Costly Mistakes

Getting the right look is not as easy as you think. Colour, light, traffic, texture, room use, furniture placement, views, aspect, storage, lighting...  there really is so much to consider. In order to achieve a refined look requires training, talent and experience.

When things go wrong, it can be costly. Here are the top 5 mistakes that can be costly to your design budget, and the end result. 

1. Colour schemes that are bland and/or do not compliment the space or aspect. 
Colour is truly magical when used correctly. Cool colours in dark shady rooms can be dreary - bright reds in the bedroom can stress you out - even the wrong feature wall can change a space and make it uninviting and gloomy. 

2. Furniture + accessories that are the wrong scale, colour + style. 
This can be avoided with a scaled drawing of the room, where the room layout is developed for better space planning.  That stunning occasional chair with over sized ottoman can look irresistible in the showroom - but get it home and it can dominate a room - or not even fit. 
Start by cutting out shapes that represent your furniture and play around to see how furniture will fit in your space. A trusty tape measure in your back pocket on all shopping trips and knowing your room dimensions (allowing for walkways, door openings and windows) will save you time and money.

3. Renovations that look like after thoughts or not sympathetic to the rest of the house. 
We cannot stress enough the importance of developing the right design + style to achieve a harmonious flow throughout.  A blend of modern and old fashioned can often look amazing, but there are rules that need to be followed to get it right. 
For instance, a renovated terrace with big skirting boards and high ceilings will not go with a low extension with small skirting boards. Think of the overall image that you are trying to achieve - is there consistency? Do the new and old work together?

4. Inadequate or poor lighting. 
Lighting is very powerful and sets the mood of a room. Depending on the use of the room, various types of lighting are necessary. These range from general or background lighting, to task/work lighting and then ambient lighting. Remember ambient lighting is the key and can make or break a room. 
Try to use warm light globes as often the cool option will give the room (particularly living spaces) a stark and uninviting look. Use lamps where ever possible. Feature lighting is a great way to achieve that designer look - try three pendants above the kitchen island bench, or matching pendants in the bedroom instead of bedside lamps. 
Down lights are a great way to wash your walls and highlight artwork but can be costly to run - so use them wisely.

5. Materials purchased for drapery or upholstery that are not suitable.
Sofa fabrics should have suitable rub test rating and care label. A fabric covering for your sofa that is not going to stand up to winter weekend cuddles (and kid's movie marathons!) will look old and tired in no time. Remember, if you are getting furniture reupholstered - check the wear guidelines of the fabric to make sure they will stand the test of time. Visit your preferred fabric house for inspiration - fabrics are often displayed in a coordinating range - such as charcoal and bronze stripes for the ottoman - with the coordinating reverse stripe or floral patten for curtains.

Plan Your Garden

Garden design is fun but it is critical to get the design right at the beginning. The shape of the garden needs to be functional and visually beautiful. It is ideal for your garden to have lawn and patio areas. Here are our top tips:

1. Choose simple shapes – incorporate a mix of circles, squares, rectangles, but not hexagonal shapes as they are too busy especially for small garden areas.
2. Proportions – as a guide the lawn + patio should add to approximately 2/3 the size of the total garden.
3. Create a plan - plot onto paper your existing garden so you have an accurate outline. Divide into areas for lawn, patio, BBQ, garden bed and pool if applicable. Draw some shapes in for their assigned areas.
4. Research plant varieties – allocate them to a suitable aspect/position for their requirements. This is paramount for happy, healthy plants to be at their best + produce flowers/fruit. Remember to add some scented species also.
5. Introduce colour for impact + vibrancy – colour is just as magical outdoors as it is for your interiors. Contrasting foliage or flowers can add lots of drama to a modern garden or pale pastels such as lavender create a relaxing country theme.
6. Introduce a herb garden – whether in the ground or in pots, they are bonus to have at hand + can be fun to change over with the seasons.
7. Layer or create tiers – for depth + dimension on your garden beds.
8. Introduce various textures – for instance in leaves, thick succulents, agapanthus + magnolia evergreen.
9. Shade or awning – this will maximise the use of your outdoor space + the hours spent in the great Aussie outdoors. Look at retractable awnings, pergola/vergola or even a large outdoor umbrella.
10. Patio flooring – consider brick pavers, natural stone or timber decking.
11. Lighting – whether uplights, spike lights in garden beds, flood light, lights on sensors, solar lights + candles, remember lighting is important to create the right atmosphere/mood as well as be purposeful.
12. Furniture – How many people will be using the space? Is there a style or theme you are trying to achieve? Consider the size of your space – is it a veranda or large area? Budget – How much are you willing to spend?

Good planning is essential, take your time + you will be amazed how effective the result can be!

Green at home for 2011

We hope you've started 2011 with a commitment to our environment.

Here our five top tips for things you can do everyday at home. Start now!

CHANGE your light bulbs. Energy saving lights are not only is this good for the hip pocket as it reduces your electricity bills, it is great for the environment as well. There are some great replacements to traditional bulbs now that produce a nice soft glow - give them a try! Remember, in living areas - opt for warm light.

VINTAGE furniture versus modern. Did you know it takes 10 times more energy to produce fabric than to produce glass? Vintage furniture doesn't necessarily mean furniture from your grandparents time. It can just mean second hand - which you can buy from either an op shop or in the classifieds of a newspaper. Sometimes there are great pieces of second hand furniture for sale. Get hunting and pick up a bargain. Restore + reinvent. This also stops our landfill problems.

RUN OUT of household cleaners and need to clean something quickly? Look in your kitchen for some good ol' vinegar. You can use vinegar to wipe away mildew and other damp spots. Spend time looking for alternatives - and rid your home and life of harsh chemicals.

ADOPT a simpler lifestyle - Less truly is best. Spend more time thinking and reduce the clutter. You'll be amazed at how much more time you find. For every new house hold item - make it a rule that it needs to replace an old one. Create balance - when something new comes through the door, give something away to friends, family and charity.

PAPER-FREE living– use recycled paper and recycle paper before you throw it away. At the office, use every piece of paper carefully. Write on both sides. We are heading for a paper free environment. Save the environment - and your office space.

DIY Spa

by Caroline Whelan


A warm bubble bath, scented candles, soft and fluffy white towels, white robes, flattering lighting and not a care in the world. You know the feeling you get when you are soaking in a hotel suite or enjoying a day of pampering at a decadent spa, but did you know that its easy to create this environment in your own home? – here’s how:

Firstly, make sure your bathroom is clean from top to bottom – you don’t want to be searching behind old cotton balls for your favorite bath salts! Make room in bathroom cupboards by throwing out any bottles which are past their used by dates. Remove all traces of mould from showers and baths and open windows to remove any damp smells.
Make sure all bench tops are scrubbed clean and all traces of makeup removed from mirrors and sinks.

Invest in some gorgeous bottles to keep your new oils and lotions in or simply pick up some glass jars from the markets. Try Rozelle markets for some cheap finds. Jars can then be filled with bath salts or products to give a stunning accent colour to a plain white bathroom. Very eco chic!

Elegant mirrors are another way to give your bathroom a glamorous lift. Ornate French style mirrors in silver and mirrored glass are a clever and simple way to give your bathroom a spa feeling whilst keeping the look individual.

One of the best things about going to a spa is often the scents. The easiest way to create this ambiance is to light just one good quality candle and cover the rest of the room in unscented tea light candles. That way you won’t be overpowered by conflicting scents. The best way to tell when a candle is of good quality is actually not to light it! The scent of an unlit candle should fill the room without being lit. Jo Malone and Australian brand Kinikka are the experts in the field and their unlit candles will make your bathroom feel like a spa all through the day. Its always fun to try some new scents like the beautiful white tea and berries or if you are looking to relax then lavender is the way to go (just make sure you don’t nod off!)

Another gorgeous touch is fresh flowers. Depending on the season, you can alter the type of flowers you choose to suit your mood. Gardenia and Lily’s give a very strong romantic scent and feel to the room whereas a single gerbera can create a more fresh feel.

There is nothing worse than stepping onto cold and slippery tiles after a long soak so if your bathmat is scratchy and threadbare then its time to give it the toss and get yourself a fresh fluffy one. And if you are still using the lime green towels that mum gave you when you moved out then its time to splurge on a good quality matching set. Instead of the usual bath towels get hold of some bath sheets. These are extra large and even better when they are freshly washed and folded neatly in easy reach of the bath and ready for use. Don’t be tempted to purchase anything with too much embroidery, pattern or colour as you will quickly tire of this. Its much easier to work with crisp white tiles and towels and then accessorize with flowers and elegant bath salts or gels.

Often its the little things strewn across the floor which can make the room look untidy. White baskets are a great way to store those much needed products and magazines next to the bath when not in use.
Add that essential fluffy white robe and some matching slippers are you are ready to roll.

Now just sit back and relax, you will enjoy your at home spa that much more knowing all the hard work you have put in. All you need now is a glass of Champas and a good book!

Selling your house

Selling property can be an overwhelming experience, but the key to getting the result you want starts with taking a good look at your home through your buyer’s eyes.

Where to start? Spend some time doing an unbiased walk through your home with open eyes and look at the details of each room that you would ‘normally’ overlook. Start at the front door and take a good hard look , and be honest.
Flaking paint, a crooked letter box, an unkempt hedge, a blown light bulb – it’s all there and yes, it’s all going to need your attention. Be ruthless and look at every corner – potential buyers are doing the same thing. The idea of writing a list can be overwhelming, it’s so hard to admit but it is important to note it all down as it will form your ‘to-do’ list. The things that you miss just may cost you the sale.

Do the same in each room – in the bedrooms, look at the top of wardrobes and window coverings, in the kitchen – on top of the fridge and windowsill as well as all cupboards. The number of times I’ve arrived at a home at sale time to discover the last year’s worth of catalogues on top of the fridge is alarming – some potential buyers will not look any further and won’t give your property a second thought.

Lounge Room
De-Clutter and make it homely! Loose the ornaments and photo’s that make it ‘you’ and give the room a sense of space and style. Try to position your lounge to make the most of the view and make sure that there is a clear path around the room – let potential buyers feel at home in the space and give them the chance to walk through the space.
The essentials: New matching cushions, a clean coffee table with inspiring home books and magazines, sparkling windows and fresh flowers. A new coat of paint goes a very long way. Cool energy bulbs are out – make sure that all lighting is clean and operating correctly with warm globes. On open day, leave all lights on to add to the warmth and brightness of the room.
Desirable: New white venetian blinds will give a tired window a new look. New carpet can really add value, particularly in the entry and living room. And a weekend with a painting brush and a neutral colour such as Beige Royal by Dulux will give the rooms a new look – and get rid of those dated feature walls.

The Kitchen
Clean it from top to bottom. Empty those cupboards and put the non essentials in storage. It will make a world of difference to the space. Clean the tops of all cupboards and leave them bare and try to pack as many of your appliances away, giving potential buyers the opportunity to see the kitchen in it’s entirety. On open days, it goes without saying to make sure that all traces of your breakfast (or even worse, yesterday’s dinner) are gone. Crumbs, full garbage bins and a sink full of dishes are an immediate turn off.
The essentials: Clean that oven out. Now do it again – it needs to be spotless. As does your fridge. Take away all items that don’t really belong, or that can be stored elsewhere. The ironing board shoved beside the fridge – gone. The third draw that is full of manuals, receipts, sticky tape and junk – clear it out. Use that drawer for other kitchen utensils – potential buyers will notice the space and admire how organized you are.

Use coordinating tea towels and accessories with matching pots – bright red tea towels on the stove and a bowl full of red apples will add that special touch without spending a cent.

Desirable: Give the ceiling and walls a quick paint, install a new window covering and a new floor matt to hide a dated floor. Updating the old stove and door handles can give your kitchen a new look without breaking the bank.

The Bedroom
A good clean up is a great start. Most potential buyers will have measurements of the existing furniture – so give them the room to measure your bedrooms without having to climb all over full washing baskets and old computer towers. Get rid of all unnecessary furniture and where possible, arrange rooms so that the bed does not directly face the door. Spacious and clear is the key. Matching bed side table and lamps are a must – as is a clean freshly made bed. A good tip is to have two quilts for the bed at sale time – one for you, and one for open days. Choose simple white linen to add to the brightness of the room and use coordinating cushions and a throw rug.
The essentials: Make sure your wardrobe is spotless. Have a huge clean out and get rid of all of those clothes that cramp your wardrobe (and possibly your style). It’s time to let go of your white and stone-wash jeans and give to your favorite charity. Make sure that all blinds are in working order and open when your house is being viewed.

Plan a budget if you can of what you can afford to spend on staging your home. Often, the simple changes will make all the difference and will help you get your top dollar. A good clean out costs nothing – but you need to be ruthless. Remember, those kitchen cupboards should look roomy and your wardrobes should look spacious to give potential buyers the space to imagine. Stick with it during the sale process, it just might give you the motivation to change in your new home.

Style Plantation - LifeStyle Concept Store in Sydney

There is a vision, values and goals which are the driving force behind everything done at the Style Plantation Design Studio.

Because we believe poverty is unjustifiable, our gift and home ware range has been sourced carefully to to ensure that the world's poor are given what they need most to lift themselves out of poverty. And that with the right help, poor people can change their lives for the better.

Our always growing range is clever and quirky, see hand made tote bags or recycled rice sacks that have been given a new life as a lunch cooler bag. Or, try our hand made kid's aprons from Africa - hand made with an individual touch.

Our Fair Trade body care range has been created using pomegranates from South America - and are divine.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

This is done by requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. Fair trade’s aim is to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability.

The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses more so on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and even gold.


See the range at Style Plantation
Concept Store / 747 Botany Road, Rosebery
www.styleplantation.com

Colour themes to inspire you

Colour can be like magic!!! It transforms the ‘look’ of a space instantly!! Colour has great impact on mood, appetite and energy levels.

Colour psychology tells us red tones are known to increase blood pressure and levels of agitation but used in the bedroom or dining room of a house, red can also produce feelings of arousal and stimulates appetite.

Dark reds, like burgundy are the best choice for the home because they add warmth, inviting your guests to linger and stay. Use true red sparingly as its boldness can be brash and you’ll associate it with the branding of fast food outlets…sans stylish! Red colour paint gives you energy to do work throughout the day. But use red colour paint either on one or two walls of your living room. If you use too much red colour in your room, then you will definitely feel restless after sometime. A combination of red and black colour paint looks fantastic but use one colour as a dominating colour and the other as an accent.

Neutral colour paint is extensively used in many living rooms as it is calming. Artwork, wall paintings and any type of wall décor are better displayed with a neutral colour scheme in more effective way.

For a modern and elegant look, use a very pale grey colour paint eg Dulux ¼ strength White Duck. Being a neutral colour, combine grey colour paint with almost any colours. Try grey with yellowish accents to perk up the look of your living room interior. If you opt for simple furniture and accessories, then the modest grey colour paint offers a graceful and sophisticated look to the living room.


Keep in mind: choosing neutral colours like white, beige and creams will allow you to change the colour scheme without needing to totally decorate because you are able to introduce bright accent colours with cushions, rugs and lamps. Stronger tones like greens and reds or browns will limit your ability to change the room at a whim.