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Bedrooms Homewares

The best places to buy Australian bed linen online

This always popular post has been updated for 2022.

L&M Home

Previously known as Linen & Moore, L&M Home was founded in 2000 and its bedding range has a focus on natural materials rich in texture and character. More of a forever purchase, the linen becomes softer with time and use, as does the soft hand-loomed cotton. And while the range features plenty of trend-based colours, it’s the classic stripes and textured pieces that are perfect for that chic, timeless aesthetic.

Castle & Things

We just love Rachel Castle’s fun but sophisticated linen range, mastering mix and match and making bright colour acceptably grown up. You’re probably familiar with her spotty sheets, velvet penny round cushions and limited edition screen printed tea towels, which get snapped up and framed as affordable art. Castle’s all about pops of colour and a bit of whimsy.

On the website you’ll also find beach towels, bags, sweatshirts, Rachel’s original artwork and prints and more. I have countless grey linen doona covers and my castle one is my fave. So much so I have now actually worn it out from years of washing and use!

Castle & Things

LinenMe

It’s the linen Jen currently has on her bed (a mix of rosa and mint ticking stripes, if you’re interested, and yes, pink and green should always be seen!). LinenMe only manufacture bed linen from 100% European stonewashed linen which is strong and supple, getting better with each use and wash. They say investing in a top quality European linen product is an investment in longevity. Their range of colours (especially for the stripe lovers!) is huge and as well as sheets. covers and pillowcases, they also sell table linen, throws, cushions, robes and much more!

 

I Love Linen

Launched in 2013, I Love Linen started as just bed linen and has expanded to include table linen, homewares, towels and more. When it comes to your bedroom textiles, you’ll find pure cotton and linen, organic bamboo, cushions, mattress toppers and more. Whether you’re after on-trend crumpled plain linen or crisp, white, hotel style sheets, it’s a great one-stop-shop! We love the mix of plains and patterns and layering extras like valances and pillowcases too – all great quality and at very reasonable prices.

The brand’s ‘3D Bundle Curator’ tool is a great feature of the site – you can build an entire bedroom look from the fitted sheet to the quilt cover and more. The tool gives you a visual which shows exactly how the selection will look on your bed.

I Love Linen

Kip&Co

Launched in Melbourne in 2012, Kip&Co was founded by sisters Kate Heppell and Hayley Pannekoecke and best buddy Alex McCabe. Their bold designs and trademark giant tassel throws have become cult bestsellers and they do a great limited edition collaboration too! Collection after collection, year after year, we love this brand more and more.

What started as a bright, colourful bedding brand, quickly expanded into a vibrant lifestyle brand, as the girls brought their fun and stylish aesthetic to products for every corner of the home, and every member of the family. Now with a global following, Kip&Co continues to be inspired by the girls’ simple passion for interiors that are full of joy, laughter and the colour of life.

 

Aura Home

Aura Home is now a very established brand, sold online as well as in the likes of Myer. Founded in 2000 by Tracie Ellis, and inspired by years of global meandering, they design everything in Melbourne, and while we seen many trends come and go, they believe it’s their forward-looking approach that sets them apart. They’ve evolved from muted, earthy tones to extravagant colour, and then to subtle pastels. We think they have just the right amount of pattern and texture these days!

They’ve expanded to sell things such as rugs, ceramics, towels and more, and now have a beautiful concept store in Malvern too. I’m a fan of their ticking stripes and tie-closure Maison quilt covers.

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Cultiver

Another great small Aussie linen brand for high quality, classic, muted linen. They believe in products that last, great customer service and only use European flax linen. Founder Nicolle Sullivan believes using beautiful things in our everyday life can make us feel happier. Agreed! They also sell table linen, throws, cushions, robes and more. Shipping is free on every order and the brand offers free returns too.

Cultiver

In the Sac

Just another plain linen brand? Maybe! But In the Sac gets top marks for branding, packaging and colour choices! Great quality, great colours (and lovely stripes) and free shipping worldwide.

Sheridan

Of course, no Australian linen roundup is complete without Sheridan! People will tell you how the sheets they received as a wedding gift are still going strong, decades on! And I find their sheets just feel amazing too! Cotton, silk, linen, plain, patterned, modern, classic, colourful, from 250 to 1200 threadcount and everything in between, they have it all! Founded in 1967, Sheridan is a household name synonymous with quality (you’ll find them in Qantas first class, no less). In recent years they’ve done some great collaborations too. I find it’s a great place to buy bed covers (or coverlets) which can be tricky to find in Australia.

Sheridan

Sage x Clare

“We’re proud to design prints that unexpectedly and expertly clash with one another,” says Sage x Clare’s designer Phoebe Bell. From Moroccan stars to statement animal prints, hand drawn florals, handmade embroidery and 1970’s inspired colours and textures, this brand is one for the maximalists. Expert at the mix and match, we love how the brand’s sheet sets, quilt covers and cushions create a playful Bohemian vibe in the bedroom.

Sage and Clare

Ezibuy

Not the first place you’d expect to find fabulous bed linen but we like to think of it as a hidden gem. From florals to checks, plain and abstract designs, the line-up is strong but the prices are reasonable. For example, the 100% linen duvet cover below is priced at $200 which is a steal in our books! With waffle blankets, down duvet covers, pillows and more available, it really is a one-stop bedding shop. 

Greenhouse Interiors

Featuring collaborations with contemporary Australian artists, the Greenhouse Interiors bedding range comes in limited edition, highly covetable, prints. The art embellished range is designed to be mixed and matched with all of the pieces available to purchase separately. The range’s 100 per cent cotton art emblazoned bed covers are always a sell-out.

Greenhouse Interiors

Sheet Society

Another clever purveyor of mix and match bed linen, Melbourne’s Sheet Society don’t believe in being forced to buy bed sheets in sets; all of its items are available for individual sale making the brand a great choice for a bespoke look. Specialising in bed sheets that are trend-driven in terms of colours, designs and fabrics, the brand’s core products are made from luxurious long-stable Eden Cotton and French flax Eve linen but there’s boucle, corduroy and waffle options too. Invisible zips, extra wide elastic, a deep pillow fold and a folded top edge are all standard features.

The Sheet Society

The Cover Collective

This VIC-based brand do luxury linen “without the la di da” and pride themselves on keeping it real! “We are not your typical linen brand and we don’t get all fancy pants on our customers, we just want to give them the best night’s sleep, night after night,” says founder Nikki Cap. They specialise in only 100% premium pure French linen. “Quite simply, it’s damn good!”

Society of Wanderers

This gorgeous bedding brand has a distinct retro vibe. There’s leopard print, gingham, floral patterns and more, all created in 100 per cent French flax linen. The brand also produces gorgeous napery and cushions as well as a lovely line-up of matching apparel.

More on bedrooms

Where to buy kids’ bed linen

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Expert Tips

Improve your home with these 5 budget-friendly tips

With people isolated in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has undoubtably been an increased awareness and desire to improve how our home space looks and feels. Bearing in mind budget constraints and accessibility, Katrina Garrett and Millie Alison, co-founders of The Design Paddock, have compiled five attainable and cost-effective ways to revamp, uplift and refresh your interiors!

The Design Paddock’s Katrina Garrett and Millie Alison, Sheri McMahon Photography
  1. The power of paint

One of the most effortless ways to reinvigorate and transform a space is a fresh coat
of paint. A spot that’s often overlooked is the hallway or the entry to the home. These areas are important as they connect to the spaces you live in and can set the initial impression of the home. Over the years, walls, doors and trims can look battered and more commonly adopt marks or cracks. A fresh coat of paint can make the biggest difference here. We recommend a gloss trim paint to contrast against a matt or low sheen wall paint. You’ll be surprised with the impact it can make.

This doesn’t only apply to the interior. Consider redesigning or repainting your front
door or even the garden pots in your entry for a powerful change. This can instantly
achieve a more inviting entry!

2. Rearrange the furniture

It’s quite common to find that people become too comfortable in their home to realise that a slight rearrangement could transform a place and in turn, may provide a better layout. Many people tend to use the TV as the centrepiece of the living room, however, this should not be the case. Living rooms should be centred around conversation and comfort.

Between the warmer and cooler months, the perfect opportunity emerges to rearrange your home spaces. Fireplaces are the perfect centrepiece to arrange your furniture around in winter where the television becomes less of a focal point! Also consider moving your armchair beside a window to create a reading corner or a spot to wind down and enjoy some sun.

3. Switch up your lighting

Lighting plays a big part in determining the atmosphere and ambience within a room.
Considering subtle changes in the home can have a dramatic impact on the way a
space feels. Warm light globes around the home are a must in our books! Furthermore, consider where your lighting is focused and adjust it. You may like to highlight an artwork or incorporate a new feature pendant above your dining table.

It is important to note that lighting should be both beautiful and functional; thus, a directional light in a hallway is a great way to not only light up an artwork but will reflect onto the wall and light up the space beautifully. When considering your feature pendant, one should not only love it but include a suitable globe for illuminating the table appropriately when gathering around it in the evenings.

Alternating lighting throughout the house is another way to make spaces feel cosy.
Incorporate varying scales and heights in your lighting such as table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights, dimmable ceiling lights and pendants in soft textures to create
interest and an overall lovely ambiance.

4. Reprioritise and declutter

With the extra time people are spending at home recently, there is no better time to take charge and rid your home of clutter! Explore new ways to store and conceal possessions in cabinets or boxes and if there isn’t space and you no longer need items, let go. Interiors should feel full but not cluttered. Less is more!

Organising the bookshelves can bring life to a forgotten area. It’s always good to
start with larger items such as bowls, jugs or artwork — this will help achieve the right
scale and balance. Books are a beautiful inclusion to an interior. Try stacking books
in varying directions on the shelf to add interest. Most importantly, the bookshelves
are a reflection of your life and style. Add your treasured keepsakes on top of piled
books – different heights can help balance your shelf styling.

5. Reinvigorate with soft furnishings

Soft furnishings present an opportunity to incorporate colour, texture or
pattern to a space without the intensive labour! You can soften your bedroom with a rug beneath the end of your bed, introducing a bedhead, re-covering a chair or new throw cushions.

Deciding on your favourite fabric can often be difficult, particularly if you can’t afford your favourite. Be clever with the way you use your fabric. A cost-effective way of achieving a similar result may be to upholster the back of your cushions or bedhead with an affordable plain fabric. You can use some beautiful tea towels or fabric cuttings to frame for some affordable art!

The Design Paddock is a unique interior design and decorating company that revamps interior landscapes for people in the bush and beyond.

Categories
Expert Tips Homewares

Cushion guide: how to change yours up for an instant boost

Men the world over might disagree, but there is nothing like diving into your comfy couch and being surrounded by the cosiness of cushions! We’re all looking for some quick and easy ways to improve our surroundings at home, and cushions have long been a way to change up your interior with a great cost to impact ratio!

From the luxe factor of velvet or the coolness of cotton, to faux fur or the comfort of cashmere, cushions amplify relaxation to another level, and at the same time, are pivotal in finishing off the look of a room perfectly.

Emma Taylor, Henley’s senior interior designer, shares her tips and tricks when it comes to creating comfy and creative cushion magic.

What’s hot 

Emma says: “That’s the beauty of cushions; they can be any size or shape and come in all sorts of fabrics, plain, textured, patterned, be-frilled and be-ribboned, or piped and tailored.

“I love velvets and patterns or anything embroidered! I also love a trim, whether it is a bead or fringe or even bullion cord. Colour is really big at the moment as it’s a perfect antidote to unnatural times and cushions are a great way to add a bit of frivolity to a room, space and atmosphere.”

Rooms to cushion up

The living room and bedrooms are the ultimate rooms for cushions.  “Adding oversized cushions to a couch elevates the look from ordinary to extraordinary.  To arrange cushions on a couch, you could  place the two largest matching cushions on the outer edges so they rest on the arms, then a set of matching ones to follow and then a single accent cushion in the middle.

“My motto is that you can never have too many cushions! If you have an occasional chair in a study, add a cushion, or on an entry bench seat, a boxed, piped seat pad adds instant colour and personality.”

Swapping for the seasons

“In summer, you might want a couple of gorgeous floral or bright checked pillows to enhance an already basic set of everyday cushions. You can then swap these out in winter for warm velvets, cashmere, wool in muted tones for that warm, snug look, or go all out and have a different set for each season.  All you need to do is change the covers,” Emma adds.

Cushion faux pas

Emma says: “Choose cushions that blend well into the furnishings you already have. I love to have different sized pillows so nothing is too uniform and definitely use feather filled inserts, they sit better and plump back into shape with a few shakes.”

Let’s chop it

Creating the ‘pig’s ears’ look for your cushion adds a more tailored and polished look. “But this can only be done using feather filled square cushions.

“Many prefer keeping the cushions plump and positioned!”

Cushion favourites

“I love any of the Designers Guild range of cushions, especially the Christian Lacroix and John Derrian ones. They are colourful, quirky and beautifully made. I’m especially liking some of the bespoke cushions we’ve had made in our new World of Homes at Mount Atkinson. We’ve used some really gorgeous fabrics, velvets, sateens in heavenly colours, that set the mood of the room of perfectly.”

Henley are a leading new home builder in Melbourne.

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Bathrooms Before & Afters Design Kitchens Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: tired rental transformed into chic owner-occupied abode

After several years of hard time as a rental, this Sydney apartment undertook a major cosmetic renovation when its owner decided to move back in, and the results are fabulous.

Before Kitchen

BEFORE kitchen

After kitchen AFTER kitchen

From paint to lighting, window coverings, flooring and storage, the apartment was entirely stripped back making way for a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and two bedrooms – all in under four months.

“The client wanted a contemporary home with a touch of luxury and she loved black and white,” says interior designer and decorator Anoushka Allum of Smartspace Interiors who accented the monochromatic colour brief with pops of bright colour.

Before laundry BEFORE laundry

After laundry AFTER laundry

“We had a generous budget, given the size of the apartment, which allowed me to use premium features,” says Anoushka.

“The bathroom was the biggest concern, as the client wanted a full sized bath and to achieve this we had to remove a wall,” says Anoushka who used on-trend black bathroom fixtures, and a black and white cement floor tile, for a contemporary finish.

Before bathroom

BEFORE bathroom

After bathroom AFTER bathroom

The bathroom layout was altered completely to improve its use of space and to allow for the addition of a bath and storage.

The laundry floorplan was reconfigured and major cosmetic changes were made to overhaul the space too. “I added extra lighting and a colourful yellow splash back to make this windowless area brighter,” says Anoushka.

Web Bathroom Lane Cove 2 AFTER bathroom

The black and white theme continued in the kitchen which features a black counter, white subway tile and the same floor tile as the bathroom, for continuity – TeraNova supplied the tiles throughout.

The shaker-style doors add a classic element to what is an otherwise contemporary scheme and Castlewood Kitchens created all of the apartment’s new cabinetry.

Web Bedroom Lane Cove 1 AFTER main bedroom

AFTER living room
AFTER living room

One major change, that you wouldn’t necessarily notice at first, is the addition of thoughtful storage – essential for keeping the interior tidy and making it seem larger. “The introduction of quality storage in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom improved functionality and allows for an uncluttered space,” says Anoushka.

Web Study Lane Cove AFTER study

Soft furnishings had a major part to play too with the finishing touches providing colour and texture throughout – King Living, BoConcept, Globe West, Forty Winks and La Maison were the main suppliers. Abstract prints, Morrocan-printed wallpaper and touches of elegant grey all worked to transform the space into a stylish, contemporary abode.

Web living room extra AFTER lounge room

“I added artworks, accessories and soft furnishings and the results were striking. The design has created an impactful first impression which is fun and vibrant whilst still elegant and cohesive,” says Anoushka.

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Designers Homewares

The history of decorating with Marimekko

By Julie-Ann Bigava

The name Marimekko has been synonymous with striking fabrics since 1949. Viljo Ratia and his wife Armi Ratia founded Printex, a small textile printing company in Helsinki, Finland. A woman of vision, Armi saw a big future for quality textiles and bold designs. She commissioned promising young artists to produce bold, colourful and hard-wearing fabrics for Printex.

In the 1950s, the bold prints were much admired but people did not quite know how to use them. They were too ‘out there’. The colours and designs were quite radical for the times but Armi was undaunted: the company staged a fashion show, with clothes designed by a well-known designer using the unusual fabrics.

Everything sold. On the day. And that was the start of Marimekko.

Be bold!

Marimekko fabrics are perfect for soft furnishings, particularly curtains. Made from natural fibres such as cotton and linen, they are hard-wearing and easy to launder with a little care.

We love the story of how the Lokki design came about as the artist observed the broad folds in a curtain drawn across a sunlit window, with the shadow-lines resembling waves on the water. This has become one of Marimekko’s best-known designs. Below is an example of curtains made out of Lokki fabric.

Continuing Collection Home 10_72262_13

Scandinavian design is known for its clean, fresh, minimal lines. It is often abstract but always warm and inviting, never cold. The bright colours inspired by the outdoors and nature make any room feel homely and welcoming. Table linen, bed linen and big soft cushions of all sizes can transform the look and feel of any room with a minimum of effort.

Continuing Collection Home 8_72260_13

Marimekko designs don’t stop at fabrics. There is also a range of crockery and tableware with typically vivid designs. The Siirtolapuutarha print is used here on mugs and bowls as well as on fabrics. It depicts the abundance of an urban garden.

Continuing Collection Home 25_72204_13

Marimekko fabrics are famous for their durability and extra wide widths, hence the fabrics functionality can be extended to home decor projects for your home that are prone to wear and tear. For example, have a look the irresistible bunch below…

Continuing Collection Home 36_72215_13

The top cover is in the well known Unikko red. This classic was created in 1964, after Marimekko founder Armi publicly proclaimed a ban on flowers in Marimekko prints. Artist Maija Isola defied the order and designed a whole collection of floral patterns that were so fresh and unique that Armi ended up taking eight of them (thank goodness Maija was a rebel!). One of those Armi accepted was Unikko, the future icon of icons, now in several delightful, new shades.

Creations are not limited to curtains, cushions and table linen. Let your imagination run!

— Julie-Ann is the owner of Yulki’s Home Décor, the go-to place for fabrics, ideas, inspiration or to indulge your love for great design.

Categories
Designers Homewares

Greg Natale launches his first cushion range

Marking his first foray into soft furnishings, designer extraordinaire Greg Natale has partnered with One Duck Two to release a Spring/Summer 2016 Signature Collection; a release of 21 intricately detailed, wool, hand-embroidered and linen-print cushions.

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Characteristic of Greg’s tailored, carefully layered approach when fusing decoration with design, the range has been grouped into four distinct suites. There are two classically inspired collections that revel in bright blues, vibrant greens and elegant monochromes, complemented by a contemporary collection that presents sophisticated geometric patterns in grey tones, as well as a graphic, black-and-white collection with striking, high-contrast motifs.

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Greg_Natale_Cushion_Range_13

[contextly_sidebar id=”I8jkYAIvOIJy6jzTWVwH4bA0ZTTm3rOw”]“I have always found cushions to be an attractive and easy way to add colour, pattern and contrast to any room,” explains Greg. “I can’t imagine a sofa or bed without cushions, designing my first collection has been a very personal, gratifying experience. I can’t wait to see how people interpret my designs in their own environments.”

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Available to purchase now through leading homewares and department stores (stockists include David Jones, Domayne, Domo and The Vignette Room), the range is a celebration of colour, pattern and luxurious textures. All cushions measure 50x50cm and are available with feather or poly inserts. Prices start from $79.99.

For more information.

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Art Bedrooms Designers Homewares Interviews

Sanctuary Boutique Linens: global art on bedding

Run by Anne Cook and her two daughters Sophie and Simone Rennard, Sanctuary Boutique Linens is the culmination of three creative, interior-obsessed, design addicts! With backgrounds in colour consulting and degrees in interior design, the family trio were desperate to join forces and bedding seemed to tick all the boxes!

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“We wanted to create something completely unique and deliver a product that was a little left-of-centre,” explains Sophie. “Something a little edgy, while remaining simultaneously elegant. Art and nature hugely influence our creativity and are reoccurring themes in our own homes and in anything we try our hand at. This spurred the idea to collaborate with artists to effectively put art on bedding.”

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Their recently launched inaugural collection, El Dorado, saw the girls team up with San Francisco-based artist and illustrator, Llew Mejia. Designing refined yet eclectic patterns that showcase skulls paired with roses and toucans matched with tigers, the collection is an ode to the mythical kingdom of gold they read about in urban legends and is inspired by the flora and fauna of jungles and rainforests.

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Featuring luxe cotton sateen quilts, doona covers and pillowcases, the cosy quilts come in standard queen-size and are the ultimate comforter for the cooler months. And the best part is they’re not just super comfy, they also double as artworks! “We wanted to put art on bedding as an alternative from other decorating tools such as wallpaper or soft furnishing,” says Simone. “In this case, the bedding is the hero of the room.”

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While they plan to work with Llew again, their aim is to collaborate with an array of artists to continue to print beautiful designs on bedding. Their 2015 Spring/Summer collection is already in production, and for this range they’ve teamed up with local Australian artist, Alana Bayley, to bring eye-catching, colour-popping designs to life. “We’re very excited to have a few more patterns and designs in the pipeline and our second collection is close to going into production,” explains Sophie. “Alana Bayley’s work is who you will see feature on our next range, it will be available in silky throws and velvet-backed cushions and will still be along the nature-inspired theme.”

For more information.

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Interiors Addict

Win woven leather cushions from the new ELSON collection

A second bed linen collection from new brand ELSON is coming towards the end of this month, but in the meantime, these fab woven leather cushions have been released today. And the even better news is you could win two (worth almost $300) for yourself in your choice of black or tan.

Black-Leather-Woven-Cushion

The cushions, featured exclusively here for the first time, have a gold zip which is exposed around three edges. Fancy!

Tan-Leather-Woven-Cushion

The second collection from ELSON promises to offer a softer, more summery feel but still with a unisex appeal that saw the first season be such a success. We promise to share the linen and accessories collection with you as soon as it’s released.

For your chance of winning, complete the quick form below by midnight on Friday 14 November 2014.

Buy your own here.

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The winner was Kelly Fararro.

Categories
Bathrooms Expert Tips

Five tips for winter-proofing your bathroom

By Belinda Geels

The bathroom can be quite the chilly place thanks to its hard surfaces like tiles, stone and ceramic. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here are five tips on how to winter-proof your bathroom.

Underfloor heating

For a lasting warming solution, underfloor heating is not only a sound investment but is now considered an affordable luxury for new Australian homes. It is one of most efficient ways to heat your home and because it transfers more natural radiant heat, its also one of the cleanest.

For new builds, the Auspex Radiant system allows you to indulge in the luxury of underfloor heating at a fraction of the cost as this system uses energy efficient gas boilers and radiant heat transfer to achieve a comfortable natural heat. For an underfloor heating solution that can be installed during a renovation, Stiebel Eltron offers an electric above slab solution. Because it can be installed just underneath tiles, it’s ideal for renovations in smaller spaces like bathrooms.

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Hydrotherm Milan Mobile Heated Rail Black

Hot water units

Having a hot water unit that’s going to allow for long hot showers at the end of a dreary day is another essential for the cooler months. Whether you’re replacing an old unit or looking for a brand new system, our Hot Water Decisions Guide is a great online tool that will help you choose the unit that perfectly suits your home and your usage requirements. There are plenty of electric, gas, continuous flow and solar hot water systems available, with our Thermann range proving one of the most popular thanks to its innovative modular design, efficiency and reliability.

Overhead heat lamps

If underfloor heating isn’t an option or you want to add heat from above, overhead lamps are the perfect answer. The benefit of installing this type of heater over others is twofold: they heat the space quickly and efficiently, and their overhead position means they’re out of the way.

These heaters are usually found as part of an all-in-one unit that combines an exhaust fan, lights and heater, so if you’re tight on space or budget this is a perfect option for you.

Heated towel rails

Heated towel rails like those in the Milli Edge and Kado ranges not only add a touch of luxury, but will also dry your wet towels quickly and conveniently in those colder months. There are also moveable options like the Hydrotherm Milan Mobile available which can be stored away during the warmer months — great for rentals or when space is at a premium.

With a range of sizes and finishes to suit any bathroom design and budget, heated towel rails are an easy and affordable winter warmer accessory, and have become one of the must-have items in the Australian bathroom.

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Kado Quad Wall Mounted Heated Rails

Soft furnishings

While some options like new hot water units or underfloor heating require more forward planning, there are still many ways to add warmth to the bathroom without extensive renovations. Adding soft furnishings like natural-fibre rugs and bathmats will do wonders to soften hard surfaces and make your bathing experience a lot more cosy.

And, never underestimate the power of a fluffy bath robe and a cosy set of slippers. Having these on hand as you step out of the bath or shower is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to keep toasty in those
 winter months!

–Belinda Geels is marketing manager for Reece Bathrooms.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Save on Walter G indigo cushions

Indigo blue’s as hot as ever in interiors right now. You really can’t go wrong with classic and blue and white combos and right now you can get 40% off when you buy a bundle of cushions from Walter G.

indigo sale walter g

Choose from several sets of 3 complimentary cushions with inserts for just $150 instead of $250. Shipping is $10 within Australia. Time to give your lounge or bed a little lift before the Christmas visitors?

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Interiors Addict

Australian cushions stocked by US retail giants

Australian soft furnishings brand Bandhini Homewear Designs is seeing fantastic success in the American retail market, now being stocked by big name stores Neiman Marcus and Crate&Barrel.

The range stocked at Neiman Marcus

Sharm Schaffler, BHD’s USA director, says: “The response has been great and not only do the Americans love to deal with Australians, they most importantly find BHD’s Australian designs a refreshing, unique asset to their stores.”

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Interiors Addict

Bonnie and Neil move into bed linen, ceramics and rugs in latest collection

Yes, yes, I love Bonnie and Neil, and so do you, judging by the flurry of comments every time I post a photo on Instagram with my pink B&N tablecloth in shot! So of course I’m delighted they’ve expanded their cheerful range into bed linen, ceramics and rugs. Surely every room in your home could benefit from a little colour when it looks this good?

Bonnie and Neil 1

The designs are immediately recognisable as Bonnie and Neil but they’ve changed up some colours (more orange then pink this year and a lot of indigo blue, which I love too) and patterns to keep it fresh.

Bonnie and Neil 2

The plates take on last year’s popular Water Colour design in black, pink and blue. Throws, bolster cushions and pillowcases have been added in their move into the bedroom.

Categories
Interiors Addict

“I’ve been putting sticks, stones and shells on cushions for years,” says Bandhini’s Tai Schaffler

Maybe it’s the fact that she was once a journalist that makes Bandhini Homewear Design’s Tai Schaffler such a good interviewee. Or maybe it’s as simple as her passion for her business and the dying crafts of the people who hand make her products.

As an 18 year old, “small town Kiwi girl” Tai got a scholarship to study in Thailand, and her love affair with textiles began. “I would drive the other students nuts, fossiking through the Jim Thompson Silk stores. God I loved that silk! Still do,” she tells me. Her writing life started as a Christchurch correspondent for More Magazine.

She left journalism when Geraldine Sethi offered her a job in Perth to re-market and refurb her fashion business, Asaan. With a toddler and her husband in tow, Tai relocated to Perth and started traveling to India with her new boss. “I was hooked on textiles,” says Tai. “Not clothes but cloth for homes.” It wasn’t long before she saw the potential to open her own home textiles label.

These days she heads up Bandhini, now in its 20th year. Key to its success has been the longstanding relationship between the Schafflers and another family, in India. “I met Sangetta and Yuvraj Narain when I worked for Asaan and they were doing a stunning clothing collection called KALAKARI,” says Tai. “We were totally on the same wavelength of quality, cultural and handmade soft furnishings. That was it, I wasn’t going anywhere else! I adore them.”

Both families’ children have now have joined the business, with Tai’s son Sharm and the Narains’ sons Sharan and Karan, heading up the team in the USA. “They have finally got our gusto!” says Tai. “I think they are more business orientated than us. The next generation take it to the next level. They want to keep it on the same page ethically though, that’s important.”