Categories
Interiors Addict

15% off Murchison-Hume products for all subscribers!

Long time readers of this blog will know what a neat and clean freak I am and I have been a big fan of Murchison Hume products since before I even started Interiors Addict. The Sydney brand has come a long way, now branching out to the United States and collaborating with Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop! blog. We love a local success story.

Core Cleaning Products

We’d love you to experience these products for yourselves so we have partnered with Murchison Hume to offer newsletter subscribers 15% off everything for two weeks. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, just sit back and wait for the special offer code to land in your inbox on Monday. If not, make sure you sign up before then to take advantage of the discount too. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time by simply clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom.

Some of my personal Murchison Hume favourites are Superlative liquid handsoap and Decidedly Rich hand cream (this duo look great on your sink and I love that if they topple in, they won’t crack the ceramic like some heavier dispensers might, while still looking classy). This pair make a great new home gift for a friend. I go through serious amounts of Counter Intelligence (love the name!) surface spray in the kitchen and Boys’ Bathroom Cleaner well, you can guess where! And call me shallow but one of the best things about these products is they look so pretty you can leave them out. I know I’m not the only one who thinks like this!

mh_beauty shot_twitter

Some of the newer products you might want to try are Garment Groom and Bag Butler, designed to keep your handbags and clothes looking and smelling clean and fresh. For the dog lovers, there’s Best In Show shampoo, conditioner and waterless wash. And I love the latest Travel Essentials kit. I just wish it has been available before I went on my big trip!

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Terms & Conditions

Applicable on www.murchison-hume.com.au for Australian orders only.
Please enter discount code INTERIORSADDICT at the checkout (after the Paypal screen).
15% off all products exclusive of shipping.
Orders over $80 receive free shipping.
No rainchecks.
Valid until midnight on 19 Octoboer 2014.
Excludes wholesale and commercial orders.

Categories
Bathrooms House Tours The Block

The Block Glasshouse: Staircase, laundry & powder room reveals

Well, it’s week five and I finally got to watch The Block room reveals for myself, since returning from our six-month trip last Monday. Gosh, I’ve missed my Block fix and I wasn’t disappointed. Michael and Carlene’s efforts, which won, definitely impressed me most. Let’s take a look at all the couples’ rooms and where you can shop their looks, whoever your favourites are.

Carlene and Michael

The Block in Melbourne

The judges spent plenty of time in their space, which eventually won, because there were so many details to look at. Neale said that the metallic details were very on trend but he likes how they’d no gone overboard and just used touches. Shaynna said it was very unusual (in a good way) and Neale called it really beautiful. They all agreed Michael and Carlene had set a really high benchmark and created off the shelf luxury. A great start to the episode!

The Block in Melbourne

The Block in Melbourne

WHERE TO BUY: Replica Tom Dixon Etch Web Pendant.

Chris and Jenna

The Block in Melbourne

Darren and Shaynna are still undecided on whether creating the void was a good idea and Neale found the stairs looked a little too heavy. It got so much worse when they went into the laundry and powder room though. “Oh my God, what happened?” was Neale’s reaction. Oh dear. Darren said it wasn’t working and Neale added there were angles and hard lines everywhere and it just wasn’t working. Shaynna went as far as to say she couldn’t believe the choices they’d made. The “disco benches” in the laundry failed to impress either and were branded dated.

H2 Rm5 C&J Laundry WC EA 2

H2 Rm5 C&J Laundry WC EA 5

WHERE TO BUY: Opaque Black Shadows pendant by Dan Yeffet and Lucie Koldova for Brokis, Taj bone inlay stool, Mod pots set, Quad toilet roll holder.

Max and Karstan

H3 Rm5 M&K Laundry WC EA 19 copy

They were not off to a great start with their staircase, enclosed by a glass wall. Neale said it felt small and constrained, Shaynna said she didn’t mind it and Darren thought it lacked warmth. More significantly though, Darren pointed out that it was high maintenance (dark steps and glass wall will show every mark) and the lack of hand rail was actually dangerous. Darren loved the lights in the bathroom and called them amazing. Neale however, said he felt ambivalent and that the design was too generic and not exciting. Darren agreed the palette was a little dated. Shaynna said it felt clinical but it did tick all the boxes. Neale said buyers would be looking for something more.

H3 Rm5 M&K Laundry WC EA 25 copy

The Block in Melbourne

WHERE TO BUY: Tubo 800 surface mount pendant, Vogue LED stair light.

Darren and Deanne

The Block in Melbourne

Poor Darren and Deanne and their unfinished staircase, bathroom and laundry! It was never going to be a winner or get a great reaction. Darren was at least kind enough to say the staircase design was simple and elegant. Neale said the bathroom and laundry were more like the Darren and Deanne they knew but he couldn’t ignore how unfinished they were and they had to judge on what they saw. Darren said it wasn’t what he expected to see from a couple who had so far been so strong and consistent. He said he loved the tapware, handle and colour palette choices.

The Block in Melbourne

The Block in Melbourne

WHERE TO BUY: Knotty hand towel, copper lantern, LEDLux Desi steplight.

Shannon and Simon

The Block in Melbourne

The boys certainly did well this week. Shaynna and Neale both loved the staircase on first glance, with Darren adding that it had the same elements as Max and Karstan’s but because of its shape, was more interesting and appealing. Shaynna said the bathroom felt balanced. The judges loved it and said it was much more successful than their upstairs bathroom. Neale said it would appeal to the design savvy, urban, sophisticated buyer.

The Block in Melbourne

H4 Rm5 S&S Laundry WC EA 53-1

WHERE TO BUY: Saba pendant, Alrik pendants, Tree Rings artwork.

What did you think of the scores? There seems to be a lot of backlash from the public who think Darren and Deanne were scored too highly considering how unfinished their rooms were. What did YOU think?

Find more of the contestants’ products and similar at The Block Shop.

Read all our other Block coverage.

Categories
Appliances Expert Tips

8 ways to save energy and money in the laundry

Laundry appliances can add up to roughly 10% of an average Australian household’s energy bill. But you can save energy — and in turn money — by following these 8 expert tips from The Good Guys.

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Samsung 10kg Washer, 8kg Dryer
  1. When buying washing machines, look out for the Energy Star Rating label. This will give you an idea of how energy efficient your chosen appliance is.
  2. Based on the Energy Star Rating label system, each machine is given a score out of 10, while the actual consumption figure – usually measured in kilowatt-hours per year – should give you an idea of how much power the product uses.
  3. When it comes to water efficiency, Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) is used to rate how much water a washing machine gets through in one cycle. Models are graded between zero and six stars for efficiency, the higher the number of stars, the more environmentally friendly the product is.
  4. Size is an important factor to consider when purchasing a washing machine. An average washing machine will have a capacity of around 6 to 7kg which should be enough for a typical family of four.
  5. Opt for a smaller model if there are fewer people in your household – but remember that washing machines last a number of years, so you may want to plan ahead if you expect your family to get bigger.
  6. Don’t get sucked in by the price of a smaller model. If you’re using it twice as much, it’s false economy and it will actually cost you more in the long run.
  7. Use cold water in your washing machine whenever possible and only use your washing machine when it has a full load.
  8. Old washing machines tend to be less energy and water efficient so you may want to consider upgrading your machine in order to be more energy efficient.
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LG 8kg Front Load Washer

– For more information on The Good Guys products and expert advice visit their website here

Categories
Appliances

10 ways to maximise space in the laundry

A well designed laundry should be easy to work in, have plenty of storage and enough room for you to get all your household jobs done. But designing the perfect laundry is tougher than you think, especially when size is an issue. The Good Guys’ appliance expert Denis Harvey, shares his 10 top tips on maximising space in the laundry.

GoodGuys_Oakville_011

  1. If a laundry is to be incorporated into the bathroom due to space constraints, a front loader washing machine is the best choice. This allows you to stack a dryer on top, which will also mean less stooping when it comes to using the appliances.
  2. Front loader washing machines also provide an extra bench space in a sense.
  3. For ultimate space saving, you can opt for a combination washer-dryer unit.
  4. Use utility baskets, small bins, or install shelving to separate and organise different products and utensils.
  5. Install hooks for coats, mops and backpacks, while a shoe rack should be used to keep muddy boots and other footwear from messing up your floor.
  6. Size is an important factor when buying a washing machine, so getting to grips with the different levels of capacity will help you make the right choice.
  7. If you want an ironing zone within the laundry itself, the best idea is to purchase an ironing board that can be fixed to the door so it can be flipped up when not in use (make sure you are within range of an electrical socket though).
  8. Make sure you consider the requirements of your laundry when planning the design. You may want to include a permanent ironing space, storage for cleaning products and a separate hanging area for clothes that can’t be put in the dryer.
  9. Plan storage carefully. Integrated cabinetry with pullout laundry bins, built-in ironing stations and hanging rails are ideal if space permits.
  10. A combination of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry will conceal mops, vacuum cleaners, clothes baskets and laundry chutes. Washing powder and laundry detergent along with all other cleaning supplies from around the house can be stored in the laundry if you have the space.

GoodGuys_Mirams_Castlecrag_012

– For more information on The Good Guys products and expert advice visit their website here

Categories
Appliances

New Electrolux Inspiration Laundry range, designed to love your clothes as much as you do

Last week, I attended the launch of the new Electrolux Inspiration Laundry Range, where fashion designer Alex Perry was guest of honour. The range has been designed to love your clothes as much as you do.

electrolux laundry inspiration

The innovative range includes Time Manager washers, condenser dryers and combined washer dryers, with the perfect solution for even your most complicated of laundry loads. Thanks to washers and dryers that remember your favourite cycle, programs that perfectly dry your clothes and Vapour Action which revives and freshens garments, your washing woes and troublesome loads will be a thing of the past.

Categories
Appliances

The washing machine for asthmatics and allergy sufferers

This country has some of the highest allergy rates in the world and Asko’s latest washing machine, approved by the National Asthma Council Australia (and the Swedish Asthma Foundation) might help if you or your family are sufferers.

ASKO W6888Allergy Washing Machine - door open

The W6888 Allergy Washing Machine incorporates a number of specific technologies designed to assist people suffering from asthma and allergy. With a large 7kg capacity, it can handle the demands of a growing family, while giving you the peace of mind that you’re helping to protect your health.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Laundry before & after by Sally Rhys Jones

A laundry’s not a real room, right? Laundries are never stylish, just functional, right? You might as well just keep the door closed, right? Wrong! Interior architect Sally Rhys Jones shares this laundry before and after with us today. Isn’t it nice?

And here’s what it used to look like…