some large, decorative salt and pepper grinders in front. If your kitchen is feeling stark and in need of some colour, add a little herb garden with some basil, rosemary and thyme in front of a window or by your stovetop. This will create a beautiful little focal point through adding a pop of greenery and become a handy tool when cooking up your favourite meals in the kitchen! We recommend heading to some of our retailers such as Kitchen Warehouse, Freedom, Provincial Home Living and Early Settler for some beautiful pieces to add to your kitchen benchtops.

Open Shelf Styling

Open shelving is a huge trend in kitchens at the moment and is growing in popularity every day! Opt for a balance of enclosed cupboards and a few open shelves when designing your space, this way you can keep your everyday items tucked away, but also have your favourite items styled and on display to bring you joy each day. We love floating timber shelves or a rustic, brushed brass style to add interest and a feature in the kitchen. Display items such as cookbooks, trailing plants, your favourite mugs and the ‘special occasion’ wine glasses.  Open shelving is a great way to create different themes and update the look of your kitchen as you can switch up the items depending on the season or time of year.

Try Adding A Soft Touch

As we have mentioned above, kitchens include an array of hard finishes from the stone benchtops to the shiny appliances. It can be hard to offset against these surfaces, but with a few simple tricks we can make the kitchen feel like a cosier space! Rugs are a considerably underrated home décor item for the kitchen. Not only do they add colour and texture, but they feel comfortable and soft underfoot. We understand that keeping a rug looking clean and fresh in a kitchen can be hard, but if you opt for a jute or flatweave variety it will stay looking newer for a lot longer. Homemaker The Valley has a few specialty rugs stores such as Decorug and The Rug Establishment, head in store today!

Stylish Pantry Storage

If opening up your pantry gives you a scare and you have no idea what is lurking in the back, then it is time to style and organise the space! With the help of stores such as Howard’s Storage World and TK Maxx, you will find everything you need to feel inspired about your pantry once again! After you have cleaned out your pantry and have only kept the essentials and food that is in-date, it’s time to go shopping! Start by sorting all your pantry goods into ‘like-minded’ categories and pop them all into storage baskets for easy reach. Another trick we recommend is emptying all your cardboard boxes into beautiful glass or plastic jars and labelling them accordingly. This creates a styled and organised pantry and also allows you to easily see when you are running low on items such as pasta, flour, cereals or nuts.

Add A Personal Touch

We spend so much time in our kitchens that it is imperative they reflect the personality of the home. If you have a bright and colourful interior throughout the rest of the house, add some framed colourful artworks or a fun calendar with your favourite images of the family each month. If your home is more of a minimal, Scandinavian vibe, then add some vintage black and white kitchen art or a framed, minimal line drawing. Art shouldn’t be limited to the bedroom, hallways and living room, make sure you include a few pieces that reflect your personality in the kitchen as well.

Our go-to stores at Homemaker The Valley for all your kitchen needs are Kitchen Warehouse, Howard’s Storage World and Tk Maxx. But don’t forget about all our other amazing retailers that you are sure to find a beautiful piece to style up in your kitchen or pantry as well! Spend an afternoon this weekend strolling through Homemaker North and South while sipping on a hot cup of coffee from Café 63. We will see you there!

 

How to create the perfect home office

2020 has resulted in many people working from home or creating a home office space they never had before. If you are struggling to feel motivated in your home office or feel like it is lacking in organisation and functionality, then we have the perfect blogpost for you. There are many aspects that go into creating the perfect home office such as storage, furniture, inspirational décor and a functional system. Today we are sharing all our top tips for creating the perfect home office that you enjoy settling into each day.

 

Storage Is Key

Storage is a key concern for most people throughout the entire house, but even more so in the home office. The home office is a space where clutter can build up very quickly through paperwork, stationery supplies, books and day to day items. It is essential to choose furniture items and storage solutions that amplify your space and allow everything to be neatly tucked away and organised. We recommend heading into Howard’s Storage World to see all the innovative storage solutions they have on offer. A filing cabinet or chest of drawers with drawer dividers is perfect for storing paperwork and office supplies. Drawer dividers are essential for a home office as they ensure small stationery items stay in place and avoid drawers becoming one big mess. You can also try stacking a few decorative A4 boxes on shelves or the top of the desk to store important files that cannot be scanned into the computer. Use wicker baskets to house unsightly items such as spare chargers, power adapters and hard drives. That way the space still looks styled and neat, whilst also being functional and organised.

Inspiring Décor

A key design aspect that is often overlooked in a home office is adding inspiring décor. The home office is often a space you spend prolonged periods of time in, so it is essential you have items in there that make you feel inspired and motivated. Try hanging artwork on the walls that reflect your personal style and the style of the home. We recommend going for bright, bold, abstract prints if you’d like to feel inspired and motivated or more muted, line drawing prints if you’d prefer a calm and tranquil space. Be sure to add inspiring coffee table books to shelves and bookcases that you can pick up every time you need a break or a jolt of inspiration. We love the inspiring range of interiors, home and lifestyle related books from Provincial Home Living. The home office should include personal touches to avoid it becoming too ‘business-like’ and sterile. We recommend adding framed photos of loved ones, decorative vases with fresh flowers and your favourite scented candle. Don’t forget to breathe life into the room by adding a few plants such as a fiddle leaf fig or a hanging,

 

Functional and Stylish Furniture

When choosing furniture for your home office it needs to tick two boxes – Functional and Stylish. There are plenty of ergonomic options available that mean you don’t have to skimp on style to have a functioning office set up. Check out Freedom’s range of gorgeous, coloured office chairs in a range of fabrics and ‘design-it-yourself’ desk options! It is always essential to opt for desks that have storage included such as drawers or cupboards to avoid any build-up of clutter on top of the desk. Choose a bookcase or shelving unit that has simple, clean lines and allows you to keep office essentials tucked away and organised. If you have an open bookshelf, we recommend adding a few storage baskets or boxes to avoid the shelves looking cluttered and overcrowded. Alternatively opting for a bookcase that has cupboards for storing items and open shelving to display inspiring décor provides you the best of both worlds!

A System

Having a clear system in your home office will ensure it stays neat, tidy and organised. The most important system to avoid paper build up is scanning all documents onto your computer or hard drive, only keeping essential items in hard copy. Another great system is ensuring you tidy up your desk and have a place for everything at the end of the day. The best way to start the day is having a clean and tidy desk, so make sure your stationery, laptop and books have a specific place to be stored at the end of each day. To maintain a functional and organised office we recommend doing a tidy up and sort out every few months to ensure no clutter, documents or unnecessary items build up.

All our stores at Homemaker The Valley offer stylish and functional furniture items in a range of different design styles and price points. We suggest popping into your favourite stores and having a browse at what could work in your home office space. Think about the above points we have made from décor to storage to furniture and you will have the perfect home office in no time at all!

 

 

How To Make Your Bedroom The Perfect Sanctuary

The bedroom is one of our favourite rooms in the house. Not only do we sleep in this space, but we can read, talk, play, connect and relax in this room as well. The bedroom is the place we spend our days dreaming about as we long to cosy up under the covers and get some much-needed shut eye. With all that in mind, the bedroom often becomes the space that you forget about when decorating your home. As your guests rarely set foot in your bedroom, we often pay more attention to decorating our living spaces and ensuring these are perfect before diving into a bedroom design. Today we are going to be sharing some tips on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary where you can relax, unwind and enjoy being in this tranquil space.

 

Invest In Quality Bedding

There are many home decorating areas you can cut back and save a few dollars on, but your bedding should definitely not be one of them. The difference high quality bedding has on your sleep is immeasurable. Not only does it feel luxurious and soft when you climb in at the end of a busy day, but it looks amazing too! Here at Homemaker The Valley we have some great stores such as the Sheridan Outlet and Adairs that stock a huge range of high quality pieces such as luxuriously soft quilt covers, 1000 thread count sheets, silk pillowcases and more! Switch up your bedding this weekend and we can assure you, you will notice the difference straight away!

Lighting Options

Having multiple lighting options in a bedroom is essential. Not only do you need bright overhead lights for getting dressed, cleaning or organising the space, but you also need to incorporate some task lighting. Bedside table lamps, wall sconces or floor lamps make a huge difference in a bedroom. They allow you to create a moody and tranquil environment before hopping into bed by emitting a soft light that is less harsh than bright ceiling lights. They also encourage reading before bed instead of sitting and scrolling through your mobile phone or laptop. Try adding a gorgeous bedside table lamp from Freedom, Oz Design Furniture or Early Settler to your bedroom to create a tranquil and calming atmosphere in your bedroom today.

Soft Furnishings

Cushions and throw rugs immediately make a space feel cosier and more welcoming. Add some fluffy cushions and soft throw blanket to your bed, ottoman or armchair to elevate the cosiness of the entire room. Opt for fabrics such as linen, faux fur or a knitted wool to ensure you can snuggle up and feel the warmth of a cosy texture. Soft furnishings are great to change up from season to season and you can switch up the colours depending on your mood or what is the latest trend. If you haven’t checked out the ‘cushion wall’ at Adairs then you need to head on into Homemaker The Valley this weekend to take your pick at every colour of the rainbow!

A Cosy Rug

There is nothing better than getting out of bed in the morning and planting your feet on a soft, cosy rug. Try adding a large, textured rug to your bedroom to elevate the warmth factor and create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere. Go for a large rug that can fit quite comfortably under your bed and beyond the end of the bed frame. Unlike high traffic areas such as the living or dining room, the bedroom is where you can go for a high pile, fluffy rug that creates a warm and comfortable environment. Head into Deco Rug this weekend to touch and feel their wide range of gorgeous rugs in an array of textures, patterns and colours.

A Great Bed

A great bed can make a huge difference to not only the quality of your sleep, but the entire look and feel of your bedroom too. By investing in a bed that not only looks amazing, but offers storage solutions as well, will elevate your bedroom to the next level. We love beds that have a fabric bedhead in a neutral tone form stores like Beds n Dreams, Forty Winks or Snooze. Look for beds that have built in storage such as large, spacious drawers or a gas lift bedframe. Having hidden storage in a bed frame allows you to hide any excess items or blankets away and creates a more streamlined, organised and tranquil environment in the bedroom.

Scent

Scent plays a huge role in how we feel and connect to a space. Our homes take on so many different scents from cooking, cleaning and general life that we need to ensure we take steps in creating a beautifully smelling space. To create a cosy atmosphere in the bedroom we recommend going for a warm scent such as a burnt caramel or sandalwood. If you would like your bedroom to have a more tranquil and fresh vibe then opt for a jasmine, peppermint or linen scent. Our top picks for adding scent into the bedroom are using a diffuser throughout the day and burning a candle in the evenings as you are preparing for bed. You can pick up a beautiful candle at an affordable price from plenty of our retailers such as Provincial home Living, TK Maxx, James Lane or Sheridan.

Bedside Table Storage

Seeing clutter in a bedroom can automatically make you feel anxious and uneasy. Selecting bedside tables that have built in storage such as a drawer or cupboard allows you to easily tidy up and keep your bedtime essentials organised. We recommend choosing a bedside table that has a drawer where you can keep some linen spray, a good book, essentials oils and some sleep spray to ensure you have everything you need for a peaceful night’s sleep within easy reach. The main goal of the bedroom is to relax, unwind and ensure we have the best seep possible. Having everything tucked away neatly in a bedside table will make a huge difference!

 

 

What Our Styling Service Can Do For You

At Homemaker The Valley we offer complimentary styling sessions with our resident Interior Designer, Eliza from Eliza Grace Interiors. The sessions are completely free and you can simply book in online at a time that works for you! It’s as simple as that!

Today, we will explain in more detail how we can help you in the styling session and what services Eliza can offer. There is no minimum spend and no catches, we are just here to help you restyle or redecorate your home! Read on to find out how we can help you this weekend!

Floor Plans & Layouts

Are you struggling to work out the best layout for your open plan living space or are you renovating and trying to work out where each furniture item should go? Our resident stylist can help! During your one-hour styling session we can sit down in our styling suite, have a coffee and discuss your floor plan layout and the traffic flow of your home. We can help with living room layouts and choosing how many sofas or occasional chairs will work best in the space. We could also help with choosing the layout and orientation of your master bedroom or nursery. Using floor plans and images of your home, we can come up with a plan that works for you before going for a browse at our favourite retailers to show you examples of pieces that will work in the space.

Furniture Selection

One of the most popular reasons we have clients book in for styling sessions is to help them with furniture selections in their home. It can be quite hard to know you are making the right choice when selecting an expensive item such as a new sofa or bed, that is where having a qualified interior designer to guide you along the way is essential. Eliza can discuss options for your furniture pieces and provide feedback on how they can work in your space whilst suggesting what item may work best for you. Sometimes a second opinion can give you the confidence boost you were looking for in making the final step to purchasing that big-ticket item. We can also look at pairing different furniture options together and what pieces will work seamlessly within your space. By having access to a number of different retailers, we can bring bedside tables from Provincial Home Living over to a bed at Freedom to test out if they work well together!

Soft Furnishings & Home Décor Styling

Styling home décor and soft furnishings within your home can be one of the trickiest parts of interior decorating. Our resident stylist can help pair together various items such as vases, trays, ornaments etc to create a professionally styled look. We can even test out different cushions and throw rugs on beds and sofas to see what colours and style you like best for your home. There are so many amazing retailers at Home The Valley that have a plethora of home décor styling pieces that we can mix and match to find the perfect arrangement or vignette that works for you.

Artwork and Rugs

Choosing the perfect artwork or rug for your home can be a hard choice. We often here clients say that they struggle to picture these pieces in their home, that’s where a professional design opinion can help. Using the measurements and images you bring from home; Eliza can help you find the perfect size and coloured artwork or rug that will work in your space. Choosing the correct size of rug or art piece can be daunting and often people hesitate and end up picking something too small or safe. By looking at various options and pairing pieces with furniture items, we can create an overall professionally designed look that you are happy with. Selecting artwork in bold colours or an abstract print can be daunting, Eliza can help you look at options that will work with your current home scheme and suggest ways of styling up accessories to reflect the art pieces selected.

Paint, Flooring and More

Before setting off on our shopping expedition around Homemaker The Valley and picking out some pieces that will work in your home, we can also discuss any other choices you may mulling over. Eliza can provide advice on flooring options that will work with the furniture items you are looking at using or suggesting paint colours that will pair nicely with your soft furnishings and artwork. We can provide advice on a whole range of questions you may have for your home. By utilising our resident stylist’s skills, we can create the dream home you are looking for all within the comfort of our styling suite over a coffee from Café 63. Why not give it a try? Book online for your styling appointment today!

 

2020 Trends Forecast

2020 is officially here and we are welcoming it with open arms! There is nothing quite like the fresh start of a new year to add a pep to your step and have you feeling inspired about the future. Today we are focusing on all the design trends you will be seeing throughout the coming months at all of your favourite retailers at Homemaker The Valley. Some trends we have seen slowly entering our homes in 2019 and others are fresh, new and exciting! Be sure to follow our Instagram @homemakerthevalley to keep up to date with all the latest trends in real time!

 

Natural Materials

Natural materials have grown in popularity in 2019 and we have seen rattan and wicker pieces pop up in just about every retailer. Good news for the rattan lovers – it’s not going anywhere! In fact, we will be seeing even more natural elements such as timber and rattan coming through in large pieces that will stand the test of time such as entertainment units, bathroom vanities and more. Introducing natural elements into the home creates a warm and inviting atmosphere whilst adding texture and interest to a space. If you are yet to jump on the trend, try opting for a natural timber coffee table or a wicker occasional chair. Natural textures pair perfectly with neutral colours such as beiges or white and look great next to a plant or two. Oz Design Furniture, Freedom and Provincial Home Living have so many amazing pieces at the moment that you simply must touch and see in store!

 

Outdoor Entertaining Spaces

We are so lucky to have such beautiful weather and sunshine here in Brisbane, that we would be crazy not to utilise the outdoors for entertaining. Outdoor areas such as alfrescos, balconies and patios will no longer be an afterthought when decorating your home, they will be centre stage! We are seeing a huge trend of designing an outdoor space as its own entertaining oasis and ‘room’ in itself. Think huge outdoor rugs, a large dining table, multiple seating options and decorative festoon lights. Stores such as Remarkable Outdoor Living, Freedom and Early Settler have some gorgeous outdoor pieces this season including large hanging egg chairs, wicker love seats, durable fabric lounges and washable outdoor rugs. Go for colours such as greys or dark beiges paired with natural timbers. Don’t forget to add a pop of colour through bright outdoor cushions and green leafy plants.

 

Making Walls The Hero

Wall panelling has been a huge trend in late 2019 and we can see it rising to new heights throughout 2020. VJ and decorative panelling will be a massive trend for feature walls and bathrooms in either a statement colour or traditional white. Alongside wall panelling we will be seeing large scale artworks being used to create features and talking points throughout the home. Pair a gorgeous VJ panelled wall in a subtle colour with a statement artwork for an ultra-modern and contemporary look. Oz Design Furniture have the biggest and brightest statement artworks in prints such as blossoming peonies, dessert scenes and tropical palms. Try redecorating your walls in rooms such as the bedroom, dining room or entryway and you’ll be surprised at the difference it will make on the overall feel of the space and style of your home.

 

More Than Just Plants

Plants have been growing in popularity for the past couple of years and hit soaring status in 2019. Plants will be popular for years to come as they not only bring life and nature into a home, but also add a pop of colour. If you are looking for new ways to include a natural element in your home then think beyond just plants and move towards dried flowers, pampas grass or dried palm leaves to create a new feature in your home. This trend still allows you to have fun with nature but creates a more interesting and unexpected look. Freedom and Adairs have some absolutely gorgeous faux varieties of dried flowers, grasses and natives. Add a bunch to a decorative vase on your dining table, coffee table or entertainment unit for a focal point. You can also try adding a big, statement, dried palm frond or bunch of pampas grass to a terracotta pot that can be placed on the floor or a console table in your entryway. Another perk of this trend? There is no maintenance, upkeep or watering required!

 

Quality And Timeless Pieces

The past few years have seen the rise of affordable, yet poorly made products flooding the furniture and homewares markets. Consumers are starting to realise the pain of having to repurchase items when they break, wear too quickly or simply date as they were too ‘on-trend’. We see a key trend for 2020 and moving forward to the future of quality, classic and timeless pieces that you want to invest in. Stores such as Provincial Home Living and James Lane do this perfectly. They create pieces that have a nod to a certain trend and look contemporary but use classic shapes that will stand the test of time. Look for furniture and homewares pieces in colours you have seen to be popular throughout history and don’t be afraid to spend a bit more money on an item if you know deep down that you love it and can see it in your home for many years to come.

The Biggest Christmas Trends of 2019

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!

 

Refresh and Organise Your Home This Spring!

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 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!

4 Steps to a Magazine Worthy Bedroom

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.

white & gray bedroom setting

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.

modern bedding in white

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.

white, gray & beige bedroom setting

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.

beige tea towels

 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.

jungle-themed bedroom setting

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.

laughing woman wearing a white shirt that reads apero

 

Pitch perfect rugs to elevate any space

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.