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This is the time of year when a lack of organization will bite you on the ass. Getting a spare room habitable for guests, even just locating the chrissy decorations can be a cinch or a nightmare… depending on whether you did anything about it last year.
Cabinetry is costly and permanent, but baskets are an inexpensive storage solution that can adapt to your changing circumstances. And they work in every room in the house…
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Image from www.oranges-world.com
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
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Love this!
There are so many different types of baskets you’re bound to find a style for you.
Image from www.potterybarn.com
From coastal cute…
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To rustic charm…
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Keep in mind that stackable ones are space savers for when they’re not in use.
Image from www.thehaystackneedleonline.com
Low ones are great for orgainizing little items. Ikea have half size as well as the original size woven baskets that fit two to a cube in their expedit bookcases.
Image from www.luxuryhousingtrends.com
You can even get stair baskets…an extraordinarily good idea for Mum’s in two storey houses.
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And these wire ones are gorgeous.
Organising with baskets is not expensive and it’s not hard. While you’re finishing off present shopping grab a cool selection and set yourself up for a smooth and organised new year.
Image from www.potterybarn.com
Some of my favorite bed heads are pieces of vintage architecture. A mantelpiece, for example, frames the bed perfectly and adds real detail to the room.
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If your house is low on architectural features it makes even more sense to introduce an old mantel.
Image from www.apartmenttherapy.com
If you have an existing, but not working fireplace in your room…why not use it properly as a decorative element? Easy enough to close it off and place the bed against it.
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Head to your local salvage yards to find a bargain vintage mantel or go on-line to http://www.hughesonline.com.au, they generally have a few pretty cool ones.
Image from www.potterybarn.com
Or…if you’re not into vintage, then check out a new mantel or repro like the Pottery Barn version above…Schots in Clifton Hill always have a big range.
Image from www.home-biba.blogspot
Iron beds have been around since the late 19th century. Craftsmen and artisans would hand pour the iron, polish the castings and then finishes were hand applied. It could take days to complete a single bed.
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Iron beds became unfashionable around the beginning of World War I and many were melted down and the iron used for the war effort.
Image from www.countryliving.com
With the end of the war and the start of the industrial revolution there were radical changes in the way iron beds were made.
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Cost effective mass production meant the end of finely detailed, meticulously finished iron beds, and loads of small foundries closed their doors forever.
Image from www.countryliving.com
Today, iron beds are mass produced with cold roll, heavy-gauge steel tubing, and hundreds of finishes reflecting contemporary trends……but you can’t beat the beauty and elegance of a hand crafted unique bed.
Image from www.cottagechicstore.com
Keep an eye out on Ebay and the Trading Post for iron bed frame bargains . www.wombathollow.net.au is an online site for beds and lamps and www.antiquebedspecialists.com.au are based on the Mornington Peninsula at Tyabb to go and have a look see.
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The examples I’ve shown so far are fairly detailed and pretty, but iron beds can be simple, almost austere, if that’s the look you’re after.
A few less ornate images below for you…
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Image from www.nskwood.net
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Image from www.crateandbarrel.com
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But I like the detail!
Image from www.burlapluxe.blogspot.com
For an on-line or at home consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.house8810.com
If you love a retro look then your kitchen is a great way to introduce your new theme.
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Retro kitchen accessories are readily available and add a great splash of colour to a bland kitchen.
Image from www.nicoleshicole.blogspot.com
Bright cannisters always look great, but there’s loads of other cool retro pieces you can use from aprons, biscuit tins to vintage posters.
Image from www.houseofturquoise.com
Your main pieces of furniture in a kitchen are your dining table and chairs so here is where you can make a big retro statement. Some images to get you going…
Image from www.kitchendesignideasworld.net
Love the red checkered table cloth.
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Image from www.countryliving.com
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And the old formica tables are fab!
Image from www.retrorenovation.com
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And then of course there are the big ticket items. If you’ve got the cash these old style fridges and stoves are gorgeous.
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Love the pale blue and chrome!
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And old vending machines are a very cool addition to a kitchen.
Check out www.retrotogo.com www.mattblatt.com.au www.vamptvintagedesign.com www.thesecondhandshop.com.au and keep an eye on ebay for all things retro.
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If you’re looking for a really special light or piece of furniture, then take a look at Alex Earl. Based in Sackville St., Collingwood, his designs are gorgeous, environmentally friendly and manufactured here.
Image from www.alexearl.com.au
His butterfly light is stunning. The overlapping wings in contrasting bright light and shadow are beautiful.
You can get it as a pendant, floor or table lamp, in lots of colours and it can be custom made in almost any size.
Image from www.alexearl.com.au
This fabulous log stool is made from concentric layers of plywood. There’s a wide range of timber veneers for the outer layer, or with a photographically laminated print as pictured. Cool as a stool or side table.
Image from www.alexearl.com.au
This amazing coffee table is also made from concentric layers of plywood… with a blackwood veneered plywood exterior.
Image from www.alexearl.com.au
The orchid light is also available as a pendant, floor or table lamp, lots of colours and any size.
Image from www.alexearl.com.au
So pretty…
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
So winter’s here and we’re all spending more time in the lounge room. If you’re looking at replacing your coffee table have a think outside the normal wooden rectangle …not that there’s anything wrong with that…but there are other options.
Trunks are fabulous as coffee tables. Wide, sturdy, full of character and you don’t need coasters!
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Trunks don’t always have to be dark and heavy either. This old wooden one looks really cute with a distressed white paint job.
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But I like them the way they come. The one in the living room above is so great…and is in no way eclipsed by the chesterfield behind it. Check out Mezai in Richmond for some seriously cool trunks.
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If you have a child free room, and steadier hands than mine…, then there’s also the option of upholstered coffee tables.
Maybe not so practical, but they certainly add a graciousness to a room (maybe because they never share said room with kids or my shaky hands?).
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Love the fabric and the legs on this ottoman/coffee table. Details like this on occasional furniture can add a whole other dimension to neutral, contemporary lounge suites.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
If you like the softness of an upholstered coffee table, but don’t want the stains….leather ottomans have long played the role of coffee tables.
Freedom have the Hermitage Ottoman which is quite nice…and they’re having a sale on right now.
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For those living areas that don’t have a lot of room, or if the table is needed for a nook rather than a living area…consider a bench. They look great and do the job…there’s just not as much room for oversized coffee table books!
Image from www.potterybarn.com
Love this little white washed one from Pottery Barn. This look could also be pretty easily achieved with a trip around some second hand stores and an afternoon of painting.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Finally…another great space saving replacement for a coffee table is a cute little retro occasional table. They take up next to no room, and can be moved around as needed. Check out Matt Blatt for some great retro tables, but these, like benches, can be found everywhere.
Visit our on-line shop…click on http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or on-line consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Very excited to present our new online retail shop.
Much more user friendly for both you and me!
All the products featured are beautiful, uncommon, reasonably priced,
and without exception, pieces that I love.
The prices include delivery Australia wide and are based on
recommended retail prices - there is no stylist mark up.
So… Check it out when you get a chance. http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
The other change I’m excited about is with the gorgeous Pom pom trimmed linen. We’re now using 5 star 100% Egyption cotton…absolutely beautiful to sleep on!
Better yet, it’s a lot more affordable too!
Visit our on-line shop…click on http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or on-line consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.peacockbluehome.co.uk
Don’t let this nice weather fool you…winter is coming. Which means it’s time for boots, soups and cable knits!
Image from www.potterybarn.com
It’s lovely cosying up to a good knit – ask any fisherman! Cable knit throws and cushions lend an immediate warmth to a room, while the cable design is a classic look that never goes wrong.
Image from www.homelife.com.au
They also add texture to your cushion and throw groupings. The images above and below show how beautifully a cable knit will work with a variety of patterns and fabrics.
Image from www.potterybarn.com
Conversely, if you only want one or two cushions in the mix, or just the one colour theme overall, then the definite texture of a cable knit gives that one cushion real impact.
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Check out Pottery Barn for a beautiful range of cable knits, and Ralph Lauren for the gorgeous lake house pillow below.
Image from www.ralphlauren.com
Visit our on-line shop…click on http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or on-line consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Ria FitzGerald has worked as an interior stylist in Melbournes inner east for the past twelve years.
Now based on the Bellarine Peninsula, Ria continues to offer in-home styling consultations for both the visual and the practical elements of your home, renovation and colour consulting and event styling.
Rias work can be seen featured regularly in Home Beautiful Magazine.
\"The I want I want I want! blog is a weekday (ish!) update with reviews of the best online homewares shopping, styling tips, peeks into my favorite homes and commentary on design, interiors and art.
Hopefully you will find new products, designs and ideas to inspire you to make your home the most fabulous place it can be!\" Ria x
