Tag Archives: Freedom

The Dad Deals: Your Father’s Day Gift Guide

Not quite sure what to get that hard-to-buy-for man in your life when September 3rd rolls around? Here at Aspley Homemaker City, we’ve taken the stress out of gift-giving once and for all with our completely customised Dad Deals – all bundled up and ready for purchase! Below are the ultimate gift bundles for every dad in your life – the home chef, fitness guru, DIY-er and everyone in between. All you have to do is screenshot the bundle that best suits your dad and head in centre to purchase.

Cooking Dad

Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Yarn Dye Tea Towel Set of 3 $14.95, Freedom Arden Paddle Board $69.95.

Dads who know their way around the kitchen are simply the best. Why? Because nothing beats a delicious home-cooked meal! This year we think the cooking dad deserves a little extra love when Father’s Day hits, a means of saying thank you for all those meals. And what could be a more fitting gesture to express gratitude than gifting more items to cook with? We’re loving the Gozney Roccbox Portable Pizza Oven from Barbecues Galore bundled with a round pizza board from Freedom, and some essential tea towels from Bed Bath N’ Table. The perfect gift for the perfect home chef!

DIY Dad

Products: Frame Today Camel Square 300×300 mm Picture Frame $99, Freedom Grevillea Pot $24.95, Howards Storage World IS Gift The Auto Collection 24 Piece Tool Set $29.95.

What to get the dad who is constantly fixing things around the house or undertaking DIY projects every second weekend? More things to create and build with, of course! The DIY-er is bound to love a brand new 24-piece tool set from Howards Storage World to add to his (probably already very large) tool collection. Another great idea is to undertake a project together like painting a pot plant. We’re also loving photo walls at the moment so why not pick up a few frames from Frame Today to get started? The secret is to utilise a variety of different shapes and sizes. Be sure to customise the frames with meaningful family photos. The best part? Dad can use his new toolset to hang them up!

Fitness Dad

Products: JB Hi-Fi BlendJet Portable Blender $79, JB Hi-Fi Fitbit Charge 5 Fitness Tracker $269, The Good Guys Beats Studio Buds+ $269.

Fathers who are always maintaining an active lifestyle will love a fit-focused gift – and we’re not talking about more gym clothes or fresh sneakers. This year, consider something a bit more unconventional, like a portable blender from JB Hi-Fi (ideal for his morning smoothies!). Bundle the blender with a fitness gadget like a Fitbit from JB Hi-Fi or sport headphones from The Good Guys and complete the ensemble with a gym membership to Element Fitness. This bundle will make his day!

Homebody Dad

Products: Bed Bath N’ Table Silk Pillowcase $79.95, Sheridan Outlet Ultra-Light Bathrobe $90, Snooze Microfibre Double Mattress Topper $188.

Dads deserve a little TLC too! After all, robes and silk pillowcases weren’t exclusively designed for mothers. So, if your dad relishes in a leisurely Sunday morning lounging in bed, perusing the newspaper, or binge-watching Netflix then he likely values the cosiness of his bed and the luxury of quality home attire. Sheridan Outlet’s Ultra Light Bathrobe is sure to impress the homebody dad as well as a pure silk pillowcase from Bed Bath N’ Table. Complete the bundle with a mattress topper from Snooze (the secret behind those Pinterest-worthy cloud-like beds).

Organised Dad

Products: Freedom Beck Coat Hook $79.95, Howards Storage World High Road StashAway Hanging Car Bin $34.95, Howards Storage World Tooletries The Harvey & Oliver Shower Set $55.95.

The father with a knack for organisation is the one constantly reminding you to tidy your room, unload the dishwasher, or take care of your laundry – sound familiar? If so, then this bundle is tailor-made for him! The organised dad will appreciate any clever home enhancements, the sort that, after having for just a few weeks, you can’t fathom how you managed without. A car bin or hanging shower set will bring a grin to his face come Father’s Day or for a more subtle approach, opt for a stylish coat hook from Freedom (a remedy for cluttered entryways!).

We know it can be difficult to find the perfect gift for Dad year after year when Father’s Day draws near, but if you’re aiming to astonish him this year then these bundles are sure to hit the mark. Happy Father’s Day!

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Creating a Communal Space with Furniture and Decor

In today’s fast-paced world, creating a sense of community within our homes has become increasingly important. By thoughtfully incorporating furniture and decor, we can transform our living spaces into inviting communal areas that foster connection, conversation, and togetherness. Let this seasonal trend show you how specific furniture pieces, natural colour palettes, and clever design choices can contribute to making a space more communal.

1. Choosing Communal Furniture To encourage interaction and conversation, select furniture that promotes face-to-face engagement. Consider incorporating a large dining table, like one from Nick Scali that features with comfortable seating where family and friends can gather for meals and engaging conversations. A farmhouse-style table, for example, provides a warm and inviting atmosphere conducive to communal dining experiences.

Additionally, modular or sectional sofas offer flexibility and versatility, allowing individuals to sit together comfortably while facilitating group interactions. La-z-Boy has a wide selection in a range of colours and fabrics to suit all spaces. Arrange the seating in a circular or semi-circular formation to create an inclusive and communal seating arrangement.

2. Embracing Natural Colour Palettes Natural colour palettes play a crucial role in creating a calming and welcoming environment that encourages people to gather and connect. Opt for earthy tones such as warm beige, soft browns, soothing greens, and serene blues. These colours evoke a sense of harmony with nature and provide a relaxed backdrop that enhances social interactions. You can incorporate these colours through soft furnishings like cushions, throws and rugs, which Bed Bath N’ Table has in abundance.

Integrate natural elements like wood, stone, and plants into your furniture and decor choices. Wood furniture pieces, for instance, can add warmth and a touch of nature to communal areas, while plants bring life and freshness to the space.

3. Open Concept Design An open concept design encourages fluidity within your home and allows everyone to be connected. Creating a seamless flow between different areas of the home, enables people to move around and connect effortlessly, especially when having guests over.

Utilise furniture strategically to define spaces within the open concept layout. For instance, a low bookshelf or a console table, that you can find at Eureka Furniture can act as a subtle divider between the living area and the dining space, maintaining an open feel while creating a visual distinction between areas.

4. Functional and Multipurpose Furniture To maximise the communal nature of your space, invest in functional and multipurpose furniture. Consider pieces like storage ottomans, coffee tables with built-in storage, or bookshelves that double as room dividers. These furniture items not only serve their primary purpose but also provide additional functionality, such as hidden storage, which helps maintain an organised and clutter-free environment, adding to the open layout and allowing for movement to flow.

5. Thoughtful Arrangements and Focal Points Arranging furniture with intention can enhance the communal atmosphere. Create conversation zones by arranging seating around a central focal point, such as a fireplace, a cosy rug, or a large coffee table that you can find at Freedom. This arrangement encourages interaction and makes the space feel more inviting and inclusive.

Incorporating furniture and decor strategically can transform any home into a communal space that nurtures connections and fosters a sense of togetherness. By selecting the right furniture pieces, embracing natural colour palettes, adopting an open concept design, investing in functional furniture, and arranging the space thoughtfully, you can create an environment that encourages social interaction and strengthens the bonds among family members and friends. Remember, a communal home is a space where cherished memories are made, and relationships are nourished.

Designing a Productive and Comfortable Home Office

In the era of remote work and digital connectivity, creating a home office that combines comfort, functionality, and productivity has become essential. The Modern Academia interior decor trend draws inspiration from modern aesthetics while incorporating warm wooden furniture, cosy soft furnishings, ample lighting, and inspiring decor elements. This article will guide you through the key elements of the Modern Academia trend to help you design a home office that promotes a productive workflow in a comfortable and stylish environment.

1. Incorporating warm wooden furniture Central to the trend is the use of deep, rich wooden pieces which exudes a sense of sophistication and natural beauty. Opt for a sturdy wooden desk, like one from Nick Scali that has ample workspace and storage options, such as built-in drawers or shelves. A solid wood desk not only adds visual appeal but also provides durability and a connection to nature.

Complement the desk with wooden bookshelves or a storage cabinet, like one from Freedom for organising books, reference materials, and office supplies. The combination of wooden furniture pieces creates a cohesive and timeless aesthetic in your home office.

2. Cosy Soft Furnishings To create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere in your home office, incorporate soft furnishings that invite relaxation and provide support. Invest in a comfortable and ergonomic office chair that promotes good posture and prevents fatigue during long working hours.

Add plush cushions and throws to your seating area to infuse a cosy ambiance. Consider incorporating a comfortable reading chair or a small sofa, like ones found at Pillow Talk for moments of relaxation or contemplation, further enhancing the academia-inspired atmosphere.

3. Adequate Lighting Proper lighting is crucial for a productive workspace. Embrace natural light by positioning your desk near a window to benefit from daylight and a connection to the outside world. If natural light is limited, complement it with ambient lighting options, such as a stylish desk lamp or pendant lighting. You can find plenty of stylish options at The Lighting Superstore. Consider a focused desk lamp or adjustable spotlights to illuminate your work surface effectively. Layering different types of lighting creates a well-lit and visually appealing home office environment.

4. Inspiring Decor Elements Incorporate inspiring decor elements that reflect you and stimulate creativity and productivity. You can make this a DIY project and find prints that you like to hang on the wall including motivational quotes, inspirational artwork, or framed prints of literary works on the walls. You can even incorporate interesting pieces from Bed Bath N’ Table to add flair to your space. These decorative pieces help to infuse your workspace with individuality.

Integrate a chalkboard or a whiteboard for jotting down ideas, reminders, or creating to-do lists. Additionally, display a collection of books, either as a backdrop for your workspace or on open shelves, to showcase add visual interest.

5. Minimalist and Functional Organisation Maintaining a clutter-free and well-organised workspace is vital for productivity. Embrace minimalist storage solutions such as sleek desk organisers, file cabinets, or wall-mounted shelves to keep your essentials within reach and maintain a clean aesthetic. Be sure to visit Howards Storage World for even more storage solutions.

Invest in functional storage options like boxes, baskets, or magazine holders to neatly store papers, notebooks, and stationery. A clutter-free environment helps reduce distractions and allows for a more focused and efficient workflow.

The Modern Academia interior decor trend combines modern aesthetics with warmth, comfort, and functionality to create a home office conducive to productivity. By incorporating warm wooden furniture, cosy soft furnishings, adequate lighting, and inspiring decor elements, you can design a workspace that reflects sophistication, supporting your work needs, and inspiring a productive workflow. Remember, a well-designed and comfortable home office enhances your focus, creativity, and overall well-being.

Decluttering Guide: 5 Dos & Don’ts

We’ve all been there; over time our homes build up with clutter, and before we know it, there’s not a spare cupboard or shelf in sight!

Decluttering and re-organising the home can often feel like a daunting or insurmountable task, but it doesn’t have to be. With our helpful decluttering tips, you can feel empowered to transform your space into a clean, clear, and organised haven – now, and into the future. From using Pinterest for inspiration to investing in functional furniture and finding long-term storage solutions, we’ve got you covered. Read our decluttering guide below to get started on your journey to a clutter-free, stylish abode.

DO: Create a Pinterest Board for Inspiration

The First DO in our decluttering guide? Find some inspo! Pinterest is an amazing tool that provides endless inspiration for every aspect of your life, from health and wellbeing to style and fashion to interior design and home organisation. We recommend creating a dedicated board for decluttering and organising your home. Fill it with images that resonate with your style and inspire you to declutter without sacrificing aesthetics. You could even break this down further by creating separate boards for decluttering separate rooms. What is it about the spaces that inspire you? It could be the rattan boxes they use for odds and ends, the blanket box they use for toys, or the way they store their makeup brushes and toiletries. Once you have your ideas, make a list of the storage pieces, breaking the list down into what you need for each room for ease of tackling your decluttering project (we suggest taking on just a single room at a time). Head to Howard’s Storage World to pick up all the items you need. Soon you’ll feel more motivated to organise all the other rooms in your home as well and decluttering will be a breeze – and enjoyable!

DO: Invest in Functional Furniture

One of the most effective ways of decluttering and organising your home when you’re short on storage space (or space in general), is to invest in furniture that’s dual purpose. Storing your linen inside a bed frame with drawers, blankets inside an ottoman, and your favourite magazines and books within your coffee table are all great ways to declutter home areas and overcome a lack of storage space, while ensuring you aren’t giving up on style. Freedom has a fantastic selection of functional furniture that will not only suit any aesthetic, but also get you excited about decluttering and organising your home. This is also a clever way of getting rid of unwanted items too – if you forget you have the toys, linen, knick knacks once stored away, or don’t use them over the next 12 to 18 months, it may be a sign it’s time to sell, donate or bin!

DON’T: Overcrowd Your Countertops

The first DON’T in our decluttering guide: clear those countertops! Your kitchen counter can sometimes become one of the most cluttered areas in the house. This could be for a variety of reasons, but to help declutter your countertops, one of the best things you can do is minimise that which lives on your countertop by giving it a home – and styling everything that needs to stay!

Remove any mail, catalogues, paperwork or other household items out of your kitchen and find areas to house whatever’s left. Create a coffee corner for your coffee machine and mugs or place your utensils in a small utensil holder if your drawers are already full of kitchen necessities. Try to source storage items that match your countertop or kitchen style, while also providing ample space or functionality. If bench space is at a premium, think of ways you might be able to move things elsewhere – opt for paper towel holders that can be attached under cupboards, and coffee pod rails or spice racks on the inside of doors.

House also has an incredible selection of drinkware, glassware and dinnerware to help make your kitchen look super chic.

DO: Implement Long-Term Storage Solutions & Practices

After decluttering your space, focus on sourcing long-term storage solutions and decluttering methods you can implement to maintain or managed your organised home ongoing. This step must always be done last, so you know the exact number of solutions you need and what your home is lacking, and the exact size and space of where you will be storing them. If you love glass jars or containers for your pantry or fridge, we recommend being consistent by sticking to one style of clear jar in varying sizes (rather than accumulating containers of all styles, shapes and sizes – unless that’s your aesthetic).

Baskets in cupboards are a great way to keep like-minded items together to avoid any unnecessary clutter – decide if you prefer baskets with lids, or without, and what style will best suit your space and it’s desired function. You may even want to implement a practice of going through these every 3 to 4 months to see if there’s anything in them you need to throw out.

Howard’s Storage World, Freedom and Provincial Home Living have a great range of storage solutions perfect for decluttering. For more permanent solution, Kitchen Connection can help with kitchen redesign, and storage solution inserts such as corner storage solutions, wireware, rubbish, recycling and clutter solutions and sink accessories. We suggest you scroll through the Aspley Homemaker City website for more decluttering and home organisation tips and tricks before you head to the centre.

DON’T: Chuck Everything Into a Box & Forget About it

Last but not least in our decluttering guide: Don’t feel tempted to just chuck stuff into a box or drawer if that’s not a good home for it. If you don’t have good decluttering practices in place, it can be all too easy to open a door or drawer, shove your clutter in, and hope to never see it again.

Find common-sense homes that will help you remember where things are, and don’t be afraid of the label maker! There’s nothing worse than coming back to something you’re forgotten about in your fridge or pantry and wondering what it is (or used to be), or rifling through unmarked boxes for that international power adaptor the night before an international flight.

Decluttering Your Home Made Easy at Aspley Homemaker City

Decluttering and organising your home can be a stress-free and enjoyable process – provided you put some practices in place and make a plan. Use Pinterest for inspiration, invest in functional furniture, find long-term storage solutions, and style your countertops for a clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing home. With the help of Aspley Homemaker City’s fantastic retailers and the dos and don’ts in our decluttering guide, you’ll become a decluttering pro in no time, achieving a clean and highly-functional living space. Get started today and you’ll enjoy a clutter-free home in no time!

6 Hacks For Keeping An Organised Home In The New Year

If you are like us, one of your new year’s resolutions is to have a more organised and structured home. In today’s post we are sharing our top hacks for not only implementing organisational solutions but staying on top of them long term. We have so many handy tips and tricks we’ve used time and time again and suggestions on the perfect storage solutions that will transform your home life. Read on to find out more!

1. Start The Year Fresh

The festive season is one of abundance, decadence and overflow, so it is no wonder we all feel like cleansing and minimising once the new year rolls around. For most people the start of January can be a calm time where work is quiet, and you can reset both yourself and your home. We suggest setting a day aside to have a thorough declutter of the highest traffic areas of your home such as the kitchen, pantry, wardrobe, kid’s bedrooms, playrooms and garage. Sort through all items and get rid of anything that has not been used recently, has been replaced with something new or that no longer brings you joy. By starting off the year with a declutter and organising day this allows you to head into the new year with a fresh perspective and a clear mind.

2. Create A Drop Zone

Creating designated drop zones in the home allows for clutter to be contained to one area and avoids it building up throughout various areas of the home. We recommend creating a ‘drop-zone’ that is separate from the kitchen or living area in a space such as the entryway, home office or towards the garage. Create a drop zone by using items such as baskets, in-trays, boxes or containers and label them with each family member’s name. You can pick up some beautiful baskets from Freedom or some great storage containers from Howard’s Storage World that would be perfect for this. The key to keeping drop zones under control is to dedicate a couple of minutes each week to sorting through and actioning any items that need to be actioned and putting things away that have a separate home.

3. Go Label Crazy

Labels are a lifesaver when it comes to organising your home. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but they help each member of the family know where items belong. We recommend labelling key areas of the home that are constantly having items picked up, put back, used, and taken in and out. For example, categorise your pantry using wire baskets for different food types and use swing tags to label. The linen cupboard is another great area of the home to use beautiful baskets to categories like-minded items such as sheets, quilt cover sizes, towels and more.

4. Purchase Your Storage Solutions Now

December is the perfect time of year to pick up a bargain as the Christmas and Boxing Day events are in full swing! If you have the time, we suggest making a list of items such as baskets, containers, drawer dividers and turntables and heading in store to grab yourself a saving. We love Howard’s Storage World for all our kitchen, wardrobe and bathroom storage solutions and Provincial Home Living and Freedom for gorgeous baskets.

5. Set A Timer

When thinking about decluttering and organising your home it can often become overwhelming as you do not know where to begin. As the saying goes, the easiest way to achieve something is to ‘just start’. We love setting a timer to either 15 minutes or 30 minutes and having a ‘fire round’ of decluttering, picking up items that are lying around, sorting a drawer or deep cleaning an area that has been neglected. You will be surprised how much you can get done in a short amount of time if you set your timer, put your phone on silent and pop on some inspiring music to get motivated!

6. Lock In Maintenance Days In Your Calendar

Implementing organisational solutions in your home such as categorising, labelling and decluttering is the first step in creating an organised home. The second and arguably most important step is to ‘maintain’ the spaces long term. Having an organised home is not a matter of ‘setting and forgetting’, rather a system that is put in place and maintained regularly for optimum performance. Maintaining your organisation solutions simply means to set aside time in your calendar every quarter to check in on the systems put in place. This can include going through the pantry and throwing away expired foods, sorting through each family members in tray and ensuring all items are put back in their designated category baskets in the linen cupboard and playroom.

Our Top Kitchen Organisation Hacks

The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home and as such is required to be not only a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space, but a functional one too. Whether you are cooking dinner, packing lunches, emptying the dishwasher, or doing homework with the kids, the kitchen functions for all types of activities. In order to keep the space functioning well and to avoid frustration, the kitchen needs to have systems and organisation tools in place. Today we are sharing with you our favourite tips, tools, and products to help you organise and create flow in your kitchen.

Create Zones

The working triangle is a common term used when designing kitchens as it refers to where the dishes are done, the food is stored, and the cooking is undertaken. Zones can also be created in other ways in the kitchen such as in your pantry, cupboards and drawers. To ensure breakfast time runs smoothly as a family and cooking dinner is a breeze, we recommend setting up zones within the pantry to enable this. Group like-minded items together such as cereals with spreads and pastas and rice with spices, sauces and oils. This saves you time in the long run as you know where everything is and can easily access the items you require. Zones can also be created within your cupboards and drawers by storing cooking items such as pots and pans near the stove and plates, bowls and glasses near the dishwasher for easy access when unloading. Create zones in your kitchen this weekend and thank us later!

Use Baskets And Containers To Categorise

Baskets and containers are one of our favourite tools to use when organising a kitchen and pantry. In the pantry we suggest grouping likeminded items together and dedicating a basket for each category. The most common categories to use and are snacks, cooking, meal kits, baking, rice and noodles and of course backstock. Freedom and Howard’s Storage World have some gorgeous baskets that would up level any pantry and create a beautiful look in your home. Clear or white containers are great for areas such as under the sink where you can group items together such as cleaning, dishwashing, paper towels, sponges, and bin bags. Our biggest tip is to ensure you measure each space before purchasing to make sure you are buying baskets that fit correctly and utilise the space properly.

Label

To create the ultimate Pinterest and Instagram-worthy organised kitchen and pantry you cannot forget to use labels. Labels not only look pretty but allow for each member of the family to know where to put things, helps with maintaining systems and makes it easy to know what items you require when creating your shopping list. We suggest adding labels to items such as decanted pantry staples in containers or jars, the categories of each basket of food products and the containers for your under-sink storage. Swing tags, acrylic tags or clips are best for baskets with handles whereas printed vinyl labels are perfect for containers.

Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers are the saviour for any kitchen drawer, and we love using them to up level our kitchen organisation. The utensils drawer is the perfect place to use drawer dividers as you can sort by likeminded item and this in turn allows you to avoid rummaging around for the utensil you are looking for. They are also great for drawers that house your zip lock bags and food wraps to ensure these are stored in a neat and organised way. Other areas you can use drawer dividers in the kitchen are if you store your Tupperware, plates, bowls and pots and pans in drawers. Howard’s Storage World have some great options, so be sure to head in store to check out their range soon.

Maintaining Systems

Once you have implemented your organisational systems in your kitchen and pantry it is essential to spend a little bit of time every few months to maintain them. Like everything in life, maintenance is the key to ensuring things run smoothly and avoids any build up. We recommend that at the beginning of each season you complete a once over of your kitchen drawers and cupboards to ensure all items are in their correct zones and nothing has been moved or shuffled around. We also suggest checking your fridge and pantry for expired foods and throwing out any items that are out of date or donating items that will not be used.

Organise Your Kitchen at Aspley Homemaker City

We look forward to seeing you soon at Aspley Homemaker City and helping you with all your home organisation needs. If you would like any advice on ways to organise and what storage items would suit your needs, simply click here book in for your free styling session with our Resident Stylist, Eliza.

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.

Bring Life Into Your Home – Decorating With Faux Plants And Flowers

Plants are a huge trend in interiors right now and have been growing in popularity over the past few years. As you scroll through Instagram or Pinterest you are flooded with images of beautiful interiors with gorgeous, vibrant plants and vases overflowing with foliage. Although we all love the look, some of us aren’t blessed with a green thumb or have pets or children that make owning indoor plants rather challenging. We are here today to show you how you can achieve the same beautiful, styled look through the use of faux plants and flowers. Faux plants and flowers have come a very long way since the powdery, plastic versions of the ’80s and ’90s. A number of our retailers here at Aspley Homemaker City offer an amazing array of faux items that are such good quality, you’ll fool even the keenest of eyes! Read on for our top tips and where to purchase our favourite faux plants and flowers.

Decorating With Faux Plants

Plants are a key aspect when designing any room, be it the living room, bedroom, dining room or kitchen. Plants not only add a beautiful pop of colour and vibrancy to a space, but they allow for a calming atmosphere by creating the illusion of being surrounded by nature. We believe you can achieve a very similar look by using faux plants that you can with real plants through a few simple tips. The key to choosing the perfect faux plant is to see it in person and feel the texture of the leaves, the colour consistency and how the plant falls. The plant should have a natural-looking texture, no shiny plastic and the leaves should fall nicely and appear light in weight. We also recommend investing a little bit more into your faux plants as the price point usually reflects the quality with these items.

Now that you have chosen the perfect faux plant it is time to add them to areas of your home that will make a statement and create a beautiful decorative accent. We love adding large floor plants such as a fiddle leaf fig or a bird of paradise to the corners of the living room, dining room or bedroom. Adding trailing plants to floating shelves or open shelving units can create a beautifully styled look. To give a natural effect, we recommend placing your plants in filtered light, near a window to give the illusion of a real plant. Make sure you wipe your plant/s leaves down every few weeks to avoid any dust collection as a dusty faux plant will give away the secret in no time!

Decorating With Faux Flowers And Foliage

Faux flowers, dried flowers and foliage are a huge trend in interior decorating at the moment. They are the perfect alternative to real flowers as they not only last longer but work out to be a more affordable option in the long run as well. Faux flowers and foliage are great if you are selling a home or staging a home as you don’t have to worry about changing the water in the vase or the flowers looking limp as time goes on. When choosing your faux flowers, stems or foliage make sure to touch and feel the product to ensure it has a natural look and avoid any pieces that look too perfect or plastic.

There are a number of places in the home that a beautiful vase of faux flowers looks amazing, but today we are sharing with you our absolute must-haves. We love the look of a large vase in the centre of the dining table with long stems to create a beautiful wow factor and centrepiece in the space. You can also add a vase of dried or faux flowers to your coffee table or bedside table for a styled look. To create a beautiful vignette on your kitchen bench we recommend grabbing a tray or chopping board and placing a beautiful bunch of faux flowers in a vase paired with a bowl of fruit and a beautiful smelling candle.

Where To Find Them

Here at Aspley Homemaker City, we have several retailers that offer an amazing range of faux plants, flowers, stems and foliage. Head into Freedom to check out their huge range of indoor plants that look so real, we’ll swear you’ll want to water them! We also love Pillow Talk’s trailing vine plants to add to open shelving or their beautiful faux flower stems in a variety of heights and varieties. Provincial Home Living have a gorgeous range of long stems that look amazing paired with a large vase for a statement centrepiece on your dining room table. Why not try adding a fresh, floral scent to your home to finish off the look? You can pick up some beautiful scents from The Sheridan Outlet or Provincial Home Living today!

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