Pink is the IT colour at the moment – it is not just for little girls. Pink is sophisticated, cheery and even sexy. Pink is a feel good colour. Read my decorating tips on how to get the hue right – whether you are eight or eighty eight.

Grown up ways to decorate with pink:
Use pink as a surprise! Adding pink in a small space, like on the walls in an entrance foyer or on the walls behind book shelves, makes a statement without too much investment. You can go intense in a space where you don’t spend that much time; it’s a “Wow!” moment that says I am brave, I am bold.

As an accent, the colour pink is an attention grabber. It can be strong, authoritative, and complex. Teamed with black and white, or dark grey it is stunning.

Pink is diverse. Pale pink can be calming to the senses while a bolder shade can be energising. Pink creates energy and adds a fun funky element to any room – particularly when used in an unexpected and random way.

Think - one pink cushion nestled amongst other colours - the piping or trim on a cushion, pelmet or chair.

Pink is a wonderful backdrop for contrasting colour. Mixed with white, turquoise, yellow, green and neutrals, it makes for a fresh and stylish décor.

Pink hues match well not only with neutrals and brights but also with complementary tones. For example, fuchsia and baby pink. Reds, purples and greys add colour diversity to pink colour schemes.

The paler and brighter hues can be used in pure white and more colourful interiors in throw pillows, rugs, furniture items and glassware. White interiors can be brightened up with splashes of bright pink here and there. Multicolour interiors that have blues, purples and greens can also withstand pink accents.

Pink is one of those colours that people shy away from sometimes, because they don’t want a room to appear too girly. But there are ways of using pink that really bring warmth and subtlety to a bedroom for a couple—it doesn’t have to be just for a girl’s bedroom. Pink looks beautiful with chocolate browns, greys, and woods.

Pinks work well with neutrals especially white that accentuates the bright pinks. Dark tones can be brightened up with pinks in mix with other bright colours like yellow, green, orange and red. Pink and cream, pale green or grey can make a great colour scheme both calm and stylish.

Ready to try pink? Contact me and I will help you get started!

Coleen Radford

Lights Camera Action!

Other types of window coverings like roller blinds just won’t cut it in the movie room – you need something to make the room dark with no light gaps – total black out can only be achieved by using curtains, and with some windows, a pelmet too.

Movie rooms can be daunting to furnish to achieve that just right balance of drama and practicality – a room unlike any other in your home - a room with its own personality that is inviting, comfortable and reflects that special something that is unique to your lifestyle.

• Is it to be dual purpose - open and airy when not being used to watch movies but dark enough for 
• show time?
• Sleek industrial (yes – this can be achieved with curtains)
• Modern twist with a luxe look
• Understated elegance
• Funky and fun
• Traditional and luxurious
  

All of which can be combined with the ultimate in luxury: Motorisation!

All these looks can be created with curtains – it comes down to selecting the right fabric, colour and texture, marrying it with the right type of pleating - together with balancing the amount of space the curtain covers. Wall to wall and floor to ceiling curtains will look fabulous in a movie room! The correct balance can make an ordinary room look extraordinary. And isn’t that what you want? A fabulously extraordinary movie room!

Even if you don’t have windows to cover, wall to wall curtains can create a dramatic look and improve the acoustics, as well as deaden unwanted noise and vibration. 

Co-ordinate and create custom made different sized comfy scatter cushions for your arm chair seating, as well as big squashy floor cushions – all designed to create that inviting comfortable ambience as well as toning with the decor to give your room the Wow Factor!

By Coleen Radford

How lucky are we in Australia to be able to actually use an outdoor area for almost year around living? Particularly in Queensland - our outdoor entertaining area is used just as much as indoors! Durable yet comfortable, a place that offers shelter from and a connection to the natural world: a good outdoor room has to be all of these things. Get the balance right and you’ll gain extra living space that has an easy relaxed feel. We have always considered the outdoor spaces as an extension of our home, just another room to be decorated – but you can afford to let your imagination run wild – it just seems “right” to have a little decadence in your outdoor living space!

Once you've decided exactly how you will use your outdoor space and selected furniture you must determine the colour scheme. To make your outdoor room seem like an extension of your home and aesthetically connected to the house use the same primary colours you’ve used in the interior, but vary the intensity of colours by using brighter more dominant shades.

Why not add curtains for extra drama and luxury? Curtains look fantastic in outdoor settings when done properly, and they do not need much fabric if used as an accessory to “frame” a vista – teamed with tiebacks they look fabulous.

Finally, you should accessorise your outdoor room. Using your colour scheme as a guide, choose cushions, upholstery, table ware to provide colourful accents – team with potted plants to add more colour or use the soothing greens of backdrop planting to create a very calming feel. 

Outdoor surfaces tend to be hard and inflexible. To make your outdoor space cosier, fabrics can be used to add colour and comfort. Outdoor fabrics are now available in a variety of colours and patterns designed to withstand sun and rain. These fabrics are especially good choices for making pillows or cushions for your outdoor furniture.

When selecting outdoor cushion inserts ensure you have specialised outdoor foam that can dry out – it needs to be porous so that water can drain through quickly so that mildew does not grow on the inserts and come through to the fabric.

How often have you opened a glossy magazine and sighed with envy at the to die for outdoor spaces and the way they are decorated – think Bali huts, gazebos with floaty white sheers, brightly coloured splashes of colour in cushions? 

You don’t need a private tropical island or an infinity swimming pool to get the look – just some imagination and help from us!

By Coleen Radford

Contact Coleen at Spring Crest today for more Outdoor Room ideas and help. Use our Contact form or Call 07 5592 2000