Tag: interior

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Easy decorating ideas for a nursery room

From toddler to energetic little one, rooms for this age can really be lots of colour, fun and not to mentioned beautifully themed – with style of course!

Looking for nursery decorating ideas? It’s the one space in the house where you can cut-loose and indulge your sense of fun when choosing a decorating scheme. A kid’s room isn’t only a place for sleep – see it as a play space that will spark children’s imaginations, too.

Whether you’ve got months or weeks until your new bundle of joy comes home for the first time you’ll be keen to get the baby’s room ready in time for their arrival.

From brightly coloured wallpaper to gender neutral colour palettes and nursery furniture ideas, there are plenty of nursery decorating tips for every budget. And when your little one gets a bit older we’ve got plenty of inspiration for transforming a baby’s room with our gallery of nursery decorating ideas.

Add in a peg rail to organise clothes

Any new mum will tell you that getting your little one ready for a day out can be a nightmare. You’ve managed to wrestle them into their closest clean t-shirt, only to discover that it is a PJ top. Install a peg rail on the nursery wall at your height, away from little fingers, where you can coordinate there outfits in advance and have them close to hand when it’s time to get ready.

Include a comfy chair and blanket

It’s likely that in your child’s first year you’ll be spending as much time sleeping in their nursery as they do. A comfy chair is an absolute must for perching on as you read your little one a bed time story, or for bouncing them up and down in when they cry through the night. Choose a comfy large arm chair that you would be happy to sleep in and breast feed in, trust us you won’t regret this nursery addition.

Create a colorful feature wall

It’s tempting to want to create a paradise of cream and sheepskin rugs when you have a little one on the way. However, don’t shy away from the brighter colours which your baby will be drawn too. Stimulate your babies senses with walls painted in primary colours – red, yellow and blue. Create a feature wall with brightly coloured wallpaper like this animal one which can double as a learning aid.

Incorporate plenty of storage

Babies usually come with lots of things, from nappies to baby wipes. Keep everything in its designated place with plenty of built in storage in your new nursery. Drawers are perfect for storing your supply of nappies and cotton wool pads. However, be careful about using drawers anywhere little fingers can get caught, instead consider a fabric box slotted into a shelf.

Think tactile and textures

From the silky mustard hanging bed canopy to the potato sack effect toy storage unit and seagrass-style runner, playing with texture in this room really helps to lift this space. A tasseled wall hanging and a rattan style

Paint the walls a neutral grey

Yellows, blues or pinks are usually the go-to colours for a nursery, but why not consider a grey-and-white colour scheme instead? This combination is not only timeless, but can be customised by adding extras, such as painted stars, which can be changed as your child gets older.

Line toys up on a shelf

Make a display of books, teddies or dolls on a set of shelves lined up horizontally on one wall. This is a great way of keeping toys off the floor, yet still to hand when your child wants to get one down.

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Decorating ideas for the summer

Summer decorating is so much fun — it’s a great excuse to update your decor. Summer activities can take you inside and out this season, and that means you’ll have plenty of spaces to decorate. The key to a summer makeover is light fabrics, bright colors and even a touch of beach-inspired decor. You can update your home for the season with just a few accessories or go big and add a stunning outdoor dining set. Most summer-inspired decor can be stored away when it’s time for autumn decorating. That keeps your decor fresh when the season is back next year.

Summer Decorating Means Colorful Outdoor Entertaining

We love summer entertaining, especially when the party moves outside. Choose a comfortable outdoor seating set that encourages conversation and lingering. Bright outdoor pillows and throws for chilly summer nights are a must. If you’re creating a space that ties your indoor decor to the outdoors, choose accessories that fit into the color palette you already have in your home.

Switch to a Summer Duvet Cover

A new duvet cover can makeover your bedroom in an instant. Look for light fabrics like linen and cotton for comfortable bedding even when the weather heats up. Beach-inspired patterns and colors (like blue and aqua) are perfect for summer decorating. Even if you aren’t embracing a full coastal theme in your home, you can add touches of beach style in any room when you work within your color palette.

Get Fresh Style With Macramé and Crafty Summer Accessories

Maybe we’re just reminiscing about summer crafts, but macrame and handmade accessories feel like a perfect fit for the season. Mixing handcrafted decor in natural colors and materials with boho or contemporary furnishings creates a relaxed summer style. Add softness to your bedroom or living room by replacing framed art with macrame and woven wall hangings.  

Brighten up Your Patio With an Indoor/Outdoor Rug

We love indoor/outdoor rugs for bringing color and pattern outside. Look for rugs with lots of summer color, as they are the best focal point for your outdoor decorating plan. Your outdoor seating and cushions may be pretty neutral, so you can be creative when choosing your rug, pillows and accessories. An easy and fun tip for choosing the best indoor/outdoor rug is to match a few colors from your summer-blooming flowers in the rug’s pattern. 

Add Outdoor Lights for Entertaining Evenings

What fun is summer decorating without string lights? Look to outdoor restaurant and winery spaces for inspiration on lighting your deck or patio. Think of string lights as ambience, instead of task lighting, so that you can add just the right amount to create a magical space. There is a big selection of outdoor string lights available, including colorful and themed options, but classic white bulbs can fit into any decorating style.

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Creative ways to decorate with ornaments

Maybe you have an extra set of ornaments you’ve been keeping in storage. Maybe you don’t have space for a full tree—looking at you, city-dwellers—but still want to give your home a spirited update for the season. Or maybe you’re simply looking for some fresh holiday inspiration. Whatever the reason, this roundup of our favorite off-the-wall (or rather, off-the-tree) ornament ideas is sure to get your creativity flowing. Happy decorating!

SET UP SPARKLING PLACE CARDS

Low effort and high impact, this simple place-card upgrade is sure to delight your holiday dinner guests. First choose one ornament per guest: Go with a matched set for a classic look, or pick individual designs you know each person will love. Write each guest’s name on a tag, tie it to the ornament with a sprig of greenery, and you’ve got a sweet yet simple way to elevate your seasonal table. A bonus: The place cards can double as festive favors.

HIGHLIGHT A COLLECTION

Have a set of vintage ornaments too delicate to hang? Place them in a shallow bowl or footed vessel instead, where you can admire their shimmering details up close. This zero-effort display makes a stunning centerpiece (just keep the container on the low side to avoid blocking sight lines) or a gorgeous accent for an unexpected spot—such as the kitchen counter or a hallway table.

CREATE A WHIMSICAL DISPLAY

Any open vessel can be turned into a festive holiday display—it just takes a little creative thinking. Look around the house for worthy candidates: Here, a vintage birdcage gets a touch of holiday cheer with a tumble of brilliant golden ornaments. You can achieve a similar effect by filling a clear glass cloche, a tall hurricane, or a wire basket.

ADD A LITTLE EXTRA BRILLIANCE

A touch of greenery makes any spot in the home feel more festive—especially when festooned with ornaments. To give your dining room an easy seasonal update, wrap your chandelier with a garland of greenery and berries, then trim it with a set of mini ornaments. We love how the ornaments’ golden tones complement the chandelier’s brass details, giving the arrangement a spirited yet sophisticated glow.

MAKE PRESENTS POP

Because presentation is half of the fun of gift-giving, why not finish your presents with a sparkling ornament topper? This is a perfect way to make use of lone ornaments or mismatched pieces (and a great excuse to invest in a new set for your tree!), plus the recipient gets a little extra something special.

FASHION A STATEMENT PIECE

This impressive ornament display is a true showstopper—and it’s easier to achieve than it looks. Gather a grouping of ornaments in a tight color scheme, such as the blues and smoky grays here, along with ribbons to match. Then suspend them from a hanging light fixture, making sure to vary the lengths of the ribbons so that the ornaments form cloudlike clusters. (You’ll want to do this over a table or in a space with high ceilings, so guests don’t bump into your handiwork.) Now just wait for the oohs and aahs to roll in.

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Picking upholstery fabrics

If you are new to the world of upholstery, choosing the right fabric may seem like an arduous process. With all the fabrics (not to mention the colors and designs) available, how do you choose the one which is right for you? Here is some information on various fabric to help you select the right fabric for your furniture.

Durability

If you are planning to upholster something that will experience everyday wear and tear, durability is important to consider. Upholstery fabric’s durability is determined by how it rates on the manufacturer-administered double rub test, which is a back and forth motion that mimics the wear and tear of someone sitting on an upholstered seat over time. The higher the number of double rubs, (for example 100,000 vs 10,000) the better the indicator of quality and durability. In addition to higher double rubs, look for upholstery fabrics treated for performance, like stain resistance, water repellant, or UV resistance.

For upholstery projects that will not be used every day, like decorative or heirloom pieces, performance characteristics might not be as important, which opens up a wider variety including silk, wool, linen, cotton duck, embellished fabrics and more! Just look for home décor fabrics in the medium to very heavyweight range.

Fabric Care

Upholstery fabric is often not suitable for traditional washing or dry cleaning once applied to furniture; therefore, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and look for stain repellent fabrics for heavier-use pieces. Our recommendation for dry-cleaning is intended prior to upholstering, if cleaning before use is desired. Once upholstered, use spot cleaners intended for upholstery fabric, or upholstery cleaning services. Using a fabric protectant spray over your finished furniture is highly recommended.

Fabric Types

These common, upholstery fabrics come in a variety of weights, colors, fibers, and treatments to ensure you get the fabric you need for your project.

  • Chenille – Excellent fabric choice for home usage, primarily heavier use pieces. Similar to velvet, it has a cut pile that aids in abrasion resistance and comfort.

Faux suede / Microfiber / Ultrasuede – Typically a polyester multi-weave fabric with a surface abrasion treatment giving it a fuzzy, sueded pile to mimic suede, this fabric is an excellent choice for heavy-use family rooms and pets. It’s very strong, abrasion resistant and easy to clean.

Velvet – Velvet has a dense cut pile, making it luxuriously soft with a sheen. Velvet can stand up to heavy usage, and is an attractive choice for most homes. Cleans best when spill or stain is tended to immediately.

Basketweave / Tweed – These textured woven fabrics hide stains and wear well, and can be used in any upholstery application depending on their double rub rating. Higher double rubs will reduce pilling and fabric pulls.

Faux Leather – Easy to clean and makes a great choice for children’s furniture and other high-usage pieces. Clean and condition appropriately to reduce risk of cracking.

Color

Your color choice is also dependent upon the type of use your furniture will see. A natural beige color is a popular choice for hiding dirt as well as being a neutral that can go with many different décor styles.

Consider lighter solid colors to create an airy, inviting mood in a space. Darker colors or patterns are better for hiding dirt and wear. Or you can always select a bright color or a fun, bold pattern to make a statement in your space!

For more details on our upholstery service, click here.

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Classic Christmas decorating ideas for the Festive Season

Whether your home is traditional, contemporary, or eclectic, these Christmas decorating ideas will inspire a simply perfect holiday style.

BEACHFRONT BEAUTY

Let your furniture play a supporting role in your Christmas decor. Adding small wreaths (these are made from princess-pine greenery) to a cabinet with breakfront doors makes the whole piece — and all of its contents — shine during the holidays.

RIBBON GARLAND

Instead of greenery, embellish your stair rail with ribbons and wreaths this year. Attach small winterberry wreaths to the railing with wire. Then drape the railing with lengths of ribbon, threading them through the wreath wires to create a swag.

SIMPLY STUNNING

Let this simple vignette shine by grouping silver tea service pieces and topping them with crystal garland and a snowflake ornament. They’ll look extra special when arranged on a white cake platter and topped with a cloche.

QUICK THINKING

Need a last-minute table decoration? Snip greenery from your tree and bind the ends together with raffia bows, then place inside clear glasses filled with an inch of water.

GRAND ENTRANCE

Impress your guests with ribbon cascading from a chandelier. Gather lengths of ribbon and tie in a bow around the base of your light fixture. Spread the ribbons out (a la maypole) and tuck into place settings between a dinner plate and salad plate. Once the meal gets started, release the ribbons from the plates and either let them float to the center of the table or tie them in a loose knot to keep them out of the way.