Tuesday 24 May 2016

Renovating or Landscaping? Win A Skip Hire Worth $300!

Are you renovating a property, working on a long overdue clear-out of the Man Shed or landscaping the backyard?

A large part of a renovation project, landscaping or even something as simple as clearing out the shed is the actual clean-up and disposal of wastes. When embarking on such a project, something most people often forget is the added cost of hiring a skip for the removal of waste materials. Also keep in mind that the disposal of wastes needs to be done in conjunction with the state and council regulations. Bin or skip hire can be quite expensive and can impact the renovation budget and definitely needs to be factored in.

A few reasons why you may need to hire a skip:
• Renovations and house repairs
• Landscaping projects - garden hedging or clippings or tree stumps
• Clean up after a demolition
• General furniture and rubbish removal
• Event clean up
• Garage or shed cleanup

So here's the good news!
Bins Skips Waste and Recycling are giving away a skip hire worth up to $300 to one lucky person!
All you have to do to win is enter a few simple details over on Bins Skips Waste and Recycling competition page by July 31st.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER
Check out their Facebook Page and Website for more information on the different types of skips available for hire.
Happy Renovating!
xox

Competition Terms:
~ The competition is open to Australian Residents but not those who work for Bins Skips Waste and Recycling or any of their suppliers. 
~ Entries are also limited to one per person.
~ Terms and Conditions for the competition can be found here.

Sunday 22 May 2016

Best Blogging Tips for New Bloggers!

Thinking of starting a blog and need some advice?

AMARA Interior Blog Awards has put together a collection of the best blogging advice received by seasoned bloggers when they first started blogging!
It's a fantastic resource for new bloggers or those looking for some inspiration! Definitely a must read!
xox
Rani


Thursday 19 May 2016

Converting the Guestroom into a Playroom: Design Inspiration!

Our beautiful guestroom has gone through a few makeovers in the past five years. However after we received a shipment of antique furniture from my husband's ancestral home, it has been turned into a crazy storage room!
 DESIGN INSPIRATION: Source
The other day when I walked into our 'storage room' looking for something and stubbed my toe on the huge cartons I thought to myself 'enough is enough'! I stomped off ... a woman on a mission! I just had to clear that room, I had to get my beautiful guest room back!
DESIGN INSPIRATION: Source
In the middle of that night while rocking my baby girl to sleep, inspiration struck! Since we are on the multi-tasking bandwagon and after the birth of our baby, I feel as though every room in our home is multi-tasking along with me, what if the former guest room was turned into a much needed study nook/ sometimes guest room but mostly playroom? My daughter has just started to stand and walk and enclosing her in a tiny playpen seems slightly inhuman! This would be the perfect solution. I could get my work done in the study section while Elie can crawl/ stand/ walk!
DESIGN INSPIRATION: Source
Except the nursery all the rooms in our house have neutral walls. And I quite like white walls. They are easy to decorate and change. However for the playroom I do want a Scandinavian colour palette with a modern twist.
DESIGN INSPIRATION: Source
So I'm putting together a few ideas for my Multi-Purpose Room, my MPR!
On the wishlist are:
  • Some colour, maybe as a feature wall
  • Wallpaper? Maybe!
  • A chalkboard wall with a twist!
  • New artwork for the walls
  • A study nook section
  • A custom coat rack or hanging hooks
  • Throw and floor cushions to sit on
  • Toy storage baskets
  • Accessories to decorate the room 
I'm excited to clear out the room and turn it into a beautiful usable space!
xox
Rani

Tuesday 10 May 2016

10 Handy Tips For Decorating With Patterns!

Are you scared of decorating with patterns? Do you feel confused when shopping for patterns and prints? Do you often wonder how good and put together layered patterns look on the pages of a magazine but not so good in your home?
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When I'm shopping for patterns, it always worries me that I'll mix patterns that might be the wrong scale or colour or texture or just seems trendy for the moment but soon it will be out of fashion.
I mean there are so many options like English florals, French toile, bold and eclectic geometric shapes, Ikat, tie and dye, stripes, chevrons, trellis, animal prints, Greek key, abstracts, playful tribal patterns and more. It's mind boggling! There are traditional, modern, contemporary, eclectic, provincial patterns available and in a variety of textures like paint, wallpaper, wood, ceramics, paper, textiles, metal, concrete etc. And to make it more complicated these beautiful textured patterns come in a myriad of vibrant colours, monochromes, high contrasts, sweet soft pastels...the list is endless! No wonder it is daunting for pattern newbies!
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But remember high risk high return! There are some patterns or rather there are ways to use patterns so that the overall design and decor looks fresh, gorgeous and on trend all the time!
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I've come up with a few handy tips to introduce patterns (that works for me!). Deep breaths, here we go.

TIP 1: Pick a room and start with ONE thing that looks tired and in desperate need for an update. Use a colour that is on the borderline of your comfort zone. Pare back the pattern with a solid darker or softer shade in another element.
Here the gorgeous watercolour fabric bedhead is clearly the hero but the bold magenta has been pared back with the softer pastel pink duvet cover. The paper ball with colourful tassels picks up the colours from the pretty colourful dots on the duvet. The bedside table is a sunny peach (a softer version of the orange in the tassels) with natural wooden legs which adds interest and continues on the pastel journey. An interesting print with lots of colours on the side, but look closely all the colours are either from the bedhead or the duvet dots. The cushion peeping out matches the magenta in the bedhead. The patterns have been layered to perfection which makes the room come alive! (Just remember - baby steps!)
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TIP 2: If you are terrified that you might make a huge mistake with colours, you can still go neutral with patterns and textures. Use shiplap or planks on the wall to give the room some textured pattern and create a gorgeous and trendy nautical yet neutral look. The black accessories of various scales and designs add interest and you guessed it...PATTERNS without fear!
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TIP 3: Do you love Toile but think it's too busy to be used in a contemporary setting? Well, here's an interesting option. Why not use monochromatic modern toile wallpaper sparingly as a feature wall to give any room a serious facelift! Pare back with wooden furniture, some greenery maybe even some white matt ceramics for contrast to keep the look fresh and inviting!
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TIP 4: Herringbone is always in fashion...coats, jackets, linen, floors or tiles! 
Match the patterned tile with a geometric patterned window covering or other accessories in a similar colour palette and geometric shapes and you can confidently pull off a magazine worthy look! The use of brass cabinet pulls, light fittings, accessories adds to the luxe look in this kitchen. And the simple white cabinets lets the patterned tiles and the window shade pop!
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TIP 5: Patterns in upholstery
Chairs or couches upholstered in unusual vintage serape bold and bright patterned Mexican blankets make a definite style statement! In an all white room these dining chairs are definitely the standout feature! The use of lots of wood helps balance out the bright and bold colours.
P.S. Those light fixtures...want...need...swoon!!!!
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TIP 6: Add interest to your room with a patterned wall to wall carpet or a large rug. A carpet is a great way to introduce texture, pattern and colour. You can keep it neutral underfoot or be brave and go for a bold colour palette! In case you are having trouble committing to a carpet, a large area rug is a great way to have the same effect and you can really step out of your comfort zone with a rug!
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TIP 7: Shibori is the new Ikat! 
I love Indonesian or Indian Ikat textiles, but it's safe to say Shibori has stolen my heart! 
An accent chair, bed linen, cushions on the couch or curtains in indigo shibori fabric is a beautiful way of introducing a timeless patterned look to your decor. Here the shibori upholstered white chair brings out the colours in the painting and the abstract patterns play off so well with the chair. The patterned rug and the solid navy door help to anchor the overall look.
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TIP 8: Printed curtains are a great way to add patterns. Here a vibrant and colourful curtain adds top notch visual interest to a room which might have been just been a sea of aqua. The pattern helps to break down the solid colour. And the aqua butterflies help link the wall and curtain and helps it work harmoniously in this room. The wooden floor helps to pare back the patterns and the colours.
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TIP 9: Edit Edit Edit! It is complex to mix and layer patterns, prints, textures and colours. The key is to use patterns in moderation and edit. Just remember BABY STEPS!

TIP 10: And it is important to have fun and experiment!

If you have other tips, would love for you to share with us!
xox
Rani


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