Tag: hooks

Categories
Design Homewares Styling

Wall hooks: 10 of the most good looking and useful!

No longer just a purely utilitarian solution, the humble wall hook has had a serious glow-up over the last few years. From brass to wood and rattan to hand-carved and hand-painted, these are our favourite picks.

norsuHOME solid brass wall hook/knob: Designed in-house, these 100 per cent solid brass hooks come in a gorgeous matte finish for a modern luxe feel. $45 each.

Norsu hooks

Lucie Kaas Sketch wall hooks: Made from solid oak, hand painted and sealed in hard wearing non-toxic varnish, these gorgeous hooks have an abundance of personality. We love! $42 each.

Simple Form wall hooks

Pineapple Traders brass Shaka hook: The ideal complement to a coastal home, this super fun brass hook is inspired by the Hawaiian hand gesture of the Shaka. It’s available in sculpture and key ring form too. $42.95.

Pineapple Traders hook

West Elm Mid-Century hook rack (white): A stylish option for the hallway, we love the antique brass detail on these mid-century inspired coat racks. From $119.

West Elm

Zakkia terrazzo hooks: Available in black, snow, rose and seashell, these versatile hooks are perfect for the wall or you could even use them to up cycle a cupboard or chest of drawers. $56.

Zakkia hooks

Scandiluxe Luxe scoop hook: Available in American oak and walnut timbers, this stylish brass trimmed hook is perfect for organising a bedroom, bathroom, laundry or entry. $35.95.

Scandiluxe hook

Ferm Living Animal hand-carved hooks: One for the kids, these whimsical, safari themed hand-painted hooks look fabulous with or without something hanging from them. $39 each.

Ferm Living animal hooks

Aura three hook wall hanger: Combining metal and rattan, this bohemian number would look fabulous in a seaside home or an inner-city apartment. We like its eclectic feel. $34.95.

Aura three hook wall hanger

Oliver Thom Kolor line hooks: Available in three sizes and a rainbow of colours, these delicate, minimal hooks look graphic and playful on the wall. They’re great for hanging towels or keys. From $40.

Oliver Thom hooks

Muuto The Dots set of five: A modern classic, for good reason, these Scandinavian hooks can be arranged on the wall in any pattern. They’re available in an array of colours. $185.

Muuto wall hooks

Latest home design trends: Japandi, neon lights & shelfies will be hot in 2021

With more than 400 million people around the world using Pinterest each month, it’s a great place to spot a trend. So when the platform’s annual ‘Pinterest Predicts’ report landed…
Categories
Kitchens Renting

10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen

By Kay Harrison

Rental kitchens are not known for their idyllic makeup. From dim lighting to a lack of storage options, they can be a source of everyday dissatisfaction. However, with a little kitchen-whispering, you can coax more usability from your space. Here are 10 quick and easy tips, ranging from storage to aesthetic, to set you on your way.

Ugly cabinetry? 

1. Line your shelves

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Photo credit: Jessica McIntyre Interiors

This is a sleek and simple solution to dingy cabinets. It keeps them neat and chic without tempting the wrath of your landlord. Select from a range of wallpapers and adhesive coverings. This injects pops of colour and personality into your space – understated or brazen according to your taste.

2. Change up your cabinet handles

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Photo credit: House to Home

Go shopping for new hardware for your cabinet doors. It’s amazing what a difference this can make to the overall look of your kitchen. And there are plenty of cheerful-on-the-wallet options available.

3. Remove your cabinet doors altogether

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Photo credit: Jenny Steffens

So you can’t stand the sight of those bland pine panels or (worse) that wood veneer? Get handy with your screwdriver and remove them for a fresh open-cubby look. Don’t throw them away! You’ll need to attach them again before you leave but in the meantime clean-lined kitchen shelving is uber-chic. Make-good the edging/cover the holes with wallpaper or adhesive covers.

Starved of storage?

4. Wire shelf inserts

Inserts are a great way for increasing the space available. Hook them under your shelves, over your doors or stand them over your plates to maximise the useable space.

5. Magnets

Consider a magnetic knife board to free up your counter space.

6. Hooks

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Photo credit: Fortikur

Add hooks to the insides of or beneath your cabinets. Ideal for teacups and mugs.

7. Think vertically

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Photo credit: A Gentlewoman

Install a series of hooks on your ceiling or walls to utilise this hanging space. This is a visually impacting way to display your pots and pans for a rustic aesthetic.

Too dim? 

8. Increase the wattage

A wattage of 80-to-100w is recommended for the kitchen.

9. Add swing-arm task lights

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Photo credit: Dan The Sparky Man

Add designated task lights above your counters. A couple of swing-arm lamps add vintage accents and increase your functionality ten-fold. You don’t need to hardwire these in necessarily – just ensure some care is taken to secure the cords out of the way.

10. Install LED ribbon lighting under your cabinetry

If you’re a little handy with a drill, LED downlights are to-die-for. I love mine. But I didn’t install them. I’m smart enough to realise that DIY with electricals is not for me. If you’re the same, outsource the install or opt instead for stick-on battery-operated lights – you can buy them in most supermarkets.

La-voila! There you have it. Not too taxing on the grey matter I hope. Happy renting!

— Kay Harrison is a feature, blog and copywriter. She has work published in ACP magazines, ABC fiction, Overland, Seizure, trade publications and online forums and her creative writing has won several awards. Kay wrote this piece for Zanui.

Categories
Furniture Homewares

Online shopping fix: Hepburn Hardware

Hepburn Hardware

Knobs, handles and hooks, oh my!

Hepburn hardware is a gorgeous one-stop-shop for decorative home accessories, supplying ceramic and resin cabinet knobs along with a range of leather and rope handles, hooks and knobs.

hepburn homewares

Stocked across Australia and also available online, they can be used for all sorts of things, from refurbishing tired furniture to decking out a boutique restaurant or hotel. With a style that is stylish yet eclectic, all products are made with organic and handmade materials and high quality craftsmanship, sure to individualise your space. And with prices starting from $8, they’re also an affordable way to give your home an update.

While they’ve already got a beautiful range on offer, the next few months will see more goodies arrive, including a new contemporary glass range and a kitchen range, which will include polished chrome, antique brass and bronze finishes.

Shop online.

Categories
Design RENO ADDICT

How to create the perfect designer walk-in wardrobe by The Block’s Frank Valentic

Whether you have an abundance of space or an area that requires you to be smart with your storage options, there’s always ways to improve the efficiency and functionality of your walk-in-wardrobe. Here’s some tips from Block buyer’s advocate Frank Valentic to assist you if you’re thinking of renovating and adding a walk in wardrobe to your home, or even just altering your existing space.

Ayden & Jess Walk in Robe
Ayden & Jess’ walk-in wardrobe

  1. Shelving: For anything that’s accessed regularly, shelving is the perfect idea as it’s quick and easy to grab in a hurry. Shelving also allows you to customise the space to suit what you are storing. It’s a great idea to try to ensure your shelving size caters to the item you’re storing so as to not waste any space. Always ensure there is a good variety in size to cover everything from shoes, hats, handbags and folded up items to long dresses, coats and pants. Interchangeable shelving space for this reason is perfect for this type of storage as it allows you to adjust space for the seasons and means it’s not too personally customised and will appeal to buyers if you are planning to sell the property in the future.
  1. Light: This is a room where good lighting is essential, natural light is a great accessory in deciding what to wear but make sure you have good quality blinds that can be closed when the room’s not in use to ensure your clothes don’t fade. A window that can be opened is also ideal for allowing fresh air and circulation in what’s often a small/tight space.

Josh & Charlotte Walk in Robe
Josh & Charlotte’s walk-in wardrobe

  1. Drawers and Dividers: Drawers are essential to put away everyday items like underwear and socks. Segmenting drawers will make your space just that much more efficient and is a great idea for items that can easily become a bit of a mess such as jewellery. Again, adjustable dividers are a great idea to give you the ability to change the size and shape of the space.
  1. Hooks: Don’t waste space on walls and doors, add hooks as they are a great way to get accessories such as jewellery, scarfs and ties out of the way.
  1. Mirrors: A mirror or two is not only essential for this particular space, but they will also make the room appear larger and more spacious.

Tim & Anastacia Walk in Robe
Tim & Anastasia’s walk-in wardrobe

  1. Neutral colours: Sticking to a neutral palette in this space is best to ensure clothes and accessories are clearly visible and it will make it more efficient in selecting items to wear. Lighter colours if you have a small space will also make the area feel larger.
  1. Practical positioning: Give the room a flow effect and order items in the way you would make your selections on a daily basis, for example, position accessories closer to the exit so you can quickly and easily grab them on your way out.

Make sure to keep in mind that while having a large area for a walk in wardrobe is almost every women’s dream, it should not come at the cost of space in your master bedroom or ensuite. Getting your proportions right is vital for a functional home design and could be a costly decision if not balanced well when it comes time to sell your property.

— Frank Valentic, buyers’ advocate judge on The Block and director of Advantage Property Consulting.