LOVE where you live - Simple steps to redecorating on a budget.

Home may be where the heart is but if you're not loving yours maybe it's time for a bit of an update? A few licks of paint, some good lighting and a staple gun and you'll find yourself loving your home environment and getting the most out of your space. With Winter approaching many of us will be tucked up in our little sanctuaries more often than not so why not enjoy it. It doesn't need to cost a bomb either. Starting with items you already have and love is the best way to get your head around what type of interior you gravitate towards. Pulling out your favourite items you will find that you see a pattern emerging of what you like. On the flipside if you have things you cannot stand to look out, perhaps a trip to the salvos is on the cards? De-cluttering is liberating and will make your new interior styling look even better... 

 

 

 
Forget the current trends and begin with pieces you already have and love

 To love your interiors they need to be functional but you also need to love your pieces. This is your space. Not an interior photo shoot from a high end design magazine.
 

To start off I recommend sifting through your things and finding 'stuff' that actually has meaning for you. If you LOVE that old plate or vase left to you by your Grandmother then buy a wall  holder and place it on a wall where you will see it every day. Perhaps painting that wall a different colour to make it a feature is an option. Go for it! It's only paint and you can always change it.  Can you place a few frames or mirrors surrounding the plate or vase to turn it into a gallery style wall? Have you got a candle holder with similar colours or a pot plant or lamp that complements the colours on the plate. A few books stacked up and a glass vase and your done. Vases, picture frames etc. can all be picked up at your local Dollar store. Spray paint any frames in a high gloss black or white to make them look expensive . Put everything together in different arrangements and take photos on your phone. Remove items, add items and play around with your new look. Work out what the best look for that particular space is and you have a feature area in your home. It's that easy.

 
 

That old green glass pouring jug sitting at the back of your cupboard could become a statement piece on your dressing table used as an earring holder (o.k so I have done this myself and it looks amazing). Surround it with other knick knacks and hang necklaces, bracelets etc. A couple of candles thrown in also looks great and when they are lit the light will reflect off your jewellery adding a great mood to your bedroom.  You will wake up to everything displayed and can throw on whatever earrings match your outfit.  Functionality + style = LOVE!

 

 

You don't need to spend a pile of money to revamp your old dining chairs either. Head to a fabric store and pick something that looks great but is also functional. If you have small kids for example I would steer clear of light weight interior fabrics and go for a heavy duty upholstering fabric, preferably leather or something waterproof. If you have no kids around then pick whatever you like! A coat of Scotchguard will protect the fabric against any spills. Pick up a staple gun at your nearest hardware store and get stapling. Changing the fabric on your dining chairs is a great cost effective way of changing the look of your dining area. I recover my chairs every few months depending on how I feel. Having a few different coloured table settings is a handy too. Switch out your blue and grey placemats for the circular bamboo ones every week or so and your dining area will always look fresh. Add a bunch of flowers and some candles as a centrepiece and you'll never what to leave the table!

 

 

Throw rugs and cushions are a simple way to update a bedroom or lounge suite. Invest in a few sets of different coloured cushions and mix it up. Take the cushions and throw rug from your bed and swap them over with your lounge cushions and throw. Keeping a neutral coloured quilt cover set on your bed helps with this. Bright coloured sheets also look fantastic against a neutral quilt.  If you’re not in to cushions swap over your quilt cover sets occasionally to change the look.

 

 

 

Lighting is the best way to create a feel good mood throughout your home. Pick up lighting bases at the Salvation Army, Vinnies, Target etc. and create your own unique lamp shades. You can do a variety of different looks using spray paint, glue, masking tape, lace, fabric, whatever you imagination can come up with. For e.g. place your lace over the shade and spray paint in a metallic silver. Remove the lace and you have an instantly glamorous lampshade. You can also paint the bases in whatever colour works for you.. Place lamps of different shapes and sizes throughout your home in areas where they will not only look great but will be functional. Selecting the right light globe for each area is also important. Use warm glow globe for non reading areas and a stark white for spaces used for reading. Functionality is key!

 

 

 

Get creative and see where the decorating journey takes you!

 

For those of you in Sydney, www.marrsshop.com.au will be running workshops on Interior Styling in Sydney in June 2013. If you would like more information please send me an email to erin@marrscurtains.com.au

 

Lets Travel The World

Clinical, plain, textured and streamlined is still so very popular in all of our houses, but there does seem to be a lot more people starting to have fun with fabrics!
Leading the way are the fabric houses and wholesalers here in Australia. Releasing bright patterns, mixtures of old world and new that are absolutley perfect for that feature piece. A fabric that has really grabbed my eye is from the Anthropology Collection at Warwick Fabrics. Its a bit of Central Asia, Middle East, and eclectic all at the same time.  Branching out to put a pattern on your lounge or curtains can seem risky, but i can guarantee you if you can find a fabric design that you love, it will become your favourite piece in your house.

The most amazing thing about fabric is that you can literally travel the world right from the comforts of your own home. I just took you to the Middle East and Central Asia......Do you feel like a little trip to New York?! Check out this glamour collection from Zepels Camengo Range -  Central Park!!

I just love the round ottomans with the different coloured top to what is on the sides. And what about the curtains? Two fabrics sewn side by side in each curtain, not many of us are game enough to do that, but it looks stunning! Having your own little expression session with fabrics is like freedom in your own home.
If you can stay on this trip with me we have one more continent to travel to before we head home.  Neutrals, taupes, beiges and earthly colours may still be more your thing,  "Spirit of Africa" by Christian Fishbacher seems to really hit the mark with combining earthy tones with a great design and pattern element.

Whatever your style, colours or even cultural design influence you prefer, I encourage you to be bold and bring some of that into your home with the gorgeous fabrics that are available at the moment.
If you need a little help, dont be afraid to ask, the team at www.marrscurtains.com.au are here to help you.

Happy fabric travels!!


Sally-Anne x

Bedroom Basics - It's not just about style

After a restless night in bed battling a cold I find myself sitting here tired, cranky and looking forward to hitting the hay tonight. It got me thinking about how important a good night’s sleep is and so I find myself researching the topic while sipping on lemon and honey tea…

Did you know adults spend 25-30% of their lives in bed. Seventeen hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in performance equivalent to a blood alcohol-level of 0.05%. Some of the major disasters in history have been attributed to sleep deprivation, think the Challenger space shuttle disaster and the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Both of which have been linked to human errors where sleep deprivation played a role.

     

While I am in the fortunate position of trialing stock from www.marrsshop.com.au and owning some fantastic pillows, quilts, mattress toppers and other assorted goodies for my bed I have found there are a few other simple steps I can follow to improve my sleep.

The following pointers are from the Division of Sleep at the Harvard Medical School

#1 Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Chemicals that Interfere with Sleep

#2 Turn Your Bedroom into a Sleep-Inducing Environment

A quiet, dark, and cool environment can help promote sound slumber. To achieve such an environment, lower the volume of outside noise with earplugs or a "white noise" appliance. Use heavy curtains, blackout shades, or an eye mask to block light, a powerful cue that tells the brain that it's time to wake up. Keep the temperature comfortably cool—between 60 and 75°F—and the room well ventilated. Make sure your bedroom is equipped with a comfortable mattress and pillows. Limit your bedroom activities to sleep and sex only. Keeping computers, TVs, and work materials out of the room will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep.

 

Blockout Curtains are essential

Sheridan have an extensive range of great bedding

 

#3 Establish a Soothing Pre-Sleep Routine

Light reading before bed is a good way to prepare yourself for sleep.Ease the transition from wake time to sleep time with a period of relaxing activities an hour or so before bed. Take a bath read a book, watch television, or practice relaxation exercises. Avoid stressful, stimulating activities—doing work, discussing emotional issues. Physically and psychologically stressful activities can cause the body to secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which is associated with increasing alertness. If you tend to take your problems to bed, try writing them down—and then putting them aside.

An office favourite at www.marrsshop.com.au

#4 Go to Sleep When You’re Truly Tired

Struggling to fall sleep just leads to frustration. If you’re not asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed, go to another room, and do something relaxing, like reading or listening to music until you are tired enough to sleep.

 

#5 Don’t Be a Nighttime Clock-Watcher

Staring at a clock in your bedroom, either when you are trying to fall asleep or when you wake in the middle of the night can actually increase stress, making it harder to fall asleep. Turn your clock’s face away from you.

#6 Use Light to Your Advantage

Natural light keeps your internal clock on a healthy sleep-wake cycle. So let in the light first thing in the morning and get out of the office for a sun break during the day.

#7 Keep Your Internal Clock Set with a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Having a regular sleep schedule helps to ensure better quality and consistent sleep.

Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day sets the body’s "internal clock" to expect sleep at a certain time night after night. Try to stick as closely as possible to your routine on weekends to avoid a Monday morning sleep hangover. Waking up at the same time each day is the very best way to set your clock, and even if you did not sleep well the night before, the extra sleep drive will help you consolidate sleep the following night.

#8 Nap Early—Or Not at All

Many people make naps a regular part of their day. However, for those who find falling asleep or staying asleep through the night problematic, afternoon napping may be one of the culprits. This is because late-day naps decrease sleep drive. If you must nap, it’s better to keep it short and before 5 p.m.

 

#9 Lighten Up on Evening Meals

Eating a pepperoni pizza at 10 p.m. may be a recipe for insomnia. Finish dinner several hours before bedtime and avoid foods that cause indigestion. If you get hungry at night, snack on foods that (in your experience) won't disturb your sleep, perhaps dairy foods and carbohydrates.

 #10 Balance Fluid Intake

Drink enough fluid at night to keep from waking up thirsty—but not so much and so close to bedtime that you will be awakened by the need for a trip to the bathroom.

#11 Exercise Early

Exercise helps promote restful sleep if it is done several hours before you go to bed. Excercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly as long as it's done at the right time. Exercise stimulates the body to secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which helps activate the alerting mechanism in the brain. This is fine, unless you're trying to fall asleep. Try to finish exercising at least three hours before bed or work out earlier in the day.

 So it seems no matter what age you are, limited sleep can affect every aspect of your lifestyle – from work to home to personal relationships. When your body works well, you sleep well!

To view our full range of readymade blockout curtains, pillows, quilts or blankets visit us at www.marrsshop.com.au or for custom made curtains, blinds and shutters at  www.marrscurtains.com.au

*Information gathered from Division of Sleep at the Harvard Medical School and the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia*

Stop the heat!

After a colder than ususal start to summer the warmer weather has finally arrived. Along with the sun has come an influx of enquiries from clients for solutions to stop the heat coming through their glass!
It may seem like common sense to you but not all people understand how much more effective it is to stop the heat before it hits the glass. With products such as external roller blinds and folding arm awnings you can dramatically reduce the heat before its gets to your house. With glass having the ability to magnify the heat,  it makes a lot of sense to stop it prior. Marrs is a proud distributor of Helioscreen Products, they have a fabulous range of "intelligent sun control solutions" for your windows www.helioscreen.com.au.

Helioshade Folding Arm Awning




Helioscreen External Roller Blinds

The great thing about external solutions is that you can choose to make a statement with them or to disguise them to blend in with your home. With all hardware parts available to be powder coated to specific colours you can have your awnings and blinds be as minimal or as stand out as you like. And of course to complement the ease of the modern lifestyle, motorising your products is almost essential! Using Somfy motors and accessories you can have sun sensors, wind sensors and timers to operate your awning even when you are not at home to help keep out the heat.



www.marrscurtains.com.au

French Blue, Mauve, Citrus Yellow...... and is Grey the New Beige?

Our Marrs Shop team have been having a ball over the past few weeks sipping champagne and checking out the latest for Summer 11/12 with some of our favourite brands Sheridan, Maurice Kain, Warwick Fabrics and Rapee.
This season we are liking everything White, French Blue, Mauve, Citrus Yellow...and i put to you - do you think that grey could become new beige?? One thing that is for certain is that texture is getting deeper and prints are back in a big way, think chintz and floral and you cant go too far wrong.
This week all of the new ranges from Sheridan, Logan and Mason and Rapee are available on Marrs Shop www.marrsshop.com.au . We have decided to take the pain out of shopping for you, and have aimed to be the one place that you can go to online and select from the entire range of these favourite brands. Saving you dollars shopping on line, but also saving you precious time walking from shop to shop as many retailers simply cant carry the entire range in every size available.
In speaking to our clients over the past months we have realised that many want a great look for their room but are not to sure how to put it all together, or get scared to mix various textures together. Does this sound like you? If so, we have been working hard to bring to our site Virtual Styling Advice. By simply emailing us and sending in photos of your room, the team at Marrs shop will offer you advice and selections to help make your home beautiful, using products from our huge range online.
Here are some images for you of some of our favourite looks for this spring/summer season! Hope you are enjoying the sunny days at the moment.

Sally-Anne x

Put To The Test

Challenges make us concentrate, and help us to grow and develop, both for people individually and for a business. Recently the team at Marrs got an invitation to be the Window and Soft Furnishing supplier to the new Channel 9 series Top Design, hosted by Jaimie Durie. It was an offer that we couldn't refuse and an opportunity to challenge our skills.
It was an amazing experience to be part of a reality TV show with a fabulous bunch of talented design contestants that pushed us to our limits every episode. The first learning curve for us was that everything is reality. The time pressures are real, and the obstacles and challenges encountered are real. As a result the drama, pressure and emotion experienced by everyone is all very real.
Each episode Marrs would consult to the contestants on their window and soft furnishing needs. This was the easy part. The difficult part was manufacturing their wonderful creations in one to two days. Installation was also very challenging often having to think on our feet to overcome situations to the ever changing scope of works.
Being one of the only suppliers on the show supplying custom made product (which we did through our custom made division www.marrscurtains.com.au) we were vital to the show, and as such we developed close relationships with all of the contestants, and are very happy to call all of them and the production crew our friends.
The contestants loved using our ranges available from our online shop www.marrsshop.com.au particularly the throws, cushions, and quilt covers. They were amazed that we could offer them the full selection on the latest seasons ranges from all top brand suppliers. We thank hugely Rapee and Sheridan for there support of Marrs on Top Design.
Over the past month we have been completing the fit out of the house for Beauty and the Geek. The house is nothing short of amazing! So keep an eye out when that hits our screens.
For more tips and tricks you may also like to take a look at the Lifestyle Channel website where Marrs is regularly nvited to provide expert feature articles.

Insulate and Decorate!

With reports of fantastic early snow, a last minute decision soon followed to pack the car and  head down to the snow for opening weekend. This was the final indicator i needed to realise that this year it seems we are having a very real winter!
Every day we are hearing of the struggle with electricity and energy bills rising. So i thought the best thing i can share with you at the moment are some handy hints using furnishings to make your home warm and cosy!

Full blockout curtains with a pelmet still remain to be the best window covering you can have in your home for insulation. Fabric covered pelmets as pictured below are timeless and classic. Some newer homes tend to often build a recess into the ceiling that acts as a pelmet, giving the curtains a more modern and sleek look. Either way works great, as the pelmet seals the air flow, and the blockout lining offers the best protection to trap the heat in your home in winter. The insulation benefits can be further improved adding a layer of bumph interlining in between the fabric and blockout lining. Puddling the curtains on the floor also adds extra insulation benefit, although having your curtains hang just 1cm off the floor as most people prefer will still have almost the same result.
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To stop any pesky drafts don't forget about the good old door sausage. Whilst many are made of sand or rice. Both of these fillers can have problems absorbing moisture or in the case of rice attracting mice! So another handy filler is polyethylene pellets. If you want to try and make these at home, i suggest making a calico sausage for the filler, and then making an outer sausage with any great fabric of your choice.  Finish the outer layer with velcro at one end, this way the outer layer is removable and can be washed.

Some of my favourite products at the moment to keep you warm in bed this winter include Logan and Mason's Double Wool Under blanket and Sheridan's The Deluxe Dream® '2 in 1' quilt, which includes two quilts. In winter you clip both quilts together for extra warmth, however in summer you can detach one layer for a lighter cover. It really is a fantastic invention.

The St Albans Mohair throw rug is the perfect accompaniment for when you are spending time on the couch. So light in weight, yet so warm. Mohair offers great texture and makes any lounge room look winter ready.

Dont forget a floor rug if you have timber floors or tiles, and my absolute favourite to warm up..... a hot water bottle!
Hope this helps give you some thought starters on ways to keep the cold out this winter. Furnishings such as curtains, rugs, throw rugs etc are so fantastic because not only are they functionally brilliant but they are so important to decorating your home as well.



Sally-Anne x


www.marrscurtains.com.au
www.marrsshop.com.au