EXPLORE all the trends – from styling to sell, the importance of art, the latest design trends, the iconic feature wall and many other ideas including what’s the latest out there…. This section will help you dress your home, throw new ideas at you and inspire you to experiment with “tried and tested” guidelines that I’m sure will arm you with the best advice to sell your property and enjoy life.
Valentine’s Day |
13.02.15 |
(Sing along to the tune of ‘My Favourite Things’ )
“Cupids and roses and boxes of chocolates, love notes and kisses and champagne-filled goblets…”
Photo: www.huffingtonpost.com
Yes, it’s that time again; you know the one, between Christmas and Easter? A day for lovers and love; Valentine’s Day of course!
Now before you think I’m being all ‘bah-humbug’ (or whatever the Valentine’s day equivalent is), I actually DO celebrate 14 February and like to make it a special day for my loved ones. While many people are disenfranchised with the commercialism of the day – and let’s face it, it’s hard not to feel slight nausea at the superfluous ‘redness’ in the shopping centres. But, if you can ignore all that stuff, then Valentine’s Day can be a wonderfully special day.
Photo: www.messina.com.au
So buying a dozen roses will be the equivalent to a down payment on a house! But, think outside the square. A potted plant in a beautiful vase will last longer and become a part of your home. Orchids and mini bonsai trees are lovely and ornamental. Red roses are clichéd anyway. If it’s impossible to buy a gift for that special person, be creative and think what a lovely gesture it would be to take the kids out for day, or book a plane ticket so your wife can visit her best friend or how about take a cooking class? Whatever the gesture, a little thought can go a very long way, just don’t leave it till the last minute! Words are powerful and writing down your feelings in a card or composing a love note has become a dying trend.
Photo: www.messina.com.au
For the past few years I’ve held a Valentine’s Day dinner for my friends whose partners are away on business. And, these dinners have been a smashing success! Secretly nobody likes being alone on Valentine’s Day and it makes it extra lonely when you know your loved one is far away. Each time I’ve hosted, the nights have been great fun and it’s also a fabulous excuse to get together with friends you haven’t had the chance to catch up with. The secret is to keep the food theme indulgent and decadent (think fantastic desserts from Messina and lots of bubbles). This year, I’ll be hosting a dinner for friends and couples who are Valentine’s Day humbugs. I’m sure by the end of the night; I’ll have a roomful of converts!
Embrace the day, it’s only once a year – a besides, love DOES make the world go round!
New Year, New Style |
05.02.15 |
Now that festive period is over, let’s think about the home and the emerging new trends for 2015. Many people see the beginning of a new year to have a fresh start for their bodies, minds, careers, health, fitness etc… but how about your home? There are some exciting trends emerging in 2015 that are modern; fresh twists on reliable classics. Whether you’re thinking of a complete overhaul or a small spruce up, take a look at what’s making waves in interior design.
It sounds like a foodie catchphrase and many people associate ‘fusion’ with a jumbled up mess! But, done the right way and with taste, fusion design can be uniquely eye-catching. Think mixing traditional materials and antiques with contemporary designs or carved wood and industrial metal details. Bending textures creates movement and interest. Mixing patterns breaks the norm and adds an unusual twist to any room. Constructing a one-of-kind design is the perfect way to reflect your inner style and tastes. Just remember to keep it understated rather than flamboyant. Small touches are perfect to give a hint and preferable to saturation. Aim for vivid and memorable not garish.
Forget about the knick-knacks and your old Aunt’s teapot collection, decorating your home can be as easy as using natural resources. If you’re going for the modern look, stone, wood, and metal add a beautiful and understated charm. If you like the look and feel of wood, invest some time in finding the right pieces whether it is salvaged wood, different colours, exotic timbers or rustic pieces. The natural shades can be subdued or quite striking. If you like the look and feel of stone, again there is a plethora of shades and textures. Granite, marble, sandstone, slate, limestone – so much to choose from! Stone pieces exude luxury and opulence. They team well with silks and velvet furnishings. As for metal, bronze and gilded pieces can make bold, bright statements to brighten up any space. Just be mindful to keep these pieces to a minimum so as the impact is not lost.
As we’ve noted before, changing the mood of a room can be easy as buying a pot of paint! There’s nothing like poring over colour charts (swoon) to find JUST the right shades. For modern rooms cold shades of brown colours and hints of leafy. Trends for 2015 include mustard yellow and mauve, all light and deep purples, rich blue and soft pink.
We live in an age of recycling and this can spill over into our interior design. There’s nothing wrong with recycling pieces, ideas and trends but make sure you add a new twist to make it fresh. Mixing recycled pieces with new ones can be interesting. Pulling out old artworks and rearranging them can be make a huge difference to the ambience of a room.
Trends are always evolving so it’s vital to stay fluid and open-minded. Sometimes, the most surprising thing is finding out and what YOU like and are drawn to. Try something new and you might discover more about yourself!
The 2014 Sydney Real Estate Review |
28.01.15 |
2014 was a record breaking year for real estate. With more houses and units sold (nearly 500,000 nationwide) than ever before and prices going through the roof, the numbers are definitely worth reviewing. Check out our 2014 Sydney Real Estate Review below:
The 2014 sydney real estate review
SUMMER TIME |
27.01.15 |
ONE thing to love about this time of year is the amount of tennis and cricket on view – and how passionately the kids become involved. Makes you think, is it time for a room makeover to transform a boy’s room to incorporate his young man’s passions?
Face it; he’s not your little boy anymore. Yes, I know he is growing up way too quickly, but there’s no denying it: your son is now taller, stronger and most definitely smellier than you! So how do you transform a boy’s room into a pre-teen’s retreat? The first thing you DON’T do is give your hormonally charged bouncing boy carte blanche – otherwise you might end up with a room that resembles a dungeon! But with a little planning and cooperation, you can work together to bring a little style and create a room that will reflect the person he is growing into.
Photo: Houzz.com.au
Australians are sport-mad! And, you’ve probably sat through umpteenth training sessions, Saturday morning cricket and after-school footy games. An easy way to bring his passion for sports into his living space is to incorporate his obsession –whatever the sport may be – into the decor. An easy and striking method is to paint the walls in your son’s favourite team colours. Bold stripes make a great statement and will match any other accessories or paraphernalia your son already has. Matching bed sheets and pillows can continue the theme, but be careful not to pick anything too juvenile. A fabulous way to add art to the walls is to frame a jersey! And, don’t neglect the medals and trophies collecting dust. Create a feature wall using bookshelves to show-off his achievements.
The telescope is collecting dust and the old solar-system mobile is missing a few planets. But, your young man is still a science nut. Throw away the galaxy-print linen and create a more grown up vibe. A framed periodic table of elements poster is both stylish and educational. Another black and white framed print of one of his science heroes (say, Albert Einstein) will add sophistication. Magnified electron microscope images of bacteria are also fascinating and certainly a talking point. And don’t forget a smart bookshelf along with a mini-step ladder for his growing book collection. Science beakers come in all shapes and sizes and can double up as pencil holders and chic accessories.
Whether he’s in the school band or he aspires to be a DJ, music is what gets him up in the morning (or even keeps him locked away in this room for hours)! Get rid of the ratty band posters and look for other memorabilia such as old concert ticket, T-shirts or drumsticks, you’d be surprised what you’ll find on online auctions sites. Again, framing these and adding plaques really add a further dimension. Vinyl records can be bought cheaply and can create wonderful artworks with a little imagination. Decals of music notes, a wallpaper-border with a music theme or even a mural can transform boring walls. Don’t forget some funky lighting and “Keep out” sign on the door!
Whatever your boy’s passion, it’s important to listen to what he likes (it’s his room after all), work within a budget and remember his tastes – just like his moods – are guaranteed to change!
SELLING homes is not just a career; it is an art form – one that is carefully honed over years of life experience and knowledge. And, I can proudly say, that I still absolutely love what I do – day in, day out.
For over 30 years, I have immersed myself in real estate and have built an untarnished reputation in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, among my peers and with my clients – many of who are my friends. People say I exude positivity, and I accept this as the highest compliment.