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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Screen Time

Decorative screens are very much in vogue and are a versatile and practical way to decorate, separate or hide a space.

Used decoratively, screens can be used in wall niches and indoor and outdoor artwork.  They can be lit from above, below, even behind to create a fantastic feature in a space. The artwork can be customised too, such as panels made from a photo or hand drawn artwork.

In a practical sense, screens are now used as security screens, balconies, balustrades and fencing. They are fantastic as room dividers as they can still allow light and air to circulate. Decorative screens can also be used to hide unsightly areas such as water tanks, rubbish bins and pool filters.

There are an endless choice of materials when it comes to creating screens from timber for a natural, casual look to steel for an industrial and contemporary look. Laminex have recently released "Compact Laminate", a moisture resistent decorative paneling that can be used indoors and outdoors.

Kirstin Fowle from Windemere Interiors says decorative screens have come a long way and it is popular to customise them to suit you particular space. "Almost any type of screen can be customised, from front security doors to outdoor artwork. They have a fantastic practical and decorative application," she said. "We have had many screens customised from either photos we have scanned or sketches we have drawn."

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Outdoor Screens

Custom screens in an Adenbrook Homes display

Indoor screens separate spaces

Image courtesy of Laminex

Seated for the Occasion

Like its namesake, the occasional chair is used...well, on occasions. Perhaps as an additional chair when you have guests or in a parents retreat or bedroom.

Kirstin Fowle from Windemere Interiors, says an occasional chair can form part of a set or as a feature on its own. As part of a lounge suite, an occasional chair looks great in a contrasting or different fabric that is still within the theme or colour scheme of the suite. As a feature on its own, perhaps as a reading chair, the occasional chair can be highlighted with a lamp and book table to create an intimate reading space," she said.

Occasional chairs are fantastic for creating rooms that are multipurpose. A rumpus room can be converted to a sitting room while a bedroom can become a reading nook. They're not just for indoor use either, occasional chairs outdoors on a deck or in the garden create a functional and bold space.

Kirstin's ideas for occasional chairs in your home

• Create a mini reading space in the corner of your child's room with a children's chair, mini table, lamp and bookshelf.

• Upcycle or reupholster an old Danish arm chair or wing back chair and create a sophisticated nook in a study or home office.

• Use brightly coloured chairs on a paved pad under a chair for a relaxing outdoor space.

• In a large bathroom or ensuite, an occasional chair adds a touch of elegance and luxury as a spot to relax or drape your robe over while bathing.

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