Image from the design maker
It’s very easy for a home office to be an array of uninteresting black and white … fight against this! Think brightly coloured art that draws the eye up and away from the desk mess.
Image from apartment therapy
Or play with your furniture… a desk chair in a vibrant colour changes the look immediately… and opens up the opportunity for other colours to be introduced.
btw… how fab is that pink pig??
Image from design mum
Even your very practical storage pieces can be focal pieces with some well chosen colour.
Image from design sponge
Loving the red trim and multi coloured labels on this bureau!
Image from pinterest
While full bookshelves can be given new life with coloured folders
Image from pinterest
Then you can have a purely aesthetic colour injection like these great letters.
Image from mimi and meg blog
Or.. my personal favourite… bombard your space with colour!
Image from a delightful design
Finally, flowers aren’t only for the front hall or dining table. Bring in some fresh bunches of loveliness to brighten up your work space.
Image from Ideas for cottage on the water
If you want to love your office, then you have to make good decisions. Pick furniture that suits your needs and your taste. But remember form follows function… so the practical needs must be met first! How gorgeous is this vintage swivel chair??
Image from remain simple
Don’t be scared of large pieces in small spaces… but if you do have an oversized piece and you’re not after the overflow boho look, then minimise your other elements.
Image from April and may studio
I love this desk. Visually light, cute practical storage and a fun splash of colour.
Image from Eva Black Design
Ladder love… but holding a rug in a study is a little unnecessary (?), I hang my fabrics and trim on mine… They’re also great for business periodicals.
Image from My Scandinavian Home
If lots of storage is required at hand.. then choose something you are happy to have dominate the room, like this fab vintage cupboard.
Image from Vtwonen
Easily my favourite style of desk. The trestle table doesn’t sit heavily in the room. Many desks look like big blobs drawing all the attention and sucking all the visual space out of the room. If you have the traditional heavy covered desk… you want to be a good stylist and have a good space to play with.
Image from notes. analoguedialogue
Love this vintage black one! The only issue with a trestle is no drawers or inbuilt storage… but that can be behind you, to the side… even visible underneath…
Image from Apartment Therapy
Coloured filing on wheels … practical and cute.
Image from 2 Bp blogspot
Making or re- purposing your own desk or table means you’ll love yourself as much as your office.
Image from 4pb Blogspot
A custom built desk can ensure you make the very most of your space.
Image from Home designing
Or… it can just be beautiful and express you!
Image from The examiner
A quirky addition, like this hammock can give the humble office area a real lift… and perfect for power naps!
Image from Chictic
If you have more than one person using the space… symmetry can be a great friend. Note the lamps, pendants, desks and shelving.
Image from Pinterest
Or have two quite different styles complementing each other…. I love this look.
Image from Pinterest
If you’re lucky enough to be a designer or architect… you’re halfway there already with the beautiful lines of a drawing desk.
Image from www.ghoofie.com
Formal dining rooms are a thing of the past…but we still need some designated area for eating. The problem is, now that dining areas are integrated into the kitchen/living areas, often not quite enough space is allocated. If, like half Australia’s population, you’ve got a small dining area, hopefully this post will give you some good ideas to turn that pokey space into a great space to eat and entertain.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Built-in bench seats like this are very effective for maximising floor space. Fantastic solution in a galley style kitchen .
Image from www.buckboardhill.typepad.com
A built in bench seat doesn’t have to stay in the kitchen…they work brilliantly in lounge/dining areas too. I love the mix of bench and chairs…so cool and informal.
Image from www.desiretoinspire.net
And nor do they actually have to be benches… Loving these old diner booths and table.
Image from www.homesandgardens.com
And while we’re exploring alternative seating options… This is clever. Two x two seater couches…now that’s a grown up dinner party. Or a comfy one at least.
Image from www.geheause.com
Of course, bench seats that aren’t built in are also excellent for small spaces. Not only have you lessened the number of chair legs (my pet hate), you can still have them hard up against the wall, and they can slide underneath your table and be entirely out of the way when not needed.
Image from www.geheause.com
Combos of seating can look fab, just don’t have too much action going on with them at eye height.
Image from www.floatproject.com
Stools and benches add loads of interest, but take no space at eye level.
Image from www.littlebitsoflovely.blogspot.ca
Rugs play an important role in small areas. They help delineate the area, and unify the pieces within it. Particularly fond of a hide under a dining table…
Image from www.paloma.blogspot.com
This may look great, but take my word for it … shag should be nowhere near your dining room. That rug is on its way to becoming a petrie dish.
Image from www.homeresult.com
And finally, colour – when used well – does amazing things for small spaces.
Hope you got some inspiration!
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Thanks to Jenny Wilson for the request for today’s blog post.
Her narrow, difficult hallway is killing her inspiration…so I’m hoping I can give her some cool solutions!
Let’s start from the ground up….
Rugs are your first port of call when dressing your hallway. The continuing pattern of a runner will extend the visual length of the hallway.
And, by virtue of the border the exposed floor underneath provides,…they increase the visual width too.
The next thing to look at …is what you’re looking at. Make sure there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. So cast your eye op the the hallway and make sure you have a focal point at the end of it.
So now to narrow hallway furniture options. I’m a very big fan of benches and hooks. Taking up minimal space, they give you more practical solutions than most larger pieces.
You can also affix a piece of furniture to the wall…making it both thinner…and more stable for use in a small thoroughfare…. love the piece below!
Wall panelling is enormously effective in adding character to a tiny hallway without taking up space. Not only does it give you texture, it also allows you to add colour and contrast by dividing the wall. Paneling is a great option if your hallway is simply too small for anything.
Next …shelving…. Love it to bits, but be very careful with your placement. If it’s not safe to have it at the right height visually, then don’t have it.
Too high shelving is a terrible look.
Shelving is also a great way of displaying loads of prints. It automatically gives you the flush line for the bottom and depending on it’s width you can overlap artwork as well.
Artwork presented with symmetry, as below, will always lengthen your visual space, so prints and photos are great tools in small hallways.
And who’s to say that a small hallway can’t be beautifully, perfectly overcrowded as well??
If you love the idea of loads of photos or prints, but want to minimize the business…then theme out your frames in white. What I also love about this approach is the white frames give depth to whatever wall colour you’ve chosen as well as ensuring the images are what is drawing your attention, rather than individual frames.
Wallpaper is another fab tool for small spaces. Choosing geometric patterns for space illusion, or sweet florals to soften but not crowd. There’ s no end to wallpaper choices. Or…you can use wallpaper above paneling to add yet another dimension.
And a little bit of wallpaper…cleverly placed, can add both interest and depth…
Or…you can remove all distracting factors and go the eternal favourite of white on white… (love the panelling!!!!)
Having something particularly quirky or cool allows you to rest aesthetically on the one piece…just choose well! It’s coolest when it has a reason …
And lastly…look up! If your hallway is poorly lit of course it’s only going to look smaller. Get the right number of lights…and the right wattage. And remember, the lighting source is almost as important as the light.
So I hope that helped Jenny, let us know how you go!
If anyone else has a request feel free to ask!
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Images from:
www.apartmenttherapy.com
www.remodelista.com
www.rooms-colours.net
www.sfgirlbybay.com
www.dotdot-dash.com
www.thebrickhouse.tumblr
www.housetohome.co.uk
www.bhg.com
www.houzz.com
www.pinterest.com
www.desiretoinspire.com
www.theshootfactory.co.uk
www.moredesignplease.com
With the exception of yesterday we have had so many lovely days in a row that it’s been wonderful spending time outdoors. Creating your own outdoor room is a fantastic thing to do to make the most of our beautiful weather.
The key elements to an outdoor room are comfy chairs, a sheltered space, and pretty accessories. If the outdoor chairs you have are uncomfortable…then get rid of them! If you have something in an area that does’t work…then the area won’t work, and uncomfortable chairs are just stupid. (The same rule applies to all the insanely uncomfortable sofas out there in holiday homes. I have no idea why everyone puts their most uncomfortable furniture in the place they most want to relax…) Also…there’s loads of waterproof options out there nowadays. So mattresses, cushions, even rugs can be left out if there’s some degree of shelter.
Seating that has storage in it is a terrific option for an outdoor area…then the cushions etc can be stowed away during the wet months. It doesn’t have to be huge…but an outdoor room is a crucial part of the house. We only have about 3-4 months of the year where it’s comfortable to be outside…so we need to make the most of it with really appealing areas that we can’t wait to chill out in. Some images from the sweet to the sublime to inspire…
I would like to see some great Moroccan painted tiles here…
Good lighting can make all the difference to you using your area after sundown. If you have one harsh spotlight….turn it off or direct its focus up the nearest tree! For romance think fairy lights and lanterns…for fun check out multicoloured string lights like these..
What a beautiful bench…
I’m not entirely sure this is even an outside room…but it’s fun
Now that looks comfy…
And that…
I would love to have an outdoor fireplace and mantle!!!
Again…not sure if this is an outdoor rug….but man it’s gorgeous!!! I am on the hunt for it or similar…will keep you posted.
To book an on-line consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Images from ….
I want I want I want! on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Image from www.thirddrawerdown.com
Yippee!!! I’ve finally got my facebook page properly up and running!
Image from www.tomkelleystudio.com
Which means you can access all the videos I’ve been making ( …yes, the making of them look just like this ) that I can’t upload on the blog. Finally! The videos are a fun mix of gorgeous images and tips…and so far we have…
Chalkboard walls
Multiple mirrors in bathrooms
Trunks and old suitcases
Stencilled floorboards
Decorative ladders
Quirky bedside tables
Pendants in bedrooms
Organised hallways
Hanging a wall gallery (very handy tips!!!)
Not hanging prints
White painted floorboards
Image from www.google.com
So… to follow me on facebook all you need to do is click on this link
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Click on the “Like” tab underneath the main photo. Then click on the “Mailing List Sign-up” and enter your details.
Easy peasy!
Don’t forget to click on the “like” tab!
Image from www.google.com
This means not only can you see all existing videos, but I can also let you know when there are new ones to see, and even when I’ve posted a blog and what it’s about (to save you from going to the blog when I’ve been lazy and not posted!).
I’ve also been able to load up on Facebook lots of photo albums I’ve compiled…
21 so far and counting! …including room makeovers.
So yay! I’m looking forward to having you all join me on FB x
Image from www.google.com
That link once more….!!!
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Button backed furniture…
#1
Image from www.frenchdressing.com.au
Love a bit of button backing! This Friday’s five is all about gorgeous furniture made even better with button backed upholstery.
French Dressing has this beautiful “Louis XV” Savoy french country 2.5 seater chesterfield lounge in a divine smoke with silver studwork on the rolled arms. $3995… but you’d love it forever…
#2
Image from www.davidmetnicole.com.au
This made to order leather wingback chair from David met Nicole is stunning. Made in the traditional way by old school craftsmen using quality materials…the frame is beech wood with hand carved legs, and full steel coil sprung seat and back. English webbing and fibre is used to pad the chair, then hand sewn over with calico to insure its shape remains over time. Upholstered in English leather, the chair is then hand aged. These chairs wear in over time, not wear out.
#3
Image from www.spacefurniture.com.au
From the classic wing back to this dead sexy smoke chair by Maarten Bass from Space Furniture .
#4
Image from www.spacefurniture.com.au
Space also has this very modern Poltrona Frau ‘Kennedee’ lounge by Jean-Marie Massaud. I love the square look to this design…but I’m not loving it for its comfort factor.
#5
Image from www.temperaturedesign.com.au
And lastly…this fabulous round Chester Ottoman from Temperature Design with its deep diamond buttoning detail comes in standard or custom sizing…gorgeous!!
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Izzi and Popo http://www.izziandpopo.com.au/
Image from www.izziandpopo.com.au
Don’t google Izzy and Popo unless you have a good couple of hours available, a small snack at hand, a beverage and a budget. This website is crazy fun. So much stuff!!! A bit from the sublime to the ridiculous…but that’s the nature of vintage…and Izzy and Popo is all about vintage European treasures.
Image from www.izziandpopo.com.au
How great are these gloves? Boxing gloves make fab statement pieces…and they can come in handy sometimes….
Image from www.theshootfactory.com
Image from www.izziandpopo.com.au
There are always amazing pieces of furniture, from the leather chair above to this gorgeous bench.
Image from www.izzyandpop.com.au
This zinc bath from Belgium is fantastic! Just imagine…..
Image from www.toast.co.uk
Image from www.izzyandpopo.com.au
From bowler hats to silver champagne buckets…Izzy and Popo have pretty much everything. It’s a fantastic site.
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto: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
