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Block’s Matt & Kim share moody bedroom in their new home

January 2, 2015 15 Comments

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Former Block contestants Matt and Kim Di Costa will be back on our screens soon in The Block: Triple Threat. Since appearing on The Block: Sky High, they’ve been busy bees, redefining their style. Today, they’re sharing the firstย room they’ve decorated in their new home. It took just five days and cost less than $2,000.

matt and kim interiors addict 1

โ€œThis interior explores balance, colour and point of view,โ€ Matt says. โ€œThe sea of greens and blues create a moody, tranquil backdrop. The black and white rug, colourful lamps, cushions, trinkets and patterned occasional chair provide solid blocks of playful colour to lift the room.โ€

matt and kim interiors addict 2

Many other personal items are things Matt and Kim have picked up on traveling over the years.

โ€œThere are many ways to skin a cat,โ€ says Matt. โ€œIn the past year, Iโ€™ve noticed a lot of designers focussing on following trends instead of creating mood. That has a flow on effect to the home renovators looking for relatable inspiration. A real showpiece is a home that follows the principles of design first, but then explodes with personality. It is here I raise two thoughts:

โ€œFirst, a bedroom doesnโ€™t have to be tranquil and moody because a magazine or designer says so. That is the decision of the homeowner. Only the design rules must be loosely followed to make sense of your vision.

โ€œSecond, if you are trying to create a tranquil space, as we were, that doesnโ€™t mean it cannot be bold. In the case of our room, it was percentages. 70 percent of our room is deep turquoise and emerald green. The rest is like a circus carnival gone rogue, but the balance is there. Part of the tranquil feel was created with the bold yellow lamps. They deliberately sit very low in the room to frame the bed and create an initial point of view when you walk in.โ€

The room was completed in five days and cost $1,700.

โ€œThis combo of mood and playfulness combines to create a fun, relatable experience that every Australian can afford to do. Because arenโ€™t we all supposed to have a home we love? Itโ€™ s time to take the plunge into your creative mind.โ€

Read all our Block latest.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarLucy Chen says

    January 2, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    OMG! I LOVE this room! I love the bold colors! And for less than $2000? How is that even possible? And Jen, are you the producer of The Block? Please forgive my ignorance. I do not have TV. Can I stream the show online? Thank you.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm

      No, I’m not! I wish! LOL. You can watch it online after it airs via the Channel 9 website ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Avatarkelly says

    January 3, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    Hi Jen, any idea where the rug is from? Thanks Kel

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 4, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      Possibly Ikea, they def have something similar. I’d suggest asking them via their FB or Twitter ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • AvatarDianne says

        January 5, 2015 at 8:09 am

        Yes I’ve seen that rug, and I have the black and white cushion, at Ikea

        Reply
    • AvatarMatt says

      January 5, 2015 at 12:44 am

      Hey kel. Ikea is right. We wanted to show that you can create nice design without big money. All the best. Matt x

      Reply
      • AvatarVicki says

        January 30, 2015 at 4:04 pm

        Hi Matt, love the wall colour… what is it please?

        Reply
  3. AvatarTracey says

    January 5, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I love your blog but find the flashing adverts EXTREMELY aggravating distracting while I am trying to concentrate on reading the centre articles.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 5, 2015 at 9:52 am

      Sorry to hear that Tracey. Ads are a big part of how I make money which allows me to concentrate on this as a full-time job and be able to produce the content you want to read and pay other people to write it too. I will take it on board though. Happy New Year! Jen

      Reply
  4. AvatarLisa says

    January 6, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Love the wall colour – what is it called?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 6, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Not sure. Try asking M&K on FB or Twitter ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. AvatarWAM Home Decor says

    January 16, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Love the colour and moodiness of this room. Extra cushions around the room and big rug to balance the space has worked well. Thank you for sharing the budget for the room, it just does show what you can do on a smaller budget. http://www.wamhomedecor.com.au

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Alicia!

      Reply
  6. AvatarJanine says

    February 2, 2015 at 9:28 am

    WOW!! this is totally gorgeous, as Matt says a little big ‘rogue’ totally love it. Would like to be this brave with my paint colour choices, but am doing the รบsual’decorating style and sticking with the subtle wall colour and throwing around colour in other items. However I am so enthused I might just have to head of to the paint shop and start throwing some it around!

    Reply
  7. AvatarRoz says

    December 13, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Hi I’m just wondering if there is any possibility to hire both Matt and Kim. My brother is remodelling his home because he has a 14 year old daughter who is too embarrassed of the home they live in that she won’t bring friends home. I know the home they have has huge potential but am worried that the way my brother wants to do it will just be a waste cause he really doesn’t have the eye for this neither does anyone else in my family.
    I would be very keen in finding out what the cost would be to hire both Kim and Matt to come look at the property then possibly giving us an insight into what they think could be done with the home to maximise space give my Neice a teenage area as well as bringing the home into a upto date look.
    Thank you

    Reply

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