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A moodboard for a virtual client on @designerrescueremedy: by @janethomson

How to create a home office when you don’t have one.

Living your best work-life at home….

Yeah I know. Freedom day has come and gone [for those of us in Australia [ Straya, NSW ]] We’re loving it BTW….weeeeee!!

We can now actually sit in, and, omg, eat in restaurants.. [ what are those things again?] Drink at a pub,.. standing up, if you don’t mind, IF you’re outside ..

Visit our favourite hairdresser to bleach away our covid “skunk” stripes, and cut many a blokes “bonce”, so they no longer resemble “Cousin It”… but some of us will still be relegated to our domiciles as some workplaces haven’t or may never go back to the way it was.

This leads to some very clever creativity, and on the flip side, massive headaches and family punch ups!

Not everyone is lucky enough to own an abode with spare bedrooms, attics, or empty basement spaces. So some of us have to make do. Stealing away tiny corners of living rooms, sections of mezzanine spaces of split-level homes, carving out a space in your kitchen or claiming that little corner section of our master bedroom.

So, the big trend for now and beyond is home offices.. or home office spaces. Here’s 3 ways to sneak a small workspace into your home ..

Office “Nooks” in kitchens

This will work well if you’re looking at a brand new kitchen .. so why wouldn’t you incorporate a an office nook in said space. As you can see it doesn’t require a hell of alot of space. However if you’re an interior designer or architect obviously this won’t work for you! But in carrying out day to day tasks whilst working at home this kind of space can work really well.

With ..

• Storage for folders and work books.
• Space enough for a chair, you can tuck under the workbench
• The space works in with the existing joinery and is so unassuming and close to naughty snacks in the fridge ..
• During my 31 years in my practice, I’ve designed and completed a plethora of these.. so kitchen nook workspaces are not a “new thing”. But, let’s face it, Covid has driven the desire for home work spaces.

Living room study nooks

Another great location, if you’re like a lot of us, not lucky enough to own that designated study room, or spare bedroom. In my travels as an interior designer visiting hundreds of homes over the last 30 years, one of the most forgotten about spaces in a home for a study nook is the humble living room.

Most abodes have one. Even if they’re not expansive, generally there’s a space there that we can all carve out for ourselves.

If you don’t have that spare room or dedicated office space make one for yourself!

Don’t despair! As you can see, all it takes is a little forward planning. With the advent of noise cancelling headphones, mobile phones and wireless we can all sport a stunning section of our living rooms, to work away during the day.

You can easily work in your workspace to resonate and compliment the balance of your living room .. Read further for some tips!

Under stair office nooks!

Ahhh the long neglected spooky dark space under the stairs. For some poor abused souls the object of terror if there underside of the stairs is a small room with a lock. No doubt you’ve spent many a year in counselling. So sorry!

But for those of us that are lucky enough to own a free space under our staircase it’s the perfect “pozzie” for an “at home work space”.

Make sure you have enough width .. you’ll need at least around around 700 mm wide to be able to house a chair, and enough room to “swing a cat”. Make sure you have good lighting! Under Stair spaces are notoriously dark.. so installing a new power point will be an expense that’s worth doing.

Some tips for your home study without a dedicated room.

1. Make sure there’s a power point handy to your new work space. You don’t want to go blind in your beautiful new space.
2. Ensure your space bares some relation to the space you’re in. So if your new office desk resides in your living room . Try to add features and colours that will work with your existing living area. And please add a plant of some sort!
3. Add beautiful lamps rather than plain ordinary office desk lamps to those living areas. This will relate better to the space when you’re away from your desk.
4. Add beautiful artwork, again to resonate with colours and themes to your room.
5. PLEASE dont use office chairs, unless they’re gorgeous .. here’s a couple below from BROSA …And the other from Canada’s CB2 , now available here in Australia!

Hopefully now you’ll be able to make your new office work space at home with some confidence!

MORE NEWS

Every Saturday morning at 10.00am, my “design bestie”, Mr Adam Scougall and I, stream our live show from Instagram called “DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY“

Not only do we “rescue”, struggling design DIYers from themselves, but also help people who just want a fresh new look for their spaces!

What do I do, to get my hands on a
FREE MAKEOVER !!!! ???

DO THIS!

If you’d love a FREE design for your space, www.designerrescueremedy.com, answer the short questionnaire so you can tell us all about your space and what your little heart desires.

One of my latest makeovers above for DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY on INSTAGRAM a new restaurant counter for a place in Tasmania called Dunalley Bay

So get yourself a FREE room makeover completed by one of 2 TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS in next couple of weeks on the show!

Look forward to seeing you as a contributor to have your space rescued, or as a viewer!

Till then,

Janie xx

Beautiful beds and Bedding.. Rattan HUGE for 2021 and beyond!

Beds, bedding, sleeping and other stuff.

We all need em. And some wont get out of bed for less than $10,000 per day. [ I so wish that were me..] But let’s face it, beds, and making them enticing is so important for so many reasons.

Beds. Not ummm not necessarily for these kinds of gymnastics perse. Cool trick though.

So to make sure your bed is bodacious. Here are some no go’s for making your bed.

1: Old Skool Bedspreads with “Shams”

Yep you’ve all seen these “bedroom horrors” . They Are lumpy bland and generally show notig of YOUR personality. [They generally reside in minus 2 star motels, ewwwwww]

Unless! You’re boring, bland, beige, with no personality, then these little gems will be just perfect for you.

For the rest of us intensely interesting, personality loaded, attractive humans .. we’d rather something like this.

Ok, Ok , I know it was designed by me, Im not bragging, but geez, a damned sight better than our boring, “grannyised ” vanilla sham bedspread! This stunning bedspread was made with a beautiful 100 percent polypropylene , a fabric you cant kill but looks devine. These new generation performance fabrics are amazing and really feel like the real thing, in this case linen.

TIP:
Lets go bespoke !Use large patterned Euro Cushions.. find a fabric that you love and make this your bedhead if you don’t have one. If you do have one you can still use oversized cushions to add that certain “je ne sais quoi”

Look to the wall colour to give you inspiration OR if you fancy a new wall colour FIND THE FABRIC FIRST. 🙂

It’s easier to find the right paint colour. If you paint the wall first it’s harder to find the right fabric to work with the wall colour.

2: Beautiful Bed heads

Its 2021, and we are so lucky as there’s a plethora of beautiful ready made and bespoke bedheads on the market … so. …..

He he you’re getting smart at this.. Why , in my life as a designer am I constantly confronted with ” Butt Ugly Bedheads” ? Do yourself a favour? Please don’t be tempted to buy one of these, …… ?

Not only are these bad boys ugly but they take up so much precious room in our abodes. Lumpy, brown, unforgiving, stodgy, and butt ugly. None of the superlatives make me happy, why would they you!?

Look for something with grace, beauty, classic striking features , beautiful lines, and a feeling of comfort and sanctuary ..

My favorite at the momentare rattan bedheads. They have a softness and a classic vibe that will last the test of time.

3: Scatter Cushions! or as the Americans call them, “Pillows”

Here are some tried and true tips to keep you out of trouble when adorning your beddy byes.

When adding scatter cushions there are some rules but not many .

Rule A: Be generous .. look to at least 3 cushions for your bed to make an impact

Rule B : Don’t be a cushion meany.. make sure you use decent sized cushions anything under 500 mm x 500 mm is deemed, mean.

Rule C: In one of my last newsletters, I had a gentle rant re, placement of said cushions.. I deemed the practice a Design Crime!

So to revisit .. please don’t do this .. looks like a mad woman’s breakfast and is like totally naff! I know its not a bed perse.. but it explains this scourge, to a tee.. U.G.L.Y

Rule D: To be honest this isn’t really a rule, but a guide to making a decent bed! Cos after all you have to lie in it.. [ see what I did there]

Below is a bedroom via my show [ with my design bestie and co host @adamscougall] I designed for a client on the show. It shows a lovely way to place cushions . Believe me there’s a million ways to make a bed. And thus a million ways to ” bugger it up”

So below is taking cues from different colours and textures and pairing them with the wallpaper in this case ..

 

In this room is used Texture, pattern and colour to create a uber girly bedroom for an uber girly client .. Build from the back Larger to smaller. And use lumbar cushions that are longer than they are tall.. this can be your hero cushion to link the room

Would you like to see a cheeky video made by me to show you how to style and make a fabulous bed? If so email me HERE

NEWS FLASH!

Every Saturday morning at 10.00am, my “design bestie”, Mr Adam Scougall and I, stream our live show from Instagram called “DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY“

Not only do we “rescue”, struggling design DIYers from themselves, but also help people who just want a fresh new look for their spaces!

What do I do, to get my hands on a
FREE MAKEOVER !!!! ???

DO THIS!

If you’d love a FREE design for your space, www.designerrescueremedy.com, answer the short questionnaire so you can tell us all about your space and what your little heart desires.

One of my latest makeovers above for DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY on INSTAGRAM a new restaurant counter for a place in Tasmania called Dunalley Bay

So get yourself a FREE room makeover completed by one of 2 TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS in next couple of weeks on the show!

Look forward to seeing you as a contributor to have your space rescued, or as a viewer!

Till then,

Janie xx

One of my latest projects.. reusing repurposing and mixing with bright shiny new thangs ..Design by @janethomson_ image by Yie Sandison

Quick tips: how to integrate design trends for 2022/23, with your existing pieces and nailing it!

Yes, I feel you.  There’s always a new trend popping up whether it be interior design or Fashion. “How the hell can I afford to change my interior let alone my wardrobe with ever changing design and fashion trends!???”

Well newsflash, you don’t have to .. feeling better?

One of the top “New Global Trends” for 2022 and beyond is repurposing, upscaling & reusing. All the top forecasters are singing form the same song sheet.

Now I do understand your thoughts right now. “ Ughh sounds very wanky” you say. [ pardon the French]  And to some degree it is..

Although trends only occur due to worldwide sentiments and events. So the main one ATM is the ‘C” word. Yes COVID.. [ another Ugh] escapes your lips [ and mine too]

So wanky .. ugh..

Anyhoo my friend.. putting all of the annoying and negative nelly stuff aside ..

There are some positives ..

Yes we can reuse our existing pieces with new sexy interior design finds!

Weeeeee!

 

Here are 3 tips to get your 2022 and beyond design juices flowin, baby.

1: Wallpaper .. “Grandmillenial” or “Granny Chic” style paper

In this shot by Aussie textile designer Eloise Short you can see the granny Chic wallpaper teamed with very contemporary Bed Linen.

Proof that you can keep your existing pieces and still make your room sing

Its adding another 2022/2023 Design trend to your space.. the big one I’m totally in love with is PERSONALISATION.. or designing for you.. shock horror huh?

I know right such a weird concept. After at least 10 years of the world telling you “ Design for the next buyer whom may buy or not buy your home.”

I say ‘Bollocks”

Design for you ! Gone are the days of constantly creating “milk toast” interiors!

Now it’s your turn to have fun and LIVE IN YOUR HOME. THE WAY YOU WANT TO! [ yep I’m yelling again…. Soz]

TIP: To create this look

A:  keep your bed frame!

B:  keep your bed linen or lovely occasional chair in your living room

C:  and select a paper that works with what you already have. Look for cues through colour in your existing pieces.. it will totally change the feel of your space!

 

2: Another big design trend is NON IDENTICAL CHAIRS FOR DINING ROOMS..

This trend I feel has occurred directly via our fabulous old mate Covid

Basically it’s a trend borne out of lack of funds .. through lack of work for some re  lockdowns .. but with positive connotations! How individual is this trend! Yay!

However ..  girls and boys .. there’s the right way of doing this and the wrong way.

The right way…

And there’s the wrong way..

TIP: Make sure you use similar materials such as timber .. also similar shapes won’t go astray .. However you may use upholstered carvers at each end as long as they’re the SAME ..

3: Curves, curves and curves

Again borne out of the world wide crisis .. the curves give you a feeling of softness, a mother’s embrace perhaps? .. Too sharp a lines can evoke feelings of harsh realities.. and we so don’t need these atm.

Every styling and furniture piece is available at the moment in a sexy curve.

TIP:  so yup, keep your existing sofas but perhaps team up with a beautiful curved accent chair..

TIP: remember to look to your existing colours and perhaps use your artwork as a cue for your colour selection ?

There’s so much more I’d love to pass on but we’ll wait until my next newsletter? Im going Bi- weekly now!

Till next month Janie xx

How to use colour in your kitchen and NOT stuff it up!

And still sell your home in 10 years..

For wayyyyyyy too many years we’ve been absolutely obsessed with resale of our abodes .. and for good reason. Given the heady selling prices over the last few years, for allot of lucky homeowners have earned truck loads of tax free dollars..

So whom wouldn’t do that! Dahhhh

But for the preceding years, the real estate market has experienced fits and starts [ don’t get me wrong real estate is king!]

And with the emerging new norm of rising real estate prices came the same old advice.. from well meaning , perfectly correct and well educated Real Estate agents.. And you cant blame them. They’re simply creating the best environment to get top dollar for your home

They say “Get rid of the colour and paint everything white or some non-polarising or non-offending colour”

The tide has turned! Wanna know why?

In a nutshell the world has changed exponentially over the last 15 years . People have consumed TV reno shows with gusto! As designers we hate them ! [ we feel, they’ve cheapened our profession, even though I appeared in “Changing Rooms Australia” now on Prime Video.. yes I know.. Shameless plug..]
I do have to agree, it takes a lot more than the quick fixes you see on the box.

People are now far more discerning. They know intrinsically a good interior from a bad one.. [ well I am generalising a tad]

The general public understand and are more open to a little more than just boring vanilla interiors. They know that if done well they’ll most certainly be able to sell their home with some colour and here’s the clincher ACTUALLY LOVE LIVING IN THEIR HOME DESIGNED FOR THEM!

NOT for some imagined buyer in 15 years .. so to help you personalise your space.. [another huge and ongoing trend that will be around for along time ]

Here are some tips for adding colour to your kitchen reno or beautification ..

How do you to create a gorgeous kitchen space with the wow factor ? It’s easy if you know how to add a little colour the right way.

Two of the most popular “kitchens of colour” at the moment

1: Navy Blue
2: Green

1: Navy Blue, Blue is by far the most popular colour in every demographic and race across the globe. 35% of the worlds population consider the colour blue their favourite colour. So why wouldn’t you utilise this gorgeous colour in your kitchen?

Here are some tips for using navy blue in your kitchen!

1: If you’re a little nervous about going the whole hog and using blue, globally in your kitchen, let’s do baby steps? Look to break it up with the following

• Use White lower or upper cabinets to team with the navy
• Utilising timber accents in your island bench
• Using brass accents such as taps and faucets , cabinet handles and knobs
• Brass and or white pendants over your island bench, [ pendants are a huge winner if specified properly!]
• Add a stunning blue tiled splashback

2: Green Kitchens

2: Another fun fact 22% of the worlds population site green as their fave colour. Again, as per the Blue kitchen, look to adding green elements to your kitchen.

• Again teaming green joinery with white upper or lower kitchen cabinets
• Green, black ,white and timber is a classic look , so try adding black cabinet handles and pulls, taps and faucets.
• Or if you’re a bit of a wuss..[ but I get it!] go for white kitchen cabinetry with a stunning green tiled splashback or even a green Quartz splashback
• Style your white kitchen with green vases and artwork

I so hope that this has helped gather up some courage to design your home and your kitchen as you like it!

 

DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY

Every Saturday morning at 10.00am, my “design bestie”, Mr Adam Scougall and I, stream our live show from Instagram called “DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY” @designerrescueremedy

Not only do we “rescue”, struggling design DIYers from themselves, but also help people who just want a fresh new look for their spaces!

What do I do, to get my hands on a FREE MAKEOVER !!!! ???

DO THIS!

If you’d love a FREE design for your space, www.designerrescueremedy.com, answer the short questionnaire so you can tell us all about your space and what your little heart desires.

The latest makeover of last Saturday’s DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY on INSTAGRAM

So get yourself a FREE room makeover completed by one of 2 TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS in next couple of weeks on the show!

Look forward to seeing you as a contributor to have your space rescued, or as a viewer!

Till then,

Janie xx

 

What would you say if I was to offer you a FREE room makeover?

Well, I hope you’d be smart enough to say “Hell yes!!” As its all true!

This is you saying Yay! OMG! YES! to your FREE room makeover by Jane Thomson & Adam Scougall

How does it work you ask?

Every Saturday morning at 10.00am, my “design bestie”, Mr Adam Scougall and I, stream our live show from Instagram called “DESIGNER RESCUE REMEDY” @designerrescueremedy

Not only do we “rescue” struggling design DIYers from themselves, but also help people who just want a fresh new look for their spaces!

What do I do next, to get my hands on my FREE MAKEOVER !!!! ???

If you’d love a FREE design for your space, www.designerrescueremedy.com, answer the short questionnaire so you can tell us all about your space and what your little heart desires.

So as a valued connection, I’d love to offer you first dibs on getting to the front of the long line!

The first two lucky people to submit their info will be featured with your new room makeover completed by one of Sydney’s 2 TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS in next couple of weeks on the show!

So check out our Instagram profile @designerrescueremedy to see our latest makeovers!

Look forward to seeing you as a contributor to have your space rescued, or as a viewer!

Till then,

Janie xx

In the mean time here’s a little video we made to explain what we do on Designer Rescue Remedy! Enjoy!

 

Do you need a hand?

If you’re considering a new project in 2021, no matter how small or large, and don’t know where to start ?
Lets chat about all of the stunning possibilities!

Book your free 15 minute Discovery Call below. I’d love to chat to you!

BOOK YOUR FREE DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Until then stay safe and above all, enjoy