Here are our five top tips for choosing the right style of gift for even the most particular giftee.
What colours do they like?
Look around their house or, if you aren’t visiting anytime soon, think back to the particular colours you’ve seen in their spaces or even seen them wearing frequently. Look for complementary colours, but don’t go for anything too outlandish. It’s better to stay within the spectrum of safe hues like greens, blues and neutral tones than going for glitter, sparkles and glow-in-the-dark neons … unless you know for sure they’ll love it!
Stay with classics
Can’t decide on a piece of art or a cushion to give? Stick with a more classic type of gift that is sure to please. For example, a platter or tray is likely to be very happily received by the entertainer in your family, while a neutral-toned throw will suit the movie buff and a planter will always be welcomed by that green-thumbed relative.
Take a photo
Really hesitant to choose, or maybe you can’t tell fuchsia from magenta or teal from turquoise? Never fear, we’re here! Take a photo of the wall space, couch, colour combinations and room that you’re looking to buy for, and we can help you out from there.
Stalk their socials
Social media is a great help when it comes to choosing Christmas gifts, whether it’s clothing, jewellery, homewares or furniture. Take a good look at the people and styles your intended recipient follows and likes across their social media – this will give you valuable insight into their preferred style. You can even show us some of the accounts when you come into the store and we can help you out.
Buy a voucher
When in doubt, the best option is often the simplest. Everyone loves a gift voucher, whether you just choose an amount or prefer to specify that it be used for a specific item, like a piece of art or even a style consultation with us. A voucher guarantees no awkward Christmas mornings and no need for post-Christmas returns.
We are here to help – online and in person at the store – with all your needs and concerns and to help you choose a gift that’s sure to complement your loved one’s style.
]]>However big or small the changes you’re making, here are some trends we think will be popular this year.
Bohemian
This enduring style will continue to be popular in 2020. To embrace this look you don’t have to go full-on boho – a few simple touches will help you give your home an eclectic and vibrant touch. For example, try a print or textured wall piece, or some fun bohemian-style cushions.
Earth tones
Warm browns, tans, taupes and oranges are going to be incredibly popular this year. These earthy, neutral tones help to bring warmth to a room or space. Add these natural colours via rugs or cushions, or even to your walls with paint.
Textures
Textures can add style and personality to your room and home. This year will see textures move beyond soft furnishings to become an important feature of larger furniture pieces, wall décor and even wall finishes.
Natural accents
Plants have always been on trend but 2020 will see an appreciation of nature expand to include other elements. Decorative pieces made from natural wood, stone finishes, natural flooring and even unfinished walls that bring the outside into your home are all great options for embracing this trend.
Vintage touches
Everything old becoming new again isn’t a fresh development but 2020 will see all the trendsetters adding touches of vintage to their spaces. Maybe you have a piece you inherited that’s been in storage for years or a gorgeous old book that would make the perfect statement piece for your coffee table. Finding some vintage prints or photos is another easy way to bring this style into your home without changing too much.
Trends come and go but we think these ones are going to stick around for a good while and are therefore worth investing in. Whether you start small or go big is up to you but either way, head over to our store in Ringwood or jump online to see some pieces that will help your bring the style you love to life.
Don't forget to give me a call if you need a little help styling your home. Find out more about our In-home Styling services here.
Angie x
]]>Christmas is finally here and we hope that you have managed to get all your shopping done. If not, there are still a couple of days left to visit us in store and pick up those few last-minute gifts. With all of our shopping done, we are looking ahead to Christmas day and our table style. Each year we like to make sure our dining table is beautifully festive and we wanted to share some of our tips for doing this with you.
]]>You may have 20 people at your table or just two, eat outside or in, serve a traditional turkey or an Aussie seafood feast – whatever your Christmas dinner or lunch looks like, we think these ideas will add that Christmas spirit to more than just the eggnog or punch.
Light it up
Lights are not just for your tree. Find some beautiful lights to string along or twist around the centre of your table. There are such a variety of different options, from copper to traditional white, and festive shapes such as flowers or stars. You can twist them into a wreath or wind them through flowers or foliage to literally light up your Christmas meal.
Keep it classic
Candles and flowers are classics for a reason – they never, ever go out of style. You can opt for traditional red, white and green Christmas colours or mix it up with bright vibrant flowers in a variety of colours. You can go with vases and candlesticks, tealights and petals, lots of little bunches or one big centrepiece. Keep it classic but find your own unique style.
Bring the outside in
Foliage, branches and rocks may not sound like obvious choices for decorating but they can be combined beautifully to create a natural and special centrepiece. Choose a native element like paperbark, gumnuts or leaves and pair this with some lights or tealights on rocks to create an authentically Australian table.
Whatever style you go for, remember these three tips:
Have fun and be creative with your Christmas table. It’s a great way to add extra Christmas cheer to your space and to show a little of your personal flair. Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing this Christmas, we wish a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year from our home to yours!
]]>But we don’t think that choosing the right art for your home should be such an agonising process. So we’ve compiled a list of a few key things you should think about when choosing a piece, especially if you are adding it to a furnished room. Keeping these priorities in mind will make selecting the piece that’s right for you and your space so much easier.
SIZE
Size does matter, at least when it comes to art. An oversized piece can make a space seem smaller and a small piece can look ridiculous in a large room. In general, we recommend following a ¾ rule. For example, if a piece is hanging above your couch you can take up to ¾ of the space above it, but no more. You may choose small pieces that take up to half the space or a single large piece that makes a statement. That’s up to you. But we wouldn’t recommend going over that ¾ mark too often.
COLOURS
If you are starting with a blank slate, then just go for it! Choose colours that you love, and that soothe and inspire you. If you’re adding a piece to an already furnished room, pick a few colours that already exist in your space and find a piece of art that highlights or touches on these. Of course if you can’t find anything to match your existing colour scheme, then black and white is forever a classic, especially when it comes to photographic prints.
PLACEMENT
Too low, too high, too much to the right, too narrow a space, too much to the left – there are unfortunately many ways to get the placement of a key piece wrong. Our recommendation? Cut out the size and shape of your artwork on a piece of paper and take the time to find the perfect position for it. That way you know that not only have you chosen the perfect piece but it is also perfectly placed.
STYLE
There are so many different styles to choose from it can be overwhelming. Find something that suits your home’s general look. If you have modern furniture, go towards modern art, art deco or even black and white photos. Boho chic more your style? Then whimsical portraits, feathers or even a David Bromley would be perfect. Maybe you have a more retro style or a classic home, in which case Slim Aarons prints or retro posters would work well.
Our last tip – but also the most important – is to ask yourself, do you like the piece? When it comes to art, in the end it always comes down to your own personal taste and preferences. This is why, not only do we stock a wide range of pieces online and in store, but we also have access to a variety of catalogues, sizes, price ranges and framing options; including various colours and bespoke frames. Afterall, some people love modern art, whereas others are drawn to more classical pieces. Choose something that will fit in the space you have, both in terms of size and stylistically, but above all choose something that sparks joy, because you’re likely to be looking at it for a very long time!
Our artwork starts from $175, which includes professional framing and delivery.
]]>You’ve finally found the piece after a quest that seems to have lasted years. It’s the right colour, the ideal materials, and oh so very stylish. (Of course, such pieces usually have a price tag to match.) A quick sit, lie or recline, some frantic measuring using the ever-reliable hand-to-hand method – yep, that looks like it should fit – and you’re sold! Credit card handed over, you head home to await delivery of this longed-for treasure.
You’re so happy; you can’t believe just how perfect it is. Then it arrives and that’s when things start to go wrong …
]]>You’ve finally found the piece after a quest that seems to have lasted years. It’s the right colour, the ideal materials, and oh so very stylish. (Of course, such pieces usually have a price tag to match.) A quick sit, lie or recline, some frantic measuring using the ever-reliable hand-to-hand method – yep, that looks like it should fit – and you’re sold! Credit card handed over, you head home to await delivery of this longed-for treasure.
You’re so happy; you can’t believe just how perfect it is. Then it arrives and that’s when things start to go wrong …
It’s too high, too low, too long, too wide, too deep, too big, too small. It doesn’t fit through the door, the whole family can’t sit down to dinner, you slide off, you sink in, it’s uncomfortable. The dining chairs that are so perfectly trendy are ass-pinchingly, butt-numbingly painful to sit in for longer than ten minutes. The couch that made your living room look like something from Architectural Digest can’t be used – it’s too narrow to lie on and too hard to relax on, and you can’t take food or drinks into the living room because it will stain if you just look at it!
The angels are no longer singing and all you see now when you look at your ‘perfect’ new item are flashing dollar signs and scrolling credit card statements.
Finding the perfect pieces for your home must be about more than just style and trends. You need to ensure that whatever furniture, rugs or décor items you choose work for your lifestyle, not just your interior style.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, MEASURE!
Measure the space you’re putting the piece, the space between items, and the hallways and doors you need to fit the piece through. Use a tape measure to do this – not your hands.
TEST IT OUT
Sit on it, lie on it, sit at it, open it and close it. Test out the piece in a number of ways and for more than one minute. If it’s uncomfortable after five minutes it isn’t going to get more comfortable after 30!
THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WILL USE IT
How are you planning on using the item? Is it for a formal lounge that is rarely occupied or for the rumpus room where your kids play, eat and watch TV? Thinking about exactly how the item needs to function and keeping that in mind while you’re searching and testing out pieces will hopefully prevent you from getting side-tracked by pieces that don’t suit your specific needs.
So if there is ever a competition between function and style, we will always choose function! Yes, of course your home should be filled with beautiful pieces that you love. But we believe that a gorgeous piece that you never use because it doesn’t function the way you need it to just isn’t a practical option for anyone, and particularly for those of us with kids. Keep function in mind first and then search for pieces that are able to fulfil that function and that suit your style. And just maybe, if you wait and look and take your time, you will find that piece that is both functional and stylish and truly just perfect!
]]>There is no reason your storage solutions can’t be attractive and also practical. The best pieces to invest in are those can be used in a variety of different ways and that are adaptable to the changing needs of your family.
So here is a favourite piece of ours and some suggestions for how it can be used in different ways as your family gets older and your needs change.
TOY STORAGE
This stylish piece would fit in any living room and is easy to transform into practical storage for the kids’ toys. Add some woven baskets in colours that suit your style and fill them with Lego, cars and dolls. Choose some unique and fun bookends to separate colouring books and reading books.
FAMILY FUN
As your family gets older the Legos and dolls might disappear, to be replaced by video games, board games and books. Inevitably, you will also accumulate cords, chargers and other electronic paraphernalia that is not only difficult to store but can also look ugly and messy. Repurpose the toy baskets, or invest in pieces that help you divide and organise games, cords and chargers. Your board games can look bright and colourful stacked behind the beautiful glass doors.
ENTERTAINING
The kids have grown up and it’s time to utilise your storage for your own entertaining purposes. Whether it’s housing a collection of cookbooks, your beautiful platters or some gorgeous glassware, repurposing the cabinet that once held toys and games for entertaining will feel great. You can even upgrade your baskets, or else just use the ones you have to store your table linens and decorative pieces.
When you’re decluttering this Spring, give some thought to your storage solutions and to finding a piece that can adapt and transition with you and your family over the years. Investing in a beautiful and stylish piece now could give you a lifetime of pleasure and practicality.
]]>These are our tips for what not to do when styling an empty room – our ‘Don’ts of Decorating’.
DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS
Believe us, we understand the adrenaline rush of homewares and furniture shopping. But buying everything at once can be a big (and costly) mistake. We recommend starting with one piece that you absolutely love. Choose a rug, a piece of art or a key piece of furniture in a style you like and colours you’re drawn to. Take your time deciding on this first piece and use it as the foundation for the room.
DON’T OVERCROWD
If you’re like us, shopping for your house is a lot of fun and you can find a million things you love for that corner of the bedroom or shelf space in the dining room. Resist the urge to buy everything just because you can. Too much in one room can make even the biggest space seem small. Minimalism is the other end of the spectrum, and a style not everyone favours, but there can be a happy balance between the two.
DON’T GO TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
Scale is really important, especially when you’re starting with an empty room. A chair that seems perfect at the shop can look like it belongs in a doll’s house if it isn’t the right scale for your space; a dining table that is oversized can dwarf a room, making it feel cramped and overcrowded. Take measurements before you go shopping and measure twice when you’re considering a significant piece. We recommend taking note of a piece’s dimensions and measuring it out in the space it will sit before you purchase it. At the very least, be sure to check the store’s return policies so that if you do get it wrong, you aren’t stuck with something you can’t use.
DON’T DO TOO MUCH AT ONCE
Once you have a few key pieces in the room, stop! Leave the space alone and just enjoy living in it for a while. You may find that you don’t need anything else, or discover that you need one or two smaller items to style the room or another piece of furniture or art for it to feel complete. Spending time in the space after each addition will let you settle with and reflect on how you feel about each choice you’ve made.
We love styling. It’s one of our greatest joys doing what we do, but we know it’s not everyone’s strength. Avoiding some of the common mistakes outlined above will help you avoid disaster, but if you’re still feeling hesitant and unsure of how to start or what’s missing, give us a call and we can arrange one of our In-home Styling Sessions to help you make your house feel more like your home.
]]>Adding a bit of warmth to your living room or bedroom isn’t difficult and doesn’t require dramatic changes, such as building a fireplace if you don’t already have one. We have a few simple tips to add some winter warmth to your home, without doing a remodel.
Last weekend we went to the Decor and Design Show in Melbourne and found some amazing pieces you can add to a room to make it feel warmer. Here are our tips for using these pieces to keep the cold at bay.
A few simple changes and additions to your styling choices can transform a room from cold and unwelcoming to warm and cosy. Investing in a few quality pieces like these can help you create the perfect atmosphere for your winter hibernation.
]]>
From gardening to simple decorating, your home can easily improve and become a more inspiring place to live. If you are looking for makeover ideas, here are some New Year’s resolutions for your home that could be a game changer.
]]>Article By Guest Editor - Hannah Thomas
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Ae2VSuCqK7Y
Image source:https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-45072/
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-fedora-hat-beside-white-sneakers-and-blue-textile-8434/
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/2MNFnPdsGyg
Image source: https://pixabay.com/en/lily-pad-flower-pink-water-nature-1939389/
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/OBA5HarJh6E
This year be prepared to mix some new and exciting trends with old, yet enchanting looks, and give your home infinitely charming and stylish look it deserves.
]]>Focal points are one of the most important interior design factors that can help you create a complete, harmonious and authentic look in your home.
]]>
One of the other things that makes Slim's photos so interesting is all the amazing locations around the world they are taken and the stories behind the rich and famous people featured in the photos.
]]>If you feel like your home lacks a bit of character and doesn’t really paint a great picture of your own lifestyle and personality, make sure to give it a little makeover and glam it up!
]]>
Thank you to our Guest Blogger Chloe Taylor for her idea's and insights......
We are excited to be able to showcase you over 20 new never before seen Slim Aarons prints from the Slim Aarons Archives in London. You can buy any of these photographs framed or unframed. Allow approximately 4 weeks for delivery. Email us info@athomestyle.com.au or call us direct for more info or to order your print. Angie 0411 122 368
]]>
]]>
One of the most important things in interior design is the finishing touches. These little details not only make the space look better, but they turn a regular house into a warm home. So, if you feel like your house lacks a few personal touches that will transform it from a simple living space into a cosy family nest, read this article and take notes.
]]>]]>
The shop will officially open on Thursday 1st February and is located at 40 Panfield Ave, Ringwood. Formally a Fish & Chip shop for 30 plus years - the old girl needed a lot of work to bring it up to the AT Home Style standard... but the work is almost complete. We'd like to think we've turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan!
]]>
As a freelance copywriter whose office is at home (aka the kitchen table) getting a personal invitation from AT Home Style to write about their Slim Aarons photography exhibition was like Christmas Day (my child years not the adult version!)!
]]>Jodie North (in Blue) with Tam, Ange & Terrance from Sofitel Melbourne On Collins
It was bound to happen. A comparison with today’s social media.
_______________________________________________
More information:
Angie Stumpf 0411 122 368,
Tamara Lloyd 0408 585 319
Special Thanks to Global Art Projects for facilitating the exhibition with Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
ABOUT AT HOME STYLE: AT Home Style is an online homewares business run by partners Tamara Lloyd and Angie Stumpf. The business sells stylish homewares as well as providing style consultations and workshops. Find out more via www.athomestyle.com.au
At Home Style is sponsoring an exhibition of 15 of the most iconic images from the photography collection of Slim Aarons at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins from 4 December to 25 February.
]]>
Cushions, cushions and more cushions!! In my mind you cannot have enough cushions, which is why we have such a large range of cushions in our range. However, it’s amazing how many people say to Angie and I that they just don’t know how to put them together to get the right look. Cushions are great as they are a cost effective way of changing the look and feel of a room without having to change your furniture.
]]>We are extremely excited to announce that AT Home Style will will be hosting a Slim Aarons Exhibition at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins between 4th December and 25th February 2018. The exhibition will feature 15 of our favorite Slim Aarons photographs. All are printed off the original negatives in London and can be purchased through the hotel or simply admired!
]]>If you watch The Block, you’ll also hear the judges constantly talking about how a room has been styled… .it’s not just about the renovation – its about what and how they’ve styled it!
]]>]]>
When choosing a supplier for our candle range we were looking for something a little bit different. There are so many companies that sell candles, and there are some beautiful products around. However, when we met the ladies from Inoko and saw their gorgeous products we were hooked! We wanted to share the Inoko story with you and introduce the founders Jenny & Liz. Here is their story in their words…..
I liken starting a business to having a child. In 2014 Liz & I had a conversation about the whole project – and obviously we decided to go for it!
The conception followed shortly after, which was a time of excitement for us as we began to hope and dream of what our baby would be like.
The pregnancy stage was made up of frenzied planning and testing with ordering and budgeting. It was a really enjoyable phase of the journey. During this time the name Purely Wicked was chosen.
We started slowly with glass containers in a range of bright colours and exotic names that would stand out. We went out and bragged about our newborn to anyone who would listen, took on some stockists and soon realised that our baby was growing up fast.
In infancy we took on a new direction, introducing the concept of refillable candles and ran with this idea in concrete, timber and marble vessels. To see our baby develop over this period was exciting and rewarding. We were heading into the crawling phase and could see we needed some daycare to help us get through each day. Purely Wicked interviewed, and finally decided upon Marketing Eye as our new carer. They went right into action just as the toddler was getting out of control and needed some guidance. In September 2016, Purely Wicked had outgrown its baby name and style, so with Lisa and her team at Marketing Eye, we renamed our toddler Inoko and rebranded her with new packaging. Our baby had a whole new mojo.
The launch in September was so well received. We left all our mistakes and teething issues behind at Purely Wicked and took Inoko into the terrible two’s. We gained over 100 stockists Australia wide, with an ever growing following.
Currently we are still in the terrible twos, finding ourselves exhausted and budget-strained, but love who our baby is developing into. Milestones have been reached and exceeded, new developments are well underway, and great business relationships have been formed.
As any parent knows, mistakes are made, but none have been catastrophic and most have been easily overcome.
Inoko is growing quickly, as children do. Inoko refillable candles and refillable diffusers have taken off and are keeping us busy. They are designed to be replaced at the end of their life, whilst the marble, timber and concrete vessels remain timeless and will last a lifetime.
Our baby is nearly 3 and I know we are both looking forward to the growth and developments ahead of our baby Inoko.
Inoko Australia brings you hand poured soy candles and diffuser oils in an array of luxury fragrances. Held in stunning marble, concrete or timber vessels, Inoko candle and diffuser refills are designed to be easily replaced as each one runs out, ensuring your timelessly beautiful vessel will last you a lifetime.
]]>How I can make my house feel fresh and new and bring in the sunshine vibes? De-cluttering is the answer to my spring happiness!
]]>]]>
Right from the start, In the Sac was a love story. Founders, Belinda and David met through their previous jobs where together they explored the world extensively, traveling around the globe to source the latest trends and bring the latest textiles to the Australian Fashion industry.
]]>
]]>
If you’re anything like us, come the summer months you crave dinners outside on the deck and entertaining friends and family for an impromptu barbeque. So, what things can you start to put in place to ensure you make the most of the warmer weather when it arrives.
]]>
]]>
One of my colleagues recently told me her theory on couches and cushions and I think it is quite on point. Throw away the cushions that come with your couch (you know, the matching ones), and buy a couple of high quality cushions (the ones you’d never tell anyone how much you paid for) and then sprinkle with a few cheaper cushions that you won’t mind replacing when you want a fresh look.
]]>Kate Jones from Instant Impression Home Staging, has owned her home staging business for about 8 years and she focuses on dressing homes for sale. It was very interesting to hear her ideas around styling your own home and how different it is to staging a home for sale.
]]>
]]>
Some women simply just own everything. But, no need to despair, we’ve compiled a list of potential gifts perfect for the women with everything. There’s bound to be a few they haven’t gotten yet.
]]>
]]>
We knew we loved the quality of her linen and how it looked and felt – but didn’t know the facts and science behind it!
]]>I find feng shui fascinating. In my real estate business after I had a very negative staff member leave that had caused all manner of issues my friend and Feng Shui Consultant Denise Donvan suggested a deep space clearing of the office (Denise will be our guest speaker at our upcoming workshop & can help you with Space Clearing if you're in Melbourne).
]]>