DESIGNING DIVAS – INTERIOR DESIGN – PORT MACQUARIE – USEFUL ARTICLES & TIPS

The following article is taken from an article written by Late Maces for HOUZZ – one of our favourite interior design websites:

DESIGN A HOME THAT BRINGS YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER

Media room – designed by Designing Divas – Master Builders Home of the Year 2013

(features a media room designed by Michelle Burton of Designing Divas (Port Macquarie) for Brandon Calder Homes)

George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying: “A happy family is but an earlier heaven,” and so right he was. A family, however you define it, is often essential to our wellbeing at both a personal and societal level. Families provide security, love and support. And this feeds our souls. But, let’s face it, maintaining a close family is not always easy. Like anything worthwhile, it takes time, perseverance and a good dose of humour. One of the most crucial elements to healthy family life is connection. We need to spend time with each other to build bonds and nurture relationships. Parenting experts, from Dr Spock to Dr William Sears, preach the importance of attachment between parents and children. In our busy western world, it can be difficult to carve out the time necessary to create these strong bonds, but there are many ways we can use our home to facilitate this. Take a look at the rooms below to see how they have been used or styled to provide an environment conducive to interactive family life.

The article goes on to talk about the following: a games or rumpus room; a library; a while house; a home theatre; a backyard; backyard sports; a vegetable garden; the kitchen; the dining room; a blackboard; a craft room; a multipurpose room; a music room, decorate the house; a quiet space.

A fascinating article which highlights the need to carefully consider every space to suit your lifestyle. To view the full article on House design a home that brings your family together.

That’s why you should contact Designing Divas – we make the difficult interior design decisions a rewarding experience. Contact us today.

http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/51749929/list/design-a-home-that-brings-your-family-together%20w=480]

Michelle Burton, principal interior designer of Designing Divas is the winner of Kitchne Design of the Year at the 2015 HIA NORTHERN NSW HOUSING AND KITCHEN BATHROOM AWARDS held in Coffs Harbour (11th September). This is the second time in three years Michelle has won the Housing Industry Association’s Kitchen Design of the Year Award. Her winning entry will be judged at the NSW Finals Awards later in the year.  Entries for this award come from all over the Mid north coast and Northern NSW. Michelle’s interior design company, Designing Divas is based in Port Macquarie and at the event she thanked her associates involved in the stunning bathroom in a new home built on the Hastings River on the North Shore of Port Macquarie.

Built by Brandon Calder Homes;  building design by Derek & James Collins of CollinsWCollins; kitchen built and installed by Designer Living Kitchens

Kitchen Design of the Year 2015 – HIA awards

Michelle Burton started her design company, Designing Divas in 2012 having moved to Australia from Los Angeles, via Sydney.

“It must be something in the fantastic air in Lake Cathie”, Michelle replied to the host’s question of what makes her such a good kitchen designer. This year she also won the award for Bathroom Design of the Year 2015. See the winning entry at www.designingdivas.com.au

October in Sydney has been alive with design…..Sydney hosted Saturday INDESIGN, The NSW HIA 2013 awards and Grand Designs all of which proved to be as exciting as ever.

Saturday INDESIGN was a great day out for the design industry to visit supplier showrooms, view the trends and catch up with past and present colleagues. As usual, the red carpet was rolled out to invite designers to view the latest in product and ideas. The weather provided a perfect platform to spend the day hopping on and off the courtesy bus, while sipping on a cocktail and or enjoying some sweet treats all while sourcing new product.

As part of Saturday in Design, Technology Park was buzzing at 10am… a perfect warehouse venue – designer platform to view and touch the latest “on the edge” design…hosting an exciting display of prototypes and concept designs. Garden and lighting design were the rising stars. A great day out, one not to be missed next time Sydney host the event.

The 2013 HIA awards was larger than ever before. The bar has been raised and the quality of work in the housing industry continues to surprise. Marsha Hines did a fine job as MC and we danced the night away.

Last but not least, there was the Grand Designs Exhibition… Still fairly new, this exhibition  looks like this yearly exhibition it is here to stay. With a mix of public and designer interest, it is a great venue to attend with clients. The talks are informative and there is always something new and interesting to see.

Of course you have kitchen and bathroom products on display and well done to the KBDI for its efforts in being a role model as design professionals. But it is encouraging to see that outdoor living and garden design is proving to be a strong contender, gaining designer recognition (thumbs up to Alfresco living). And thankfully sustainability is also making its mark with the general public. Sustainable products are now expected and it is great that there is a growing demand.

We are now looking forward to updating the Designing Divas design library with all the new brochures and current trends!