Party decoration ideas and special occasions - Designbx https://designbx.com/blog/category/trends/events/ Online interior design Sat, 28 Aug 2021 11:09:15 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://designbx.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cropped-Designbx-Logo-512px-1-32x32.png Party decoration ideas and special occasions - Designbx https://designbx.com/blog/category/trends/events/ 32 32 Interior design, North Pole-style, with Saint Nick https://designbx.com/blog/christmas-interior-decorating-north-pole/ https://designbx.com/blog/christmas-interior-decorating-north-pole/#respond Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:39:17 +0000 https://designbx.com/?p=6451 When Designbx asked me to write a guest blog, I thought: finally, someone recognises my aesthetic flair! Most of you would associate me with the delivery industry but let me tell you, when it comes to Christmas interior decorating, I’m a natural. It’s Mrs Claus who maintains the sleigh and works with the reindeer. There…

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When Designbx asked me to write a guest blog, I thought: finally, someone recognises my aesthetic flair! Most of you would associate me with the delivery industry but let me tell you, when it comes to Christmas interior decorating, I’m a natural. It’s Mrs Claus who maintains the sleigh and works with the reindeer. There are no gender stereotypes in this house!

Firstly, I have to say I think it’s absolutely crazy when homeowners don’t give their interiors a bit of design love. We all work hard, and at the end of the day, you need a relaxing, inspiring, and functional getaway. Can you imagine the stress I’m under at this time of year? There are 1.9 billion children in the world, and I’ve not only got to make a list of who’s naughty and nice, but I have to check it twice! Thankfully I’ve expanded my factory of little helpers. And before you accuse me of running a sweatshop, let’s make it clear that they’re all on minimum wage and working no more than 14 hours a day. I’m kidding!

Anyway, here are my special Santa decorating tips for Christmas. After four hundred years of silly seasons, I’ve learnt a thing of two…

 

1. Kick my feet up

For a jolly man like me, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of kicking the boots off and putting my feet up at the end of the night on an all-important comfy couch.

Christmas interior decorating lounge room

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2. Workshop Wonderland  

Mrs Claus helps me with my organisational skills and gave me some great space-saving storage alternatives for our workshop. Try these organisational ideas to create more space in your craft workshop or office!

Christmas interior decorating organisation desk

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Christmas interior decorating organisation

 

3. Eggnog Station

Sneaking down people’s chimneys and directing the reindeer all night makes me pine for a drink when I get home. I ensure I have an impressive bar setup filled with the finest eggnog, mulled wine and spirits to share with my best elves and Mrs Claus after a long day’s work.

Christmas interior decorating bar cart

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Christmas interior decorating bar cart

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4. Mrs Claus’ Corner

Mrs Claus spends long nights reading and knitting away whilst Santa is out to work. I ensure she’s in absolute comfort with a living room setting suited to all her needs. Bookshelves, a creative side table and a great armchair keeps her satisfied with everything at her fingertips. Mrs Claus has revamped our humble abode to match with latest trends, using neutral and metallic tones, greenery and minimalist decorations to keep it Christmassy all year round.

Christmas interior decorating living room

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5. Light the night

Working long, late hours and arriving home in the dark of the night calls for a well-lit exterior to guide my way home. Try these outdoor lighting solutions that add the all-important Christmas charm. Incorporating different types of lanterns adds a charming and warm vibe to your home.

Christmas interior decorating front porch lights

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Christmas interior decorating porch

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6. Claus’ cooking

Mrs Claus needs a space to bake all her delicious treats and cook a hot meal to make sure I don’t fill up on milk and cookies on the job! Being here in Lapland, there are so many beautiful Scandi-style kitchens she has visited so she needed one of her own! Last Christmas I put my elves to work to give her this beauty:

Christmas interior decorating kitchen

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Check out our Christmas interior decorating article for decorating your Christmas table, decorating you Chistmas tree and sorting out your stockings!
Have a Merry Xmas, ho ho ho!       

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Mix it up with these 5 top Christmas table ideas https://designbx.com/blog/christmas-table-ideas/ https://designbx.com/blog/christmas-table-ideas/#respond Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:21:38 +0000 https://designbx.com/?p=6413 You don’t need an expert to tell you that the build up to Christmas can be both exciting and a little stressful! Is that Christmas ham going to feed everyone? Will the fruit cake be a disaster? Is the house up to scratch for the visiting relatives? Then comes Christmas decorating… You want it to…

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You don’t need an expert to tell you that the build up to Christmas can be both exciting and a little stressful! Is that Christmas ham going to feed everyone? Will the fruit cake be a disaster? Is the house up to scratch for the visiting relatives?

Then comes Christmas decorating… You want it to be perfect and special and create a warm, cozy feeling but where do you start? Most people neglect the Christmas table. It is an easy way to make a statement on Christmas day and it will distract your relatives from all that mess the kids have left around.

With these 5 easy decorating ideas, you are set to have a stylish Christmas table that is sure to delight.

1. Scandi Santa

Go for a Scandinavian interior design look with wintry icy colours and natural materials. Scandi-style ornaments and icy blues work well within a coastal home and celebrate the true origins of Christmas from up North. Try using garlands, ribbon, hanging lights, dainty ornaments and frosted glass in your table settings.To save space on your table, combine the decorations together to make a statement piece. Try placing ornaments, candles and decorations on a wooden platter. As for the table, white washed wood will give a wintery feel and create a great base colour for colourful decorations.

Scandinavian interior design Christmas table setting

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2. Natural Noel

A more traditional look for the Christmas table can include deep greens, pinecones and natural fibres. Keep the colours neutral to complement the beautiful natural materials.

Centrepieces can be fragrant florals, greenery and pine-scented candles. Try using natural wood logs for candle holders, which is on trend this season. Use hessian for a table runner and beautiful natural cotton napkins for that natural touch.

Scandinavian interior design natural Christmas

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3. Glam greetings

The alternate to the traditional Christmas table design, is a modernised mix of metallics – gold, silver, rose gold or copper. These statement decorating colours will make your guests think they are eating at a 5 star restaurant. Cutlery, drinkware, candle holders and ornaments can be easily found in copper, silver and rose gold. Add some gold baubles around the place and you have yourself a stylish and modern Christmas house.

Scandinavian interior design copper Christmas table setting

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4. White Christmas

Wishing you were in New York ice skating and enjoying a snow filled Christmas day?

You can bring that wintery feel into your Christmas by going monochromatic, or even better- white! Make it snow and embrace the crisp, bright white on the dinner table which works well with the Australian summer. Snow covered pine cones, pearly white plates and a white Christmas tree will make your home feel like a winter wonderland.

Scandinavian interior design white Christmas

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Scandinavian interior design white Christmas table setting

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5. In the night

Who says Christmas needs to be colourful and bright? Dare to be different using bold dark hues such as burgundy and black, then mix them up with a splash of white or metallic. Suits more mature homes and suave Christmas parties. This ultra modern take on Christmas decorating is perfect for a Christmas lunch away from the kids (give them their own table in another room). Black plates and gold cutlery creates a  nice twist on the traditional table settings. Accompany this table setting with a red Christmas bush and some red wine.

Scandinavian interior design dark Christmas table setting

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For more help with your Christmas styling, check out Santa’s Christmas interior decorating how to create a majestic Christmas tree, oto get you ready for the festive season.

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Three fail-proof steps to a majestic Christmas tree https://designbx.com/blog/majestic-christmas-tree-decorating-steps/ https://designbx.com/blog/majestic-christmas-tree-decorating-steps/#comments Tue, 05 Dec 2017 00:45:21 +0000 https://designbx.com/?p=7026 The excitement of decorating the Christmas tree often overpowers us. We so eagerly place ornaments here, there and everywhere but it often results in a sad looking Christmas tree. Instead of throwing some tinsel around and decorating only the front half of the tree, follow this easy three step guide to ensure your Christmas tree…

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The excitement of decorating the Christmas tree often overpowers us. We so eagerly place ornaments here, there and everywhere but it often results in a sad looking Christmas tree. Instead of throwing some tinsel around and decorating only the front half of the tree, follow this easy three step guide to ensure your Christmas tree gets the decorating it deserves.

If you’re aiming for the traditional green, gold and red colour scheme, modernise the look by adding some luxurious ornaments in burnt copper, gold and sage green colours. For a more coastal, white, blue and silver theme, try bleached timber ornaments, complemented with grey and pastel colours.

Now we have the basics down pat, let’s begin!

1. Lighting

To start with, most shops sell Christmas tree lights with either green or white wiring, so be sure to get the correct lights that will match your tree. Plain white sparkling lights go well with any colour scheme and matches easily with all kinds of ornaments. Alternatively, you can layer your lights, from small white lights to larger coloured bulbs. Make sure you always start at the top of the tree and work your way down and around, so the power pack lays nicely on the floor, and not dangling from the top of the tree!

Christmas tree decorating lighting

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2. Garlands

Garlands are placed on the tree after the lights because you want to hide an electrical wire with pretty decorations. A little prior preparation for this stage can help stop a disaster later down the track. Split up your ornaments into three piles, large, medium and small. Start with the large ornaments and sprinkle them evenly around the tree, in the most visible areas (don’t forget the bottom). Continue on to the medium sized ornaments and then lastly, small sized. If you have timber ornaments that don’t match your theme, you can apply a thin coat of paint to give them a washed look. After the ornaments are placed, you can go crazy with the tinsel, beads and other goodies. Get crafty this Christmas and try make your own macrame that can be hung on your tree.

Christmas tree decorating macrame

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Christmas tree decorating garlands

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3. Filling in the gaps

Even after layering lights, tinsel, beads and ornaments onto the tree, we can still be left with bare areas that really stand out. Luckily they are an easy fix with ribbon. Find ribbon that matches your theme and tie bows around bare tree stems to fill in the blanks. You can also fill the gap by hanging up lollies and chocolates for a Christmas day delight.

Christmas tree decorating pine cone ornament

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Christmas tree decorating snowy white xmas tree

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Now all that’s left to do is stand back and be amazed by your creation. For more Xmas tips check out our stocking guide and Christmas colours!

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So chic it’s scary! Styling the home for Halloween https://designbx.com/blog/halloween-rustic-interior-design/ https://designbx.com/blog/halloween-rustic-interior-design/#respond Mon, 09 Oct 2017 10:24:56 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=4384 October is the scariest month of the year. Maybe it’s because it’s frightening to think how fast the year has gone. Nevertheless, it’s time to pull out the tacky old witches hats and ghost costumes made from old sheets…or you can easily transform your home into a delightfully scary castle with these simple yet effective…

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October is the scariest month of the year. Maybe it’s because it’s frightening to think how fast the year has gone. Nevertheless, it’s time to pull out the tacky old witches hats and ghost costumes made from old sheets…or you can easily transform your home into a delightfully scary castle with these simple yet effective interior decorating ideas.

halloween mix

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1. Scarily fresh foliage

Not many people think fresh foliage and Halloween go together but gothic floral arrangements are the perfect addition to any bench or table. Try scattering red or white roses, camellia branches or orange sunflowers around the home. Even floral prints can add character to the walls.

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2. Go monochromatic

Limiting your interior design colours will ensure your Halloween decorating flows perfectly, from one room to the next. Instead of painting pumpkins with scary faces, spray paint them with a solid colour such as black, orange, or red.

You can even glam up your pumpkins with jewels and patterns (who said Halloween wasn’t elegant?). Black is the easiest colour to stick to as you can decorate with black pumpkins, bats, candle holders, witches outfits and even black cupcakes. For a wall accessory that lasts longer than just Halloween, take a look at our black wall hanging.

halloween pumpkins

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3. Set an eerie mood

You don’t want to scare your kids away with a dark haunted house, so add some fun into Halloween decorating with DIY lanterns. Gather together old glass jars and wrap them up in bandages with two googly eyes. Place a tea light candle inside and you have yourself a ghostly yet cute light. Lanterns and pumpkins also make good kid’s lights in small bedroom designs.  

For the adults, black candle holders are great for tables and definitely set the right mood. Designbx offers black candle stick holders, perfect for a haunted feast. Copper is also a great decorating colour to create a gothic yet modern Halloween look. Try copper lamps or cushions or go all out with this bold pendant to create a rustic interior design look. Also turn those empty wine bottles into candle stick holders for a cool effect.

4. Spooky snacks table and an adult-only grazing bench

After a long day of Halloween for kids and adults alike, it’s time to sit down to a feast made for a king (or should we say vampire?). Keep the kids quiet with their very own spooky candy land. Fill jars and copper vases with orange, black and white candy.

halloween feast

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Make a batch of Halloween themed cupcakes and give the kids a variety of spooky toppings like green M&Ms, edible eyes, and bat candy, to decorate their own cupcake with. Then quickly sneak away to your own adult wonderland. You might like to have red velvet cupcakes, cheese, red grapes and green pasta.

halloween cupcake

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5. Don’t forget the naughty potions and poisons

Mix up some devilish cocktails, using your favourite spirit blended with green or red coloured cordial. Add blood cherries, liquorice and poisoned green apples for decoration.

For the kids, give them a jug of red cordial with floating teeth lollies on top. You can even try glow-in-the-dark drinks using lemonade served in glass potion bottles.

halloween cocktail skull

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For more inspiration on designing your haunted house check out the Designbx blog! And remember to keep calm this Halloween.

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Talk Like A Pirate Day – don’t just talk the talk, live the life! https://designbx.com/blog/talk-like-a-pirate-day/ https://designbx.com/blog/talk-like-a-pirate-day/#respond Mon, 18 Sep 2017 06:06:38 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=4115 Listen up, me hearties! Get yee an eye patch, a pirate hat, a wooden leg (please don’t remove the real one), and get ready for a crash course on one of our favourite days of the year. It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day! We’ll even offer a few tips to make your home the…

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Listen up, me hearties! Get yee an eye patch, a pirate hat, a wooden leg (please don’t remove the real one), and get ready for a crash course on one of our favourite days of the year. It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

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.

oar wall art

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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.

world map wallpaper

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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!

beer barrels

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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.

grazed felt rug

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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.

fish nets hang pictures

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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!

Seaside style

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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)

Pirate day banner

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!

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Affordable, unique artwork for home interior styles https://designbx.com/blog/affordable-unique-artwork-for-home-interior-styles/ https://designbx.com/blog/affordable-unique-artwork-for-home-interior-styles/#respond Tue, 18 Jul 2017 06:55:12 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=3890 We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with online art gallery Curatorial+Co, bringing affordable, unique art to our online interior design clients and via our Shop the Look style boards.  Curatorial+Co is essentially an online art gallery that sources paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and ceramic works, along with multimedia and textile art pieces, from…

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We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with online art gallery Curatorial+Co, bringing affordable, unique art to our online interior design clients and via our Shop the Look style boards. 

Curatorial+Co is essentially an online art gallery that sources paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and ceramic works, along with multimedia and textile art pieces, from around the globe. Designbx and Curatorial+Co were both conceived from the same philosophy – allowing design and art to be available to everyone, no matter how time rich or poor, and no matter their budget.

As well as making art affordable, Curatorial+Co aims to increase the profile of emerging and existing artists in a cultural exchange between Australia and the rest of the world. Their carefully curated offering is vast, and customers are buying from a collection that is exclusive to Curatorial+Co. While predominantly an online service, Curatorial+Co also hold pop-up exhibitions to allow customers to experience art in person and to meet the artists.

Sophie Vander is the founder and director of Curatorial+Co. Sophie is a UNSW College of Fine Arts graduate with a relentless passion for art and design. After 10 years working overseas gaining experience in curating, interior design and journalism, Sophie now lives in Sydney where she brings her insight and enthusiasm to Curatorial+Co. Sophie consults with clients on art commissions, hosts pop-up exhibitions and fosters creative talent.

Designbx recently chatted to Sophie Vander about the Curatorial+Co concept:

Sophie Vander- Portrait

What gave you the idea to start Curatorial+Co?

I saw a shift in the way people viewed art but not a way in which people could buy art. There was a big gap between places to buy ubiquitous art prints and the high-end white-box art galleries. Curatorial+Co. came from a desire to show that original artworks by emerging artists from all over the world are a great way to move on from the art print and develop your knowledge about art and your own personal taste.

What makes Curatorial+Co unique?

Before us, there wasn’t really somewhere in between for the person ready to start an original art collection to view and buy accessible, curated works. The majority of our buyers come back again and again because they trust our aesthetic and art quality. They also generally don’t have the time to do the research that is sometimes required, so Curatorial+Co make it very easy to find beautiful pieces at accessible prices, all in one place online.

Tell us about the artists you represent:

We are still a young gallery so currently have 18 artists in our online stable. Every day I go in search of new artists who are creating innovative and interesting work to add to our online collection. We would love to double that number, but it’s more about quality than quantity, so we’ll see how that goes!

We also have a multitude of artists who produce commissioned works for our art consultancy clients, depending on a client’s budget and preference for a particular space. These artists range from emerging, all the way up to established – we have a huge talent pool to draw from.

Do your artists have anything in common with each other?

Generally our artists are emerging or mid-career so we can keep the price of works online accessible. Emerging doesn’t always mean young either! Many of our artists are creators who have started later in life and found their ‘thing’. The work they produce is some of my favourite as there is confidence, surety and a true sense of self that very young artists don’t always have.

What do you look for in an artist?

I like to work with artists who a take a traditional medium and turn it on its head. There must be a level of innovation or individuality; they should have their own style. You should know their work the minute you see it, but you should also see them developing and pushing and moving forward in their practice, but really it comes down to the work itself.

How do you find new artists you would like to partner with?

Initially it’s a gut instinct when I come across their work – it generally grabs me instantly and takes my breath away for a moment (I love it when our buyers have the same reaction!). Instagram is my best friend when it comes to discovering new talent as it’s a wonderful tool to find new artists who are not yet on anyone’s radar.

How did you come to partner with Designbx, and what excites you about this relationship?

I read a newspaper article about what Kerena, Emily and Kylie were doing to turn the interior design world around and make it more accessible. It really gelled with what I am trying to do with the art world so it was a natural fit. Everyone is so time-poor these days, yet we still want our environments to be gorgeous, meaningful and personal. We crave beauty and calm in our spaces to offset the stresses that surround us, and we need ways to make this happen without adding more stress to the equation.

I am so excited about how Designbx and Curatorial+Co can work together to help make that happen for everyone who craves more art and design in their lives.

Anita Beaney
We are super excited to offer our customers the first Curatorial+Co artist – Australian photographer
Anita Beaney. In her current works Anita focuses on the mesmerising power of the sea and the sky.

Our professional interior design team can help you to select and incorporate a beautiful art piece that complements your room, design style and looks fabulous! Either select an online interior design package or get in touch for more information.

Designbx_ShoptheLook_Modern Eclectic Office
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A party fit for a Queen https://designbx.com/blog/party-fit-queen/ https://designbx.com/blog/party-fit-queen/#respond Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:38:04 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=3638 With Queen Elizabeth’s 91st birthday just around the corner, at Designbx we thought what better time to throw together a party in her honour. If you have little ones, you know that any excuse for a party is excuse enough. Image Reference To pull together a tea party, you need the essentials: scones, tiny sandwiches…

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With Queen Elizabeth’s 91st birthday just around the corner, at Designbx we thought what better time to throw together a party in her honour. If you have little ones, you know that any excuse for a party is excuse enough.

Home interior decorating styles - Queen dinner set up

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To pull together a tea party, you need the essentials: scones, tiny sandwiches and of course, tea. But why stop there? The Queen only turns 91 once, right? You can always bring in some macaroons and a beautiful naked cake. And what’s a celebration without a cheeky glass of bubbly (or two).

Queen's Birthday - pink strawberry macaroon cake

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When it comes to keeping the kiddies entertained, set up a Queen Card making station. They can let their creative side go wild making birthday cards for Her Majesty. You can even download and print custom colouring pages here. And nothing will make her day like receiving birthday well-wishes from her subjects Down Under.

Home decorating ideas - Queen pencil trio

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High tea has traditionally been known to be quite a stuffy affair, but all that is changing. Use this event as an opportunity to channel your inner Kate Middleton by bringing out your most fabulous hats and ask your guests to do the same.


Queen's birthday - Kate Middleton hat in pinkImage Reference

If you really want to nail the look, pull together any and all tufted furniture pieces. Mix and match with different coloured and textured chairs. A timber table paired with a dainty white lace or even a floral table runner will help to create the perfect balance of rustic elegant charm. Don’t be afraid to mix metals or even flatware.

Queen's birthday - outdoor table setting

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Queen's birthday - pink bow tea party

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Are you planning a party for the Queen’s Birthday? Share your ideas in the comment section below. 

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An Alternative Guide to Gift Giving this Mother’s Day https://designbx.com/blog/alternative-guide-gift-giving-mothers-day/ https://designbx.com/blog/alternative-guide-gift-giving-mothers-day/#respond Sun, 30 Apr 2017 22:26:10 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=3350 With Mother’s Day just around the corner we can’t help but be reminded of how our own mums are nothing short of super heroes. Mums deserve the world and it’s great that we have one special Sunday dedicated to all of their amazingness. With so many wonderful gift guides out there, like this one, we…

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With Mother’s Day just around the corner we can’t help but be reminded of how our own mums are nothing short of super heroes. Mums deserve the world and it’s great that we have one special Sunday dedicated to all of their amazingness. With so many wonderful gift guides out there, like this one, we thought why not focus on a gift guide that supports Mums who might need a little extra love and support this year.

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Fortunately, there are so many wonderful organisations working hard to give kids and mums a safe space to grow and thrive, and they can always use financial contributions and volunteers to continue the awesome work they do. Here are three of our favourites.

Kids Xpress

Raising children is the most important and rewarding endeavor most of us will ever embark upon, but it is difficult even under the best of circumstances. Add in difficulties like caring for a child with special needs, trauma or even homelessness, the challenges with child rearing can grow to a whole new level of hopelessness.

That’s where the work of KidsXpress comes in. By offering 10 week programs, coinciding with the school calendar, KidsXpress gives children the opportunity to be immersed in programs like Group, Co-led and Expressive therapy.

Combining each of these therapies together ensures a well-rounded approach to success. Expressive therapy is unique but incredibly beneficial to children who have been subjected to trauma or deal with issues related to social function, like those symptoms associated with Autism and Aspergers. Expressive therapy enables sensory engagement when traditional verbal and cognitive therapies are less effective or not an option.

The work of KidsXpress ensures that these challenges are not insurmountable and even helps to build bridges within the community that prevents parents from being in constant “panic mode” while actually helping them and their children to thrive in a network of folks who find themselves in similar circumstances searching for similar solutions.

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How you can give: Because their services are in such high demand, there is a long list of families eager to join. Donate to KidsXpress here. Every little bit helps bring those struggling most closer to the support they need, and your contribution is tax deductible!

Habitat for Humanity Australia

Here at Designbx the old adage, “Think global, act local” rings true. That’s why we love Habitat for Humanity Australia. We all know how important it is to be able to dwell with dignity, and their work does exactly that for those most in need.

Single mums make up 84-88% of lone parent homes in Australia, and up to 23% of lone-parents are living below the poverty line. This is a crucial problem that is only growing as housing affordability reaches crisis level across the country.  

Habitat for Humanity Australia puts homeownership within reach for those struggling to put a roof over their family’s heads. It is a long-term solution to the quicksand of poverty, a problem that impacts each and every one of us, whether we know it or not.

So how does it work? Here is an excerpt from the Habitat for Humanity Australia website:

“Families partner with Habitat for Humanity in the construction of their home. Each partner family receives an interest free, 20 year loan based on 95 percent of the market value of the completed home.

Partner families contribute 500 hours of their own time in the planning and construction phases – this is called ‘sweat equity’ and is recognised in the 5 percent discount on market value that we return to them. For example, if a home is valued at $300,000, the partner family will have accumulated effectively $15,000 in equity, from their own efforts, on the day they move in.”

Whether it’s building homes right here in Australia, helping those in developing countries or areas devastated by a natural disaster, you know that your financial and on-the-ground volunteering contributions are going to great use.

If you love the idea of building something with your bare hands, then Habitat for Humanity is an excellent way to give back. Additionally, you can help by making a financial contribution, or by potentially organising a team building effort with your work colleagues. There are so many great ways to get engaged!

Here in Australia, the program is run differently state-by-state. So please check the website to see how to best participate in your community.

One Girl

What a difference an education can make. Everything about One Girl is empowering and hopeful, which is no small feat given the problems they tackle are oh-so-big. This organisation is in the business of educating 1 million girls in some of the most impoverished parts of Africa. One Girl’s work is helping to decrease rates of everything from child brides to infant mortality and the payoffs have been far reaching.

For instance, did you know that the rate of infant mortality REDUCES a staggering 5-10% for every year a girl stays in school? Additionally, educated mothers are much more likely to pass on their education to their children, and are more than twice as likely to send their children to school.  

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It’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed by the devastating problems the One Girl organisation handles, that we sometimes end up giving up before we even begin. Thankfully for us, One Girl has broken down the solutions to an achievable level and it’s easy for all of us to make a difference.

Whether you decide to make a monthly $25 contribution to send a girl to school, or do a fundraiser yourself, your ROI will bolster not just mums, but children, families and entire communities. That’s something to celebrate this Mother’s Day and all year long.

Do you support a great organisation and want to share it with us? Add it to the comments section to keep the conversation going.

Other fantastic Mum blogs to check out this Mother’s Day. If at heart you’re a gift giver, then here are some ones close to our heart- Great Mother’s Day gifts

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Five gorgeous tablescapes to have your guests swooning this Easter https://designbx.com/blog/five-gorgeous-tablescapes-guests-swooning-easter/ https://designbx.com/blog/five-gorgeous-tablescapes-guests-swooning-easter/#respond Wed, 12 Apr 2017 03:01:23 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=3213 Easter is a time for family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, vibrant colours, and of course delicious food. But if you’re anything like us, then you know the old saying “first we eat with our eyes” rings oh-so-true. The five tablescapes showcased below provide a visual feast that more than satisfies our appetite for festive table-top…

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Easter is a time for family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, vibrant colours, and of course delicious food. But if you’re anything like us, then you know the old saying “first we eat with our eyes” rings oh-so-true. The five tablescapes showcased below provide a visual feast that more than satisfies our appetite for festive table-top decor and is sure to have your guests drooling well before the lamb roast even hits the table.

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 Brass and Marble and Peonies…Oh My!

We might have died and gone to tablescape heaven with this spread. Everything about it is luxe. But what we love best is that designer Emily Henderson hasn’t restricted the beautiful pastel colours associated with Easter celebrations to just flowers and linens. Don’t be afraid to incorporate coloured tapered candles and even chicly dyed Easter eggs into the mix. Bonus points for a golden egg. 

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Eye contact, please!

If avoiding hot topics like politics is one surefire way to guarantee your gathering goes off without a hitch, then the other is keeping overbearing plant life at bay. It’s important to remember to keep your flowers below eye level to ensure the conversation continues to flow throughout the meal. Sugar and Cloth nailed the look with their hanging upside down flower basket concept. You can read their tips for creating your own here.  

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Sometimes less is more

For something sophisticated and chic, just a single leafy branch accompanied by a few scattered candles can be a simple and affordable solution to a table runner. Just add some very #ontrend timber place settings and a muted tablecloth and you have an Easter brunch fit for Scandinavian royalty.   

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Paper Flower, Staying Power

We all love fresh flowers but every once in a while a good imposter can give the real thing a run for its money. These paper flowers scattered in eclectic vases are a great example. This look, created by The Cobra Lily and creative director Brynn of Dandy & Fine Parties for 100 Layer Cake strikes an incredible balance of simple elegance mixed with bohemian refinement.

But if making paper flowers isn’t your thing, or you’re just too time-poor for that kind of craftiness, then you can always leave it to the experts at Pink Cherry Mama to make some for you. After all, when your flowers last years rather than weeks, we’d say these little guys might just beat the real thing. 

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Natural whimsy

It’s not every day we see a timber table with so much natural beauty, but if you’re lucky enough to own one, by all means, show it off! A simple runner punctuated by gorgeous flowers allows the character of the wood to shine through, and the organic plates flanked by charming flatware makes us feel like we could spend hours drinking Rosé at this table.

This look lends itself to mixing and matching with glorious perfection. We could see mis-matched chairs and multi-patterned china and even pastel coloured glassware feeling right at home here. So if you’ve got it, definitely flaunt it.

Read more on this Easters hero colour Ruby Red

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2017 design trends – Easter bunny delivers ruby red treats for autumn https://designbx.com/blog/2017-design-trends-easter-bunny-delivers-ruby-red-treats-autumn/ https://designbx.com/blog/2017-design-trends-easter-bunny-delivers-ruby-red-treats-autumn/#respond Wed, 12 Apr 2017 02:50:14 +0000 https://designbx.com/blog/?p=3174 The Easter Bunny has a long history going all the way back to Germany in the 1500s when children were told a magical egg-laying hare would deliver coloured eggs to their home. We’ve got a feeling that idea may have happened late at night during Octoberfest, yet this fantastic concept took off, and the bunny…

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The Easter Bunny has a long history going all the way back to Germany in the 1500s when children were told a magical egg-laying hare would deliver coloured eggs to their home. We’ve got a feeling that idea may have happened late at night during Octoberfest, yet this fantastic concept took off, and the bunny soon become a cultural icon.

Children would lay out nests for their eggs, and carrots for the bunny, with the hopes of extra treats. Why wouldn’t bribes work on a bunny? Cookies worked for Santa, right? From humble beginnings, this fatastical hare’s influence has spread across the world, becoming an intrinsic part of every childhood. The bunny trumps the Tooth Fairy and runs a close second to Santca.

Here in Australia we celebrate Easter much the same as the rest of the western world, by putting out coloured eggs, eating lots of chocolate and family feasting. But while the holiday in the US and Europe marks the ushering in of spring and some much-needed reprieve from a cold winter, Down Under it’s a bit different.

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After a record-breaking hot summer, most of us are eager for Autumn and all the cosiness associated with the season. Fashion and design trends go hand in hand with any seasonal change, and this Autumn is no different. This Easter, we’re loving the idea of deep reds to celebrate the holiday. Fortunately for us, there’s a lot of beautiful ruby red homewares and furniture out there to tickle our collective fancy. Rich velvets, gold framework furniture and deep red botanical flowers highlights.

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Ruby red is an indulgent colour, exactly what this season calls for. Think dark chocolate, melty cheese and red wine. As we’ve noted before, red used in its pure form can induce anxiety, speed and hunger (those fast food marketers are no fools), but earthy reds are great for areas where we want to relax, socialise and of course, indulge.

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The tradition of dying eggs is seeing a comeback. To dye Easter Eggs in this seasons trend jewel toned colours, like Ruby Red, use brown eggs instead of white. Here’s a guide to create the perfect ruby red Easter egg.

If eggs aren’t your cup of tea check out our Easter table setting article.

 

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