Posts by coralie stow
What would I buy at IKEA?
I visited IKEA at Logan recently to see what I would potentially recommend to a client looking for some design on a budget. As I browsed, I wondered, what would I buy at IKEA? All credit to the merchandisers who create IKEA’s showroom – there’s lots of clever staging and some great colour schemes. But…
Read MoreChoosing the Right Metals for Your Renovation: A Simple Guide
What metals should I choose for my renovation? It wasn’t that long ago that hardware options were pretty much limited to just three finishes: brass, polished chrome, and brushed stainless steel. Today, the choices have expanded dramatically—and like anything, more options can create more confusion. Here are some questions to help you decide: Cool or…
Read MoreWhen the light hits just right
Have you noticed that light is the first thing you feel in a room—before the furniture, before anything else? In Northern Australia, light is both a gift and a guest—one you must welcome, but also manage with care.Especially in summer, it’s early, strong, and bright. To shape it, you need to understand it. Too much…
Read MoreHow to make downsizing work for you
So, you’ve decided to move into something smaller and more suited to your current lifestyle. It’s a big step — and can feel daunting as you look around at your accumulated possessions. What should (and shouldn’t) you take with you? Clean Slate Perhaps you’re considering a ‘clean slate’ approach. This can be fairly drastic, and…
Read More7 essential steps to modernising your Queenslander
1. Don’t rush to judge Upon buying an older home, your first instinct may be to make drastic changes to the layout. Live in the house for a while and get used to its quirks. Make an inventory of the house’s strengths and challenges. Then you can address the latter while preserving the former. 2.…
Read MoreWhat are your home goals for 2025?
With the new year nearly upon us, now is the time to set some goals for your home for 2025. Decluttering Are you just needing a big tidy up? It’s amazing how much difference bringing order to your home can make. Read my guide to decluttering without regrets Leverage the enthusiasm of starting a new…
Read MoreHow to choose paint colours for your home
Unsurprisingly, considering the amount of choices available, choosing the right paint colours can be a real headache. And for reasons explored here, the end result may not what be what you were aiming for. Paint charts will only tell you part of the story. Researching on websites or referring to the paint colours used by…
Read MoreHow to de-stress Christmas
What are the best ways to get ahead on Christmas and have a more enjoyable time with your family and friends? Here are a few suggestions from my Christmas playbook, all of which involve getting a head start on planning and shopping: Create a to-do list To do lists are your best tool when there…
Read MoreHow do I update my heritage home?
If you are fortunate enough to own an older heritage home, you will probably be aware that this type of property poses special challenges. How do you update it and at the same time honour its architecture? Challenges The good news is that you have an asset that has outlasted fashion trends and with careful…
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