Spatial Awareness
Establish Your Intentions Determining the way in wish you wish to, well, live in your living room will significantly shape the decorating process. “It is critical to fully understand how you want to use your space before you begin the design process,” designer Mark Lavender states. However, there is no one-size-fits-all use for a living area. “Personally, I knew our living room was meant for conversation and reading,” designer Tracy Morris says of her own space. “So, I placed the furniture in a grouping that allowed maximum conversation and allowed me to read by the window.” In other spaces, existing fixtures such as a fireplace or built-in shelving may affect the furniture arrangement from the get-go and ease the decision-making process. It’s critical to be realistic about your intentions for the space, too, and not just base your design off of what you see in high-end design publications. “Make sure the room reflects you and your lifestyle—whatever your needs are at the time, make sure the room serves for that,” designer Rozit Arditi states. “If you have kids, you do not need a glass coffee table or too many floor lamps that could be tripping hazards. Opt for a wood table and wall sconces instead.” Address Your Walls By no means should the walls be left blank, either. Wall décor is essential. “Walls are always a great opportunity to add more character to the room,” Arditi comments. Adds Lavender, “Artwork, pillows, and decorative items always act as the jewellery for the room. These pieces really add that next layer of panache to the space.”
Not sure what to hang? “Either a large piece of art—or a gallery wall, depending on your style—or a mirror to reflect the sunlight through the room are always great ways to decorate,” Arditi adds. You can always go the secondhand route, too, to source an artefact that will make your living room truly shine, notes Mia Jung, director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley. “Having a special vintage or an antique piece and art will set it apart from the family room,” she states. Don’t Forget About Greenery According to Arditi, plants make for the perfect finishing touch in any living room. “If you are tight on budget or live in a rental where you cannot invest much in your decoration, make sure to get some plants,” she encourages. “The greenery adds life and freshness to any room without breaking the bank.” If you are short on ideas for how to shape your own jungle, instagram and pinterest are practically overflowing with content. Make use of the libraries at out fingertips, with free access, from the comfort of your own couch.
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Nedlands and the state-significant tourism project.
Historic hot pools are being reimagined as a “world class spa facility” on the Dalkeith riverside.
The Melbourne-based company behind the proposed Tawarri Hot Springs has lodged plans with the State Development Assessment Unit for a public wellness centre, café and restaurant to replace the former Tawarri Reception Centre.
A burst water pipe that was part of the Yarragadee Aquifer created the hot spring in the early 1920s, which locals then enclosed with limestone walls, and it was a popular tourist attraction before being closed in the 1950s.
A design statement by Plus Architecture said the $25 million development would fuse “natural systems and human experience….to create an immersive and distinctly WA health and wellness experience” with the design benchmarked against facilities in Switzerland and Victoria.
“Our aim also is not only to create an award-winning design, but to help deliver a new and successful chapter for Tawarri and an exceptional community experience for generations of visitors to come,” it said.
The plans entail a mix of outdoor and indoor pools, rooftop terrace, saunas, steam and treatment rooms, a cafe and restaurant. An accompanying report touts the facility as a major tourism drawcard for Perth. “Tawarri Hot Springs will be one of the best spas in the world, with sweeping views across the Swan River with expansive indoor and outdoor pools and treatment areas. There is nothing like Tawarri in WA,” it said.
The applicant proposed a 21-year sub-lease with the City of Nedlands, which manages the site on behalf of the State Government. Nedlands council has been pensive in its dealings with any mentions of the project, with some of the councillors outright voicing opposition. Watch this space, I don’t think this story has finished unfolding.