Tag: interiors

Get their look: Groovy pad

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Louise Wellington Photographer (@lulu_wells)

This week’s Get their look feature is a house in New South Wales, Australia. Built in 1974, the current home-owners – Michael and Lisa – pay homage to the decade. This groovy pad is the epitome of 1970s interior design and décor. The era was a time of hopefulness and looking forward to the future.

Tangerine orange is the shade most associated with that age and it’s the dominant colour in the couple’s living room. Ditto bold, op art patterns in textiles and wall coverings. The futuristic phone, record player and television demonstrate the obsession of that age with outer-space and science fiction.

Get their look

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Taunton Vale chopping board
Taunton Vale chopping board
Belinda Lyon for Oxfam tea towel
Belinda Lyon for Oxfam tea towel
Figgjo Flint ‘AnneMarie’ serveware
Figgjo Flint ‘AnneMarie’ serveware
Orange JVC Videosphere television
Orange JVC Videosphere television
GEC Weltron record player
GEC Weltron record player
Sculptura ‘Donut’ rotary telephone
Sculptura ‘Donut’ rotary telephone
Green Tulip inspired chair
Green Tulip inspired chair
2-tier tiled coffee table
2-tier tiled coffee table
Taunton Vale chopping board
Taunton Vale chopping board
Belinda Lyon for Oxfam tea towel
Belinda Lyon for Oxfam tea towel
Figgjo Flint ‘AnneMarie’ serveware
Figgjo Flint ‘AnneMarie’ serveware
Orange JVC Videosphere television
Orange JVC Videosphere television
GEC Weltron record player
GEC Weltron record player
Sculptura ‘Donut’ rotary telephone
Sculptura ‘Donut’ rotary telephone
Green Tulip inspired chair
Green Tulip inspired chair
2-tier tiled coffee table
2-tier tiled coffee table

Is your home stressing you out?

Is your home stressing you out? | H is for Home

Your home should be a place that you love. After all, not only is it where you spend the vast majority of your time but it should also be your fortress from the stress of the outside world, as well as the place where you and your family spend time together and make memories. However, for many of us, our homes can end up causing a great deal of stress. Of course, in the modern era, the last thing many of us need is any more stress in our lives. With that in mind, here are some things that you can do to make sure that your home isn’t stressing you out.

Hired house cleaner using a vacuum cleaner

Hire some help

Keeping your home cleaned is an essential part of many of our lives but it can often feel close to impossible to find the time to actually get any of the cleaning done. After all, between work and family commitments, as well as the need to rest and relax from time to time, things like cleaning can often fall by the wayside. If that’s something that’s happening to you, consider hiring a cleaner so that your home is still a pleasant place to spend your time without you having to exhaust yourself keeping it clean on top of everything else that you have to do.

Pure white, minimal interior

Go minimal

If you feel stressed out every single time you enter your home then there’s a good chance that it’s because the place is far too cluttered. Being willing to get rid of the junk in your home and embrace a minimalist style is one of the best ways to make it a more relaxed and pleasant environment. If you’re constantly being bombarded with stimulus all through your home it can often create this kind of underlying level of stress that leaves a lot of people feeling tense and frustrated at home without even really knowing why.

Plumber fixing the tap on a hand basin

Keep it maintained

There are few things in life more stressful than something going wrong. From a burst pipe to an issue with your heating, household disasters can throw your entire life into chaos. Because of that, you want to be sure that you’re keeping your home well maintained. Having the number of a plumber or heating engineer on hand for emergencies is great. However, you also want to be sure that you’re getting your appliances checked over semi-frequently, even if they seem to be working just fine. That way you’re going to be able to avoid any problems before they ever materialise in the first place.

Of course, there are always going to be things in life that cause you stress, both at home and away. That’s something with which most of us just have to come to terms. However, by minimising the amount of stress that your home causes you, you’re in a position where you have somewhere to go and escape from all of the frustrations that so often come with trying to get by in the modern world.

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How to plan the perfect kitchen

How to plan the perfect kitchen | H is for Home

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Food is central to our existence and mealtimes are one of the things that families and friends will very often bond over.

Your kitchen space is one of the most important areas of your home. And, a well-designed kitchen will be something that will last you for a very long time.

A new kitchen is an investment, and if you install the right one, it could add considerable value to your property.

When it comes to fitting new luxury kitchens in your home, you have a great opportunity to totally reinvent the entire kitchen space and have it the way that suits you the best.

Here’s how to plan the perfect kitchen.

Different kinds of standard kitchen layoutscredit

Creating the optimal layout

If you’re renovating your kitchen completely, you can rethink the current layout and find an improved floor plan that really does work well for you.

Think practicality. You need your kitchen to be functional. After all, it is a room where the most tasking occurs in the home. Make your kitchen tasks easier on yourself by arranging the layout in the most convenient way possible.

Think about the distance from the fridge to the chopping board, or from the hob to the sink. If you’re walking a long distance between amenities, you’re making life difficult for yourself. You wouldn’t want to drop a hot pan because you need to carry it too far.

Large kitchen island

Including an island

If you have the room to include an island in the centre of your kitchen, do so. A kitchen island will provide you with a great space to use as an informal dining area, if your guests or family are sat at your kitchen island, you can get on and cook, while still talking with them.

Your island will provide you with lots of extra cabinet space. You could even opt to put your amenities such as your hob or sink in the middle of the room.

All of this can be obtained from one space in the centre of the room.

Before you rush to put an island into the centre of your kitchen, decide on whether the layout of the room works well with an island. The last thing that you want to do is block the room. If your kitchen cabinets are arranged in an ‘L’ shape, you might find this works especially well with an island, however, unless your kitchen is large, an island that is surrounded on all sides could get claustrophobic.

Kitchen with granite worktops

Think about the materials you will use

Getting your perfect kitchen made in the right materials is vital. You will want your kitchen to stand up to all of the steam and grease that will get thrown at it. Worktops need to be able to handle scratches and stains.

Make sure that the surfaces are easy to wipe clean. Stainless steel is the professional work surface of choice for many top chefs. There is a very good reason for this.

If the industrial look is not your style, think about going with a granite worktop. This will be very hard-wearing and long-lasting.

Tiled kitchen splashback

Get splash-backs

Having splash-backs or tiling around key areas of your kitchen will help to add to the look of the whole kitchen while preserving the integrity of the room. Make sure these are all easy to clean.

Classic fitted kitchen in grey

Fashions change and your kitchen should be designed to last

The kitchen that you buy and install this year should hopefully still be there many years from now. Kitchens are an expensive purchase. But they are a long-term investment, and you cannot cut corners if you want your kitchen to last.

But when your kitchen is designed to last for a prolonged period of time, there’s a danger that it will go out of fashion before it ever wears out.

Pick a design that you know will stand the test of time. Going for the most on trend themes and designs will probably mean that you will end up with a kitchen that looks very dated in a few years’ time.

Men installing a fitted kitchencredit

Bring in the professionals

If you want a high-quality finish that will be guaranteed to last, you should bring in the professionals.

Having your perfect kitchen fitted by experienced fitters will take the stress and strain off you. But it also means that you don’t have to call anyone in to undo your mistakes if anything goes wrong. This saves you time and money in the long run.

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4 Must-have home décor items for your child’s bedroom

4 Must-have home décor items for your child's bedroom | H is for Home

Inevitably, your child’s bedroom is a place in which they will spend a significant amount of time. That’s why it should be comfortable for sleeping, encourage learning and play, and complement their personal interests.

When it’s time to decorate your child’s room, make the most of the available space you have and include plenty of storage. Teaching your son or daughter to be more organised will be easier when everything has its own place.

If you’re ready to transform their bedroom, minding a few essential design tips will ensure they love the final result. Here are four must-have home décor items that will work well in any child’s room.

Girl's bedroom decorated in pink

1. Textured rugs

Children of all ages can be messy, and a rug may just save your carpet. A textured rug will be soft underfoot and will make them feel warm and cosy during the colder months. Adding a rug is an easy home makeover move, since rugs can change the look of a space in an instant. If you have a theme such as a colour combination, try to find a design that fits this. For younger children, a brightly coloured rug can add some fun to their room and is an alternative to painting walls.

White bunk beds with drawers beneathcredit

2. Bunk beds

The bed you choose will be important, especially if you have a child who’s a restless sleeper. We like the bunk beds from furniture.com, as they’re both stylish and child-friendly. The sturdy designs will support them throughout their childhood years, making it furniture worth investing in.

One of the best things about being a kid is having sleepovers, and bunk beds gives them this option, without having to sacrifice any precious floor space.

Boy playing with lego

3. A creative zone

It can be difficult to motivate children to use their imagination and be creative, but a dedicated space can help.
A desk with shelves and drawers filled with stationery will tempt them to colour, draw, write, create… and do their homework!

If your child has other interests, such as playing with Lego or reading, you can set up a special zone for this specific purpose. A cosy reading corner with cushions, a small sofa or a beanbag will give them a place to relax with their favourite books.

Young girl's bedroom with wall mural

4. Personalised artwork

A child’s bedroom should be customised to suit their interests, and hanging their artwork on the walls will make the space feel like their own. Depending on the age of your child, you may like to paint together or use their hand-prints to create a one-of-a-kind picture.

Alternatively, there are wooden letters available that can be used to display their name. This is great for younger children who are learning how to write.

Boy's bedroom with a nautical theme

Start with the theme

When you decorate your child’s room, keep in mind their interests can change rather quickly. When choosing a theme, try to use it for accessories only; for example, avoid items like elaborate Peppa Pig wall murals or Peter Rabbit beds that they’ll grow out of.

Instead, use cushions, bedding and art to include their favourite characters, as these can be changed on a whim. Paintwork, beds, cupboards and other expensive items can be harder to swap. Timeless themes that will grow with your child might include sports, animals and florals. And subtle colours such as white, black and grey will always be in style and work well with any accessories.

Child's bedroom with wicker bed on a wooden floor

The wrap up

When decorating your child’s bedroom, start with a textured rug and a safe, stylish bed such as a bunk from furniture.com. Have a dedicated space for them to study, be creative and relax and include unique artwork that they have made themselves. Let your child have input into their room décor, as it should be a room they truly love.