Tag: holidays

Categories
Dining Expert Tips Interiors Addict

Easy hassle free hacks to transform your Christmas space

Processed with VSCO with s2 preset

We’re all ready to fill up our houses with the latest Christmas decor, but how do we avoid it being boring or tacky? Well this year to get you host ready in style, Shaye Ford, interior designer at Miss Amara, has shared their tips for levelling up your Christmas décor.

Choose the right colour scheme

Great festive décor begins with a solid colour scheme – and this doesn’t mean confining yourself to the usual red and white palette. From neutral colours to warm metallic hues like gold, brass, copper and rose gold – think outside the box to give your space a distinct yet festive look. A fail-proof route to take is the middle ground and keeping things effortless with layered neutral tones combined with shiny accents or pops of colour. Warm creams, white and textural jute are a great foundation that can be accented with subtle sparkle and festive embellishments.

Play with patterns

A quick and hassle-free way to bring a holiday-theme to your space is to incorporate a statement centrepiece with a pattern for visual interest. For example, patterned napkins, placemats and area rugs can dramatically change the look of your dining room. The best way to make a small room feel festive is to go big on colour. Even if your home has a relatively neutral colour palette, adding a few vibrant pieces will shock your design system…in the best way possible. Just remember that instead of adding more, try changing what you already have, which will leave you with the same amount of space, but with more cheer.

Lay a fluffy rug under your tree

If a tree skirt isn’t for you, placing a fluffy, oversized rug under your tree can really take your décor to the next level, creating depth and richness to the overall look, plus protect your floors from scratches. While white is a popular choice to create the illusion of a snow-covered floor, you could also opt for something with brown tones of pattern to add texture.

Decorating trends for 2022

The decorating trends of 2022 will focus on the small moments that make Christmas truly magical. It’s time to create a joyful, uplifting space that stimulates warmth, tactility and togetherness, with simple comforts and heartwarming traditions. From nostalgic maximalism to sustainability, these are the trends that will help to put an elevated touch on your Christmas celebrations this year.

Shop Miss Amara

Foodie Friday: Cream cheese olive Christmas tree

Festive and full of flavour, this cream cheese olive Christmas tree from Chef Ness is the perfect crowd pleaser. Served…

Welcome to the rug shop that makes rug shopping fun

More than just a decorative piece, a well placed rug can warm a room, catch sounds and bring a room…
Categories
Expert Tips Interiors Addict

Top 5 Christmas styling tips to make holiday hosting easy

As great as the festive season is, for many of us Christmas can be a stressful time with hosting duties expected of us. It’s hard enough to keep the house clean and tidy let alone make it scream Christmas spirit for visiting family and friends! Thankfully with Christmas just around the corner, property stylist Justine Wilson has shared her top Christmas styling tips for 2022:

1. The main event – a tree!

There are so many styles and price points that there is something for everyone. From real trees to real touch trees, to sparse looking, or snow-covered, pre-lit or plain, there are so many to choose from. This year I have been a big fan of the ones available at Target which are beautiful and very affordable, or for a more top end fuller tree my other favourites are Alfresco Emporium and Balsam Hill, these trees will last a lifetime.

2. Ornaments

You can’t have a beautiful Christmas tree without lovely decorations or ornaments and as with Christmas tree styles, ornaments are just as varied. A traditional colour palette of gold and silver is timeless and my pick this year. Alternatively, you can go for the minimal Nordic look marked by bead garland and handmade wood ornaments, or a more traditional tree adorned with red and gold tones and lots of ribbon and trimmings. Pick a style that reflects you and your family for the best impact. David Jones always has beautiful ornaments as do Pottery Barn and Adairs.

3. Tablescapes

One of the highlights of any Christmas is the Christmas feast! Whether you gather for a family breakfast, lunch, or dinner, whatever your tradition, having a beautifully styled table will always set the tone. A tablescape can be as simple as a run of garland and a few candle votives, or it can be an elaborate setup that mirrors the style of your tree. My tips for a magical table are in the small details, such as place cards so everyone feels welcome, nice napkins and simple under-plate chargers – charger plates can dress up any crockery set and adds a sense of occasion to the meal.

4. Wreaths

Nothing says welcome like a beautiful Christmas wreath at your front door and like Christmas trees – the style you opt for will depend on your overall decorating theme. It could be a beautiful native wreath, a flocked snowy wreath, a glittery wreath, or simple greenery. Real or faux they make a beautiful statement and add that festive touch to your home’s entry. This season my favourite wreaths can be found at Tara Dennis Store and The Christmas Cart.

5. Pets

Last but not least get your furry friends involved this Christmas. I have three beautiful dogs who love a dress-up and of course new Christmas themed toys and beds that also act as decorations in their spaces.

For more on Vault Interiors

Mrs Tablescape’s new art-inspired store is bringing joy to Sydney

A new concept store has opened its doors to Sydney art lovers, interior design enthusiasts and home entertaining aficionados alike,…

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…
Categories
Expert Tips Interiors Addict Styling

Christmas wreaths 2022: traditional, minimalist and even Lego!

The perfect Christmas wreath for your front door really sets the tone but with so many different seasonal decorating tastes, themes and colour schemes, it’s definitely not a one size fits all situation! We’ve gathered a real variety of our favourites for you.

Floreat for Legacy wreath: This wreath not only looks good but allows you to feel good. Made with native eucalyptus leaves and finished with silk poppies as a nod to those who have served, Sydney Legacy has partnered with Darlinghurst’s Floreat to create a special Christmas wreath with 25% of the price of the wreath going to Sydney Legacy, enabling them to support the families of veterans this Christmas. $150 with delivery available in the Sydney Metropolitan area.

Raz Iced Mistletoe Wreath (60cm): Crafted in durable materials and foam, this wreath with its frosted finish, creates a feel of Christmas wonderland. $77.

Wild Child Wreath from Fenton & Fenton: You might recognise this fab holographic acrylic version from the back page of our Christmas Gift Guide (check it out for your chance to win a $500 Fenton & Fenton giftcard and treat yourself!). $96.

Snowberry glitter wreath: Made from ivory/white faux eucalyptus foliage, each leaf on the wreath is lightly dusted with white glitter to add that frosty touch. $99.95.

LEGO Christmas Wreath 2-in-1: This is a fun one. This 510-piece set can be built with the kids for a family fun activity. Or just leave it to the big kids! $59.99.

Temple & Webster 40cm Beads Christmas Wreath: This half beaded wreath with a jute ribbon bow is perfectly simple. This one is ideal for a more Aussie Christmas aesthetic. $59.95.

Temple & Webster 40cm Beads Christmas Wreath

Fable Ice Wreath: A wreath handcrafted from natural twig-like materials dusted in white to resemble a tree branch after snowfall. $49.95.

Jurianne Matter TWIG leave wreath: Another build it yourself wreath, but this one takes you just a few minutes. The set comes with wire and pre-cut/punctured leaves and the rest is up to you and your creativity. Have some fun with it! $25.

Luxe Faux Pine & Magnolia Wreath with Gold Baubles & Leaves 46 cm: Getting to your more traditional Christmas wreath, this will go well with your classic festive decorations. $89.99.

Gold Leaf Christmas Wreath: Last but not least the gold leaf Christmas wreath will be a glamorous addition to your seasonal decorations. $40.

Christmas candles 2022: The best scents and most stylish

Amidst all the focus on Christmas food and decor it can be easy to overlook the power of scent in…

The best Christmas table cloths: Our picks for all budgets

With tablescaping still a hot trend, the Christmas table top has never looked more fun; gone is the stiff white…
Categories
Travel

6 things to consider before hiring a house/pet sitter

Nice Digs rose velvet slouch bed
Image source: Nice Digs

With the Christmas holidays looming, many of us are lucky enough to be heading away for a much-deserved break. And whether it’s short or long, local or overseas, many of you will be using the services of a house or pet sitter. From bringing in the mail to walking and feeding the dog or watering the plants, unfortunately household maintenance doesn’t disappear just because you have!

Nice Digs rose velvet slouch bed
While you’re sipping cocktails in Fiji, the fur baby still needs taking care of! Image source: Nice Digs

Home security expert and founder of My Home Watch, Natasha Morgan, has plenty of warnings if you’re about to engage someone to help around the home in your absence. “Recent research has uncovered that the majority of house and pet sitters aren’t covered by your home insurance if something were to go terribly wrong,” says Natasha who shared some pretty scary findings.

“If you engage a house or pet sitter and they steal anything or “clean out” your home while you’re gone, or damage anything, it’s not covered by your insurance and you can’t call it a criminal act, because you invited them into your home!” says Natasha which I’ll admit was news to me despite it making complete sense.

Elsternwick renovation
Image source: Steph Hegerty/Nokk

“Accidental loss and damage are covered as standard, but all insurers will have exclusions for deliberate damage and theft caused by people lawfully on the property, including house sitters and their guests, so be aware who you are getting to house sit,” says Natasha who explains that your policy may differ depending on the length of stay. “If a house sitter was going to be staying at a property for two weeks or more, an insurer may treat them as a tenant and amend a policy as a result,” says Natasha.

Furthermore, personal injury is a consideration too. “If your house sitter injures themselves in or around your home, you’re liable for their injury and most likely your insurance won’t cover the claim. To be covered by public liability insurance you have to be a registered business, which nearly every house and pet sitter isn’t as no money is exchanged and they usually aren’t operating as a business,” says Natasha who shares her six top tips below.

  1. Use a trusted service that’s insured.
  2. Love for pets: Look for a person with a genuine love for pets. Caring for a pet involves extra responsibilities and it is important that the carer is up to the challenge. Apart from providing food and water, the responsibilities involve general pet care. If the pet is elderly, sick or injured, medication may need to be administered on a schedule.
  3. First impressions count: Homeowners prefer property and pet carers that are well groomed and caring people. Experience, skills, and qualifications should be considered which will enable the homeowner to make an informed choice. An individual with experience and good skills will be able to look after the home better and will also be equipped to handle challenges and find solutions to problems. Even the best-maintained homes can throw surprises and they should be trained to handle them.
  4. References: References or reviews reassure homeowners. Always look for companies with good reviews or people with references.
  5. Flexibility: Homeowners prefer carers who are flexible with dates and locations. They should be able to cater to your schedule. You should not have to change your travel plans according to their availability.
  6. Great communication skills: Choose someone with good communication skills. Homeowners want to be reassured that they have left their homes and pets in good hands. You don’t want to come back to a badly maintained home because you misunderstood each other. Lack of communication can ruin the entire experience.

For more | The best holiday homes in Australia with great design

Categories
Architecture Design

The best holiday homes in Australia with great design

Oranjehuis

If you’re anything like me, design is a significant factor when considering where to stay on holiday. I see it as an opportunity to stay somewhere that I could never afford to own myself so when the people at HomeAway (formerly Stayz) made contact to let us know that its 2018 Holiday Rental Award design finalists had been announced, I couldn’t wait to take a look. From South Australia to Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, there is a treasure trove of design to be found across Australia when booking your next holiday stay.

Rotten Point House (VIC)
The gold medal winner in this year’s design awards, this rammed earth house is located just off the Great Ocean Road and sits on an untouched cliff top overlooking the Southern Ocean, between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Nestled on 100 acres of native bushland the property stands like a modernist beacon in the wild and if you tire of the view, there’s plenty of design features to enjoy inside.

Rotten Point House

Rotten Point House
Rammed earth features throughout the home

Rotten Point House
What a location!

Cypress Hill, Apollo Bay (VIC)
Sitting on an acre of land five kilometres from Apollo Bay, this gorgeous home overlooks the Bass Strait and rolling green hills too. Gorgeous design lines aside, there’s plenty of floor to ceiling glass to really take advantage of the view.

Cypress Hill

Cypress Hill kitchen

Pineapple Pete’s, Port Douglas (QLD)
Located in Port Douglas, just a three minute walk to Four Mile Beach, this beach house is brimming with tropical vibes. Full of light and airy, open plan spaces plus palm leaf wallpaper and plenty of textured materials (think linen, leather and jute), this has boho beach stay written all over it.

Pineapple Pete's bathroom

Pineapple Pete's bedroom

Pineapple Pete's pool
The fabulous pool area

Oranjehuis, Aldinga Beach (SA)
Named after its signature colour, Oranjehuis is located on South Australia’s Aldinga Beach and features swathes of glass to take in the ocean view plus plenty of bright colour pops throughout. The home also features an impressive collection of Australian, Dutch and American original art and Dutch designer furniture and lighting.

Oranjehuis

Oranjehuis

Oranjehuis

Leftie’s at the bay, Gracetown (WA)
Located in Gracetown, a stunning coastal spot in Western Australia, this is the sort of sophisticated beach pad that you wish you owned. A monochrome colour scheme features throughout (with the odd timber touch) and the home boasts lovely sea views too. Rather conveniently, it is situated adjacent to the world-renowned Margaret River wine region.

Gracetown

Gracetown

Gracetown

Book your next holiday | How to renovate & decorate a holiday home

Categories
Recipes

Foodie Friday: Williams Sonoma’s Peppermint Bark Pavlova

This layered pavlova makes a stunning Christmas Day dessert.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (630g) sugar
  • 2 tbs cornflour
  • 12 egg whites
  • 2 pinches of salt
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 625g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups (625 ml) thick cream (min 35% fat)
  • 1 tin (454g) Peppermint Bark, 1 sheet broken into small pieces, 1 sheet broken into large shards
  • Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)

Method

Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

Position 1 rack in the upper third and 1 rack in the lower third of an oven. Preheat the oven to 120°C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups (315g) of the sugar and 1 tbs of the cornflour until evenly distributed. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together 6 of the egg whites, 1 pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp of the cream of tartar on low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds more. Increase the speed to medium-high and slowly add the sugar mixture. Beat for 1 minute, then add 1/2 tsp of the vanilla. Continue beating until the mixture is glossy and stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 2cm round tip.

Starting in the centre of each prepared baking sheet, pipe a 23cm round of meringue, working outward in a spiral fashion. Using a spatula, gently spread the meringue so it is level and flat. Transfer the baking sheets to the oven and bake until the meringues are just slightly browned and dry to the touch, about 1 1/4 hours, switching the sheets between the racks and rotating them 180 degrees halfway through baking.

Transfer the baking paper sheets with the meringues on them to wire racks. When the meringues are cool to the touch, gently remove them from the baking paper and place directly on the racks.

Wash and dry the mixer bowl and whisk. Repeat the process with the remaining sugar, cornflour, egg whites, salt, cream of tartar and vanilla, and bake and cool 2 more rounds of meringue.

Wash and dry the mixer bowl and whisk. Place the chocolate in the mixer bowl.


In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Pour over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.

Set the bowl on the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the ganache is light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the ganache to a clean pastry bag fitted with a 2cm round tip.

To assemble the pavlova, pipe a small dollop of the ganache on a cake stand or platter. Place 1 meringue round on top, pipe a layer of the ganache on the meringue and sprinkle with one-third of the small Peppermint Bark pieces. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of ganache on top of the fourth meringue round. Top with the large Peppermint Bark shards. Serve the pavlova with vanilla ice cream. Serves 12.

Tip: To make it easier to create even layers of meringue, draw a circle guideline on each sheet of baking paper, then place the paper on a baking sheet. If you don’t have a pastry bag, place large scoops of the meringue in the centre of each circle guideline and use a spatula to carefully spread the meringue to the edges of the circle, forming an even layer. Whip the ganache just before assembling the pavlova; it can quickly become too firm to work with.

Buy Williams Sonoma’s famous Peppermint Bark online.

More recipes

Categories
Expert Tips

IKEA’s formula for the perfect Christmas lunch table

Everyone wants to enjoy the perfect Christmas lunch, from the family eating it, to the host serving it, so making sure the table is a welcoming place for guests to linger is just as important as the food itself. An imaginatively laid table presents the perfect opportunity to spend more time with your loved ones.

ikea christmas 1

This Christmas, spending time with the family and arranging a brilliant Christmas get together couldn’t be easier thanks to these top tips from IKEA.

1. Laying the table is fun

When we think about the fun of Christmas we think about putting milk and cookies out for Rudolph and decorating the Christmas tree. Laying the table for Christmas lunch can be seen as a chore, but there are ways to turn it into a popular exercise for all.

ikea christmas

Make it an occasion and allocate a job to each member of the family, including guests who might be staying for the holidays.

Jobs can include:

  • Writing and decorating place cards
  • Deciding where everyone will be seated and creating a hand-drawn seating plan
  • Scattering table decorations, using items found in the garden or beach to bring the outdoors in
  • Creating imaginative shapes for napkins using online how-to tutorials

2. Make the table the new couch

We often think about the Christmas table as a place we simply eat lunch and more often than not, as soon as the food has disappeared, guests will quickly retreat back to the comfort of the couch. For an extended Christmas lunch, where the fun and conversation continues long after the pavlova, let everyone know that the table is going to be the backdrop for their day.

ikea christmas 3

As soon as guests arrive, have the children escort them to the table and show them the parts they’ve helped decorate. Not only will this encourage conversation around the table from the start but it will make the younger children feel more involved. This is likely to encourage the children to enjoy the experience more and therefore sit for longer, without being distracted.

3. Laughter and fun are the ingredients for success

The real secret to a successful lunch is laughter and fun. Create this for guests by handing out some party games as soon as they sit down. Christmas means different generations around the table and so finding games that appeal to everyone from age seven-to-97 is the key.

ikea christmas 1

Christmas ‘I Spy’, a pre-prepared pass the Christmas parcel or ‘Who am I?’ are always great options. Have a few options prepared, this will allow you to hand over the role of chief fun maker to a family member whilst you focus on the food.

4. Keep everyone talking

After a starter and a main course, it’s easy for guests to enter into a food coma and for the conversation to begin to dwindle. Keep everyone talking by introducing a mid-lunch twist with a game of pre-prepared Christmas Bingo! Nominate a caller from the table and encourage everyone else to participate.

ikea christmas 2

Not only will this buy time for dessert preparation but it will also reignite the room with a second burst of energy.

5. Encourage guests to linger

Add another element of fun and a reason to remain at the table by turning desert into a blind taste-test challenge. Bring out blindfolds and a desert selection and challenge the entire family to guess what each desert is. This is a great way to encourage the little ones to give Christmas pudding a try and also a great way to continue the fun, together.

ikea christmas

By adding this final element of theatre, guests will feel as though they’re enjoying their lunch so much they won’t be in any hurry to get up and leave, meaning even more time to chat and play games.

For more from Ikea visit their website.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Make Christmas magic for your little ones

Letters to Santa chairbacker $24

I think we all know the Americans know a thing or two about Christmas and holiday decorating in general!

Letters to Santa chairbacker $24
Letters to Santa chairbacker $24

This year, thanks to having Pottery Barn Kids on our shores, there are now some great things for children to give them their very own piece of seasonal style in your home. And it’ll look good too.

Continue reading “Make Christmas magic for your little ones”