You can reinvent any room in your house with the addition of a few bright new accessories.  A makeover doesn’t have to cost the earth, and you can change the look seasonally as your mood takes you. Just select a colour pallet and see how a new accent colour can take you on a whole new styling journey!

A modern, bold patterned rug and a couple of complimentary cushions will give any room an update. Add a couple of side tables and a funky new lamp and see how it instantly comes to life. Click here to view each item in this set. All items in this post are available from www.zanui.com.au.

Perhaps colour isn’t your thing? Classic and timeless,  monochromatic forms the basis of an enduring style that can also be updated seasonally with the addition of a few accessories. Cool and calming, quite simply you can’t go wrong with monochrome in your home! Click here to view these items.

Here’s another cool  and very inexpensive change a room instantly. Perfect for a child’s bedroom or rumpus, bright “spot” decals applied evenly all over one wall will create a fun wallpapered effect, but one that’s removable and as changeable as the kids’s moods! Want to know more about these cool spot decals and the other items in this set? Just click here

Stylist’s Tip: Continue with the spot theme with the addition of a ball lamp, or round cushions, and maybe even a bold-coloured exercise ball as a chair. Fit balls are a fun, healthy alternative to a desk-chair and will help maintain good core strength and posture. The kids will just see them as fun, but you’ll know otherwise!

How about watercolours, pastels or brights – or a combination of all three – for your little girl’s bedroom? Replica chairs, a bright pom-pom rug, a gorgeous mohair throw and some shabby-chic floral cushions add a modern romantic touch that is sure to impress your little princess!

To find out where to buy each and every item in this pretty little set, just visit Alison’s Polyvore site here

We’ve all heard of 50 Shades of Grey, right?  Well did you know there are probably more than 50 shades of white too? And that decorating your rooms white-on-white doesn’t mean it has to bland or boring.

Here are some tips on how to change your rooms using white all over…well, almost!

1. Learn to layer textures

Choose from a variety of whites and creams. You’ll be surprised at how the most subtle of difference in shades can create so much texture. Create different levels of depth and texture using deeper shades of creamy off whites right through to snow-white on window frames and embossed fabrics. Perfect for smaller spaces…

2. Add interest with subtle accents

White chairs. White table. White bookcase. White walls. White accessories. Some may think that would get boring, but with just a subtle contrast of a well-oiled wood floor and hints of pastels (think vases, flowers etc) you can make any room look oh-so shabby-chic.

3. Add contrast with bold accent colors

For a modern minimalist look, layer bright whites with splashes of bold, vibrant colours. Any colour will work, but bright tones of citrus or bold blue hues work exceptionally well.

A bathroom is the perfect space for 50 shades of white. Making for easy cleaning and always looking fresh, white towels and accessories will make you feel like you’re at your favourite spa. But one solid frame of deeper color – perhaps just a black trim around the mirror may be all the contrast needed. Notice how the  sparse quietness of this room allows you to focus on the framed views of the trees outdoors? The windows look almost like framed pictures!

3. Don’t ignore the floor! A bold, blue floor in one small section of a tiny room (see below) – in say a laundry or toilet/bathroom – can create quirky interest and give a small space  an instant lift without being too overpowering. Same applies to a window or door frame – maybe paint just one, while keeping the rest of the frames white.

When a space is totally kitted out in white from head to toe, create interest with a twist. A light rug in muted tones can make create a feeling calm and interesting texture all at the same time (below)

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Sick of staring at the same old decor but don’t have much of budget? Small changes can make a big difference allowing you to easily create a fresh new look without breaking the bank. Here are some of my top tips to get you started:

COLOUR

Start off with a quick change of colour. Pick a colour you’d like to use as the accent. If you’re over your beige and brown, why not choose a colour on the opposite side of the colour wheel and use that as the base of your colour-planning.

WHITE WALLS

I am a huge fan of the white wall. An enduring classic look that always makes any room look larger, cleaner and fresher than before, you quite simply can’t go wrong with good ol’ white. Skirting boards and architraves can be done in high gloss or even a different feature colour.

Feature walls in strong colours (or even wallpapered) that pick up on a colour theme that matches your furniture, paintings, cushions or rugs can really add interest and can be very cheap to change as the seasons change. A quick revamp of a room with a new feature wall and a few cushions to match is the simplest, quickest way to breathe new life into your living area.

CUSHIONS

Cushions on a couch are like icing on a cake! They finish it off and make it look, well, finished!

Accent cushions add a statement – think a few dramatic cushions in a bold pattern on a dark coloured couch. If you’re looking for wow-factor, choose colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel (see above!).

THROW RUGS

Add a throw rug in a complimentary colour (even as a stark contrast) – the added benefit is you have something to keep you warm on cold winter’s nights!

Note how the rug doesn’t have to be in a colour or even match the cushions (below). But the green from the cushions is picked up behind with a complementary colour on the walls.

Notice (below) how even just a tiny pop of colour on a white couch in a basically neutral colour pallet can make such a strong impact?

And if colour isn’t your thing, bold stripes, checks or patterns in a neutral colour will still make a strong statement (below).

FRAMED PHOTO GALLERIES

Group together multiple white picture frames or shadow boxes with family photos. Why not get some of your favourites printed in black and white (this can be done in minutes and very cheaply at Kmart or Big W) and frames don’t have to cost the earth either! Try Target, Kmart, Big W or Ikea for some cheap and cheerful but oh-so-effective options. You will be surprised at how much of an impact this little project can give to your home – and how cheaply it can be done!

And who says the photos have to be on a table OR even a wall? Try this nifty trick below for a quirky way to display your black and whites!

RUGS

Maybe that old rug you’ve had for years just needs a good clean to bring it back to it’s former glory? Or perhaps a new shaggy rug is in order? Rugs add texture and warmth to any room, and they can cover up a multitude of spills and scratches too! Jute or sisal rugs look great too and are extremely hard-wearing.

WALLPAPER

Remember Grandma’s old wallpaper? Forget those old-fashioned florals. The range of beautiful new designs has really sparked a revival with wallpapered feature walls now proving a popular way of adding texture and colour to any room. Even the bathroom! Cheaper than feature tiles, you can really have some with designs for the bathroom. Make sure the pattern is in a size and colour that will complement the style of your room.

And speaking of bathrooms…

Just for a giggle – guys, imagine a life-sized photo of a gorgeous woman looking on in horror every time you visit the urinal on a boy’s night out? Better still, what about a photo of your wife staring back at you behind your own toilet at home? Now that really would be quite a talking piece wouldn’t it?!

Are you selling your home? Or are you thinking of selling your home, but convinced there’s still too much work to do before it’s really ready for sale?  You could be right, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune either!

Simple decorating tricks can often be all you need to market your home to your particular buyer. It’s called home staging and the goal is that you strategically style your home to fit the psychological (often subconscious) needs of the buyer.

When you look for a new home, your basic criteria is pretty straightforward…

1. You want to immediately be able to imagine yourself living there.
2. You want to feel that living there will be convenient and easy
3. You want to know you are getting bang for your buck

SO! It stands to reason that your décor choices are in sync with those of your buyer, does it not? Here’s an example of how it can work…

Let’s say you have 2 young children but because of the location you also know your home will really appeal to plenty of first-home buyers without kids.  Perhaps you could benefit by turning your second child’s room into a study, and putting both littlies in one room while you’re trying to sell? It just may showcase your family home better to potential “DINK” buyers, letting them see how it could also look to them in a slightly different configuration? Perhaps a 2 bedroom plus study may be more what they are looking for to meet their current lifestyle needs?

The number one rule:  1^st impressions matter – and more than once!

If you doubt me, just ask my wife (Alison from Style Counsel).  She’s been drumming this in to  her corporate clients  for years!

The first time a potential buyer lays eyes on your home is from the street. It’s called street appeal. The next first impression occurs as they approach/open your front door. BUT, don’t forget, another first impression happens in every single room they enter from there too! Not as simple as you thought, huh? If you want to sell your home and get the best possible price, you really need to make ALL of those first impressions simply AMAZING!

Step 1 – DITCH: This first step is probably the toughest because it involves decorating your beloved home NOT as your beloved home, but as a marketable house. It means ditching almost everything personal on display. Eeek! I know! Not easy! This includes family photographs, everyday toiletries, mail/bill piles, and other personal/sentimental belongings. All bathroom and kitchen surfaces should be cleared, except for perhaps a couple of simple decorative accessories. If you’re really strong (read “keen to sell fast”) you could also remove old wallpaper and paint all rooms in a neutral colour. Why? Your home becomes a blank canvas to which potential buyers can ADD  their own style. You won’t polarize buyers with your personal tastes; it enables every person who enters your home to see themselves living there without being distracted by the preferences of those who currently do…that’s you!

Step 2 – CLEAN: Sorry. Sounds boring and obvious but it’s simply imperative! How clean? The house needs to be absolutely sparkling. I mean washing windows inside and out, shining the kitchen sink, dusting skirting-boards, bleaching grout etc etc. And make sure it smells as clean as it looks too. It may sound silly and even kind of pretentious, but you should also remove anything that says to potential buyers that keeping this home exactly like this requires little or no elbow grease. How? Remove all evidence of cleaning materials –  that’s laundry baskets, dish-cloths, cleaning products etc. I know that we all know that every home requires work, but subliminally, when buyers look at a potential new home they don’t want to see work. They want to be convinced that it’s maintenance free.  Trust me, we all want that, even though we also know it’s not possible. Call it “smoke and mirrors” if you must, but just do it!

Step 3 – LESS IS MORE: Again, another tip I’ve gleaned from my lovely wife… Make sure that all cupboards and storage areas (I mean ALL) appear half full. This applies to wardrobes, linen cupboards, the pantry, under-stair storage, laundry etc. Perhaps you could also consider removing pieces of furniture in certain rooms to enhance that feeling of space? Maybe you could loan the odd sofa, chair or console-table to a friend – or borrow their garage for storage for the time-being?. Or start selling now, the things you know you probably won’t be needing when you move into your new home?

Basically, the rule is to put into storage any items you feel you can easily live without during the selling period. Remember, in today’s market it could be quite a while, so think carefully but ruthlessly! The feeling of space it will create will ultimately spell $$$ to you whilst convincing  potential buyers that your humble three-bedroom has plenty of room for them to grow.

So go on! What are you waiting for? It’s not really that hard to meet the market and sell you home for what it is worth – or well above. And if you want someone to look at your home (who’s not a potential buyer OR a Real Estate Agent) with fresh eyes,  then contact me for an obligation free once-over and get some  great ideas on how to stage your home for sale…

Let’s face it. There’s a bit of a formula for home decorating that whether we’re aware of it or not, we all probably follow instinctively – and rightly so, if we want a timeless, classic look that will serve us for many years.

The vast majority of us buy plain fabric or leather lounges, then add a pop of colour or texture with rugs, cushions and artwork and accessories.

But, have you considered another way of changing rooms? To bring it to life in a more functional way and really make a comfy statement? Here’s how…

Why not consider buying only one sofa in plain fabric or leather and add two occasional chairs – in a different shape and colour? OR buy that modular that you really need to make your TV viewing more comfortable and to portion of a larger open-plan space but consider a couple of occasional chairs in another part of the room – perhaps with a rug or side table between, and make it your reading space?

There are some fantastic Warwick fabrics around at the moment that will brighten any room and give it that much needed lift it’s been crying out for, for years. Add contrast of colour and texture with scatter cushions and see your space take on a whole new look.

Occasional chairs come in all shapes and sizes – think high back, low back, winged, traditional, button back, tub…the list goes on. But you’re sure to find one that tickles your fancy at a price-point to suit. Here are three current designs to consider – remembering of course you can cover these in the fabric of your choice.

If you want to know how you can get your hands (or should that be your bottom?) on one of the stylish solutions below, just give me shout. There are plenty more to choose from, and I can help take the guesswork/legwork out of finding your perfect occasional chair!

What a great way to brighten up a dark room. Note how the dark timber chair-arms tie in beautifully with the timber wall panelling?

Check out this little number! A traditional style chair in simple green micro-suede, coupled with unexpected pops of colour using a modern bright blue footstool and red aztec print cushion. The little green-grass bunnies add a playful touch perched on the window sill too!

Perhaps your style is more shabby chic? Or romantic? Maybe you love traditional style with a feminine edge? This little chair would be right at home at your place!

How’s this for something different? Lower back and arms, with retro legs, this little number says retro-meets modern in it’s own special way. If yellow isn’t your colour, don’t forget the options are endless when it comes to putting your own stamp on any chair with your choice of fabric!

Do you like bright and bold with a funky twist? This wing-back chair will give a lift to otherwise dark, traditional furnishings – again, in your choice of fabrics remember!

Perhaps you’re a little more traditional and definitely want something not-to-girly for your space? This would work in an office or bedroom just as well as it would in a living room. Very preppy, very classic, very stylish!

My wife (that’s Al from Style Counsel) and I have something in common. Lucky for us, otherwise the last 24 years would have been hell-on-earth!

In many ways, ours has been a marriage of styles – from her first rough, hand-drawings of the first home we built together, to how she styles herself, ME and her clients – to the way I used to style a room for my Oz Design customers to how I style rooms for my Changing Rooms clients. You see, we both love neutrals. And there’s a damn good reason why…

When you make neutral your base (be it for clothes or decorating your interiors) it’s really simple to keep up with either your own changing tastes or the current-season trends.

None of us want to be slaves to fashion fads and trends. Let’s face it. With interior decorating, to do so means you’d have to almost take out a 2nd, 3rd or 4th mortgage every week to keep up! BUT, we all want to update our look from time to time, and there’s no easier way than starting with a blank canvas of classic neutrals and building our own tastes and ideas into the theme from there.

Just as there are investment pieces in your wardrobes (I learned that from Al!) there are investment pieces in your home. They’re the items you spend a little more on (or perhaps a lot on – depending on your budget!) because you know you they will stand the test of time; they will wear well; they will be used often, and will form the base of your space. A good example is the lounge-suite.

If you follow fashion to the letter, you may be swayed to buy the latest hot product – maybe an animal print, maybe bright red or orange, maybe aztec print. Thing is once you do that, you find that all your existing pieces look a little dated and tired next to that vibrant piece. Then you start changing rugs, cushions, tables, ottomans, occasional pieces, lamp shades and on it goes. That one purchase soon becomes a very expensive fashion-follow!

BUT, if you’d had a bit of a plan in mind – a style direction that is in sync with your own innate sense of style – you’d perhaps have settled for a more neutral shade for the lounge-suite and chosen to update (i.e. go a little bit crazy if you must!) with a bold animal print rug, some orange cushions, a few vases and a new lamp-shade) to achieve the new-look you’re after. THEN, when you grow tired of that bold statement, or just want a seasonal change, it’s as simple as a few new soft-furnishings to soften the look or reinvent your space completely.

I’ll be sharing more of my style philosophies with you here – this is just the beginning! If you want more style inspirations, just follow me on Pinterest and Facebook and subscribe to my newsletters and blog. And if you have any requests for advice or articles please just drop me a line!

‘Till next time…keep it neutral and stay stylish!

Cheers, Shane

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