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Home styling more important than personal says study

May 29, 2018 Leave a Comment

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In news that wonโ€™t surprise many of you, the latest research from ME Bank has shown that home styling is more important than personal styling when it comes to the happiness of Australians. 76 per cent of Australians said that the style of their home was important to their happiness and individuality whereas only 46 per cent said the same about their fashion choices.

Freddy Grant lounge room
Home styling enthusiast Freddy Grant’s lounge room

And while there are many reasons posited, one of the most compelling is housing affordability with 44 per cent of Australians saying that they spent more on styling their home to compensate for living in a home that is below their expectations. โ€œThat 44% of respondents said theyโ€™re focused on styling their home because they canโ€™t afford the house of their dreams shows many Australians are willing to compromise when it comes to their property aspirations, a good strategy considering high house prices. The right styling can significantly improve how much you love your home,โ€ says ME Bankโ€™s money expert Matthew Read who recommends using the services of an interior designer to avoid making costly mistakes.

Affordable homewares retailers are also driving the trend with cost-conscious consumers now spoilt for choice. โ€œItโ€™s encouraging to see that while Australians are incredibly house proud, theyโ€™re still cost conscious when it comes to styling their homes, opting for inexpensive on-trend options that can be updated seasonally,โ€ says Matthew.ย Buyer demand is certainly reflected in Kmartโ€™s latest annual report which shows that the budget department storeโ€™s revenue has risen by 33 per cent since 2013 to $5.6 billion after introducing its now infamous homewares line.

Combining a home styling obsession with a cost-conscious approach is something that Melbourneโ€™s Freddy Grant knows well. โ€œI spend far more time in my home than I do in clothes. I’ve always believed in quality over quantity and don’t enjoy shopping for my wardrobe. Clothes shops are either crowded and discounted or quiet and ridiculously overpriced. Clothes are much more temporary, especially how they’re made these days, whereas when I buy for my home I’m thinking long term and like to buy second hand if possible,โ€ says Freddy who owns his own home with his husband Burt Reynolds (yes, really!).

Freddy Grant in his lounge room
Freddy in his lounge room

โ€œYour home is an extension of yourself.ย Finding the perfect space for something you love is a great feeling. I think itโ€™s human instinct to collect and arrange things โ€“ most people do it in some way so I guess thatโ€™s why it gives you a rush,โ€ says Freddy who works for online art gallery Bluethumb.

โ€œI’ve certainly noticed a lot of my younger colleagues buying art and taking pride in their rental homes, which has surprised me as starting an art collection is traditionally enjoyed by an older demographic. I think it’s become more important to have a space you’re proud of, but that doesnโ€™t mean you have to spend a fortune,โ€ says Freddy.

Freddy Grant gallery wall
Freddy’s home is filled with art

โ€œI love collecting art, and working for Bluethumbย means I’m tempted to spend every day, so have to control myself. The great thing about the online art revolution over the last few years is that original art has become much more affordable, so it’s not my biggest extravagance. An artwork is also for life (not just for Christmas), so makes it incredibly good value when you think about the lifespan of the purchase,โ€ says Freddy.

Freddy's dining room
Freddy’s dining room

Freddyโ€™s home has been styled with a mix of secondhand and new finds. โ€œCollectively I’ve spent quite a lot of money setting up the house with furniture, but most of it was second hand and bargained for,โ€ who admits his biggest splurge was on his Samsung ‘The Frame’ television. โ€œItโ€™s definitelyย the most pretentious TV on the market, but it totally fools people into thinking itโ€™s an artwork on the wall. I highly recommend it to anyone thatโ€™s sick of having your living room designed around the TV. Currently thereโ€™s a beautiful photo by Megan George displayed, but the great thing is you can put any artwork or photo (you own the rights to!) on there and it comes with a huge collection to choose from too,โ€ says Freddy.

Freddy Grant 'The Frame' tv
Freddy’s Samsung ‘The Frame’ television was his biggest splurge

Photography: Megan George

For more | 10 of the best styling tips Jen has stolen from the professionals

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Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

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There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

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Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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