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Layered interiors take time

May 24, 2012

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A lesson Iโ€™ve learned this year is that interiors take time. You canโ€™t buy an entire โ€˜lookโ€™ in one weekendโ€™s expensive shopping trip and expect it to work. Iโ€™ve made many mistakes by being impatient. Iโ€™m the worst when I move into a new place and last year I moved twice. In six months. This threw me completely. Iโ€™d just got everything perfect in one place when we had to move (letโ€™s not go into that storyโ€ฆ). Of course, nothing from the old place โ€˜workedโ€™ in the new place. And I was running out of cash. Cue major frustration. Do you ever have those days when you hate everything about your home and want to start again? Yeah, that was me. It was all wrong, wrong, wrong. A bit like looking at an overflowing wardrobe and screaming โ€œI have nothing to wear!โ€ But rather than sitting, in tears, surrounded by inside-out clothes, Iโ€™m sitting in a pile of cushions, throws and frames that I loved a few months ago and wondering where it all went wrong.

So what did I do? Rush out and buy more new stuff that would work in the new place of course! Will I never learn? In my impatience I bought a cheap coffee table that I hated within weeks. I bought at least three lots of co-ordinated cushions and throws in haste, not to mention two rugs and countless accessories. And you wonder why I try and sneak new homewares purchases past my boyfriend (โ€œOh this old thing? Weโ€™ve had it for ages, I just dragged it out of the back of the cupboard!โ€)

Anyway, to cut a very long story short, there was a time when I sat up and realised that I needed to calm the f**k down and stop buying stuff! I took a homewares chill pill. And in that time I realised the cowhide was meant to be under the dining table, not in front of the couch, I won a vintage marble-topped coffee table on eBay that Iโ€™m in love with (and only cost $85), found the perfect white quilt for our bedroom, re-styled the spare room/office with some of those accessories that no longer worked in the living room, and my stylist friend Emma came over and worked out my book case and wine rack needed swapping around. Genius!

At Darren Palmerโ€™s session at Coco Republic Design School he told us to have a consistent, considered and cohesive approach to interiors and to spend a long time planning before you even part with any cash. Similarly, stylist Jason Grant once told me your home is never really finished and should always be a work in progress. I tend to agree.

Itโ€™s all feeling a lot calmer chez Interiors Addict these days. And this week, when I read this blog post by Anna Spiro where she talks about layered interiors taking a long time, I found myself nodding in agreement! I still want a new dining table and chairs but it’s not a race. And I’m okay with waiting to see if the flamingo cushions I’ve ordered are going to be the right shade of pink before I make a definite decision! I can’t promise I’ll never rush into a bad purchase again but like all addicts, I have the best intentions!

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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!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
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˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
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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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Comments

  1. AvatarJodie Carter says

    May 24, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Hi Jen, I have been reading your blog for a while now. Tonight’s post was just perfect!! I’m an Interior Designer and this is just so true. I have so many clients that initally want to rush and have all the decisions made in 5 minutes and everything done and dusted in 1 or 2 weeks!! Well yes it is just impossible, and all you end up with is an uncohesive and rushed looking interior. Paitence is certainly a virtue, and as much as I want to see the finished result myself – yes that lovely, layed, considered look is only achievable over time. Is it because there are so many shows on the telly doing makeovers in 1 hour, or one day that makes people think this is possible. Not to say that it’s not, but oh my god!! in reality it is so far from the truth it’s not funny. Anyway, I will certainly continue reading your blog. I have my own one too and will post on ‘Paitence’ tonight!! What luck. Thanks Jen

  2. AvatarKeren Brown says

    May 25, 2012 at 5:18 am

    Couldn’t agree more – interiors are definitely ever evolving and develop over time. I really dislike that whole ‘package bought at the store’ look and ‘everything looks like it came from one store’. I believe interiors grow with you and change, you take some things with you through every change and some things get moved on or stored for later.

    Thanks for your insight, it’s good to know we all make mistakes and want to start again.

    Keren
    xx

  3. AvatarLeah says

    May 25, 2012 at 8:59 am

    So true Jen!
    Twice in 6 months, that sounds tough! I would have to be the most impatient person I know when it comes to just about everything! I have made countless bad purchases that end up in the homes of lucky friends and family over the years.
    But more recently I have worked hard to hone my skills at finding quality pieces that I will love forever over trying to get that new trend immediately. But my home is a constant work in progress and I think it always will be.
    Great post!

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      May 25, 2012 at 9:03 am

      Glad it’s not just me, Leah ๐Ÿ˜‰ I think it just takes time to realise all this ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for your comment. Jen x

  4. AvatarKatherine says

    May 25, 2012 at 9:50 am

    This is something I have to remind myself every single day. We’re almost finished a massive renovation and all I want to do is race out and buy things and decorate and “complete” each room. But I know I need to be patient and let each room evolve naturally or else we’ll end up with a house that isn’t ‘us’. Thank goodness for Pinterest to distract me!

  5. AvatarMister B says

    May 25, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Thanks for the great post. Isn’t it hard to be patient! The first year in our new apartment we sat Japanese style (which is much more glamorous than merely being on the floor) while we waited to find the perfect sofa! I would not compromise and would not buy a piece that was just “ok”. At the time I complained incessantly but am so glad about it now. Our beautiful couch was worth waiting and worth saving for. Absolutely agree that furnishing and decorating is a lifelong project.

    • AvatarLeah says

      May 25, 2012 at 3:40 pm

      I did the exact same thing in my most recent move late last year! We sat on a spare mattress in our living room to watch tv for over 2 months waiting for the perfect piece to be made. Its nice to hear from someone else who has done the same thing.
      x Leah

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