The Interiors Addict

5 ways to create sanctuary zones at home using colour

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 04:00 PM PST

When we’re working from home, it's all too easy to spend entire days hunched over a computer – a habit that we know isn't good for either our physical or emotional health. Research tells us that taking time to step away from our desks, to clear our mind, stretch and recharge – even for a few minutes – makes us happier, healthier and more productive.

Dulux Australia: Green wall – Dulux Pale Sage; White trim – Dulux Lexicon.

In today’s world, it has never been as important to create sanctuary spaces within our homes, spaces where we and our families can disconnect and instead focus our attention on self-care activities such as reading, journaling and yoga, taking extra care of our physical and mental wellbeing.

An easy and effective way to create these sanctuary zones at homes is through the use of colour. The team at Dulux, lead by colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr, have created a helpful and comprehensive colour guide focused on using natural-inspired colours to create calming and soothing zones at home with ease.

1. Unwind in your yoga zone

Gentle earth-based greens make us feel relaxed and connected to nature – perfect for creating a dedicated yoga zone in your living area. Try painting the walls a soft green, such as Dulux Pale Tendril, while adding in touches of grounding clay colours on upcycled décor pieces carrying the colour through soft furnishings for a sense of flow and balance. Keep the look simple and clutter-free, with pale timbers, natural textures and a medley of indoor plants. Then, roll out the yoga mat, light a candle, breathe deeply and relax.

Dulux Australia: walls – Dulux Pale Tendril; trim – Dulux Lexicon Half.

2. Chill out in your cushion corner

If you’re concerned about your little ones spending too much time on their devices, how about setting up a cosy chillout zone in the corner of their bedroom or playroom where they can read a book, do a puzzle or play quietly – all it takes is a lick of paint and some comfy cushions. Begin defining the area by painting a section of the wall, Andrea recommends using a serene light blue, such as Dulux Vanilla Ice, and using a cool white on the remaining walls, such as Dulux Vivid White to create a gentle contrast. To finish the look try adding pops of inky blue, such as Dulux Grid, on accessories and décor pieces, Andrea says, as well as soft furnishings to help ground the space.

Lastly, increase the comfort factor with a soft, textured rug and layers of generous, squishy cushions that your little one can snuggle into.

Dulux Australia: white walls & trim – Dulux Vivid White; Blue Teepee – Dulux Vanilla Ice Half.

3. Let your sofa cove nurture your soul

By creating your own little oasis at home, where you can practice your daily meditations, you can significantly improve your wellbeing. Designate a spot where you'll feel comfortable and settled, such as a nook in the living area or a corner of your bedroom. "Decorate it with natural, earth-based colours that make you feel safe and cocooned, such as Dulux Clay Pipe Half and Dulux Teahouse on the walls, and a warm white, like Dulux Natural White, on the ceiling and trims," Andrea says. You'll want minimal distractions in your meditation space, so take a 'less is more' approach to furnishings. Opt for pared-back furniture in organic materials, positioned with plenty of breathing space around them. Make comfort a priority; choose a curvy armchair in a tactile fabric such as boucle, layered with sheepskin or faux-fur throws and cushions, and a textured rug underfoot. From there, dim the lights, light a candle and turn your attention inward.

Dulux Australia: Beige wall – Dulux Clay Pipe Half; Charcoal wall – Dulux Teahouse; Trim – Dulux Natural White.

4. Imagine and travel in your reading nook

With travel off the agenda, for now, books are your child's ticket to faraway places. Help make this quiet activity a joy by carving out a dedicated reading corner. "Set the scene with a welcoming and laid-back palette of mossy green across a feature wall (try Dulux Pale Sage), with accents of forest green and clay in furniture and accessories," Andrea says. Arrange a daybed or spare sofa with blankets, throws and cushions of differing shapes and sizes, add a side table to store books, magazines and indoor plants to emphasise a natural connection. "Mindfulness is a great way to help our kids – and ourselves – build resilience, self-awareness and gratitude we need to navigate these difficult times," says Andrea. "Just be sure to choose the space for your mindfulness zone thoughtfully – ideally it should be away from busy spots such as the kitchen and TV room so you can really tap into your zen."

5. Empower your children to repose in their bedroom oasis

Having spent so much time at home in the past year, chances are your teenager is sick of the sight of their bedroom. Help them fall back in love with their personal space by giving it a quick and uplifting colour refresh. Styling the room with calming pinks, soft layered textures and fresh flowers makes it feel captivating and inviting and, according to colour psychologists, will help in creating a positive outlook. "Create a unique bedhead by painting a circle shape on the wall behind the bed in a dusty pink such as Dulux Victoriana, and remaining walls in a more subtle, tonal shade of Dulux Porcelain Half," Andrea says. Keep the room bright and open by painting the trims and ceiling in Dulux Natural White. Pile the bed high with soft, tactile bedding – think natural linens, cottons, chunky woollen blankets and decadent velvet cushions – to create a chillaxing bedroom they'll love," Andrea adds.

Dulu Australia: Outer circle wall – Dulux Porcelain Half; Inner circle wall – Dulux Victoriana; Trim – Dulux Vivid White.

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Past winners of The Block Hayden and Sara’s new kitchen and reno tips

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 12:00 PM PST

Since winning The Block in 2018, Hayden and Sarah Vale have been busy renovating a former beach shack on the NSW South Coast (Stanwell Park to be exact), turning it into their forever home. With enviable ocean and parkland views, the five-storey abode ‘SouthHouse’ has four large bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and three separate living spaces.

"We were after the perfect balance of a retreat for our family as well as a hub for entertaining. We knew we'd have guests staying so wanted to give them their own space," says Sara of the home that features a lower guest floor.

The bedrooms are all on another floor because Sara, who shares the home with Hayden and her two children Harlow and Lawson, wanted everyone nearby. For convenience and accessibility, the bathrooms and laundry are on this floor too. The top floor is the designated kitchen and entertaining space, and it's the gorgeous kitchen that we are touring today.

Here, Hayden and Sara shared the things to keep in mind when designing and constructing a kitchen with wow.

Take inspiration from your surroundings
For our home design, we simply looked outside for inspiration. We realised we lived in such a stunning part of the world that we wanted to bring influences of that inside, as well as join elements of it on the outside. For that reason, SouthHouse features a modern urban aesthetic with a neutral palette that provides the perfect backdrop for accents of colour, texture and coastal influences. Think high quality, hand-picked materials and finishes to deliver a timeless style, like concrete and timber, while presenting a balanced, yet luxurious feel.

Plan, plan and plan
No matter what scale the renovation, superior time management and organisation skills are a must. With any renovation, big or small, you need to be on top of everything – from your ideas to planning, trades to styling, have your end goal clear in your head, so you can see every detail. One of the areas of the home that requires the most detailed level of planning is the kitchen. In the kitchen you're after the golden triangle between fridge, cooktop and sink with the right amount of bench space in between to make preparation convenient.

Consider feeling over trends
Rather than being beholden to changing trends, focus on creating that homely feeling you've always dreamed of. Because we both come from large extended families, an entertainer's kitchen was key, and we wanted it to be the showstopper. We knew we had to make a statement here, making sure we had a kitchen that could do a dinner for two, take on a party of 50 and anything in between.

Know what you want your kitchen for
While on planning, purpose plays a big role when it comes to your kitchen design. Ask yourself will it be for entertaining, quiet nights in, a family or singles or everything? Use your response to that question to help decide what appliances you will need. If the space allows for it, we always go for a big cooktop and oven because we like to entertain.

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