Whatever your decorative tastes, a carefully considered kitchen colour palette will enhance the overall style. Timber grain and blocks of colour are on trend, and whilst there are no hard and fast rules regarding “proper” colour usage, there are certain combinations and ways of using it that promise success.
Balance is the key. Here are Freedom Kitchens’ 4 colour trends to consider when developing your own new kitchen’s palette:
Grey
The new modern neutral, grey has a chameleon-like effect, depending on the style and decorative elements in the room. Warm shades provide a base for classic elegance and can be grounded with blacks, whites and browns. Cool greys, paired with crisp white for instance, are contemporary and edgy (as seen in Madi & Jarrod’s kitchen on The Block All Stars). As a neutral base, pops of bright colour such as orange and yellow also work well. Whichever way you go, grey is here to stay.
Are you a seasonal decorator? Do you like to change things up around your home for the cooler and warmer months? I spoke to Freedom homewares buyer and experienced trendspotter Korryn Bentley about giving your home a fresh look for summer.
Korryn Bentley
So, I think we all want to know how to change things up without spending a fortune, right? Korryn’s trick? “Be brave in mixing things up. Without going out and buying a whole new room of accessories, firstly see what can be shuffled around the house. Empty the room of accessories, and then redecorate with your existing pieces. Can your cushions in your bedroom be moved to your living space with perhaps just a little investment to tie it all together, such as some fresh new colours or prints? Sometimes just one new cushion or throw can bring a different element in and change the look completely. It doesn’t have to be expensive!”
She also likes to bring out all her practical vases and vessels that often live in her cupboards and make a conscious effort to fill them with flowers she grabs from the garden on her way home from her morning walk, or some cheap and cheerful blooms from the fruit and veg shop if your garden is bare!
As the first gusts of Summer roll in, we’re thinking of those memorable days al fresco. Enjoying breakfast on the balcony before work, Sundays where lunches with friends and family turn into early dinners, barbecues that are etched into your mind and the laughter belts through the neighbourhood. This summer, Freedom have a range of outdoor settings to suit any occasion. And there’s currently 25% off!
The Brunch 3-piece and compact Moloko peacock chair
“Australians really come to life in Summer, with seemingly endless entertaining opportunities. Backyards are buzzing with excitement, and people rush home after work to make the most of those extra hours of sunshine. It’s little wonder that our new outdoor collection is bursting with colour and personality, allowing you to update your outdoor area ahead of prime barbecue season!” said Lucie McCann, furniture buyer for Freedom.
In the second of our regular posts from The Block Sky High winners Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, it’s Lysandra’s turn! She reveals how they spent most of their budget on the show on tradies, picking up bargain furniture, linen and accessories from Ikea, Freedom, Kmart and even op shops, only splurging here and there. Just up our ‘style without the snobbery’ street!
Growing up, Alisa and I were always taught the value of a dollar. If you wanted something, you had to work hard to get it. Money was spent wisely and it had to stretch a long way. These same values followed Alisa and I as we entered The Block, and I believe they ultimately contributed considerably to us being crowned the winners.
Ever given much thought to the fact certain colours make you feel better, calmer or happier? You can apply colour psychology to your interiors to alter your mood. But it can be complicated when you live with other people who prefer different colours. Jacqui Manning, ‘the friendly psychologist,’ shares her top tips for finding a balance.
The primary colours of red, blue and yellow relate to the body, mind, the emotions and the essential balance between these 3. The trick to getting your home right is to find the right balance for you and your personality.
Angela Wright made a major breakthrough in the late 70s in our understanding of colour psychology with her discoveries about how colour really works, looking at the patterns of colour and how they relate to our personality. She found that colour does influence our mood and behaviour and if we find the right colour combination for our personality and from within harmonious groups of colour, we will feel happier in our surroundings. So it really is worth the time and effort to get it right.
Oh, what a wonderful eighth round of 7 Vignettes it was! and I’m delighted to announce the overall winner and 10 runners up, as judged by Alexandra Kentmann from Freedom.
Four of winner Sarah’s vignettes
The first prize, of a chevron Freedom chair, goes to professional organiser Sarah Shanahan, from Adelaide. Alexandra said: “I have a real weakness for colour, bright hits of colour woo me every time. Plus Sarah’s shots have a real authenticity which I find appealing. Plus the vignette including her children’s works; well that gave me a cute attack, and pretty well sealed the deal.”
Freedom have done good with their latest range of tableware for Summer.
It really does make it more fun to set the table or have friends over when you have something a little more special than plain white plates (yes, like me, but I’m hoping to recitfy that thanks to my wedding registry, old school style). “White crockery will always have a place in the home, but our new collection of tabletop brings life to the dinner table. It bursts with colour and personality to make mealtime fun. With a nod to the 50s when bright colour shook up interiors, it’s playful , stylish and affordable,” said homewares buyer Vanessa Rothery.
It’s that time again! One week until the next round of 7 Vignettes starts on 1 August. The first prize is this taupe chevron chair worth $399 from Freedom. But there are 10 runner up prizes too!
I think you could easily incorporate this piece into most homes, in a living room or bedroom, don’t you? That’s the beauty of taupe!
Last night was the most impressive room reveal so far if you ask me. What did you think of the couples’ kitchens? If you liked what you saw, read on to find out which products and finishes the contestants chose from Freedom Kitchens, so you can shop the look yourselves. I don’t think the photos do them justice as much as seeing them on the TV. You can watch videos on The Block website.
Trixie and Johnno’s winning kitchen
Seems the viewing public weren’t happy with the choice of winner, with some serious bitching and calls of a fix on The Block’s Facebook page (it can get pretty vicious over there!) last night. Trixie upset many viewers by saying she’d like to dress the twins up as pigs (on account of them police officers) which many said was disrespectful.
Trixie and Johnno featured Newbury Satin Heartwood Laminex, Alaskan Gloss Crème Brulee and Caesarstone Frosty Carrina with 40mm edge.
Judges’ verdict? Designed exactly for the way people live their lives, perfect for the penthouse!
Jen’s verdict: I thought it was safe and neutral in a classy way, but not very exciting. I’m a bit over vertical gardens too. LOVED the lights though.
It’s that simple. Plus, today (Friday 31 May) there’s an additional 10% off sale prices. So if you’ve been saving for a big ticket item, it might be time to pop in for a browse!
My favourite thing in store at the moment is the very Mad Men and aptly named Draper lounge. It was $2,299, now $1,599 (with an extra 10% off today only).
Everything (yes, everything) is on sale until 15 July. More details.
Winter is drawing closer and it’s just the time for the staying in on the couch with a cosy throw blanket or entertaining friends with comfort food (or is that just me?)! If you need a new sofa or two, now could be the ideal time to buy! Freedom is offering buy one get one free on sofas from tomorrow (Saturday) until Wednesday 24 April.
What: Buy a Freedom sofa, get the second sofa free.
Tomorrow I’m off to the Sydney launch of stylist Jason Grant’s first book, A Place Called Home, so it’s about time I reviewed it for you!
If you know MJG, or follow him on social media, you’ll know this is a project that has taken over his life for a good year. Luckily he is DELIGHTED with how it turned out and I can see why. It feels like if Jason was a book, this would be it.
It’s light on words and heavy on beautiful images by photographer James Geer. And let’s face it, who has time to actually read their coffee table books anyway?! I actually devoured this book in one enjoyable afternoon, but it’s the sort of book you’ll want to dip back in and out of on rainy afternoons, especially as its many photos of the beach and Bondi will bring back memories of summer.
Jason is a well known freelance interior stylist and was previously style director of Real Living, who he still works for, alongside almost every other Australian homes magazine. He was also one of the very first people I interviewed for Interiors Addict! Jason has his own paint ranges for Murobond and recently styled Freedom’s new winter collection for its catalogue and advertising.
Yes, you read that right. Lounges, beds, outdoor furniture and more, all starting at $9. There are almost 800 pieces for sale, from vases to lounges, worth almost $900,000, so plenty of chances to bid on a bargain. You could even have your furniture in time for Christmas if you’re entertaining or need more seats and beds.
The Freedom Cornerstone Dining Table
Graysonline.com is holding an auction for Big Brand Outlet, which incorporates Freedom Furniture, Bay Leather Republic and other furniture suppliers. It’s live now and waiting for your bids!
Everything from lounges and beds to bedside tables, dining tables, dining chairs, lounges, coffee tables, side tables and ottomans will start at just $9 with bidders determining how much they are prepared to pay. This is your chance to pick up a SERIOUS bargain. Customers can expect to save up to 70-to-80% off RRP.
Bay Leather Belgravia LoungesFreedom Stanton Dining TableFreedom Skater rocking chair
There’s also a range of outdoor rattan furniture from Sitro and, from De STIJL, Spielberg lounge suites, high quality mattresses and beds for pick up from NSW only.
Never taken part in an online auction before? Here are some tips. And remember there’s a 30-day return warranty for faulty products (not change of mind). You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.
Do they deliver? Items can be picked up from warehouses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. The majority of furniture items will be from Freedom and Bay Leather Republic, but there will also be other furniture suppliers including Sitro and De Stijl. Freedom and Bay Leather Republic stock will only be available in Sydney and Melbourne, but other brands will be available in Brisbane and Perth. If you can’t resist a bargain interstate, and need a courier to pick it up, Grays recommend MeeMeep.
So what are you waiting for? Visit the auction here. Happy bidding! I’ll be trying to get myself a new dining table…
Need something big (or even something small)? Now could be the time to buy and get 15% off PLUS, if you spend over $200 you don’t pay anything for 6 months.
Click on the above image to read all the finer details. Happy shopping!
I know, I know, the title of this post sounds terribly melodramatic, but it’s a true reflection. I really HATED our spare room until the weekend. It upset me because it’s too small, too narrow, has built-ins I don’t really need but can’t remove (renting), a view of the house next-door and no redeeming features whatsoever. We have lived in our apartment almost a year and the spare room has been the bane of my life, particularly as I’m uber house proud, love socialising and having friends to stay. BUT… look what happened!
When Freedom offered me a $500 voucher to fix a problem in my home and blog about the experience, it was glaringly obvious that I had to give the spare room a go, especially as my dad is due to arrive from the UK in a fortnight. And look what I have managed to create. Can this really be that room that made me want to cry (I think it was hormones) because it was so ugly and useless?
