Wattyl and Caesarstone have collaborated once again to help take the guesswork and mystery out of choosing a successful colour/finishes scheme when planning a new kitchen, bathroom or living space. Launched in 2019, the concept has been used by literally thousands of consumers when planning renovations and new builds.
Wattyl’s Confetti Shower and Tipi, Caesarstone Calacatta Maximus and Polytec Ligurian
In this latest, Perfect Pairings 3, eight palettes have been created by professional designers and colour experts, illustrating how the latest Caesarstone surfaces, Wattyl paints and Polytec cabinetry can be beautifully paired to create a particular look or ambience.
For the first time, three of the palettes focus on outdoor settings, showcasing Caesarstone’s new collection of UV and water-resistant outdoor quartz surfaces alongside Wattyl’s latest colour offerings in its Solagard exterior paint.
Wattyl’s After and Earth Child, Caesarstone Midday and Polytec Prime Oak and Empire Oak
Reflecting current design and colour trends, the pairings incorporate everything from raw neutrals and a splendid sun-kissed amber to more saturated lush greens and a calming Mediterranean blue.
Wattyl’s Winter Mushroom, Gretna and Smoked Jade, Caesarstone Arabetto and Polytec Plantation Ash and Verdelho
The aim of Perfect Pairings 3 is to provide an informative and inspirational guide to the many homeowners looking to update their interiors with confidence and flair.
Spring is in full bloom, and with it so is Aussies’ desire to revitalise and update their homes to make the most of the warmer weather. Pinterest is seeing users across Australia search for home inspiration both inside and outside, in preparation to re-enter society and enjoy catching up with friends and family.
Image via Pinterest
Indoors Pinterest has seen increased interest in creating special spaces for specific activities like studying and watching movies, while outside Aussie pinners are looking for ideas to enhance their outdoor spaces, including BBQ classics and woodfire pizza ovens. Pinterest has also seen a rise in popularity of the Hamptons aesthetic, which individuals are using to express their personal style.
Here’s what searches have been trending on Pinterest:
Seating for the whole family
With the onset of spring, pinners in Australia are planning their outdoor dining and lounge areas to entertain and host loved ones, as the weather warms.
2.5x increase in searches for ‘outdoor patio decor’
45% increase in searches for ‘outdoor dining charis’
40% increase in searches for ‘outdoor table styling’
35% increase in searches for ‘outdoor lounge area’
Image via Pinterest
Elevate your outdoors
Aussie pinners are searching for special ways to elevate their outdoor spaces, from bar ideas and play areas to fire pits and showers.
60% increase in searches for ‘outrdoor shower’
35% increase in searches for ‘kids outdoor play area idea’
45% increase in searches for ‘outdoor bar ideas’
50% increase in searches for ‘outdoor fire pit’
Image via Pinterest
BBQ season is approaching
Warmer months means BBQ season is upon us. Pinners in Australia are searching for ways to invigorate their recipe repertoire.
115% increase in searches for ‘bbq food idea’
45% increase in searches for ‘wood fired pizza ovens’
50% increase in searches for ‘outdoor bbq kitchen’
Image via Pinterest
Room for activities
From movie nights to basketball games, Pinners in Australia are creating individual spaces for specific activities throughout their homes.
50% increase in searches for ‘dream home gym’
130% increase in searches for ‘theatre room ideas’
40% increase in searches for ‘study desk ideas’
35% increase in searches for ‘basketball court backyard’
Image via Pinterest
The Hamptons look
Pinners in Australia are leaning into the Hamptons look. They’re adapting this classic, breezy and spacious style to create their dream home.
45% increase in searches for ‘hamptons house exterior’
65% increase in searches for ‘hamptons lighting’
40% increase in searches for ‘hamptons fireplace’
140% increase in searches for ‘hamptons bathroom’
Image via Pinterest
Spring interior trends that will stand the test of time
Spring has officially arrived, and with the promise of warmer weather and the hope of new beginnings, it often feels intuitive to refresh our home-style to reflect the change in…
Spending time outdoors and being aroundthe green stuff is proven to be good for our mental health. While we don’t all have the luxury of a back deck or a yard, most of us will at least have a balcony and if yours is looking a little bare and uninspiring, we have some great inspo for you today!
With 533k Instagram posts and over 10,000 average monthly searches in Australia, #balconygarden is a trend that’s here to stay. Knowing where to start and how to create a cohesive overall space that matches up to our dream Pinterest boards can seem like a daunting task.
Love the Garden have created six re-imagined balcony spaces for us with tips to get the look and those essential plants to make it a reality.
Ways with wood
Before and after
If you have an outside space that already features wood, you’re halfway there as there are so many elements in the garden where timber can be included, by using some clever design. With just a few touches and a little creativity, a basic but functional outdoor space can be transformed into somewhere to relax and entertain with a natural feel.
How to get the look: Use wood to create striking visual features that also enhance the functionality of your space. Importantly, complement the natural feel and look of the wood with other natural materials and, of course, plenty of greenery.
Plants to use:
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Basil and coriander
Bay Laurel
Boston Fern
The minimalist retreat
Before and after
Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. This minimalist retreat uses sleek and simple design to make a feature of empty space. Nothing feels bare. In fact the space offers a calming, peaceful and tranquil environment. Bliss!
How to get the look: If you’re trying to recreate this look on your balcony, opt for bold and minimalist plants. These should be your standout feature, and nothing should be overcrowded. When considering the colour palette, this look is all about greys and whites as the predominant colour. Think calming, simple and stylish.
Plants to use:
Japanese Maple
Heavenly Bamboo or Nandina
A feature bonsai
Cordyline
Cycad (Cycas revoluta)
The nomadic sanctuary
Before and after
Whether meditation is your thing, you simply want to evoke past memories of far flung travel or you are dreaming of your next adventure, you can re-imagine your inner city balcony to be anywhere in the world.
With a few simple design elements, the right accessories and of course the right plants, you could be in Southeast Asia, South America, India or wherever your imagination takes you.
This eclectic colourful space is inspired by global travel and evokes the warmth and colour of a real-life tropical retreat.
How to get the look: Key to this look and to create this gardenless garden is the use of colour – and lots of it. Think terracotta pots, pops of brightness on your soft furnishings (the more the better) and white lanterns. Include these main features but always make it your own with a few colourful plants too.
Plants to use:
New Guinea Impatiens
Kentia Palm
Barrel Cactus
Ixora
Mini bougainvillea
Hoya in shades of red and pink
The wildlife oasis
Before and after
The best gardens are those teaming with plant and animal life. Yes, it is possible to create a wildlife oasis up high overlooking cityscapes. Here we’ve got a range of green and lush leaves and a selection of flowering plants mixed in with the greenery to act as an oasis for bees, butterflies and birds.
How to get the look: To create a wildlife oasis at home, you’ll need lots of nectar-bearing plants. Make sure you have a good mix of flowering plants as well as small shrubs and trees to provide cover. This should feel less styled than some of the other designs. The centre stage must be reserved for the plants and foliage.
Plants to use:
Star jasmine
Lavender
Bay tree
Hydrangea
Salvia
Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’
Grevillea ‘Superb’
Rock Lily (Dendrobium speciosum)
Bring the outdoors in
Before and after
Where there’s no balcony or veranda to revamp into a beautiful outdoor sanctuary, a gardenless garden is always possible by bringing the outdoors in.
Here we’ve brought to life an indoor area and complemented the existing natural light with a good selection of indoor plantsthat bring the outdoor feeling inside. With a few well-chosen accessories it quickly becomes an inviting and calming space.
How to get the look: Lots of plants are essential for this look. Hanging baskets are a great space-saving option, while larger plants that offer plenty of greenery help with the feeling of transitioning from inside to out. By using different surfaces and textures you can easily create something that has a similar feeling to a balcony.
Plants to use:
Snake Plant
Cast Iron Plant
Boston Fern
Philodendron
Jade Plant
Pothos
Peace Lily
Succulents
Dracaena
Aloe vera
Spider plant
The living wall
Before and after
Most of us are familiar with a feature wall in houses. This usually involves brick or stonework, brightly coloured paint or a quirky wallpaper. Have you ever considered taking the same approach indoors or on a balcony but using plants instead? Here we illustrate what’s possible with the right choice of greenery.
A standout living wall can make a stunning feature out of what would otherwise be unused space.
How to get the look: To get this look and ensure your living wall really stands out, it should be the centrepiece of the space, immediately drawing the eye. The rest of the area should be simply designed so the feature stands out. Don’t go over the top – opt for one striking wall to really make a statement.
Plants to use:
Soft leaf ferns
Bromeliads including air plants (Tillandsia)
Ivy-leaf geranium
Calathea
Maidenhair Fern
Rex begonias
Hosta
Hoya
Baby’s Tears or helxine
Succulents
Philodendron
Whatever the space you’re working with – outside or in – or your favourite style, you can find the gardenless garden to transform your home and get all the benefits of the greater outdoors.
Charlie Albone and Juliet Love’s landscape and styling tips for your balcony
Alfresco living is a widely celebrated aspect of the Australian lifestyle, so whether you’re happiest throwing a dinner party or prefer nothing more than a quiet drink watching the sun…
Garden trends 2020: Have you heard of foodscaping?
Australia experienced its hottest and driest 12 months on record last year, with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology reporting temperatures that reached 1.52C above the long-term average. With high temperatures…
With temperatures rising, we’ve started thinking about the outdoors here at Interiors Addict and have scoured the stores so you don’t have to. From a statement chair to a chic hose (bet you didn’t think that existed!), check out our top picks for alfresco spaces.
Fenton & Fenton Coral Lounger: We love the high-end resort vibe of this chair by the Italian designer Walter Satore. $750.
Basil Bangs Botanic outdoor cushion: Printed with artwork by Louise Jones, this statement cushion is water resistant so ideal for the outdoors. $75.
Top 3 Garden Glory garden hose gold: Who would have thought a hose could be a feature? This one is the most luxurious we’ve seen. $231.
Eco Chic Diamond outdoor rug: Made entirely of plastic, this chic rug lets you zone your outdoor space. $275.
GlobeWest ‘Antigua’ outdoor range: It’s the teak insert arm detailing and the elegant slim-line design that won us over with this collection. From $1605.
Maison Blanche alfresco candle: Handmade in Australia, these soy wax candles come in gorgeous scents and also include a natural mosquito repellant. Clever! $69.95.
Mr Jason Grant retro mesh planter set: We love the on-trend hexagonal shape of these planters and think they’d brighten up just about any outdoor space. $149.
Until Kreafunk Aglow wireless speaker and lamp: A wireless speaker and lamp in one, this is the perfect outdoor accessory and you can accept and make phone calls with it too! $250
This time of year is always a torture test for how well you’ve designed your entertaining areas at home. Whether you’re hosting the family Christmas lunch (eek, that’s me this year) or just a lazy January BBQ, you’ll find these events so much more enjoyable if you have a practical (and beautiful) area to host your guests. And in Australia, at this time of year, you simply can’t have a party indoors. Alfresco entertaining is a must.
In all our renovations, we spend much time and energy transforming dead outdoor spaces into entertaining alfresco havens. Here are some before & afters from the Three Birds’ alfresco almanac.
House 1
Before
After
Before
After
House 2
Before
After
House 3
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Lana’s Pool
After
Before
After
Before
After
Our alfresco crushes:
Gas strut window + servery– a great alternative to bi-folds, these awning windows (popular in Queensland) bring a super-relaxed vibe to the space and when teamed with an external servery it becomes the ideal connection between outside and in.
Decking – a no brainer in most outdoor spaces, a timber deck is hard to go past for creating the perfect outdoor zone. But sometimes a large deck can be quite costly and need council approval, so well-laid pavers are a smart substitute (see House 3).
French doors – it’s true we have a French door fetish but they are just so damn beautiful, practical and affordable. They’re a brilliant alternative to bi-fold doors which can cost double or triple that of Frenchies – and if the opening is quite wide we like to put four frenchies next to each other (the two middle ones open up and the two on the outside are fixed).
Pergola + timber screens – creating an outside room is easier than you think. It doesn’t have to be a full-on extension to the house, rather a well-placed pergola with timber screens creates the impression of an outdoor room in a flash.
Homewares – soft furnishings like pillows, throws and rugs add color and texture to help make an outside space feel like a welcoming room and lush green pot plants are the perfect finishing touch for a true alfresco feel.
Paving paint – it’s amazing how crummy-looking concrete can be transformed with a few coats of paving paint (we love Ultra Pave by White Knight). It’s so cheap, fast and effective, and you can have it tinted to any colour you want.
Got a question for the Three Birds girls? Ask it in the comments or send it to us.
Celebrity landscape designer Jamie Durie has teamed up with The Block favourites The Canvas Workshop to create a range of framed art prints, canvases, outdoor acrylic panels and indoor/outdoor cushions.
Jamie Durie x The Canvas Workshop is inspired by the vast Australian landscape — the designs celebrate all that is beautiful about our great land. From organic, muted tones to bright pops of colour, the range is perfect for revitalising outdoor spaces (and indoor ones too!).
“My collaboration with The Canvas Workshop is all about infusing the essence of al fresco design and representing this aesthetic in the form of art and decor. This collection reflects my passion for quality design, style and bringing the essence of natural living into the home,” says Jamie.
The collection of art (including outdoor wall art), decor and cushions is available online with prices starting from $59.95.
Pops of cool blue tones in the furniture, accessories and furnishings bring a cool feel to the space, while a
mirrored wall helps bounce light around and make the area brighter and bigger.
Today, stylist Naomi Findlay of SILK Home Staging & Styling and the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS), shares some great tips on styling your home for the summer months.
Summer is well and truly here and we are increasingly looking for easy ways to enjoy it at home. Here are some quick tips for creating your ultimate summer-friendly environment:
Merge the outdoors and indoors
With the longer days and increased entertaining, now is the time to create indoor-outdoor living spaces.
