cushions and decorating
Don’t get too fussy with a throw blanket. After all, it’s called a ‘throw’ for a reason. When everything else in the space carries clean lines, a casually tossed throw provides some needed softness. TIP: Invest in a high-quality, natural-fibre blanket with rich colour and an enticing hand-feel, and you’ll be able to use it in different rooms for years of style.
Wherever you have an empty shelf, or a ho-hum display that could use a little accessorising, simply pull out a great oversize book or two, and you’ve got endless options for decorating like a true stylist. TIP: For a more neutral display, take the jackets off books with overly busy covers and display just the plain covers.
Gardening Tips Outdoor Living Most Popular Block Out Thy Neighbour: Privacy Plants for the Modern Home If you're looking for a privacy screen that blends in and doesn't compromise on style, these architectural plants could be just the trick Josh Harrison 28 January 2015 Houzz contributor based in Sydney and owner of Harrison's Landscaping and The Balcony... More Email Comment52Like74Bookmark355PrintEmbed Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog. People’s taste in the architectural aesthetic of houses has changed over the last 10 years, and so have the plants that accompany these homes. Plants need not only suit the style of the home, they need to complement it too, and that’s especially important for privacy and screening plants that often form the backdrop of the garden. As my clients have become more design-savvy, so have their requests for more imaginative solutions when using plants to create privacy and screening. Screening plants are not only just about privacy from neighbours though – they also serve as a windbreak, protection from the sun, or are simply a way to block an unsightly aspect. Below are my top tips for creating screening and privacy ...
5. Swap your soft furnishings Hot days call for crisp linen and an abundance of natural light. To give an immediate summery feel to your home, pull up your blinds, remove your heavy curtains to let light flood in, pack away throws, wool, velvet, chenille or silk cushions, and replace them with fabrics that are more summery, such as cotton, and linen.
Triple treat artwork How we hang art, like art itself, is a personal choice, and a special piece may be best left to enjoy its space alone. But we are increasingly turning to affordable art and getting creative with framed prints to enliven our walls. These pieces often come in sets of three linked by subject, colour and frames. Three striking black-and-white botanical prints create balance in this boudoir, placed above a trio of cushions.
Style your coffee table One of the first places I look at changing if I am feeling a little blah about my living room is the coffee table. It’s a flat area that is just screaming for some attention. Remember your odd numbers here for a simple way to style like a pro, and work with varying shapes, sizes, textures and heights. STYLE TIP: A fail-proof formula for your coffee table is a vase of fresh flowers, a stack of interesting coffee table books with a candle or interesting ornament on top and then a bowl/smaller dish or tray with a textual element inside.
2. Stay on neutral ground A neutral colour scheme is timeless and works in every room, so if you’re thinking of investing in soft furnishings then your best bet is a pared-back palette. Sheer, white curtains and an earthy rug in sisal or rattan will look beautiful in your home for many years to come.
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