Friday 19 August 2022

How To: Select the Best Window Treatments for Kids Rooms

For most children, their bedroom is a sanctuary, a part of the house that is completely their own, where they can be themselves. When designing a child’s bedroom creating a balance between practicality and beauty is an important part of the process. Good window coverings should help create a comfortable environment for sleeping, playing and socialising, whilst ensuring the room gets the right light levels at different times of the day, and offer privacy.

Window coverings have the ability to tie in all the other elements in the room and set the scene. There are many ways to style windows in children’s rooms, whether you opt for a bright patterned soft shade or dreamy curtains.
Add a theme with roller blinds
Roller blinds are undoubtedly your best choice if you’re after a themed room. With a vast array of gorgeous designs, the Luxaflex® children’s print roller blind collection includes a lively mix of animal block prints and striking motifs, providing the perfect backdrop for a child’s playroom, bedroom or nursery.

According to Vera Meharg, Luxaflex Window Fashions, an eye-catching pattern can let your blind act as a modern variation of the ‘feature wall’ in a room. This is particularly appealing in children’s rooms where their tastes may change quite  rapidly as they grow, as well as rental properties where there may be limitations on the redecorating you can do. Available in blockout and translucent opacities, in a variety of colourways, it’s an easy option to delight little ones and big kids alike.
Shutters for early nights and sleep-ins
Solid shutters are a good window covering option, as they keep out light and can effectively insulate the room from noise and drafts. Shutters in white or neutral colours are like a blank canvas and are easy to decorate around, providing a timeless option from a child’s early years through to adulthood.

Shutters are a wonderful option for a child’s room as they are very easy to clean and maintain.They also allow natural light in, while maintaining privacy by positioning the louvres to suit the desired view through, advises Meharg. When it comes to room temperature control, Luxaflex® PolySatin® Shutters reflect inbound solar rays back to the outside during summer, but can be opened to allow the warming sun into the room in winter, helping to reduce air-conditioning and heating costs.
Match your window treatment with soft furnishings
Curtains can make a space feel finished and have the ability to transform a room. They are a perfect, cost-effective choice if you wish to create different “looks” for your child as they grow, as you will only need to change the fabric. A good idea is to tie together the curtain print or colour you choose with room accessories, such as a matching window seat, cushions, or light shade, which makes for a lovely cohesive finish.
Create a quiet and comfortable space
Creating children’s bedrooms allows you to take their personalities into consideration, choosing colour palettes and styles that suit. When designing a child’s bedroom, aim to create a quiet and comfortable environment. Hand pick the materials and finishes that can deliver a timeless style while presenting a balanced, and relaxed feel.

A shade option that incorporates both noise and temperature insulation is Luxaflex® Duette® Shades, which can help to reduce everyday sound energy by up to 52% 1 while still allowing light to enter the room. It is the honeycomb technology that helps to dull exterior noise in the cell structure and helps reduce sound transmitted between rooms. The honeycomb structure also provides efficient insulation by trapping air within the honeycomb cell, retaining heat between the two layers and helping insulate the room – meaning rooms stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Child With Allergies?
If your child suffers from an allergy keep this top of mind when choosing your child’s bedroom window furnishings. The incorrect choice can lead to poor sleep or exacerbate their symptoms. Opt for easy-to-clean, lightweight window treatments that are less likely to attract and hold dust and pollen, such as the Luxaflex® Silhouette® Shadings that are made of 100% anti-static and dust-resistant polyester. These versatile Day and Night blinds, are like having two shades in one, with two varying opacities - translucent or room darkening. Translucent fabrics gently filter light to provide a warm glow, whilst the room-darkening vanes provide complete privacy without totally darkening a room. Other good choices include washable, synthetic curtains, roller blinds and shutters with large slats that are easy to vacuum and wipe down.
Go Smart With Remote Operation
As home automation becomes more commonly integrated through gadgets like Google® Assistant, Apple 12 HomeKit® and Amazon® Alexa®, families are simplifying daily tasks through voice technology. Shades that incorporate Luxaflex® Powerview® Motorisation are a fantastic choice for babies and children’s rooms.The smart assistant compatability means you can tell them to open or close on demand, or set more specific scenes for ‘nap time’ and ‘wake up’. Better yet, if bub is already asleep, or you’re in a different room, shades can also be controlled via smart phone or tablet on the PowerView® App.
A thoughtful design vision that incorporates signature pieces of furniture, layers of textured fabrics and materials, and refined styling is the basis to creating a beautiful bedroom sanctuary, designed to last your child’s lifetime. 

For more information visit www.luxaflex.com.au.

Till next time... are you team 'Roller Blinds' or team 'Curtains?

Tuesday 9 August 2022

How To: Enhance Your Home Security With New Wiser™ IP Cameras

You can now make your smart homes safer with the launch of Clipsal by Schneider Electric’s new Wiser indoor and outdoor security cameras. Now available in Australia, the new Clipsal WiserTM Smart Home SecurityTM (Wiser) allows electricians and builders to be at the forefront of smart home security and integration. 
According to Chris Kerr -Vice President of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric, Australians’ desire for smarter, more initiative homes is growing. Expanding our range to include smart home security was a natural, and important, progression. The IP cameras give Australians the flexibility to create smart, secure and connected spaces.

Clipsal combines over 25 years of local know-how with global expertise in residential technology. Clipsal developed its Wiser system consisting of a scalable range of sensors, connected sockets and switches, blind controllers and IR remotes, allowing customers to control their entire home or certain rooms. All devices are unified by the Wiser hub and Wiser by SE app. 
The cameras can be used as an add-on to existing Wiser systems or as a standalone, the indoor camera offers up to a 340° view of surroundings, full HD recording capabilities, motion tracking and pan and tilt control, all powered by a USB plug pack. Home owners can view their indoor settings at any point of the day with the camera’s IR night vision for low light recordings and motion detection alerts.

Outdoor settings are also more secure with the launch of an exterior camera, designed with a sleek, rounded look that allows it to blend into all exteriors. The outdoor camera offers a wide angle lens, local storage and is powered from a detachable lead and plug pack, plus an IP56 protection rating for protection from rain in any direction.
Launching the security cameras adds to the extensive list of industry leading technology that is opening up the smart home market to more electricians. Traditionally, security and home automation systems required specialists to install these into homes. Wiser’s straightforward interface and wireless installation allows electricians, that do not specialise in security and home automation, to further extend their offering and keep up with increasing energy efficiency and sustainability demands.
The interior and exterior wireless systems deliver further efficiency for time-poor sparkies, builders and clients. Wiser systems can be accessed via a hotspot, meaning electricians can completely install and set up the system ahead of completion, removing the need for return to site visits. It’s also backed by Wiser's customer support services, so trades can install Wiser knowing that once the build is complete, their job is done.

Wiser aims to completely change the home automation market in Australia. According to Chris, smart homes are no longer exclusive to millionaire’s mansions. With over 54% of Australian homes already owning a smart device, electricians across the country now have the chance to be part of the Wiser future of Australians homes.
Wiser home automation solutions are available through Wiser approved installers. To find out more and get certified, visit https://www.clipsal.com/wiser/electrician.

Till next time... are you thinking of installing a home security system?

Thursday 4 August 2022

House Envy: The Wabi Sabi House

It was a shared passion for traditional Japanese and mid-century modern architecture that drove the inspiration behind the design of Wabi Sabi House. The family home, located 3.6 kilometres east of Melbourne’s central business district in Hawthorn, is adjacent to a leafy park and overlooks the Yarra River. Five years in planning gave Stuart Holmes Architect and his wife an intimate understanding of the plot, its relationship to the environment and the opportunities it could yield. Connecting to the stunning natural surrounds was an early consideration of the design narrative, which is now articulated through the lived experience of the finished home.
According to Holmes, there is a limited palette of materials which has been used according to a reasonably strict set of design rules. The cohesiveness this has created can be immediately experienced without having to be understood. Externally the material palette incorporates natural grey concrete block, which has been used extensively as breeze block, and ‘shou sugi ban’ charred timber cladding, against the prevalence of Big River Group’s warm Spotted Gum floor and wall panel and custom-made cement features internally.
The visually cool and patinaed exterior contrasts with the warmth of the spotted gum inside. According to Holmes, this is a deliberate wabi-sabi reference to the shedding bark of nearby river red gum trees, which is rough and weathered outside and rich and warm inside.
Working to inject warmth, the timber walls and joinery are a feature of the residence, not only do they complement the grey exterior elements and cement features of the interior, but the natural colourations and depth of colour of the timber, connect visually with the fluctuating colours of the external environment.
The warmth, beauty and unique grain of ‘peeled’ spotted gum veneer made the specification of Big River Amourfloor and ArmourPanel an early decision with respect to internal finishes. Big River’s veneers are available in various thicknesses for use in floors, walls, furniture and cabinetry enabling a well curated and crafted palette of natural materials to be employed.
Its premium quality formply product Armourform was also specified following advice from Big River’s sales and technical teams in the early stages of the project. This early advice helped to dictate some of the key features of the interior design. The specification of the selected Big River products enabled a distinct design language to evolve, whereby the black formply plays off against the ‘tan’ spotted gum according to Holmes.
Additionally, the products enabled the construction of routed joinery pulls and door pulls in the cabinetry, which are also key features of the design, linking form to function and truly indicative of the wabi-sabi vibe. Holmes worked with Finnes Building Group to complete the project which is set across three levels and replaces the remaining half of a 1930s duplex. It consists of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas, a study, a laundry and, in homage to Holmes’ love of Finland and its traditions, the residence also includes a plunge pool and sauna.
Based on a sloping plot overlooking the Yarra River, the complex site created some challenges through the build, but with a clear comprehension of the project’s vision and the courage and craftsmanship to proceed, Finnes Building Group realised the overarching success of the project. According to Stuart Innes, Director of Finnes Building Group, this was probably one of their most complex projects to date, it proved challenging at times but also one where the team got an opportunity to really demonstrate their skills. And the end result is spectacular!
Wabi Sabi House is a home that delivers a rich and immersive experience. Conceived as a whole, the dwelling is deeply connected to its site whereby interior elements are experienced via some condition of the exterior and vice versa. Dominated by sustainably sourced timber, the internal materials have been strategically developed to add depth and character throughout the space in a rich yet minimal application, culminating in an inner-city suburban home that responds to its surrounding environment and nurtures the principles of the wabi-sabi aesthetic throughout.
For more information visit www.bigrivergroup.com.au.

Till next time... hope you enjoyed the Wabi Sabi house tour!

Wednesday 3 August 2022

How To: Bring Coastal Grandmother Style Into Your Home

The Coastal Grandmother trend has taken the world by storm and is now permeating the interior design space. Coastal Grandmother refers to a relaxed, elevated way of living, a type of aspirational lifestyle. Think Nancy Myers and her protagonists, from Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give to Meryl Steep in It’s Complicated and the way they dress, their daily habits and their stunning homes.

Coastal Grandmother is having such a moment, it has become a cultural trend and lifestyle movement of its own. As of July 2022, #coastalgrandmother has 174.8M views on Tik Tok, and continues to grow in popularity.

For a while now, we’ve seen the Coastal Grandmother movement embodied through fashion, lifestyle videos and Instagram content. Now, it’s making its way into our homes.

To create the perfect Coastal grandmother vibe within your own space, online furniture store Luxo Living has shared 6 must-have items to achieve the ultimate coastal grandmother home.

Natural and Neutral Items
Coastal Grandmothers love natural materials paired with neutral tones. From dark wood to light rattan items, a little bit of nature really brings your home to life. Of course, Coastal Grandmother opt for whites and hues of cream in their décor and fashion. Think timeless white furniture that was trendy when Something’s Gotta Give was filmed in 2003 and remains stylish two decades later. The Debby Rattan Accent Armchair with Bouclé Cushion (RRP $229) from Luxo Living is the perfect blend of natural rattan with neutral boucle fabric, and you just know a coastal grandmother would add this item to their stunning reading nook. 
Linen Fabrics
Nothing embodies comfort, style and luxury more than linen, both in fashion and décor. From linen cushions to tablecloths and couches, you know that adding this stunning fabric to your home will elevate the look and feel or your space, and bring in the ultimate coastal grandmother vibes. To get you started, the Mala Solid Wood Accent Armchair with Linen Cushion RRP $329, is the perfect statement piece. 
Comfort for guests
A coastal grandmother loves to host guests and makes sure every corner of her home is full of comfort and timeless style. A great way to offer comfort without compromising on style or space is with a sofa or day bed, such as the Ovidia Velvet Single Sofa Daybed with Trundle (RRP $399). Place this gorgeous bed in a sun-filled corner of your home, between a bookshelf and some soft artworks and you’ll have the perfect coastal grandmother leisure room. 
A place to put your feet up
After spending a day tending to her veggie patch, baking sweet treats and living the ideal lifestyle, a coastal grandmother needs a place to rest her feet, without compromising on style, of course. The DIY Decorator Toni 55cm Bouclé Ottoman (RRP $99) is a great footrest, décor staple and ultimate addition to make your living space even more stylish and relaxing.
A place for books
As a part of the aspirational lifestyle, coastal Grandmother spend their time catching up on some light reading, flicking through recipe books and the pages of house and garden magazines. So obviously, they need places to store their many reading materials. The Avery Natural Rattan Display Shelf (RRP $229) is the perfect display shelf for all of the books you’ll need to perfect the coastal grandmother lifestyle. 
Soft, timeless bedding
The last addition needed to achieve your coastal grandmother inspired home is a soft white quilt cover and bed set. Create ultimate comfy core aesthetic with the white hues of the Davina 6pc Cotton Chenille Quilt Cover Set (RRP $89), and elevate your style with the trendy patterns.
Till next time... give your home some extra comfort and shop the range via https://www.luxoliving.com.au/.

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