Thursday 31 August 2017

Bring Your Garden To Life This Spring With Outdoor Lighting

Spring is on our doorstep and with that comes beautiful sunshine and daylight hours that stretch into the evening. As the weather starts to improve, so does our mood and desire to entertain in the great outdoors. This week, in preparation for spring, I’ve collaborated with The Lighting Outlet, to bring you outdoor lighting ideas that can be used to beautifully decorate a garden space. Whether it’s a backyard wedding, entertaining friends or a quiet dinner for two, discover how to illuminate and amplify different areas of your backyard.

Spike Lights
Spike lights are a beautiful way to highlight a path in your garden or illuminate the perimeter and showcase distant garden beds. For this type of décor, LED spike lights are perfect. 

Not only do LED lights last longer, they now also come in beautiful, architectural shapes and styles that make them an asset to your garden's landscape design. 

Gone are utilitarian black or white spike lights. Now you can find spike lights in copper, rose gold, silver and even camouflage green for a touch of discreet design. 

For this season, I’m loving this Goya Pathway Spike Light in rustic, bronzed copper. [source]


Uplights
Alternatively, if you want to emphasise a favourite tree in your backyard or a feature wall, a great solution is to place uplights at the base. Use a 5W uplight to really illuminate and beam light onto tall trees. This is statement lighting at it's best!

Festoon Lights
There is something magical about the way string lights add instant warmth and festivity to any occasion. There are a few ways to decorate with festoon lights, depending on the event and location. If you're having a small balcony party, festoon lights wrapped around the balcony rails and ladders create a soft, intimate decoration. On the other hand, if you are having a big outdoor party, festoon lights strung across your backyard can create a lovely canopy of lights that is incredibly beautiful and elegant!

Deck Out the Deck
For decks, backyard porches and patios, deck lighting or recessed step lights are a great option. For an easy way to safely illuminate steps or frame the entrance to your backyard area, use in ground deck lights on the underside of steps, or at either end of the step, to combine safety with style. In ground lights around the perimeter of your patio are another clever way to illuminate edges and boundaries. If your porch has a balcony rail, a popular method is to place LED strip lights on the underside of the rail to create a softer, fanciful illumination.

Downlights, Wall Lights, Flood Lights
Unsure where to place these? Generally, both wall lights and surface mounted downlights are brilliant for an alfresco dining area. Use up/down wall lights to highlight feature walls or to add ambient, indirect lighting. Meanwhile, flood lights are best up high, for example, on an awning or second story balcony, as a way to illuminate the entire backyard area. This is particularly helpful if you have a pool or are worried about security at night time.

Lighting is an important part of landscape design. A beautifully designed backyard looks fantastic during the day, but you want it to look equally amazing in the evenings. Lights are a great way to bring your garden to life at night.

Till next time... bring your garden to life this spring with outdoor lighting!

This post was created in collaboration with The Lighting Outlet, a lighting superstore stocking the widest range of lighting products under one roof. As always, all thoughts and opinions are all mine and genuine and I only ever work with brands that I love and I think you will too.

Wednesday 23 August 2017

7 Smart Design Ideas To Hide Your TV!

Gone are the days of displaying a bulky television console in the middle of the room – the focal point for everyone to admire. And even though television sets today are getting thinner and sleeker, a big black TV up on the wall or an entertainment unit can still encroach upon the interior design and style of any room.

However, since it is almost impossible to exclude a TV from any home, most of us are choosing to hide our television sets in all sorts of ingenious ways that match our unique home décor. Let’s take a look at a few of the sneaky and smart ways we can hide this modern necessity.

Behind Art
Using art panels to hide the TV when it’s not in use ensures that the room décor is kept harmonious, and keeps all the wires and other electronics in the wall. Home media specialists can help make the process painless, making sure all the electronics are secure while leaving clients with exactly the style they seek. They’ll also make sure that there is enough ventilation to ensure the electronics don’t overheat.

Behind Decorative Panels
Adding a sliding panel above the fireplace and placing the flatscreen television behind the panel, so you can pull it open when you want to use it – and hide it when you want to enjoy the peace and quiet of a beautiful fire is another smart way of concealing the modern eyesore.

Hide in Plain Sight
Invest in a TV Lift Cabinet to hide the television when it’s not in use. With a push of a button, the television instantly appears (and disappears). Plus, with cable and satellite boxes, Wii, Xbox, cords and games, the cabinets provide storage for all the clutter that accompanies the entertainment areas in the home. Create a special nook behind the paneling and add a swivel to reveal the television. This requires a deep enough niche to handle the size of the TV unit. With a range of armoires and cabinets on offer, this is a clever way of multi-using a piece of furniture!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall
Consider adding a television that is also a mirror. There are many great options and sizes to choose from. Many people incorporate the mirror among art and photographs, so that they have an interesting wall display for all to see. The mirror (and television) become art!


How about in the bathroom for watching the morning news?









Inside the Bookshelf
Keeping your TV amongst other decorative furniture makes for a sleek presentation. Get a bookshelf and add panels that open and close based on your choice of entertainment for the lazy afternoon.

In the Bedroom
The bedroom should be a place of peace and quiet, devoid of electronic gadgets, however some of us choose to have a TV in the bedroom. However, rather than hanging your flat screen on the wall and having cords hanging around, try a foot-of-the-bed TV Lift Cabinet. These nifty cabinets are finished on all four sides, and the TV pops up when you want to watch your favourite shows. When you’re sleepy, just press the remote and hey presto...your TV disappears until the next time.

Whether it’s your living room, kitchen, bedroom or yes, even your bathroom for the morning news, the possibilities are endless for enjoying (and hiding) a television on demand.

Do you have a beautiful living room decorated in the most stylish of ways, in the current design trends and you feel that a big black bulky TV set is completely ruining the interior design of your room? Then use one of the seven clever ways mentioned in this article to disguise or conceal your television set.

And even though a sleek and seamless, not to mention beautifully crafted TV lift cabinet is slightly more expensive that just having the TV on the wall or popping it on the entertainment unit, in my opinion, the cost of hiding the television set whether it be in a motorised cabinet or as a mirror or art, transforms any room into a more elegant sophisticated space, offsetting the cost of the installation.

Till next time... what do you think- is the television set an eye sore or eye candy?

This post was created in collaboration with TVLiftCabinet, specialising in TV lift cabinets that elegantly and efficiently elevate and hide a television, and TV Mirrors where the TV is incorporated into the mirror. Two great home design options to hide a television on demand! As always, all thoughts and opinions are all mine and genuine and I only ever work with brands that I love and I think you will too.

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Five Easy Ways To Add A Mid-Century Modern Style To Your Home

Are you a fan of following the latest décor and interior style trends but find it difficult to incorporate design ideas suggested by home décor magazines and interior designers? Following interior design trends can be a challenging task because they keep on changing. So why not opt for something that never goes out of fashion and yet gives your home a trendy look.

Unlike some design trends, a contemporary take on the very distinctive mid-century modern style is always en pointe. But it takes a little more than just popping over to the nearest thrift store and buying a couple of Barcelona chairs and a retro coffee table to recreate this look in your home. In this article, our guest contributor Jane has put together a few tips on how to give your home a mid-century modern makeover!

Add some wood
The best way to achieve a mid- century modern look in your home is by using wood. Lots of it! Sleek light coloured or rather blonde wooden furniture, accessories and feature walls create that natural and textural feel that is at the very heart of mid-century modern design.

Use large artwork to create a point of difference
Mid-century modern style is about striking a balance between a minimalist approach and statement pieces. Sometimes it is the simplest things that adds a wow factor to your living space. Use large abstract art pieces instead of cluttering your wall with smaller art works to create that distinctive mid-century modern vibe.

Use wallpaper to add glamour
Mid-century modern style is more about having a white on white design theme, but there are no set rules to achieving that look. You can get creative by adding glamour to your walls by using retro wallpaper to create a modern bespoke look or rely on good ol' painted stencils!

Paint it white
Painting your walls white highlights the shade, grain, fine lines and curves of your mid-century modern wooden furniture making it standout.

Add sculptural lighting fixtures
Lightning fixtures such as chandeliers and unique pendants can add a wow factor to your home décor. Visit thrift stores or warehouses and keep an eye out for tall floor lamps or unique sputnik chandeliers made of wood or metal to enhance your mid-century modern room décor.

So there you have it, five easy ways to recreate a mid-century modern look in your home. Do you have a mid-century modern vibe in your home? What's your go to tip to recreate this design style? Share with us in the comments below.

Till next time... add a touch of mid-century modern design style to your home!

xox
Rani


Author Bio
Jane Harper is a young woman who loves interior designing and home decor. She is passionate about new trends and fashion forward home décor ideas. She regularly posts at EMFURN.com.

Tuesday 15 August 2017

5 Modern Designer Chandeliers That Add The WOW Factor!

Lighting is an important aspect of interior design. Like paint, lighting has the power to make or break a room design. Without proper lighting, it is almost impossible to truly appreciate the interiors of a space. But lighting is not just functional, it can also be a design feature.

If you are thinking of using light as a style statement then chandeliers are the perfect way to showcase your personality and create an inviting and luxurious ambience in any room. Gone are the days when chandeliers were synonymous with heavy opulent regency style empire candelabras. Today modern chandeliers come in various shapes, sizes, styles and costs to suit almost every décor, budget and personal taste.

When choosing a modern chandelier for a particular room, think about the existing design of the space, the overall style of your home, the size of the room, ceiling height, functionality and use, colour of the piece, aesthetic appeal and about creating overall visual interest.

So from modern bubbles and glamorous spokes we've rounded up 5 of our favourite designer chandeliers from Replica Lights, that seamlessly combine functionality and style to create an unforgettable design statement in any room of your home!

Contemporary Clusters

Get The Look
Get this bespoke look with the distinctive Replica Pelle Bubble original chandelier in black and gold.

Originating in 2008, the Original Bubble Chandelier by Jean Pelle and Oliver Pelle has developed into a best-selling series of lights that create a sophisticated look with meticulously handcrafted light fittings in an unique design.

The transparent configurations made from handcrafted glass globes enhance and complement the design of any room it is suspended from.


Mid-Century Modern Vibe


Get The Look

The sleek and glamorous Replica Lindsey Adelman 6 bulb Agnes chandelier for Roll & Hill is perfect to create the ultimate mid century modern vibe in your home. 

Ranging from 6 to 24 bulbs to complement your room size and design, the combination of the brushed brass glass bars and the warm white of the light is simply stunning. 

Best of all, you can change the shape of this modern chandelier so it looks taller by moving the bars to point vertically or create a bespoke elongated look by arranging the brass bars horizontally!


Industrial Glamour
Get The Look
Create this sexy industrial look with the Replica Sputnik Filament Chandelier in Black in your home. 

The modern Sputnik chandelier has open filaments on metal spokes that create an unique industrial design feature that is sure to wow!







Modern Scandinavian

Get The Look

Recreate this minimalist look with the Spillray Axo 12 Light Chandelier by Manuel Vivian, a collection of 12 glass lights originally designed by Manuel Vivian. 

This beautiful modern chandelier complements a minimalist entryway or creates a design feature in a room with a pitched roof or cathedral style ceiling. This gorgeous modern chandelier is available in a single light, 3 lights, 6 lights and 12 lights option. 

Design Tip: Hang each light at a slightly different length to create visual interest. 


Trendy Tradition

Get The Look 
The showstopping Foscarini Caboche replica designer chandelier or pendant lamp was originally designed by Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto in 2005. Foscarini Caboche is constructed using many translucent acrylic balls that create an unique effervescent look.

Be it in the kitchen or over the dining table, this glamorous chandelier with a slightly traditional bent, creates a luxe design feature like no other! 



So there you have it, our round up of five of the ultimate modern designer chandeliers that is sure to get the conversation started in any room! For more information on replica designer chandelier lighting at affordable prices, have a look at this article here. And for your daily dose of inspiration on lights, check out Replica Lights Facebook page!

So which chandelier caught your fancy? Share with us in the comments below.

Till next time... let there be light!
This post was created in collaboration with Replica Lights, a premium designer online lighting store in Australia. As always, all design choices, thoughts and opinions are all mine and genuine and I only ever work with brands that I love and I think you will too.

Monday 7 August 2017

House Envy: It's All About The Details At The Norrmans!

Today, I'm beyond excited to share with you this stunning apartment in Copenhagen. Photographed by the talented Lina Östling and Mari Strengheilm, this apartment belonging to The Norrmans - interior designers Anna and Lars, is eye candy galore!

The primary colour palette in this fabulous apartment is an eclectic mix of bright white, dusty blush pink, moody dark grey and bold navy blue, accentuated with pops of colour predominantly a mustard gold and layered with tactile textures like eclectic metal light pendants, gold fittings, a leather butterfly chair, stunning black marble splashback, monochromatic artwork and an eclectic mix of flea market finds, a soft Beni Ourian floor rug and furs... in other words an utter and bespoke visual feast! The standout for me is that perfectly framed Juju Hat! Love!

With striking and stunning details wherever you look, the interiors of this impeccably styled, eclectic apartment are truly unforgettable and calling it anything other than Serious House Envy is an understatement! So come along and let's take a peek, shall we?So what do you think? Do you love it too? Or more importantly....do you have house envy?

Till next time... I'm off to research juju hats and how I can get one framed! You?

xox
Rani

Friday 4 August 2017

The Utterly Fabulous Inspired Living Range from Kmart!

The wait is over Kmart lovers! The much awaited Inspired Living range from Kmart hit the stores yesterday and it couldn't be more stylish! It's literally everything I imagined and more. Much much more! The three key design trends - Classic, Urban and Natural include a range of expertly curated homewares spanning furniture, bedding and bathroom accessories, dining, interiors and outdoor décor, all at irresistibly low prices! Score!

Take a peek at the new Inspired Living range here and then RUN, don't walk to your closest Kmart store! Here's a brief snapshot before we break it down into the three collections.

The Classic
The Classic collection is elegant and timeless with understated glamour and luxury playing a key role. The muted pastel colour palette is lifted by the use of soft textures and balanced tones punctuated by velvet chairs in a bold peacock blue. The outdoor range in this collection features the popular Acapulco chairs and woven textures creating a luxurious and timeless look that would fit almost any home.
The Urban
The Urban collection is edgy and cool with versatile pieces in unique textures and bold and rich jewel tones. Almost industrial and masculine in design it's softened with cosy, natural textures and hints of rose gold. Featuring tactile materials like wire, black marble, faux leather and glazed surfaces it's easy to create a sophisticated urban interior with just a few of these pieces. For the great outdoors, the rattan furniture with complementary cushions in the same bold shades creates a luxurious inner city getaway vibe!

The Natural
The Natural collection is almost Scandinavian inspired with a cool and soft earthy colour palette, natural textures, organic materials and soft curves that fit seamlessly into our relaxed Australian lifestyles! Think blonde furniture pieces, soft linen sheets, velvet cushions, textured throws, matte black accessories lifted by gold accents and pops of coral and strong bamboo textures. Seriously, what's not to love!
So what's the verdict? Are you inspired yet? Seriously the stylish Inspired Living range has something for everyone at affordable prices and is available in Kmart stores nation-wide!

Till next time... run..run...run to Kmart!

xox
Rani
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