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Magazine worthy bedrooms. There’s a reason we love them.  A bedroom should be a retreat away from the busyness of life. A place of rest. And stylists have this incredible way of making an ‘unmade’ bed look luxe, inviting and comfortable all at once.

The problem arises when we attempt this look at home – and it turns out looking less than ordinary. Well, we’ve decided the tricks of the trade belong with you! (2019 Bedding Revolution, here we come!) and what better time than Spring to give your bedroom a luxe-comfort overhaul.

Step 1. What Lies Beneath Matters

A luxurious bedroom starts with a comfortable mattress. If you’re not quite ready to replace your mattress, mattress toppers are an affordable solution to that comfort you need for a good night’s sleep. They also help contribute to that overall plush look synonymous with a magazine worthy bedroom.

Mattress and Pillow Protectors are a must all year round, but particularly as our weather warms up. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, breathable and thermal regulating – so is the perfect material for your protectors in the warmer months.

Step 2. Invest in Quality Sheets – they’re the hug you didn’t know you needed! 

They not only feel great, but they last beyond a season and are an affordable way to add that luxury look to the bedroom.

Have fun with colour and pattern. Pair a bold patterned sheet set with a plain coverlet for a playful contrast.

Love florals? Highlight one of the less dominant colours in your floral quilt cover by choosing a sheet set in complementary tones.

And if you’re not a fan of ironing, you are in great company! Try these Stone Wash Linen Sheets to achieve that ‘unmade’ bed look that stylists achieve – without looking like a throwback to your unkempt teen years.

Step 3. The Right Bed Covers

It’s time to roll away the heavy feather duvet and embrace the Spring coverlet. This lighter counterpart to a duvet is cooler in the warmer weather but is still heavy enough for those who love being snuggled under a blanket.

For neutral lovers, embrace a textured coverlet or quilt cover to add a subtle sense of luxury to your bedding.

If you really want to finish off that luxury look, buy a size up in your coverlet or quilt – allowing the edge of your bedding to touch the floor.

Step 4. Layers and Textures

Finally, the ultimate way to achieve that magazine worthy bedroom is layers and textures!

Throws

Here are a few ideas on how you can use a great throw:

• • A light throw is the perfect addition to your Spring bedding. Casually drape it on the end of your bed, not too neat, to achieve that luxe-comfort look.
  • Add interest to a plain knit throw with tassels.
  • For a casual luxe look, try this 100% cotton throw with raw edging.
  • Bring a subtle sense of playfulness to your room with a pom pom throw.

 Cushions

You either love them or hate them, but cushions are here to stay. For the luxe-comfort look, mix and match cushions in similar tones, steer clear of symmetry and aim for odd numbers for the perfect vignette. Whether its velvets or linens, textured or plain fabric – a feather fill makes for a plump cushion.

And there you have it. Your very own magazine worthy bedroom. And we’d love to see it! Post a photo on our socials for a chance for us to share out on our Instagram page.

Contributor: Kirsty Emery is founder of www.thehomechronicles.com focusing on interiors, DIY, food and family.

You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook for tips to make your house a home.

There are few items that can transform a space as quickly as a new rug. The right rug can lift a living room from bland to beautiful, add warmth to a cosy bedroom and define an outdoor space for entertaining day and night.

As far as cost-per-use is concerned, the living room is the perfect place to invest in quality floor furnishing. It’s a much-loved and well-used space that can make a real statement. A bold rug is a piece of art, for those who know what they like. DecoRug has a wide range, including the Splendor Grey rug (pictured) that would work well in a modern or industrial style home. The key to working a bold rug is to let it do the talking, and surround it with more neutral pieces and natural materials. Grey sofas, like the 2-seat Allegra from Focus on Furniture, pair nicely with a striking rug.

When picking a rug, it is important to make sure the size is right for the space it’s in. Too small can look poky and too big can actually make a room look cramped. There are always exceptions to a rule, but a good measure to go by is to make sure the rug can slide under at least the front legs of a sofa in a lounge room. In a bedroom, the rug should be there under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning. In a dining space make sure the chairs fit on the rug as well as the table, otherwise it becomes a tripping hazard. If you have a rug you love that doesn’t quite work in the space it’s for, consider layering it on top of a larger, neutral rug to give the required coverage.

A jute rug is a natural and inexpensive addition to a bedroom that adds warmth and texture. A bedroom should be a calming place so bold colours aren’t always the best choice. Instead, a jute rug can set a relaxed mood and put you in the right headspace for sleep. Early Settler has a round option that is hand stitched, and James Lane has a larger rectangle piece that is just as on-trend. It’s an effortlessly cool bohemian style that works with a good collection of throw pillows, like those from Domayne (pictured).

Whether your outdoor space is a compact balcony or an expansive deck, a rug can help to make it one of your favourite places to hang out. Meld together the indoors with outdoors by adding a Scandi-style piece like the Hana Natural Rug or the Hex Occasional Mat from Adairs. An outdoor rug needs to be hard-wearing and versatile. Surround your seating area with lots of greenery at different levels to create an inviting jungle-like space. Hanging plants, plant stands and mounted shelves can help to create this look.

For more ideas visit us at Homemaker The Valley, Corner Ann & Wickham Streets, Fortitude Valley.

Styling your home can sometimes be a tedious job, but someone has to tackle it. The living room is undeniably a vital component of your home styling. It’s the sanctuary for lounging around, enjoying me-time and sharing happy memories with friends. It should create a warm and welcoming embrace and reflect the décor style you’re trying to emulate throughout your entire home. To achieve a stylish and welcoming atmosphere in your living room, here are some different styles to adapt to your space.

If you’re looking for a bit of detox in your home, a natural theme for your living room is a perfect fix. Earthly shades of greens and browns is a solid foundation to begin your design. The mint green Mercer + Reid Mandarin chair from Adairs would inject a natural-looking style from your living space. Don’t be afraid to add a splash of navy to contrast with your greens and browns.

To complement this space as inspired by the outdoors, make sure to utilise houseplants to their full potential. Decorating your coffee table or bookcase with these lovely natural accents. For a plant that brings a perfect blend of wild and homely, Adairs have a lovely Home Republic Pothos on offer. For Houseplants that bring more to the room then just cute decoration, why not opt for living plants instead of plastic. Plants like mother-in-law’s tongue, peace lilies and ferns will grow well in even dark rooms.

To achieve a warm, classical look, experiment with a vintage style for your living room. To hark back to the days of elegance and antique screen doors; embrace welcoming tones of navy, granite, and beige for your furniture and accessories in the living room. Switch houseplants for vintage screen doors and antique-styled wall clocks. Try the charming black lined Frame Clock from Oz Design Furniture to create a slick vintage character. To tie in your vintage pieces, add an elegant gold Bella Screen from Oz Design Furniture.

Lighting can either make or break the mood of your room, too bright and the room is harsh and uninviting, and too low limits the functionality of the space. Hanging lights are a splendid option for creating a cozy feel. To further enhance a welcoming space, it’s best to reduce clutter and only choose a few accent pieces that catch your eye.

Experimentation is key when constructing a welcoming atmosphere that matches your desires for the space. To invoke a charming and cozy mood for your living room, try a romantic theme. When choosing a colour scheme, it’s best to select a couple of darker shades and pair them with neutral and light tones For a romantic look, you can from choose a myriad of pastel pinks, purples or greens, then pair them with some darker shades of grey or gold. The Home Republic Loft Table lamp from Adairs comes in beautiful pastel pink and would contrast perfectly with a dark blue Bushland cushion from Oz Design Furniture. Floral arrangements are always a must to complete a welcoming, romantic theme; they add a spot of nature and a sense of calm to the atmosphere of the room.

The design of your living room not only affects functionality, but it can also have an influence on the mood of your guests. Creating a welcoming environment for your living room is one of the key aspects of maintaining a happy household. With a plethora of options to suit your décor style, the sky is the limit when it comes to your living space.

For decorating inspiration find us at Homemaker the Valley, corner of Ann & Wickham Streets, Fortitude Valley.

TRANSFORMING YOUR BEDROOM INTO THE ULTIMATE SLEEP HAVEN

The bedroom is one of those areas of the home that should never be neglected. A messy laundry and untidy kitchen drawers are acceptable, but setting the right mood with bedroom décor is undeniably important.   Your bedroom should feel like a place of serenity; a sanctuary away from the rest of the world where your dreams are sweet and your rest is uninterrupted.  Unfortunately, that isn’t the reality for most people. Putting a stop to your midnight worries is a topic for another day, but for now, here are our top tips to transform any bedroom into the ultimate sleep haven.

If you’re a lover of colour, pastel is definitely the way to go for your bedroom.  Bold, contrasting colours can make it difficult to get to sleep and aren’t conducive to a restful environment. This doesn’t mean you have to opt for boring shades. Pastels hit that sweet spot between bright and inviting, while still being calming.  Light toned blues, mustards and dusty pinks like in the Mercer + Reid Jewel Quilt Cover from Adairs will instantly lift a room, making it feel more inviting for some Z’s. Throw pillows and rugs will also add extra plushness and make you want to swan dive right onto your bed at the end of a long day.  One of the most underrated aspects of any sleep haven is lighting.  Harsh, blue light (from your phone and florescent overhead bulbs) decreases the production of melatonin in your brain, the chemical that helps send you off to the land of nod. So put your phone on “do not disturb” mode, switch off those lights and discover the magic of lamps. A gorgeous rose gold Geo Touch Lamp from Beacon Lighting is dim, gives off a warm toned light and is on-trend.

If pastel tones aren’t quite your vibe, cool toned turquoise and deep wooden accents will also help create a shut-eye worthy space. Ample storage is always a necessity in the bedroom, as a cluttered room equals a cluttered mind.  A clean bedside table with only a few accent pieces will make a big difference. Plants are a good option for this surface space as they not only clean the air, but a touch of nature is instantly calming. As well as having clutter free surfaces, keep your bed exclusively for sleeping by incorporating a comfortable sitting chair into your space.  The Elly 1 Seater Sofa from James Lane is perfect for reading and chilling out before bed. This sets a mental boundary for your brain between chill time and sleep time, so when your head hits the pillow, you’re on your way to the big ZZZs.

For a dream-worthy boudoir, neutral shades, slate blues and a myriad of plants will do the trick.  Have greenery hanging as well as in pots to really bring the outdoors in. The range of plants at Early Settler are perfect for those who are after something a little different. The Aloe Vera pot is a beautiful fit for the bedside as the blue tone of the leaves will tie in nicely to a duck egg blue bedspread.  The objective of a bedroom such as this is to evoke light, breezy vibes while oozing effortlessly cool style.  While décor is vital to achieving this look, what underpins it all is a stellar quality mattress. We guarantee you’ll find the perfect mattress at Homemaker the Valley with Forty Winks, Sleepy’s, Snooze and Beds N Dreams all dedicated to helping you get more shut eye. Once you’ve got your dream mattress sorted, make sure to carefully plan out the other décor items around your space. Experiment with where everything in your room fits until it feels most calming and restful.

Your bedroom decorating style has a big influence on how restful your night is. Create a calming environment and you’ll be on your way to a dream filled evening in no time. Destination Sleep Town, population YOU!

For more ideas, visit us at Homemaker the Valley, Corner Ann & Wickham Streets Fortitude Valley

Urban living has many benefits – good restaurants, shops, arts and culture are all at your fingertips. Often though, square meterage is the trade-off. A small apartment can make a big impact if you plan layout and dressings accordingly. When space is at a premium, every piece of furniture and every corner has to work for you.

A clever way to maximise space is to think outside the box of your floor plan and go up the walls. Stylish wall mounts and floating shelves can store items that would otherwise take up space on the ground, like plants, lamps and books.

Layer floating shelves like the ones available at Howard’s Storage World in place of a bookcase, or make a feature with a circular shelf like the circular oak piece from Adairs. Hanging shelves at eye level keeps them easily accessible for storing well-used items, or hang them higher to give your space a feeling of openness and light.

Display the items on your shelves like a real home stylist by creating vignettes, which is a grouping of objects. You can do this by stacking books, varying the height of objects, grouping things in odd numbers and adding artwork behind your collection. Changing these up is an easy way to refresh a space without having to move around any big pieces of furniture.

Another timeless trick for making a space feel bigger is adding a wall mirror. It visually expands the room and gives you somewhere to check your look before you head out. A gilded mirror is an excellent statement piece for a bedroom or living space, adding glamour to just about any décor style. Entryways and bathrooms are the perfect spots to add mirrored cabinets, which are even harder working because they double as storage space as well. If you’re looking to renovate your bathroom, pair a mirrored cabinet with a wall-mounted vanity for a look that is both stylish and practical. Recess your cabinet for a really clever use of space, or mount it for an easier finish. Mount a full length mirror on the inside of a wardrobe door, or get mirrored doors on your built-in wardrobe to give you somewhere to check your outfit in the bedroom. This way, you’re not taking up floor space with a leaning mirror or freestanding mirror.

Take another look at some of your big-ticket items for clever storage solutions. In the lounge room, this includes your coffee table and ottomans. They can take up space, or they can give you space. Ottomans can store cushions, blankets, or extra bedding for when guests stay the night. Coffee tables with drawers like those available at Early Settler and Nick Scali give you the perfect place to hide away books, magazines, laptops or even rarely used tableware.

Ideally, a master bedroom has room for a king bed, chest of drawers, bedside tables and a desk, but more often than not that’s not the case. Sometimes you’re hard-pressed to fit in more than just a bed. If that’s the case, opt for some space-saving under-bed storage. Built in drawers, like the Focus on Furniture Montego bed are a great option if you’re in the market for a whole new bed, or storage on wheels like the drawers from Snooze will fit well under the bed you have already. Keep the colour palette in your bedroom light and neutral to give the illusion of space. White bedding, light curtains and natural fibre rugs will all add to this, making it the perfect space for relaxing and sleeping.

For more ideas visit Homemaker The Valley at the corner of Wickham & Ann Streets, Fortitude Valley.