A chic and cheerful Christmas – Festive season styling for the modern home

A chic and cheerful Christmas – Festive season styling for the modern home

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 9

In spite of the covid cloud that has hung over us, this year has just flown by and its already time to prepare for Christmas! Let’s make it an uplifting and elegant experience this year as we look to a brighter 2022. One of the key elements of a style-conscious festive season is keeping Christmas clutter free and firmly adhering to the saying 'less is more'.

This year, think chic and cheerful. It’s usually best to begin by deciding on a colour palette. Try a base of white from which to build your perfect Christmas look. Accessorise with sage green, pale pink or soft blue. To fully embrace our antipodean location, make this a cool, calm Christmas that honours our coastal summer. Subdued greens and sand washed blues take inspiration from the coast will work perfectly to create a Southern Hemisphere scheme.

 

 

   

Traditional green, red and gold tends to look very dated but you can use them with style by replacing the gold with a rich cobalt blue and using a few beautifully crafted, minimal pieces such as blown glass baubles and wooden nutcracker soldiers.




Once you’ve decided on colours, look through what you already have and get rid of whatever is dated, falling apart or doesn’t fit harmoniously into your Christmas vision. If you have a tree already, make sure it is not looking worse for wear and will fit in with your look. If you don’t have a tree, I don’t think you can beat the real thing. Having a real Christmas tree not only looks divinely natural, it also gives your home the fresh, evergreen, piney scent that smells like the holidays. And remember, a new tree each year does not take up precious storage space.

Still keen to deck the halls? Olive branches work beautifully as wreaths and for placing around the home. Also, the organic, earthy smell of the branch adds to the clean, calm vibe. Or try winding strands of delicate foliage around handrails and curtain rods, but just remember – don’t go too OTT to avoid looking messy.



When choosing decorations, curvaceous, organic shapes will best suit our chic vibe. And less is always more. Wooden, glass, metal and matt porcelain ornaments will look elegant and organic. Beautifully scented candles will also go a long way to complement the Christmas vibe and a gorgeous feather or simple branch decoration can add a signature piece.

 

Don’t forget to wrap gifts in beautiful quality paper and wide ribbons in colours that complement your chosen theme. Gorgeously wrapped Christmas gifts will get everyone excited and make a style statement of their own. If you decide to forego a tree, they can be elegantly piled to create your Christmas centrepiece.

All of us here at Cramer wish you a wonderful, relaxing, chic and cheerful Christmas and the best holidays you’ve had in years.

Design Trends 2021

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 4

With home now so much more than just our base, we feel the time is ripe for applying some of 2021’s styling trends into the rooms where you are spending the majority of your life. If now isn’t the time to give your home a new lease of life, I don’t know when is. Not only will the addition of some new pieces revitalise your spaces, but the latest trends will create a sense of peaceful harmony that we all need at the moment. 

When choosing something new, focus on instilling balance and calm into your spaces. Almost all the world’s leading styling trendsetters are tending closer to the organic, sculptured and subtle than ever before. Colours are warm, soothing, natural and gentle on the eye – beige and bisque are no longer boring, the softest shell pinks and sage greens make the heart sing and the occasional forest green and charcoal grey can be introduced to create depth. 

Mindful shopping is very much 2021, with designers recommending buying local, organic and sustainable materials where possible. And bring the outside in with indoor plants that will soften and lighten the atmosphere in any room and boost its oxygen content. Even if you don’t have a large budget, it is amazing the difference a few well-placed plants and some new sculptural homewares can make to your space. 

Soft, subtle paint colour is featuring on walls, with skirtings, cornices and door and window frames in a crisp white or exposed timber. Brush Box with its pinkish hue, and the blonde shades of Ash and Oak timber are featuring heavily in the best designers’ repertoires as are natural stone and blown glass. Heavy, natural textures in furnishing are being used to up the organic factor. Wallpaper is making a comeback, especially of the textured, botanical or impressionist varieties. 

Furniture pieces appear sculpted and create incidental works of art in the home. Curved wood is design of the day, along with tan leather and anything that looks as though it could integrate into a landscape with ease. Vintage and antique pieces are being employed to add character, particularly Mid Century Modern. These pieces also avoid the over designed look where everything is new. 

So give your home a warm, soft, relaxing lift by introducing some of these ideas into your space. 

SHORT ON SPACE?

Just think smart and you’ll feel like you’re living large.

Studio living is an increasingly growing prospect for people who are needing to scale down their living space size to accommodate the increasing cost of real estate in Sydney. But there are studios and there are studios. Just like any property, the variation in size and layout is extensive. Ideally, a studio has a large main room, a balcony, separate kitchen and bathroom, and a car space if you are very very lucky.

White always makes a space seem larger, so paint walls white throughout to create a clear canvas to work with. Use bold colours to brighten and liven the space. Ideally you will have lots of light in your apartment, and this also creates a greater sense of space. Having a balcony off the main room really extends the living area. Take advantage of the extra floor space and place a table and chairs out there so you can dine al fresco whenever weather permits. Place plants on planter racks on the wall to maximise floor area. A pot plant in the corner is fine as this is usually dead space anyway and it is important to bring life to your living.

There are ingenious ways to deal with transforming the space from living to bedroom. Try getting a couch that has moveable sections so you can create a couch by day and a bed by night. Consider a fold out table attached to the wall and wall mounted hooks for chairs, so when you want to dine or work on a computer, you can set everything up simply and easily, then when you don’t need a table, you have an open floor space.

If there are window sills, take advantage of them to put on potted plants. Also an indoor plant in a floor pot is a great idea to beautify your home and create more oxygen, just make sure you have a waterproof mat under it if you are placing it on carpet. With bathrooms and kitchens, again, white and bright is the way to go. If you have windows in both, you are really in luck as this creates more of an open feel. Cupboard space is often limited so think attractive and practical storage units from Ikea or Howards. So with close attention to detail and thinking outside the square, a studio can feel spacious.

Images sourced via Pinterest

GET COZY FOR WINTER

With winter upon us, now is the time to prepare your home (and mind) for the chilly months ahead. Many of us are not great fans of this cold season and just want it to pass as quickly as it comes upon us. But getting winter-ready allows you to make the most of the shorter days and actually start to look forward to them.

Firstly, think cosy. Look at your stock of blankets and throws and if they just don’t seem up to another stint, then out with the old, in with the new, I say! Check out the gorgeously sumptuous new ranges of snuggly blankies at your local homeware stores and chose your favourite colour. Now is not the time to hold back in the colour department. Winter is dull in itself, so brighten your world. If some of your old blankets are salvageable, then wash them according to instructions with Eucalyptus oil and they will be dust-mite free and literally ready to roll. A word to the allergy-prone, though… avoid wool like the plague as this is one of the rare occasions where synthetic is better, for your breathing anyway.

If you’re feeling particularly decadent, go for fur. Personally I only go for fake, but I won’t preach, it’s up to you. Having said that, check out the faux fur rugs at Temple & Webster. Then building on the decadent theme, imagine cosy nights to come, cuddled up in your throw, curled on the rug with beautiful scented candles and the odd ambient lamp light glowing tranquilly. Then add to this a partner, or a book, or a glass of glühwein (or all three if you are greedy) and Bob will most certainly be your uncle. (By the way, that is honestly how you spell gluevine – the German spiced wine that was made for winter nights.)

On a more practical note, (sorry to drag you away from the previous mental picture) check your windows and doorways for draughts. So much of the heat in a home is lost through tiny cracks and crevices. In the case of windows, rolling self-adhesive weather-stripping (felt, vinyl, rubber or silicone) down the side of a window works wonders. Where gaps are around non-moveable places, window and door frames for example, use some gap filler (caulk) and a caulking gun. And for under draughty doorways, you can’t go past a good door snake. Again venture into colourful territory here. Please note, if renting, you’ll need permission to put on the weather stripping and gap filler, so be safe, not sorry, and ask first.

Back to beautification, make sure you have a few indoor plants that will add colour and oxygen. Cyclamens, African violets, polyanthus and orchids are gorgeous things and bloom beautifully throughout winter. If you prefer to stick to green, Madonna lilies love the indoors and bless you with the occasional white flower, then Devil’s ivy, Philodendrum and rubber plant grow fantastically well indoors. Also many herbs will grow on a sunny window sill and can be added to your hearty winter dishes. For walls, search on-line for an uplifting print (try The Print Emporium for heavenly pieces.) All you need now is some great food and wine – non-alcoholic cocktails even better – and you’ll be wishing winter would never end.

Images sourced on Pinterest

THE GRANDEST OF ADDRESSES

Imagine a life where luxury brands, world famous beaches, beautiful leafy parklands, delectable food and excellent coffee are all on your doorstep. The Grand in Bondi Junction gives you all this and more. This highly boutique development of prestige properties accesses the best the East has to offer from the sanctuary of your luxurious apartment. Esteemed architects, Bates Smart, have created exclusively elegant homes with a refined attention to detail. Neutral tones, opulent finishes and the finest fittings grace these beautiful properties. From the striking exterior, to the indulgent spaces within, The Grand is destined to become a timeless classic.

Pop down to Rose Bay for a ferry ride to the CBD, enjoy bustling weekend markets, walk down the hill to Bondi or Tamarama for a swim or stroll/bike to Centennial Parklands for a picnic. Enjoy the easiest access to leading retail, prestigious schools, public transport, with daily conveniences at your fingertips. Go shopping in nearby Paddington, Woollahra or Double Bay villages. And best of all, you’ll have your new local at your door! Or with the seamless indoor/outdoor living, gourmet dream kitchen, opulent master bedroom suite and spa-like bathrooms, you may never want to leave your Grand private haven. Buy now and move in May/June 2020!

A NEW ERA IN HOUSES RISES UP IN ALEXANDRIA

Finally, property has caught up with technology. At The Gentry in Alexandria, discover  extraordinary terrace homes that are big on space, design and cutting edge home automation. Spanning four levels of luxury, these avant-garde homes offer three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private roof top garden terrace equipped with spa pool, outdoor TV, kitchen and dining area perfect for alfresco meals. 

Designed by a team of multi award-winning architects, fabulous finishes and smart design features include Tesla ports, temperature controlled wine room, superior home automation system, timber and polished concrete floors, integrated Miele appliances, porcelain bench tops and tiles, built-in wardrobes with desk space to list just some of the outstanding features of these unique properties. 

History hasn’t been forgotten though. The stunning heritage façade has been left untouched, proving old and new can coexist in harmony. Each terrace features raw, natural and solid finishes that ensure longevity so you will be able to enjoy your home for decades to come. Centrally located, Alexandria is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most desirable suburbs to live, work and play, ensuring The Gentry is position perfect and easily accessible to the best Sydney has to offer.

INNER EAST ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Always dreamed of having a room with a view? With spectacular Sydney CBD, Harbour Bridge and Opera House views, Omnia Apartments couldn’t be better positioned. Set in glamorous and cosmopolitan Potts Point, Omnia Apartments enjoy all the benefits of this luxurious Inner East location. Be amazed by the impeccable finishes, featuring dual timber floorboards and timber veneer joinery, natural stone, Miele appliances, lavish built-in wardrobes, mosaic tiles and dual rain and hand-held shower heads. Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors and windows make the most of the incredible outlooks, while living areas flow gracefully to balconies ideal for entertaining, and you’ll even get a study!

This iconic new Potts Point landmark offers easy access to Sydney CBD’s shopping and commerce, Woolloomooloo Wharf dining and the restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques of Macleay Street, Victoria Street and Challis Avenue. An easy walk will bring you to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park or the Rushcutters Bay parklands and marina. Omnia’s facilities include concierge, music room, wine storage and an outdoor garden terrace space. Then literally at your doorstep you will find the brand new Woolworth’s Metro for all your grocery needs. Each Omnia apartment is ready to move into right now, so what are you waiting for? Get in and enjoy the view!

For more information please contact Cramer Property on (02) 8302 1536 or call 0404 769 509.
You can also email enquire@cramerproperty.com

Swing your way to a calm mind

With life becoming busier and more and more stressful, we all need to find ways to unwind. And as our home should be our refuge from the crazy world outside, we need to think of ways to create a tranquil and serenely calming indoor environment. Plants are immediately soothing to the busy mind and provide welcome oxygen into our personal space. But imagine something that has the same healing effect as meditation on your brain waves. If you have the space, a hammock or swinging chair will be the best purchase you make in a long while. Read in it, dream in it, zone out in it… you can even meditate in it and double the positive effect. And if you are feeling particularly adventurous, you could even suspend a swing in your living room or bedroom. So swing away your cares and woes with a new and enveloping piece of furniture.

Here are some of the most amazing real life inspirations for adding swing-time fun to any home or living space;

Living room swing with purpose in the room

Family room swing acting as an occasional chair

Bedroom swing - use your own imagination!

And best of all a rope swing with playground in the kids room!

Balcony or veranda swing

So why not swing your way to happiness in your home!

Please note: If you are renting your property you must apply to your landlord for approval to drill any holes or suspend any hanging furniture from the ceiling.