Image from www.pinterest.com
If you’re lucky enough to have room in your roof…you should use it! Good windows and blinds are key to making a small attic space work…and these ones above are fantastic for air circulation. Also loving the touch of wallpaper above the bed!
Image from www.google.com
Of course your usable space is limited with the angles of the roof…but it’s the angles that make the rooms look so gorgeous!
Image from www.conspicuousstyle.com
So many uses for an attic space…. Love the idea of a dressing room up there…might have to have the high heels downstairs though.
Image from www.design-elements-blog.com
Home offices can get out of the lounge room and be amazing with their own space…
Image from www.knottinghillinteriors.com
And the perfect parents retreat is just a small reno away.
Image from www.myidealhome.tumblr.com
Or… make space for a teenagers haven.
So if you need another room…you may find you already have one, complete with fab angles, just waiting for you upstairs.
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.frolic-blog.com
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…
Image from www.livingetc.com
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.oranges-world.com
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.eclecticrevisited.wordpress.com
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…
Image from www.remodelista.com
To rustic charm…
Image from www.ecochic.com
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.
Image from www.countrydays.wordpress.com
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.thedesignfiles.com
In so many clients’ houses I come across a sad, dark little nook where a sad, dark little piano stands. Little wonder it’s hard to get kids to practice!
Musical instruments are beautiful…so why do we always pick the worst corner in the house to put it? Instead of trying to hide the very large, very unhidable piece…why not highlight it? Make it a stand out feature in a pretty spot, and as a side benefit it becomes a far more welcoming and enjoyable place for kids to be.
Image from www.christyinspired.com
Rather than have a boring old piano stool… give it a splash of paint in a fun standout colour. There couldn’t be anything easier to paint.
Image from www.christyinspired.com
Or lose the stool completely and add a groovy substitute.
Image from www.pinterest.com
I know I paint a lot of stuff, and sometimes I may not give timber its full respect, but…how much better is this!! Instead of having a dark hulking object sticking out in the middle of a thoroughfare (so often the only space in a modern home for a piano)…here is a really cool little piece that makes you want to use it.
Image from www.etsy.com
And sheet music is gorgeous. Crazy not to have it out!
Image from www.poteetarcitects.com
If you’re lucky enough to be able to devote a full room to music…then, again, give it its due. Musical instruments of any sort look gorgeous…make sure to use them aesthetically as well as practically.
Image from www.unpluggd.com
And it you don’t have a room at all, then get inventive.
Image from www.whippedstyle.com
And it doesn’t matter how small the instrument is… it should be look like it has it’s own space and purpose. This is so sweet.
Image from www.1.bp.blogspot.com
For me, as for a lot of women, work and life are so intertwined it’s impossible to separate them. So, I rate a good home office fairly highly. If I didn’t love mine so much there’s no way I’d be working at 10pm on a Friday!
So…here are a few seriously great home offices I’d be happy to move my stuff in to.
Image from www.architizer.com
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Image from www.yeloowtrace.com
Love love love this asian style bureau as a desk. Check out www.shack.com.au for some gorgeous antique and repro Chinese bureaus.
Image from www.livingetc.com
Stripes are so versatile. Mix different widths and colours and you have a relaxed loose look.
Image from www.countryhomeideas.com
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.abodelove.blogspot.com
Image from www.ferm-living.com
Striped wallpaper can be very dramatic. I love the black and white look above…and the medium width vertical stripes give real visual height to the room.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Wider stripes in neutral tones teamed with a sophisticated pinstripe in the same palette and the look is elegant.
Image from www.source4interiors.com
Or…go for some bright, primary colours and the look is all fun.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Love the turquoise floral against the candy stripes!
Image from www.hosuetohome.co.uk
Here the striking grey, white and black stripes go from horizontal to vertical and are a fabulous backdrop to this quirky ensemble.
Image from www.shannoneileenblog.typepad.com
Incorporating stripes into your architecture can have huge impact. These reclaimed boards in their original colours are beautiful.
Image from www.housuetohome.co.uk
And a bright stripy floor is fantastic in a childs room…
Image from www.homelife.com.au
Upholstering a statment piece of furniture in stripes really adds to its impact. This ottoman is very cool,
Image from www.vintagerevivals.blogspot.com
And this chair is gorgeous.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Finally…striped curtains give you a really good base to add patterns and colours to your room, and draw attention immediately to your windows.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
We all need some sort of home office, but often we don’t have the room, let alone a full room to allocate to the task. There are a number of clever ways of introducing your study without taking up too much precious space.
Hiding equipment and paperwork away in a built in cupboard is a great way to organize yourself .
Image from www.evadesigns.com
And it’s even more effective if you choose a chair that can slide in under your improvised desk.
Image from www.bhg.com
If you want a softer look, then remove the doors on your cupboard/study and use curtains to hide away any daily office messiness.
Any excuse to introduce some great fabric!
Image from www.home-designing.com
If you want to get a little more inspired then go on the hunt for a piece of furniture you can customise.
Image from www.iheartorganizing.blogspot.com
Or keep an eye out for fab old vintage pieces that can be perfect substitutes. I love the height on this one …visually gorgeous and very practical for storage.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
And sweet writing desks like this never lose their style and functionality.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Or..add your own style to a plain bureau.
Image from www.frenchbydesign.blogspot.com
Odd nooks in the house are terrific for converting into study’s. Almost every house has a funny little space or alcove that isn’t being used to it’s maximum. Rather than fill it with useless decorative pieces, kit it out to be a really functional area.
Image from www.apartmenttherapy.com
From a design and styling perspective ( particularly for a study), odd spaces with multiple angles can be your friend in creating an interesting space.
Image from www.houseandhome.com
And whilst I love a good window seat…this is a much more practical and still very inviting use of a window nook.
Image from www.desiretoinspire.com
And I love the use of this space under the stairs…particuarly as the light still comes in through the indivicual stairs. Very clever.
Image from www.housetohome.com
Or… if you’re like me and like to merge life and work, then blend your office into your living area.
Image from www.pinterest.com
Shelving and the right choice of chair and you’re on your way.
Image from www.sweethomestyle.tumblr.com
So…stop taking over the dining table to do your bills, re-think your space and furniture and you’ll probably find you have the space for a fully functioning home office.
Image from www.pinterest.com
Can’t read a word of it. Can’t play a single note…on any instrument. But I love sheet music. Maybe the fact that I can’t read it, is what I’m drawn to? Some lovely melody is written on that page…but it’s a total mystery to me. But mainly…I just think it’s pretty!
Image from www.etsy.com
And it’s pretty any which way you use it. I’m leaning dangerously towards a Martha Stewart crafty 101 here, but I thought I’d show you some really cute and easy ways to introduce sheet music into your life (even if you are tone deaf).
Image from www.pinterest.com
Even an accountants desk gains a bit of creative kudos with vintage sheet music rolled up in containers or tied with twine and scattered about.
Image from www.etsy.com
Gorgeous as gift or name tags…
And pretty cool as wrapping paper.
Image from www.whippedstyle.com
With a bit of craft glue they can make sweet tea light holders.
Image from www.pinterest.com
It takes a little more glue…but they look also great on mannequin and busts.
Image from www.etsy.com
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.theblairaffairs.blogspot.com
Even this oversized M looks great covered in it. (And I love the two wheels…)
Image from www.theblairaffairs.blogspot.com
Finally…how pretty is this? Love it with the wee crystal knobs, the vintage christening gown and the Shirley Temple postcard!
All images from www.housetohome.co.uk
Paying bills is not a fun activity…but the process of paying them can be improved upon with nice surroundings. We all have some form of home office going on, and yet I rarely see a functioning office with cool art on the walls. The walls in every room in your house need to be considered…not just the common areas. If anything…I need much more inspiration and beauty around me in both the office and the laundry!
The person sitting at this desk had no plans to be staring at a blank wall. This room is dominated by the trio of dramatic framed photos…and they look amazing. It actually takes a second look to notice the customised desk and wallpaper feature.
This diagram of a ships hull is the coolest thing I’ve seen for ages. Getting an oversized, customised canvas like this is easy and affordable now. Get inspired with an image and check out www.johnsonwaters.com.au.
And an oversised map always works!
This traditional study really lends itself to a galleria of originals in a variety of classic frames. Bookcases are inherently busy…so you need to give substance to the empty spaces in-between.
I love these optometrists prints. Any message you want can be done with these. Personal…but not naff.
So don’t drag yourself off to do the worst job in the worst room in the house. Make it a room you enjoy being in…that reflects your interests…not your chores.
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
