Categories
Competitions Homewares

October 7 Vignettes with The Vignette Room

I’m delighted to announce that the next round of 7 Vignettes, starting a week today (yes, already!), is being sponsored by the very aptly named Sydney (and online) store, The Vignette Room! They’ve chosen some fantastic themes which I think you’re going to love!

Oct 7 Vignettes The Vignette Room

The Vignette Room (featured on the blog here) have generously donated a $500 voucher for the overall winner and seven daily theme prizes of $100. Jennifer Brown, the daughter half of the mother/daughter duo behind this beautiful shop, says: “We love that 7 Vignettes is always such a visual treat and that it allows people to showcase their creativity. We love watching it unfold every month and seeing how people’s personalities come out in the vignettes they create. We especially love how there are so many wildly different interpretations of the themes and that it’s such an individual expression of what the themes mean to them.”

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Jennifer Brown and Tracey Kennedy outside The Vignette Room

The Vignette Room truly is a visual feast and we thoroughly recommend a visit if you’re in Sydney. It’s a great example of why it’s still great to shop in bricks and mortar stores and meet the people curating their wares.

The ladies recently had this ‘manifesto’ hand painted onto the shop wall

Jennifer adds: “We first played along in December last year when Domayne sponsored and we had the most amazingly fun couple of days creating our visual interpretations of the themes. We’re so excited to sponsor 7 Vignettes so we can give people a little bit of an insight into who we are as a mother/daughter team and as an interior lifestyle store and what makes us tick through our themes. Plus, then we have an excuse to play along again and spend all day on Instagram and chalk it up to ‘working’!”

We like her style!

The fun starts on 1 October on Instagram. All details of how to play here or ask any questions in the comments below. Enjoy!

The Vignette Room is at 42 Gurner Street, Paddington, NSW 2021.

 

Categories
Competitions Designers Homewares

Win Greg Natale cushions plus his book The Tailored Interior

He’s a busy man that Greg Natale, currently in the States for the US launches of his book, The Tailored Interior. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the launch of his cushion range in collaboration with One Duck Two and I’m delighted to announce we have a $250 voucher for one lucky reader to spend on their own collection, as well as a copy of the book.

The cushions are beautiful quality and I’m sure they’re going to be super popular. He’s already working on his next range too!

Screen Shot 2015-09-14 at 12.01.41 pm

For your chance to win, simply answer the question: how many cushions would Greg put on a three-seater sofa? Complete the form below by midnight Sydney time on Monday 21 September 2015. Hint: the answer can be found in this article!

Greg Natale
Greg Natale

The cushions are available now from national retailers including David Jones, Domo and Domayne.

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Categories
Competitions Styling

Winner of September 7 Vignettes + 10% off at Life Interiors

Well, our little Instagram contest certainly has its groove back! This last week has seen some truly stunning and clever entries. I’m delighted to announce this month’s winner, chosen by our sponsor Life Interiors, as @cassieeeesmith. Congratulations!

vignettes spetember winner

Nicole Arvela, showroom and creative manager for Life Interiors, said: “After much deliberation I chose hers. I thought that every picture was so beautifully composed and I just LOVED her series as a whole!”

Theme: mint
Theme: mint

Cassie wins a $500 Life Interiors voucher (please contact us with your address and telephone number to claim your prize).

Theme: natural
Theme: natural

10% off everything at Life Interiors for the next week!

Our brilliant second time sponsors Life Interiors are offering you all 10% off everything until midnight on Wednesday 16 September 2015 using the promo code INTERIORSADDICT10OFF online or mentioning this offer in person.

Shop online.

If you won one of the daily themes and have yet to contact us, please do as soon as possible to claim your $100 vouchers!

Categories
Bedrooms Competitions Designers Travel

From Milano and Palermo, with love…

Sponsored by Nespresso

Is anywhere more known for its coffee than Italy? Probably not! Having visited Milan, Venice, Tuscany and Rome last year, I can tell you it’s all true what they say! From city to city, Italians enjoy their coffee in different ways and with different traditions, but like the English do tea, they all take their hot beverages just as seriously!

MILANPALERMO visual 3

In 2013, Nespresso celebrated this diversity through the cities of Naples and Trieste, with two unique and contrasting coffees. This month, they continue to pay homage to the rich heritage of Italy’s coffee culture with two new Limited Edition ristrettos, inspired by the emblematic cities of Milan and Palermo.

Last year, I visited Milan for the famous Salone del Mobile furniture fair and with so many huge halls to traipse around, a regular caffeine fix was high on my agenda! Remember though, no messing around with your coffee when you’re in Italy, Il Culto del Caffè is a serious business and you don’t want to get laughed out of the cafe! No cappuccinos or other milky coffees after breakfast, in many places expect to drink standing up, and as any purist knows, no flavoured syrups or any of that nonsense. Oh no, not in Italia!

Here in Australia, we’re lucky to benefit from the knowledge of our many Italian immigrants, whether it’s around coffee, fashion, style or food. I thought it would be fun to look at how you might take inspiration from Milan and Palermo in your interiors.

MILANO

Milan is Italy’s city of finance, business and fashion. Some would say it’s the global capital of fashion! My Milan-inspired interior would super sleek and high end but relaxed enough to be fashionable. Think elegant lines and great bones like timber floors, panelled walls and tall windows. It’s grand like the huge Milan Cathedral and the stunning Galleria shopping arcade and impressive like a da Vinci painting! But a little undone like a young, off duty supermodel!

fanuli milan
Image via Fanuli Furniture. Click through for details

Tribute to Milano (Intensity 9) is Nespresso’s interpretation of the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Milan, where coffee is enjoyed at a fast pace, whilst standing at the bar. Inspired by the perfect balance of elegance and intensity at the architecturally impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Tribute to Milano is also a perfect equilibrium of elegance and intensity. A highly aromatic ristretto, Tribute to Milano transports you to a traditional gelateria in the heart of Milan with its fine fruity aromas and sweet cereal notes.

PALERMO

For all Milan’s sophistication and gloss, Sicily’s Palermo is altogether more relaxed and sunny, but just as bustling. My Palermo interior would be casual and colourful to reflect the city’s richness of culture, music and food. This interior is perfectly imperfect and a little rough around the edges. Raw materials and natural light feature heavily in this look. Furniture is mismatched in a charming way.

Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.
Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.

Nespresso’s Tribute to Palermo (Intensity 11) is inspired by the relaxed and social coffee culture in Palermo and pays homage to the Sicilians’ love of a strong coffee. It is a powerful, intense and full-bodied ristretto with a silky texture reminiscent of a leisurely afternoon in the sun. Nespresso’s coffee experts were also inspired by the vibrancy of the Sicilian outdoor markets, alive with colourful spices, fresh produce and flowers so the cacao aromas and spicy peppery notes evoke an experience in amongst the locals at the market.

Image via booking.com. Click through for details
Image via booking.com. Click through for details

COMPETITION

To celebrate the launches, we’re running a competition over on Instagram. To enter, you’ll need to style and take a photo of your own tribute to Milan or Palermo and hashtag it either #tributetomilano or #tributetopalermo and tag us and @nespresso.

One winner will receive the new Nespresso Pixie Clips machine and a 10-sleeve Limited Edition Italian Inspired Assortment Pack, with additional accessories. Enter by midnight on 30 September 2015.

Order Nespresso online.

Categories
Bedrooms Competitions Homewares Kids Rooms

Win this entire kids’ bedroom look from Aura

We’re big fans of Aura as regular readers will know, so we’re delighted to offer this exciting giveaway today. One reader will win everything in this look. If your kids share a room, this would be just perfect for you (or you could split it between two kids’ rooms with single beds of course)!

nio maison aura giveaway

The prize includes single quilt cover in Maison Dove, Umbrella Stripe sheet set, Euro pillowcase in Nio, Diamond standard pillowcase, single quilt cover in Nio, Diamond cushion, Umbrella Stripe sheet set and Maison pillowcase worth a total of over $800.

To enter, complete the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Tuesday 8 September 2015.

To check out more of Aura’s latest designs, including Wide Stripe and Patch (below), shop online. Aura are offering FREE SHIPPING for Interiors Addict readers for the next three days (until midnight on 3 September 2015) using the promo code InteriorsAddict at checkout.

aura wide stripe

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Categories
Competitions Furniture Homewares

Life Interiors back to sponsor 7 Vignettes for a second time!

It was so wonderful to have 7 Vignettes back in August, with everyone refreshed from a month’s break! Also making a comeback for September is previous sponsor and guest judge Life Interiors, and we’re so delighted to have them on board again. They’ve generously offered an overall prize of a $500 voucher and daily theme prizes of $100 vouchers!

The Life Interiors showroom
The Life Interiors showroom

Nicole Arvela, showroom and creative manager for Life Interiors, says: “We hosted 7 Vignettes in April this year and we loved the experience so much that we wanted to host again next month. September is personally one of my favourite months as it’s the start of Spring and you can start to feel the warmth in the air! The themes that we have selected definitely have a Spring theme, and we have really focused on colours and materials, so we hope you enjoy the list. Can’t wait to see all the beautiful imagery come through!”

Please share this graphic with your networks!
Please share this graphic with your networks!

Life Interiors is currently importing lots of beautiful new original furniture products as well as focusing on boutique homegrown Australian brands such as Hunting For George, Armadillo & Co, Jennifer and Smith, Ivy Muse, Kip & Co, Kate & Kate, Mexsii bedheads,  Middle of Nowhere, Milk & Sugar and Urban Couture. There are come serious Interiors Addict favourites in that list!

The Life Interiors showroom
The Life Interiors showroom

For all our all-new revised guidelines on how to take part, go here. The fun starts next Tuesday 1 September 2015. Enjoy!

The Life Interiors showroom
The Life Interiors showroom
Categories
Competitions Homewares Styling

WIN your product professionally styled and photographed!

We’re often sent information about great homewares products in the hope that we’ll feature them on the blog and sometimes, sadly, we have to say no, because the poorly lit, amateur photos don’t do them justice or, frankly, just wouldn’t look good on the site. I try to take the time to advise people how they could improve their product images and sometimes, to my delight, people invest in a stylist and photographer and come back to me with something amazing. I love it when this happens!

homewares 2 wholehearted
Styled and shot by Hayley and Josette

But not everyone’s in a position to be able to make this investment. Which is why I’m delighted to be running this fantastic competition with stylist Hayley Jenkin from Wholehearted Studio and photographer Josette Van Zutphen who are giving away a styled product/brand shoot to one lucky Interiors Addict reader. This is your chance to show your products in their best light. Whether you want the pix for your website, online store, to send out to media or all of the above, this is your chance, wherever you’re based in Australia. The winner will simply mail their product (which doesn’t have to be homewares) to Hayley and Josette and they’ll take care of the rest.

Wholehearted_097
Stylist Hayley Jenkin
Photographer Josette
Photographer Josette Van Zutphen

The winner receives the following, worth $2,300:

  • Skype or phone brainstorm with Hayley, your very own shoot stylist, to find out what you’re looking for
  • Hayley will then come up with an inspiration board of ideas based on your brief
  • Hayley will source additional props and location and as required to complete the look for your shoot
  • Whole day shoot with Josette and Hayley
  • 20 web size images, shot at one location local to them.
Styled and shot by Hayley and Josette
Styled and shot by Hayley and Josette
How to enter

Instagram a picture of your brand/product, tag and follow @josettephotographer and @wholeheartedstudio and hashtag #interiorsaddictproductshoot by 5pm Sydney time on Friday 28 August 2015. These must be new photos, not tagging existing ones. The winner will be chosen by Hayley and Josette and announced on Interiors Addict’s Instagram within 7 days of the competition closing.

Some of Hayley and Josette's branding work
Some of Hayley and Josette’s branding work

Term & Conditions

Winner will be responsible for the cost of transportation of the product to and from Hayley and Josette in QLD. Prize includes services and photos only. Maximum hours for services including conceptualising, shooting and editing is 20 hours. Maximum amount of product to be photographed is 10 items. Prize is not redeemable for cash. Photos to be credited with @josettephotographer and @wholeheartedstudio on all social media posts. Photos are copyright to Josette Photographer and are not to be sold or copied. Winner takes responsibility for any damages to product in transit. The utmost care will be taken with your product, but in the case of an accident, the winner takes responsibility for any damages during the shoot. Shoot date to be scheduled subject to Hayley and Josette’s availability and must be before November 2015. Prize winner gives permission to Josette Photographer and Wholehearted Studio to use any images in their portfolios and on their social media accounts.

Categories
Bathrooms Competitions

Embrace winter by winning an Anise bath pack for a long soak!

I’d put money on NONE of you being as big of a bath fan as me, but I’m sure there are some other lovers of a long soak out there, especially in this weather. To celebrate their new bath range, our friends at Anise Skincare are giving two lucky readers the chance to win a pack worth $159 containing bath milk, bath salts and bath foam.

anise bath Set of 3

I’ve tried Anise products myself and they’re gorgeous, as well as looking great in the bathroom with their minimalist amber glass packaging. My favourite is the Cardamom and Vanilla Bath Mill. Add a couple of spoons of the powder to your bath to make it smell just like a chai latte! Yum!

Produced in Australia from the finest, pure ingredients and botanical essences, Anise Botanical Skincare contains no artificial fragrances, parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals, pesticide or herbicide residues, synthetic preservatives, fillers or whiteners. Designed for a modern Australian lifestyle, they aim for their products to be as beautiful in your home as they are on your skin.

To enter, complete the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Friday 24 July 2015.

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Categories
Interiors Addict

Win series 1 to 12 of Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud on DVD

To celebrate season 12 of Grand Designs coming to DVD next month, we have a fantastic prize up for grabs for fellow Kevin McCloud fans worth more than $300! Would you like to binge watch seasons 1 to 12? Well, here’s your chance!

201507012_Grand_Designs_Prize_Image

The UK’s most popular property show returns with its 12th series, following intrepid home builders as they pursue their architectural dreams. Kevin guides us through the trials and tribulations of those obsessively trying to create a unique place to live, often over many months, even years. This series features a dramatic modernist villa perched atop a crumbling cliff in Snowdonia, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired bachelor pad made out of four shipping containers in the Northern Irish countryside and the UK’s first amphibious house on a floodplain of the Thames in Buckinghamshire.

In addition, Kevin revisits some of the series’ previous builds to see what changes have been made and discover whether the reality has lived up to the dream.

You could win series 12 and every other previous series on DVD. To be in with a chance, complete the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Thursday 16 July 2015.

Buy Grand Designs DVDs online with free shipping Australia wide. Season 12 available to own on DVD from 12 August 2015.

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Did you read my interview with Kevin last year?

kevin21

Categories
Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

Show your kitchen reno and win a share of $35,000!

To celebrate the long-awaited launch of Caesarstone’s new marble inspired design – Statuario Nuvo, Caesarstone have launched the Supernatural Designs Kitchen Renovation Competition. The competition rewards customers that choose any of the Supernatural Designs as a benchtop surface in their kitchen renovation, with a chance to win a share of $35,000 in cash prizes!

press-competition-collage1

To enter, all renovators have to do is select any Caesarstone Supernatural Design and complete the online entry form, including a before and after photo of their kitchen renovation and a short blurb on why they chose a Supernatural Design.

The competition is open for all kitchen renovations completed from 1 July to 30 October, with first place winning $15,000 in cash, second place $10,000 and third place $5,000.

Enter now.

Categories
House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ 24-hour challenge and first elimination

This week our six teams returned to their renovated homes for a high stakes 24-hour transformation, where they had to choose one zone within their home to make-over.

Eliminated couple: WA's Karina & Brian
Eliminated couple: WA’s Karina & Brian

It was a fast and furious fight to the finish with an elimination on the line. WA’s Brian and Karina needed big points to lift them from last place. However, while they finished with a respectable score of 15/20, it wasn’t enough to save them.

So what did judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle — 18/20

Before - Master Bedroom
Before – Master Bedroom
After - Master Bedroom
After – Master Bedroom

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle topped the challenge with 18 points. They hit the zone left unfinished by team NSW – the master bedroom, butler’s pantry, hall and back entrance. The thick navy stripes in the hallway and the new artwork were a big hit with the judges. “You have a great knack for bringing together a collection of art,” said Wendy. The newlyweds added shelving and storage in the master bedroom as well as an eclectic print of a cat. For coming first, the pair were awarded five bonus points bringing their final score to 23.

Cassie and Matt — 16/20

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

Competition leaders Cassie and Matt made a bee line for the dining room and bathroom that had been renovated by WA. The bold move paid dividends for the Tassie duo earning them 16 points. “It was a brave choice re-tiling that back wall with the same tile as the floor,” said Joe. “Changing the colour and the tone was a good idea and it added drama to the space.” De-cluttering the busy dining room table also won them points. “You did a great job using styling to completely change both the look and atmosphere of the room,” said Wendy.

Brian and Karina — 15/20

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

The WA parents tackled the pantry, laundry and living room previously done by SA. They made the brave decision to change the terracotta wall colour, which the judges had originally loved, but it paid off. “The paint colour was such a big change,” said Joe. “It was a big risk and it was lovely.”

Ryan and Marlee — 13/20

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

SA’s Ryan and Marlee tackled a monster zone – the living room, laundry, entry and hallway – and finished with 13 points. “The hallway looked so much better,” said Wendy, noting the vast improvement on Victoria’s unfinished efforts. “I love that deep teal you chose.” The black penny round tiles in the laundry and the furniture rearrangement in the living room were also standouts.

Steve and Tiana — 13/20

Before - Master Bedroom
Before – Master Bedroom
After - Master Bedroom
After – Master Bedroom

For NSW, it was a no-brainer to remake the master bedroom, toilet and linen closet by team WA – who received the lowest score this series for that zone. The judges commended them for demolishing the walk-in robe and awarded them 13 points. “It was just too small to ever be luxurious,” said Wendy. “You put the master back into master bedroom.”

Bronik and Corrine — 12/20

Before - Dining Room
Before – Dining Room
After - Dining Room
After – Dining Room

As last week’s winners, Victoria received an extra $1000 on their budget, but that didn’t stop them finishing last on 12 points. While their unfinished deck would have been a prime fix-up candidate, Bronik and Corrine chose a zone the judges had loved instead. “I don’t understand why you chose to redo the dining room and bathroom when immediately next door was the unfinished deck that really needed some love,” said Joe. “You were not able to make a big enough change to make the impact we are looking for in a 24-hour fix-up.”

The scores from all the transformations so far — plus the 24-hour fix up — were then combined, with Tassie’s Cassie and Matt topping the leaderboard and only one point separating NSW and WA from elimination. Sadly, it was the end of the road for Karina and Brian, who kissed goodbye any chance of winning the incredible grand prize of having their entire mortgage paid off.

Now, the leaderboard has been wiped clean and the biggest week in House Rules history will kick off this Sunday. Over one massive week, the remaining teams will tackle the biggest renovation in the show’s history!

For more on House Rules.

Categories
Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s grand final reveal: part one

With the Redbacks’ (Jess and Ayden) furniture delivery truck broken down with only an hour to go, it looked like the Blue Tongues (Carly and Leighton) had it in the bag. But, in an incredible act of sportsmanship, the Blue Tongues left their house to help the Redbacks in a mad dash to the finish line. And both houses were finished!

In just 48 hours the teams had to renovate a master bedroom and a second bedroom each (they’ll renovate the rest of their houses over the coming days), so what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Blue Tongues 

Master Bedroom — 17/20

CL_wk6_bed006_145

Nailing the brief of contemporary Australian, the bedroom was fresh, upbeat and young. The judges loved the sanded floors and the colour palette of cool colours juxtaposed against blonde timbers and neon pops. Darren liked the art and hanging dots on the wall and Romy was equally impressed with the bedside pendants (though thought five pendants in the one room was way too many!). However, the judges thought there should have been more storage and that it was a huge miss not to have it across the whole wall.

Our pick to buy: Myne by Prudence Caroline Station 30 Artwork

Guest Bedroom — 16.5/20

CL_wk6_bed2006_178

“I immediately like this room more,” said Darren upon entry. Loving the colour palette, the bedside pendants, the restored fireplace and rug, he did criticise Carly and Leighton for replacing their original oversized ceiling rose with a smaller version. Romy as a whole wasn’t a huge fan of the bedroom, believing it felt “murky” while the other room felt fresh. Darren disagreed wholeheartedly.

Our pick to buy: Kooper Pendant in Copper

Redbacks

Master Bedroom — 19/20

JA_wk6_bed2001_269-1

While their brief was tricky, classic contemporary with a twist of plantation, both judges thought the bedroom was bang on brief. Very elegant, the judges were astonished by how brilliantly the period features had been restored, especially the skirting boards which had been stripped back and painted. Darren loved the bed and plantation shutters and Romy liked the contrast between the sanded floor, dark timbers and white walls. The room had great character, with the only misses being the rug and artwork.

Our pick to buy: Marina Table Lamp in Antique Brass

Guest Bedroom — 13.5/20

JA_wk6_bed000_241

While there were elements of classic contemporary and plantation, both judges agreed the room didn’t mesh. “It feels like Jekyll and Hyde in here,” said Romy. The judges like the storage solution and many of the furniture pieces individually, however felt the rug and lamp were particularly off brief and everything else just felt thrown together.

Our pick to buy: ‘Pori’ designed by Sarah Brooke

In the end the Blue Tongues took out the reveal by just one point! Meaning Carly and Leighton go into part two of the grand finale with a small yet substantial lead (past weeks have seen teams win by just half a point!). With a whole house each to complete in just a few days, in a happy twist Scotty Cam brought out eliminated couples Kyal and Kara and Ben and Jemma to help the Redbacks and Blue Tongues respectively. I’m thinking they’re going to need all the help they can get! May the best team win.

More on Reno Rumble.

Categories
Competitions Styling

7 Vignettes June with Retrojan

The countdown is on to June 2015’s 7 Vignettes, starting a week today on 1 June and sponsored by Retrojan. They’re generously putting up a $500 voucher for the overall winner with $75 voucher daily theme prizes also up for grabs. So start preparing now to be in with a chance!

Retrojan furniture. Image courtesy of Real Living
Retrojan furniture. Image courtesy of Real Living

Retrojan’s social media manager, Annaliese Loriot, says: “Retrojan proudly supports Interiors Addict’s 7 Vignettes as it’s a platform where design lovers can come together, share their own style and be creative, all within a fun and friendly community.

“Like Retrojan furniture, 7 Vignettes allows design lovers to put their own interpretation to a certain style or look which is what really inspires us!”

Here are next month’s themes, as chosen by Retrojan:

june 7 vignettes 2015
Feel free to share with your networks!

Retrojan is an Australian owned furniture brand, taking inspiration from legendary styles of the past, and producing their own modern take on them. Their no middlemen, direct from the manufacturer model promises you great value with a 14-day no-questions-asked money back guarantee and 12-month manufacturer’s warranty on everything and over 4000 happy customers. You may have seen their products on The Block, Renovation Rumble and House Rules.

Image courtesy of Real Living
Image courtesy of Real Living. Camille console, $469

This month, make sure you tag @retrojan and @interiorsaddict and use the hashtag #7vignettes. This challenge starts next Monday 1 June 2015. All the details of how to play are available here.

Good luck!

Categories
Before & Afters Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s most gorgeous house reveals yet!

After a week of four couples against three, last night’s episode saw the playing field become equal, with the Blue Tongue’s (ex-House Rules contestants) Chris and Nick, going home.

In my opinion, both houses were beautiful and much nicer than the Redbacks (ex-Blockheads) and Blue Tongues’ first attempts last week (read all about that here). But what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Redbacks

Kyal and Kara

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 10.47.38 am

With their design brief being modern vintage, both judges agreed their bathroom hit the nail on the head! A modern take, with some classic vintage elements, the bathroom fused modern matt black tapware with a claw foot bath. The judges loved the storage and tiles, but thought the shower head was way too low.

Ayden and Jess

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 10.46.46 am

Ayden and Jess scored a whopping 19.5/20 for their lounge room. “I am blown away,” said Romy. The judges loved the modern vintage feel and their only criticism was the finishing around the TV.

Josh and Jenna

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 10.47.21 am

Also getting a huge score of 19.5/20, the judges loved the daring kitchen and dining room. Light, bright and airy, they were wowed by the bold move of blue cabinetry and thought it managed to look fresh, rather that kitsch. The judges also liked the leather handles, the built-in fridge and the sky lights, however they both agreed the timber floor patching could have been better.

Communal space

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 10.47.55 am

With Michael and Carlene now evicted, the laundry/bathroom became a communal space. The judges really liked it and thought the shower was a welcome addition to the home. Darren thought it would have worked better if it had a door and that the toilet was a little too tight for the space.

Blue Tongues

Nick and Chris

CN_wk2_r2_bath03_20

Romy loved the floor tiles and how Nick and Chris had reconfigured the space to improve the bathroom’s layout. Both judges loved the bath being under the window, the floating vanity and the simple matt tiles. But then Darren realised something strange! The tiles were positioned differently on opposing walls. “I don’t understand why,” said Darren. Romy agreed: “I don’t see any rationale for changing it.”

Carly and Leighton

CL_wk2_r2_livdine00_39

With a brief to design the house with a Scandinavian feel, their living and dining was spot on. With a warm, fresh feel, the judges thought the two spaces worked really well together. Darren liked the fireplace but Romy worried the rug was not appropriate for the homeowners’ one-year-old child.

Ben and Jemma

BJ_wk2_r2_kitchlive01_90

 

Both judges applauded Ben and Jemma on the massive amount of building work they had done. They agreed the kitchen was really functional, but thought the handles were a little clinical. Romy loved the accompanying family room and thought the TV was in a really beautiful piece of joinery. Darren said the space — like the kitchen — was really functional but thought the styling could have been less like a magazine and more like a home.

Michelle and Steve

MS_wk2_r2_bath01_117

Romy really liked the bathroom and Darren thought it was much better than Nick and Chris’: “It’s got more life, more soul!” Both judges really liked their second space, the laundry, and thought it had great character. Darren particularly loved the entrance way from the kitchen and the splashbacks, storage and cool drawers were also hits.

Both houses really nailed their briefs and while I did prefer the Redbacks’ home, it was a tight race. Which house was your favourite? Was it time for Nick and Chris to go?

More on Reno Rumble.

Categories
Before & Afters Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s first full house reveals and elimination

They promised it’d be a shock elimination but I still didn’t see it coming. With the Blue Tongues (otherwise known as the ex-House Rules contestants), mounting an epic comeback and piping the Redbacks (Blockheads) by one point!

Despite trailing the Redbacks by nine points after the first judging round (where the first four rooms of each house had been revealed) the Blue Tongues managed to close the gap and snag themselves top honours with the second round of room reveals. I’m still not sure how that really happened! I always thought the Blockheads had it in the bag!

So who went home? Really it should have been Kyal and Kara, who scored just 10 out of 20 for their dining room. But they were saved by their immunity, after scoring the highest score in the first round of room reveals. So, sadly, in the end it was Michael and Carlene, scoring 14 out of 20 for their bathroom, that left Reno Rumble.

Onto the judges comments…

Blue Tongues

Michelle and Steve

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“That’s more like it,” said judge Darren Palmer when he walked into the lounge room. Judge Romy Alwill loved the warmth and Darren loved the light. They thought the lamps and console were spot on, though agreed the styling could have been a bit better and the rug a bit bigger.

Ben and Jemma

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After falling short in their first room, they were keen to step it up in the dining room. “Wow,” said Darren upon entry. Romy loved how by raising the ceiling they had made the space light and bright. Both judges loved the speakers, the art and the aircon, but thought the styling on the table was a bit too much.

Nick and Chris

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Both judges agreed that removing the structural column that was in the old kitchen was the right thing to do and really opened up the space. Romy loved the colour palette, the benchtops and the mirrored splashback. In the living room the judges loved the addition of the sky light and Darren “love love loved the fireplace.” However, both judges thought the rug was too large for the space and upon close inspection thought the furniture was more retro than contemporary coastal (which was the homeowners’ brief).

Carly and Leighton

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“This is such an improvement,” said Romy. Both judges loved the bath and its shape. They thought the colour scheme fit perfectly with the rest of the house and that the floor tiles and pendant were brilliant. However, they agreed that while the vanity hit the brief it lacked bench space.

Redbacks

Josh and Jenna

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Romy loved the colour scheme of the entry and lounge room. Darren loved the sliding paneling to hide the TV: “How cool is that?!” The judges agreed the room hit the brief of classic contemporary and felt expensive, like a Hollywood A-lister’s house. Romy felt the black pendant was a bit too small and high and that the curtains could have been longer.

Ayden and Jess

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“Holy moley,” said Darren. Both judges agreed it felt like the biggest kitchen ever. Romy loved the herringbone splashback and the big sink. Darren loved all the bench space, but felt the extension of the kitchen into the dining room (for a breakfast bar) had been a really greedy move, at the expense of Kyal and Kara.

Kyal and Kara

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The judges loved the artwork, chairs, mirror and console, but the compliments pretty much stopped there.  “This is the most ridiculous sized tabletop I’ve ever seen,” said Romy. Darren agreed: “How can four people eat here?” Both judges thought the kitchen’s breakfast bar shouldn’t have been there, but rather a dining table for six to eight people. The judges thought the room was a fail. “It pisses me off,” said Darren.

Michael and Carlene

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The judges loved the tiles and the generous shower. Darren didn’t particularly like the form of the shower head but liked the function (it had a music speaker!). Both judges thought the space was nicely styled, but that the pendants were a bit dated and the vanity bench space a little small. Romy thought stylistically they had hit the ball out of the park, but functionality had been put second.

So what did you think of the reveals? Which house was your favourite? Do you think Michael and Carlene deserved to go?

More on Reno Rumble.

Categories
Bedrooms Competitions House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ first home reveal

This week’s first home transformation was quite literally one of blood, sweat and tears; with contestant Karina, having to be rushed to hospital! But when it came to tools down, first-time homeowners Bronik and Corrine, who had previously been sleeping in their living room (as it was the only habitable space!) had themselves a beautiful, fully transformed 1960s weatherboard home.

So what did the Victorian couple and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Karina and Brian – 20/30

Before
Before – Living Room
After
After – Living Room

After a falling roof tile left WA’s Karina with five stitches and out of the competition for one day, the husband and wife duo fought back to win this week’s renovation. Their ensuite and living room received a combined score of 20, narrowly beating Team NSW on 19 who were their biggest rivals. Although not the judge’s favourite zone, Bronik was particularly impressed with his new ensuite and their use of timber in the living room: “The ensuite is one of my favourite rooms in the house!”

Steve and Tiana – 19/30

DINING ROOM BEFORE (NSW ZONE)
Before – Dining Room
After - Dining Room
After – Dining Room

The judges felt that Team NSW, Steve and Tiana, followed the his and her rules perfectly in the dining room, giving them the highest combined score of 13 out of 20. However, the homeowners disliked the dining chairs and artwork, only scoring them a six.

Ben and Danielle – 17/30

Before - Kitchen
Before – Kitchen
After - Kitchen
After – Kitchen

Team QLD, Ben and Danielle served up the kitchen of Corrine’s dreams finishing in third place on 17 points: “It just blew my mind, it’s amazing!” But they were let down by their unfinished entry and hallways and were marked down by both the judges and the homeowners.

Ryan and Marlee – 16/30

Before - Master Bedroom
Before – Master Bedroom
Before - Master Bedroom
After – Master Bedroom

Although impressed with SA’s master bedroom, the judges struggled to find something positive to say about Ryan and Marlee’s laundry and gave them the lowest combined score of eight. Luckily, Corrine loved her “happy and bright” laundry, saving SA from the dreaded tent.

Cassie and Matt – 15/30

Before - Guest Bedroom
Before – Guest Bedroom
After - Guest Bedroom
After – Guest Bedroom

Tassie were not surprised to finish last this week on just 15 points, especially after ignoring Bronik’s rule to deck their house in black steel and timber. Their decision to use composite boards on the deck instead of timber and failing to complete their zone will see them sleeping in the tent next renovation.

With the first renovation down, the teams will now head to South Australia to transform Ryan and Marlee’s double brick bachelor pad into a love nest for two. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Categories
Architecture Design DIY RENO ADDICT

New renovation series, Reno Rumble, starts tonight!

Quick to fill the gap The Block’s left in our lives, new, super-charged renovation series, Reno Rumble begins tonight!

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From left to right: House Rules’ Carly and Leighton, The Block’s Kyal and Kara and House Rules’ Nick and Chris

Seeing reality renovators from The Block take on favourites from House Rules, each week the two competing shows will renovate two neighbouring homes (owned by everyday Aussies). The catch? They have just one week to complete the reno!

The Block Triple Threat's Ayden and Jess are back!
The Block Triple Threat’s Ayden and Jess are back!

Hosted by Scotty Cam, the renovations will be judged by interior design experts; with each week seeing one team crowned the winners and one couple (who received the lowest score on the losing team) being eliminated. The couple that wins the entire series will collect $100,000, half going to their chosen charity.

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From left to right: House Rules’ Jemma and Ben and The Block’s Michael and Carlene

Reno Rumble airs tonight at 7:30 on Channel 9. And we will have all the news, goss and updates here on Reno Addict. Watch this space!

Photography by Channel 9

Categories
Competitions Designers Expert Tips Styling

Home decoration made easy thanks to new online service

Decorating your home and looking for new furniture and homewares can be overwhelming. There really is such thing as too much choice!

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So, enter STYLECT, an Australian based online service dedicated to professional style and decorating advice. With prices ranging from $50-to-$440, it’s the perfect option if you need a little guidance but can’t justify the hefty price tag that comes with an interior designer.

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STYLECT offers three services, starting at the basic Ask a Question, where you can ask anything from “What coffee table would suit my living room?” to “What feature lamp would suit my lounge?” and in return get three suggestions; to The Mini service, where you can get a room or outdoor living area revamped; and finally to The Full service, where you can have a room of your choice completely made over.

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With a team of professional stylists and interiors designers on call, STYLECT is led by Georgie Bean. As a stylist who has worked for the likes of Vogue Living and Wallpaper*, she aims to make professional interior advice accessible to everyone.

“We know how hard it can be to make the right decisions for your home, especially with the huge amount of options available,” explains Georgie. “With our different levels of service and fast, easy online platform, STYLECT takes this stress away, saving you time and possibly money as well, by avoiding making the wrong decision.”

For more information.

WIN

One lucky reader will win a Mini service, valued at $220, which includes room rearrangement advice plus four product suggestions for the room or outdoor living area of your choice. To be in the running, complete the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Friday 8 May 2015. Open to Australian residents only. Good luck!

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