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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 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 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 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.…
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