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THE 9 TOP (AND MOST STUBBORN) DESIGN TRENDS

Being confined to our homes for the last few months has led us to think …

THIS IS THE ONE SPACE YOU’RE FORGETTING TO DECORATE

If there’s one mistake most dwellers are guilty of it’s not paying enough attention to …

DESIGNING A HEALTHY HOME? IT’S HARDER THAN YOU THINK

The science is complicated. The marketing is unregulated. Why it’s so hard to know what …

HOW TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR ROOM

If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace, a porch or some outdoor space, …

BUDGET-FRIENDLY PROJECTS FOR SOCIAL-DISTANCING WEEKENDS

You’re probably not going to be hanging out with friends. Why not do a little …

HOW TO RENOVATE YOUR KITCHEN AND NOT END UP IN TEARS

All happy kitchen renovations are alike — and they live mostly in our dreams. The …

TAKE A PEEK INSIDE KIT KEMP’S HYDE PARK HOME

Given the choice, most decorators with a personal design itch would scratch it by moving …

CAN YOU DESIGN A HAPPY HOME? IT’S EASIER THAN IT LOOKS

Home should be a place that restores, rejuvenates and replenishes – but so often it …

HOW PREVIOUS EPIDEMICS IMPACTED HOME DESIGN

If you’re doing your part and social distancing from inside your home, you may start …

MAKE THE MOST OF A STAYCATION WITH THE BEST HOTEL DEAL IN TOWN

As travel restrictions ease in each state, we loved our staycation at Double Bay’s renowned …

SAVE UP TO 70% AT RUBY STAR TRADERS’ MEGA SALE

Aesthetes, on your marks from tomorrow, when Ruby Star will be offering up to 70 …

WINTER GIVEAWAY: WIN LUXURY BED LINEN WORTH $1800

You could be waking up to spectacular 500 threadcount double corded Egyptian cotton bed linen …

7 DECORATING RULES DESIGNERS ALWAYS FOLLOW

Each room is a canvas on which to create, with the ultimate aim of being …

WEDDINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER COVID – BUT THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING

What will weddings look like in the coming months… Weddings and parties which are adaptable, …

THESE ARE THE 10 DESIGN REQUESTS PEOPLE WILL MAKE POST-PANDEMIC

The pandemic is in effect telescoping the future of our homes. Trends that might have …

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It took stay-at-home orders for that desire to spe

It took stay-at-home orders for that desire to spend more time outdoors to feel more like a necessity. After all, ‘nature deficit disorder’ is really a thing. Reconnecting with nature can mean spending time in any little patch of green outside. Walking in a tree-lined neighbourhood, even a view of green through the car window. Every bit helps. Repost @thevalleyofnymphs #nature #green #calm #greenery #slowliving #slow #outdoors

What does it mean to have a ‘healthy home’ the

What does it mean to have a ‘healthy home’ these days? And how exactly do you create a ‘healthy home’? As the concept of wellness is now mainstream and an integral part of crafting a home, most designers will tell you that every one of their projects has a wellness component as people turn to them for not only a beautiful home but one that improves the quality of their lives. Wellness isn’t just a buzzy cultural concept, it’s big business. The Global Wellness Institute reports that wellness is now a $4.5 trillion market, $134 billion of which is devoted to holistic-oriented real estate. Undoubtedly, one of the reasons that wellness has become such a thing is the concept is so flexible. But as it turns out, understanding the risks of what is safe in our homes is maddeningly complex. The vast majority of chemicals have not been tested for long-term health effects. Plus it’s like Pandora’s box - indoor chemistry is very complex with all these different reactions happening all at once. Everything from bleach-based cleaners to toasting bread and cooking stir fry pumps out copious VOCs. We have tips and ideas to warn against invisible foes plus the best ideas for living a healthy life at home on the blog now at www.melissapenfold.com to help you make the right choices for you and your family. Welcome to your new healthy home - where you’ll discover how to balance the risk and rewards. Reoost @dream_casa #design #houseandgarden #healthy #health #natural #wellbeing #garden #homeinspo #wellbeing #place #pure #earth #tree #nature #pool #water #melissapenfold

One of the ironies of the modern age is that, whil

One of the ironies of the modern age is that, while the quality of outdoor air has improved, we’re increasingly living indoors. We spend 90 percent of our lives inside. And according to research cited in a recent @businessofhome article, concentrations of pollutants can be two to five times worse inside than outside. Head to the blog to find out why it’s so hard to know what makes a healthy home. Discover why indoor air quality can get really, really bad. And the #1 surprising thing we all need to cut down in our home. Everything counts. Don’t miss “Designing A Healthy Home? It’s Harder Than You Think” at www.melissapenfold.com now. Repost @chateaustvictorlacoste #houseandgarden #health #healthy #house #design #indoors #wellness #outdoors #air #architecture #style #melissapenfold

The best way to travel without actually travelling

The best way to travel without actually travelling is a virtual journey right now to dreamy holiday locations, such as Provence’s @villagallici. For gardeners in climates that mimic the dry earth and sun-baked summers of the south of France the regions’s terraces are a rich source of design ideas. A reminder to build a terrace, add gravel, add height with trees, orient the garden around architecture and include tables and chairs for leisurely meals.

Beauty may have always been in the eye of the beho

Beauty may have always been in the eye of the beholder but neuroaesthetics - the study of how the mind processes and responds to beauty wasn’t introduced until 2002. Beauty has traditionally been held as individual assessment of a visual pattern. For interior design this means if you recognise the geometry and colours of a pattern, then the ancient brain starts the emotion-to-feeling cycle that results in a sense of well-being. If you recognise the pattern of space is readily understandable, the brain signals that it is stress-free and approachable. The result is very similar to a meditation session. More on the blog now; if something feels wrong with the look or flow of your home, don’t decorate another room without reading ‘Can You Design A Happy Home’. Your life is about to get much better. Tap link in bio or go to www.melissaoenfold.com Repost @thevalleyofnymphs #houseandgarden #design #decor #homeinspo #balcony #terrace #outdoors #tablesetting #style #tabledecor #home #house #tableinspo #beauty #vines #melissapenfold

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It took stay-at-home orders for that desire to spe

It took stay-at-home orders for that desire to spend more time outdoors to feel more like a necessity. After all, ‘nature deficit disorder’ is really a thing. Reconnecting with nature can mean spending time in any little patch of green outside. Walking in a tree-lined neighbourhood, even a view of green through the car window. Every bit helps. Repost @thevalleyofnymphs #nature #green #calm #greenery #slowliving #slow #outdoors

What does it mean to have a ‘healthy home’ the

What does it mean to have a ‘healthy home’ these days? And how exactly do you create a ‘healthy home’? As the concept of wellness is now mainstream and an integral part of crafting a home, most designers will tell you that every one of their projects has a wellness component as people turn to them for not only a beautiful home but one that improves the quality of their lives. Wellness isn’t just a buzzy cultural concept, it’s big business. The Global Wellness Institute reports that wellness is now a $4.5 trillion market, $134 billion of which is devoted to holistic-oriented real estate. Undoubtedly, one of the reasons that wellness has become such a thing is the concept is so flexible. But as it turns out, understanding the risks of what is safe in our homes is maddeningly complex. The vast majority of chemicals have not been tested for long-term health effects. Plus it’s like Pandora’s box - indoor chemistry is very complex with all these different reactions happening all at once. Everything from bleach-based cleaners to toasting bread and cooking stir fry pumps out copious VOCs. We have tips and ideas to warn against invisible foes plus the best ideas for living a healthy life at home on the blog now at www.melissapenfold.com to help you make the right choices for you and your family. Welcome to your new healthy home - where you’ll discover how to balance the risk and rewards. Reoost @dream_casa #design #houseandgarden #healthy #health #natural #wellbeing #garden #homeinspo #wellbeing #place #pure #earth #tree #nature #pool #water #melissapenfold

One of the ironies of the modern age is that, whil

One of the ironies of the modern age is that, while the quality of outdoor air has improved, we’re increasingly living indoors. We spend 90 percent of our lives inside. And according to research cited in a recent @businessofhome article, concentrations of pollutants can be two to five times worse inside than outside. Head to the blog to find out why it’s so hard to know what makes a healthy home. Discover why indoor air quality can get really, really bad. And the #1 surprising thing we all need to cut down in our home. Everything counts. Don’t miss “Designing A Healthy Home? It’s Harder Than You Think” at www.melissapenfold.com now. Repost @chateaustvictorlacoste #houseandgarden #health #healthy #house #design #indoors #wellness #outdoors #air #architecture #style #melissapenfold

The best way to travel without actually travelling

The best way to travel without actually travelling is a virtual journey right now to dreamy holiday locations, such as Provence’s @villagallici. For gardeners in climates that mimic the dry earth and sun-baked summers of the south of France the regions’s terraces are a rich source of design ideas. A reminder to build a terrace, add gravel, add height with trees, orient the garden around architecture and include tables and chairs for leisurely meals.

Beauty may have always been in the eye of the beho

Beauty may have always been in the eye of the beholder but neuroaesthetics - the study of how the mind processes and responds to beauty wasn’t introduced until 2002. Beauty has traditionally been held as individual assessment of a visual pattern. For interior design this means if you recognise the geometry and colours of a pattern, then the ancient brain starts the emotion-to-feeling cycle that results in a sense of well-being. If you recognise the pattern of space is readily understandable, the brain signals that it is stress-free and approachable. The result is very similar to a meditation session. More on the blog now; if something feels wrong with the look or flow of your home, don’t decorate another room without reading ‘Can You Design A Happy Home’. Your life is about to get much better. Tap link in bio or go to www.melissaoenfold.com Repost @thevalleyofnymphs #houseandgarden #design #decor #homeinspo #balcony #terrace #outdoors #tablesetting #style #tabledecor #home #house #tableinspo #beauty #vines #melissapenfold

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