Winter always makes me want to nest and make my home all fluffy and warm. And since winter is full swing here in Australia (it’s so dark & stormy & rainy today!) Mum & I decided to hit the shops. There are some absolutely darling inexpensive décor items around and that are very budget friendly! You can absolutely get luxe for less! We found a huge array of lovely bits and bobs to make your space warm and cozy. We did grab a few bits (read on for how we styled them) but we couldn’t buy them all. So we thought we would bring you some design ideas for warming up your home, along with our top décor picks from the likes of Kmart, Target, Big W and Ikea.
Hair & Hide
L to R –
- Kmart Zsa Zsa Faux Fur Cushion – Pink (or white) $12
- How we styled it – Kmart Wellington Faux Fur Rug – White
- Big W Design House Winter Luxe Faux Lamb Fur Stool $39
- Ikea TEJN Faux sheepskin white (or grey) $16.95
- Kmart Wellington Faux Fur Rug – White (or grey or pink) $19
- Kmart Luxury Rug – Charcoal $49
- Kmart Ombre Faux Fur Cushion – Grey (also a matching throw $25) $12
- Kmart Faux Cowhide Rug – Grey (or brown) $49
- Target Fluffy Grey Faux Fur Throw $39
Real fur (and hide) very much belongs it’s original owner! I have spoken about my thoughts on leather before. No need to miss out on the fluffy, furry and feathery though. With so many high quality replicas at low prices, there is no justification for buying the real thing! I think winter is rather synonymous with these textures, fluffy white drifts of snow, big gauzy clouds and then coming home to settle in the warmth. And there are plenty of options around! So grab something fluffy, furry or fuzzy and bring a little comfort in. P.S – if you have dogs or cats, they will love this! Mummy Ask bought a Wellington rug to sit over the dog bed and it was a hit with Zac & Reg.
Luxe Lamps & Golden Globes
L to R –
- Kmart Marmo Marble Table Lamp $20
- Target Adele Desk Lamp – Gold $39
- Kmart Lustro Table Lamp $15
- Kmart Cement Base Lamp $10
- Kmart (or Coles) Vintage Mirabella Filament Globe $10
- Kmart Geometric Table Lamp – Black $20
- Ikea BÖJA Table lamp $49
- Big W 4 Walls Inspired Embossed Table Lamp $19
- Target LTD Pineapple Ceramic Lamp $29
How We Styled It
L-R
- Mums book nook unlit
- Mums book nook with Ikea lamp, it seems they no longer sell her one but this is similar.
- My light, which is simply this $4 Ikea bracket with a woven lamp cord from eBay and a fancy vintage globe like the ones I mentioned above.
Lighting is everything! I mean it! From task lighting (no chopping off fingers in a dark kitchen), to daily lighting (softer lighting to chat in), to pretty ambient lighting. It’s the make or break of a good photo or selfie and it can help people to feel instantly comfortable in your home. I wrote a whole section on it on my book. It’s important, trust me!
In winter, it can be pretty dark and the available natural light can seem cold and hard. Even in the day, lamp light is a must! As you can see above, Mums book nook can look decidedly drab without the lamp. Actually, she leaves that light on pretty much permanently. Don’t freak out, it’s LED, so it uses very little electricity!
I think that a yellow toned light makes the most comforting environment. I love globes marked as ‘warm’ and I love these vintage styled, filament globes the most. The second ‘How We Styled It’ pic is from my house. It is just a lamp cord around a bracket. It really doesn’t look much in the pics because it is at its best in low light (which photographs poorly).
Whichever way you go about it, add some lamps and some light to every room. Nothing is more inviting that a home glowing gold. Think of all those ‘happy family’ scenes in movies, golden light spilling from the window and out into a cold, hard street. You have got to get the glow!
A Moth To A Flame
L to R
- Kmart Geometric Metal Tealight Candle Holder – Copper $5
- Ikea GOTTGÖRA Lantern for candle $9.95
- Kmart Hammered Copper Pot with Scented Candle – Fig & Papaya (or Gold in Lime & Madarin) $6
- Target LTD Dome Metallic Gold Candle – Awakening $15
- Big W Peter Morrissey Home Vanilla Fragrant Candle $14
- Kmart Copper Coloured Glass with Scented Candle – Sandalwood and Patchouli $6
- Kmart Beaker Candle $5
- Kmart Geometric Candle Holder $7
- Target Cork Candle – Mango & Guava $20
How We Styled It
L-R
- Kmart Copper Coloured Glass with Scented Candle – Sandalwood and Patchouli $6
- Kmart Hammered Copper Pot with Scented Candle – Fig & Papaya & Gold in Lime & Madarin) $6 ea
Okay, I just wrote a whole bit on lighting but believe it or not, I have more to tell you! Candles are the icing on the lighting cake. Scented candles add another dimension entirely. I for one, could not be more happy about this current gold/rose gold/copper trend in candles. Again, that golden light is truly evocative of good times and happiness. Plus that flickering flame is reminiscent too. Few of us have fireplaces and a candle flickering just gives that vibe (OMG I want one of those table top ones sooooo bad but no space and also a cat that has no natural fear of anything – including fire. Don’t ask about the tail or whisker singeing incidents – yes plural!). If your candle is scented, you have the bonus of filling your house with delicious aromas. I won’t lie, I went a bit nuts on the candle front because it’s all so pretty….
I am so excited to be able to bring you this guide, full of gorgeous home wares to brighten up this chilly season. But I am more excited about the prices! I have to say Kmart (hey, Kmart people, if you are listening) has been majorly on their game. I actually stopped shopping there because a few things I bought were of appalling quality. They have had some super cute stuff and I was enticed back. At first I bought gingerly, worried about quality but I’ve had no issues with their homewares. And so there has been a little romance because they are kicking it out of the park! I promise, I have not been paid or otherwise enticed to write this post. I’ve just been shopping there a lot lately. I thought I was a Target forever girl and they have nice stuff too but I think they are less on trend. Well, not as quick to take up a trend. Anyway, I hope that you found some winter inspiration and are going to spend the rest of the season in style! I love to see what you come up with, so if you go shopping, I’d love to see – just tag me in your pics xxxx
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