And So To Bed...

Sketch by Renae Barrass

Been flat out in the lead up to the end of the year! Working on some great projects - large and small - with some fantastic clients. Also been to see some finished projects which has been really rewarding. Looking forward to sharing a little more on the Blog when I get a chance.

Recently I was asked by some friends to give a bit of advice on their tricky bedroom. Due to the size of the bedroom (smallish) the only wall for the bed to sit against is the front street-facing wall with a large 3 panel window. The mirrored wardrobe (installed by previous owners) down one side of the room means the window reads as off-centre on the inside of the room. To cap it all off, there is a street light right outside the window which shines right into the bedroom through the venetian blinds. This was a tough room...

What to do?? The first problem to solve is the off-centre window. We need to create some symmetry in the room to align with the placement of the bed. I suggested block out drapes that run on a curtain rail spanning the width of the room. On the left hand side they stack back against the wall, on the right hand side they cover the third pane of the window. This reduces the visible width of the window and creates the illusion that the bed is symmetrical to the wall & window. When drawn, the block out drapes also help with the light shining in at night. The clients can choose to keep the existing venetian blinds or replace with a sheer roller blind for privacy during the day. The second issue is that the window sill is almost level with the mattress height. A new bed with a high head such as the uber stylish 'Gus Carmichael' bed from Globe West was suggested along with new matching bedside tables & lamps. The bed & bedsides just need to sit a little forward of the wall to allow the drapes to open & close with ease. 

Gus Carmichael Bed from Globe West

The final thing I wasn't convinced about were those mirrored robe doors. Sure, mirrors make a small space feel bigger but I think in this small bedroom, they reflected all the furniture back, actually making the room feel more cluttered. They also drew the eye away from what should be the focal point - the bed wall. The decision was to replace them with simple plain doors.


So voila! Problems overcome - bedroom retreat coming up. Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

Cut From a Different Cloth

BEFORE - The blue vinyl had to go!

It's amazing what a new coat of paint can do for an old house.  Likewise, a fresh fabric used to re-upholster an older piece of furniture can absolutely rejuvenate it.  Take these two quaint armchairs for example.  My client had seen them at an op-shop and despite the horrendous blue vinyl and missing buttons, at $30 each he couldn't pass them up.  He brought them to me and I thought their rustic charm and informal style would be complimented beautifully using a patterned fabric in an organic patterned fabric.  Sydney based Cloth Fabrics seemed a perfect fit.  To keep costs down we upholstered the back of the chairs in a textured plain fabric from Warwick Fabrics in a dark charcoal colour.  Voila! These two chairs are now an inviting feature of his living room and completely unique - not to mention a lot more comfortable than before!

AFTER - Two beautiful new armchairs awaiting delivery

Steel Yourself

First week back at the desk and its getting to the exciting stages on a few of my projects. Today I got an update on a custom designed wall unit / display cabinet for a client. It has been an fantastic project to create something so unique yet totally customised to the clients requirements. 

The inspiration:

Here is a teaser - I will be sure to post an update once it is all installed later this month.

lime tonic

Coming up to the end of the year its always nice to visit projects that are winding up to completion. Last week I was invited along to a renovation & extension project I worked on while at ADA. It is now finally getting towards completion and looking fantastic. A great result for clients that have an eye for detail and are a little brave with colour...

A few days before moving back in - pictures to hang, bookshelves to fill...

View of recycled brick wall through kitchen 'slot' window

 This project will hopefully be published in a magazine next year, stay tuned!

Jardan Sale!

 

Its Sale time at Jardan! For those of you who would like to buy top quality furniture at sale prices, you may like to scooch over to the showroom over the weekend for the annual floorstock sale. 

For those of you who would prefer to select your own fabrics on your own choice of item, contact your interior designer (or me!) who would be only too happy to give you a competitive quotation (around the same price as sale items).

Happy Shopping!

p.s. Nice use of the Teal colour Jardan!!