Decorum » Bedrooms

When Three is Not A Crowd

Jennifer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:58:27 +0000

I was in a store yesterday and a lady was buying a number of ceramic balls to place on a tray in her entry. She was looking at two balls and I overheard the shop assistant say, “it has to be three”.

Yes, I thought, it has to be three or five or seven, never two or four or six.

Flower arrangement with three focal flowers

You see, odd numbers of items appear to be thrown together rather than arranged. Our eyes try to split even numbers into smaller groups but that can’t be done with odd numbers.

Margaret Olley's Artichokes via ANG Art Consulting

The asymmetrical arrangement of odd numbers will add visual interest to an area or collection and help create visual flow. Objects that appear in threes or fives are more appealing, memorable and effective than even number groupings.

We Three Kings photograph by Emily J Photography

Odd numbers also give dimension as we can create a front, middle and back and this creates a sense of balance.

3 cushions on a bed by Inside Out Colour and Design

We find odd numbers pleasing to the eye as well as being more intriguing.

Cushions on a sofa by Inside Out Colour and Design

If you would like assistance in making your home more intriguing, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

PS. And look, it’s my 300th post on the 30th of November. Freud would have alot to say about that!

Particularly Partial to Purple

Jennifer — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:41:10 +0000

It seems that I everywhere I turn I see purple.

Jacaranda trees in full bloom

Which is not a problem for me as I’m particularly partial to purple.

Lavender bushes providing colour and scent

Any minute now the Agapanthus will be flowering too

Fortunately my clients like it too.

Lyn Johnston Photography

What about you? Are you partial to purple?

Lyn Johnston Photography

If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Cool Things

Jennifer — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:06:17 +0000

I received an email last week with a load of photos of cool things for interiors.

I love Pacman

I thought a few of them were actually quite cool. Have a look, what do you think?

Nice to have an option

Me thinks this might be nightmare material

All the morning rituals

New look sunken lounge

Space saving bookcase

Would you like assistance creating a cool interior in your home? Contact us for an on-line or in person design consultation.

Vertical Decor

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:27:49 +0000

I often find, when I walk into a room, that the homeowner has taken a lot of time in placing the furniture in the room, however little regard has been given to the height of the room. It’s as if the room has been decorated by the floor plan without considering the walls and ceiling. With today’s low furniture like sofas and entertainment units, it’s not hard to fall into this trap.

This living room is a great example of what I mean. The colours and furniture all work beautifully together but everything appears to be below the waist. I’m not sure if the paintings are propped up against the back of the sofa for the photograph, but by hanging them on the wall it will give height to the room. A taller standard lamp would also help accentuate the full capacity of the room. Another trick, if the ceiling is not too low, is to use a pendant light like a chandelier which will help the ceiling relate to the room.

In a bedroom, you could install a bedhead and bedside lamps, which will create some height. The lamps should not be the same height as the top of the bedhead and artwork could be hung above the bed. Again a pendant light in the centre of the room will bring the ceiling into the room.

The idea is to create a non-linear profile in the room, a bit like the recent share market chart!

Images – I’ve had these photos in my files for a while now, but haven’t kept their source (Naughty blogger!) Let me know if you know where they’ve come from.

If you would like assistance with colour or decor for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

Weekend Wrap Up

Jennifer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:09:14 +0000

Looks like another busy weekend in Sydney coming up.

Firstly there is the launch of the Boutique Markets. These markets originated in Brisbane and are gradually taking over all the capital cities. The offerings look great.

Markets in Sydney

Then in conjunction with the Boutique Markets is Mathildas Market aimed especially at babies and kids. Both of these markets are being held at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

And if you’re looking for some new bedlinen to set you up for spring, you must head to the KAS Australia Warehouse sale.

Winchester from KAS Australia

So what are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope you have a good one.

Fashion Colours for Spring

Jennifer — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:21:51 +0000

I managed to take some time out last week and have a stroll around my local shopping centre checking out the new season fashions. I love the change of seasons and seeing the new colours gracing the shop windows and soon to be our wardrobes and then of course our home decor.

Many of the shops were featuring the classic black and white stripes.

Jessica Stripe Dress from Queenspark

Black and white has been gracing our lives for the longest time. It looks very modern yet can be at home in any decor. And no matter what decorator colour you add, your room is going to look fabulous.

via Decorpad

Coloured jeans are also this season’s “must haves”. Watermelon, Steel and Desert are the colours of one particular fashion store.

Sportscraft Coloured Jeans

Those colours sound a bit better than red, blue and brown, don’t they? But watermelon is softer than red and much easier to live with as decor pieces in the home.

Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor

Steel is like a washed out navy and is ideal for a more relaxed room. You could even paint a wall or two in steel rather than the stronger navy blue.

Stel Blue Dining Room

We’ve all been through the browns over the past decade or so. Many of our houses (and wardrobes) still have remnants of chocolate, latte, cappuccino and mocha so Desert is a way to add depth without having to start all over again. It can be teamed with a wide variety of colours too!

Bianca Bed Linen from KAS Australia

And then I saw this stunning colour combination.

via Kookai

The zing of the orange is balanced beautifully with the depth of the cranberry.

Orange and Cranberry for Warwick Fabrics

So what colours are you wearing or decorating with this Spring?

If you would like assistance choosing the right colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

What do you think of wallpaper?

Jennifer — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:40:17 +0000

I stumbled across a forum the other day where the topic of discussion was wallpaper. I was surprised to read that a number of people in the forum STRONGLY disliked wallpaper.

via superstock.com

However, I think many people are confusing today’s wallpaper with the papers that were most probably in their childhood homes. Those patterns were very busy in strong colours and the paper was difficult to both instal and remove. And the trend was to have just as much pattern on the soft furnishings and flooring as there was on the walls and curtains. No wonder we all had to have a Bex and a good lie down!

via decodir.com

Todays papers are much more elegant in their colour and design and are used in moderation.

A wall behind a bed that has been wallpapered looks fabulous.

Interior by Inside Out Colour and Design

Wallpaper under glass in the kitchen splashback creates interest and texture.

via Inside Out Magazine

Adventurous homeowners can even wallpaper the ceiling.

via cocokelleyblogspot.com

By using the wallpaper in moderation, it’s not that onerous a task to change it when required.

Wallpaper in the smallest room of the house via Pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com

So have I convinced you? Do you like today’s wallpapers or have you been scarred for life by the wallpapers of the 60′s and 70′s?

If you would like assistance choosing wallpaper for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Spoilt for choice

Jennifer — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:59:58 +0000

Wednesday, half way through the week and time to think about the weekend. And what a weekend it is too. Look at all the events, sales and shows that are on. Great for those planning to renovate or decorate their home.

First, there is the HIA Sydney Home Show at Darling Harbour which starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday. It’s a great place to wander around and gather some ideas and see what products are available.

via www.sydneyhomeshow.com.au

Or if you are in the midst of renovating or building and need some tiles or stone slabs, Aeria Country Floors is holding a Warehouse Sale at their factory in Frenchs Forest. The sale will get under way at 8.30am tomorrow morning at 2 Aquatic Drive, French’s Forest and will be open each day between 8.30 and 3.30 finishing on Sunday.

Stone Basin and Tiles form Aeria Country Floors

Read and Bell are having a Trunk Sale at Newtown. If you are looking for a touch of ethnicism for your wardrobe or decor, you must take a look.

Quilts from recycled saris via Read and Bell

Markets? Finders Keepers is on again in Sydney at Eveleigh on Friday night and all day Saturday.

Click Image for Source

Need new bedding? KAS Australia is holding a Warehouse Sale at their factory, 78 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria from 9 – 5 on Sautrday and Sunday. Items start from $5.

KAS Australia Faraday Bedding

If art is more your thang and you are in Melbourne, head over to the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton for Art Melbourne. Over 80 galleries and 600 artists will be displaying their work and you could pick up a new piece for your home starting from $500.

via Art Melbourne website

And if you’re a US reader and happen to be in New York this weekend, Jonathan Adler is holding a Warehouse Sale at 513 Irving Ave, Bushwick, Brooklyn. You can expect 70% off furniture, rugs, lighting and homewares. Wish I was there. I just love his OTT style.

Jonathan Adler Interior Design

And if you are about to build or renovate but are overwhelmed with all the choices available and decisions to make, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

Moody Blues

Jennifer — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:42:44 +0000

Since seeing the cover image on the May issue of Home Beautiful, I’ve been itching to paint a room navy.

I’ve always preferred Navy to Black in my wardrobe and get very excited when the winter clothes start appearing in the stores and there is navy amongst them.

Treena Textured Cardigan from Sportscraft

I think painting the walls a dark colour is a great way to cosy up your decor. The bedroom on the cover of Home Beautiful looks so inviting as does this room from Aura.

Bedlinen from Aura available through Inside Out Colour and Design

Some of the navy blues that would work on the walls in your home include:-

Madison by Resene

Biscay by Resene

Blue Velvet by Dulux

Academic Blue by Dulux

Just remember if you are going to paint your walls a dark colour then most of the furnishings need to be light to balance it up.

Diane Bergeron has chosen off white sofas and window coverings to complement the navy walls.

One of my other favourite combinations is Navy and Taupe and this fabric would look fantastic on a sofa in a navy room.

Zahra from Mokum Textiles

Perhaps if all this navy talk has you hankering for a touch of blue in your home, but you don’t want to go overboard, you might like these beautiful Ginger Jars available from The Store Room.

Blue Ginger Jars from The Store Room

If you would like assistance in creating a cosy and welcoming interior for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

New Lamp

Jennifer — Sun, 08 May 2011 19:57:50 +0000

I do hope you enjoyed your day yesterday celebrating Mother’s Day.

I thought I’d show you one more instalment into my daughter’s very gradual bedroom makeover.

Remember I found these gorgeous pink ceramic pieces a couple of months ago.

Pink Ceramics

And this fabulous new fabric from Crowson.

Equinox

I put the two together and came up with this fabulous new lamp.

Custom Made Lamp

She loves it!

If you are having difficulty trying to find lamps or other accessories, contact us and take advantage of our extensive list of suppliers or visit The Store Room to see the two I have for sale there.