How 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…

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How to de-stress Christmas

Christmas decor

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…

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How do I update my heritage home?

Classic Queenslander

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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Why AI will never design your dream kitchen

An AI-generated kitchen

Recently I have seen some gloriously detailed images online of dream kitchens bathed in perfect light looking oh-do-desirable and achievable. Upon closer inspection I have realised that the images are AI generated. There are usually two giveaways. One is the slightly fuzzy appearance which cannot be attributed to natural lighting but could be the result…

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14 Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid

Bathrooms are generally the second most expensive room (after the kitchen) to build or makeover. Whether you are renovating or building, here are fourteen mistakes I have seen in bathroom design to avoid: 1. Too Clinical While we want our bathrooms to be practical, we also want to avoid making them look like what you…

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The Art of Dining

A simple, elegant table setting.

Dining together is an under-rated activity today. Sitting around a beautifully set dining table, sharing a meal together should be a regular activity. Sadly, it seems to have almost vanished from our lives. This is not to say that every day can be a fine dining day, but here are some suggestions as to how…

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How to transform your home with art

Repulse Bay House, Hong Kong

Many designer homes, while stunningly decorated and renovated, seem to lack personality. A collection of art, can really transform your home in to a place that really tells your story. Art creates a two-way dialogue between the artwork and its surroundings in a way that decorative objects do not. Here’s some thoughts on how to…

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What is an ‘Unfitted Kitchen’?

Have you heard the term ‘unfitted kitchen’? It seems to be relatively unknown in Australia where built- in cabinetry and continuous bench tops reign supreme in kitchen design. But I think they are just right for Queensland homes and I’ll explain why here. Inspiration from the past Firstly, what is an ‘unfitted kitchen’? Basically it…

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How do I decide and sign off on a design scheme?

Making final decisions and signing off on designs can be difficult. When you have a designer keen to move forward, but you think there are a multiplicity of choices still to be researched and evaluated, how do you draw a line in the sand and say yes? Here are the questions I would be asking:…

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