​You’re remodelling your bathroom. You’ve got that big-ticket, freestanding bathtub on your mind. You spot it flicking through home magazines, browse blogs and have to show your friends.
 
But is having a freestanding tub, taking centre stage in your bathroom, a good idea? Or is a built-in tub that integrates into its surroundings better?
 
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of freestanding baths, to help you figure out which tub gets the tick of approval.
 
What is a freestanding bathtub?
 
A freestanding bathtub is effectively a piece of furniture. They stand-alone, can be placed anywhere in the bathroom, giving you flexibility, and have serious visual appeal.
 
A built-in tub, on the other hand, sits against walls. They’re good for saving space but require installation.
 
Freestanding baths vs. built-in baths
 
A freestanding bath. It’s a luxury, but only if you have the space. Like everything, there are pros and cons to a freestanding bath.
 
Here are some of the benefits of choosing a freestanding bath:
 

• Flexibility

Because they come fully finished, you can choose where to place them.
 

• Wide range of options

They’re available in a large number of styles and finishes.
 

• Feature piece

A freestanding bath is an impressive statement for anyone who walks into your bathroom – setting it apart from many others
 

• Accessible

Because you can access every side of it, you can clean it easier and keep it looking fabulous.
 
But there are cons too. They take up more space. They don’t combine well with a wall-mounted shower. They’re harder to blend in with tiling and cabinetry. And they’re harder to get in and out. This is important if you have children or elderly people in the home.
 
However, if you’re looking for a stylish and unique way to jazz up your bathroom, don’t wash yourself clean of a freestanding tub just yet.
 
Before you decide which tub takes your fancy, ask yourself these questions:
 

• Do you have space limitations?
• What is your style?
• What tub would suit the rest of your house?
• Is storage important?
• Do you have money to spend on installation and plumbing?
• Do you want to combine your bath and shower?

 
If you need advice on whether a freestanding bath is right for you, we can help. Contact Sarah at Design Fusion. Call us on 0402 249 789 or email sarah@designfusion.com.au. 

​Colour is the ultimate mood creator. It shift moods, and influences a space more than anything you put into it.
 
We respond emotionally to colour, whether we know it or not. A certain hue might take our mind back to our old school uniform, or that favourite flower from our childhood home.
 
Our idea on colour is influenced by our visual memory – what we connect to from the past.
 
Colour: Stripping back the confusion
 Colours can command a room – but it’s how they’re combined that’s key. You want to choose a dominant colour that anchors the space. To stop the room feeling too one-dimensional, other colours are needed.
 
These additional colours often compliment the main one, without competing for attention. You can do this by adding a chair in the room or a piece of artwork, to give the room that lift.
 
The room should start to show a personality, before you add finishing touches to it. In other words, the colours you choose should give it life.
 
Here are a couple of tips to help you if you’re colour-stuck…
 
Assess your home’s personality
Just as you have your own style, your home also has a personality. Think of the neighbourhood, your lifestyle, and the location you live in. Your family, and the vibe of your house. Is it energetic, relaxed, or classic? Give some thought to how you want your home to look and feel… and let it guide its colour personality.
 
Take hints from your home’s architecture
You can use character, details, texture and colours to showcase the era of your home. Let the skeleton of the home help guide your colour options. 
 
Colour trends in 2016
Here are three modern interior colour trends for home decorating projects this year.

1. Blue and green, with warm orange

Rich and light blue color tones, combined with green colours and warm orange colour shades look and feel fresh and warm. This bright look is inspired by Mediterranean style.

1. Grey and white, with metallic accents

Grey tones and bright white combined with metallic accents and light or dark brown colours, can create a space with a futuristic touch. It’s simple to match décor colours, while adding a touch of shine.

1. Coffee with cream

Light brown and beige colours combined present a comfortable and warm space. It’s soft, neutral and a bit different.
 
And remember, this is the fun part. Play with it and be adventurous!
 
To talk to an interior design professional about colour, contact Sarah at Design Fusion. Call us on 0402 249 789 or email sarah@designfusion.com.au. 

​So you’ve decided your home interior needs a makeover. Awesome!
 
But sometimes, when you start planning your perfect interior, things just don’t line up. That chair doesn’t quite match your floor or you can’t find that fabric you fell in love with on Pinterest. But rest that busy head of yours… an interior designer can.
 
Interior designers put all of the pieces of the puzzle together – and wrap it in a pretty, neat bow.
 
Here are 5 things you might like to consider when you’re working with a designer.
 

1. The right designer for the right décor. There are a wide variety of decorating styles, so there are many types of interior designers too. Make sure your research is broad enough to understand the designer’s niche and specialty, so you get the style of interior you’re looking for. Avoid a ‘design disaster’ and be clear from the stat on the style you want – and what they can offer.

 

1. Mind your budget. There are designers to suit budgets of all shapes and sizes. So, before you start the working with an interior designer, have a budget for your project in mind – and tell your designer, so they know exactly what they’ve got to work with.

 

1. Theme of décor. Do you have a specific theme in mind for your house, a room, or a particular space? Your designer will love to hear your thoughts, so they can turn your vision into an even better reality.

 

1. Deadlines. Now, this may seem obvious, but it’s important for you both to be clear on. Discuss a realistic deadline with your designer. Keep in mind things like renovations or special events coming up, so you’ve got enough time to get the interior design completed. Be patient. Good design, like anything creative, takes time. 

 

1. Trust. This is a big one. Reinventing your home’s interior is both exciting and nerve-wracking – but remember, you’re working with a professional. Enjoy the process but let your designer drive. It’ll be worth it.

 
You don’t have to be famous to hire an interior designer. But the joy of living in a space that’s had a professional designer’s imagination, eye and touch will give you a taste of it.
 
At Design Fusion, we do this by getting to know you, and what you like.
 
If you need an inspiring hand redesigning, refreshing and revitalising the different living spaces around your home, we’re here to make it happen.
 
Contact Sarah at Design Fusion today on 0402 249 789 or email sarah@designfusion.com.au. 

Your home’s interior, like the clothes you wear, is a reflection of your personality. And exactly like those clothes, every now and then, we need a spring clean.
 
The great thing is, in your home, small changes can make a big difference. Changes can be simple. A new painting, updated furniture, fresh coat of paint – all are simple but transformative to your home.
 
So, where do you start? Let’s get inside the designer’s mind, and start with their greatest tool – using personality in interior design.
 
Interior Design: An expression of your style and personality
 
Ask yourself these questions before you start your interior design journey.
 

• What colours do you wear the most?
  You probably favour some colours over the others. Narrow down a few colours you really like – this will help you choose your paint colours wisely. Using similar colours or tones will also create a flow throughout your home, bringing your rooms together to work as a whole.

 

• What do you collect / spend your money on?
  Do you search your local market for old records or antique furniture? Maybe you’re a movie buff and you’re always hunting for new DVDs to add to your collection. Whatever you spend your money on, think about how you can integrate that into your home. It could be a vintage feature coffee table or a DVD wall cabinet.

 

• How would your friends describe you?
  Think about how your friends would describe you. Earthy, energetic, travelled, adventurous, cosmopolitan… These words might be an insight into the direction you want to take with your interior.

 
Interior design is an art. And like anything in art, styling lets you follow your heart and express yourself with conviction. Don’t be afraid to try something new when it comes to your home – it is yours, after all.
 
But at the same time, interior design goes beyond the visual – you have to make the rooms work for you. They need to be functional. Blend your personality and functionality, and you’ll hit the spot.
 
 
We understand it’s not a case of simply decorating your home with style that reflects your personality. There are items, themes and treatments that only a professional can provide that makes your new space ‘click’.
 
If you need a hand redesigning, refreshing and refocusing the different areas in your home, we’re here to help. Contact Sarah at Design Fusion today on 0402 249 789 or email sarah@designfusion.com.au.

Right now there are three really strong trends in design - the industrial look, the minimalist look and the natural look. But what does it all really mean?



Industrial. It's about a simple, almost rustic look making the most of worn-looking timber, exposed metal and a palette of mostly white, grey, warm neutrals and all the colours of raw metals. Concrete and exposed brick are also featured materials and you'll often see exposed lighting and wiring. Think warehouse - but with creature comforts!

To achieve the industrial look, pare back to the raw original materials (or bring them in). Concrete or timber floors are essential, combined with those warm neutral paint colours and put the feature focus on cleverly-designed lighting. The right furniture for this look will have timber and metal elements. Cosy away the hard edges with a comfy sofa in neutral tones or greys and keep the natural, grey and white theme going with your small decorative items, along with metal and timber of course!


 Minimalist. As the name suggests, a minimalist style is about less being more. White is the perfect base colour, with splashes of black and grey and small hints of colour. Minimalist is about having little to distract the eye apart from your (very few) selected major statement pieces. One way this is achieved is to use uniform flooring, another is to keep furniture styles very clean and simple and arrange it to encourage a sense of openness. Geometric patterns strengthen this feel, while floaty sheers, blinds or shutters soften the space without clutter.

It's quite hard to be really minimalist - you need to be tough on yourself when selecting just a few favourite pieces of art - and they need to be strong, statement pieces. It's a clean, crisp look so go for white walls, ceilings and trims, and spend some serious planning time on storage ideas - everything in a minimalist space needs to have its own home so it will get put away.


 Natural. The third big look right now is natural and it's all about the materials. Timber floors and furniture - especially if it makes use of the natural shapes of the timber - are features. The palette is pale but warm, with lots of off-white, beige and biscuit. This is a popular look at luxury resorts and beachside, sending a gentle, relaxing and welcoming message to you as you come through the door.

Natural is the perfect look for those of us who don't relax in an industrial setting and it also offers those of us with a love for the textures and materials of days gone by a chance to enjoy all those unfussy, classic fabrics such as linen, cotton, jute and wool. Using these in their natural tones for rugs and upholstered furniture keep the crisp yet comfy look going, while walls, floors, trims and ceilings get the off-white/light beige treatment. Look for textile patterns featuring organic designs and don't forget the flowers.

Trendspotter: metallics, transparency and texture

Trend forecaster Milou Ket presented to designers at last years Furnitex seminar and if you've been watching any renovation or design television programs lately you will recognise the hot trends she singled out.

Metallics, transparency and texture are all the go.

There's lots of texture in fabric, wall coverings, flooring, hard finishes and decoration. Textured fabric is popular for window coverings, upholstery and soft furnishings, flocked wallpaper (which can also include a metallic note) and on the floor you'll find textured timber, tiles or carpets. It's all about touch and feel.

The metallics are turning up in lighting and as accents in soft furnishings, materials and finishes and wall coverings.

Frosted and patterned glass or Perspex are on trend for transparency and it's a focus for window furnishings in particular - with lots of sheers or translucent roller blinds as well as double layer bed linen with a patterned transparent sheer over a solid colour base cloth.

Happy New Year! I've wanted to do a newsletter for a while now and here it is! Why? So I can share with you the exciting and the best as I find it. The trend predictions from the experts at the design shows I attend, the great, simple ideas to keep your home up to the moment, and easy solutions to common design and decoration problems. This newsletter makes it easy to share that with you and I hope you enjoy receiving it.

I became an interior designer for a simple reason: I love helping people solve design problems. There's the practical side, when I work with my clients to make a space functional and clever, and the decoration stage, when we have fun making the functional fabulous.

But even more, it's about helping make your space really yours. Everyone has their own style and there's nothing better for me than seeing that style translated into a real, living, working, breathing thing. Because we all love having a home we love going home to.