With the rise of outdoor living, homeowners are investing more than ever in creating thoughtful, curated spaces under the sky. From sleek loungers and fire pit seating to cosy dining sets and storage benches, the options are endless. But with so much choice, how do you find the right pieces that strike the perfect balance between style, comfort, and durability?

Matching Your Vision

Style sets the tone. Before shopping for durable outdoor furniture, think about the mood or look you’re aiming to create in your space. Modern or contemporary styles feature clean lines, metal frames, and synthetic finishes. They’re ideal for minimalists who love sleek design.

Traditional or classic pieces, often crafted from wrought iron or deep-toned wood, offer timeless elegance with ornate detailing and woven patterns. Farmhouse-inspired or rustic pieces favour distressed finishes and simple silhouettes, often showcasing the natural grain of wood.

If you’re dreaming of breezy summer vibes, coastal or nautical styles incorporate soft blues, weathered wood, and rope details. Prefer something artsy and free-spirited? A bohemian or eclectic approach featuring vibrant cushions, woven accents, and mismatched pieces lets your personality shine through.

Factors to Consider

Size and Layout

Measure your available area. Account for walkways and how people will move through the space. A cramped layout quickly turns uncomfortable. Also consider the sun’s path. Do you need shaded furniture in the afternoons or items that can withstand all-day UV exposure?

Purpose and Functionality

For dining, you’ll want a proper seating set with enough space to move comfortably. For relaxation, think lounge chairs, sectionals, and outdoor sofas. If your goal is to entertain, incorporate conversation sets, bar-height tables, or even a fire pit zone. Don’t forget about practical features like storage benches or deck boxes for keeping cushions and garden tools tidy.

Existing Aesthetic

Outdoor spaces feel more harmonious when they reflect your home’s architecture and interior décor. Match or complement your exterior with coordinated colours, lines, and materials to create a seamless flow.

Climate Considerations

Garden furniture lives through wind, rain, sun, and sometimes snow. Look for UV-resistant fabrics and rust-proof materials if your area sees lots of sun or moisture. In windy regions, opt for heavier materials like iron or steel. For colder climates, furniture should be able to withstand temperature swings without cracking or degrading.

Navigating Materials: Durability Meets Style

When shopping for patio furniture, look for a balance between form and function. That starts with choosing the right materials.

Wood

Natural and classic, wood offers warmth and durability. Teak is the gold standard. It’s strong, weather-resistant, and beautiful. Cedar is aromatic and naturally bug-resistant, while eucalyptus and acacia offer affordability and sustainability. However, all wood requires some upkeep to maintain its integrity outdoors.

Wicker/Rattan

While natural rattan isn’t ideal for outside use, synthetic wicker mimics the look while offering weather resistance and easy care. It’s lightweight, stylish, and versatile, perfect for everything from garden furniture to large patio sectionals. Just make sure the weave is UV-rated so it won’t fade too soon.

Metal

Aluminium is lightweight, rustproof, and ideal for low-maintenance living. Wrought iron offers an elegant, vintage feel and is incredibly sturdy, though it requires protective coatings to prevent rust. Steel is strong but needs to be powder-coated for longevity. Note: metal can get hot in direct sunlight, so consider opting for light colours or adding cushions for comfort.

Plastic

Modern plastic garden furniture has come a long way. Polypropylene pieces are durable, fade-resistant, and easy to clean, great for poolside setups or busy families. They’re also usually more affordable and stackable, though cheaper versions can look less premium and degrade over time.

Fabrics

Upholstered elements like cushions and pillows must be made with performance fabrics designed for outside use. Look for removable and washable covers to extend the life of your soft furnishings.

Investing in a Lifestyle

Choosing furniture isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about investing in a lifestyle. High-quality outdoor patio furniture allows you to make the most of every season, whether you’re sunbathing solo or hosting garden parties with friends. Thankfully, there are more options than ever.

Whether you’re browsing boutique collections or checking out outdoor furniture for sale online, you’ll find styles and price points that match every vision. From timeless teak loungers to modern modular sets, the variety is vast and shopping smart ensures your pieces look great and last for years to come.

When you’re ready to buy garden furniture, prioritise beauty and resilience. Think through your needs, measure your space, consider the climate, and choose materials accordingly. Don’t be afraid to mix textures or add pops of colour through cushions, umbrellas, or rugs to personalise your space.

Creating Your Outdoor Sanctuary

Outdoor furniture is more than an afterthought; it’s the foundation of your al fresco lifestyle. With careful planning and the right materials, you can craft a space that’s every bit as comfortable and stylish as your indoor rooms. Whether you’re building a quiet garden retreat, an entertainer’s dream deck, or a cosy balcony hideaway, choosing the right pieces ensures that your exterior space becomes a true sanctuary.

The post Beyond the Walls: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Outdoor Furniture appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

And yet, anniversaries are just as important, if not more, of a milestone that ought to be celebrated. Sharing a life with someone else is no picnic, and there are times when you’re going to have to remind each other of the special moments, why you two got together in the first place, the love you share, and the rewards of being in it for the long haul. Anniversaries are the perfect opportunity to reconnect and see marriage as the priority it is.

Of all the gift options you can come across nowadays, the delicate and charming glass dome clocks for sale are the perfect choice to show your loved one you care about them, the bond you two have, and the special date you celebrate. Also known as anniversary clocks, these clocks weren’t originally created for this milestone, but have become a symbolic gift fit for the occasion because of their unique design.

What Does an Anniversary Clock Do?

With the torsion pendulum mechanism that adds to the accuracy, twirling back and forth at the base, you can count the time to your anniversary and unwind while winding the clock annually as it takes 400 days to wind it again. That’s why this clock is also called the 400-day clock, and it’s different from the regular pendulum clocks that swing left and right as there’s both a clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

The basic mechanical principles of the charming glass dome clocks for sale remain the same today, although there’s been a change since the original design from the 19th century with the addition of a quartz battery that requires changing once a year too. You can still see the amazing work of the pendulum, however, which adds to the allure of this time and décor piece.

What Makes Anniversary Clocks So Charming?

Well, if we take the uniqueness of the torsion pendulum, it’s enough to see why many would want them in their décor schemes, and the reason why they’ve become a staple when it comes to anniversaries is the anniversary winding tradition. You might also like them for the fact they’re clocks you can use to symbolise the counting of time you two spend together as a couple.

What further makes a dome clock special is the dome itself that’s usually made of glass, and as such provides a good view of the whole mechanism. Easy to take off and put back on, this is a feature that makes this type of clock easy to maintain and clean, which could be an additional point in favour of this kind of gift for your sweetheart, as it won’t be just another cumbersome chore on the to-do list on a weekly basis.

The other ingredients that contribute to the clock’s charm are the materials the mechanism is made from. You can use the chance to select the design based on the milestone you’re choosing, so for example, if you’re celebrating a silver wedding anniversary you can get a clock with a silver mechanism. If it’s the case with gold, you’ve got a gold-made mechanism.

Whichever the choice, it makes the perfect piece for the mantel, the shelving, or the TV unit. For novice couples celebrating their first anniversaries, this could be the chance to start up a special dome clocks collection to mark each of the years shared together, a valuable choice that could later be passed on to other generations.

How to Choose the Ideal Anniversary Clocks?

Since they’ve become popular with couples over the years, and family members who want to celebrate the milestone with the couples, there’s no shortage of options of the glass dome clocks for sale on the market. So, you’ve got plenty to choose from, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy decision to make.

To be sure you buy products of quality, it’s important to do some research and read reviews from people who’ve already bought these products to find a trustworthy shop or retailer. This would mean saving yourself from the disappointment of gifting your soulmate a replica that wouldn’t even make it to the 400-day winding. Moreover, a reliable supplier would provide you with a warranty to back you up in case something happens to your precious purchase.

Another consideration is the price, design, and brand specifically. If you want to get an heirloom, then it’s worth investing in something valuable like a classic from an iconic brand such as Haller, known for the precision, durability, and variety of the products. A special choice for a special moment with your special someone!

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Frequently, ceremonial weapons are made from precious metals or other materials that render them unsuitable for battle. In the case of ceremonial swords, this may manifest as a lack of balance. Historically, however, a large number of ceremonial weapons were also capable of genuine combat, particularly among the military. The most popular ceremonial weapons besides swords are maces, halberds, and daggers, although in theory practically any weapon can be ceremonial.

Swords

A sword is an edged, bladed weapon designed for cutting and thrusting by hand. Its blade, which is longer than a knife or dagger, can be straight or curved and is affixed to a hilt. The blade of a thrusting sword is typically straighter and has a pointed tip. The blade of a slashing sword is often curved and has a sharpened cutting edge on one or both sides.

Many ceremonial swords have in fact been made for both thrusting and slashing. The specific definition of a sword varies by era and area. Historically, the sword evolved from the dagger during the Bronze Age; the earliest known examples date back to around 1600 B.C. Later Iron Age swords remained rather short and crossguardless.

When sword performance improved in the Late Roman army, the spathe became the progenitor of the European sword of the Middle Ages, first adopted as the sword of the Migration Period and eventually developing into the classical arming sword with crossguard in the High Middle Ages. The origin of the word sword can be traced back to the Old English word sweord or swyrd.

Swordsmanship, or fencing as it is often known today, is the art of using a sword effectively. Early modern western swords were mostly of two types: thrusting swords and sabres. The range of ceremonial swords of the Australian military you can find nowadays also consists of sabres, as well as the well-known Mameluke, Artillery, Infantry, and Windlass swords you can buy along with fancy accessories like scabbards, belts, slings, leather bags, knots, and display stands to proudly showcase them.

In case you don’t feel like buying one in its actual size, you’ve got other options of military sword in the example of Navy, Army, Air Force desk sets displayed on seamless and minimalist acrylic stands you can rely on to decorate your office. Limited editions, miniatures, and fancy letter openers for your important documents are other options of military collectables you can shop from for your ceremonial weapons collection.

Mace

The modern mace is descended from the original weaponized mace. During parliamentary or academic ceremonies, mace-wielding processions are still common. From the late Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the early Iron Age, ceremonial maces were utilized as symbols of rank and authority throughout the Ancient Near East. The Ancient Egyptian Scorpion Macehead and the Narmer Macehead are among the oldest known ceremonial maceheads; both are intricately etched with regal motifs, although their specific function and symbolism are unknown.

During the Old Babylonian period, “The Figure with Mace,” who wears a regal hat and holds a mace in his left hand, is the most prevalent figure on cylinder seals (a form of seal used to authenticate clay documents) and is widely considered to represent a generic monarch. Assyrian kings are often shown in royal art, such as the Stela of Ashurnasirpal II or the Stela of Shamshi-Adad V, using ceremonial maces as symbols of their power and prestige during religious rites.

Halberd

During the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, the halberd or Swiss voulge became a popular two-handed pole weapon. The halberd is composed of an axe blade with a spike affixed to a long shaft. The standard length of a halberd was between 1.5 and 1.8 metres. The German term for “halberd,” Hellebarde, is cognate with the English word “halberd,” which comes from the Middle High German words halm (handle) and barte (battleaxe) combined to produce helmbarte.

The halberdiers were the soldiers who used the halberd. The name has also been used to describe a weapon from Western Europe’s Early Bronze Age. An early 16th century miniature from the Lucerner Schilling portrays the Battle of Grandson. Swiss troops are pictured with halberds of an older era. The halberd was first referenced (as hallenbarte) in a poem written by the German poet Konrad von Würzburg in the 13th century.

John of Winterthur characterised it as a new Swiss weapon used in the 1315 Battle of Morgarten. The halberd was cheap to construct and extremely adaptable in combat. As it was finally improved with time, its point was honed to be more effective against spears and pikes (and to repel incoming riders), as was the hook opposite the axe head which could be used to draw horsemen to the ground.

Daggers

A dagger is a combat knife having a very sharp point and, typically, two sharp edges, designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. Throughout human history, daggers have been employed for close combat, and many societies have decorated their daggers for ceremonial and ritual purposes. The dagger has become an emblem and a symbol due to its unusual form and long history of use.

Modern daggers are designed for close-quarters combat or self-defence, but their historical use in weapon collections gives them a sinister aura. While this is generally true, double-edged swords can serve several purposes depending on the context in which they are used. Daggers have been used to refer to a wide variety of thrusting knives, including those with one cutting edge, like the European rondel dagger, and those with no cutting edge, like the Renaissance stiletto.

But in the last century or so, a dagger has some distinguishing traits, including a short blade with a sharply tapered point, a central spine or fuller, and usually two cutting edges. Typically, daggers will have a full crossguard to prevent the user’s hand from accidentally sliding onto the blade. A fun side note is that in Neolithic times, the earliest daggers were fashioned from flint, ivory, or bone, much different from those today made from metals like steel.

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So, if you looking for some easy ideas to beautify your outdoor space, we’ve got you covered. Although adding a variety of flowers, neatly cut grass, landscape paths, and trees are probably among the first things that may come to your mind, nowadays many house owners decide to include garden statues to enrich the look of their outdoor spaces.

Enhancing your outdoor living area has never been easier with the wide range of garden statues available today. Back in the days, they were mostly used for spacious and formal areas, while today you can see them in gardens of all sizes. But how do you choose a statue that fit your place and individual style?

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Garden Statue

Pick the Right Material

Since they are part of the outdoor decor, statues must be able to withstand different weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, wind, and high heat. For this reason, the material a statue is made of plays a vital role and it must be carefully chosen. Natural stone, concrete, cast stone, ceramic, and metal are among the most widely used materials for making garden statues.

Natural Stone

Natural stone is a non-porous, durable, and sustainable material that can stand the test of time. This makes it ideal for the creation of statues as it’s versatile enough to achieve the aesthetic, and withstand different weather changes. If maintained properly, natural stone can last for years and reward you with its beauty. Due to its amazing properties, it can outlast different types of other materials including concrete and cast stone.

Metal

Metal statues on the other hand provide a much different look to the place than stone does. They’re usually made from brass, bronze, or stainless steel. Although they look nice, they are much more susceptible to corrosion and damage.

Wood

Another great material that has been used for thousands of years by humans is wood. Its long chains of fibre make it an exceptionally strong material for making diverse types of indoor and outdoor statues for decoration. However, this material if left untreated it’s more susceptible to damage as it can easily succumb to the elements.

Decide on the Statue Style

Most garden statues are made by casting specific material into different kinds of molds. When it comes to selecting the right style there are thousand of diverse models you can choose from. If you strive toward a more contemporary appearance of your garden you can decide to include, some modern geometrical forms in the form of spheres or other figures, that can be made from diverse types of materials, such as wood, stone, etc.

If, on the other hand, you love to include more natural elements in your garden you may opt for diverse animal forms to bring liveliness and intrigue to your outdoor space. Many metal-made garden sculptures are so beautifully made that looking at them from a distance it can be hard to tell if they are real or not. Still, for achieving coziness and a classy look, wood is perfect. Many chainsaw artists around the world are specialized in making incredibly amazing forms of wood sculptures such as trojan horses, wooden mushrooms, or some types of wooden geometric spheres that you can choose to add to your outdoor place.

For those of you who value meditation, spirituality and want to bring calmness and serenity to your home the sitting Buddha design is also a commonly used statue both for indoor and outdoor areas. This statue design most often makes a great addition as it brings the symbol of calmness and peace to your home. It usually represents teaching, meditation, or an attempt to reach enlightenment.

Find the Best Placement and Size

Considering the placement of the statue is another valuable factor. Formal gardens usually make use of Greek and Roman sculptures, which include full-bodied statues available in all sizes. However, for yards or small outdoor areas, the choice should be appropriate to the size of the place.

For instance, large statues are mostly used to create a focal point, so you can place them in the centre of your yard or in some other prominent areas of your garden, such as next to the entrance of a pool or water fountain. Smaller statues can make a great companion if you want to create a hidden nook with a bench in your garden where you can sit, relax or enjoy your reading time. They most often make the best use in flowers beds, garden niches, and in any areas where you want to draw the visitor’s attention to the plantings. However, it’s very important to not overdecorate your garden with too many statues as it can make your place look cluttered and visually unappealing.

Consider Your Budget

Finally which type of outdoor statue you decide to include in your outdoor space also depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend. Some types of materials cost more than others as they have much better endurance in comparison to other materials, For instance, wood is relatively cheaper compared to concrete, but it ages much faster and requires higher maintenance and repair costs. Some better-quality statues are often handcrafted and accordingly, they cost more.

The post Garden Statues: Add Interest and Character to Your Landscape appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

In the Living Room

Let’s start with the most commonly used room in the house – the living room. Elegant and functional storage trunks offer a place to put your beverage down, with hidden storage to keep your living room nice and tidy. They are also a great way to give your living room an original, vintage feel while allowing you to store magazines and any other object you want to keep on-hand, but out of sight. You can even decorate the lid of your trunk to create a beautiful centrepiece for your room.

Consider pairing your trunk with a map as a throwback to how trunks were originally used. The use of trunks dates back to medieval times, but they really began to gain popularity as luggage in the Victorian Era, around the 1870s. This was when cross-country railroads and inter-continental travel by water made long-distance travelling more feasible.

For a great impact, choose a dark wooden trunk. When paired with a white or light themed room, it will add a lot of depth to your design scheme.

In the Bedroom

Who needs a boring nightstand when you can use a chic vintage trunk? Vintage trunks make for stunning bedside tables. In fact, they are the perfect piece to be shared between two twin beds in a guest room.

Vintage trunks can also be used as footboard benches. They offer you a place to perch while dressing, as well as additional bedroom storage for all those extra throw pillows or seasonal bedding. Using organisers and scented satchels will help keep things fresh and ready for their next use! In this case, the trunk should match the headboard and also follow the same colour palette as the rest of the decor.

In a Kid’s Playroom

Trunks are a great place for kids to store their favourite toys and games. Trunks in a playroom also make cleaning the room easier and can even be a great way to limit your kids’ toys by encouraging them to only keep what they can fit into their trunk. Games, balls, costumes and more will have a perfect home in a trunk. This is a great way to keep your kid’s room or playroom neat and tidy without taking up valuable space in a tiny closet .

In an Office

Use trunks to store paperwork or other records that don’t need to be accessed regularly. This will prevent them from being lost or damaged. Paper, pens, post-it notes, paperclips, and stapes can also be easily kept in a storage trunk and off your desk. If you’re limited on closet space, it can be an attractive way to keep things organised!

In the Dining Room

Items that are special but aren’t used often such as silver pieces, can be stored in small trunks for protection and to keep them organised. Use a flatware liner or other fabric storage to keep things in good condition and scratch-free. Cupcake liners, birthday candles, or party decor may not get used often, but they are still necessary! Keep them on-hand in a storage trunk and they will be ready to go when you need them.

In the Entrance Hall

Try incorporating a vintage-style trunk into your entrance hall and you’ll see just how beautiful it looks. If you love seasonal decor, trunks can be a great place to keep seasonal decorative items and accessories tucked away until it is the appropriate time of year. The trunk can also be used to store shoes and other useful items such as umbrellas, scarves, hats and even pet items.

Trunks are also ideal for other small rooms with very little storage, or for brightening up those forgotten corners of your home. Practical, versatile and original, you can use trunks for storage however you like.

How to Decorate a Storage Trunk?

Trunks of different colours and styles can suit the contemporary look and feel of the interiors of a house as well as those with a retro look. Be it an antique trunk or a modern trunk, you can give it a spin to place it strategically on display instead of tucking it away simply as a means to store items.

For example, trunks of different sizes but similar colour schemes can help you arrange items in different places. The bedding can go inside one trunk, the toys inside another, and the clothes not in use at a given point of time inside another one. There could be a combination of three trunks, the sizes being large, medium and small.

An unpainted, unvarnished and unfinished look of a wooden trunk could do wonders to the aesthetics of a living room. Such a trunk looks simple and uncomplicated, yet is quite graceful and stylish in appearance. Beauty and utility combined at their best. A rustic trunk set can add a rustic touch to a room. Galvanised metal, rivets and contrasting colours make rustic trunks sturdy and durable.

The post Discover All the Ways You Can Use Storage Trunks in Your Space appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

The Style

When choosing the perfect dining table, its style is the first aspect you need to think about. Traditional, boho, country or modern, what describes you best? Remember that the table dining you choose will set the tone for the entire room. Therefore, if you want to add some variety to your space, choose one with a unique design. But if you live in an open floor plan, meaning you have your living room, kitchen and dining room all combined, the dining table should be a natural extension to the theme of the whole space. Also keep in mind that the chairs should compliment the style of the table. A contemporary glass table will look out of place with wooden rustic chairs. Mix similar styles, like a French cottage table with Hamptons-style chairs to add more interest to the dining set.

The Size

Size matters very much for the overall dining experience. The table needs to be big enough to accommodate the whole family and fit the piles of delicious food. A 6 person table should be at least 1. 8 meters long and 1 meter wide. For every additional person, add 450 cm to this length. However, you need to consider the size of the room itself too. There has to be at least 1.2 meters of space between the walls and the table, so that people will feel comfortable when moving around.

The Form

If you went for a classic and traditional style, then a rectangular table will complement best your interior. The straight angles of the table give a feeling of symmetry and balance. Rectangular tables are also more formal, therefore, they’ll make the perfect choice if you throw dinner parties for your professional associates. Choosing a round table means embracing a more casual and playful style. They also make efficient use of the space around them, which makes them a must-have for smaller rooms.

Consider these tips if you’re in the process of creating the prefect place for you and your loved ones to wine and dine. With the right table dining will become a thousand times more pleasant experience.

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The old glory can be restored in a number of different ways and here are the most interesting and useful tips we have chosen for you from the world of antique restorations:

Before you start with any kind of repair, you must clean the antique furniture. This is probably the easiest part, but the amount of work that needs to be done depends on the amount of residual wax that the item has on it. Usually, warm water and a mild soap do just fine. You will also need a big sponge and a dry towel. Rub the soaked sponge over the wood surface and do not be afraid to use more strength if needed. Once you make sure the dust that has been trapped from the wax is all gone, use the dry towel to remove the remaining soap and water. After you have done all of this, take a good look at the furniture and try to find all of its cracks and holes. Some of the cracks (if they look like long narrow lines) can be fixed by simply adding coloured wax to the spot, while others require wood filler.

There is a very innovative and fun way to get rid of scratches. It is natural and eco-friendly too! All you need to do is mix some lemon juice with vegetable oil and rub the mixture over the scratches. After you have managed to somewhat synchronize the spot where the scratch was and the surrounding area, rub some almonds or Brazilian nuts over the same damaged area. The wood-like coloured nutmeat will fill and conceal the scratch furthermore. If your antique item is quite dark, use coffee beans instead of nuts.

The last part is the paint. The most important tip is not to get carried away and paint the item in a completely different colour from the original. In fact, experts say that it should be the exact same one, if possible, or the closest you can get. Another common issue with antique restorations is not being patient enough while applying the paint. If you are done with painting the whole piece and there are still some parts you do not like, wait until the following day so that the paint dries. You might discover that the light and the fresh paint have been playing tricks on you. If not, repainting it after it has dried will make a hundred times better solution than reapplying a new coat of paint right after you have painted the item once.

The post Antique restoration explained appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Simplicity. Calmness. Purity. Functionality. Four words that ideally describe the Scandinavian design. If interested, stay tuned to learn some interesting Scandinavian design tips.

Furniture

Scandinavian furniture is elegant and symmetrical, radiating the feeling of warmth, distinction and home coziness. Hence, the reason why it works as a real mood booster in the cold, long and dark Scandinavian winters. Thus, the primary material the Scandinavian furniture is made of is wood. Now, wouldn’t it be great to have a beautiful retro-Scandinavian dining table in the middle of your living room? Well, my answer is ‘Absolutely YES!’.

Nothing screams style more than simple elegance of the mid-century interior look which is usually associated with Scandinavian design. Look for designs that offer functionality, minimalism and simplicity. An excellent opportunity to make a perfect deal is to shop for Scandinavian dining tables for sale online as you can shop for quality and high-end design on a budget. So I suggest you grab your laptop and start your quest for the perfect Scandinavian dining tables for sale now!

Colours

The authentic colours of Scandinavian furniture are gray, beige and white. They constitute the unique formula of high sophistication and elegance. So, if interested in bringing the Nordic spirit into your home, look for furniture pieces that resemble neutrality.

Latest generations of Scandinavian furniture also features black and yellow, announcing a new upcoming trend.

Lighting

There is nothing that Scandinavian people appreciate more than the fresh air and the blazing sunlight. Natural sunlight is extremely important factor in the traditional Scandinavian interior design, so if you want to make your home Scandinavian cozy, let the light in as much as possible. Floor and table lamps are great way to provide different lighting levels and mirrors too of course.

The post Beat The Winter Blues With These Scandinavian Design Tips appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Unfortunately, most people’s bedrooms are not as harmonious as they should be. And what a better way to turn a bedroom into a spa-like retreat than with feng shui. With this ancient system creating a calm and serene space is easier than you think. If interested to learn how to incorporate feng shui in your bedroom to create a calm and serene space, read on.

Bedroom Location

Your bedroom should be located far away from the front door (our ancestors did not sleep in the mouth of their caves and neither should you) and not at the end of a long hallway, called the “dragon’s mouth”, as this can cause problems in your love department.

Bed Position

It is best to position your bed so you can see the door as this promotes the feeling of safety, but never place your bed in line with any door in the house as it looks like a coffin. Not the look you’re going for, right? If you cannot change the position of the bed, place a a bedroom bench, a trunk or two nightstands between the footboard and the door. You can find different designs, styles and colours of trunks, benches and cheap bedside tables online.

Also, in terms of position, bed should be placed in a way that it is easily approachable from either sides (never place it in a way that one side is next to a wall). The headboard should be against the wall. Such position supports the flow of positive energy in bedroom as well as harmony in the relationship. Furthermore, avoid placing the bed under a window as this way your chi will get out through the window resulting in poor-quality sleep.

Bedroom Colours

Balanced, relaxing colours are ideal for achieving feng shui harmony in your bedroom because they help bring about a positive balance. Neutral colours such as cream, beige, yellow, peach, tan, coral, and cocoa, make the best ones. Other great colours for the bedroom are light greens, blues, and lavenders because they promote peacefulness and quality sleep.

Bedroom Accessories

According to feng shui oval and circle-shaped furniture is better than pieces with sharp corners. This is because square edges are believed to cut the chi that is directed on you. Also, get rid of your mirror as it can cause restlessness because it bounces energy what helps create stress and worries. In terms of art, go with images that inspire you. And make sure your bedding is something you love, so choose bed linens carefully.

Where to shop for furniture and accessories?

With the large number of retailers (from small to large store chains) selling bedroom furniture and accessories offline and online, finding the peaces that you need to create a feng shui bedroom is easily doable. You will have multiple options to choose from, in a variety of price ranges. If you are on a tight budged but still want to create your oasis, search for great deals online. Find cheap bed frames, art, bedding and cheap bedside tables online. Online retailers do not have the same operational cost as brick and mortar stores do, thus can offer bargain deals. In addition, online you will find greater variety of options. Thus, shop for any bedroom item you may need, from beds and mattresses to cheap bedside tables online available at down-to-the-earth prices.

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Main purpose of antique restoration is to protect and minimize deterioration, all to keep an antique item in its original state as well as to prolong its life. The most important thing is to do a little research on the piece itself to determine its value and historical origin before you restore it. Inspect the piece for marks or labels that may indicate its origin. If not sure how to, consult a local antique shop owner before you begin with restoration work. Remember, antique shop dealers do not only buy and sell antiques. They also do appraisals, research identity and value of items and do restoration and repair.

Even though you may find the challenge of antique restoration exciting, decide how much money you want to invest in. If the piece isn’t valuable, you will need to decide how important it is to you. While some projects may just need a few simple fixes, others may end up costing you more than you’ve expected. Another important factor is safety. Make it a priority. To protect you skin from harmful chemicals wear long-sleeved clothing and use safety glasses to protect your eyes. Also, when varnishing and stripping a piece, make sure the working area is well-ventilated and wear a mask.

Before starting any sandpaper or paintbrush work, give the piece a through cleaning to remove a patina of dirt and grime. You may even be surprised with a nice finish underneath. Sometimes, all you need to breathe new life into an antique piece is a good thorough cleaning and buffing.

Next, repair or replace any broken parts. Of course, with identical ones. This may be the most challenging step of the whole process, but is a crucial one. It may take you time, but you may be able to find an identical knob or a leg at an antique shop or online. But don’t hold your hopes high. Usually, to get a perfect match, you’ll have to order a custom-made part.

Now it is time to refinish the piece. And it involves taking off the old finish and creating a new one. Just be sure that the antique piece is not a valuable one, because refinishing process can diminish value of the antique, if not done properly (in some cases, even if done right).

To complete your antique restoration project you will need some tools. Take a trip the closest specialized department store and ask for help. A qualified sales person will be able to assist you in finding everything you need to complete your antique restoration project.

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