November 2011 Newsletter

Did you back a winner on Melbourne Cup Day? If not, and you were lucky enough to have the day off (like me) I hope you spent it with great people and enjoyed the day anyway.

Wow!! Where is the time going??? Yes! Dare I say it, but it’s only seven weeks till Christmas. House About is stocked for your entire Christmas gift giving needs and even gifts to spoil yourself.

Please note our advert at the bottom of the newsletter. As you know when we have a genuine floorstock clearance sale, our prices are super hot. You will save 40% off entertainemt units and coffee tables and 30% off buffet, plus many other savings throughout the store. We have so much stock coming that we need to clear floor stock to make room, so please, if you are remotely thinking about updating your furniture, now is the time to SAVE BIG dollars.

Have you seen our new mirrored furniture and mirrors? It’s looks amazing and the pricing is awesome. We have also had our container of hand painted canvases also arrive last week. They are all up on the walls for viewing.

One a personal note, we have been renovating our home for the last 8 weeks and it is nearing completion, thank goodness. Living in your home while under renovation is a trying time for the whole family. On a positive note, it’s starting to look fabulous and I have to say a very special thanks to Penny from Style by Penelope who we engaged to help us work out the finer details of colors, room layout and furnishings etc. Let me tell you this. Most of us have in mind a few ideas we’d like to achieve, but Penny was able to shed more ideas and light than we could have ever thought. Her ideas were practical for family living and it’s very exciting to start to see it come together. My advice to anyone who is procrastinating or not quite sure, Penny’s ideas and resources are invaluable.

It`s `The family Room` this month so go over the same mantra …. the aspect, who uses this space etc etc (see previous newsletters in this series). The colour pallette ….. if it`s a small home keep the continuous colours throughout.  If it faces south, warm it up.  If it`s north then lucky you!

This room needs comfortable seating as it will be the most frequently used room in the home for you, your family and friends.

When selecting the seating make sure you and your partner get to sit and test run before the purchase.  Do either of you need good back support?  Do you want the choice of reclining?  Do you like fabric or leather?  Is there sufficient height for your neck ?

Lounges in block colours ( no pattern) usually are winners as one doesn`t tire too easily.  If it`s red/navy/purple etc be cautious as you may not get the life out of it ie will you love the red lounge after 5 years?

Mix and match with a separate chair covered in a patterned fabric.  The fabric then can be your colour pallette with other soft furnishings in the colour scheme.

A floor to ceiling/wall to wall cabinet is a necessity for our lifestyles today.  This room doubles as a library, kid`s playroom, TV space, home computer etc etc.  If you want to hide all of the latter you can.  Some open shelving can have books on display and the spines of the books can look like artwork in a white or charcoal backdrop.  Kid`s toys and playthings are super in the bottom drawers and encourage them to be independent with tidy up.

As families also prefer computers in the open (not in bedrooms) a 2 door cabinet can house a home office/workspace .
Truly, the cabinet will be a very important spend for your sanity.  As I`ve mentioned previously Aussie homes are not built with sufficient storage!

Lighting – it`s your preference for downlights  or ceiling fans with light.

Again, every room needs some mood lighting so a standard lamp/table lamp will be great for a reading nook in a corner.
Coffee tables – I`m not a big fan of the large coffee table as they take up much space.  I`d prefer the cosy textured rug in front of the seating (defining the space) with some side tables or a nest of tables.  With the nest they are very versatile  …..... all packed in one when not in use and/or visitors arrive and there`s a selection of places for drinks etc.

I love very large floor cushions, great for little ones to sit and depending on their comfort, another seating option for adults when watching movies.  They don`t take up a lot of space and can be stacked (as the nest of tables) and scattered for lounging.

Have a look at this comfortable family room from Candice Olsen.  It`s open plan with the dining and kitchen to the left.  Check out the wall of storage.  What a beautiful unit!  Note the mirror back to shelving, it opens the space up.  There`s a gorgeous light over the dining table and a table lamp ready for the soft lighting effect or fave book.  Love how this room comes together with a neutral pallette, but not at all boring.  It`s warm and inviting and a space I`m sure you`d love to be a guest in!
…... `til next time.                          

Penny M