First, what do you need light for? Do you do paperwork? Is your desk in your window? You'll be getting afternoon sun. I'm recommending LED lighting to people, but Fred says it has a way to go in brightness and affordability. I recommend sky tubes to homeowners. I've had 2 in one of my houses.

Hi All, thank you very much for your comments and feedback regarding this blog. We have had the privilege of seeing the inside of a large number of homes when providing owners with a property styling quote. It has been interesting to see how many people actually seem to live with their curtains/blinds shut most of the time. Therefore what may seem obvious to some that opening up curtains or blinds makes your home feel more warm and inviting, may not be that obvious to others. Olldroo, your question is definitely valid, where does all the mess go?? A few decluttering tips we provide our clients when getting their homes ready for sale: - This is the perfect time to throw out the old, broken, unused items and start getting ready for when you move to your new place. Make use of your fee council clean-ups in your area and make sure you book these in early! - My rule of thumb, if it hasn't been used or worn in the last two years, throw it out or give it away. Most suburbs have charity bins or a Salvation army and your good quality much loved items will be of better use in another home instead of being shoved in a cupboard or corner. - Use your garage. Most buyers understand that the garage is used for cars or storage. Therefore use this space to temporarily store much needed every day living items such as children's toys, prams, baby cots during the open home. Once the open home is over, you can then bring these back into the home until your next open home. Just be sure not to over stock the garage. A buyer should still be able to get a sense of how large the space is so that they can determine if it will meet their own storage needs. - The value of your property can instantly be increased merely by decluttering. It may well be worth renting a temporary self storage unit in your area to store away unneeded furniture and items during the marketing campaign. Most of these are not too expensive and for a couple of hundred dollars investment, you are sure to get much more than double that back when selling your home. - Invest in plastic containers or storage boxes that can easily be stored and hidden under your bed. This is perfect for those extra toys and clothes that needs to go somewhere! - Finally, I love the practical article on IKEA's website with some fantastic storage solutions -> http://www.ikea.com/au/en/ideas/201812_idli02a/ Happy decluttering :-)

We keep a bedroom permanently set aside and decorated for our three grandchildren. Good storage is essential, as we have train sets, cars, Lego, a play kitchen, dolls, dinosaurs, games, etc. We found different quilt covers a way of making the room look more personalised when the grandchildren come to stay e.g. a bright cover with animals for our youngest grandson, dinosaurs for our other grandson and bright, floral colours for our granddaughter. A very easy and inexpensive way to change the look of the room. When they tire of these, we can easily change them. Artwork is another point of difference. Both of our grandsons love planes, and I found a limited edition planes print in a Salvos shop for under $40 - already framed. I found a canvas-coated map of the world online, already mounted, for under $40, which is a favourite with all three. The IKEA pretend kitchen was a charity store find for under $20, and when the grandchildren no longer play with it (it is a favourite as they play ‘restaurants’), it will be returned to a charity shop. I bought one of those sling-type small bookcases and filled this with a range of books. This is much easier than wall shelving and it is does not take up very much space, and is great for selecting bedtime stories.

The brief from our lovely clients was to create a family home layered with farm-house warmth and style where the owners could relax and be inspired by the surrounding natural landscape. It was also really important that we designed an interior that tells a story of the rural traditions and rustic charm, delivered within a unique country setting. The existing urban, red brick, three-bedroom house’s saving grace was a beautiful garden overlooking a national park, but it lacked country charm and the interior design was not connected to the verdant, exterior landscape. By layering and revealing textures the house was transformed into a lifestyle abode. Organic structures, rich earthy colours and traditional Australian, English and French Provencal farmhouse elements were blended together with hand-crafted macramés, tapestries and Moroccan rugs. Bespoke pieces were added, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated family mountain retreat. The old garage under the house was converted into an exterior, resort-style bathroom with recycled, grey-faced sleepers, shiplap cladding and artesian hand-crafted, white-washed brick walls. Bespoke exposed copper plumbing and custom-made hardware, a French provincial galvanised dog bathtub, retro vanity and concealed toilet were incorporated into the design. Exposed ceiling beams and large barn doors added further character and showed off the integrity of the build. At the side of the house, a large hand-crafted farm gate and fence was created, and four tall, recycled sleeper posts provided the structure for a shade cloth for the new carport. A system of stainless-steel sailing cleats and organic hemp-rope pulleys was designed as a quick release for fire truck access, if required. In the kitchen, new benches and lime-washed floors created a softer palette. Strategically placed lighting was used to create drama and mood and to highlight art pieces and macramé wall-hangings in rustic oranges and earth browns. Three teardrop, smoke-coloured pendants were chosen to accent the refreshed dining room. The joinery wall in the living room was redesigned to house the essential farmhouse fireplace. Open shelves were created to display farmhouse objects and curios that evoke an old-world simple rural life. Furniture was sourced for its rustic appeal as well as its functionality. French provincial workbenches complete with the original carpenter’s clamps and turn handles were used to make bespoke sideboards. The undercover deck at the rear of the property was restyled with a hint of the exotic. A hand-crafted, vintage Indian daybed, Moroccan floor rugs and a rattan table setting were key pieces. Concept design, plans, joinery, finishes, furniture and homeware selection, lighting design, exterior bathroom, barn doors, custom-built farm gate, and puppy agility course. Before: In Progress: After: Check out the entire project here!