Selectively Furnished

Do you ever buy a sofa and matching coffee table and then find it doesn't look quite as good in your lounge room as it did in the showroom? Furnishing and decorating a space is more than just putting some tables and chairs in a room. A professional interior designer decorates and furnishes for the use of the space, the size and layout of the space and to the style and taste of the owners.

Kirstin Fowle from Windemere Interiors says that furniture selection is one of their more popular services as choosing furniture and decorator pieces that are functional as well as aesthetic pleasing is a lot harder than people realise. "Clients come to us to take the hard work out of shopping around and putting together pieces that work. We also create a style and look that is unique as we have access to thousands of suppliers, many of whom will only supply to interior designers so you don't end up with furniture from a chain store that hundreds of other people have," said Kirstin.

The service comes with more than just a list of furniture. Windemere Interiors also includes a scaled layout of the space illustrating exactly where the pieces should go as well as a detailed listing of items that you can buy yourself in stages or all at once. By setting a budget, the interior designer is able to work to that budget from the extensive suppliers and contacts they have.

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Kitchen Design

The kitchen is one of the most important and most used spaces in the home and well worthy of investing time in design.

Kirstin Fowle from Windemere Interiors says kitchen design is more than just designing cupboards and sinks to fit in a space, it's about designing to how the space will be used. "When we design a kitchen for a client, we ask lots of questions about how the space will be used and not just how it will look. It is important to understand the everyday use for items such as dishwashers, microwaves and appliances such as mixers, blenders and coffee machines. Every family is different and so every kitchen should be designed individually."

There are many aspects to a kitchen that need to be considered when designing the space. Cabinetry design and placement and whether they are drawers or cupboards are a major item. Benchtop space is also an important consideration. Will you have an island bench and is there enough additional space for food preparation? Take into account how much storage you will require when designing your kitchen, not just for food but also for appliances, cutlery, crockery, wine and cookbooks.

After all the practical aspects of the kitchen are decided, the look of the space can be designed. The style of kitchen you decide on will dictate finishes and fixtures and the designer can advise on the latest colours and materials on the market.

If you are building a new home or renovating, Windemere Interiors offers a full kitchen design service including on site visit, cabinetry design and CAD Plans. The plans can be taken to your own builder or cabinet maker or Windemere can arrange tenders and quotes for you.

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Coffee Break

The right size for the space

There are many things to consider when selecting a coffee table. Space is the most important consideration. Ensure the coffee table is the right size for the space where everyone can comfortable reach from the surrounding sofas or chairs. The coffee table should also be lower or the same height as the sofa seats. The length of the coffee table should be about two thirds the length of the sofa.

Style

The style of the coffee table should complement the rest of your decor. Traditional coffee tables are often timber or wrought iron and suit classic and heritage style homes. Suitable coffee tables in contemporary homes are typically minimalist and trendy, particularly industrial and loft style apartments. Replica or Danish style coffee tables would suit a vintage or retro theme.

Coffee Table Tips from Carly Gilmore 
Interior Designer, Windemere Interiors

• Select a durable finish for a long lasting coffee table
• Select glass or glass topped coffee tables in smaller areas to keep the space feeling open.
• Built in shelves or drawers are fantastic for storage.
• Don't be afraid to choose bold coffee tables that will add flair and personality.
• Try using an ottoman that can also double as seating.
• Mix and match between your coffee table and side tables.

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