Tuesday 30 October 2018

Design Tips Straight From The Block!

The iconic building, the old Gatwick Hotel received a complete overhaul during the filming of my favourite reno show -The Block, with its interior design drawing on the art deco features of the former hotel, and the eclectic style of St. Kilda. The Block might be over till next year, but here are some hot design tips on how to incorporate The Block style in your home, from Houzz AU & NZ editor, Vanessa Walker.

Design Tip 1: Bold velvet
Velvet is a gorgeous fabric that has the ability to warm up any space, making it a popular choice for contestants this series. Paired with pastels or metallics, a velvet piece of furniture can add a level of elegance to your room. For a more subtle look, opt for velvet cushions or footrests to give your room the deluxe treatment. For more tips, check out: Decorate with Velvet.

Design Tip 2: Statement ceilings
Making a frequent appearance in this series was the inclusion of statement ceilings through the use of texture, colour and height. Adding mouldings to your ceiling will deliver a 3D effect, which can be enhanced further with a vibrant colour. If your room feels cramped, integrating a raised ceiling can really elevate the space. For more inspiration, have a look at Ceiling Treatments.

Design Tip 3: Contemporary chandeliers
Looking to give your home some character? Add a modern chandelier to your room –that's what the contestants did. According to the Houzz & Home 2018 Australia study, 35% of the homeowners plan to purchase lighting this year, so chandeliers, which create unique shapes and patterns, is a desirable option for those who want to give their room an artistic finish. For something different, you can create your own chandelier by clustering pendant lights, for a truly personalised look. For more tips, check out Hanging Lights.

Till next time... create a 'Block' style home!





Monday 15 October 2018

Tips to Give Your Home a Relaxed & Stylish Vibe!

How do you feel when you walk into your home? Do you get stressed out by the clutter, disarray and general lack of organisation? Are you yearning to transform your space into one that brings you peace and serenity when you walk through your front door instead of one that makes you feel a sense of chaos? If so, then this is the article for YOU! 

Today, we will look at how you can go about creating a more relaxed vibe in your home. With specific decor and design ideas, you’ll be able to transform your space into a calm oasis that you can rest, rejuvenate and recharge in. Read on to find out more!

Freshen Up The Furniture!
Do you have mismatched furniture strewn all around your living room or bedroom? If so, perhaps it’s time to engage in a weekend of DIY crafts. A fantastic way to calm the disarray in a space is to ensure that you have a consistent colour palette going on, from your couch, to your rugs and tables. You don’t have to go out and spend thousands on new furniture - consider painting your furniture, purchasing a new rug and reupholstering your couch with upholstery fabric from Wortley Group. Some fantastic, soothing colours to look into would be whites, light blues, blush pinks and any muted shade that isn’t too bold or out there. 

Conquer The Clutter
Clutter is something that can send anxiety levels through the roof! In fact, there are even scientific studies that have proven this to be a fact, so don’t worry, you’re not just imagining it! One of the best ways to bring peace and serenity into your home is to conquer clutter. This may seem like a daunting task if you live in a big house, but our advice is to tackle it room by room, and to take your time doing so. Do you have items and belongings that are collecting dust? Why not hold a garage sale, or give things away to family and friends who may actually make use of them? Aside from giving things away, you can also conquer clutter by being organised with your storage system. Opt for closed shelves, storage furniture and anything else that hides clutter away from both your eyes and guests’ eyes. We guarantee that this simple yet essential step will completely transform your environment from chaotic to zen in an instant. 

Add A Touch Of Freshness
Nothing is more relaxing that a slow stroll down a park or the botanic gardens on a spring afternoon. You can bring this very feeling of relaxation into your home by introducing some freshness to your space in the form of freshly cut flowers and green plants. Always ensure that you select plants that are low maintenance, in order to prevent visuals of unsightly wilted flowers and leaves which are the complete opposite of relaxed and inviting! Succulents and cacti require little to no maintenance, as do orchids which can last up to three months from bud. Low maintenance plants ensure that you don’t have to stress about watering them on the daily, whilst at the same time bringing a splash of serenity into any space.

Can You Smell That?
Did you know that certain smells can induce a sense of relaxation and reduce anxiety and stress levels? This is why so many massage therapists and spas always resort to lighting scented candles, incense and having stashes of potpourri all around the place. To bring that very same feeling of relaxation to your home, consider purchasing a scent diffuser that keeps your space smelling fresh all day long. You can also incorporate scented candles in your favourite scents into your home decor, keeping it smelling like paradise all year round. Some soothing scents we recommend are Lavender, Jasmine, Vanilla and Rosemary. 

Incorporate Elements Of Nature
Aside from flowers and plants, another great way to breathe some serenity into your space is to incorporate a few elements of nature into it. Natural materials foster a sense of inner calm and peace in us, so look into rustic wooden furniture, natural stone benchtops or even a mini fountain in your backyard to really up your zen levels!

We hope this article has given you some insightful knowledge into how you can make your home a more relaxed environment! 

Till next time... keep it casual!

Sunday 14 October 2018

Tips to get your dream renovation finished before Christmas

The festive season is fast approaching and so too is the deadline for getting those last-minute home renovations underway before the endless run of summer soirees begin.

However, according to Beaumont Tiles Ambassador and Rapid Renovation Expert, Naomi Findlay, all too often Australian homeowners get overwhelmed with their renovation plans and find it difficult to get started.

According to Naomi, whether it’s finances, time, organisation or simply not knowing where to start, it’s easy for DIYers to find themselves ‘stumped’ before they even start their renovation.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start your much needed reno, then these tips might help…













Get planning
Before you start any renovation, make a plan and stick to it. Planning is also likely to pull you out of your pre-renovation slump and keep you focused.

Experts also recommends identifying what style you’re looking to renovate the project in from the start, to help quicken selection processes, and turnaround times.

If you're unsure what your style is, Beaumont Tiles has a great two-minute quiz called What’s My Style, which helps identify your style from the top ten global interior design trends and at the end provides a mood board full of suggestions, all curated from trusted local retailers.

According to Naomi, having a vision of the full extent of the renovation with goals of how long you want it to take, how you want it to look and how much you are willing to spend before you pick up a sledgehammer will really help quicken the process and help you hit that Christmas deadline.

If you know you only have a certain amount of days until the festive season kicks off, prioritise what you want to get done and then stick to it.

Timing is key
The rooms that have the most extended lead times from the planning phase to the finish are the kitchen and bathroom, says Naomi, so these should be planned first, and your trades should be lined up.

Having everything you need finalised before you start will make the execution phase as short as possible, which, when you’re on a tight time frame, is a must! If trades aren’t available to complete the job within your specific timeframe, consider taking on some smaller DIY projects yourself such as retiling your splashback or revamping your tapware. For those smaller DIY projects, look at seeking advice from your local suppliers.

Speak to the experts
There is an endless amount of support for home renovators in the market, so use it, says Naomi. Anything can be a DIY project with the right support – the sky is the limit. If you’re attempting to tile a kitchen splashback or bathroom feature, speak to the experts in store and get advice from them.

Beaumont Tiles stores are staffed with tiling experts, plus they also have a dedicated DIY section on their website with loads of great tips and tricks. In order to manage your DIY effectively, use renovation apps like the ‘Rapid Reno Mate’, which will keep your project on time, on budget and stress free – exactly what you need when you’re trying to complete a renovation on the clock.

Look at financing options
A great way of ticking all your DIY projects off your wish list in the lead up to Christmas is by leveraging the finance options offered by retailers. While it’s great to have the money upfront for your renovation, it’s not always realistic, so take the time to do some research and find the best finance solution for you.

Naomi recommends looking at your local suppliers and ask if they have any financing options available. Sometimes all you need is 6 or 12-months grace to get you by.

Save time by seeking referrals
Word-of-mouth is a big thing when it comes to renovations, so speak to your friends and family and get recommendations for trades from them.

Finding suitable tradespeople can often be a challenge for even the most experienced of renovators. Speak with friends, work colleagues, and your trusted retailers to find out who they have used in the past. Referrals are everything in the renovation game.

The lead time for DIY renovations can range from 8 to 12 weeks, so it’s time to get moving on your project. However, whether you’re revamping the kitchen or getting the patio or poolside pergola ready for the family Christmas, there’s still enough time to get your renovations completed before the busy festive rush. It’s all about using the right tools and with the right support, creating your dream space will be as easy as one, two, three.

Till next time... are you ready to get into the renovation swing? 

xox
Rani


About the company
Beaumont Tiles is Australia’s biggest retailer of tiles and bathroom ware with 114 outlets across most states. An innovative market leader, Beaumont Tiles buyers travel the globe to bring back the best in tile designs. Beaumont Tiles has company owned and franchised stores servicing trade, home builders and renovators, and the commercial sector. www.tile.com.au
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