Decorum » Furniture

My take on shopping at Ikea

Jennifer — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:25:45 +0000

Last month I visited the brand new Ikea store in Sydney.

Ikea Bedroom

I’m not a frequent visitor to Ikea as the stores, which get bigger and bigger every couple of years, are not usually that close to me geographically. But I was keen to visit the new store in Tempe to check out the size of the shop and to see what’s new.

Ikea Entertainment Unit

When I lived in Hong Kong, Ikea was a staple destination for setting up house. The store was located in Causeway Bay and as most of the residences in Hong Kong were small, one had to be really clever about storage which is something Ikea do really well. Also, most expats were in Hong Kong for a two or three year initial contract, so Ikea products were selected as they were relatively cheap and it wouldn’t matter if they didn’t last more than five years.

Ikea Kitchen with Mirrored Splashback

My recent trip to Ikea, confirmed that this is pretty much still the case. They do great looking items at good prices but I find the quality is just not there. If you’re looking for something that will last for many years, like my sofa, then Ikea is not the most ideal retailer for you.

Ikea Wall Unit

However, I do like the way they set up the rooms so you can see all the components and it’s a great place to visit if you are looking for ideas. It’s also great for kids furniture if you are wanting something to tie you over until they get to the next stage and require (deserve) something a little more sturdy.

Ikea Bunk Bed

And then of course there’s all those decorator pieces at the end of the Ikea stores. Tea Lights, glass vases, photo frames, plates, trays and glassware are all well priced and can add a touch of colour to your home.

Ikea Desk and Stationery Folders

Like all furniture, I think it looks best when mixed with items from different places to give a personal look to your interior decor rather than buying everything from the one place.

Ikea Iron Bed

Enjoy your week.

Jennifer

If you would like assistance creating a unique family home with a mixture of furniture and decor pieces, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Superstar Interiors

Jennifer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:54:33 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar with Martyn Lawrence Bullard on Wednesday. I didn’t really know a great deal about him having not seen any episodes of Million Dollar Decorators. I had only read about it on some of the overseas blogs.

Million Dollar Decorators

Martyn spoke at the Australian International Furniture Fair in Sydney and his talk was called Creating A Superstar Interior. Martyn told us about the many superstars he had worked with and created amazing interiors for them. He had lots of good images to accompany his talk.

Los Angeles Home of David Furnish and Sir Elton John

His list of superstars included Cher, Cheryl Tiegs, Sir Elton John, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock, Tamara Mellon and the Osbornes.

Bullard & Pompeo via Zimbio.com

But I was pleased to hear that Martyn prefers to fill his interior spaces with the personality of his clients so the home is truly a reflection of them and not him. I can’t understand how anyone would want to live in a home that was designed without them in mind. I guess that’s why I love working with clients and making comfortable family homes rather than presale styling where the personality of the home is banished. Or doing cookie cutter interiors that you see in every magazine and they all look the same.

Property Styling

Mind you, I wouldn’t mind working with some of the budgets Martyn has the pleasure of being given. $50,000 for a dining room table? If anyone would like me to source one for them, let me know, I’d be happy to help. Martyn appeared on The Morning Show yesterday and was asked what “normal” people can do to create the million dollar look with a much smaller wallet.

Click to watch The Morning Show

The one thing I thought was impressed at was his use of unusual items. In one home he had used a window frame from a bank building as a fireplace and another he had carved panels made into wardrobe doors. It’s those unusual things that help create a unique space. You can see these magnificent interiors in his new book, Live, Love and Decorate.

Interior by Martyn Lawrence Bullard

The Furniture Fair was OK. I did love the OB Collection stand. It was so colourful with hot pink sofas, yellow drum stools and blue ceramics. The exhibition centre had the air conditioning set at single digits, I’m sure and we were pleased to see everything and head out into the rain and slightly warmer weather.

OB Collection Stand at the Furniture Fair

I hope this wet weather disappears before the weekend hits. It’s really been a miserable summer this year. But whatever you’re doing this weekend, I hope you enjoy it.

Jennifer

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

Happy Wednesday

Jennifer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:46:10 +0000

Grrr! Just found that this didn’t publish this morning as I told it to!

Just dropping in to wish you a happy Wednesday and a pinch and a punch. February already!

via funnydogsite.com

I’m off to the Australian International Furniture Fair today. I’m looking for some sofas for clients and occasional tables which can always be a bit tricky.

Selection of Sofas and Occasional pieces

Decoration and Design is incorporated into the Trade shows these days and I do find myself spending more time in there looking at all the pretties rather than strolling the aisles looking at beds and wall units.

Beds on dispaly via demotix.com

And then of course, I’m going with my partners in crime and no doubt will bump into others I know, both vendors and viewers. So the social aspect of the day is well worth the outing.

Elegant Dining Room via Pinterest

I’m booked in for the seminar with Martyn Lawrence Bullard and it’s always great to hear designers of note speak about their work and career. I enjoyed listening to the interview the girls from The Skirted Roundtable did with Martyn so I’m super excited about hearing him live.

Mexican Retreat via Pinterest

I have my swag of business cards, paper, pen and camera (mind you, there’s usually loudspeaker announcements warning us that photography is banned) and I’m ready for a great day.

Morrocan Bedroom via Pinterest

Enjoy your day whatever you’re doing.

Jennifer

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

One man’s trash…..

Jennifer — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:54:55 +0000

is another man’s treasure!

Nothing could be truer with this latest before and after I’m sharing with you.

My client found a cane setting on a footpath ready to be collected by the Council as part of their kerbside cleanup.

There were four chairs and a small frame that would be an occasional table. The cane was worse for wear, there were no cushions and no glass in the side table.

We decided that two of the chairs and the occasional table would be perfect on the front verandah. So we chose the best two chairs, ordered some fabric, had cushions made and the chairs and table repaired as required and sprayed white.

It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the afternoon sun go down.

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

Jonathan Adler in Australia

Jennifer — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:10:13 +0000

I was very excited to learn that a selection of Jonathan Adler furniture and pottery is now available here in Australia.

Horse Bowl

I love his quirky style and bold use of colour and pattern. The house he decorated for the Barbie’s 50th birthday party was sensational.

Barbie

Visiting one of his stores was high on my list of shops to see when we holidayed in America this year.

Jonathan Adler

His two books Happy Chic Colors and Happy Chic Accessorizing are full of Adlerisms on the lighter side of decorating. And now we can enjoy some of his products here.

Desmond Screen

If you would like assistance finding quirky furniture and accessories for you home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Folding Chairs

Jennifer — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:52:12 +0000

Now that title probably makes you think of something you’d pick up at the local hardware store. Something you’d keep in the shed for that camping trip or when there’s one too many around the outdoor table.

Folding Chair from Officeworks

Well let me introduce you to a new kid on the block – the Flux.

The Flux

It is made from a single piece of weather proof plastic that can eventually be recycled. The piece of plastic has fold lines and notches and with a quick (once you get the hang of it) flick of the wrists it becomes a comfortable chair for either inside or outside use.

Designed in Holland by industrial designers Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten it was awarded the Grand Designs Product of The Year in May this year.

Flux Founders

It is available in a range of colours and now has a mini-me to add to the stable. Flux Junior has been specifically designed with kids in mind and also comes in a range of child friendly colours.

Flux Junior

The chairs aren’t cheap at around $250 each for the adult versions but they are a work of art and will last much longer than that one you picked up at Bunnings.

If you would like further information on the range of Flux chairs or need help with seating for your home, contact us.

Adirondack Chairs

Jennifer — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:37:02 +0000

The days are warming up here in Sydney (at last!) and the weather is beckoning us to live outdoors. Not right outdoors in tents but to take a cup of tea out into the garden and enjoy the sunshine.

There are so many varieties of outdoor furniture but one I kept seeing on the East Coast of America was the Adirondack Chair. You know that chair with the funny name.

Spotted at Bar Harbor, Maine

Originally made from wood, many of the US varieties were made from plastic which is ideal for leaving them out in the garden all day. They came in a great range of colours too.

In the garden at Cape Cod, Massachusetts

They were originally made in 1903 by Thomas Lee who was on vacation in Westport, NY in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. The original Adirondack chair was made with eleven pieces of wood, cut from a single board. It had a straight back and seat, which were set at a slant to sit better on the steep mountain inclines of the area. It also featured wide armrests, which became a hallmark of the Adirondack chair and are perfect for resting a cup or glass.

On the beach in Malibu, California

Jamie Durie has an Adirondack Chair in his outdoor range available from Big W. The Porch Furniture have a range of Adirondack Chairs including one from recycled milk bottles so they don’t need any maintenance. I like that idea!

Ready for a party, Bar Harbor again.

Would you like a pair in your garden? I think they look very inviting and I could imagine sitting with a cup of tea each Sunday afternoon resting up before I tackle the ironing basket after dinner.

If you would like assistance choosing furniture for your outdoor area, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Liven Up Your Living Room

Jennifer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:07:01 +0000

Sydney Morning Herald is one of the main daily newspapers in Sydney. Domain is their real estate section with extensive liftouts in the paper twice a week as well as a strong online website.

A few months ago I was one of four interior decorators who were interviewed for a short video that would be placed on the website. It is aimed at new home owners who are endeavouring to create a comfortable home for themselves.

That video can now be viewed here.

It was one of those cases where I had accepted the invitation and then thought, “Why did I agree?” After the filming was all done, I decided it WAS fun.

If you would like help in livening up your living room, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

All photos by Lyn Johnston Photography, all interiors designed by Inside Out Colour and Design.

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.

Is Cork back in style?

Jennifer — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:29:28 +0000

When I was out and about last weekend at Saturday In Design I came across a couple of cork products and was wondering if cork is making a comeback.

Our house has cork flooring in the kitchen and living room and personally, I can’t wait to rip it up. It was very popular in the 1970′s and is warm in winter and soft underfoot. It’s also great for camouflaging any dust and dirt.

Our cork floor

Cork comes from a medium-sized evergreen oak tree that forms a thick bark. This bark can be harvested every 9 years or so to produce cork. As no trees are destroyed to produce cork, it is a very sustainable product.

Click for link

Most of us will be familiar with cork flooring and of course the stoppers used in wine bottles. Although these days corks rarely appear in wine with the advent of screw top bottles. French monk, Dom Pierre Perignon was the first to use cork to seal his champagne in 1680.

Cork stopper

Cork is also used in noticeboards, table tennis rackets, buoys, dart boards and shoes.

Click for link

And last weekend I saw cork lights from Benjamin Hubert. These lights look great hung in a cluster.

Cork Jewellery Making and Float Lights at Great Dane

Later in the day I noticed this cute little side table made from cork, at Space. It is by Jasper Morrison and comes in a range of shapes and sizes.

Vitra Side Table at Space

So, do you think cork is making a comeback or is it just a case of being attuned to something and then noticing it everywhere?