I am very lucky to live in a home endowed with generous measurements. An inaccurate drawing of our dream home was one of the best mistakes ever made as a large home has so many benefits. When you have a spacious home you can easily fall into the trap of spreading yourself out – by collecting a myriad of items because you have the space. But a true aficionado of the large home will keep the feeling of spaciousness intact and a thing of beauty.

Our large empty shell of a home needed extra care when it came to decorating to make sure it looked amazing and not cavernous. If money is available or calculated into the budget from the start, you have to be very clever how you are going to spend your hard-earned dollars to make sure your purchases will work the best.

Firstly, it is really important to select items that are in scale to the room’s proportions. Custom made furniture does not necessarily mean expensive. You need to find an Australian manufacturer that will do made to measure alterations. Remember to consider incorporating modular lounges into your design rather than continually adding extra single chairs as this can add clutter rather than style.

Secondly, the best way to fully take advantage of a large open plan space is to divide it into different zones and purposes. This will give atmosphere and individuality to each area. It will also give you cosiness and intimacy that may otherwise be hard to achieve.

Thirdly when selecting artworks, rugs, urns or other fluffing pieces these need to be oversized to look sensational and really give your home the WOW factor. A classic mistake is selecting smaller pieces and placing them on larger walls. Your mantra needs to be big is best. Place large arrangements or urns in corners or on surfaces where they can work their magic but do not need to be moved on a daily basis.

Be comfortable in your home and embrace the beauty of big open spaces by having the confidence to place one large
amazing object in key locations and resist the urge to add more and more elements into the look. And remember, large objects and more streamlined surfaces, is a housekeeping dream when it comes to cleaning.

Select a colour palette that will enhance your home’s dimensions. Larger spaces can take more colour and still look spacious, but I like to have an overall colour scheme to give cohesion to the overall design.

A big, generously proportioned home can be a thing of true beauty and an absolute pleasure to live in.

By Karen Creith

Webinar A Resounding Success

I held my very first online webinar on Wednesday night focusing on sharing my design tips and tricks for home decorating. The event was actually sold out with over 35 women watching and interacting. I had a live audience in-store as well, which created a very happy and positive vibe to start with and then combined with the women online it proved to be a fabulous night.

Online attendees were from all over the country from as far afield as Queensland and Melbourne, Port Macquarie, Sydney and even Bourke! So many women gathered together and had a glass of wine while sitting around and watching the screen and it made for a very relaxed and fun night out.

The webinar focused on just how easy it can be to create an amazing difference to how your home feels and from the feedback I have received there will be more events in the future.

The main point that was mentioned at the conclusion of the night was a disbelief at how easy it can be to change the way you feel about your home. The other main fact was how easy it was to join and participate in the actual webinar process. A fact which may have caused some ladies nervous tension prior to the event.

I was very touched to think so many people took time out of their busy lives to be a part of the night!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend
Love Karen x

 

Sort Out Father’s Day Early At Hay’s
Hay’s Gift & Gardenware in Clarinda Street, Parkes has a wide range of Father’s Day gifts to choose from. There are barbeque sets, leather wallets or a range of hats to mention a few. Get in early to be ready and organised to make Father’s Day on Sunday, 3rd September a special day for the family.

It is a day for people to show appreciation for fathers and father figures, whether it is your father, stepfather, father-in-law, guardian or a family friend. It is a day to celebrate the contribution that fathers and father figures make to children’s lives.

French doors create a sense of luxury in any home. Their lavish styling is complimented by their practicality, with a variety of options available to open up your living area and allow wide access to a courtyard.

At the Glassplace hinged French doors are available as double or single doors, and come in either aluminium or Western Red Cedar with a full range of matching windows available in either material.

If interior wall space is limited, French doors are a great option. Available as both an open in or open out application, French doors have the ability to be a stunning 2400mm high. French doors can be fitted with toughened or laminated glass or with Low E glass for energy savings and more comfortable living.

Full locking options are available for security, safety and peace of mind. You can view various French doors and single hinged door options on display at the Glassplace show room. You can also see for yourself how Low E Glass can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Visit the Glassplace showroom in Clarke St Parkes, the website www.glassplace.com.au or contact them on 6862 2346 to learn more about the range of French and single hinged doors.

Bedrooms are no longer just a place to lay your head after a long day of toiling. Our bedroom can be of great importance to our wellbeing. It can be a private sanctuary to retreat and withdraw to when needed. A beautiful bedroom allows us to relax and unwind, taking pleasure in the fact that we are safe and secure in a tranquil space we have created.

By surrounding yourself with items you love and cherish, your bedroom can become a reflection of your personality. Because it is a private space you can really express your style in a dramatic way. A bedroom is not on show to the world so decorating choices can be bolder. Get daring and express yourself with colour, prints and patterns.

When choosing your bedding and curtains, don’t be afraid to mix patterns, prints and different textures. Purchasing a quality mattress and bed will ensure a sensational night’s sleep. But for an instant update just change the bedding.

A new quilt cover can work miracles in changing the overall look. Throws and cushions add texture, warmth and bring the theme together. In my opinion the more cushions you pile on the bed the better the effect. This is a design rule that I follow to the letter.

Remember to decorate with pieces you love and that hold special significance, and incorporate photos of loved ones to create the story of your life. I love groups of photos arranged in block formations with the same frames to give
our everyday photos a designer look. A well-placed rug will give your private space a really luxurious feel. Imagine placing your feet on a soft shag rug each morning when you step out of bed.

Making sure you have enough storage is also critical. There will be no solace in the space if it is cluttered. If space allows, use artificial flowers or textural sticks in urns or pots, or add an indoor plant for a natural wow factor. Lamps and soft lighting will create an intimate feel, add an armchair and your room is ready to go.

By Karen Creith