JDZ STYLE : HOW TO GET THE LOOK

Over the past three months, I have been working really hard on a couple of large projects - display suites for apartment developments to be exact and got such a great response on how I styled the fake "living room" that I thought I would share with you all how I achieved the look and where I got all the pieces from.

I am not going to say always because it always varies, but majority of the time I begin with a neutral base, but in this case I worked off the lovely render that was generated and that I designed for this project ( which you can see a snippet of below ) It was to be vibrant and inviting, utilising colours from the actual logo as well as from the render, so it was a pretty easy transition when designing the look in real life as it was already set for me. I love when future Jeanette benefits from past hard work... it is really a great feeling.

I ordered everything online and used my trusty resources to find me the perfect matches.
Three main stores were Zanui, Sparkk and Ikea. I also utilised these stores, as I had a really strict budget and needed to make sure I didn't over spend.

Below is where you can find the items yourself to create the look.

1 //  Two Seater lounge

 ( link to http://www.zanui.com.au/Otto-Black-2-Seater-Sofa-98674.html )

2// Wallpaper

( link to http://www.sparkk.com.au/designs/product/1144-05-diamond-trellis-atlantic-pebble )

3// Cushions ( Hint both are Sparkk )

(link to http://www.sparkk.com.au/designs/product/harlequin )

4// Side Table 

(link to http://www.zanui.com.au/Trio-Side-Table-97427.html ) 

5 // Lamp 

(link to http://www.zanui.com.au/Scandia-Table-Lamp-98731.html)

6 // Vases ( Hint both are Ikea )

( link to http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/20215778/ )

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS PART 2

At the beginning of the week I was talking about how to embrace your outdoor space during this Summer. It is such a shame not to take advantage of it especially if we have some amazing weather, which I really hope we do because there is nothing like a good dose of the sun. Add friends, food, music and cocktails to the list and you have yourself one amazing outdoor experience. Interiors wether they be indoors or outdoors are spaces which offer a specific type of experience, the thing that makes space so great, especially outdoor ones, is the ability to adapt it and style it in such a way to enhance or generate a particular experience. Currently I am assisting to style a party for a very special occasion, with a summer nights theme and concept, which we are aiming to re create. There are many different elements that are going to contribute to enhancing and making that experience... which by the way, I cannot wait to share with you. The party which I have been giving style advice for has inspired these outdoor posts, especially because you do not need to do a lot to make an exterior outdoor space look and feel amazing, so there is really no better way to embrace them and make them your own, especially as the Christmas season is just around the corner... ahhhh!! ( Who else is freaking out? )

Ikea currently has a great promotion happening at the moment where they are really focusing on the outdoor space and what you can use to achieve a unique and exciting entertaining area that will surely be a great place to enjoy those still summer nights. Here are some images from the Ikea promotion sourced from the Ikea website where you can see how you can create a great outdoor space.

How do you plan on enjoying your summer outdoor space? Hope you have all been having a good week!

All images sourced from the Ikea Outdoor Inspirations page.


JDZ x

RUGS, RUGS & MORE RUGS

You probably under estimate the value of what a rug can do for you and your space. You probably have not ever really noticed before, but a rug is such an important part of anchoring a space, especially your home. Rugs work to add colour, personality, pattern, zoning, anchoring, warmth, sitting space, protection... my list continues. It is always the way when looking to update your home and or looking to furnish a place, it is the little things you do not expect to have to buy or spend some kind of money on. Well, you do not really need to spend a lot of money on one, but I have to break it to you, just like your new Ikea couch is going to cost you $800, be prepared to spend the money you save on cheaper furnishing on buying a decent rug, that might only cost you $100-$400 ( if you are on a budget & cost generally depends on size required)

Think of it in terms of buying a dress and this is direct at the ladies! Most of you are prepared to spend that amount on a new outfit and wont buy your own home a new rug to give it some warmth and style. If you buy the right rug, you will most likely only buy it once or for as long as you require it, which will I guarantee you, will be at least 3-5 years.


DONT:

Do not buy large pile, fluffy rugs if it does not suit your practical needs and you have children, it will only be a waste.

Do not buy a rug that sheds hair if you are not prepared the clean it and you again have children or floors that show the hair.

Do not buy a white rug if you have children or you are clumsy, because you will spill that red wine.

Do not buy a rug that cannot be easily cleaned or show dirt.

Do not buy a rug that is made of silk, unless it is for show only.

DO:

Do buy a low pile rug, sisal rugs or a rug with a very durable strong weave.

Do think of it as an investment and I think about the difference it makes to your environment.

Do think about wool combinations, the use of the rug and where it will be going go in your home.


You will only buy it once if you buy in right in at least 3 to 5 years, where as you will most likely only wear that dress off the rack once and then need to buy another one for your next event. Ways around the lump sum that needs to go into buying a rug can be buying smaller sizes and buying a couple or buy three different style runners ( Ikea have a great selection ) and them layering them so you get a really unique look and make up a rug at the same time.

Here are some great resources for rugs on a budget and some inspiration.

Image sourced from Ikea. It is the new Stockholm rug available in Yellow. 

Sourced from Freedom. Their new Summer 2014 range has limitless possibilities and orange is in!
Freedom is a great resource for rugs. 

Sourced from Freedom and it is such a great way to add softness and anchoring to a dining area. 
Do not be scared of using a rug under the dinning table. The dark colours allows for protection and low pile
will not get ruined. 

Layering allows you to be playful with rugs and create unique and interesting looks.
Image Sourced from My Pinterest. 

Kilm, Tribal and Aztec prints are amazing ways to add great colour and pattern to a contemporary design.
Image sourced from My Pinterest

Low Pile shaggy rugs look messy on purpose to give that really soft and effortless
look. This is very on trend at the moment, especially this style. Very much suitable
for a bedroom or study area. Image sourced from My Pinterest.

Temple & Webster have a great promotion happening at the moment with Cadrys, which gives you the opportunity to purchase some amazing Aztec inspired, vintage pieces at a very reasonable price. Make sure you sign up and take a look, you wont regret making the investment if you make it right.


Happy Tuesday,

JDZ x

FURNITURE ON A BUDGET

Have you had your own 2014 Ikea catalogue delivered to your door step yet? Well, if you have you would know how amazing it is and loving all the new products that they have on offer for some great prices. One of my other clients at the moment is a first home buyer and we are working together to achieve her own amazing first home in Sydney. The brief is Indiana Jones, which is a very cool brief to be working to and obviously it is not in the context of the movies but more in the context of what Indiana Jones represents. When I think Indiana Jones, I think quirky, I think browns, earth tones, greys, neutrals and maybe a little hint of cool patterns.

What I love about the new Ikea catalogue and Ikea in general is that it makes some great products really accessible to everyone and it is great for the first home owner who is looking to furnish their new pad with a very limited budget. Ikea is pretty much a one stop shop and because it has such a variety you can really find a huge mixture of different products that will allow you to create a really effortless cool looking interior. The new catalogue and products for 2014 to me are better than ever. They have introduced some great new pendant lights which are very trendy and affordable as well as their living products and new kitchen designs. The furniture is not only affordable but functional for those who do not have the biggest of spaces. Even though my clients space for her living area is not large, the loft style apartment has a great orientation and allows for the use of a good sized drop side dining table from Ikea that she can extend when she has more than a couple of guests. Once the project is under wraps I will release the mood board and more of the inspiration behind the new home. In the mean time here are my favourite pages from the new Ikea Catalogue as well as my top ten places to find bargains for your budget.

I'd love my studio to look like this! 

Very cool patterned tiles. 

Loving this monochrome kitchen look. 

How great is this bathroom tile and design combination? I am loving it! 

My favourite new product from Ikea!! How great is it and look at the price! 

Loving this look and the feel of the chandelier. 

Here is my top ten go to guide on places that have cool furniture and homewares on a budget. They are in no particular order :

1. Ikea
2. Oz Design
3. Freedom
4. Matt Blatt
5. West Elm
6. The Home
7. Glicks Furniture
8. Temple & Webster 
9. Click on Furniture
10. Zanui


Hope you are all having a great Tuesday,

JDZ x

HOW DO YOU SLEEP?

Do you know that we spend 25 years of our lives sleeping?! That is a lot of years to spend in a bed so it is so important that it is comfortable during all seasons. If you are an Ikea Family Member you would have heard about the seminar that was held yesterday about mattresses and how to make sure you get a good night sleep. This is not a very glamorous topic at all but who here does not love sleeping and finds it hard to get up in the morning, especially during this cold weather...? I know I do and chances are the more comfortable and more suited to your needs it is means you will have the energy to get up in the morning. I am was also going to make this a little bit more interesting and give you some tips with my top picks from Ikea to make your bed not only comfortable but pretty good looking too.


Now, firstly you need to think about how you like to sleep, on your side? on your stomach? or on your back? It is recommended that most of us should sleep on our backs as that is the best way and support for our spines however really it is not always the most comfortable. If you are a side and stomach sleeper, it is important to look at pillows that have a bit more support and are higher for your neck and head. This way you get optimum amounts of oxygen and you do not put extra pressure on your spine which can cause back pain and curving.

Secondly, it is recommended when testing out different beds that you spend at least 10-15mins on them to get an idea of how they feel. Firmness does not always equal best quality for you and your sleep. You always want to ask questions about the springing system and what the inside of the mattress is made from. I never knew Ikea have a whole range of affordable spring system mattresses that have a 25 year warranty. They have about three different spring mattresses that also have a combination of extra padding and foam for extra comfort and support. Pretty good value for money if you ask me.

Thirdly, it is really important to always have mattress protectors and pillow protectors so that the amounts of skin and perspiration that we lose during sleep do not stain and wear the mattresses. It means that you can also keep the mattress and pillows as clean as possible by just removing the covers and throwing them into the wash. By the way, Ikea available mattresses and protectors that have absorbent qualities to compensate for all the perspiration we do during sleep... I know it is a little bit disgusting but it is true, we all sweat during sleep!

Last but certainly not least, it is recommended that mattresses get flipped every six months or so. This is to make sure the wear of your mattress is even instead of just in one section where you sleep every night.

Now for the fun bit...

1. Pick cool sheets! Colour co-ordinate it to the room and make it fit into the rest of the look. Same goes for the cover.
2. Use scatter cushions, but let's face it, you really only need 3 or 4 max in various sizes or the one size... not 50. Use throws and extra blanks in the winter time just over the top over the cover. It adds character to the bed and also adds extra warmth to your feet area.
3. Be a little creative and if you can just get the ensemble and go with either a custom bed head or a ready made one. Having a material bed head can really add that element of 'wow' to your bedroom. Just because it is where you sleep does not mean it does not need character.
4. Think about unique ways to have your bed side tables and reading lamps. Maybe a bedside is not important to you so think about having a small funky little side table where you can put your clock and then have nice pendants hanging from the ceiling rather than typical bedside table lamps.
5. Try not to have your computer and study combine with the room where you sleep. Try and always keep work separate from sleep.

Here are my top decor picks from Ikea for a bedroom:

Really loving the bright and colourful look Ikea has in their winter range.

Ikea has 20% off their mattresses till this Sunday! All these items and more information on their Mattresses can be found on their website. All images in today's post are sourced from the Ikea Australia NSW website. They also have a great section on Un-freeze your winter which I have mentioned before, so make sure to take advantage of that section too.

I am heading to a very exciting event tonight which I am looking forward to sharing with you all tomorrow,

JDZ x