Category Archives: Ideas

how to decorate your space 2023 Christmas

Deck the Halls: How to Decorate Your Space With Style This Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and as Christmas 2023 rolls around, we’re eagerly awaiting the chance to hang out with our favourite people, soak in the festive vibes, and enjoy the holiday cheer. But with all these family gatherings and merry celebrations on the cards, it’s also time to get your abode ready to entertain.

Need some ideas? Here’s the ultimate roundup of essential Christmas home decorations to get you through the holiday season – from festive décor to tableware, we haven’t forgotten a thing.

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Tableware

Want to upstage your 2022 Christmas tablescape? Then a few new additions are a must! Plus, who doesn’t love setting the table for the holidays? It’s a festive and fun activity, especially when the entire family gathers around to indulge in a feast afterwards!

First and foremost, a centrepiece! This year, we recommend keeping it simple by opting for a pillar candles or some fresh flowers arranged in a gorgeous jug vase. Keep in mind that larger centrepieces are often removed once everyone is seated and the food is served, so consider a reasonable height to ensure it can stay on the table.

Next up, glassware! Yep, it’s time to ditch the paper cups (apologies to the clean up crew!). But glassware truly makes all the difference; it will transform your table from drab to fab, adding a touch of luxury and opulence to a day full of celebration and unity.

The rest of your table should follow a theme – whether it be woodlands, traditional, or vibrant colours. Be sure to complete the look with placemats, ceramic plates, cutlery, napkins, bon bons, and even name tags.

Home scents

Often overlooked, yet undeniably essential – we’re talking about holiday home scents, of course! There’s no doubt that Christmas somehow has an aroma, a nostalgic combination of freshly baked sugar cookies, gingerbread, cherries, and pinecones.

So, what better way to fill your home with festive spirit than with a distinctive scent that encapsulates Christmas? We recommend Gingerbread Candle from Adairs – it smells divine! Burn the candle throughout the season and then when Christmas rolls around next year, find a new festive scent to fill your home with!

Traditional décor

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some traditional décor! We’re talking about Christmas trees, wreaths, tree hangings, and other novelty motifs. Be sure to keep all the pieces within an overall theme – even if it’s just a colour scheme like pale green, pink, red, and gold. This way your home will feel cohesive from when your guests walk through the door all the way through to the dining area and living space.

Subtle additions

It’s important to note that Christmas home décor doesn’t necessarily have to be cliché. In fact, it could be super subtle with the ability to be repurposed throughout the year. How? Choose throw blankets and pillows that stick within your colour scheme but don’t have any Christmas messaging or symbols. We recommend the same approach when it comes to decorative accessories. For example, the Bed Bath N’ Table Antler screams Christmas when seen next to other festive pieces, but when styled in another season, it could have a completely different feel to it.

We know that planning for Christmas home décor can be a really big deal! Everyone wants their home to feel stylish and welcoming all while maintaining that festive vibe. Luckily, achieving this balance is simpler than ever this year with Nunawading Homemaker HQ. Find all your fave holiday home décor essentials under one roof. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy decorating!

Looking for more home inspiration? Join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

robot vacuum Godfreys

Revolutionise Your Spring Clean This Year With Godfreys Nunawading

If you are looking at undertaking a refresh, clean and declutter this Spring, then look no further than Godfreys Nunawading. Godfreys is your one stop shop for everything you need to get your house in order and create the functional and clean spaces you have been dreaming of. Spring is the perfect time of year to open up the windows, let the breeze in, do an audit of your home and declutter any items that no longer serve you. Start in one room and make your way through the home or create a roster that allows you and your family to have goals and work towards a timeline. It is also a great time to invest in quality cleaning equipment and ensure your everyday items are up to scratch and can give you the best result for your home.

 

Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums are the perfect solution to save you time and energy during your Spring clean. Their ‘set and forget’ style allows you to get onto other tasks like decluttering your kitchen cupboards and sorting through the unworn clothes in your wardrobe. The benefits of a robot vacuum over a more traditional style are that you don’t have to be home to clean, you don’t have the hassle of recharging them, they have built in sensors and so much more! Godfreys Nunawading have so many options when it comes to robot vacuums with styles and prices to suit any budget. We personally love the robot vacuums with the auto empty station or built-in mops. With colours ranging from black to white to silver, there is a style to suit any home décor look.

 

Best Vacuums For Pets

As much as we love and adore our furry friends, they can make cleaning and maintaining a spotless home more difficult. But fear not, Godfreys Nunawading has got you covered when it comes to finding the best vacuum for pets, fur and fluff. We love the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser turbo upright vacuum cleaner as it has a tangle free brush roll that stops hair from wrapping around the brush. It also offers an allergen system that traps dust and allergens and eliminates odours making vacuuming a breeze. Bissell also offer a handheld version called their ‘Pet stain eraser’ that is perfect for quick clean ups and vacuuming on the go.

 

Carpet Cleaning

Not only does Godfreys Nunawading specialise in vacuums, but they also offer a range of solutions, tools and shampooers for carpet cleaning as well. From spot stain carpet cleaners to shampooers to commercial cleaners, they have got you covered. Carpet cleaning is essential to ensure your home is free from dust and allergens and also keeps your carpets looking fresher for longer. It is recommended that carpet cleaning should be completed in the average home no less than every 12 months and we think Spring is the perfect time to tick it off!

 

Rug Cleaners

Rugs in the living room and bedroom often become worn down and discoloured overtime due to constant wear and tear. When you have a beautiful rug from the likes of Urban Rhythm or Decorug you want it to stay beautiful and fresh for a long time. We recommend heading into Godfreys Nunawading to chat to the friendly staff about the best solutions for cleaning a rug and what tools work best. Traditional carpet cleaners can often be too strong for the delicate fibres of a rug, so be sure to speak to an expert before undertaking a rug clean.

 

Car Vacuums

During your Spring clean we recommend extending your refresh to the garage and giving your car a once over as well. Godfreys Nunawading have some great car vacuum kits like the ‘Clean Up Car Kit’ that will ensure your car interior stays in top condition and has that ‘new car feeling’ for longer. Don’t forget to pick up a functional storage tub or a set of hooks to store your car kit from Howard’s Storage World too.


Spring is the perfect time to tick off the tasks in the home you have put off throughout the cooler months like carpet shampooing or cleaning the rugs. Be sure to make these tasks easier by heading into Godfreys Nunawading to pick up the right tools and chat to our friendly staff about the best solutions for your cleaning needs.

Tips: Will your furniture fit?

Thinking of a mixing it up a little at your place?

Take a few tips from Urban Rhythm at Nunawading Homemaker HQ.

Before you order that four-seat sofa or eight-seater dining table you’ve fallen in love with, be sure to check that it will fit inside the room it is destined for, as well as through all the passage ways to get there.

A little thought up front can potentially save you unnecessary expense, inconvenience and disappointment.

Will the furniture fit?

Check that you’ll be able to get your furniture into its final position. 

Make a newspaper template of the furniture footprint, then place it in the intended position on the floor of your room.  See that you can move around the piece, and that it won’t block heating or cooling ducts for example.

Do you have a lift or stairs to navigate? Do you have a tight corner to turn, such as a narrow apartment corridor? 

Such spaces need to be considered, as your furniture will need to be able to pass through these areas to reach its final destination.

What is the parking access like at your place? Do you have a narrow laneway or a steep driveway to navigate? Can a truck park close to your entrance?  

These are questions that need to be answered so that your furniture can be delivered smoothly.

It might simply mean that we organise a smaller truck to deliver your goods so it can fit in the laneway outside your home.

Access concerns

Advise your contultant about any access concerns. 

If you have any doubts, your consultant will provide you with a Delivery Access Questionnaire. Complete it as accurately as possible so that our warehouse manager can help determine accessibility. Photos of tight corners and entrances will also be helpful in our assessment.

From this we will make an assessment whether or not we need to either provide a larger delivery crew, modify construction of the furniture that won’t fit, or suggest to you a more appropriately sized piece.

With a little planning, most access challenges can be overcome. Being prepared is the key.

For more great ideas and special finds, visit Urban Rhythm at Nunawading Homemaker HQ today.

4 simple ways to bring feng shui into your home

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of creating a positive home environment by balancing the flow of energy. Here are some easy ways you can create a feng shui-friendly home and bring more happiness into your space.

  1. Create an energy flow to the front door

One of the basic rules of feng shui is to ensure there’s a clear flow of energy to the front door. Make sure there’s nothing blocking the energy to your front door or cluttering the entrance.

Instead, create an inviting entry to your home by placing beautiful flowers on a nearby side table or a stylish doormat on the floor. Or maybe it’s time to show your door some TLC, whether it’s repainting it or giving it a thorough clean with a lint-free cloth or sponge.

  1. A feng shui-friendly living room

In general practice, good feng shui involves decluttering your space and the living room is no exception. Keep things clean, airy and filled with beautiful natural light to attract positive energy.

If you don’t have many windows, you can decorate your space with mirrors or layered lighting to help energy bounce around your room. Consider using a combination of floor lamps, table lamps and ceiling fixtures, for example. Also, ff you wanna redesign your living room, Aspley Shopping Centre has a lot of furniture stores that can help you, as a Freedom in Aspley or the Nick Scali Aspley.

Place your couch and tables in a circle in your living room to create a warm and inviting space, while adding mirrors to help energy bounce around the room. One of the rules of feng shui involves also creating a home with beauty in mind. It’s still important to select furniture according to typical design principles, such as working with scale and proportion and choosing the best sized rug or sofa for your space.

  1. Embrace your green thumb

Of course, you already know that indoor plants have many health benefits, such as purifying the air, but they also help to activate positive energy in your home. According to feng shui, the best time to add a new plant is at the beginning of the month or year when it symbolises a healthy beginning for you and your loved ones.

You can place plants within a few metres away from your computer to filter electromagnetic energy or place tall plants in the corners of rooms with sloped or low ceilings to counteract symbolic heaviness. When it comes to choosing plants, look for those with curved or round leaves, instead of spikes or thorns. For example, peace lilies, philodendrons, bamboo and ferns.

Not a green thumb? No worries. Silk plants are great, too – just make sure you dust them and take care of them, but avoid dried flowers, as they represent stagnant energy.

  1. Bring water into your home

Listening to the gentle sound of water is a wonderful way to relax at home, but in feng shui, water means wealth, so it’s a good idea to place a small water feature or fountain in your home, ideally near the doorway to attract extra money in. Your water feature doesn’t even need to be a Chinese design to bring wealth into your home.

It’s believed that the best place to put your water feature is either east, southeast or north corners of your home. Avoid placing it in the bedroom or underneath the stairs.

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Decluttering

Now that the cloudy skies and cold weather have passed and the warmer season is here, it’s time to brush away the cobwebs and freshen up your home with a spring clean.

But where are to start? Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to decluttering.

Do plan and prepare

So you’ve have had enough of struggling to deal with your disorganised drawers and you’ve decided that in this very moment, you’re going to clean your home immediately. But hold fire!

Consider which rooms and areas need the most attention straight away and how much time it might take to tackle them. This way, you’ll avoid disappointment and have a more realistic idea of what you can actually achieve.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Don’t attempt to declutter more than one area or room at a time. Maybe you’ll take care of books one day, then clothes another.

Now is not the time for a scattergun approach – you’ll just end up dissatisfied with the results and frustrated and confused as to what you have and haven’t dealt with. Work your way through one area before moving onto the next.

Don’t procrastinate

Set aside a time and day when you plan to attack your home. Treat it like you would an appointment – don’t postpone it, show up and get started. If it seems like too much work, call a friend to give you a hand.

Need some help?

Enter our competition to win one of 30 professional five-hour spring cleans. We’re giving away spring cleans every day this month until 30 September.

Don’t take a walk down memory lane

As the decluttering expert Marie Kondo herself has instructed, don’t get taken over by nostalgia when clearing your home, as tempting as it may be.

Read one letter your best mate wrote you when you were kids, and suddenly it’s two hours later, you’ve read your teenage diaries and your bedroom is even messier than before. Keep to the task at hand.

Don’t ‘fake’ declutter

Simply creating tidy piles of stuff is not decluttering. Think about what you want to do with your things and where it should go. Your items could go into four different categories: bin, keep, donate or sell.

Do take action

Once you have decided what you want to keep, sell, throw or donate, make sure those items don’t simply hang around your garage.

Throw out what you no longer want, whether it’s taking it down to the hard garbage bins, organising a council pick-up or taking it to recycling. Take the items you want to donate to your local charity or give them to a friend or loved one. Store away the items you do want to keep. And if you’re going to sell your items, think of how you plan to offload them, whether it’s online or through a garage sale or the markets.

For more ideas, sign up to our VIP Style club or visit us in centre today.

 

Image courtesy of Urban Rhythm

A breath of fresh air: Our favourite indoor plants

If you are looking for that single, secret ingredient that has the ability to make just about any room look better, it’s a plant. The humble house plant is well and truly back on trend, and for good reason. A splash of healthy greenery instantly lifts a space to make a room feel fresh and welcoming.

If you feel like one of your rooms is lacking a little something, try adding one of our favourite plants for the home and if you feel that you don’t want the responsibility of care for it opt for a fake plant from PillowTalk or Rice Furniture!

Devils Ivy

Also known as golden pothos, fights nasty toxins like xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Just be sure to keep this plant out of reach of your cat or dog as it’s toxic to pets.

Boston Fern

Ferns can typically be quite tricky to care for but the Boston fern is the most tolerant of the bunch. They prefer moist soil, indirect sunlight and humid conditions, so they’re an ideal plant for the bathroom. Not only do they provide a lush green display, they filter out the irritating chemicals, Xylene and formaldehyde.

Chinese Evergreen

This easy-to-care-for plant can survive in most conditions, even with low light and little water. It helps filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues.

Weeping Fig

Often referred to as Ficus (like most plants in the fig family), Weeping fig’s love the light and don’t like being moved so it’s best to find a nice sunny spot in your home for it to stay and only re-pot when necessary.

Peace Lily

This popular indoor plant survives with very little sunlight and only needs watering about once a week, depending on the weather. Peace lilies cleanse your home of pollutants like acetone – a carcinogen commonly found in nail polish and paint. Keep this one away from your fury friends also.

Flamingo Lily

Native to the tropics, this exotic flowering plant prefers a warm and shady environment and daily misting helps to prolong its flowers.

They are known to be effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air.