‘Why don’t people ever hoard good stuff? If I were a hoarder, I’d have a house full of cupcakes and slip-n-slides.’  Tweetie Bird, Looney Tunes.  Squirreling; passionately amassing goods to display on walls, within glass fronted cabinets, or open shelves, to exhibiting on dining tables, else hallway stands. Walking through my front door, my abode gladly welcomes a ‘new find’… I’ll gladly rummage the house in seeking the ideal spot to house a new item that I am determined to keep, this is where my expertise in re-arranging comes to the fore! Items on display are personable, and with ..read more

‘Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.’  Babe ruth Using wallpaper in your home Wallpaper can often be seen as contentious, whilst in agreement I view this in a positive light. Advice from trades people who work with the material regularly, given to me over the years, I take earnestly ‘…wallpaper is difficult to apply, it dates quickly and is a nightmare to remove.’ However, depending upon the application, I am not swayed in my fondness of the replicated pattern, the spectrum of colours within the one roll, that paint cannot duplicate. Wallpaper has a quality ..read more

 ‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’  Unknown A child friendly kitchen It has been said that by the time we reach the age of 13 years we should have the ability to cook at least 10 dishes; from boiling an egg to cooking toast, to managing a microwave. I’m not sure of its validity, but it is something I encourage. On the domestic front there is a satisfaction that comes when providing nurture to those you love, working within a space that is inspiring and functional to all inhabitants and visitors who graces your home. As the years pass, memories ..read more

The Brief A school library can often be a conventional environment, more so on wet days when students are confined indoors. However, the library at Model Farms High School in Baulkham Hills had recently upgraded their furniture. Subsequently, my aim was to work within a limited budget to create a bright, aspirational environment to enhance and encourage children’s learning experience, to which I accepted gladly. Colour Palette Spilt over two levels, four key spatial zones within the library became apparent: main common space learning area lounge ‘hub’ quiet study nook Dulux Red Splendor was ..read more

 ‘Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.’  Orson Welles.  I believe the ‘heart of the home’ belongs around the dining room. Commonly, it is the kitchen, as this is the space where food preparation and cooking take place. From prehistoric times to medieval eras, history tells us the way we have sourced, prepared, and cooked our food is still familiar today, if somewhat less demanding. Ovens have always existed, from food placed onto hollowed out stones, placed into fire pits dug into the earth, to indoor open fires where iron filled kettles would hang fr ..read more

Design is the body language of your marketing. Don’t slouch. Mark King, Designer, and illustrator.  I still hear my father’s familiar words ‘couches are for sitting on, not laying on. That’s what beds are for.’ The lounge room is a space we spent copious time in. Once referred to as the Pallor room, later termed the drawing room, the activities within this space have changed little throughout history. Its function is to provide an area where family and guests gather for leisure, and informal entertainment.  My first impressions of a lounge room remains more present than ever. Beheld ..read more

 ‘Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.’   Albert Einstein Ten times in ten years was me renting house and moving, together with one son, and soon thereafter two sons. I quickly became fond of houses, interiors particularly, the stories embedded within the walls; a history that piqued my interest. Romanticism? Maybe, nonetheless I garnered a respect and appreciation of and for the narration I found in architectural construction.  Whilst renting, I lived by the mantra ‘it is not my house, but it is my home’, and I wanted to replicate th ..read more

 ‘Reality continues to ruin my life.’  Bill Watterson  How to select a colour palette Approaching colour can be daunting. I find simplifying your colour pallet provides dividends. Playing with colour, I look to exemplify the main social zones: the hallway, the lounge, and yes, this will include the kitchen. However, in the kitchen subtle highlights of colour work well as this will be a place you frequent more than most. Use bold colours carefully particularly when selecting flooring, cabinetry, or benchtops, as these can be money spenders, and the eye can tire easily.  ..read more

 ‘I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things.’  Lindo Leader, Designer of FedEx logo  Designing a child’s bedroom If you have read some of my previous blogs, you may be beginning to recognise how often I use the term ‘simplify’, well I certainly am! However, in one’s defence I do find it is a fantastic starting point to ANY room design. Simple design demonstrates clarity of thought behind the scheme, it can represent harmony visually, and a space that induces calm; encouraged when it comes to the designing of a child’s be ..read more

“I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk” Dorothy Draper Designing a Bathroom Focal Point I apply the same principal to bathroom and kitchen design; what is the pivotal point within the room. A pivotal point (also termed focal point) in the room is where the eye is first drawn to (see blog Steps To Designing A Kitchen). Examples within a bathroom could be the bath, custom made vanity, the floor, or oversized window. This becomes the starting point to which the remaining room is constructed around (i.e., furniture layout, movement, accessorising).  To get started, sta ..read more