Tag Archives: Pillow Talk

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.

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.

Provincial Home Living Hayman Napkin $9.95, Provincial Home Living Tilly Ribbon $14.95, Freedom NINA Candlestick Holder $14.95, Freedom SOHO Cutlery Set, House Alex Liddy Aquis Fine Bone China Gravy Boat & Saucer $24.99, House Alex Liddy Harley Lasagne Dish 32cm $29.99, Bed Bath N’ Table Carlisle Placemat – Natural $7.95, Pillow Talk Ribbed Taper Candle $14.95, Freedom Haven Dinner Set $159.

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.

Living in Luxury: Your Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Not sure what to get the woman who has it all this Mother’s Day? Here at Aspley Homemaker City, we’ve made gift-giving easy by curating a collection for our luxurious Mother’s Day Gift Guide so you can treat the one you love. Below, find lavish gifts for every mum from delightful décor to soothing self-care items and entertaining essentials. All you have to do is select the items you know your mum will adore and head in centre to purchase.

For the interior design mum

If your mum has an eye for design and wants her home to be a sanctuary full of eye-catching wall art and decorative pieces, then when it comes to Mother’s Day gift ideas, you can’t go past home décor from Aspley Homemaker City. First up, you’ll need a fresh and exciting piece of art to add a lovely pop of colour to any space. Then head to Bed Bath N’ Table to shop their selection of incredible throws and cushions. Last up, a lamp from Freedom will help your mum wind down after a long day by creating the perfect mood lighting.

For the homebody mum

Self-care doesn’t just mean maintaining a beauty routine. Sometimes, self-care simply means wrapping yourself up in a cosy robe, lighting a candle or two, and relaxing on the couch (or in bed) with a good book or binge-worthy show. If this sounds like heaven to your mum, then why not upgrade her self-care routine with a plush robe from Sheridan Outlet, and slippers from Pillow Talk? Pillow Talk also has a selection of home fragrances and candles that’ll make your mum’s home smell amazing. The homebody mum will also love a mug from House to use when curling up to enjoy a cuppa.

Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Freya Ceramic Vase $34.95, Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Malmo Fur Throw $149.95, DecoRug Karus Designer Rug from $1,599, Freedom Dome Table Lamp $299, Freedom Urban Road Family Gathering Canvas $149, House Alex Liddy Acacia Square Serving Board $119.99, House MyHouse Flora Mug Set $34.99, Howards Storage World Stackers Cable Organiser Bag $49.95, Howards Storage World Yamazaki Tower 4 Tier Jewellery Box $29.95, Pillow Talk Circa 350g Candle $44.95, Pillow Talk Habitat Lucy Cross Strap Home Slipper $19.95, Pillow Talk Muse Mila Ribbed Cocktail Coupe Crystal Glass Set Of 4 $59.95, Provincial Home Living Lonie Butter Pat Large $22.95, Sheridan Outlet Sheridan Austyn Bath Robe $169.99.

For the entertaining mum

If your mum’s a bit of a social butterfly and you’re searching for Mother’s Day gifts she can share with her friends, then we recommend gifting her some sturdy glassware, platters, plates, or dinnerware she can use while entertaining guests. Provincial Home Living and House’s vast collection of servingware will ensure every spread looks like a restaurant-ready masterpiece, while glassware and table décor from Pillow Talk will make every table feel grand.

For the organised mum

Everyone loves an organised and functional space, especially if what you’re using to store your belongings is just as aesthetically pleasing as your furniture and décor. Howards Storage World has so many wonderful storage solutions that can help organise jewellery, cables, clothing and more. Their cable organiser bag can help hide pesky cords, and their four-tier jewellery box will be able to store all of Mum’s jewellery effectively. Mum’s space will look so good that she’ll never want to leave the house!

It can be difficult to find the perfect Mother’s Day gifts each year but with our curated list of luxurious home décor, self-care items, entertaining pieces, and organisational saviours, you’re guaranteed to bring a smile to her face. Happy Mother’s Day!

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

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.

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!

Deck the Halls: How to Decorate Your Space With Style This Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and as Christmas 2023 rolls around, we’re eagerly awaiting the chance to hang out with our favourite people, soak in the festive vibes, and enjoy the holiday cheer. But with all these family gatherings and merry celebrations on the cards, it’s also time to get your abode ready to entertain.

Need some ideas? Here’s the ultimate roundup of essential Christmas home decorations to get you through the holiday season – from festive décor to tableware, we haven’t forgotten a thing.

Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Antler $14.99, Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Dinner Candles Textured Metallic Set of 4 $9.99, Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Protea Wreath $89.99, Freedom Glasshouse Fragrances Candle $59.95, House Alex Liddy Mode Set of 4 Coupe Glasses $79.99, House Ecology Peace Sauce Jug $21.95, Pillow Talk Habitat Christmas Mariah Hanging Star Decoration $7.95, Pillow Talk Habitat Gnome Sweet Gnome Christmas European Pillowcase $34.95, Provincial Home Livin g Festive Village Tealight Holder $59.95

Tableware

Want to upstage your 2022 Christmas tablescape? Then a few new additions are a must! Plus, who doesn’t love setting the table for the holidays? It’s a festive and fun activity, especially when the entire family gathers around to indulge in a feast afterwards!

First and foremost, a centrepiece! This year, we recommend keeping it simple by opting for a humble candle or some fresh flowers arranged in a gorgeous jug vase. Keep in mind that larger centrepieces are often removed once everyone is seated and the food is served, so consider a reasonable height to ensure it can stay on the table.

Next up, glassware! Yep, it’s time to ditch the paper cups (apologies to the clean up crew!). But glassware truly makes all the difference; it will transform your table from drab to fab, adding a touch of luxury and opulence to a day full of celebration and unity.

The rest of your table should follow a theme – whether it be woodlands, traditional, or vibrant colours. Be sure to complete the look with placemats, ceramic plates, cutlery, napkins, and even name tags.

Home scents

Often overlooked, yet undeniably essential – we’re talking about holiday home scents, of course! There’s no doubt that Christmas somehow has an aroma, a nostalgic combination of freshly baked sugar cookies, gingerbread, cherries, and pinecones.

So, what better way to fill your home with festive spirit than with a distinctive scent that encapsulates Christmas? We recommend the Glasshouse Fragrances White Christmas candle – it smells divine! Burn the candle throughout the season and then when Christmas rolls around next year, find a new festive scent to fill your home with!

Traditional décor

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some traditional décor! We’re talking about Christmas trees, wreaths, tree hangings, and other novelty motifs. Be sure to keep all the pieces within an overall theme – even if it’s just a colour scheme like pale green, pink, and gold. This way your home will feel cohesive from when your guests walk through the door all the way through to the dining area and living space.

Subtle additions

It’s important to note that Christmas home décor doesn’t necessarily have to be cliché. In fact, it could be super subtle with the ability to be repurposed throughout the year. How? Choose throw blankets and pillows that stick within your colour scheme but don’t have any Christmas messaging or symbols. We recommend the same approach when it comes to decorative accessories. For example, the Bed Bath N’ Table Antler screams Christmas when seen next to other festive pieces, but when styled in another season, it could have a completely different feel to it.

We know that planning for Christmas home décor can be a really big deal! Everyone wants their home to feel stylish and welcoming all while maintaining that festive vibe. Luckily, achieving this balance is simpler than ever this year with Aspley Homemaker City. Find all your fave holiday home décor essentials under one roof. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy decorating!

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

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.

How to decorate with colour

Decorating with colour can be daunting even for the most seasoned home renovators and designers. Having the confidence to go bold with a colour or choose a combination of multiple colours does not always come naturally. Today we are sharing with you some simple tools and tips for how to incorporate colour into your home in an easy and stress-free way. From using the one colour in varying tones to choosing the correct colour combo for your interior design style, we’ve got you covered!

Start With Soft Furnishings

Soft furnishings are the simplest way to introduce colour to your home and allow you to switch them out with the varying seasons. Soft furnishings include items like cushions, throw rugs, blankets, curtains, and other decorative elements that are often affordable and do not require a big commitment when purchasing. Try adding coloured cushions in tones of blue or green for Spring Summer and switch to warmer tones of orange, mustard, or forest green for Autumn Winter. By keeping your large furniture pieces neutral, you can have fun with colour in your soft furnishings! Head into Pillow Talk and Bed Bath N’ Table to view their gorgeous range this weekend!

Try Paint, Panelling Or Wallpaper

If you want to make a statement with colour in your home, then we recommend adding a splash to your walls. Changing the paint colour of a room can completely transform the space and is a relatively affordable way to make a big impact without spending too much money. We recommend opting for either a subtle colour such as sage green or a muted blue for all walls or doing a bold hue of dark navy for ultimate impact. We also love adding panelling to painted walls to add an extra layer of depth and up levelling the feel of the home. Wallpaper is another great way to add a pop of colour and pattern to your home and looks gorgeous in a powder room, dining room or bedroom.

Colour Pairings

Pairing the perfect colour tones together can be a tricky task to master but looks absolutely beautiful when done right. A classic colour pairing that works well together is using muddy greens with tan for a warm and relaxing look. We also love using mustard with pink or red for a brightly coloured warm toned feel in your living room or bedroom. Blue always pairs well with tans, beiges and white to create a beautifully traditional combination that suits most classic design styles. Head into stores such as Rice Furniture, Freedom and Provincial Home Living to see how they have paired their beautiful store displays with the perfect colour combinations.

Using Colours For Particular Design Styles

An interior design style is a group of certain elements from the furniture to the fixtures to the decorative accessories that work together to create a particular look. For example, the ever-popular Hamptons style uses a colour palette of mostly white and beige paired perfectly with a traditional, rich blue or green. Whereas the Mid-Century design style must include warm tones of orange, yellow, brown and red to create the ultimate 60’s vibe. The coastal design style sticks to a predominately neutral colour palette of beige white and tan with washed out tones of blue, green, and orange. If you would like to learn more about how you can incorporate a particular design style into your home and what colours to use, then book in for your free styling session with our resident stylist this weekend!

Use Shades Of The One Colour

If pairing a variety of colours sounds too intimidating or you prefer a softer and less contrasting look, then we recommend using varying shades of the one colour when decorating. Using an ombre effect of one colour creates a soft and calming look, whilst still having impact and adding vibrancy to a space. Try adding varying shades of blue or green from light to dark in your cushion combinations. Against a neutral-toned scheme of whites, beiges or greys the ombre effect looks stunning. You can also try this decorating style with your home décor pieces choosing vases, books, and candles in a variety of shades such as pink, green, or orange. Head into our beautiful retailers to see how they have incorporated this decorating trick in their styling!

Playing It Safe With Neutrals

When we think of colour in interior design and home decorating, often we imagine bright painted walls, coloured furniture pieces and a colourful array of home décor objects. This definitely doesn’t have to always be the case. If you are a fan of neutrals and lean more towards a minimal design style, you can still incorporate colour into your home. Choosing pieces that have a subtle hint or an undertone of a certain colour can be enough to bring a space to life. For example, using soft sage green cushions paired with a neutral throw rug will create a styled look on your sofa. Or try using a pale blush pink wall colour or inn an accent chair for a subtle pop of colour.

Using colour in your home does not have to be daunting. You can incorporate as much or as little colour into your home as you are comfortable with. We look forward to seeing you soon at Aspley Homemaker City to help you on your home decorating journey!

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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