Pottering Around

Pots are a fantastic and practical decoration for all homes. Lindy Evans from Windemere Interiors says there are endless possibilities for pots around the home, either as decoration or practical use. "Pots give a wonderful extra dimension to a space. A pot with a lush, flowering plant or pungent herbs creates fresh life and colour, while an urn or large decorative oriental pot creates texture and interest."

Here are some of Lindy's favourite ideas for pots in the home.

• Use a collection of large pots in different heights and sizes to dress up a bare corner.
• Fresh herbs in pots or flower boxes in the kitchen are practical and look and smell divine.
• Instead of a table runner, place a series of small pots along the centre of the table.
• Use pots as gold fish bowls for a interesting addition to an East Meets West theme.
• A pot with decorative sticks or a dramatic flower arrangement can be a feature in a wall niche with a spotlight.
• Pots can dress up cold and sterile space such as bathrooms and laundries.
• Large pots can make dramatic landscapes for the outdoors. Use with plants or as a water feature.

Pots are a versatile and practical decoration for styles and themes within the home. Below is an inspiration gallery for use of pots around the home.

Inspiration Gallery

Coastal Inspiration

Influenced by the surrounding coastal lifestyle of North Sapphire Beach, this fresh, breezy home has been decorated with the "Beach Life" interior theme by Windemere Interiors.

Drawing inspiration from the sandy beaches, cool sea breezes and ocean waters, Beach Life is created by a fresh combination of whites, sands and blue accents with textures of natural timbers and fibres.

Windemere Interiors designer Lindy Evans says the Beach Life theme creates a little island paradise in your home, reminiscent of the retro beach shacks and summer holidays. "Like the old style beach huts, we've used a palette of sand and white to reflect the natural light streaming throughout the home. It creates a cool and calming environment and neutral canvas for the blue accents," says Lindy. "Cool blue accents from the teal of the shallow waters to the indigo of the depths of the ocean add splashes of colour, while contrasting reds and greens create freshness and vibrancy."

Furniture in natural and washed timbers combined with woven wicker and rattan for texture while over-stuffed cushions in light, natural fabrics are piled across couches and beds for a casual and comfortable feel. Decorator accents of driftwood, rope and coral complete the nautical theme, creating a charming and coastal home.

This home is currently on display at 2 Green Bluff Road, North Sapphire Beach NSW 2450

Inspiration Gallery

Designer's Choice - Home Cargo

Inspiration Gallery

The Modern Butler's Pantry

The butler's pantry has become a very popular request in home design in recent times. A utility and storage space attached to the kitchen, the modern day butler's pantry usually contains a counter with space for pots and pans. Very elaborate butler's pantries are almost full size kitchens in themselves as well as a staging site for serving meals and may have a sink, dishwasher and even an oven and stove.

Interestingly, the history of the butler's pantry dates back to a time when it was primarily used to store servingware and not food. A butler would actually sleep in the pantry to guard the silverware. Today's version is very different, with butler's pantries more a transitional space between the kitchen and dining room.

Kirstin Fowle from Windemere Interiors, says there are many options when creating a butler's pantry, even in a small space. "Butler's pantries have a very practical application today, particularly with the focus of the home moving back to the kitchen," she said, "even the smallest butler's pantry can be practical with clever design."

Kirstin suggests have a clear direction on what you will be using the space for when designing the butler's pantry. "If you will be using it to store pots and pans then you will need lots of open shelving or deep drawers, whereas for food storage pull out metal basket drawers with dividers are good for cans and spices, as are shallow shelves. Cupboards can be used to store crockery and appliances."

Keeping a consistent style through the kitchen and butler's pantry will create a seamless look to the spaces. "Carry on the colour theme and benchtops from the kitchen into the butler's pantry," says Kirstin, "even cabinetry and lighting can be matched."

Inspiration Gallery