Decorum » My Work

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.

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!

The Wash Up

Jennifer — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:53:10 +0000

Remember at the beginning of the week I was racing off to check out a bathroom we’d been working on?

Ensuite ready to be tiled

It looked fabulous and the client is so happy with the extra room they now have.

Shower area in esuite ready for tiling

You see, there was a spare bedroom next to the master bedroom that had become the family dump-all. We all have those, right? And next to that was a long walk in linen closet.

Floor plan of proposed alterations

As you can see, the spare bedroom was home to drum kits, extra clothes, bench press and husband’s paraphenalia.

Spare Bedroom Before

So we decided to convert the two areas into a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. This involved knocking holes in walls, relocating the access door to the master bedroom and creating a new linen cupboard.

New walk in wardrobe

Then, seeing we were giving the home an ensuite, we decided the existing upstairs bathroom needed updating too.

New Ensuite

Ensuite Shower

The shower was under the window, which wasn’t ideal, so we moved things around and gave the room a more streamlined look by getting rid of the feature tiles and installing a frameless shower screen.

Bathroom Before

New Bathroom

New bathroom vanity

The family home has a separate toilet next to the bathroom so we updated it with a back-to-wall suite and lay new tiles the same as in the bathroom.

New toilet

The end result is a better use of space for this family as well as giving everything a fresh new look.

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

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.

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.

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.

Never have to work

Jennifer — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:24:28 +0000

When I first heard this saying, it rang true to me.

Click on image for source

I consider myself very lucky to be working in the field of interior design. It is no trouble for me to go to work every day and play with colour and fabric AND I get to meet some lovely people, both clients and suppliers.

But like all of us, there are days that make you wonder if you are really doing the right thing. Naturally things go wrong, hurdles are placed in front of us that we have to work through. But fortunately for me those days are few and far between.

Yesterday I received a lovely note from a client and it makes me realise that it’s all worthwhile.

Click on image for source

“Thank you” just doesn’t describe, or begin to describe how grateful we are for ALL that you have done for us over this past year.

What you have created in the transformation of our home is beyond anything we could have imagined. Everywhere we look we see beauty, harmony, warmth, calmness, balance and “completeness”. Your amazing and insightful gift of being able to “know” what we want even when we can’t always find the words or can picture it ourselves is reflected in the way our home now feels like a “perfect fit” for us.

Thank you also for your endless patience, gentle proding and good humour. You really have made this past 12 months so enjoyable!

We’ve been overwhelmed by your commitment and effort and time given, by your professionalism and by your exceptional expertise. In every way, you went above and beyond.

THANK YOU so very much!“

Knowing I’ve brought such enjoyment to my clients makes me very satisfied with my lot.

It’s a long weekend here in Australia. We have Monday off to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. Enjoy!

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

No related posts.

Console Dilemma

Jennifer — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:25:27 +0000

TGIF! It’s been a big week again with lots of things happening on all different levels. I am looking forward to the weekend, which unfortunatley goes all too quickly.

I thought I’d show you the finishing touches I have recently added to a room makeover.

You remember this one, Country to Hamptons.

Orange checks before

We painted the walls, reupholstered the sofas, purchased new coffee and side table, had new cushions made and bought new lamps.

Revamped Lounge Room

The clients had a console table on the wall behind one of the sofas and we now needed to “dress” the table.

Console Table Before

I was inpsired by this image from Taylor Howes and loved the symmetry of the two lamps and two tall ginger jars. Fortuantely, my clients did too.

Decor by Taylor Howes

I set about sourcing the jars and lamps, but wasn’t really happy with anything I could find. Many of the ginger jars were very Asian, with dragons or the longevity character on them.

Chinese Ginger Jar

The lamps weren’t right either.

I then started thinking that we would end up with four lamps in a confined area and the lounge may end up looking like a lamp showroom! I love lamps, but……

We had used this wonderful fabric for cushions on the sofa, so that led me to thinking about coral. Then instead of lamps, maybe we could use candlesticks?

Coral Trellis Fabric in Porcelain

And I found these wonderful, modern ginger jars from OB Collection.

Bamboo Ginger Jars

So that was it, I had all my pieces. Now I needed to work out how to display them. Fortunately I have a console table too, so I set about mocking up a couple of alternatives.

Option 1

I had a large and a small ginger jar but felt the height was wrong for the two of them to sit together.

Option 2

So back to the original symmetrical look.

My clients loved it and I was able to use a couple of their favourite books to prop up the bowl of coral and shells.

Completed Console Table

You too can create this look, as I have a piece of the Coral Trellis fabric for sale in The Store Room as well as the two smaller ginger jars that I didn’t end up using.

Have a fabulous weekend.

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

Colour will brighten your life

Jennifer — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:37:57 +0000

Last year I was asked to choose colours for an Aged Care Facility. I had alot of fun trying to inject some interest into what were rather dull and dated rooms.

Craft Room Before

Craft Room After

This week I had the opportunity to return and view the results. The residents have enjoyed watching the transformation and are apparently suddenly more convivial. The staff have a spring in their steps too with such energetic surroundings to be in all day.

Notice Board Before

Notice Board After

It’s amazing the effect of colours on the soul. Do you think they look better with a little more colour around?

Hallway Before

Hallway After

If you would like assistance choosing colours 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.