Browse Forums Interior Decorating Lounge 1 Oct 13, 2011 9:44 pm Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 3Oct 13, 2011 11:21 pm Hi Catherine, i have styled my kitchen in contempory grey like the Kallara in Point Cook. I am finding the whole kitchen island quite dark (oyster grey CS benchtop with new graphite benches), what colour bar stools can I use to break it up. I also have light grey tiles and a black sofa, what colour rug should I pick? Thanks for your help. PD this is a great idea! Re: All your interior design questions answered! 4Oct 14, 2011 7:33 pm Hi Catherine, my daughter has chosen a wall paper that she really likes (Sanderson Tinta aqua http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/produc ... inta/28258 ) and we will be making it into a feature wall. What should I look for when choosing pictures to go on the wall, curtains, and bed linen? Thanks hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: All your interior design questions answered! 5Oct 15, 2011 8:10 pm We've just bought a display home (in Melbourne) which we love and which includes all of the high quality fixtures and fittings - except for one thing. It has triple wide sliding doors (stackers, i believe they are called) which are 260cm high. There is no window covering on these doors, although the builder has installed a pelmet (but no tracks). We want to know what kind of window coverings we could use. Our most significant concern is loss of heat during winter, although, as they face west we would also probably appreciate a way to keep some of the summer afternoon heat out (although they do open out onto an al fresco area, and so are shaded by that.) My thinking is that we might remove the pelmet and install a curtain rod, and have heavy drapes that we could just pull across (on rings or eyelets), so that we are still able to have them gathered in the corner and all doors open when the weather is good. However, as the door is three panels wide (so, maybe three metres) will a curtain rod be able to carry the weight of the curtains without bowing? It won't be able to be supported in the middle, as the curtains will need to be able to be pulled across the entire width of the doorway/windows, as the door slides open from the left rather than opens in then middle. Is there a way around this, apart from having curtains made with a hooked header and tracks installed? Or, is there another alternative - perhaps blinds, or *shudder* verticals, which we could consider? Re: All your interior design questions answered! 6Oct 20, 2011 9:22 am Hi, I would love to know how you got into this line of work. Its something that I would love to do but as I have been a stay at home mum for the last 12 yrs, I dont have a clue were to start. Interior decorating is a bit of an 'obsession' to me. (as my DH and kids tell me).lol Many thanks Forrester 43sq We have our keys (3/6/11) Now it's time to decorate (that's the fun part.lol) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37598 Re: All your interior design questions answered! 7Oct 21, 2011 5:30 pm willcres Hi Catherine, Welcome to the forum! Do you answer question regarding painting & colors too ? If yes, I'm currently in toss between soft grey and neutral tone theme for the wall color. I was thinking : Bristol "Platinum" for soft grey or Bristol "Mosaico" for neutral tone. Is there anything lighter than Platinum or a bit darker than Mosaico? many thanks. Hi willcres, The first thing to establish is which tone of colour will work best with your current base palette and the existing furniture items you are utilising, if you go down the grey family you will be driven by a more specific colour scheme, a standard neutral tone will enable you to be more flexible with furniture, artwork and accessories. Both of the colours you have chosen are good colours but always think of the big picture. Do you have standard white ceilings and doors and architraves, if you could give me some extra info I would like to suggest some other colours from other paint companies aswell as Bristol for you. Thanks, Catherine Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 8Oct 21, 2011 5:32 pm stuey0608 Hi Catherine, i have styled my kitchen in contempory grey like the Kallara in Point Cook. I am finding the whole kitchen island quite dark (oyster grey CS benchtop with new graphite benches), what colour bar stools can I use to break it up. I also have light grey tiles and a black sofa, what colour rug should I pick? Thanks for your help. PD this is a great idea! Hi stuey0608, Even though the colour scheme at the moment is seeming like its dark you can lift it really easily. I would still recommend to use a dark choc timber stain on any furniture and this would apply to the bar stools as well. I would then pick a simple stone colour fabric for the top of the stools . In the kitchen bring a little chrome in the way of a bowl or a cook book stand and in that bowl add some limes. Green is a great accent colour to a grey scheme, it just create gives a punch of life. Utilise the stone colour in the rug as well, go a simple pile rug rather than a shag style, keep it simple. The stone colour can then be picked up in some artwork with the black so that it works back to your sofa. With your cushions on the sofa try to get a textured fabric that incorporates all the colour scheme, we use a similar one that had gradients of colour from a light grey to mid tone and to a black. Our New York house at Wollert has some great colours and fabrics that would suit your scheme as well. Thanks, Catherine Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 9Oct 21, 2011 5:33 pm edscl Hi Catherine, my daughter has chosen a wall paper that she really likes (Sanderson Tinta aqua http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/produc ... inta/28258 ) and we will be making it into a feature wall. What should I look for when choosing pictures to go on the wall, curtains, and bed linen? Thanks Hi edscl, I would choose a blue similar to the base colour of the wallpaper for the rest of the room. This will allow the butterflies to stand out and become the focal point of the room. I would go a very similar neutral fabric for a roman blind on the window and the with the bed linen go an almost off white so that again the focal point is the wallpaper, Utilise a couple of the colours in the butterflies to pick up a couple of accent feature cushions a throw at the end of the bed. If you try and complete with the pattern in the wallpaper the room could become too busy. By just doing complimentary colour in the cushions and throw you can change these over seasons to create a different look, Go with warmer colours in autumn and winter and then fresher pastel colours in summer. Thanks, Catherine Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 10Oct 21, 2011 5:35 pm ms_caz We've just bought a display home (in Melbourne) which we love and which includes all of the high quality fixtures and fittings - except for one thing. It has triple wide sliding doors (stackers, i believe they are called) which are 260cm high. There is no window covering on these doors, although the builder has installed a pelmet (but no tracks). We want to know what kind of window coverings we could use. Our most significant concern is loss of heat during winter, although, as they face west we would also probably appreciate a way to keep some of the summer afternoon heat out (although they do open out onto an al fresco area, and so are shaded by that.) My thinking is that we might remove the pelmet and install a curtain rod, and have heavy drapes that we could just pull across (on rings or eyelets), so that we are still able to have them gathered in the corner and all doors open when the weather is good. However, as the door is three panels wide (so, maybe three metres) will a curtain rod be able to carry the weight of the curtains without bowing? It won't be able to be supported in the middle, as the curtains will need to be able to be pulled across the entire width of the doorway/windows, as the door slides open from the left rather than opens in then middle. Is there a way around this, apart from having curtains made with a hooked header and tracks installed? Or, is there another alternative - perhaps blinds, or *shudder* verticals, which we could consider? Hi ms_caz, My suggestion for the window treatments would be to use a double e screen blind. You can incorporate a great timber pelmet above the door to match the timber of your furniture, within that pelmet there will be two blinds, a transculent one and a blockout one. They sit within the pelmet and just have either a timber base rail or chrome bottom rail so you don’t see them when you want to have the whole area open. At night or just on a sunny day you can pull the transculent one down so its filters most of the light but you can still see outside. On a really hot day or if wish to have complete privacy you can pull the block out one down and that will keep the heat in during winter and keep the house cool in summer. In the spance is over the recommended width you may need to have two blinds but with this system and the pelmet they still look fantastic. Our window treatment company Kreative Design can be contacted to help you with this product. Thanks, Catherine Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 11Oct 21, 2011 5:36 pm Rudolf1980 Hi, I would love to know how you got into this line of work. Its something that I would love to do but as I have been a stay at home mum for the last 12 yrs, I dont have a clue were to start. Interior decorating is a bit of an 'obsession' to me. (as my DH and kids tell me).lol Many thanks Hi Rudolf1980, The first thing I would establish is whether you would like to be a decorator or designer. You can still have a great career as a decorator and may be more suitable to your lifestyle. You can complete online courses which can help to give you an understanding of the basics of decorating and to ensure that it is what you wish to continue doing. The RMIT courses are more practical based so they would be suitable for you. From this you would be able to run a small business in colour consultations, property styling and small projects. Try and pick up some industry experience before you start your business in ares like a tile shop, paint shop or furniture shop, this will give you the chance to develop your skills. Thanks, Catherine Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: All your interior design questions answered! 12Oct 21, 2011 10:46 pm Thanks Catherine for your help, very much appreciated, has helped me out a lot. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: All your interior design questions answered! 13Oct 22, 2011 10:09 am Thank you so much. Forrester 43sq We have our keys (3/6/11) Now it's time to decorate (that's the fun part.lol) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37598 Re: All your interior design questions answered! 14Oct 27, 2011 8:50 am Hi Catherine, I have a couple of questions that would be great if you could offer some advice for; What sort of window furnishings do you recommend for those long, narrow windows that are being used a little more frequently in houses on smaller blocks, I think they are roughly 24x5 or something like that? I think they are a great idea, but I've never really encountered them before. I notice in the PD displays they often use either plantation shutters or rollers. Secondly, any tips on how to dress up an Alfresco entertaining area? We are going to have a nice sized alfresco area in our house, currently with just a concrete floor. I just want something to make it look a little less like a big porch and more like a trendy entertaining area Is my house too white? 15Oct 27, 2011 11:56 am Hey Catherine, I haven't posted on this forum before so here iy goes..... I am renovating my kitchen/living area of my home (Edwardian semi-attached) and not sure what splashback to use in the kitchen. I am putting in a caesarstone 'ice snow' coloured benchtop and my cupboards are also going to be really white (alabaster vinyl wrap). I have blackbutt floorboards as well. I am keeping it all white so that it is unoffensive and more appealing to buyers to sell in the next few years. I was considering a square matt finish tile for the splashback but do you think it will be too white? And if the splashback area isn't very large should I use a small tile to create a larger look? Also, this might be hard to answer but I am painting the walls white too, what colour white would you recommend? Again I don't want it too stark rather a bit warmer. Perhaps Natural White? Lastly, for the carpet in the bedrooms, I was going to go with a light brown colour, will this date? Should I look at a grey colour instead? Thanks so much, Finners. Re: All your interior design questions answered! 18Oct 29, 2011 9:07 am Hi Catherine This may be a bit cheeky of me to ask you but could you please, please, please share your secrets … 'It's neutral but it's color' …………………… …. works well in any home - just perfect.. …………………. a great all-over neutral. Not too dark, not too light. A personal favourite - best shade of white 'go to' trim color ……………. This one is easy on the eyes and easy to work with. … my all time favorite, no fail, always perfect shades of gray are ………………………. … my all time favorite, no fail, always perfect shades of white are ………………………. … my all time favorite, no fail, always perfect shades of beige are ………………………. great neutrals with a little green undertone: ………….. great neutrals with a little grey undertone: ………….. ……………………..- always a winner if you're looking for a cool neutral paint colour. ………………………. a warm and cozy neutral; The 'go to' colour for most designers and decorators is ……………. It really is beautiful. ............................. "It truly is a universal color.'" You know sometimes you think you have a neutral and then you pair it with another color and it suddenly shows the green/yellow/pink/gray undertone. This colour ……………. looks good against any colour you put it up against "My favorite shade of neutral , hands down is “ ……………………………… For any room, my favorite combination of ………………….. paints is the following: walls, ceiling, trim, doors etc... My Top ten favourite neutral paint colours are .... Thank You So Much Can't wait to see your reply re the "It" neutral paint colour. Re: All your interior design questions answered! 19Oct 30, 2011 4:53 pm Hi Catherine, I am just wondering where PD sources the thick floating shelves used throughout the new displays? We would prefer to add these to our pantry rather than the melamine shelving, and also have them in our family room. Thanks in advance Leanne Re: All your interior design questions answered! 20Oct 31, 2011 9:13 am Hi Catherine, I prefer to go with White kitchen and White based tiles for living/entry with - dark(chocolate colour) dinning table, fish tank stand and tables. - couple of green leaves live plants in the living and kitchen - Timber look stairs in the entry I am bit worried about selecting a contrast colour cabinet as I am seeing lot of contrast colours with my objects. What is the generally recommended approach for White kitchen? Apart from furnitures, do you recommend atleast a contrast colour to break the white. Thanks, Samhar Building Waldorf 44 with Porter Davis Site Start: 8/2/2012 I am looking for someone who might have tackled a similar issue as me. I have a few rendered interior walls, the surface condition is hardly flat. I can see all the bumps… 0 7964 Hi All, I am looking to go with tiles instead of laminate timber flooring throughout my living areas for my new build (Ashbury 29 - Henley). My whole colour scheme is on… 0 24349 Hi Would love some advice on a DIY project I've dived into that's now keeping me up at night. We've got a cool 1970's Mid Century style house here in NZ and have always… 0 3998 |