Home is where the heart is, but sometimes our budgets are just so tight it’s hard to make them as comfortable- and luxurious- as we would like. That’s where Life Instyle stylists Jacqui Moore and Julia Green come in. They shared with Rescu. their top tips for adding luxury to your lounge room when money’s a little tight.
Life Instyle stylists Jacqui Moore and Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors add luxury to your lounge room on a budget:
First impressions count – so make some sort of visual statement for people to notice when they walk through your front door – a great console table, piece of art, flowers or artful display using a mix of treasured curious.
After that, if you had to choose only one room, start by thinking about where you spend the most time and how you live in your space. If you enjoy cooking you may want to invest more in your kitchen than anywhere else. Julia would choose the bedroom because “I love the idea of a special retreat to wind down after a busy day. It’s quiet and it’s the place where I can make very personal choices because it’s mine,” she laughs. Jacqui on the other hand prefers to invest in her lounge room because it is where she relaxes with the family: “It’s a versatile space that I love to change around to suit my mood, the occasion or the season.”
Bedroom decorating tips from Julia:
It’s all about the bedlinen. I start with a base of white which means I can affordably change the look on a regular basis and swing from pastel to brights by merely changing cushions and throws. On the bed I’d use my current favourite, the Bedouin Society – it’s gorgeous pure linen and an absolute luxury to sleep in and available in the most incredible colours. I’d dress it with some Pony Rider bright linen pillow cases and cushions. I also love Sally Campbell textiles for a beautiful mix of vintage Kanthas which I’d use as another luxurious layer, or Lucky Boy Sunday do a fabulous woollen bedthrow. For a statement piece, add a Jules Pansu pillow from the Country House Manuka collection to really brighten up your lounge.
For bedside lamps and fabulous occasional chairs I turn to Down To The Woods. And for inspiration for the walls I can’t go past my own stable of artists – the framed and floated Mandalas by Lumiere Art & Co provide a stylish and delicate finish to the room. I also love Blacklist Studio for their graphic prints.
Lounge decorating tips from Jacqui:
There are three critical investments which give a great lounge room its bones: a timeless couch – you want it to last for years and put up with use and abuse by kids, family, friends and, in my case, dogs; a beautiful rug – again looks and function need to go hand in hand; and a well-proportioned coffee table. Once the foundation is in place you can have fun with soft furnishings and accessories. Personally I love a neutral but earthy colour palette to which I layer different textures such as hide, bone and metallic.
Exhibit Interiors is my go-to store for occasional chairs, incidental tables and unusual glassware and ceramics. For a touch of luxe Megan Park cushions are the business and I love a soft throw from Nordic Fusion to snuggle under when it’s cool. Lighting can make or break the mood of a room and it’s important to have incidental pieces as well as down lights. From Spence and Lyda I’d choose an architectural clamp lamp for my console table and I covet anything by Tom Dixon from dedece.
Managing your budget:
Julia: “If you’re aspiring to be on trend do your research and shop around before you spend – and remember than trends come and go so it’s not always worth spending a lot of money on something that will date quickly. Invest in the important pieces in your home that you expect to stand the test of time. And, if you see something you love and just can’t resist – go for it.”
Jacqui: “We are lucky to be exposed to so many beautiful brands at Life Instyle which is renowned for showcasing a stunning range of boutique lifestyle products.’ Jacqui and Julie from Greenhouse Interiors will be seen at Life Instyle, Melbourne 1-4 August and will be on-site to talk through trends and the latest product to be revealed in Australia.
For more information about Life Instyle visit: lifeinstyle.com.au/
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