Tag Archives: Decor

How to design a feng shui bedroom

Want to turn your bedroom into a calming space where you can rest and reset every day? You’re in luck! Our top feng shui bedroom ideas will help create a space that’s as beautiful as it is peaceful.

But first, let’s get back to basics: what even is feng shui? In a nutshell, it’s an ancient Chinese philosophy to do with harnessing the power of energy (or “chi”) to create a space that feels super balanced. The word ‘feng’ means wind and ‘shui’ means water – so, together, these symbolise the way of wind and water (aka the flow of life).

Ever since the 1970s, feng shui has evolved in Western culture and has become a thoughtful approach to designing spaces through balancing furniture, décor, and layout to maximise the flow of good vibes (and minimise the bad).

We bet you’re wondering how exactly to design a feng shui bedroom. Simply read on and follow our eight essential feng shui design tips. Let’s get started!

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Tip 1: Choose the right bed and placement

According to the feng shui principles, your bed influences wealth, health, and relationships. To harness its full potential, place your bed at the farthest point from the door, facing south, without directly facing any doors. Ensure your bed is at a comfortable height, allowing energy to flow freely underneath. This placement will promote restful sleep, vitality, and a deeper connection with yourself and your space.

Tip 2: Invest in a supportive headboard

In feng shui, a headboard represents stability, security, and support in your life. Be sure to choose a solid headboard with a smooth, perforation-free design. Opt for soft, rounded edges to promote energy flow and ensure it’s securely attached to provide a further sense of safety and comfort.

Tip 3: Buy a bedside rug

Use a bedside rug to absorb energy and create a cosy atmosphere. Place one on each side of the bed if two people share the same room.

Tip 4: Opt for a neutral colour palette

Create a peaceful ambience with a neutral colour scheme. Feng shui experts recommend warm earth tones like cream, peach, and tan, plus calming blues and greys. Be sure to avoid bright colours for a more calming atmosphere.

Tip 5: Focus on balance and symmetry

Use identical bedside tables and lamps to create symmetry and balance. Ensure you leave equal space on both sides of the bed so that the room remains aligned and even.

Tip 6: Incorporate soothing scents

Scented candles enhance the senses and create a warm, healing atmosphere. They also clear energy and uplift the bedroom’s feng shui. Be sure to regularly cleanse your bedroom with sage or sweet orange oil for a refreshing boost.

Tip 7: Minimise electronics

Remove any technology such as a television or computer as they give off a lot of unwanted energy. Instead, the bedroom should be a distraction-free zone for relaxation and contemplation.

Tip 8: Be mindful of mirror placement

Avoid bedroom mirrors, as they reflect and bounce energy, causing restlessness. If a mirror is an essential, consider placing it behind a closet door instead.

And there you have it! By incorporating these simple yet powerful design tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a space filled with good energy. Ready for more? Check out our latest seasonal trend report, featuring centre stylist Eliza Graces’ perspective on feng shui.

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

Winter table decor for a cosy Sunday roast

As the chill of winter settles in and we retreat inside, it creates the perfect opportunity to gather your family or friends to enjoy a cosy Sunday roast. Picture this, the living room is filled with lively conversation and the table is set and waiting while the aromas of a home-cooked roast waft from the kitchen. Sounds enticing right?

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of this beloved tradition with minimal stress and effort. We’ll guide you through setting a winter table, preparing hearty recipes and creating a sense of occasion for the whole family to enjoy. Everything you need awaits at Aspley Homemaker City.

Setting a warm winter table with decor

There’s something to be said for setting a winter table. While summer is all about bright colour palettes and the outdoors, a winter table is defined by a warm, moody atmosphere. The best way to achieve this is to play with colours and shadows.

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First up, you’ll want to choose your colour palette, think deep blues, rich burgundies or forest greens. Don’t be afraid to mix and match! From there, the key to a balanced tablescape is layering. Start with placemats as the foundation, then build upwards with dinnerware, silverware, glassware, and napery. This strategic layering adds depth and visual interest to the setting. Finally, tie it all together by adding a centrepiece. This could be a vase with seasonal flowers or a collection of candles to add an extra element of warmth and height.

With these simple steps and your own personal touch, you’ll create a winter table setting that will wow your guests and turn any meal into a special occasion. Now that the table’s set, it’s time to plan the menu!

Preparing hearty recipes

We can all relate to the stress of hosting, especially when it comes to balancing cooking duties with entertaining guests. That’s where the beauty of a Sunday roast lies. By minimising the time spent in the kitchen, you can focus on enjoying the company of your loved ones without compromising on flavour.

Start by choosing a quality cut of meat and season generously with your favourite herbs and spices. While that’s in the oven, cut up your vegetables like carrots, onion and potatoes and place in the oven alongside the meat. While they’re cooking you can mingle with your guests, and before you know it, it will be time to serve up! Of course, no hearty meal is complete without a sweet treat to round off the evening. Indulge in the comforting flavours of the season with decadent desserts like a warm fruit crumble or a rich pudding. The best part? These desserts can be prepared ahead of time and left to cook while you enjoy your roast.

Create a sense of occasion

Transforming an ordinary dinner into a memorable occasion is easier than you think, and it’s all in the small details that make the difference.

Add a touch of personalisation to your table with handwritten place cards, or sprigs of greenery tied with ribbon to each place setting. Not only does this thoughtful gesture add a touch of practicality to the table setting, but it also makes each guest feel appreciated. Another effortless but effective way of creating a sense of occasion is by structuring the meal itself. This might mean pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, setting the stage for lively conversation, followed by the main course – a hearty roast and finished off with a dessert to savour the conclusion of the evening.

By paying attention to these small yet significant details, you’ll create a sense of occasion, setting your Sunday roast apart from every other dinner. So go ahead, embrace the art of hosting, and watch as your guests’ faces light up when they see what awaits them.

Now all that’s left to do is embrace the cosiness of the indoors with a warm Sunday roast! Don’t forget to experiment with a palette of rich, seasonal colours and textures to complement the cosy atmosphere of your dining space. For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

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.

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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.

Bedroom Makeover Ideas at Homemaker Aspley City

The bedroom is a space that we spend the majority of our time in when we are relaxing at home, so today we are sharing our tips alongside Snooze Aspley for refreshing this space and creating the ultimate sanctuary. After a long day at work, there is nothing better than unwinding in a space that feels comfortable, tranquil and like an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There are many elements that need to be considered when designing a bedroom, from the mattress to the bed linen to the lighting and more. Today we are sharing with you our top tips for what to consider when making over your bedroom and ensuring you select the perfect pieces to invest in.

Start With The Mattress

When planning your next bedroom makeover we recommend heading into Snooze Aspley for all the inspiration you need. The best place to begin is by choosing a quality mattress that suits your requirements and provides comfort and longevity. There are a few key things to consider when selecting a mattress, most importantly the feel. Whether you are a lover of an ultra firm mattress or like to cocoon into a plush feel, Snooze has an option for you. Some other things to consider when selecting a mattress are the people who will be using it, the mattress topper feel, your sleeping positions, whether you use the bed to watch tv or read and of course, the size.

The Perfect Bedroom Suite

Once you have selected your perfect mattress, it is then time to choose some beautiful furniture pieces to pair it with. Whether you are after some small bedroom ideas to make the most of the space or are looking for a statement bedroom suite, Snooze Aspley has you covered. Bedroom furniture can include the bed frame, bedside tables, tallboys, dressers and more. Snooze also have a great range of customisable beds that allow you to select the best option for your bedroom needs. There are options to include drawer storage underneath, expandable trundle beds and bedheads in a variety of fabric options and styles.

Invest In Beautiful Linen

Decorating your bed with beautiful bed linen would arguably be the most fun step in a bedroom makeover. Selecting the perfect quilt cover and pairing it with decorative cushions in your favourite colours can completely transform a space. Firstly, head into Snooze Aspley and pick up your quilt insert and pillows of choice, then choose from a number of other amazing retailers we have at the centre for beautiful bed linen. We love the look of a neutral quilt cover paired with patterned European cushions and 3-4 decorative cushions in your favourite colour. Or go bold with a patterned quilt cover in gingham, paisley or a coastal print paired with cushions in one or two shades featured in the design. To finish it off we love adding a throw blanket or two underneath your cushions for a styled and cosy look.

Creating The Vibe

When embarking on a bedroom makeover you can’t forget the finishing touches in the bedroom to create the ultimate relaxing oasis. Add statement lamps to your bedside tables with a warm globe to create a soft and serene atmosphere. We also love creating a vibe by using a signature scent in the bedroom from a candle or reed diffuser. When selecting a scent for the space it is best to go for subtle notes such as citrus, sandalwood or freshly washed linen. Lastly, to create a personalised touch we suggest styling the bedside tables with a beautiful tray, a stack of your favourite books or a lovely, framed photo with a vase of flowers.

A bedroom makeover should be an exciting and fun experience and here at Aspley Homemaker City we look forward to helping you on this journey. We have a plethora of retailers that specialise in your bedroom needs such as Snooze, Sleepys, Beds n Dreams, Pillow Talk and Forty Winks. If you would like a helping hand with selecting the right pieces for your bedroom, then be sure to book in for your free styling session with our resident stylist today!

Creating The Perfect Christmas Tablescape

Here at Aspley Homemaker City, we are well and truly in the Christmas spirit! Our beautiful retailers have their amazing new Christmas décor on display and the carols and festive tunes are right around the corner. We love the festive season as it incorporates all the things we love most; spending time with loved ones, eating delicious food and decorating our homes in a beautifully themed way. One of the many aspects we love about decorating our home for Christmas is styling our dining table for the big day. There are a few key elements that go into creating the perfect Christmas tablescape and today we are sharing all of our secrets with you. We hope this leaves you inspired, joyful and ready to host Christmas day this year for all your loved ones!

Pick Your Theme

The best place to start when thinking about designing your tablescape for Christmas is to narrow down a theme. There are so many different themes you can choose for Christmas decorating and some of our favourites include traditional, bright and colourful, native and natural or glamorous and metallic. Our beautiful retailers have some amazing pieces that will work perfectly with your chosen theme. Provincial Home Living have some beautiful, themed ranges including their navy, gold and silver collection that would be perfect for a glamourous and metallic theme. Or why not go bold and try their mixture of pink, orange and green for a fun and bright take on Christmas decorating! If you can’t go past a traditional look, then a colour palette of green, red, and gold is always a crowd favourite. Your theme should be intertwined within every aspect of the tablescape decorating from the linen tablecloths and napkins to the name tags, flowers, and dinnerware. If you are struggling to pinpoint an exact style you love, we recommend jumping online to Pinterest to curate your theme and find an abundance of inspiration.

The Essentials

To create the perfect Christmas tablescape you need to ensure that all the essential items are catered for. This includes dinner plates, side plates, dessert bowls, cutlery, water glasses and wine glasses. Other important aspects that we believe are non-negotiables are beautiful linen napkins, placemats, name tags and bonbons. When setting your table for Christmas lunch, start by laying your placemats, followed by your dinner plate in the centre, with the side plate and dessert bowl on top. Continue by placing the fork to the left of the plate, the knife to the right and the spoon to the right of the knife. Traditionally, a water glass is placed at 1pm on the top right, followed by the wine glasses to the right again. If you follow these simple steps, you will have the perfect tablescape layout and your guests are sure to be impressed by your thoughtfulness! You can pick up some gorgeous dinnerware, glassware and serving ware from a variety of our retailers such as Freedom, Provincial Home Living and Pillow Talk.

Decorate

Remember that when decorating your table for Christmas lunch it is always important to leave space for the food if you are following a grazing style. We love leaving space down the centre of the table where family can pick and choose their sides or dessert and help themselves with some gorgeous serving ware. To elevate your table and take it to the next level in style, we recommend adding a few key pieces to finish off the design. When selecting placemats and napkins, opt for a fun print in a beautiful linen fabric to tie in with your theme as mentioned above. We love adding candlesticks and a number of small vases with foliage or blooms to create a styled look without blocking the view of your guests. To finish off the tablescape we suggest adding some fun name tags or a Christmas bauble to the centre of each place setting. If you are after some beautiful tablescape inspiration, we recommend heading into Provincial Home Living where you will find some gorgeous displays and product you can pick up for your big day!

If you would like some help with curating the perfect Christmas tablescape, then click here to book in for your complimentary styling session with our Resident Stylist. We look forward to seeing you soon here at Aspley Homemaker City where we can help you find inspiration and shop for all your decorating needs this Christmas.

4 tips to a well-dressed bed

Looking to the achieve that hotel feel right at home? Get started with these 4 tips:

Vary the sizes, colours and textures of decorative pillows

Different sizes and colours provide interest and variation. To achieve that hotel feel, go all out with layers of European pillows, multiple standard pillows and at least three decorative cushions to finish it off. The result is dramatic, plush and polished.

Play with colour and patterns for a more casual look

Simple, clean white bedding can be offset with a highly patterned coverlet for an artistic feel. Pillow Talk in Aspley has a beautiful new range of quilt cover sets and throws this Autumn to help add colour to the bedroom.

Or, if you want to spend some day in Alexandria Sydney, the Alexandria Home Centre has a lot of stores for you, as Decorug, Brescia Furniture and more.

Invest in good sheets

The easiest way to snazz up your bedroom is to outfit your bed with a gorgeous set of sheets. To keep the hotel room look, go for a crisp, white set of sheets that are at least 1000 thread count.

Hotel rooms tend to use sateen or percale sheets, but you should choose the material that feels most comfortable to you. The experts at Sheridan Factory Outlet will be able to help you put together the perfect set to fit any look.

Consider the lighting

You’ll notice that almost all hotel rooms have lamps or sconces on either side of the bed. This always helps pull the room together visually and also allows you to turn off the overhead light and create a warm and cozy mood in your space. Set the mood with Andrews Light Up to finish off the look.

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