Blog
Updated 8 January 2021
We loved working with Home Beautiful on their 50 Beautiful Rooms competition this year. Karen acted as co-judge with HB editor Wendy Moore, and together with the HB team they sifted through all the entries submitted by HB readers to settle on just 14 finalists, who each won a $500 T&W shopping voucher. Pick up a copy of the August issue to see all the results, and be inspired by the decorating ideas inside. Here we look at 3 of the finalists, and share some style ideas to steal.
HB reader Angela's Perth kitchen took out the $10,000 first prize for its combination of cool materials (that's a concrete benchtop!), stylish storage solutions and the way it works as an entertaining hub. "I loved this kitchen the moment we saw it," says Wendy. We were even happier to find out that Angela is a T&W member and had sourced her sleek black pendant lights from us.
Style idea: Replace your dining table with an expansive kitchen island
Angela decided to do away with her dining table, forcing the focus into her gorgeous kitchen when it came time for entertaining. She ensured the island is large enough for both meal preparation and socialising and created a statement with the concrete top. If you're a fan of island living too, don't forget to make sure your stools are comfortable enough for long periods and that there's an inset into the island for legs. "I spent the biggest amount of time finding the right barstool," says Angela. "I wasn't prepared to compromise on their style, they had to be comfortable and be a feature."
Karen was charmed by the soft tones of this Brisbane living space in the home of HB reader Sarah, and her skill in styling the bracketed shelves. "The irregular placement of the shelves, and the way the objects have been arranged, makes an appealing display that contrasts with the solidity of the sofa," she says.
Style idea: Use a limited colour palette
Sticking to a neutral palette of off whites, pale browns, greys and soft metallics means this open shelving display doesn't look messy or cluttered. This is your chance to get OCD - sort your treasures by colour and then play with different heights, materials and textures to create pleasing vignettes. Add a few black pieces in the mix to ground it all.
The Melbourne bedroom of 6 year old Archer made an impression on the judges for its well-executed use of joyful colour. The neutral paint colour and carpet and white timber furniture allows for a few splashes of colour and mixed patterns to add a sense of fun.
Style idea: Create a gallery wall
Archer's Mum Yvette used affordable frames and typography elements to create a gallery wall that can easily be switched up to include Archer's art or mini-obsessions further down the line. The black bunting breaks up the formality of the framed pieces, and ties in to the black bus scroll-style print and cute skull and cross bones bed linen.
Last but not least, the People's Choice award (votes were gathered on Facebook) went to Amanda's WA dining room, with its cosy fireplace and inviting breakfast styling.
Style idea: Mix it up
A simple room with exposed beams is made more interesting with the unexpected addition of grand and luxurious padded chairs to a weathered farmhouse-style table. A crystal chandelier and mirror up the glamour quotient but it still feels homely and comfortable.
The August issue of Home Beautiful is on sale now, or subscribe and never miss an issue.
Style ideas from 3 beautiful rooms
We loved working with Home Beautiful on their 50 Beautiful Rooms competition this year. Karen acted as co-judge with HB editor Wendy Moore, and together with the HB team they sifted through all the entries submitted by HB readers to settle on just 14 finalists, who each won a $500 T&W shopping voucher. Pick up a copy of the August issue to see all the results, and be inspired by the decorating ideas inside. Here we look at 3 of the finalists, and share some style ideas to steal.
Photography - Jody D'Arcy. Styling - Jo Carmichael
HB reader Angela's Perth kitchen took out the $10,000 first prize for its combination of cool materials (that's a concrete benchtop!), stylish storage solutions and the way it works as an entertaining hub. "I loved this kitchen the moment we saw it," says Wendy. We were even happier to find out that Angela is a T&W member and had sourced her sleek black pendant lights from us.
Photography - Jody D'Arcy. Styling - Jo Carmichael
Style idea: Replace your dining table with an expansive kitchen island
Angela decided to do away with her dining table, forcing the focus into her gorgeous kitchen when it came time for entertaining. She ensured the island is large enough for both meal preparation and socialising and created a statement with the concrete top. If you're a fan of island living too, don't forget to make sure your stools are comfortable enough for long periods and that there's an inset into the island for legs. "I spent the biggest amount of time finding the right barstool," says Angela. "I wasn't prepared to compromise on their style, they had to be comfortable and be a feature."
Photography - John Downs. Styling - Tahn Scoon
Karen was charmed by the soft tones of this Brisbane living space in the home of HB reader Sarah, and her skill in styling the bracketed shelves. "The irregular placement of the shelves, and the way the objects have been arranged, makes an appealing display that contrasts with the solidity of the sofa," she says.
Photography - John Downs. Styling - Tahn Scoon
Style idea: Use a limited colour palette
Sticking to a neutral palette of off whites, pale browns, greys and soft metallics means this open shelving display doesn't look messy or cluttered. This is your chance to get OCD - sort your treasures by colour and then play with different heights, materials and textures to create pleasing vignettes. Add a few black pieces in the mix to ground it all.
Photography - Shania Shegedyn. Styling - Wendy Bannister
The Melbourne bedroom of 6 year old Archer made an impression on the judges for its well-executed use of joyful colour. The neutral paint colour and carpet and white timber furniture allows for a few splashes of colour and mixed patterns to add a sense of fun.
Photography - Shania Shegedyn. Styling - Wendy Bannister
Style idea: Create a gallery wall
Archer's Mum Yvette used affordable frames and typography elements to create a gallery wall that can easily be switched up to include Archer's art or mini-obsessions further down the line. The black bunting breaks up the formality of the framed pieces, and ties in to the black bus scroll-style print and cute skull and cross bones bed linen.
Last but not least, the People's Choice award (votes were gathered on Facebook) went to Amanda's WA dining room, with its cosy fireplace and inviting breakfast styling.
Style idea: Mix it up
A simple room with exposed beams is made more interesting with the unexpected addition of grand and luxurious padded chairs to a weathered farmhouse-style table. A crystal chandelier and mirror up the glamour quotient but it still feels homely and comfortable.
The August issue of Home Beautiful is on sale now, or subscribe and never miss an issue.
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