Category Archives: Get the Look

living room colour schemes

Three winter colour palettes you’ll love

Selecting the right living room colour scheme for your home is going to set the tone for the ambience of your space, making this one of the most crucial design decisions. From wall paint to furniture fabrics, the colours you choose impact how you feel in your space. 

 

How to choose a living room colour scheme

Warm hues create a sense of confidence, making them perfect for entertaining areas like dining rooms, while cooler tones promote relaxation, ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. This phenomenon is known as colour psychology, and we’ve got all the details you need to know right here.

In this guide, we showcase three winter living room colour schemes, each evoking a range of emotions, from snug and welcoming to refreshing and invigorating. Keep reading to find your perfect match!

 

Bright and vibrant colours

When the winter blues start to set in, it’s only natural to crave the warmth of summer. So why not add vibrant colours that radiate energy and vitality into your home? With bright hues reminiscent of summer, you can create a space that feels lively without sacrificing comfort. Opt for thick textures like wool and faux fur to add layers of cosiness and pile up the cushions and throws. 

DecoRug Lomond Striped Rug $499, Eureka Furniture Vieste Left Hand Chaise Sofa $7,299, Freedom Cosh Table Lamp $69.95, Freedom Urban Road Campari Spritz Canvas $599, Pillow Talk Muse Charlie Check Vase $24.95, Pillow Talk Muse Trio Decorative Vase $39.95, Pillow Talk Sundays by Pillow Talk Airlie Outdoor Coffee Table $199.95, Sheridan Outlet Naut Throw $349.99. 

 

Natural and warm colours

For those who lean towards a classic winter aesthetic, an earthy colour palette is for you. Rustic browns, soothing greens, and creamy neutrals evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia that’s hard to resist. Be sure to embrace traditional winter patterns like tartan and flannel to add a timeless charm to your space. With this palette, you’ll create a space that feels like the warm hug of home.

Eureka Furniture Grange Coffee Table $999, Freedom Aero Fabric Sofa $2,299, Freedom Coast To Coast Home Taylorp Floor Lamp $389, Pillow Talk Habitat Aurora Abstract Wall Art $149.95, Pillow Talk Habitat Axel Medium Checkered Floor Rug $299.95, Plush Alder Armchair POA, Provincial Home Living Nomad Footed Bowl $139.95, Provincial Home Living Talia Basket $69.95. 

 

Faded and muted colours

Faded and muted tones offer a subtle yet sophisticated option for winter interiors, particularly if your home leans towards a more minimalist aesthetic. Soft pinks, sage greens, and muted greys serve as winter’s interpretation of pastel hues. These gentle shades evoke a sense of freshness, perfectly complementing the crispness of the winter season. 

Freedom Wonboyn Ceiling Pendant $399, Nick Scali Nora 3.5 Seat Sofa POA, Nick Scali Papilla Coffee Table $1,899, Pillow Talk Habitat Washed Gradient Framed Canvas Wall Art $249.95, Pillow Talk Knute Sculpture $16.95, Provincial Home Living Parisi Bud Vase $89.95, Provincial Home Living Yashi Cushion $74.95. 

Shop your favourite furniture and decor at Aspley Homemaker City

Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant energy of bright colours or the timeless feel of earthy tones, there’s a winter colour scheme to suit every style and mood. So go ahead, experiment with different hues and textures, and transform your home into a cosy retreat with products from Aspley Homemaker City.

For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

outdoor entertaining autumn hosting a group of friends

Twilight entertaining: how to revamp your outdoor area for autumn

It’s no secret Aussies love the great outdoors. Whether it’s soaking up the fresh air or lounging around under the sun, there’s a special kind of joy that comes with outdoor living. Luckily, we’re blessed with fantastic weather for most of the year and as autumn settles in, now is the perfect time to update your outdoor entertaining area with a cosy touch. But how can you achieve this? Keep reading for a detailed guide on creating a warm and inviting twilight entertaining experience. 

autumn outdoor entertaining furniture and decor trends armchair, outdoor lamp, outdoor firepit, outdoor rug

Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Porter Throw $89.95, Eureka Furniture Solar Patio Arm Chair $1,499, Freedom Mali Round Outdoor Floor Rug $249, Outdoor Living Pol 8L Designer Fireplace from $2,395, Pillow Talk Muse Sahara Feather Cushion $59.95, Provincial Home Living Polly Lantern $69.95.

Step one: set the scene with lighting

Autumn evenings call for gentle illumination that adds warmth and ambience to your outdoor space. String lights, lanterns, and candles are perfect for achieving this type of cosy atmosphere. Consider hanging fairy lights across trees or pergolas, placing lanterns along pathways, and scattering candles on tables for an inviting glow your guests will love. 

Step two: create comfortable seating areas

Invest in comfortable outdoor furniture that encourages comfort and relaxation. Opt for plush cushions, throws, and blankets in autumnal hues like burnt orange, deep red, and earthy browns to add warmth and style to your seating areas. Arrange chairs and sofas around the firepit to create a focal point that will entice guests to gather and linger.

Step three: cosy up with a firepit

A firepit is the quintessential autumn accessory! Choose a firepit that complements your outdoor décor and will enhance the overall aesthetic of your space. Whether you prefer a sleek modern design or a rustic, traditional look, a well-placed firepit will undoubtedly become the heart of your outdoor entertaining area.

Step four: serve up seasonal treats

No outdoor gathering is complete without delicious food and drinks to enjoy. Incorporate the flavours of autumn by serving hearty soups, roasted vegetables, and decadent desserts like apple pie. Pair these seasonal treats with mulled wine, spiced cider, or hot chocolate for a cosy experience that warms both the body and soul.

By following these tips and ideas, you can easily create a cosy outdoor entertaining area that embraces the beauty of an Australian autumn. With the addition of pieces from Aspley Homemaker City, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy memorable evenings under the open sky.

Looking for more home styling advice? Check out our latest seasonal trend report filled with décor inspiration, interior trends, tips and tricks, and so much more!

provincial home living modern farmhouse style

Harvest home: how to achieve an Australian farmhouse

As the air takes on a crisp edge and autumn hits, there’s something inviting about the idea of nestling into a space styled with a modern farmhouse decor aesthetic – it’s homely, cosy, and above all else, comfortable (all of which are exactly what one needs during the autumn months).  

At its core, the farmhouse style is all about celebrating the beauty of imperfection. Reclaimed wood, industrial fixtures, and vintage-inspired décor come together to create a space that feels lived in and loved. While the term farmhouse might make you think of rolling fields and rustic barns, you don’t actually need to live anywhere near a farm to pull off the trend. With a few key elements, a keen eye for detail, and a trip to Aspley Homemaker City, you can transform any space into a harvest home. 

australian modern farmhouse styling, paddle, painting, lamp, occasional chair, bookshelf

Eureka Furniture Farmhouse Paddle $99, Eureka Furniture Ravenswood Bookcase $1,299, Freedom Ulla Table Lamp $349, Freedom Westport Fabric Armchair $1,499, Provincial Home Living Loch Barn Print $199.95, Provincial Home Living Campaign Image.

 

Defining farmhouse style

Before hitting the store it’s important to understand exactly what modern farmhouse style is so that you can easily identify pieces that will work for you. 

Farmhouse style is refreshingly uncomplicated with a homespun charm that instantly puts you at ease. Décor pieces are to be chosen carefully, with a nod to history and antiques. Think barn-style furnishings such as wooden chairs combined with industrial-inspired fixtures like lights, trims, and handles. The beauty of farmhouse style lies in balance, so be sure not to go overboard and remember to keep a minimal approach. 

Key elements for the Australian farmhouse

If you’re on the hunt for some key furniture pieces to suit this trend, be sure to select items for their durability and comfort. Practicality is key – comfortable seating and ample storage solutions will make everyday living a breeze. Whereas for décor, less is often more. We recommend keeping patterns simple and understated, opting for some open shelving that displays natural elements and textures like dried flowers, woven baskets, and pottery. 

Colour palette: a nod to nature

The farmhouse decor style tends to favour natural hues inspired by the great outdoors. While white and black are always popular choices, there’s plenty of room to explore shades of brown, deep greens, and soft beige. You can showcase many of these colours through furniture made from natural materials like timber and stone. 

Now that you know the basics of modern farmhouse style, it’s time to transform your space! Be sure to head in centre to discover an array of furnishings and décor that can help you bring this trend to life. 

Looking for more home styling advice? Check out our latest seasonal trend report filled with décor inspiration, interior trends, tips and tricks, and so much more!

baby nursery decor

Little wonders: how to prepare a nursery

Expecting parents have a lot to consider when waiting for a baby to arrive. There are hospital bags to pack, car seats to install, baby showers to plan, and diapers to buy – and that’s all before there’s a tiny human to raise! However, one of the most exciting tasks to ponder before your newborn arrives has got to be the baby nursery decor; the design, theme, and purchasing all the essentials. 

The nursery is about to be a place where you’ll spend many hours of your time for feeding, changing, or putting your little one to sleep (or should we say attempting to). So, you’ll want to invest some much-needed time, effort, and funds into ensuring your nursery is decked out exactly how it should be. 

We want you to have one less thing to worry about when your newborn arrives, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know into one place. Read on to learn all about navigating your new nursery.

Baby Bunting Boori 3 Tier Changer $269, Baby Bunting Ergopouch Cocoon $49.95, Baby Bunting Living Textiles Cotton Rope Storage Set $39.95, Baby Bunting Owlet Baby Monitor $249.99, Baby Bunting Zazu Nightlight $59.95, Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Pete Pretzel $29.95, DecoRug Luka Shaggy Colour Rug from $199, Forty Winks Boori Corindi Cot $649, Freedom Evie Rocking Chair $1,299, Freedom Mornington Dresser $1,699.

 

Designing your baby nursery

There are four main factors to consider when designing your nursery – the placement of the cot, glider, changing table, and storage drawers. 

The cot should be positioned first and should be placed away from any windows or doors to limit temperature changes, air drafts, and light exposure. Next up, place your glider (aka feeding chair) into a corner nook, ensuring it has enough space around it to rock. Once the cot and chair are placed, slot the drawers and changing table in the leftover space. 

Tip: For those who are working with a smaller space, we recommend using your chest of drawers as a changing table as well. 

Now that all the key pieces are appropriately placed, it’s time to sort out the lighting. Having a dark room will promote the release of melatonin (the hormone that helps us to both fall asleep and stay asleep). So, be sure to purchase block-out blinds as these will keep the room dark for both nap time and night time. You’ll also want to limit any artificial light such as baby monitors – place these away from the cot so that the light isn’t in the baby’s line of sight when they’re in the cot. 

Baby nursery décor

Now onto the fun part – the baby nursery décor! Before getting carried away with an elaborate theme, it’s important to keep in mind the top priority of a nursery and that’s for it to be conducive to sleep. You’ll want your newborn to be exposed to as little stimulation as possible, so avoid using too many decorative pieces that can distract them. Refrain from placing toys or hanging mobiles in and above the cot, in fact, we recommend no toys in the cot until four months of age, which also happens to be the optimal time to introduce a comforter. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t have a super stylish baby nursery – you can still stick to a colour palette so the room is cohesive with the rest of your home. Start with a neutral base for the furniture and then add accent lighting, wallpaper, artwork, rugs, and more. Even if tastes change, your accent pieces can easily be swapped out while keeping large investment pieces the same. 

Tip: incorporate thick pile rugs and drapes throughout the room to help absorb outside noise. 

The essentials

Lastly, it’s time to ensure you have all the essentials for a functional nursery. First up, it’s important to baby-proof the room – secure blinds and electrical cords, keep any medicines out of reach, and set up a baby monitor. 

Next, purchase a white noise machine (this will help silence your baby’s built-in alarm clock by drowning out all outside noises during vulnerable phases of light sleep), a swaddle (to make your baby feel safe and comforted), a dim nightlight (to help navigate night time feeding), and of course, nappies, bedding, toys, and clothes. 

There you have it! We hope this helps you prepare accordingly for your newborn with baby nursery decor. Be sure to download our first-time parent nursery checklist here to better prepare you for the arrival of your little one.

colourful bedroom

Get the colour psychology lowdown for interior design

Have you ever stepped into a room and felt a wave of emotions wash over you – be it a hospital, theatre, or even your living room? Well, this phenomenon has everything to do with the interplay of colours within the space you’re in (also known as colour psychology).

Colour psychology is pivotal in the interior design industry and understanding how it works is something that many industry experts have mastered. But being able to decode colour psychology isn’t just for the pros, anyone can do it! Keep reading to find out what colours evoke certain emotions and how you can use colour to create various atmospheres and moods within your home.

Shades of blue

When the colour blue comes to mind, you probably think of clear skies or the ocean, right? Both of these subconsciously influence a person’s mood because they’re affiliated with fond memories. So, when blue is utilised in interior design, it triggers a sense of calm, serenity, and relaxation, and even more so in the lighter shades. Darker hues evoke feelings of confidence, trust, loyalty, and dependability.

So, how to incorporate these into your space? Blue is best used in bedrooms and living spaces because you want these areas to feel calm and inviting. Use light shades of blue as a dominant colour in your bedroom by adding a blue coverlet to your bed or a pastel blue feature wall. When decorating your living room, we recommend using deeper shades of blue in various decorative accoutrements – think vases, artwork, and throw cushions.

Shades of green

Green is one of the more versatile colours and can be brought into almost every room in some way. Similarly to blue, green also evokes feelings of calmness because it has strong associations with nature. Green is thought to be tranquil and promotes growth, renewal, prosperity, and regeneration.

The best way to bring green into your space is through textural pieces like plants, rugs, and fabrics. Opt for statement furnishings in rich green velvets like dining chairs or sofas, add in a variety of foliage from hanging plants to petite succulents, and opt for contemporary Moroccan rugs with speckles of green throughout. The best part? Green can be added to any room within a house or apartment and even the most subtle additions can make all the difference.

Shades of red

Red can be a daunting colour to add to your space but it’s a real game changer! Red symbolises a range of emotions often depending on its intensity and contexts, but some common interpretation of the colour includes passion, energy, warmth, comfort, and creativity.

Shades of red are more suitable for kitchens where creativity is key. Ultimately red works best as an accent feature but be sure to balance with neutrals to prevent the space from becoming overwhelming. We also recommend creating a gradient by using various shades like maroon, burgundy, and rose instead of sticking to one stark shade only.

Shades of yellow

Radiant and cheerful, the colour yellow exudes warmth and sunshine which is why it’s often associated with youthfulness, energy, and fun.

Consider featuring yellow in nurseries or kids rooms because it is the ideal gender-neutral choice. When integrating yellow tones, it’s important to strike a balance where the shade is used in conjunction with other colours and design elements to create a harmonious environment. We recommend opting for a yellow ceiling accent or removable wall decals. For a more subtle yet impactful approach, add yellow fitted sheets to the bed to create a soft pop of colour in your bedding.

Shades of pink

To conclude, our final colour is pink – which is also the Pantone colour of the year, viva magenta! Pink has recently made a resurgence in interiors, especially dusty pinks which have been seen in a slew of Pinterest-worthy interiors. The shade often evokes romance, elegance, and harmony.

There’re so many ways to incorporate pink into your interiors but one of the best ways is through lighting. Look for pink-hued lamps, lampshades, or pendant lights to add a subtle glow of colour to your space. We also recommend introducing pink through bathroom accessories like towels, shower curtains, and bathmats.

As you decorate your home, keep in mind that colours do more than just look pretty – each colour can also help create the mood you want. So, whether you like calm blues, nature-inspired greens, bold reds, happy yellows, or elegant pinks, enjoy picking shades that resonate with you and the feelings you wish to welcome into your home.

Looking for more home inspiration? Join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

Style at Home: Simplicity of design in the kitchen

 

Customise your kitchen to include practical appliances that help bring your family together.

We’ve partnered with Stylist Briar Stanley, to help you discover how you can create your own style in the kitchen.

 

 

Find amazing pieces for your dining room at Freedom, Howards Storage World, Kitchen Connection and PillowTalk – all now open at Aspley Homemaker City.

Visit us today.

Style at Home: Mixing Textures

Mixing Textures - Style at home banner

Mixing textures in your spaces can create the right mood.

We’ve partnered with Stylist Briar Stanley, to help you find yours.

 

Find amazing pieces for your dining room at Beds N Dreams, Bedshed, Forty Winks, Freedom, PillowTalk, Recline Furniture, Sheridan Factory Outlet, Sleeping Giant and Snooze – all now open at Aspley Homemaker City. Visit us today.

 

Nordic style apartment dining room

 

Get the Look: Bedroom Tones

Bedroom Tones

Bedrooms should really be your own calm sanctuary, so try and decorate with calm, neutral tones.

We’ve partnered with Stylist Briar Stanley, to help you discover your sanctuary.

 

 

Find amazing pieces for your dining room at Beds N Dreams, Bedshed, Forty Winks, Freedom, PillowTalk, Recline Furniture, Sheridan Factory Outlet, Sleeping Giant and Snooze – all at Aspley Homemaker City.

 

 

 

Get the Look: Bringing it all together

When you’re decorating, have fun with proportions and the size of pieces you choose.

Bring your dining area together with the right dining table. We’ve partnered with Stylist Briar Stanley, to help you find out how.

 

 

Find amazing pieces for your dining room at Nick Scali, Freedom, Howards Storage World, PillowTalk, Andrews Light Up, DecoRug and Provincial Home Living – at Aspley Shopping Centre.

 

 

 

Get the Look: Feature Appliances

Get the look at home

Are you wondering how to bring your kitchen to life and bring in your own style?

There is such an amazing range of appliances for the kitchen these days, that you can treat key pieces like a piece of furniture in your home.

We’ve partnered with Stylist Briar Stanley, to help you find out how.

 

 

Find amazing pieces for your kitchen at Freedom, Howards Storage World, Kitchen Connection and PillowTalk – all now open at Aspley Homemaker City. Visit us today.