Monthly Archives: May 2015

Empire State of Mind: 5 home decor ideas inspired by New York City

From yellow taxis racing down the avenues to vendors selling pretzels in Central Park, the Big Apple is a city that has captured the hearts and dreams of millions of people the world over.

The stunning Manhattan skyline, complete with the iconic silhouette of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre, is one of the most-loved views by both New Yorkers and tourists. 

If you'd like to bring some of the spunk, lights and sounds of New York City to your home, here are five ideas to put you in an Empire State of Mind. 

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15 support wall colour ideas for abstract and landscape paintings

Have you ever asked yourself, "what colour should I paint the wall behind that painting?" 

Well, if you have, here's some suggestions for matching support wall paint colours to the actual style of your artwork.

Abstract paintings usually pop hanging against bright, rich, deep colours – in many ways they are like an extension of the paint on the canvas. On the other hand, landscape paintings are more detailed, showing scenes of beaches with waves crashing against the shore or busy city streets in Paris or Venice. These can benefit from neutral tones like beige, cream or white so that the eye can focus on the painting better.

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7 time-saving tips for painting a room

Even if you're not under strict time restraints like contestants on the latest TV reality show, these seven time-saving tips can speed up the process of painting your walls.

1) Plan the painting order before you start 

It's usually a good idea to start from the top of the room and work your way down – so that means painting the ceiling first before the walls and the floor. This order helps make sure that freshly-painted surfaces don't get ruined by splatter or drip marks.

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Say ‘ciao bella’ to your home using Italian Renaissance interior design

If you admire the masterpieces that were painted during the Italian Renaissance, here are some fun ways to decorate your home using the styles, colours, patterns and textures of this historic period. 

Step through the front doors into your home full of beautifully detailed floral or gold patterns and feel like you are going back in time to the days of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. 

The wall is your canvas

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8 steps for making your bathroom a relaxing oasis

One of the most relaxing things to do after stepping inside from the bite of the winter cold is to run a hot bath. Bathrooms aren't just a space for cleaning, they can be a room for unwinding and taking a much-needed break.

Whether you like to soak in the tub or get a massage from the burst of water coming out your shower-head, here are eight steps to decorate your bathroom like an oasis of comfort. 

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3 ways to bring nature to your walls

There is something soothing and calming about the green colours of nature, often putting a smile on our face as we hike through a park or glimpse out the window at the lush trees outside. Colour psychologists believe seeing green makes us feel peaceful, balanced, refreshed and well-rested. 

Here are three ways to greenify your walls so the relaxing embrace of Mother Nature is never too far away! 

1. Hooks with macrame planters

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The world on your walls: 5 room decor ideas for travel lovers

The joys of travelling the world, from soaking in the sunshine at sandy beaches on distant shores to walking through ancient temples and forts, make memories to last a lifetime. We buy souvenirs and take hundreds of photographs on our trips away, so that we have a lovely, constant reminder of the places we saw and the experiences we shared.

Luckily, there are many ways you can decorate your bedroom so that even the months in-between your trips can feel like an exotic getaway!

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Make your kitchen a feast for the eyes

It's the space families gather around to share a meal, toast to special occasions, or wish each other a good morning while eating breakfast – so in many ways your kitchen is the heart of your home. Why not decorate the room to be a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach?

These decorating ideas can help make the kitchen into a winning area for lovely family meals and memories. 

Walls to make your mouth water

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Set up a small home gym for those winter workouts!

Winter is coming, and the cold bite in the air can sometimes make us feel like staying indoors instead of heading out for that run. In other cases, we pay huge gym fees and only end up going a few times. 

Does this sound familiar? A simple solution is to convert a small room in your house or even a section of your garage into a home gym.

The perks of having a home gym

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Ahoy! Bring the ocean to your lounge with nautical colours and decor

A lounge is a space for families to relax. It's an area to unwind after a long day's work and put up your feet, or laugh together while you watch TV shows snuggled up on the couch. Because of this, the lounge is in many ways the 'holiday' destination of your house. Immersing it in shades of sea blue and soft, sandy whites can really help create a vacation vibe.

Nautical themes make the space fun, feeling like you are out on the open waters with the sea spray on your face and the wind in your hair. There is something blissful about the combination of blue and white, like being on a permanent holiday near the ocean. So why not turn your lounge into a sailor's dream?

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