Dreamy Linen To Refresh Your Bedroom For A New Season!

Decorative wall finishes, cosy textiles, new furniture, warm lighting, layered accessories, sprigs of greenery, pretty flowers all play a very important role when freshening up a space. But often it's the very basics like beautiful, dreamy linen that makes a world of difference! It's amazing how refreshed a bedroom can look if you just change the sheets! And a bedroom refresh is important in every season, after all it's one of the most important rooms in your home.

Since summer is well truly here and autumn is around the corner, a bedroom refresh was long overdue. Previously for winter, my bed linen was a collection of warm textiles and moody colours but for my summer to autumn look I chose to be pared back and minimal. White on white is a classic design choice which pairs well with almost every bed type and decor.

For a look that would transition seamlessly from summer to autumn, I went with the Etoile white quilt cover set, Etoile white European pillowcases, Martine sterling cushion from Just Bedding. The embossed white on white cover features a classic floral pattern, woven to create a lightly quilted and soft texture that is both minimalistic and luxurious. Matching euros add a hint of luxe and the softly shimmering Martine sterling cushion completes the overall look. All this ordered online from Just Bedding from the comfort of my sofa!

Just Bedding are a leading online Australian retailer of quality bed linen and accessories housing some amazing brands. Which certainly makes them my number one choice for affordable and beautiful bed linen. Just hop onto their website to have a look and be spoilt for choice!
I am so pleased with my bedroom refresh and if I haven't already, then let me profess my love for the stunning Etoile bedding. Love, love, LOVE!

Till next time... add dreamy linen to refresh your bedroom for a new season!

xox

Rani

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

Thank you to Just Bedding for the beautiful linen. As always, all design choices, words, thoughts and opinions are all mine and genuine and I only ever work with brands that I love and I think you will too. And a huge thank you to all of you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

A professional studio experience in the comfort of your own home!

Every year for my daughter's birthday, we do a professional photoshoot to capture precious moments of her childhood. Three years running, it's almost become a ritual.

Last year, just before Christmas...well that sounds odd, but yes last year, i.e. 2018, just before Christmas, we did a family photo shoot with Celebrate Studio.

I know what you're thinking, so what's the big deal? Well this was our first professional studio experience in the comfort of our own home! Yes, we've had photographers in our house before, photographing the house or the backyard for magazines, blogs and websites but this was so much more special.

Nas, our photographer extraordinaire from Celebrate Studio, was amazing with Elie who is shy in front of strangers and we managed to get some special candid shots in a very short span of time!

A regular child whisperer, Nas got Elie to  relax and smile from the very first photo! Now I'm not saying every child will be the same, but trust me a studio experience in your own home means that everyone especially the kids or pets are more relaxed. For a further personal touch you could use furniture with sentimental value like we did with our antique chaise you can see in the photos or a nice garden setting, under your favourite tree.

Nas got the most amazing range of candid and posed photos of us. But I have to say I love the honest candid ones the most...especially where we were chuckling and laughing with glee, just happy moments if you get my drift!

With Mother's Day coming up soon, this would make a great surprise gift! Or what about a sweet family photoshoot with the grandparents on their or maybe your birthday! Wouldn't that be nice!

With studios in Moonee Ponds and South Melbourne, Celebrate Studio are offering a professional studio experience in your own home. They bring the studio lights and background to you for short sessions in the comfort and relaxed atmosphere of your home. Highly recommend!

Nas's details are as follows:
Celebrate Studio
Website: www.celebratestudio.com.au
Email: info@celebratestudio.com.au
Ph: 0403 530 566
Facebook: Celebrate Studio

Instagram: @celebrate_studio

Till next time... choose to experience a professional studio experience in the comfort of your own home with Celebrate Studios!

xox

Rani

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

The Minimalist Movement - Decorating without Decadence in 2019!

The concept of minimalist living is something that has gained popularity at lighting speed in the last decade or so. Everywhere you go, you’ll see minimalism applied, whether it is in design, living or even photography and fashion. Minimalism is a way to introduce some peace into our otherwise hectic modern lives, and it is no wonder that so many are looking towards minimalist design when it comes to furnishing and decorating their homes. In this article, we will look at how you too can introduce the concept of minimalism into your home surroundings, so read on to find out more!

[source]

Functionality Is Key
When it comes to adopting a minimalist lifestyle or design, nothing is more important than functionality. Afterall, if you’re going to get rid of clutter and only focus on what you need, you need to ensure that what you have is not just aesthetically pleasing but also serves a functional purpose. A great way to begin your journey to minimalism is to focus on the necessities. Everything in your room should be functional - from that wall clock to your couch. Choose pieces that serve a purpose - whether that be chic looking storage furniture that helps you hide some of your mess or wooden stools that can be used as both a tabletop and a seat. In a minimalist room, even decorations serve a purpose. A good train of thought is to go for pieces that start at the basics, and only build upon them when necessary.

[source]

Clear The Clutter
Look around your space - does it look cluttered? Do you have too many things that you don’t even use? Is your lamp collecting dust from years of neglect? Minimalism is about sticking to the basics and ridding yourself of unnecessary and unsightly clutter. Always ask yourself what can be eliminated, what can be stored out of sight and what items in your home you think don’t quite serve a purpose in your space. Once you have gotten rid of clutter, you are rewarded with free space which you can use to truly maximise the efficiency of your design. A great tip is to be consistent in this process, and do a mini “clearing out” once every few months, so that you don’t let any mess accumulate over time. 

[source]

Select Neutral Bases and Colour Schemes
When it comes to minimalist design, one of the golden rules is to select neutral bases and colour schemes. If you’re someone who is more into eclectic and out there styles, minimalism may not be for you! Subdued hues are the best options for a minimalist styled room, with popular options usually being whites, greys, and beige. These colours inspire a sense of calm and bring a zen like quality to any space.

With that said, just because you’re using subdued hues doesn’t mean your room has to be boring. There are a variety of textured paints you can use, and different shades of whites and greys that you can incorporate into your interior design. You can also introduce small pops of colour with some simple artwork or decorations, but do try to keep these to a minimum, or use them more as focal pieces rather that scattering your space with too many different colours. 

[source]

Quality, Not Quantity
Going back to the point of focusing on functionality, when it comes to furniture, you’re going to want to opt for quality over quantity. Impulse buys of trendy items may turn out to be a complete waste of money, as they will not fit into your design, nor will they offer you the functionality that you’re looking for in a minimalist room.

Instead invest in quality pieces that will stand the test of time and won’t need replacement for a long time to come. Chances are, high quality furniture and fittings also tend to be the most simple looking ones. Minimalism isn’t just about design either - it plays into our lives as we try to reduce the amount of things we dispose of in a bid to conserve the environment and reduce our contributions to landfills. Purchasing quality over quantity will aid in this process, so always look out for pieces that are well made and will last you a lifetime. 

[source]

I hope that this article has inspired you in your journey towards minimalism. Decorating without decadence doesn’t have to be a dull process - it is a whole learning journey in itself that hopefully you’ll learn to absolutely love!

Till next time... start a minimalist movement in 2019!

xox

Rani

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

Top Tips for Summer Gardening

Happy New Year! Can you believe its 2019!?! And we're starting the year off with beautiful but hot summer months. Summer gardens are an important component in Aussie downtime. Alongside the beautiful weather, it’s also a bountiful season for backyard flora. 

Numerous plants burst into bloom or bear fruit at this time of year, but the hot almost scorching weather can also be tough on plants, so it’s important to take care of the garden and with some careful planning and the right tools, promote healthy growth throughout the summer season.

[source]

Here are some top tips and tools for keeping your outdoor space under control and looking good this summer.

Mulch mulch mulch!
A fresh layer of mulch helps to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. In fact, mulch can reduce evaporation from the soil surface by as much as 70 per cent when applied correctly, so it’s a vital ingredient in obtaining a water-wise garden. It can also help to prevent soil erosion and even-out temperature variations.

First, it’s important to give the area a good weed and soak, then spread a 5cm layer of mulch evenly over the soil with Cyclone’s Multi-Purpose Poly Shovel ($49.50). This specialist tool is moulded from a single piece of polypropylene, making it virtually unbreakable and super lightweight to make light work of shifting bulky mulch. Organic mulches such as straw and bark break down over time, helping to nourish and improve the soil. Just avoid placing them too close to the stems of plants to avoid rotting.

Fruitful planning
Deciduous trees that bear summer fruit benefit from a good prune as soon as the crop is harvested. Plants that bear new wood this season, such as peaches and nectarines, are also good candidates for a summer prune. Summer cuts heal quicker, so there’s less chance of disease entering the plant. It also helps promote a bumper crop for the following season, as it gives the plant plenty of time to develop lots of new fruit-producing growth instead.

Start by removing any dead, damaged or diseased limbs. Then tackle any structural flaws like crossing or rubbing limbs and branches that grow inwards. Finally, cut back one third to one half of all growth made since spring. Prune smaller stems with a Cyclone Aluminium Bypass Pruner ($39.98), and easily cut through thicker branches with a Cyclone Compound Bypass Lopper ($49.98) to help avoid damaging the plant, or yourself, in the process.

Prolong perennial colour
Similarly, pruning faded and dead flowers reaps great benefits at this time of year. Summer is the height of perennial colour, with vibrant species like Rudbeckias, Salvias, Phlox and Blanket in bloom. This action of ‘dead-heading’ not only keeps plants looking tidy, it can prolong the flowering of some perennials and encourage another flush of flowers. Simply prune off spent buds with a pair of Cyclone Floral Snips ($13.98). These tools are specifically designed with delicate blades to help avoid cutting any live flowers early.

Ruffle up the roses 
Most of us think of rose pruning as a winter job, but if you want to get the best out of repeat-flowering varieties, such as Autumn Damask or Gypsy Boy roses, then summer pruning is a must. After each flush of flowers simply prune off a third of the growth in a rounded shape using a pair of Cyclone Straight Hedge Shears ($39.98). Yes hedge shears! It’s that easy. The straight blades are perfect precise pruning, while the stem cutter (known as a notched blade) on the shear is ideal for managing larger stems with ease. You’ll be rewarded with another flourish of blooms six to eight weeks later. A great idea is to time your pruning ready for them to re-flower for a special event or garden party.

Improve your soil
Warmer weather is great for giving your compost heap an extra boost. It’s also an environmentally friendly way to recycle the additional kitchen and garden waste we get around the festive season.

Adding compost to your garden beds helps nourish and enrich the soil by encouraging healthy microbial activity, as well as improve its structure, drainage and moisture holding ability. Add a good balance of ‘green’ matter, like vegetable peelings and lawn clippings, and ‘brown’ matter like dry leaves, shredded newspaper and straw to the compost mix.
For the best quality compost turn your heap every three to four days – air is important to the decomposition process and turning re-heats the pile to keep it in an aerobic state, as well as eliminate odours. 

The Cyclone Garden Fork ($59.90) is the best choice for this task, as the tines help create additional passageways for air and moisture in the pile while turning it compared to a spade. The four tines are also forged from a single piece of steel, so they’re super tough and versatile.
Whenever you’re working in the backyard in summer, its important to do hard work when it’s cool – either early in the morning or later in day. By using the right tool for specific jobs, you can also save yourself some serious time and effort.

The Cyclone garden range comes with a lifetime warranty and is available nationwide at Bunnings Warehouse Stores and all good garden and hardware retailers.

Till next time... have a great week and a wonderful year ahead!

xox

Rani

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

About the company

With a prestigious history that extends for more than 100 years, Cyclone has become the most respected name in gardening tools, landscaping and insect screening. They’ve got your back with products suited to a comprehensive range of domestic and commercial tasks. Designed with comfort and quality in mind, Cyclone tools are built tough to last a lifetime.

Big thanks to Tristan Eastaugh, Product Manager at Cyclone for providing the tips to keeping your garden looking beautiful in the summer months.