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How 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 MoreWhy AI will never design your dream 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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreDecluttering, without regrets
Do you feel overwhelmed with stuff that you and your family have accumulated over the years, but at the same time very reluctant to make a start on getting rid of things? I believe the minimalist trend can go too far. If you are too radical you can throw away possessions which connect you to…
Read MoreMy picture passed in at auction – what do I do now?
If you have ever tried to sell something in a specialist art auction you will know that there is a long build up and the process can be very stressful. Once you have made a decision to sell, a failure can be very frustrating not to mention inconvenient. My first tip is – never pre-commit…
Read MoreAre antiques due for a revival?
Antiques – that is to say furniture and objects over 100 years old – are a little off the radar of many home decorators at the moment. So are they due for a revival? Here are some reasons why you might not have considered them:- You associate them with your grandparents or great-grandparents Yes, but…
Read MoreHow to use the 60/30/10 rule in decorating
Would you like to be more adventurous with colour in your home but you aren’t sure how to start? One tried and tested approach is the ‘three colour rule” also called the 60-30-10 rule after the approximate percentages of each colour. In this scheme, one base colour dominates – let’s call it your hero colour.…
Read MoreHow to trend-proof your home
Just like the fashion industry, the interiors industry packages styles and trends for the home which inevitably start to look dated after a few years. If you want to cultivate a more distinctive style that might even see you through multiple homes, here are some suggestions to guide you: Modern Classics Certain designs become classics…
Read MoreCan you over-restore a home?
If you are renovating an older home it is important to remember what attracted it to you in the first place. It’s definitely possible to ‘over-restore’ a home just as a conservator can make a painting look too new by overpainting and varnishing to remove all signs of age. Ideally you retain the best features,…
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