We also partner with art curators across many of our projects to ensure we have another expert across the vision. Often clients are really unsure of what they like, or we find ourselves navigating multiple views when it comes to art – so having another professional opinion in the mix is really helpful for both us and our clients to make the right decision.
Designbx’s Refresh package gives you access to an expert Interior Designer reviewing your home, existing furniture and architecture to curate multiple options that will enhance your room.

We are passionate about art here at Designbx and what it brings to a space. As part of your Refresh Package we can provide:

• A personally curated collection.
• Access to trade savings.
• Access to an array of artist’s and brands.
• Design a custom brief for a specific artist
• A streamlined process which includes sourcing, coordination and installation

We love art and love helping add those treasured items into homes across Australia.
How are your walls looking? White, bare, nothing works together, struggling to find art that works for everyone in the home. Let us take the guesswork out of your art selection headaches. For $199 per room your Room could go from plain Jane to the talk of the town…

The post How to give your home “new life” with artwork appeared first on Designbx.

What makes Kylie feel at home

1. Jewellery. The bigger, the bolder, the better. I always lose expensive jewellery so this using more affordable ‘on trend’ accessories really helps my wallet! I love that I can change a whole outfit or look simply by adding some beautiful vibrant touches by way of jewellery. And while I may not have the ‘body shape’ for designer fashion, I can so easily add my unique touch with some big leopard earrings!
2. Shoes. High heels always make me feel great, and fit! The right shoes can make or break an outfit for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for comfortable flats as much as the next gal, but a pair of power heels can give you an instant shot of confidence.
3. Eyebrows and hair. You just can’t have a good day with one and not the other. I was born in the 80s with a mop of curly strawberry blonde hair, and had I been in my prime partying years I would have been living the dream. Instead I’m happy if I can just get a brush through my locks most days – that is a good hair day for me!
4. Furnishings. I absolutely love natural raw textures like linen, leather and timber. They are home to me. Growing up in New Zealand I really do appreciate the natural textures that are reminiscent of the beautiful scenery I was surrounded by growing up. It’s nostalgic for me, and creating a sense of nostalgia is such a powerful design tool.
5. TV and movies. Laughing out loud is my style. My husband and I formed our relationship on the basis of our love for TV and films from the often cringe-worthy era of the 80s. Anyone reading this who knows us well will be having a laugh-out-loud moment. We are a couple of dags who were made for each other!
6. Music. My go to is anything that has a story and makes me feel something. I’m pretty eclectic with my music taste pre-2000, but something about the stories told through music from the earlier generations – where people had to write letters and express their love in different ways – just gets me. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart and mostly end up crying to songs in the car.
7. Holiday destinations. I’m more of a “do it less often, but do it right” kind of girl. Boutique locations with lots of character and unique things to look at. It’s nice to dream! The memories made on holidays with loved ones – you just can’t buy that feeling.
8. Having a tidy desk. I’m really not sure if this is a style thing, but organisation is key to getting sh*t done for me. If I feel surrounded by mess and chaos, that’s how my day will end up.
9. Showing up on time. This is definitely a work in progress, but being on time is super stylish in my eyes. I am renowned for being late, which I’m working on – my tardiness goes against every other personality trait I have, so people are always surprised!
10. Friends and family. Authentic, true to themselves and down-to-earth… that’s my style and why I adore my friends and family. It does sound a bit cliché, but it’s so important to surround yourself with people you love to spend time with and who make you feel empowered and positive. We’re all so time poor that we need to be super conscious about who we spend our spare time with, and I choose to spend mine with positive and loving people.

How Kerena adds some personality and pizazz to her everyday

1. Photographs. I have them absolutely everywhere because they remind me of all the special moments and priceless people in my life.
2. Handbags and shoes. These are a huge weakness of mine. They are those finishing touches that just ooze personal style. My absolute favourite bag is the glorious Valentino I splurged on during a trip to New York to celebrate a dear friend’s 40th birthday. Every time I pick it up I’m reminded of the amazing time we had together – some possessions just have a way of bringing back precious memories. Similarly, but at the other end of the spectrum, is the $5 vintage leather bag I uncovered at Vinnies about 15 years ago. I cost me next-to-nothing but has accompanied me on so many adventures. My favourite shoes for comfort are my Superga platform joggers; for a bit of style punch I always reach for my suede orange tassel heels; and for an in-between occasion it’s always the Valentino rockstudded flats. I could go on….
3. Vaporisors. I have two in the house and I always have essential oils steaming away. My favourite scents at the moment are from Anjali – “Lady Indira” & “Lemon Myrtle”. Familiar and beautiful aromas are such an underrated element of design – they inspire memories, emotions and in my case create a sense of calm in the home.
4. Fashion. I have a very eclectic fashion sense – forever torn between my inner Cairns hippie heart; my unrequited rockstar dreams; the Northern Beaches casual surf chick; and a bit of a show-pony glitter fetish! Some of my favourite brands are Chasing Unicorns, Stevie May, Ministry of Style, Sass & Bide, Deus Ex Machina, Bali Trader (I love their custom design boots), Bec and Bridge… again, I could go on!
5. Flowers and plants. I always need one or both of these elements in and around my space; home, office, even my car (I place a fresh lavender sprig from the garden every morning in the air vents to help calm us all during the whirlwind of school drop offs). I have many plants in our family home and succulents at the office, as they’re hardy enough to survive when we’re out on shoots and working with clients.
6. Artwork. Studying art originally, I have a real appreciation for people who delve into such raw self-expression. I’ve collected art for as long as I can remember; street art as I backpacked around the world, and slowly building a collection of artists that I have admired for years. I call them my ‘Retirement Fund’… Let’s be honest, it’s never really going to fund my latter years, but it helps ease my conscience! I’m especially partial to photographic art.
7. Music. From the moment my head leaves the pillow to the moment it hits it again, I have music around me. I stopped TV with the children when they were young so it has filled a very big gap. It can turn any of our moods around in second and we all have a favourite tune, style and song that pulls us out of a funk and has us giggling in seconds. I couldn’t possibly make a top list of my favourite tunes, because again, my choices are eclectic – from Dolly Parton (Jolene), to Morcheeba (World Looking In), to Kings of Leon (Sex on Fire).
8. Food and drink. I just LOVE eating, drinking and entertaining! I’m a total foodie and am also partial to a marrying vino. I’m as white, freckled and stereotypically Aussie as they come, but my taste buds are very European.
9. Friends and family. I have lived away from my family since I was 16. And although they have often been far away, they hold such a precious piece of my heart. Having this distance from my relatives has in many ways meant my friends have become my family, and boy do I have a fabulous bunch around me! I have been so blessed to meet and build such gorgeous and inspiring friendships over my life, and I am forever grateful and will do anything to show love and support to those around me.
10. Babies. Mine and everyone else’s! I always wanted to be a mum – I was a total baby snatcher from as early as I can remember, and still am. By 10 years of age I was the local babysitter and could have four or more children in my care on any one night. I was in heaven! I am now a mum to two gorgeous little humans, and despite all the confronting moments it brings it is truly the most rewarding part of my life and every day. Amelia is eight and Hugo is five. There isn’t a day goes by when we don’t laugh, sing, banter and try each others’ patience. But mostly we just love each other with such depth that becoming a mum has been a soul-changing chapter of my life.

The post These are a few of our favourite things appeared first on Designbx.

1. Keep it natural

Natural textiles are the easiest way to create a seaside vibe in your home. They not only provide a relaxing atmosphere but make the home feel cosy and warm, like these cushions from Coastal Living. Natural materials include: canvas, rattan, cotton, distressed wood, coral, stone and timber. Cane and wicker are great for replacing those boring old light bulbs. Or try artworks that have the same effect, such as our seawood artwork.

You don’t need to spend a fortune either. Your old timber furniture can be refreshed with a cerused finish. This enriches the grain of the timber, using a pigment grain filler, which can also be tinted to make your old furniture match your new style.

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2. Bring foliage inside

White and green foliage go together like peanut butter and jelly. Plants are the perfect addition to the creating a home seaside style. They can brighten up any space and bring life and colour into small living room designs. Potted plants such as palms, magnolias and white hydrangeas and cactuses can be the highlight of the room (and they are easy to keep alive). Alternately, you can opt for fake leave arrangements and no one will ever know. Try monstera leaves or palm leaves to complement coral and timber accessories and furniture. Perch your smaller plants on a floating timber shelf. 

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3. Unique wall hangings and features

Wall hangings are the new craze and can match just about any interior style. Apart from looking amazing, they create a cosy feel in the room. Sticking with the motif of natural materials, wall hangings are made from feathers, rope, cotton and fabrics. We offer a subtle pink unique wall hanging, that is perfect for a coastal home. Wooden oars are also a great idea for wall features as they stick with the coastal theme but can be personalised with some painting.

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4. Embrace retro and eclectic

Retro prints bring back the good old days when surfboards were simply a plank of timber. Black and white prints mix well with coastal colours such as teal, white, brown and navy. Try creating a arrangement of retro photos, vintage posters and coastal ornaments to make a feature piece in the room. 

If you want to hang photos yet still keep with the seaside theme, get creative and use rope to dangle your most cherished memories.

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5. Quirky furniture and statement pieces

Let’s go back to cerused finishes for timber. By tinting the pigment filler you can create brand new items of furniture that catch the eye. Try a teal colour for your coffee table and style it with a matching coastal print. You can also use hanging chairs with natural cushions, to create a statement and style it with large plants and wall hangings to create a secretive corner getaway.

Surfboards can also be unique features and can personalised to suit your style. They can also be mounted on the wall to make a great shelf. Match these ideas with funky mirrors that make the room feel larger and it’ll make interior decorating a breeze.

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For more style boards, tips, tricks and help in creating a home seaside style, we are here to help!

The post Bring back Summer with a home seaside style appeared first on Designbx.

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1. Top tip for coastal style

Keep colours minimal if bold (two is a wise number). Lighter tones rely on layering and texture for success.

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2. Traits

The coastal style features a range of texture, layers, natural fibres, scale (oversized versus trinkets), installation art, weatherboard, comfort, function, washed surfaces, stone and greenery. 

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3. Designers/Artists

Jenny Wolf, Ralph Lauren, Mamma Green Outdoor, India Hicks.

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4. Pantone Colours

5. Brands that fit

Coco Republic, St Barts Co., Bisque Interiors, Freedom Furniture, Molmic, Jardan, Mark Tuckey, Equator Homewares, Spence & Lyda, Whiteport, Dunlin, Globe West, Beachwood,  MCM House.

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6. A perfect day

Sandy feet playing on the deck and a summer breeze gusting through the home, spreading the smell of jasmine from the vines.  Fresh prawns, crusty local market bread, and a chilled wine spread across the table, to be enjoyed with your favourite subscription.

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7. Fragrance or tune

Cocolux Soy Candle-Wild Frangipani (Sand underfoot & sun).

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The coastal style lets you relive those fun and relaxing times at the beach. It’s truly a style that embraces Summer. From the luxurious Hamptons to classical nautical, the coastal style is chill and goes with whatever floats your boat!  

The post Coastal style guide appeared first on Designbx.

The best styles to embrace the summer season are modern interior design, coastal interior design, Scandinavian interior design, and boho interior design. So how do you incorporate these themes into your home to give that summer vibe?

1. Neutral coastal

Gone are the days of blue and white stripes! Summer is about those neutral and bright shades that soak up the sun rays and reflect the beautiful weather. This style is long lasting and can be adjusted to every season. Think high gloss furniture, princess and verdant blue, smooth metals, cadmium yellow and minimum grain wood. This style is inspired by the natural outdoors, so earthy tones and natural materials are a must. A simple yet effective design would include smooth metal furniture, wood flooring or accessories and glass objects; whether it be a mirror or a glass vase full of flowers. Start by revamping those old wooden photo frames with a DIY bleached timber look or begin your hunt for natural material baskets, accessories and furniture. To save you time, start with our coastal living style board.

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2. Bohemian

Long live this summer design style! Nothing speaks summer nights more than a vibrant pattern flown straight from Morocco. The tip for this style is to create a purposely ‘messy’ look. It’s all about mixing textures and patterns but not matching them, to somehow create a harmonious look. For base colours think china blue, sea pine and baton rouge, then combine these with an abundance of patterns and textures. Layering floor rugs is the best place to start as it is often the largest object in the room. You can then decide on the fabric and colours that you want for your cushions and furniture. Try hand-dyeing fabrics or opt for Ikat patterns. The best way to incorporate different materials and textures is with wall hangings. Find a macrame hanging that includes feathers, canvas, lace, ribbons and patterns or you could try one yourself. Make sure to still include mirrors to reflect the natural light and plenty of greenery whether it be plants or fake pot plants (no one will know). Start with our bohemian collection.

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3. Leather accents

Even though leather isn’t your best friend during hot sweaty weather, details around the home are summery, fresh and long-lasting. Try neutral and light shaded leather to furnish your home and brighten up the living space. When using leather furnishings it’s a good idea to avoid browns in your floor colour, instead opt for creams or paler shades. If you’re worried about your leather furnishings standing out like a sore thumb, lighten up the room with large, green leafed plants. Also add patterns in your cushions and rugs to take the focus away from the leather.

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4. Geometric

Bright and busy patterns are a great way to throw colour into the mix. Try geometric tiles, cushions, wall prints and pendants to revamp your abode into a place too cool for the heat. Become a pro at mixing patterns with the 60/30/10 approach. Stick to 60% of your favourite pattern, 30% of the secondary pattern and 10% of the third, as an accent. Try mixing up the scale of the patterns such as narrow stripes, bold geometric and floral prints, you shouldn’t mix the same scaled patterns in one room. Another top tip is to repeat patterns as a motif, for example an X pattern in the rug can be seen again in an X-base coffee table. Check out our boho sanctuary for more ideas.

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5. Tropic thunder

Lush greenery, rattan and tropical prints is all you need to give your home a summer vibe and keep it coming into the cooler months.  Leafy wallpaper patterns are on trend right now and look great spread across a large wall, whether it’s behind a bed head or across the living room wall. Complement the pattern with real (or fake) plants and natural baskets such as wicker, rattan and seagrass. If using a bold pattern in a large quantity, avoid making the room too busy, by sticking to neutral colours and minimal ornamentation.

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What are you waiting for? Summer is here and now you have all the tools you need to bring some summer vibes into your home.   

The post Styles that embrace Summer appeared first on Designbx.

It’s that time of year again; when we realise how cluttered our house is, from items that have been stacking up all winter. This can especially be seen in our kids bedrooms. Who knows what long lost items can be found under beds, in secret hiding places or in the depths of the cupboard.
Here are a few 2017 Spring trends that provide kids bedroom ideas for your little treasures. Also find out about all new toys set to hit the shelves this season:

1. Grey is the new white

Grey is becoming the coolest colour of 2017. It’s neutral yet versatile, meaning it can be perfectly paired with any accessory colour and matches any style. You can’t go wrong!
The first thing that will pop into a kid’s mind is ‘boring’ BUT simply add bold coloured accessories, bed covers, toys, and rugs to bring the room alive. It becomes a colourful playland for them, excites the imagination and doesn’t ruin the style of the house. For ideas on how to add colour into a kid’s room, head to Designbx’s Incy Nursery.

What’s new?
Allow your kids to personalise their room with the brand new Knot-a-Mermaid set, hitting the shelves this Spring. It enables kids to make their own fleece blanket designs and is only $27.

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2. Wallpapers rise up again

Wallpapers were almost extinct, but their popularity is on the rise again. We’re not talking about the old floral designs that your grandma still has in her house, there are several new modern wallpapers that can fit perfectly with a modern home.
Geometric prints go with a simple modern style, whereas large modern florals make a statement, especially for Spring.
Try covering just one wall in wallpaper to make it a feature wall. If you then fall in love with the look, you can continue to do the rest of the room.

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Wallpaper featuring wildlife, plants or flowers can be utilised in nurseries to give the room a peaceful, relaxing and natural feeling. Hopefully encouraging consistent long, deep sleeps!

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What’s New?
Instead of wallpapers, you can surprise your kid with a Skyrocket Jurassic World Virtual Reality set, where they can escape reality and immerse themselves. in a dinosaur experience. At only $60, you will want to get your hands on one of these.

3. Liven up the ceiling

So often, our go-to colour for ceilings is plain, old, boring white. How many kids get excited and inspired by a plain white ceiling? Not many (if any at all). There’s no rule to say you can’t go beyond the four walls and design a ceiling that knocks their socks off.
Get your creative cap on and start your roof masterpiece, but don’t worry if painting isn’t your strong point, there are plenty of other options.
Wallpapers can seamlessly go from your walls to your roof and if you’re after something not so permanent, decals are easy to apply and change.
Try geometric patterns, polka-dots, plants, birds or clouds on either the walls ceilings or both.

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4. Adventure awaits

We all know kids love adventure, whether it be searching amongst the gardens in the backyard or creating an adventure of their own at the playground. So it’s no surprise that adventure themed kids rooms have become a must have this year. You can be bold and courageous, by incorporating ropes, rock climbs, ladders and swings into your kids room, but let’s be honest, it’s not super practical! Creating a subtle adventure theme can be as easy as decal stickers of mountains, forest wallpapers or building a teepee for kids to make into a secret hideaway.

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5. Wall hangings are weaving their way in

Textured woven wall hangings bring a slight boho feel to the room. If you really are struggling to find one that fits your kids room, then you can always create your own as an activity! Add some feathers, braids and macrame and you have yourself a masterpiece. They are supposed to be rustic and authentic so don’t stress if yours isn’t the finest of the bunch. The kid’s will love it!
TIP When creating a wall hanging, always keep a style board handy so you stick to the style of the room and don’t go to crazy. You can find example style boards in Designbx’s Shop the Look.

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What’s New?
While you’re busy creating a work of art, keep the kids busy making their own creation. Play Doh is launching their Touch Shape to Life Studio this Spring. Kids simply create a Play Doh character, place it in the studio and scan it to a phone, using the app, to see their creations come to life.

6. Let them draw on the walls

What better way to let a kid’s imagination run free, then to let them draw on the walls, literally. Instead of scrubbing texta off the walls, apply chalk paint to all, half or some of the kids room. They can go crazy on the chalk paint and it will distract them from the rest of the house…

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7. Who needs seats

Pouf cushions are replacing seats in kid’s rooms. They are especially popular with kids because they are not only a seat but a thing to climb, but something to roll on, jump on and hide behind. They come in all different shapes, colours and sizes and such a simple thing can bring excitement to an inquisitive little mind. Your kids will wear out before the pouf does.

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8. Fairy lights

Fairy lights aren’t only for girl’s rooms, there are various different styles and colours that can lighten any room up. Drape them across the bed end, along the roof, across dressers or around window seals. Plus they keep away the monsters at night.

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9. Space-saving beds

Whether you fold them, roll them or hide them under the flooring, space saving beds are becoming a common occurrence in kids rooms. Traditionally, a bed takes up most of the bedroom floor space, but with tuck away beds, kids can get the best of both worlds. A huge playspace during the day and a cosy bed at night.

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10. For the new family member

Designing a nursery is an exciting task, but it’s easy to go over the top. Remember they don’t need a nappy change table for long, so only keep the necessities in the room. You don’t want to be tripping over toys (that your newborn can’t even play with yet). Cribs, change tables, nappy bins and especially arm chairs are the basics you should have. Arm chairs are a timeless piece of furniture and even after your little one has grown to big to be nursed, it can hold all your memories. Keeping the design and colour simple will allow for the chair to stay in the family home forever.

For a timeless arm chair head to Designbx’s Nursery.

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For more style boards, tips, tricks and help, we are here to help!

 Let Your Imagination Run Wild with more ideas from Top Reveal. 

The post Kid’s Bedroom Ideas: 10 Hidden Treasures Your Kids Will Love appeared first on Designbx.

Why not chose a pirate theme for your modern day little pirate?
A pirate theme can be moulded to fit on with a modern home, yet still keep the kids entertained. It can be their own little escape into a different world and you can easily shut the door and forget about the mess. It’s also the perfect solution to keeping that coastal feel throughout the house.

Style boards are a great help when deciding on designs and themes for your spring home. It can be tricky to start designing a pirate room as you want it to inspire your little ones but how do you go about that? Designbx’s pre-made style boards can point you in the right direction.

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1. Stripes

You can easily transform your kids current room into a pirate playland, by simply incorporating black or navy stripes. You can go all out and cover the wall or floor in striped wallpaper or be more subtle and include striped accessories, paintings, rugs and bed covers. Try this reversible quilt cover that is both modern and fits with a pirate theme.

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2. Accessories

Always remember that any accessory placed in a kids room, is going to be used for something it wasn’t intended for. So be careful where you place the accessories and check the quality of them. Sailing ships, telescopes and steering wheels create the perfect combination for your little pirate to embark on a sailing journey through the seas. After playtime is over, simply hide away the evidence in pirate themed storage containers. This can be treasure chest toy boxes or coastal themed baskets. Pictures and paintings can also add to the nautical theme such as this seawood artwork.

3. Bedding

When your pirate gets back from their big adventure, they will need a bed made for a pirate. Pirate ship shaped beds can make bedtime more inviting. Hopefully helping to avoid the before-bed-tantrums! Although, there are plenty of other ways to turn an ordinary bed into a pirate resting area. Nautical quilt covers are modern and still inviting. Try pottery barn kids’ pirate ship or anchor quilt covers. Also don’t forget to keep the nasty sea creatures away with some bedside table lights. Designbx’s retro lamp is the perfect addition to a pirate’s room, or a pendant shade for even more lighting.

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For further ideas on coastal themed homes or kid’s room furniture, Designbx is here to help!

The post Kid’s Playroom Designs: From the High Seas to the Playroom appeared first on Designbx.

We’ll even offer a few tips to make your home the perfect pirate haven. Yes, even the dirtiest, salt-caked seafarers had to spend a little time at home, and yee can be sure they went for a coastal theme.

So how did this day become such a worldwide hit? Well it certainly helps that it’s been used as a major fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Support (one of our favourite causes) but its beginnings were very humble.

When two lads decided to encourage each other to get fit, they started using pirate slang. Soon the in-joke spread so widely that the duo became known as ‘those pirate guys’. They soon hatched a scheme to make the day official, and with the help of Dave Barry, a comedian and columnist, the concept went viral.

Suddenly Facebook was turning its site into a pirate themed design, astronauts celebrated on the International Space Station, President Obama appeared with a costumed buccaneer and Krispy Kreme gave away doughnuts to anyone willing to speak like a pirate.

Living in a country girt by sea, we think it’s fair to take the theme a step further, especially when the Coastal style is already a big hit among Designbx fans.

1. Go oar out

We absolutely love Coastal/pirate themed wall art. It’s not only aesthetically charming but also unlocks the imagination, helping us dream of faraway continents and distant adventures. Anchors, oars and sea sculptures never lose their appeal. Timeless classics.

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2. Take to the high seas

If you want to see a kid stand in one position without moving for at least an hour, try a map design for wallpaper. Vintage wallpapers and oversized maps transport any imaginative person to a dream state. Beautiful, classic, hypnotic.

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3. Roll out the barrels

No self-respecting pirate wants to sit in a plush velvet chair, drinking from fine china. Roll out those barrels, and while you’re at it, empty the grog into some large recycled jars. Let’s get this pirate party started!

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4. A boatiful vintage look

While the more illustrative and decorative touches provide obvious ocean connotations, it’s the rustic finishes that provide a more subtle and beautiful coastal feel. Think: weather driftwood, rope-style woven rugs, glass bottle accessories and sea creature detailing.

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5. Create long-lasting pirate memories

Pirates have hearts too (usually black), so get creative with the presentation of your cherished memories. Nets and ropes are fun ways to mount your snapshots and sentimental items.

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6. Go coastal zen

Try this subtle touch of the coast with nautical elements incorporated, or just go with a coastal style. Coral and blue are tonal soul mates, and they work perfectly to project the theme. Provide a little pop with art prints, and a beautiful feature lamp on a rattan side table. Pinks, corals, blues and neutrals work fantastically to complete the perfect palette. Actually we might think twice about letting a dirty pirate into this room!

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So get ready to talk the talk, walk the peg-legged walk, and inject a little ocean spray into your interiors. And when it comes to International Talk Like A Pirate Day, give generously to not-for-profit organisation Childhood Cancer Support.

And remember the 4 A’s:

Ahoy! (Hello)
Aye (Yes, sir)
Avast! (Check it out)
Arrr! (Yep, I agree, I’m lovin’ it)

If you have a design related question or quandary, jump onto our Facebook page to ask one of our professional designers or book a free styling consultation!

The post Talk Like A Pirate Day – don’t just talk the talk, live the life! appeared first on Designbx.

 We prescribe to the “an office in a box” approach. Working in the digital era should allow you to use a fashionable box, basket, or leather bag as your portable office. If you can’t fit your necessities in a single storage item then it’s time to streamline your business and become more digital-focused. Less is more in every way!

2. Creature comforts

Busy professionals spend a lot of time on the job, so it’s essential for your office to be comfortable. Design your space to fit your creature habits. If you work best standing, look to source ergonomic standing desks. If you love doing inspired work in a relaxed environment, add oversized beanbags and casual seating to your space to get those creative juices flowing. 

3. Light bulb moments

Lighting is a fundamental design element for any work space, and variety is often key.  Depending on your profession, light requirements can vary. Programmers prefer darker spaces to ease the strain on eyes, where as designers prefer more natural light to view true colours. If you’re relying on ceiling lights as your primary source, add freestanding lamps, desk lights and pendants as focal lighting. The great thing is you can really play with scale, colour and texture here to add some wow factor to the office.

4. Bring the outdoors in

There’s nothing like indoor plants to bring an office to life. The benefits are not only visually striking but offer natural purification for your space and bring a sense of home to the commercial interior design world.  If lighting is poor and your budget is entry-level then look at artificial plants. The quality is hard to fault these days. You could opt to create a ‘live wall’ effect, or hang an array of ferns from the ceiling to create a little jungle fever!

5. Business projections

Most offices have big walls that they struggle to decorate or are unable to cover due to leasing restrictions.  A great way to add wow factor is the use of projectors. You can source some amazing wireless projectors from office supply shops and project beautifully designed and branded images onto your walls. The great thing is you can change the imagery as often as you like (you may have a weekly theme) and these devices can move with you, adopting to any surroundings.   

6. Give your brand a soundtrack

Don’t underestimate the effect of audio. Interior design is about tapping into all the senses. Some offices feel lifeless as there’s no positive noise, especially at a reception or entry area. Look to play music that gives your internal team and clients a sense of your brand’s personality.

7. The fragrance of success

While we’re on the subject of senses, don’t neglect smell.  An office space can be visually stunning but if the air quality doesn’t reflect productivity and creativity, the office can be effected. In Japan the Takasago Corporation carried out research into how smells affect the accuracy of typists. It found “54% made fewer errors when they could smell lemon, 33% fewer with jasmine, and 20% fewer with lavender,” reports Jon Card in the UK Guardian newspaper.

Pop a few vaporisers around the office in secluded areas and place them on timers to start early so people arriving are greeted with a fresh, invigorating smelling office. Time them to come on throughout the day to keep the spirits high!

Shop our new office look

Coastal Office
Time to take action? The Designbx Team are ready to help

The post Tips for Home and Office spaces appeared first on Designbx.

The cool bedrooms of famous monarchs are well within reach. To turn your drab bedroom into a boudoir starts with the essentials—those images that come to mind when you remember period pieces or the art of antiquity: the majestic four-poster with a large, extravagant bedhead that adds scale.

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Peach and plump!

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Buttons, studs, leather, mirror, this is pure Luxe!

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Come on folks; we’re spoiling ourselves here, so let’s do it properly. Can you ever have enough cushions? That’s a trick question of course. No self-respecting member of the nobility would settle for less than a small mountain of them, filled to excess with feathers.

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Cool bedrooms include layers of breathable bed linen. From the interior design styles of Coastal to Luxe, there’s a wonderfully excessive boudoir to fit most styles. The softness of Coastal is an obvious way to guarantee comfort (cotton, hemp and bamboo) while Luxe fabrics for cushions, bedheads, ottomans and window treatments offer a truly stately appeal.

Why not mix and match your linens to create depth…

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In all cases, start by being bold, and that includes artwork, with special attention to frames. Similarly, the use of ornately framed mirrors helps to enlarge the space. As you decorate, treat each item like art, including a signature item of furniture—perhaps a large, luxurious armchair in a corner.

Bold in size and colour

In stark contrast, colour is the one factor that requires a more subdued approach. Make your bold statements with pattern, texture and scale instead. While classic boudoirs were lavish, they were not loud. Remember that this is a space where you need to truly feel relaxed. Lighting is crucial. Like your choices of colour, avoid anything that has a jarring or abrasive effect. Stylish pendent lights are an effective way of adding a Luxe interior design feel.

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Organise the bits and bobs of your vanity area in crystal boxes and place creams in glass bottles. Along with Lucite make-up organisers, these garnishes add opulence while removing clutter. Having pampered your senses of touch and sight, don’t forget to add the right scents.

Flowers ignite the senses

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Fresh flowers provide the final touch, and give your boudoir a unique and changeable flourish that makes your bedroom feel like a hotel get-away. Why escape when you can spoil yourself at home?

The post Cool bedrooms: From Bedroom to Boudoirs appeared first on Designbx.