Tag Archives: Outdoor living

Winter table decor: how to create the perfect Sunday roast experience

As the chill of winter settles in and we retreat inside, it creates the perfect opportunity to gather your family or friends to enjoy a cosy Sunday roast. Picture this, the living room is filled with lively conversation and the table is set and waiting while the aromas of a home-cooked roast waft from the kitchen. Sounds enticing right? 

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of this beloved tradition with minimal stress and effort. We’ll guide you through setting your winter table decor, preparing hearty recipes and creating a sense of occasion for the whole family to enjoy. Everything you need awaits at Homemaker The Valley. 

 

Setting a warm winter table with decor 

There’s something to be said for setting a winter table. While summer is all about bright colour palettes and the outdoors, a winter table is defined by a warm, moody atmosphere. The best way to achieve this is to play with colours and shadows. 

winter table decor

Provincial Home Living Hayman Napkin $9.95, Provincial Home Living Tilly Ribbon $14.95, Freedom NINA Candlestick Holder $14.95, Kitchen Warehouse Chasseur Rectangular Roasting Pan $219.95, Adairs Sicily Collection Pack of 2 Natural Round Placemats $24.99, Domayne Ribbed Grey/Clay15cm Taper Set of 4 Candles $14, Freedom SOHO Cutlery Set $69.95, Kitchen Warehouse Salisbury & Co Classic Gravy Boat with Saucer 325ml White $9.98, Kitchen Warehouse Ecology Ottawa Dinner Set 12pc Calico $99.95. 

 

First up, you’ll want to choose your colour palette, think deep blues, rich burgundies or forest greens. Don’t be afraid to mix and match! From there, the key to a balanced tablescape is layering. Start with placemats as the foundation, then build upwards with dinnerware, silverware, glassware, and napery. This strategic layering adds depth and visual interest to the setting. Finally, tie it all together by adding a centrepiece. This could be a vase with seasonal flowers or a collection of candles to add an extra element of warmth and height. 

With these simple steps and your own personal touch, you’ll create a winter table setting that will wow your guests and turn any meal into a special occasion. Now that the table’s set, it’s time to plan the menu!

 

Preparing hearty recipes 

We can all relate to the stress of hosting, especially when it comes to balancing cooking duties with entertaining guests. That’s where the beauty of a Sunday roast lies. By minimising the time spent in the kitchen, you can focus on enjoying the company of your loved ones without compromising on flavour. 

Start by choosing a quality cut of meat and season generously with your favourite herbs and spices. While that’s in the oven, cut up your vegetables like carrots, onion and potatoes and place in the oven alongside the meat. While they’re cooking you can mingle with your guests, and before you know it, it will be time to serve up! Of course, no hearty meal is complete without a sweet treat to round off the evening. Indulge in the comforting flavours of the season with decadent desserts like a warm fruit crumble or a rich pudding. The best part? These desserts can be prepared ahead of time and left to cook while you enjoy your roast.

 

Create a sense of occasion 

Transforming an ordinary dinner into a memorable occasion is easier than you think, and it’s all in the small details that make the difference. 

Add a touch of personalisation to your winter table decor with handwritten place cards, or sprigs of greenery tied with ribbon to each place setting. Not only does this thoughtful gesture add a touch of practicality to the table setting, but it also makes each guest feel appreciated. Another effortless but effective way of creating a sense of occasion is by structuring the meal itself. This might mean pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, setting the stage for lively conversation, followed by the main course – a hearty roast and finished off with a dessert to savour the conclusion of the evening.

By paying attention to these small yet significant details, you’ll create a sense of occasion, setting your Sunday roast apart from every other dinner. So go ahead, embrace the art of hosting, and watch as your guests’ faces light up when they see what awaits them. 

Now all that’s left to do is embrace the cosiness of the indoors with a warm Sunday roast! Don’t forget to experiment with a palette of rich, seasonal colours and textures to complement the cosy atmosphere of your dining space. For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

Image: Provincial Home Living

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.