Tag: carpet

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Design Homewares Interiors Addict Styling

Make rug shopping enjoyable with the Miss Amara difference

More than just a decorative piece, a well placed rug can warm a room, dampen noise and bring a scheme together. Unfortunately, shopping for a rug can be tedious and intimidating. However, Miss Amara, a design-led Australian-owned rug brand, is modernising the business of rugs with sustainability, exclusive designs and customer experience.

Miss Amara elevates the usually daunting experience, offering free styling services by in-house interior experts, a virtual rug styling tool that uses augmented reality to help customers visualise what a rug will look like in their space and a risk-free returns service.

With collections built on versatility, the Miss Amara rugs are designed by an in-house creative team, showcasing abstract concepts and patterns that are inspired from far flung destinations around the world and timeless design style. From Scandinavian, Tribal, Contemporary, Traditional and Mid-Century, the Miss Amara rugs are made from the highest-grade materials with an extensive range of sizes perfect for finishing lounge and living spaces, bedrooms, kids rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, hallways and outdoors.

Founded in 2014 by husband-and-wife duo Aaron Weller and Alex Tanya Weller, Miss Amara now has more than 70 staff operating online stores across Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and USA.

Miss Amara founders, Aaron Weller and Alex Tanya Weller

“The inspiration behind Miss Amara came after I had tried and failed to purchase a rug online. After asking family and friends, I realised it was a common occurrence – people would get really inspired, go on Pinterest, find amazing photos and then reality would hit – the experience of actually buying a rug online at the time was terrible.

“Our competitors had thousands of rugs in their ranges, but they were all product photos. There were no inspiring photos of rugs in beautiful spaces, no interior design advice or customer service – just a sea of sameness and endless clicks,” said Alex.

The Miss Amara range includes soft, stain-resistant rugs that can be machine washed, high pile rugs designed to sink your feet into, pet-friendly rugs and sustainable rugs made with recyclable fibres, such as PET (recycled bottles) and recycled leather. 

See full Miss Amara range

2022’s most popular home design trends from Houzz report

A report based on search result data on Houzz has identified home design trends of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and…

An expert guide to style your house from scratch

Styling your home from the ground up? Fluctuating between being excited and overwhelmed? Great! You’re in the right place. Thankfully…
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Design Homewares Interiors Addict RENO ADDICT Reno Products Shopping Styling

Catherine Martin’s new carpets are as stunning as her film sets

After the runaway success of her two rug collections, Designer Rugs presents the first Axminster carpet collection from Oscar winner Catherine Martin – Majorelle. An eclectic collection of premium carpet designs, Majorelle is inspired by her love of tropical flora and fauna whilst drawing on influences from Middle Eastern design.

The film, stage and interior designer with four Oscars, five BAFTAs and a Tony Award to her name, is famously married to Australian film director Baz Luhrmann. To the millions around the world who have seen the movies, Catherine is known as the woman who made Nicole Kidman resplendent in red in the costumes for Moulin Rouge!; for making us want to shimmy our way in beaded dresses through the lavish party scenes in The Great Gatsby; and most recently for the visually resplendent biopic Elvis.

This latest Axminster collection references Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s enchanting retreat designed by living legend Jacques Grange in Marrakesh, famed for its sophisticated and exotic interior, brilliant blue exterior and magnificent gardens. The collection also pays homage to Catherine’s French heritage and love affair with French culture, design and interior architecture. Photographed in partnership with long-time collaborator, textile brand Mokum, these designs embrace a maximalist approach to interiors and create a sea of bold pattern underfoot.

“Celebrating my love of mixing discordant textures and patterns into extravagantly contrasting but nevertheless visually enticing combinations, I seek, in this collection, to find a style where being baroque is elegant and modern,” says Catherine. “Marrying animal print and embellished tropical designs and an exuberantly luxurious palette, this is a collection that is meant to be both glamorous and playful.”

Embracing the capabilities of Designer Rugs’ in-house design and production teams, this collection also extends the potential for the customer with the possibility of customisation in pattern repeat, colour ways and scaling.

“Creating unique designs for Axminster carpet is a natural progression for us as a luxury rug brand – the flexibility of design and colour, and the renowned high quality of this type of carpet production has made it a very successful venture,” says managing director Yosi Tal.

Consisting of five striking designs, the collection is made in a durable wool and nylon blend, and would be equally at home in a federation style home as an opulent hotel, and everything in between.

More information on Designer Rugs

Designer rugs Australia: COVID-19 inspires new collection

Designed during the COVID-19 lockdown, the latest Designer Rugs collection ‘Community’ explores the idea of community during a pandemic. The collection…
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Expert Tips Homewares RENO ADDICT Reno Products Shopping

Your carpet questions answered and why it’s still a popular choice

Sponsored by Floorworld

With the huge popularity of hard flooring options you’d be forgiven for thinking nobody has carpets anymore but the reality is they do, and the choices and colours available these days are better than ever.

Triexta carpet

As well as stocking some of the biggest brands in carpets, like Feltex, Godfrey Hirst, Victoria Carpets and Beaulieu, national retailer Floorworld has also developed their own carpet range sourced through local Australian manufacturers. From the most traditional to the latest in innovation, there’s something for every home.

Carpets really have come a long way and I was really surprised by some of the materials used these days. Redbook Green triexta for example, contains 37% annually renewable plant-based ingredients, placing less reliance on non-renewable resources. It has a built-in natural stain resistance and can be cleaned with just cold water, which makes it a great choice for homes with pets (and dare I say it, kids!). Its resistance to fading makes it perfect for protecting it from natural sunlight indoors. And if you’re worried about carpet not standing the test of time, Redbook Green triexta carpets are made to the highest standards in Australia with genuine warranties.

DuraTuft SD PET

If you’re looking for something warm, luxurious and traditional, you could consider Serendip from Floorworld’s carpet collection. With a gorgeous textured look, Serendip is a luxurious wool loop pile carpet that features an unbeatable warranties package.

Carpet buying does come with quite a lot of jargon and endless choices, which can be a little overwhelming! In carpets, for example, twist refers to the number of turns put into the carpet fibre; the more twist or turns of the fibre, the better the performance you can expect from your carpet. Yarns that are twisted tighter also have a different feel to those that are twisted looser.

Kashmir carpet

But expert advice is always a great way to inform and simplify your choice. One of the biggest questions they hear at Floorworld is wool or nylon, but there’s no easy answer to this because each has benefits depending on your room, lifestyle and budget. The good news is, Floorworld’s knowledgable staff can talk you through all of this and more, and they even provide online consultations, which is particularly useful with many of us currently in lockdown.

Smith’s Floorworld Ringwood VIC opened in 1991, and you can now find Floorworld owner-operated stores in Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide and across Australia.

The company champions locally made products and love to connect with their local community, whether it be through company initiatives like their Pancare Partnership (raising money for pancreatic cancer research) or School Sponsorship Program, or through store-based programs supporting local sporting clubs and charities.

Whether you’re looking for expert advice, want to hear about the latest in flooring trends or Australian manufacturing, or are interested in finding out a bit more behind the faces of Floorworld, follow Floorworld on Instagram for #TheGreatAustralianYarn.

Visit the Floorworld website for all your carpet and other flooring questions!

Top tips to maximise a small kitchen or bathroom space when renovating

Written by Josh Mammoliti, Managing Director, The Blue Space A small kitchen or bathroom can sometimes seem like the bane of your existence when trying to plan a renovation. While…

Kids wall art: Australian made options for all ages

By Angela Reynolds When it comes to styling bedrooms, the furniture, the floor coverings, the window furnishings, the lighting, the linen, the décor, and the storage solutions, are all key…
Categories
Design Expert Tips Styling

Darren Palmer’s top 2019 design trends & flooring tips

When Darren Palmer lets us in on his favourite design trends we sit up and take notice and his top picks for this year, ‘Moroccan’ and ‘Botanical,’ are as disparate as they are inviting. “The Moroccan look is exotic and luxurious while the botanical look is all about bringing nature inside,” says Darren.

Moroccan look
The Moroccan look

Moroccan
“Think bold brights, clashing patterns and earthy, rugged textures. With its bohemian edge, this look brings a sense of energy yet warmth to a space,” says Darren.

Moroccan look
Darren has used Carpet Court’s Dreamtime carpet in clay to create this Moroccan inspired scheme

“When you’re decorating a room, it’s always a good idea to start with the floor. It’s one of the largest expanses of space in a home and will set the tone for the rest of your furnishings. The Moroccan look has warm, spicy undertones and an earthy feel, so seek out flooring in a warm neutral shade with plenty of texture,” says Darren who is also a Carpet Court Ambassador.

Moroccan look

“Timber flooring works equally well in a Moroccan scheme – again, opt for timber with warm undertones and extra-wide boards are trending right now and will add a contemporary touch to your exotic scheme,” says Darren who says that layers of accessories are key to finishing the look. “Complete the look with a medley of bright, patterned rugs and cushions, buffed leather accessories, decorative pendants and woven wall hangings,” says Darren.

Botanical
“We’re passionate about indoor-outdoor living in Australia, and this trend is all about bringing nature inside. The result is a fresh, relaxed look that’s easy to love,” says Darren.

Botanical look
Darren recommends Carpet Court’s Premium Oak flooring  in Arctic White (above) – the pale, cool-toned timber contrasts with the botanical look’s rich greens.

“The key to making this look work is not to overfill the space – you want it to feel light and airy. Choose one or two statement features, such as an oversized leaf-print wallpaper across one wall or a forest-green velvet sofa. Then, add in shelves and accessories in woven rattan and blonde timber, white plantation shutters and plenty of greenery. Finish off with touches of gold for a modern-luxe feel,” says Darren.

“If you haven’t shopped for flooring in a while, you’ll be amazed at what’s available now – there really is something for every style, budget and home set-up,” says Darren who says it’s important to consider how you’ll use the space in the first instance. “Do you need something hardwearing, easy to clean, ultra-luxurious, or able to cope with the demands of children and pets? Once you’ve narrowed down your requirements, it’s time for the fun part – choosing a flooring style that will completely transform the look of your room and home,” says Darren.

Botanical look


Darren’s flooring style tips

Textured appeal: To add texture to your interior, consider a chunky felted loop pile carpet in this season’s on-trend colours – charcoal, silvery-grey or sand.

Family friendly: If you have children or pets, a level loop-pile carpet in a mid-tone neutral with some flecks of colour will be the most hardwearing and forgiving.

Fibre smarts: Wool carpet has a luxurious, natural appeal, but solution-dyed nylon is a great choice if you’re looking for a soft carpet with superior fade and stain-resistance for a sunny room or a home with kids.

Grab a sample: Carpet and hard flooring colours will look different from the showroom once you get them home. To work out whether a colour or timber finish is right for your interior, take a sample home and look at it at different times of day and under various light conditions.

Consider your options: Love the look of timber but want something low-maintenance and more affordable? Why not consider timber-look vinyl planks or laminate, which give you the appearance of real wood for less and can often be used in wet rooms such as bathrooms and laundries.

The touch test: To assess how soft a carpet will feel underfoot, don’t just feel it with your hands – slip off your shoes and walk on it.

For more | Step inside Darren Palmer’s latest kitchen

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Expert Tips Homewares RENO ADDICT

Interiors Addict reno: choosing carpet

Sponsored by CarpetCall

In our new house, we decided we would in fact like carpet in our bedrooms. While we are long time fans of hard flooring and had an oak-look floating floor through our last home, there’s just something about stepping out of bed in the morning onto lovely soft carpet! We always slightly regretted not having the bedrooms carpeted last time, so this time we did it, and the playroom too (did I mention we have a playroom? BEST EVER!).

Our playroom. Of course it isn’t usually this tidy but rest assured I will never STYLE this room for you because it’s meant to be fun and practical and somewhere to shut the door on the mess, so it doesn’t need to look good to grown ups!

The playroom was previously cork floor! When was the last time you saw that, eh?! And while it is probably the perfect flooring for kids to play (and spill) on, it doesn’t exactly look beautiful!

So with a toddler in mind, we obviously wanted a carpet that was super forgiving and stain resistant. But it had to look and feel nice too.

We chose the Lasting Impressions carpet in Cloud (a mid grey) and we’re really happy with it. Everyone who has been to visit has commented on it too. It feels lovely when you step out of bed onto it, Seb just loves lying on it playing cars and any spills or sticky marks in the playroom have been very easily removed. In fact, this has probably made me a little too relaxed about what food I let him wander in there with!

A representative from CarpetCall came out to see us and measure up with a boot full of samples (this is a free service) and I thought I’d share a few things I learnt about choosing carpet:

  • It sounds simple but you need to select carpet in the rooms where it will be laid. You can’t do this in store or online. It’s a bit like the rule about getting a tester pot before you commit to painting a whole room (oh, I’ve made this mistake now and I’ll be blogging about it soon!). That’s why it’s great if the carpet store comes out to you. Lighting and your interior colour scheme and style will all impact how the carpet looks in your home which could be completely different to how it looks in the showroom.
  • Before this step, you can start to get an idea of what’s available by using an online tool like CarpetCall’s Room Visualiser. This may help you choose samples you’d like to see in your home.
  • There’s a lot of lingo involved with carpets! They’re manufactured in different ways to give different looks and feels. The main types are level loop pile, multi-level loop pile, cut pile (the most commonly used in Australian homes), tip sheared pile, cut and loop and Axminster and Winton Wool (the latter being the creme de la creme of the carpet world).
  • You have two main choices of material: wool or synthetic (or a combo of the two). Wool is more expensive, many would say looks and feels better and of course it’s a natural material. It does shed though, and it’s not as forgiving as a synthetic carpet. I’ve owned a large cream rug so I know. And yeah, won’t be doing that again with a toddler…
  • Synthetic (nylon/polypropolene) carpets are water-resistant, stain-resistant and durable. Some say nylon carpets can look just as good as wool.
  • Using a good quality vacuum cleaner with the correct attachment designed for carpet will make a different to how your flooring looks and lasts.
  • You should have your carpet steam cleaned no less than once every two years (CarpetCall recommend using professionals rather than DIY-ing).

Book your free in-home measure and quote with CarpetCall today.

Categories
Competitions Styling

Win a $2,000 Choices Flooring voucher with March 7 Vignettes!

I told you we had a great prize coming up for the next round of 7 Vignettes and I’m excited to share it, and the themes, with you today. Thanks to our sponsor Choices Flooring, the winner will receive $2,000 to spend on flooring, be that timber, laminate, carpet, bamboo, luxury vinyl, tiles or, if you’re renting, rugs! That’s enough to cover (pardon the pun) at least one room in your home and give it a much needed facelift. I always say you can never underestimate the transformation of a new floor or a fresh coat of paint!

Temuka Langdale carpet in Bistro

The fun starts on Wednesday 1 March 2017 over on Instagram and to take part, you need to post a photo a day for seven days corresponding to the themes below:

Our usual guidelines can be found here. You’ll need to tag @choicesflooring and @interiorsaddict and use the hashtag #7vignettes The prize is only open to Australian residents but anyone can take part for fun.

In the meantime, you can check out the flooring range you could win from Choices Flooring and while you are there order a copy of their FREE Inspiring Choices Magazine which is full of home décor and flooring inspiration.

Plantino Engineered Oak Flooring in Natural

 

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Homewares

Get sent the ultimate flooring guide for free!

Sponsored by Choices Flooring

Whether you’re renovating, building or just looking for pure inspiration for a new decorating project, the new Inspiring Choices Magazine 2017 has more than 100 pages of the latest in carpet, timber, luxury vinyl, laminate, bamboo, tiles and rugs. Choices Flooring produce this free magazine, which also features interior design and decorating articles, to help you navigate the many choices out there and the practical and style considerations.

(Genero Design Platinum – Luxury Vinyl Plank, Aged Walnut) Just like the activities they host, these spaces have a lot to juggle; technology, writing, materials, style and practicality. Yet, they do so seamlessly.

You can choose to read it online or have the hard copy sent to your home free of charge!

From greeting to completing a room, whether your style’s modern, coastal, or something in-between, you’ll find it in Inspiring Choices 2017. A really great feature this year is that a variety of rooms will be shown with two different flooring options, allowing you compare like with like and really see the effect of different choices. Helpfully, the magazine is broken down into 10 sections: greet, eat, create, sleep, meet, soak, study, escape, grow and complete. They reflect different rooms and guide on the best flooring for each room. 

(Temuka Coronet – Wool Twist, colour Nelson) As a sanctuary from the rest of the home, the true beauty of these spaces come down to feeling.

Let’s face it, the right flooring can really make or break a home, which is why it is so often the first thing we want to change when buying a home, especially an older one. Using the same flooring choice, for example, throughout an an entire apartment can give the feeling of more space. Replacing daggy old carpets with fresh ones in the latest colours, can make the world of difference.

There are so many considerations though, depending on your lifestyle and home, that it can become overwhelming! I, for example, would never ever in a million years have carpet in my dining room when I have a toddler who constantly drops food from his high chair (sometimes deliberately, sometimes not!). While I love the look and practicality of laminate flooring, I do like tiles in the kitchen as a more hardwearing, practical choice. And when it comes to bedrooms, which get less traffic and hopefully no shoes, there’s nothing better than a soft carpet to sink your tootsies into when you get out of bed in the morning!

(Plantino Engineered Oak – Timber 1 Strip (190mm), Species: Veneto) From feeding little ones to hosting dinner parties, these spaces set the scene upon which many memories with loved ones are created.

Bamboo flooring is definitely an option I don’t know as much about and I’d find it really helpful to see it in the context of some styled rooms. It’s all very well seeing planks in store, but you can’t beat seeing a whole room of something. Choices Flooring’s in-store digital technology can also help you get a better idea of how the options will work in your home.

(Eclipse White Matt, Yura Lead & Eclipse Zenith Sardinia Grigio, Tiles) In order to escape an increasingly busy world, these tranquil retreats perfectly balance luxury with the practicality required for everyday living.

If you’re renovating to sell, you may have totally different considerations, based more on price (and your final profit) and your target market.

(Plantino Laminate Deluxe – Laminate 1 Strip, Manhattan Loft) Often considered the heart of the home, these spaces perfectly balance style and practicality.

So what do you have to lose? Order your free copy of the magazine today and browse the options at your leisure for your next decorating project.

–Choices Flooring is Australia’s leading flooring retailer boasting over 140 stores across the country. They understand that purchasing flooring is a big decision based on lifestyle, budget, and individual style and their in-store and online experience is second to none. Their flooring range is ‘on trend’ with the latest designs and colours in carpet, timber, laminate, bamboo, luxury vinyl, tiles and rugs. They even offer digital technology in-store to help customers find the floor they’ve been searching for.

Categories
Art Furniture

The Rug Collection creates heritage rugs with Aboriginal kids

Together with Wirriimbi Designs, The Rug Collection has launched JARJUMS (meaning Aboriginal Kids) – a unique youth arts engagement program, targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children across Sydney.image

Thirteen children worked closely with Aboriginal artist Chris Edwards and The Rug Collection director Simon Robinson, to create a striking and inspiring collection of exclusive designer rugs based on their family heritage. Sharing the journey with their parents and Elders, the children were given the opportunity to learn about the design process and colour theories, as well as gain an insight into their culture and family history.

image

“We really wanted to support and facilitate a cultural knowledge exchange through engaging Aboriginal youth, together with Elders, to learn about Aboriginal cultural through storytelling and hands on arts workshops,” said Simon.

image

The final six designs selected will be manufactured for sale exclusively through The Rug Collection, and will feature the personal story and picture of the young artist on the back.

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RENO ADDICT The Block

Shelley Craft launches affordable timber & timber-look floors

Popular The Block and Reno Rumble host Shelley Craft, has just launched her own affordable, on-trend flooring range, in collaboration with Australian flooring giant Carpet Court.

Real Living_Oak Avenue Timber in

Shelley Craft and the Real Living ‘Oak Avenue’ timber

Called Real Living, the collection includes carpet, vinyl and laminate (in a host of on-trend colours) that are all built to take a beating too.  “I wanted to create something for the home that enables people to achieve a modern look and add a touch of style without breaking the bank. The Real Living range is just that – hardwearing, affordable and family-friendly,” says Shelley.

The carpet collections, Vida and Adeline, include plenty of lovely neutral options including greys, blues and beiges – all in soft pile. And staying true to Shelley’s commitment to creating hardwearing flooring solutions, the carpet offers great resistance to staining and fading too. “As a busy mum, I understand the importance of choosing flooring that can endure everyday life, especially in high-traffic areas,” she says.

Real Living_Modular Living Vinyl in Manuka 1

Carpet Court brand ambassadors Shelley Craft and Darren Palmer & the Real Living Modular Living vinyl in Manuka

Replicating the look of real timber, Shelley’s collection offers two solutions: laminate and vinyl.  The most affordable, the German-made laminate collections Boutique and Urban Trends, provide a wood-look without the hefty price tag and there are plenty of ‘stains’ to choose from. The vinyl range, Modular Living, is hardwearing, hygienic and easy to clean.

Real Living_Modular Living Vinyl in Manuka 2

Modular Living vinyl in Manuka

For those wanting to splash out on the real thing, the Oak Avenue timber collection is a gorgeous range of real hardwood that boasts subtle micro-bevelled edges, unique knots and grains in an on-trend matte finish.

See below for pricing.

  • Real Living Carpet Collections From $33.00 per sq/m (product only, excludes installation)
    Real Living Laminate Collections From $19.50 per sq/m (product only, excludes installation)
    Real Living Vinyl Collection From $45.00 per sq/m (product only, excludes installation)
    Real Living Timber Collection From $79.00 per sq/m (product only, excludes installation)

More info here.

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Homewares

Spend on hard flooring and get a free rug to zone your space

Genero Euro in Sandpaper Oak

Sponsored by Choices Flooring

I’m a huge fan of hard flooring, especially with a youngster who drops food and makes all manner of mess, and the combination of hard floor with a beautiful rug is the ideal in my book! Hard flooring is durable, easy to clean, hygienic and looks great, then you simply add a rug for an extra layer (literally) of decor, texture, colour, pattern (or all of the above) with the added bonus of being able to create zones in open plan areas, and something soft under foot when you get out of bed or to sit on in the living room.

Genero Euro in Sandpaper Oak
Genero Euro in Sandpaper Oak

The latest special offer from Choices Flooring allows you to do just this: spend $2,000 on their Plantino hard flooring (engineered timber, laminate or bamboo) or Genero Euro (luxury vinyl exclusive to Choices Flooring) ranges and get a rug of your choice for free! That will certainly help take the sting out of paying for home improvements!

Plantino Laminate in Saw Marked Oak
Plantino Laminate in Saw Marked Oak

While using the same type of flooring in your entire home is a sure fire way to make it look bigger and feel more cohesive (ripping up the daggy carpet and replacing it with laminate flooring throughout was the first thing we did when we purchased our new home recently), it’s still important to zone your different areas for different uses, especially if your home is open plan, as is increasingly the trend. Zoning defines a space and stops furniture look like it is ‘floating’. It’s an age old interiors trick that always works! A rug is key to pulling together your furniture and homewares in any room.

Watch for more on the Plantino engineered timber flooring:

From the timeless beauty of timber to the contemporary textures of bamboo, decorate from the floor up with Choices Flooring’s exclusive Plantino or Genero Collections and zone it with a free rug of your choice! With more than 100 timber, bamboo, laminate and luxury vinyl designs to select from, visit a showroom today to see which will suit you and your home.

Choices Flooring has over 140 stores across the country. They understand that purchasing flooring is a big decision based on lifestyle, budget, and individual style and that is why their in-store and online experience is second to none. They now offer digital technology in-store to help you find the floor you’ve been searching for.

Plantino Bamboo in Driftwood
Plantino Bamboo in Driftwood

Watch for more on Genero Euro luxury vinyl plank flooring:

For more information on this offer.

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Homewares RENO ADDICT

Get your hands on 100+ pages of FREE interior inspiration!

Sponsored by Choices Flooring

Choices Flooring’s annual Inspiring Choices magazine is now available – and it’s FREE, including delivery to your door.

IC (1)

Order your free magazine now

Australia’s leading flooring retailer wants to inspire you with expert advice (from the likes of The Block favourite Amity Dry) and aspirational imagery, whether you’re renovating, building or decorating your home. The mag’s even organised by room to make it easy for you to visualise different spaces and the impact different kinds of flooring can make in them. They’ll even forgive you for ripping out the odd page for your moodboard!

Temuka-Bayton-129

Flooring can make such an impact but it’s also a bit of a commitment and you want to make the right choice which will see you through a few years. Whether it’s family-friendly and practical, luxurious and comfortable, the healthiest choice for your child with asthma, something which can withstand dogs racing around on it or the affordable and neutral choice for a rental property, the options can sometimes seem a little overwhelming. Rather than put off making a decision yet again, this magazine is here to help inspire and guide you!

In my opinion, getting a new floor in your home or getting it painted are two of the most exciting and impactful updates for adding wow factor. Whether you’re a fan of timber, laminate, bamboo, luxury vinyl, carpet, tiles or rugs, Choices Flooring are sure to have what you’ve been searching for!

Genero-Looselay-Maple-Oak-Volume-Sweet-Orange

From entrances right through to the outdoors, Inspiring Choices 2016 features over 100 pages of the latest flooring trends, as well as decorating advice from your favourite interior writers and stylists, to help you discover, create and live your style.

You’ll enjoy case studies showing you which flooring real families have chosen for their homes and why. Plus advice on decorating and homewares from the writers and editors at Real Living, Australian House & Garden and homes+. There’s even floor cleaning tips!

Plantino Engineered Oak Sienna_Chez Moi Blanc

We all love a good glossy read, but if you prefer to get your inspiration online, you can download the viewa app from the App Store or Google Play to gain access to additional exciting content throughout the mag and really bring it to life.

Order your free magazine now

—Choices Flooring is Australia’s leading flooring retailer, boasting over 140 stores. They understand that purchasing flooring is a big decision based on lifestyle, budget, and individual style and that’s why their in-store and online experience is second to none. Their flooring range is on trend, with the latest designs and colours and their digital technology in-store helps customers find the floor they’ve been searching for.

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Decorating 101

How to choose a rug: size, shape, colour, type and budget

Rugs wield so much power. They can: ground a room, add warmth, texture and colour, reduce echo, define a space, play off existing palettes and they also feel great underfoot.

Torres Wool Kilim Iron

But just how do you choose a rug? Do you go for a larger rug? A round rug? A colourful rug? Neutral? Wool? Jute? It can become overwhelming if you don’t know the rules to buying a rug to suit your home – that will last.

Brendan Nash, west elm Bondi’s home stylist, knows his way around rugs! Every day he works with customers to create beautiful homes. With an eye for accessories, together with his know-how on the how-to when it comes to rug shopping, he can help you go from bare floor to brilliant in just five easy tips.

R and R Wabi Sabi Circle Wool

  1. Size. Don’t skimp! Size is important. Size is THE most important. A large rug can make a small room feel larger! How your new rug fits your space will completely change the way it feels.

As a general rule, I tend to go for the largest size that you can comfortably fit, that you can afford, and fits proportionally with your existing furniture. The legs of your sofa and your coffee table should always land on the rug which will help the space not only feel a little more finished, but also give the illusion of more space. Buy larger – a small rug can look really mean in a large space. Unless it’s a hallway – then a rug runner is perfect.

Boho Textured

And always, always measure up before you go shopping. I also really love when customers bring a photo of their room with them. It helps me visualise how the rug is going to work within that space.

  1. Style. What’s the look you are trying to go for? Take a look at your room and your furniture – then decide what direction you want to go in. Are you after a woven natural fibre rug that works back well with your light and airy home, or are you after something a little more wild to complement your eclectic style? Either way, rugs are generally an investment piece so it’s important to get something that will complement your space.

Consider shapes too – if you have a round dining table, a round rug will work to accentuate that statement piece. Patterned rugs work really well with glass top tables for extra visual interest.

  1. Practicality. Think about where the rug will live, and how you live in the space. Does durability factor into your decision? Jute’s a great option – and so is wool! Is it a high traffic area? Go for wool. It’s easy to maintain. Bedroom comfort? Think about who will use the rug, how often it’s used and the upkeep factor to help guide the material and style you decide on. Plus nice soft rugs always work well in the bedroom.

If you have an open floor plan – a rug really helps to define spaces. A rug has the power to anchor the space – and differentiate between living, dining and relaxing areas.

  1. Budget. Sometimes what we dream of and what we can afford are two very different things. My biggest advice is to set a realistic budget on what you can afford but will still very much fit the brief. A rug will live in your space for quite some time – and therefore should be seen as an investment piece. Shop smart! Invest in a good quality product that will stand the test of time. Like anything, it’s easy to get swept away in the moment, and the next thing you know – that vintage persian rug from Sotheby’s is on its way to you! Think calmly and pragmatically, and plan out your purchase.\

Multi Pixel Woven Rug

  1. Try before you buy! To give you an idea of the dimensions of a rug and how that size and shape looks in your home, map out some painting tape and newspaper on the floor – exactly where you would place the rug, to give you more of an idea whether that size will work. This gives you a better idea of dimensions instead of having to visualise.

Given rugs always look different in your home than they do in store – lighting, furniture and your space will all factor into how the rug looks – west elm offers customers samples to take home and try before committing.

—west elm offers free design services to all customers – from picking colours and palettes, to designing your whole home.

Categories
Furniture Homewares The Block

Darren Palmer’s updated flooring range for Carpet Court

Taking a well deserved break is clearly a notion Darren Palmer doesn’t abide by! With the interior designer and The Block and Reno Rumble judge collaborating once again with Carpet Court in the expansion of his flooring range – Provincial Lane.

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All influenced by Darren’s own design taste, the recent additions include new timber flooring options and carpet collections in a range of budgets, materials and styles.

“The right flooring choice will set the design tone for any space,” explains Darren. “That’s why I always favour top quality, designer options when managing my own projects or coordinating product for my Provincial Lane collection. The newest additions are no exception, providing homeowners and renovators with high quality looks they love.”

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The range includes Charming, which sits strong as an entry-level carpet collection, with soft-to-touch texture, while Talisa Springs provides added warmth as a wool-blend for simple elegance and extra comfort. The 100% wool additions include Creekwood, Montana Sands and Bakers Creek – all popular choices on The Block this season with interesting textured loop piles in trending neutral tones.

Darren’s Stained Oak timber flooring collection also receives an on-point refresh with this season’s popular hue of grey. Responding to increased demand for quality timber flooring, Darren and Carpet Court launched the Stained Oak option back in 2014. Inspired by nature, the nutty coloured collection has since doubled, with four further colour additions.

Overall, the new carpet and timber collections feature varying grey tones, light creamy options and dark stormy hues. For colour fanatics, a bright butternut stained timber adds vibrancy to a space while the blue additions provide a subtle colour boost. The new collections stay true to the signature grey-based undertone of the entire Provincial Lane range, with carefully selected texture additions a priority.

For more information.

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Interiors Addict

The perfect carpet colours to warm you up this winter

Sponsored by Choices Flooring

Now in the second week of June there’s no denying the fact… winter is here! So this season, make sure your home is a cosy haven and a beautiful space to retreat from the unwelcoming elements of the outdoors!

One of the best ways to make your home warm is by investing in flooring, especially carpet and rugs. Because sure, concrete, tiles and timber look great, but the comfort and warmth of carpet really can’t be beaten! So to update your home this winter consider these gorgeous on-trend colours.

Marsala

Choice Flooring's TruSoft Escada Hue
Choices Floorings’ entrend Escada carpet in Hue

Deep, rich colours like Pantone’s colour of the year, Marsala, are a sure-fire way to warm up a space. Like it’s sister colour burgundy, the timeless hue is perfect for creating a regal and classic room. Ideal for a living room, man cave or office, use it as a show stopping carpet or as rug to make the space warm and welcoming.

Navy

Choice Flooring's Evolve rug in navy
Choices Flooring’s Evolve Navy Blue rug

Very versatile, the classic and enduring colour can work with all colour palettes and styles. Able to make a room feel cosy with sophistication, navy flooring works well as a backdrop, allowing the furnishings to be the focus. If you’ve already done black and charcoal, deep blues like navy and indigo are ideal for giving a room drama and a sense of richness.

Pastel

TruSoft_Escada_Riche
Choices Floorings’ entrend Escada carpet in Riche

Perfect for opening up a dark room and creating a spacious and airy effect, the softness of pastels allows you to mix and match colours without being over the top. Working beautifully with light colours and white, it creates a soft, organic and warm space.

Grey

Buchan in Spectacular_Plantino-Wideboard-Calabria
Choices Floorings’ STAINMASTER®EverSoft® Buchan carpet in Spectacular

For adding a touch of elegance to your space grey is the perfect choice. Seen as this year’s ‘neutral’ the subdued and earthy tones create a quieter, cosier mood. The perfect companion for deep winter hues, whilst also working well with white and pops of colour, grey is another shade of flooring that really lets your furnishings do the talking.

For more information visit Choices Flooring.

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Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to choose the right floor with Alisa & Lysandra

You can update your home with paint and you can change or add to your furniture as often as you please, but flooring is something that is unlikely to change in your home for years or decades to come, so making the right decision at the start of your renovation should be high on the agenda. In the hierarchy of questions around your interior flooring, you need to consider the following:

Alisa and Lysandra square
Alisa and Lysandra

How much can you spend?

In any build or renovation, budget is important, but investing a few extra dollars on the right flooring is worthwhile. Do your sums, and if dollars are tight, consider cutting costs from other areas of your renovation or build; you will not regret it.

Will it stay or will it go?

Are you likely to keep this property or sell it after a few years? If you’re renovating for investment purposes you can afford to choose more mainstream and cost-effective flooring options. If you’re likely to sell later on, we still recommend you invest in good flooring that will not age or feel the effects of use and foot traffic in the meantime.

What look and feel appeals to you?

This is the part where you need to make an emotional connection with your floor. Yes, you read that correctly. How do you want to feel when you wake up in the morning? Picture yourself walking barefoot and most importantly picture your home in winter. For instance, how will it feel walking on timber floorboards as opposed to tiles? Then consider your decor and architecture; make a choice of at least two types of flooring and create a mood board – it will instantly highlight which option compliments both your decor and layout.

Does your chosen look and feel meet the demands of your lifestyle?

Whilst the idea of carpeting your entire home feels warm and cosy, it’s not likely to be the best option especially if you have children and pets. Consider how much foot traffic your home is likely to receive over the years and the activities that will take place in your space. Are you big on entertaining? Frequent dinner parties and get togethers can easily damage floors that are prone to scratching or breakage. If you are renovating for investment purposes, you will need to consider the exact same questions because chances are that at sale time your buyer will be too.

Image: Choices Flooring
Image: Choices Flooring

Will you love it in years to come?

We’ve transformed a number of homes where the owners were quick to point out that their flooring was impractical, the wrong colour and in may cases they’ve referred to it as cringe worthy! Remember that your floor will need to seamlessly accommodate your styling choices for years to come. For this reason it is important to pay particular attention to the hues and colours available to you and make the right textural and colour choices from the start.

From our experience with home renovations, we’ve come to love four types of flooring, and with the exception of bathrooms, there is no surprise that tiles did not make an appearance on our list!

  1. Hardwoods

Still one of the most popular flooring options, hardwoods or solid timber floorboards will add warmth, softness and an ageless appeal to a home. If you’re renovating an older home you may already have good quality timber floorboards laying dormant and covered under lino or carpet; and with a good sand and polish they can come up looking beautifully, saving you thousands of dollars. Solid timber floors are easy to maintain, they are generally sound proof and can be extremely durable if sealed well. If budget allows, consider Royal Oak for its gorgeous ash shades and soft contemporary feel.

  1. Polished concrete

The popular myth that polished concrete only suits modern homes is now long gone, and for good reason. Polished concrete is extremely durable, incredibly easy to maintain, and will survive through high traffic without looking worn. Sure, some may argue that it feels relatively cold, but this can be counteracted with the use of seasonal carpet or rugs. We love it because it’s highly versatile and the colour options are endless!

  1. Stone

Natural stone flooring is a more eclectic style of flooring due to its high cost and lack of uniformity. It will not suit all homes or budgets, but it will make a statement in your home particularly if you want your floor to be the main feature. Even though it’s not our most frequent choice we love that it is natural and no one piece is the same, giving you a one-of-a-kind look and feel.

  1. Carpet

Whilst we don’t recommend carpeting the entire home, we do like the warmth of carpets in key areas such as bedrooms and sitting rooms. Wool carpet is strong, feels pleasant and is fairly resilient. We love natural fibres and for this reason we also recommend sisal and jute which will suit most contemporary-classic decors.

Image: Choices Flooring
Image: Choices Flooring

Your choice of floor has the capacity to make or break your renovation especially if you’re considering a quick sale. Make sure you don’t rush the process and remember to create and work with a mood board.

Read all the twins’ posts.

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Interiors Addict

Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court

After dishing out style and design advice as a judge on The Block All Stars and The Block Sky High last year, Darren Palmer has collaborated with Carpet Court to create his own affordable designer flooring range, Provincial Lane.

Provincial Lane heathered loop

In a first for the interior designer, his product range will include durable and hard-wearing laminate, a European vinyl plank and bamboo hard flooring, as well as luxurious 100% wool carpet from Cavalier Bremworth and the latest generation solution dyed nylon.

Darren believes the range is both on trend, affordable and retains the beauty of natural elements. “I’ve always been fascinated with the power and beauty of nature so I love to find ways to bring nature’s colours and textures indoors,” he said.

Continue reading “Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court”

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Designers Expert Tips House Tours Kids Rooms The Block

At home with The Block judge Darren Palmer, and living with pets and kids

Jen and Darren

With a four year-old, two dogs and a cat, interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer knows a thing or two about keeping his home looking stylish and organised but still, of course, fun!

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I was lucky enough to have a look around his new Paddington home recently. Although he has some ambitious renovation plans for the future, its character features mean it’s full of charm and warmth. Great bones!

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Dogs Doris and Pepi and Charlotte the cat follow Darren around like Dr Dolittle and son Hugo’s lego can be seen peeking out from under the coffee table, but this is not a home full of plastic or mess and there’s definitely no doggy smell. So, I sat down with Darren and asked him how he does it and if the house is always so suspiciously tidy?

Continue reading “At home with The Block judge Darren Palmer, and living with pets and kids”

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Appliances

Review: Hoover Mode 5000PH

When signing the lease for our little abode, we were pretty over the moon as it had just been renovated and never lived in. However, after a week the new wool carpet was driving us mad, it was shedding like crazy! There was fluff everywhere, on everything, all the time!

hoover mode lifestyle

For what felt like forever, we thought our only hope was to save up for a Dyson. We decided to go ‘looking’ at what vacuums were out on there in our price range and no word of a lie, in the first shop within an hour of leaving the house, we came home with a new Hoover Mode 5000PH.

This Hoover is life-changing (well, for us clean freaks anyway). By all means it’s still not a cheap vacuum and we went in with every intention of spending half the money that we ended up shelling out. But after the demo, we were sold!

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