Tag: work from home

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Expert Tips

Psychologist tips: Reclaiming your home from work-from-home

By psychologist Jaimie Bloch

With hybrid and remote working continuing to be the norm in 2022, never have our personal and our professional lives become so blurred – in fact new research from Allianz reveals that two in five Australians admit that switching off has become increasingly difficult for this exact reason. 

With a third of Aussies saying their home office has infiltrated their homes, this year more than ever, Australians need to prioritise creating mentally healthy workspaces. So rather than just dive back into the working year, I am encouraging you to reclaim your homes as exactly that, your homes. 

We can feel more productive and create mentally healthy workspaces through simple and small adjustments, such as these:

Try to create distance between your workspace and your personal space

After a lovely holiday break, you may have found yourself working from the same spot as last year. While this spot may feel fine as it worked ‘okay’ for you last year, it may be time for an update, in fact the research from Allianz shows that over a third are unhappy that their office space is in a communal part of their home. 

If possible, create distance between your work and personal space. If you’re unable to create physical distance, create mental distance. You can do this by using the Eisenhower matrix. In this technique, you create psychological distance from stress by creating a 2 x 2 matrix. The columns should be labeled Urgent and Less Urgent, and the rows Important and Less Important. At the end of the day, assign the tasks that are still needing to be completed into the matrix. 

This way you can create a distinction to switch off for the night and when the new day begins tomorrow, you already have a mapped-out plan of what should be tackled first; the urgent and important work. This will allow you to take the load off once work ends, and give you space to unwind and enjoy being in your home rather than feel stressed and anxious and continue working throughout the night.

Remove the clutter

Clutter and mess can be stressful and overwhelming – in fact there is a link between mess preventing you from being fully productive. While it’s not possible for all of us to have a private room to work from, it’s important that our space is tidy, and maximising our communal areas. 

According to the Allianz research, Australians describe their current office space as cluttered or busy. With so many admitting this, try to remove excess clutter or pop away items in drawers (or better yet, discard the papers if you can!). A tidy space creates fewer distractions and provides mental clarity which will allow you to focus when at work.

Limit the distractions

Working within a tidy area promotes a sense of calmness, which reduces stress and anxiety and leads to a higher level of productivity. 

When looking at one’s office, distractions aren’t limited to physical items – it can also be digital. An example of this is having too many notifications coming through, having too many tabs open, or having too many files sitting on your desktop. This can be a distraction while you are working, so turn off notifications periodically throughout the day, reduce digital clutter by clearing your desktop and exit out of browsers when they’re not needed. 

The research shows that 62% do not turn off their notifications when they are not working, making it near impossible to switch off. People are actually more productive at work if they have a mental break. So, over the weekend and during the evening, try to limit yourself or refrain from checking work-related notifications. This clears your mind when you’re not at work and allows you to fully switch off. 

Pack down your work desk at the end of the day

If you’re like the majority of Australians and unable to physically separate your work from home, try to pack down your desk at the end of the work day. While at the time it may feel like a lot of effort, taking the time to do this will ensure you are mentally shutting down from the day gone by and resetting your mind for the day ahead. 

Find out how you can reclaim your home

Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget

They say first impressions count and we were so blown away with the difference Kat Marshall made to her entry recently for well under $1,000, we just had to share…

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Design Designers Expert Tips

How Covid changed our relationship with interiors and design

By Mel Hoekstra

As we move into our third year of Covid, it is interesting to reflect on the way our lives have been impacted. We have spent more time at home and less in the work environment or travelling. Our home has become our domain for work, schooling and isolating and in some cases, we’ve needed to modify, decorate, or renovate to accommodate these changes. Or perhaps we have looked at the lacklustre walls and furniture for too long and become desperate for a fresh injection of new life!

The pandemic has given us a moment to pause and consider the important things in life; our social relationships with family and friends, health, and connections with nature. We have craved a slower home life; one where we can savour a slow cooked lamb roast in the oven, harvest our own home-grown vegetables and enjoy the company of family and friends in comfortable indoor and outdoor living spaces. We want to create havens in our homes to provide comfort, security, and a place to connect with people we care for deeply.

The changes in the way we use and think about our home has led to a need for an intensive interior design experience. Whilst there will always be a demand for a full interior service, for those who don’t have the interest, confidence, or time to undertake designing their own home, there are people who have embarked on the journey themselves and find they’re in need of some expert advice.  

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It seems not uncommon for homeowners to be kept awake throughout the night feeling overwhelmed with the number of decisions and selections, leading to their project coming to an abrupt halt. That’s where two-hour video or in-home consultations have become more popular. It gives the homeowner the opportunity to lead the conversation around their unique set of stumbling blocks, ask questions, bounce ideas around and make decisions; gaining the clarity and confidence to move forward and complete their design project.

Mel Hoekstra

Designers often get questions about how to establish a vision. Clients have saved an abundance of images on sites such as Pinterest but they have liked a mix of different styles, so we help find a common thread and narrow it down to a cohesive style which suits their lifestyle, home and connects with them on a personal level.  Through an intensive consultation we get them on the right track and make brand and colour suggestions to get them started.

Intensive consults can be anything design related: floor plan layout (especially in tricky shaped rooms), selecting the right style, size and material to suit their lifestyle, colours (that’s a big one as the number of whites alone is mindblowing!), wall and window treatments, lighting, artwork, the list goes on!

In my business, we ask plenty of questions to prepare for our consult and make the best use of their time, then follow up with a summary of our conversation as it can be quite a bit to take in.

Interior designers love to create beautiful cohesive spaces which improve our clients’ lifestyle, make them feel great and eliminate those pain points that exist in every home. Whether we are handling the entire project throughout all stages or offering our advice, experience and guidance along the way, we gain great pleasure from improving the lives of those around us and helping dreams become a reality. 

The pandemic, with all its heartache, has also guided us to reconnect with our ourselves, our homes, nature and those we love.

-Mel Hoekstra is an interior designer and owner of MH Interior Design, a Gold Coast based boutique interior design and decorating studio offering a full service professional solution for your residential new build, renovation or decoration project. MH Interior Design work with clients Australia-wide.

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Once considered the domain of men, the backyard shed is increasingly the domain of women according to EasyShed, Australia’s largest producer of backyard sheds. The company has seen a COVID-led…
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Home Office Shopping The Block

The Block 2021 garage (and more) reveals and some harsh words!

Garages with full-wall murals and fancy doors, storage, home offices and wine storage! There was so much revealed last night on The Block, it’s no wonder even the most diligent contestants couldn’t finish it all perfectly! There were some amazing reveals and some very harsh words from the judges for those who just didn’t get it together (I’m looking at you, Josh and Luke!)! “There’s two words for this and one of them is cluster,” may just go down in history as my favourite judge’s comment ever (thanks Darren!).

Onto the judging….

Ronnie & Georgia

Score: 27/30: first

Another week of praise for Ronnie and Georgia, who came first, and deservedly so.

Accessed by the Colourbond tilt door and past the Grafico mural of the Le Mans where Ford beat Ferrari, to a well-stocked and stacked storage area, Ronnie and Georgia’s garage combined style and functionality.

From there, the judges went through the stylish and perfectly placed mudroom with storage for shoes, coats and schoolbags, to a powder room (to be judged next week) and a study/guest room/home office overlooking the pool. “Trust Ronnie and Georgia to bring supreme elegance to a mudroom,” said Neale.

Inside however it was the sculptural curved staircase that caused the biggest wow, leading down to a beautifully fitted out wine room complete with seating around a butcher’s block table and another powder room. “Simply perfect!” Shaynna said. “Damn! Look at that!” said Darren. “That’s such a tight space and it’s so architecturally beautiful,” said Shaynna. “It feels exactly like the perfect staircase for this house. I love it!” Darren added.

The judges said the bedroom-slash-office was absolutely wonderful and what a beautiful place to sit and work. Darren said a fourth bedroom was huge for the real estate brochure as it was essentially a bonus room.

Down the spiral staircase, Darren was pleased to see the acoustic issues in the cinema room had been fixed. Shaynna loved the herringbone brick floor. “I’m in Provence!” Darren was wowed by the appliances and Shaynna loved the extra power room.

The judges said it wasn’t perfect but time was against them and they were sure any issues would be rectified later. Neale said: “They set the bar very high every week. The other contestants must hate them!”

Mark & Mitch

Score: 23/30: third

With its custom pink mural and yellow car, Mitch and Mark’s garage was colourful but, as Neale said, take those two things away and there’s not much left.

But it leads to one of The Block’s biggest surprises, a hidden study/office fitted into “stolen space” above, the perfect work-from-home space with ample space for two, plus storage, a big selling point in post-Covid times.

Darren said it set their house apart from Ronnie and Georgia’s. Neale said it had proper storage and was a proper work from home space. Although there were finishing issues, Darren said he understood why.

Into the basement the judges were surprised again, this time to see the space next to the existing day spa steam-room had been transformed into a combined TV room and wine cellar with its own kitchenette.

Neale said he felt like he was in a very cramped bedsit. Shaynna said the wine storage felt like it was shoved into corner. Darren said the best thing was the kitchen joinery. Shaynna felt the layout was odd. Neale said it was a panic room where they’d try to cram everything into the last space. “Mitch and Mark are going to be bitterley disappointed with our comments but we have to be honest,” Neale added.

Tanya & Vito

Score: 19.5/30: fourth

From the teal green horizontal garage door with portholes matching the heritage façade to the polished concrete floor and huge storage area, this is a room where functionality is clearly king. Coming at the cost of a fourth bedroom, the judges did wonder if the storage might be a mistake. Darren said they had damaged the value of their real estate.

Downstairs they found the games room outside the home cinema, complete with a wine fridge, classic arcade amusements and a statue welcoming visitors in. “It’s fun, it’s quirky and it’s in keeping with the house,” Darren said.

He really like the wine bar joinery and the integrated wine storage. “It shines a light on how much better this solution is to what Mitch and Mark showed us.”

Shaynna noticed the stairs and the rooms were very loud and echoey and a rug would help soften it. Neale said it could easily be remodelled by the buyer into a sophisticated adult space. He wasn’t sure if it added to the value as a games room and the way it was presented was very polarising.

Josh & Luke

Score: 8/30: last

The polished floor, mural featuring race tracks of the world and a door-within-a-door all combined to welcome the judges into Josh and Luke’s garage, a single car space with a storage space, complete with a plumbing stack from the master bedroom that was moved!

Inside, there was less to see, with the build still underway and the only visible change a plaster render the judges were all horrified by! The rooms were a complete tip and the judges were not impressed one bit.

“This is saying to me we don’t give a flying **** for what you guys have to say,” said an angry Neale. “This is inexcusable, it’s a pigsty,” added Darren.

The study/bedroom didn’t thrill them either, and they said it felt cramped, and the basement despite its great wine storage and kitchenette, was unfinished again and full of problems.

“What is this space, what is it for?” Darren asked. “A doctor’s waiting room?” asked Shaynna. The terribly planned en suite was an absolute disaster. “There’s two words for this and one of them is cluster,” said Darren. “That bathroom needs to go. It’s a waste of real estate. It’s a planning disaster.”

Shaynna asked why you’d have carpet in a wine area. And why there wasn’t a fridge? “Nothing functions, it’s kind of useless,” said Neale. Darren said it felt like defeat. “I sort of feel like we’re in this festering pit of negativity in here,” ended Shaynna.

Kirsty & Jesse

Score: 26.5/30: second

Thank goodness things were looking up at Kirsty and Jesse’s, starting with that gorgeous Hamptons style garage door! The large uncluttered garage with a storage area and fridge impressed the judges.

They found a lot to like in Kirsty and Jesse’s final spaces, especially when they moved upstairs to the study. A functional home office with well-planned lighting and great cabinetry. Darren said it suited the house.

It was the basement, however that won them over, from the bank of Gaggenau wine fridges to the recessed guitar display niches and kitchenette with seating outside the home cinema. “It’s a knockout!” Darren summed up. “A balance between opulence and value.” He said they’d spent only where they needed to.

Neale said there was no sign of them throwing in the towel. Shyanna said they had four bedrooms and an actual study. “It ticks a really important box from a real estate point of view.” Neale said he loved the basement vibe and it felt like a recoding studio.

SHOP THE LOOK: Grafico murals | 4dDoors garage doors

See all the rooms and more at The Block Shop

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Architecture Design Designers Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Reno Trends

How has COVID-19 has changed 2021’s dream home?

The seismic shift in lifestyle created by COVID-19 and lockdowns has reshaped how Australians are choosing to build and renovate their homes. From an increased focus on hygiene, to rallying against shrinking block sizes, the story of Australian architecture has taken a new turn.

With industry data showing that over 40% of home buyers have changed their preferences for their properties, James Hardie’s experts explain some of the trends influencing the homes of 2021.

More spacious homes

“At the beginning of 2020 we were seeing increased interest in more sustainable ‘micro homes’ and an acceptance of shrinking block sizes in metro areas. However, in less than a year, our homes took on new roles from offices, gyms and other locations that we would normally go outside to visit,” said Helen Simpson, insights manager at James Hardie. 

“In fact, nearly half of homeowners that changed their home priorities are now looking for a home office or study nook, while over a quarter wanted additional living spaces.” she added.

New designs will seek to balance between shared spaces and private areas. “With families spending more time sharing the same space, there is also a greater need for areas of connection as a family and separate retreats for privacy. Floor plans that separate bedrooms and home offices with a central living-dining area work well,” said architect, Joe Snell.

Shift away from the city 

Working from home has reduced the need to be tied to a physical work location, opening up new property opportunities. “Across all age groups, data shows that 23% of Australians that have changed their home preferences during 2020 are now considering a move out of the city,” said Helen.

She added that downsizers are escaping the city in favour of smaller beachside properties. “They’ve bought or built enough homes to know what they want and have the money to get it and COVID-19 has only motivated them.”

Rise in renovations

“Home isolation has provided owners with time to reflect on potential improvements to their properties, with leading industry bodies expecting a growth in renovations such as kitchen and bathroom updates,” said Helen.

Without the ability to travel, bringing the holiday feeling to the home has become increasingly important, explained interior designer Natalee Bowen, principal of Indah Island. “The idea of creating a sanctuary at home is not new, but it has certainly become a driving force in 2021.”

Refreshing home exteriors

Homeowners want their properties to reflect their style. Many more experienced homeowners are realising that they can cost-effectively redefine their homes’ exteriors by re-cladding or with cladding features.

“Homes with little architectural shape can be enhanced by varying lines, textures and colours,” Joe explained. “By incorporating a larger range of materials, the look opens up almost endless design possibilities, perfect for people who have rediscovered their creative sides during lockdowns.”

Property and building costs

While forecasters anticipated house prices to crash across the country in response to the recession, industry data showed that they actually rose at the end of 2021. With land prices rising, there is a downward pressure on build costs. 

“No matter the property, there is normally a compromise between costs and the dream home people are trying to build and according to industry data, these decisions will be affected by growing house prices,” said Helen. She encouraged homeowners to work with their builders to realise their ideal home with cost effective materials, without compromising on quality.

To find out more about how to build or renovate your own dream home, from inspiration on the latest look to advice on modern materials, visit jameshardie.com.au.

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RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block 2020: studio and garage reveal

There was a lot of rushing this week as the couples took on the massive task of what come called a “mini house”. While some of the garage/studios were very unfinished, others were impressive multi-functional spaces, adding no doubt huge value to this year’s Block homes. Here’s a recap of the judges’ comments and scores and our picks to buy.

Harry and Tash | 20/30 LAST

The judges weren’t impressed with all the unfinished elements but once they got up the stairs, it did get a bit better. That said, Darren wasn’t sure a studio kitchen needed such a large island. He said the space would be better as a workspace. Shaynna wasn’t impressed with the bar fridge. Neale and Shaynna said there were a lot of blind spots in the lighting.

Then into the bathroom there were a lot of unfinished elements including the lack of shower screen! The judges although it was a badly planned space. “It’s a bit of a disaster frankly,” said Neale.

It was really no surprise when they came last.

Our picks: Adele Naidoo (love her!) Just Breathe caves print & Eadie Lifestyle cushions (I have these at home).

Sarah and George | 29.5/30 FIRST

From one extreme to the other! Sarah and George were right to feel confident this week.

The judges loved the finish and the extra storage of the garage then up the stairs, the laundry. The bonuses just kept coming! A work space with proper desk, a wardrobe.

“Beautifully done,” said Neale. “They’ve ticked all the boxes in terms of how an owner can interact with the space,” said Darren. “I see a lot of flexibility here and it ticks so many boxes for me,” said Shaynna. Neale said a multifunctional space was more and more essential. “It’s real estate gold,” he added.

All this before they even saw the bathroom! “This is a crescendo,” said Shaynna. “I love it!” Darren said the tiling was exceptional.

Our picks: The Baths print by Colour Clash Studio & Freshwater Farm soap

Daniel and Jade | 25.5/30 JOINT THIRD

The powder room made a great first impression. The judges said it was clever and perfect for the garage, the yard or the pool. But then it went downhill with the unfinished stairwell. But then got better again with the studio!

“A great looking room with a very nice kitchenette.” No cooktop though? Shaynna said the TV was too big and the room wasn’t as resolved as Harry and Tash’s. She said an office/bedroom would be more useful than a full bedroom. Darren noted there was no power near the desk and Neale said the office functionality was very underplayed. “It’s got about as much personality as the average serviced apartment,” Neale said. There was no emotional connection.

Shaynna wondered why they didn’t choose a cavity slider for the bathroom. They loved the vanity and tile choices and the skylight. “It feels tiny,” said Shaynna. Overall it’s a nice little bathroom completing a nice studio space. “Definitely a B+'” said the judges.

Our picks: Oval bathroom mirror & Rope bed by SATARA

Luke and Jasmin | 25.5/30  JOINT THIRD

The round skylights and the artwork went a long way to distracting from the unfinished stairwell. The studio though, impressed the judges! “Lovely as this is, it is presented as just another bedroom,” said Neale. The lack of workspace was a real problem. Shaynna said they simply needed to style it a bit differently to suggest the ability to work from there.

They loved the bathroom with its fluted glass, timber and great tiles. “Stunning and so spacious,” Shaynna said.

Darren said it was the most consistent house from front to back. The lack of bathroom door was a problem though. Neale said it was clear they never saw it as anything more than a studio apartment. Most people wouldn’t be comfortable going to the toilet with no door, if anyone else was in there!

Our picks: Lauren Freestone limited edition print & Pill sink by Nood Co

Jimmy and Tam  | 29/30 SECOND

The only studio with a home gym, this really impressed the judges. “A lot of people will be working out from home now,” said Shaynna. Neale said an equal amount of buyers won’t be interested in it though.

When they got upstairs, Darren loved how the galley kitchen blended in with the functional workspace. And it had a dishwasher! No bed though, just a sofa bed. Which caused mixed feelings amongst the judges.

Darren loved the flexibility. Neale said jimmy and Tam always think outside the square.

The bathroom was neutral, calm and serene. They loved the vanity and tiles. Shaynna said it felt luxurious and beautiful.

Our picks: ISSY Halo vanity & al.ive body hand wash and lotion duo with tray

The Block 2020: living/dining reveals

Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash…

Daniel and Jade get first ever win in kitchen week on The Block 2020

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Last year’s flamboyant The Block contestants Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie, are back this week to share their thoughts on who has the best chance of winning the show come…
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Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2020 upstairs room reveals

Everyone approached their spaces slightly differently on The Block this week but all but one had a home office alongside their bedroom. And nobody can argue how important they’ve become! Finally, Sarah and George got their first win (hooray!) and it was last place for former favourites Jimmy and Tam.

Let’s recap!

Harry and Tash | 28/30 | Second place

The judges loved the home office and how it reflected nature outside and thought it showed great restraint. The paintwork was heavily criticised, but that was all.

Into the bedroom itself and Shaynna said it was stunning. Darren said the corner must have been really hard to work with but that they’d managed to make it a great feature. “It’s a really good, private, useful adult space.”

Neale said demonstrating multi-use was really important from a real estate perspective. Shaynna said: “This house can grow into whatever the family wants to throw at it.”

Darren and Neale loved the sheer curtains too. “We feel the joy and brightness and life that’s in this house. Harry and Tash have hit their stride.” Shaynna said paintwork aside, the room was flawless and they were peaking at the right time!

Picks to buy: Fern Siebler artworks | Dior Catwalk coffee table book

***

Sarah and George | 28.5/30 | Winners!

Sarah and George finally got a win for their upstairs rooms that included a work from home space, a powder room and a kids room.

Shaynna loved how spacious and bright the hallway was. She thought their last study was claustrophobic but liked this one much better. Neale loved how it had been styled. Darren said the attention to detail in the finishes was great.

Into the powder room. Darren said the matching floor and wall tiles were impactful in a small room. Neale loved the little black sink but thinks they could have had more fun with the room, and created more contrast.

Into the kid’s room and that’s where they got really excited! Darren wanted to be a little kid again! “When you’re going to do a kid’s room, go all the way,” Shaynna said.

Neale thought it was very clever because although it was beautifully styled as a kid’s room, it could easily become something else. “Everything they’ve chosen is so right. It creates a wonderful sense of whimsy and emotion. There’s something very childlike about the mural but it could also work for an older child or an adult.”

“This whole level works,” says Shaynna.

Picks to buy: Kids’ lace teepee | Upholstered console

***

Daniel and Jade | 27.5/30 | Third place

The South Australian farmers had a different space upstairs to everyone else; as well as a third bedroom, they had a secret attic that can be used for storage. 

Shaynna loved how large the study/rumpus room was. Darren loved the multipurpose room. Neale said it was a very thoughtful design.

But Shaynna felt the styling wasn’t quite right and the couch was a little too stiff. Neale said it didn’t have the emotional pull of the previous two rooms but buyers would see it as a real value add.

The judges all loved that there were five bedrooms in the main part of this house. “There’s no doubt this adds massive value,” Neale said. Shaynna loved the wardrobes. Neale said it was a useful room for a guest or you could use it as an entire floor for the kids.

Then they found the secret attic! The judges said they’d got the most out of every spare inch of their home.

Pick to buy: Octavia Tomyn art

***

Luke and Jasmin | 26/30 | Fourth place

Darren said the big hallway was a real bonus. They loved the barn door and hardware but hated how it was mounted and thought it needed a brass handle too. Once inside though, there was a lot to like! Shaynna said the styling was superb. Neale said there was a feeling of luxury and elegance. Darren liked how the room was an office/TV room and much more conducive to watching TV than in the last house with its big comfy modular.

They said it felt modern and coastal and right on the money. Shaynna thought it was a shame they hadn’t used plantation shutters. And then Darren noted the bottom drawer didn’t open properly. But overall they were impressed.

The hallway paintwork needed a lot of attention. But once into the bedroom, they were happy again. Neale loved the green VJ wall and the rattan bedhead. Darren loved the lights on the VJ. Shaynna thought the bed could have been styled better and wondered why they didn’t choose brass handles for the wardrobes.

“The standard this year is so high that we are nothing the imperfections,” Neale said. Darren felt the rooms had great emotional appeal.

Picks to buy: Brass clam shell | LED wall lights | Barn door hardware

***

Jimmy and Tam  | 25.5/30 | Last place

The judges loved the “epic” pocket door. They loved the little TV space although the TV was way too high for the sofa. Neale thought not having an office even suggested was a mistake.

Darren did love the joinery, the sofa and the colour palette. Neale said it wasn’t really tugging at his heart strings. And Shaynna said smart spending was starting to look a bit stingy!

The bedroom though was a success. Shaynna said it had a sense of luxury. Darren said it was gorgeous and he loved the materials palette.

Neale hated the dried floral arrangement and said it was “funereal in its ugliness”. He admitted though that the colour palette was gorgeous. “They’ve made brown look beautiful, they’ve made brown sing.”

Lastly Neale said if they weren’t planning a study in their studio apartment they had made a big mistake and that they had to have one.

Picks to buy: Slim Aarons framed prints | Brushed gold side table | Satin brass door handles

The Block 2020: living/dining reveals

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The Block 2020 kitchen week: What Would Jono Do?

Kitchen week is always one of the biggest on The Block. They say kitchens can sell homes and as someone who likes to cook a lot, I can definitely relate…

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Interiors Addict

Pop Up Desks are a fast, easy & affordable solution

Oak Junior

I’ve been so inspired, as I’m sure you have too, by the stories of local businesses pivoting to save themselves and their employees at this challenging time. And even better when that pivot offers a solution to new challenges the rest of us are facing, and for many that’s working and schooling from home. These clever new Pop Up Desks are the perfect example, and they look good too!

They’re the brainchild of DisplayWise, a market leader in the events and exhibitions space. “For almost 20 years we have built displays for some of Australia’s most well known brands, however recent events have obviously shattered our entire industry and led to most of our business opportunities evaporating overnight,” said group marketing director Lisa Cachia.

“As a team, we watched as doors around us continued to close. We put our heads together and thought what can we do, what can we make that is going to be useful and add value during these challenging times?

“Noting that many offshore supplies were limited, and with more and more people either working or studying from home, we realised that a range of high quality, locally manufactured desks would provide many Australians with a solution to their new home office needs.”

With skills in industrial design, a full manufacturing facility and a team of people ready and willing to work, they quickly set about turning the concept into a reality. In the space of a few days, they had designed, tested, produced and taken to market a range of desks. “We also created a new brand, Pop Up Desks, along with a suite of marketing materials including brochures and a new website.”

The Scandi-inspired desks not only look great, they are highly functional. Purposefully designed to be easy to assemble (from just six pieces), they can ‘pop up’ in a matter of minutes and require no screws. Knowing that many people lack space or a permanent office set-up, the desks can also ‘pop down’ and be stored flat when not required, even for the weekend!

From $179 and shipping Australia wide, they’re made of high quality MDF with a choice of laminate finishes and come in adult and junior size or a standing version. The range is growing every week as the brand responds to requests for different sizes and configurations.

Photo credit @concretehoney

“Most importantly, all of our products are designed and made in Australia, supporting local jobs in these unprecedented times,” Lisa says.

“As a business, great design is key to everything we do. Whether we are building a two-story exhibition stand, or a piece of home office furniture, we apply the same design principals and attention to detail in our work.  This innovative, unique design is testament to our drive to make products that not only look amazing but are of a high quality and are extremely functional.”

They’ve been thrilled with the response from customers and the media. “Businesses need to diversify and adapt to survive,” Lisa says. “Whether you are an alcohol manufacturer that has pivoted to produce much needed hand sanitiser, or a fine dining restaurant that now offers takeaway, those that are able to think outside the square will stand a much greater chance of succeeding.

“There have been so many examples of these businesses in the media in recent weeks, I think it’s testament to the Aussie spirit and our determination to stick together and get through this crisis.”

Browse and order Pop Up Desks online

Categories
Designers Styling

How to transition from employee to styling business owner

By Naomi Findlay

Do you have a creative energy you just don’t get to use in your current job? How about a love for property and real estate that you need to nurture? If you have a passion for styling homes, building your own home staging business can be one of the most rewarding careers out there.

There’s the creative freedom, working your own hours and dealing with the clients of your choice. In theory, it’s an easy decision to change your career overnight, but I know that the transition from full-time work in a corporate setting to running your own business is a little more complicated than that.

Here are four steps to ensure your transition from working a 9-to-5 to running a home staging business is a smooth and successful one:

Set your work hours

I’ve heard people say that the main reason that they want to run their own business from home is because they can work only when they want to work. It IS true that you can set your own work hours when you work at home but it does NOT mean that you don’t have to have set work hours.

When you have a job that you go to outside your home, you are required to be at that job at a specified time on specified days of the week. When you have a work at home job or business, you need that same kind of structure. You need to set regular working hours. The freedom that a work at home job provides is that you can choose the hours…but you do have to choose!

A ‘hit or miss’ work schedule…or rather, the lack of any work schedule at all, simply will not work. Time is of the essence! YOUR time!

Let your friends and family know your work schedule

The benefits of running your own business mean you can be at home to see the kids off to school and be at home when they get home. You can put a load of laundry in and it can run through the cycles while you are working. But you must enforce a work schedule for yourself and insist that your family and friends also adhere to it.

A job out in the bricks and mortar world tells your family and friends that your time is spoken for during your working hours. When you work from home, expect your spouse to see you as being free to run errands. Your friends will see you as being available for long telephone conversations, lunch or for a coffee catchup. You can see the problem.

The best way to accomplish using your time to your own best advantage with your business is to make a schedule and tell your family and friends what that schedule is. You don’t have to be rude but you do have to be firm. Make it clear to all. “I will be working between 9am and 3pm Monday through Friday. On those days and during those hours, I am NOT available to run errands or take personal phone calls or entertain company.” Then stick to it!

Create your own brand

When running your own business, you need to work on creating your brand. A brand is more than a name or a physical feature, it is the perception that customers have about your product or service. It’s your promise to your audience. In general terms, it’s an idea or image of a specific product or service that consumers connect with.

Whilst in the order of things a logo usually comes first, the trick is to then grow your brand from there. When establishing your brand, first work out what the vision, values and personality of your company are. Consider your audience and define them. What’s their age, gender, occupation, location and personality traits? When doing these exercises, also remember that this is not about defining you or describing what you like, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your potential buyers to see what they desire.

Figure out your competition

In the age of technology, you can do a million and one things to switch up your business and create a unique element of interest that sets you above other home stagers in your area. All that you have to decide is what ideas you are going to pursue!

This could be creating your own YouTube channel where you share advice or film the home staging process of a property. It could be starting a blog to engage your audience and direct traffic to your website. There’s even options like offering warehouse tours and creating an online op-shop for old furniture stock – get creative!

So, are you ready to start your career in home staging? Do you want a flexible career that you are in control of with the ability to earn a multiple six-figure income from. Join me to find out how you can do this and so much more at International Institute of Home Staging’s StartUp Events in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in February and March 2018, to help answer those nagging questions in the back of your mind. Tickets are just $49.

–Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker.She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is CEO of staging company Silk Home and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).

Categories
House Tours Jen's reno

Jen’s home office reveal

Photography: Jacqui Turk

I’m excited to reveal my new home office; once a very dull and boxy little room, otherwise known as ‘bedroom 4’ on the floorplan! It did have a few great things going for it though: the best light in the house and a window and glass doors looking out onto the garden. Our house is very long and the office is right at the back, away from any noise and distraction.

It needed help though. And as this is a long term home, I really wanted to make an effort with this workspace and make it somewhere I really wanted to hang out and felt inspired and happy to work in. There’s nothing that transforms a small and featureless room more, in my opinion, than wallpaper. I’d wanted to use one of Anna Spiro’s designs for Porters Paints for years. Damian wasn’t sure about the pink so I compromised on the blue version. But when I found they were out of stock, I somehow managed to persuade him it was a good idea to revert to pink. At the end of the day, I’m the one who works from home so it’s really my domain. That and the fact the garage has been earmarked as his man cave and I’ll happily have nothing to do with what goes on in there!

Before the wallpaper, I’d already had a plantation shutter put on the window. Since these photos were taken I’ve also had sheer curtains put on the sliding door. They filter the light really well because the sun can sometimes be a bit too much and soften the room nicely.

I don’t need much furniture, being someone whose work is largely online and stored in the cloud. Laptop, printer, paper diary and a few notebooks and pens aside, I don’t need much physical stuff. Which keeps things tidy! I already had the two grey home office storage units from Pottery Barn. I love them because they’re grey and don’t look too corporate or officey. The one with the doors neatly hides the printer (never a good look!) and even if you don’t need storage, you’ve got to have somewhere to display pretty things, right?!

Speaking of pretty things, it was love at first sight for that cut glass lamp. Amazing. I’m still on the lookout for a more interesting shade to swap out for the white one it came with, just to mix things up a little. The rattan lampshade on the pendant light is the same one we’ve used in all the bedrooms. It’s a nice textured neutral.

The magazine rack is actually a bathroom ladder. I think I saw it used this way in a magazine and stole the idea, but I can’t remember which, sorry!

I’m having a major floral moment and these two prints by Kimmy Hogan (right) and Lamai Anne (left) seem to work well together and with the wallpaper.

It took a long time to work out where the desk should go (the doors make this room a tricky one to work with) but Damian finally cracked it and as soon as I realised the chair should be looking towards the door, that was it! I also have a thing about having my back to the door and not knowing who might creep up behind me, so this this works well! I imported that chair from Jonathan Adler years ago and while it is made of resin and thus super heavy and not ergonomically sound at all, I just love it so there. The desk itself is solid timber. I love its generous size, simplicity and the fact it has a small drawer where I store pens (not a fan of pen pots!).

The round blush pink rug helps balance the room a little as most of the action is happening at the far end.

This room is definitely polarising but I’m unapologetic! This is my space where I get work done and earn money so it’s important too. It doesn’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea! That said, I find most women love it and men just shudder and say the wallpaper would give them a headache! Each to their own!

It’s actually really fun and refreshing to have a room which can be so self indulgent (when you’re in a couple you do have to be at least a little conscious of your other half’s tastes!). And the fact that this room feels so good and is a pleasure to work in makes me happy every day. All in all, I’m glad I had the guts to go bold in this room.

The floors in here will be replaced with an oak laminate next month, and the sliding doors will eventually be replaced with French double doors.

What do you think?

Where’s it from?

Wallpaper: Rosey Posey Trellis by Anna Spiro for Porter’s Paints

Installation by AKRA Wallpapering

Grey storage units: Windsor range from Pottery Barn

Table lamp: Zoya table lamp from Lighting Lighting Lighting

Pendant light: Shore pendant in tan rattan from Beacon Lighting

Desk: Altar desk in natural ash from Contents International Design

Chair: Jonathan Adler Chippendale Armchair, available in Australia through Coco Republic

Plantation shutter and sheer curtains: DIY Online Blinds

Art: Kimmy Hogan and Lamai Anne.

Rug: Cochin blush hand stitched rug from Early Settler

Bathroom ladder (used for magazines): Home Republic Bath Storage Ladder from Adairs

Terrazzo MacBook Skin: Uniqfind

Gold stapler: Kate Spade (available at David Jones)

Bluetooth speaker: Bang & Olufsen (available at Myer)

Gold wall clock: Target

See my master bedroom

Categories
Homewares

Jen’s picks for a gorgeous home office

One of the benefits of working from home is getting to choose all of the pretty things for your desk nook/home office. While us self employed miss out on free coffee and filtered water, office birthday gifts and the odd lunch on the boss, I think we more than make up for it in other respects! Here are a few gorgeous things you might like to brighten up your workspace (at home or otherwise). You can find them all (and more) in my Great.ly boutique.home office

I’ve been missing my own home office space (below) while we’ve been travelling. I’m looking forward to getting settled into a new home in Sydney later this year!

Disclosure: I receive a commission on any sales via my Great.ly boutique.