Australian House & Garden

Question: I have a limited amount of space in my apartment. What kind of furniture should I buy?

Answer: The key to creating an illusion of space in any room is to select furniture that is simple and light in both colour and design. Michael Hurst, sales consultant for Domo Collections in Hawthorn, VIC, suggest using contemporary furniture – more specifically, low-lying minimalist pieces, “Because they’re below the line of sight, they’re ideal for smaller rooms,” he says. Michael also suggest taking advantage of clear furniture, as it helps open a room up. “Glass-topped tables, for example, let light pass right through them, so they seem to take up less space.” If you really want to be clever, choose furniture that is multifunctional, such as a coffee table that converts into a dining table, or a dresser that turns into a desk. Also, it is essential to keep clutter to a minimum if you are going to create the illusion of a spacious room in your apartment.

Domo Collections; (03) 8803 8803 or www.domo.com.au  

Question: I’ve always had plain white table settings. Now I’d like to try something different, but I don’t want to buy tableware that will be out of fashion by next season. What do you suggest?

Answer: There’s no guarantee that a particular colour or pattern won’t date, but you can hedge your bets by choosing wisely. “Try a white table setting with a simple design or motif,” says Anna Strike, communications manager for Maxwell & Williams. “If you’re after colour, include serving pieces in brighter shades, such as maroon to set a cosy mood or apple green for a light and fresh feel.” For something wildly different, select inexpensive crockery in a fun pattern. That way, if it does go out of fashion, you won’t have to break the bank in order to replace it.

Maxwell & Williams; (03) 9318 0466or www.maxwellwilliams.com.au

Question: I am planning to buy new bedlinen and want it to be both easy to launder and really comfortable. What features should I look for?

Answer: While polyester is by far the easiest fabric to launder, it’s at the bottom of the list for comfort and looks. When choosing sheets, consider fabric, feel and fit. Peta Drake, bedlinen specialist and owner of Lucienne Linen says, “The superior fabrics are fine Australian cotton, Egyptian cotton and pure linen. Egyptian cotton is famous for its durability and delicious feel, while linen improves with laundering and age.” Both cotton and linen look fantastic after being pressed with a hot iron. Regardless of which bedlinen you choose, white is the easiest colour to clean, because you can bleach it.

Lucienne Linen; (02) 9969 4946 or www.luciennelinen.com  

Question: I have a floor-to-ceiling glass window in my bathroom. How can I ensure privacy and maintain plenty of light, yet not sacrifice style? I am not a huge fan of plain white film.

Answer: I would suggest installing a roller blind made with a slim metal rod that weighs down the bottom and which can be retracted when necessary. There are a number of gorgeous, patterned semi-sheers that suit this kind of use – they are made from polyester or polyacryl, which are suitable for wet areas. Creation Baumann has some great choices; the perforated Dimflex Vario and the sheer, floral print Amsterdam will let in the light you’re after in your bathroom, give you the privacy you need and also keep the mould away. Designed Blinds Australia is also good to check out if you’d prefer to buy a ready-made blind for your window. I’d suggest choosing a texture, woven fabric.

Christine Saunders, Christine Saunders Design, 0418 378 659, www.christinesaunders.com