Sisters Fleur Sibbel and Wilhelmina McCarroll are well aware of the challenges many women face in the bathroom when getting ready in the morning. Where do you put the hairdryer? What about your make-up and accessories? Conventional bathroom storage sometimes just isn’t enough.

The sisters — the team behind popular furniture label Zuster — have turned these problems into inspiration for their first foray into bathroom design. The result is the ISSY collection, which is available exclusively at Reece.

What prompted the move to bathroom furniture for you?

After renovating one house and building a new house I have a good understanding of the flaws in bathrooms and it made me think about how the perfect bathroom should be put together. Our lives are getting busier and our desire to be well groomed is ever increasing. In the ISSY by Zuster Butterfly design, we wanted to offer users a functional bathroom with easy access to the essentials all in one place including make-up, hairdryer and laundry basket, as well as provide movable mirrors.

ISSY Butterfly by Zuster for Reece

Who is your collection aimed at?

ISSY by Zuster has truly been designed by a woman, for women. The customer we have designed the range for is a woman who takes pride in her appearance, leads a busy and successful life and enjoys a little luxury in her everyday routines.

How have you translated Zuster’s signature style into bathroom furniture?

It was very important that the bathroom had to have the Zuster DNA — streamlined with our signature Zuster detailing. The handle of the Butterfly cabinet is a design detail that has been used for two generations in our family design and construction business. The solid American oak curve in the Ballerina vanity is also easily recognised by those familiar with Zuster furniture.

ISSY Ballerina by Zuster for Reece

What is the number one mistake people make when furnishing their bathroom?

The biggest mistake is not having enough storage that is easy to access and designed around the things we use every day. The second mistake is choosing products that can’t be customised to suit people’s evolving lifestyles. Similar to living rooms and bedrooms, people are wanting more choice and customisation in their bathrooms — something Reece taught us early on. People should consider furniture that can be customised to suit their needs, or adapted to fit different spaces.

Why does timber work well in bathrooms?

We incorporated timber because of its beautifully natural and timeless qualities. We also used American oak for the finishes. I was so inspired by my personal day spa and luxury hotel experiences that I wanted to replicate that at home. The high-end aspect as well as the fact that it is a fully customisable collection was also in keeping with Reece’s ISSY brand, making it an ideal collaboration.

Tell me about your dream bathroom.

The bathroom is an emotional space for many women, therefore a dream bathroom is one that is luxurious yet functional and can be enjoyed daily. Given this is our first venture into the bathroom space, it was important that we worked with a well-known and trusted brand such as Reece. They do a wonderful job at creating products that transform the bathroom space into your own mini retreat, a living room for one, which is what we wanted the ISSY by Zuster collection to represent.

Fleur Sibbel and Wilhelmina McCarroll are the sisters behind Zuster

What’s next for Zuster?

After 21 years of designing and manufacturing furniture in Australia, we are only just entering the bathroom space for the first time. Given the success of the collaboration with Reece so far, we feel we have a lot more to offer in this new space and we’re really excited about what’s to come next.

First published Home, The Daily Telegraph 12 September 2015

I don't think it's any secret that moving house, changing jobs and getting to grips with starting a new life in a new city is taking its toll on me emotionally.

And understandably. Every single part of my life is in a state of upheaval right now. Even my relationship with my boyfriend, which is otherwise going strong, is about to experience a change in dynamic as we move in together full-time.


Of course, these are all changes I have chosen to make and I'm nothing but completely happy with doing so but that doesn't alter the fact that in five weeks time, nothing in my life will be the same as it is now.

The truth is, I've found my emotions running away from me a bit in the past week. I've been letting the significance of all the changes I am making get on top of me and I've felt scared of what lies ahead... which is apparently a good sign

"The presence of indifference is a sign you're on the wrong path," says Brianna Weist on Huffington Post. "Fear means you're trying to move toward something you love, but your old beliefs, or unhealed experiences, are getting in the way - or, rather, are being called up to be healed."

I know pushing this fear aside won't do me any favours. I need to acknowledge how I'm feeling and move on. It's virtually impossible - and probably very unhealthy - to try to control our emotions but I've been reading quite a few articles online about emotional intelligence.

"Emotional Intelligence (EQ or EI) can be defined as the ability to understand, manage, and effectively express one's own feelings, as well as engage and navigate successfully with those of others," explains communication expert Professor Preston Ni on Psychology Today.

"Emotional Intelligence is absolutely essential in the formation, development, maintenance, and enhancement of close personal relationships. Unlike IQ, which does not change significantly over a lifetime, our EQ can evolve and increase with our desire to learn and grow."

So exactly how can we evolve our EQ? Well, I'm glad you asked. Here are some tips I've gathered from the experts about becoming more emotionally intelligent.

Practice observing how you feel & pay attention to how you react

One of the main parts of being emotionally intelligent is recognising how you feel. When we pay attention to how we’re feeling, we learn to trust our emotions, and we become far more adept at managing them.

"One of the core areas of emotional intelligence is self-awareness," says counsellor Steven Stein. "You can become more self-aware by using a notebook to record your feelings at various preset intervals. By increasing your emotional vocabulary and using it to describe your full range of feelings throughout various parts of the day, you can figure out how to pay more attention to your emotions."

Once you've become aware of your emotions, start really monitoring to your behaviour too. Notice how you act when you’re experiencing certain emotions, and how that affects your day-to-day life.

Take charge

"Your emotions and behaviour come from you—they don’t come from anyone else—therefore, you’re the one who’s responsible for them," says relationship coach Hannah Braime.

Hannah also suggests practicing responding rather than reacting. "Reacting is an unconscious process where we experience an emotional trigger, and behave in an unconscious way whereas responding is a conscious process that involves noticing how you feel, then deciding how you want to behave," she explains.

You can manage your responses in three basic ways:

• Distraction: When you sense a problem in impulse control coming on, you can most quickly deal with it by distracting yourself. Shift your thinking by counting to ten or focusing on prepared distracting thoughts.
• Analytic: An analytic approach involves stopping and analysing your thoughts when you feel impulsive. 
• Coping: A coping strategy involves a number of specific coping thoughts that you practice in advance. 

"These strategies can help you successfully deal with stressful problems or events when you practice them in advance," says Steven. "You can’t effectively try out these strategies on the fly but with planning and practice, you can go a long way in dealing with impulsive thoughts, words, and actions."

You might also choose to share your feelings but be mindful of what words you use and who you share with. "Assertiveness is the appropriate sharing of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Basically, you need to let the right people, at the right time, know where you stand," says Steven.

Empathise

I wrote extensively about empathy last week - it's also a very important part of being emotionally intelligent. "Start being more empathic by paying more attention to other people," says Steven. "Listen carefully when communicating with someone. Listen to both what she tells you and what she wants you to hear. By getting better at picking up and paying attention to what people are really trying to say, you become more empathic."

Be more flexible

Sometimes things just don't happen the way we envisaged or planned - and that's OK. It's how we deal with these changes that can point to true emotional intelligence.

"Being emotionally intelligent involves knowing when to stick to and when to switch your emotional attachments," says Steven. "When it’s time to move on, people high in emotional intelligence can make that adjustment. If you find change difficult, look at the possible consequences. What might happen if you stay with the status quo? On the other hand, where might you be if you go with the flow? Change is part of growth."

Some people just seem to have the knack of throwing a few well-picked pieces together and creating an interior design masterpiece. Then there’s the rest of us.

Sometimes no matter how many “rules” we follow, our efforts will never look like those homes spread across several pages in a glossy magazine. So what’s their secret?

I asked three top interior designers to break down why these rooms just work — from the furniture choice to the colours and textures in the soft furnishings and accessories.

From choosing a new cushion for the couch to completely reimagining the kitchen, these guidelines and tips can be applied to any space so go ahead and make your home magazine worthy.

THE BEDROOM

Designer: Larissa Raywood, The Design Hunter

“Laid back luxury was the theme for the owners of this master bedroom in a Paddington townhouse. The parents retreat was brought to life using a combination of materials and textures tied together with the simple silhouettes to create the desired look.

“The monochrome palette began with a base of Porters ‘Elegance’ on all walls, it provided the canvas for the rest of the rooms elements. The custom made bed, with the chosen textural light grey fabric added to the relaxed luxury the room was heading towards.

“Hanging bedside are handcrafted, Tasmanian leather pendants from Who Did That, the perfect introduction of a contrasting texture. Below the marble and leather bedsides from Jardan maintain the boutique appeal of this room providing a clean and classic silhouette.

“Textiles and textures add warmth to the space from a carefully selected cowhide rug to the charcoal based layered Bemboka linens mixed with silk printed graphic floral cushions from designer Ellie Cashman and finishing the look with an Icelandic sheepskin at the base of the bed.

“The realistic detail in the framed Pampa horses print above the bed was the finishing touch — a balancing element that added a sense of adventure to the space.”

THE KITCHEN

THE LIVING ROOM

I'll admit it, I'm pretty happy with the type of person I am. Sure, I could make some improvements here and there but generally I reckon I've done OK for myself in the 38 years I've been on this planet.

I've lived alone for eight years (and am completely happy in my own company), I have a good job, a great set of friends, a close relationship with my family. I think I'm pretty in touch with my emotions, I can express myself with confidence and I'm not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.



In the past nine months, though, I've found myself wanting to become a better version of me. That's what happens when you fall in love with someone who inspires you - you find yourself challenged and motivated to be and do more. Basically, I want to improve.

My struggles adapting to changing situations have been well documented on this blog and, in the past, I'm pretty sure I would have either avoided the situation entirely or, if change was forced upon me, I would have swept all those overwhelming feelings under the carpet until they went away.

But this week I visited a counsellor for the second time in as many months to try to work through these feelings I'm experiencing and try to find practical ways to respond when I find myself overwhelmed by any kind of change.

And I did it because I want to be a better version of me - both for myself (of course) and also for my boyfriend.

Writer Laura Argintar, on the website Elite Daily, says this about falling in love with someone who makes you a better person: "I want a man who will enliven me," she writes. "Someone who’s going to push my boundaries, introduce me to places I’ve never heard of and embolden me to do the unimaginable because he genuinely believes I can. If he inspires me like that, then the rest will come naturally."

"There’s a reason artists fall in love with their muses. They build you up and make you strive to be your best self."


Personally, I think I'm pretty lucky to have found someone who makes me want to improve myself - imagine if we all just plodded through life satisfied with the status quo. Life certainly wouldn't be very exciting.

Here’s five reasons why you should fall in love with someone who exhilarates you:

They introduce you to new places, people and things

This time last year, I would have been the first to tell you I wouldn't want to live anywhere but Sydney. It's my hometown and not much beast a stroll around the Harbour on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Fast forward though and here I am about to move north to live in Brisbane - and I couldn't be happier about it. I know an interstate move isn't going to be on the cards for everyone who falls in love but it doesn't have to be that extreme. "Someone who inspires you brings a sense of awe into your life, even when it’s as small as showing you the secret spot for the best wings in the city," says Laura.

They challenge you

There are times when my boyfriend's attention to details drives me crazy - and that's coming from the most Type A of Type A's there is. But the fact he won’t automatically go into “yes mode” when I ask him for an honest opinion is a sign he won't let me get away with mediocrity. "This is someone who cares about you enough to tell you the hard truths that you can’t tell yourself," says Laura.

They help you achieve your goals

The right partner won't stand in your way no matter what it is you want to achieve. They understand your personal happiness is just as paramount as their own.

They motivate you to dream bigger and do better

"The right person will push you to be a better person without directly putting pressure on you," says Laura. It's true, my boyfriend is a great incentive for me to do better than I did yesterday. He is constantly challenging me to do better and he's also the one who inspires me to think a little bigger. "When you connect with this person, their investment in you means that you will be motivated to constantly strive to go beyond what you think you are capable of," says Laura.

They're exciting

There’s no such thing as boring in our relationship — even if we're staying in and watching TV something always seems to happen to have us laughing, talking or even debating. There's really no telling what our time together will bring.. and I love it like that.

Remember that little guy climbing the mountain on The Price Is Right? Well, that's pretty much how I'm feeling at the moment (minus the yodelling of course). I'm climbing a giant mountain one step at a time but sometimes it's hard for me to see the top.

I'm in the middle of packing up my house (there's literally boxes everywhere), I'm negotiating with a potential employer and I'm also starting to think about saying goodbye to my family and friends. The countdown is definitely on and I'm at one of those points in my life when I know the clouds will clear soon but at the moment I'm trudging uphill in thick fog and feel like I'm getting nowhere.

Poor old Cliff, I know just how he feels!

I am about to make a major life change and I'm truly so, so excited about it. A new life in a new city with my boyfriend in our brand new home is just around the corner (37 days around the corner in fact). So why do I feel so sad all the time?

The past few days have been an absolute nightmare for me emotionally. I miss my boyfriend terribly and that isolating feeling of loneliness has really started to creep in. I hate feeling this way and know it's only weeks until we'll be together full-time - but it's like I can't switch it off no matter how hard I try and it's driving me crazy.



My boyfriend and I have been together since December and in a long distance relationship since April. We've never had a shortage of things to talk about in those long late night phone chats... until this week when our usual can't-shut-us-up chats have been replaced with stilted conversation about our plans for the following day. Hardly the stuff you would expect a couple who are just weeks away from the rest of their lives to be talking about.

My positive attitude has been replaced with a very foreign feeling and it's been increasingly difficult to keep my usually-upbeat front going. My boyfriend has, unsurprisingly, noticed and told me last night that it's difficult keeping up a conversation with me when I keep telling him how much I'm missing him. Rough, huh? For the record, I don't think I've told him that many times but the thing is, I wholeheartedly agree with him. My rational self knows all this 'negative Nancy' carry-on isn't doing me any favours so I've resolved to get to the bottom of why I feel this way.

I really think it's a combination of a whole load of things but at it's root is the fact is that I'm about to move 1000km away from my family and friends and take a chance on a relationship that, in reality, is still in its infancy.

My track record with relationships isn't that great. My heart has been broken a few times so I really think the poor old thing has gone into protection mode. Despite the fact that I love my boyfriend very much, am 100% committed to making this work and know that I want to be with him for the rest of our lives, I'm now questioning every single move I'm making. Yes, that's right our old friend self doubt has arrived ladies and gentlemen and it looks as though he's brought that not-so-elusive character emotional baggage along for the ride.



"Dealing with a unsettling transition may not be easy, but there are ways to keep your sanity intact - and to turn the challenges into opportunities for growth," says Carolyn Gregoire on Huffington Post.

"The most surefire way to make a big change more difficult for yourself is to fight it. Although having a hard time letting go is a natural reaction, a desire live in the past will only cause more pain and prolong the adjustment period. Instead of dwelling on what you're leaving behind, focus on getting through the change right now and creating a positive future. In order to do that successful, you must first accept the reality that your life will no longer be the same."

Wise words indeed Carolyn.

I also know I need to find that old positivity again and focus on the long-term goal (or 37 day goal!) of my boyfriend and I being together. Simple, right?

"Events and situations aren't inherently good or bad - we just project those descriptions onto them," says Carolyn. "This means that we have a great deal of power over how we choose to view whatever comes our way - deciding to focus on the positive is a powerful way to take charge in your life."

After a successful career on the catwalk, supermodel Megan Gale turned her hand to swimwear designing, launching her label Isola in 2010. Now she is adding homeware designer to that impressive resume, releasing her inaugural MG Collection of bed linen and towels in Target stores this month.

London by MG Collection

Why homewares?

It was something I have been thinking about doing since 2013 but either the timing, the people or the products haven’t been exactly the right mix. It was one of those ideas that just kept coming up and going away, coming up and going away so when this opportunity presented itself to me it seemed like a good fit. I knew Target were excited at the prospect and I knew the quality of what I’d be working with would be top notch. Target is obviously already a great destination for homewares but, additionally, what I was presenting to them and what I wanted to create was something I thought they were lacking.

How is designing for the home different to fashion design?

There are actually a lot of similarities because both are very trend based. Obviously there are apparel trends and homeware trends but they can actually be quite similar. There’s a belief that whatever someone is gravitating towards with apparel — whether it’s colour, print or texture — they often also subconsciously interpret that into their homeware choices, it’s an extension of your own personal style.

What or who inspires you?

I definitely get impressed by what other people are doing design-wise do but I think it’s important to find your own style. For me, despite being a gypsy for so many years and travelling so much, I am a real home body and really like to create my own little cocoon and sanctuary. Having said that though, for this collection I’ve taken inspiration from my travels to beautiful destinations such as Santorini, Paris, London and New York.

How did those cities translate into the finished product?

It was different things in each place that really shaped the collection. In Paris it was things like the beautiful, old, ornate architecture and the arches under the Eiffel Tower that were directly translated into the shapes used in the print. There was some hardware on one of the cushions in the range that I thought felt too industrial so we got rid of it — that’s how specific we were. Santorini was one of the easiest bay far because we just had to have the Aegean Sea blue teamed with the crisp white.

Santorini by MG Collection

Is there a particular product or design story in the range that represents your personal style?

Can I say all of it? I think it depends on what season it is and what mood I’m in. The Santorini range just screams summer holiday and I really wanted it to resonate with people in that way. The Paris collection really touches on my feminine side while the London and New York collections are more in tune with a really classic, understated style that I sometimes favour. The Hollywood line is just glam though — for those times when you just want to dress up and be totally over the top.

How important was how the product felt to the touch?

Extremely. People, by nature, are very tactile creatures and when you’re lying in these sheets and quilts and wrapping yourself in the towels, you want it to feel luxurious against your skin. The feel was the absolute key for me in getting the final product just right and not just when you first take the product out of the packaging. It’s important for it to feel just as luxurious after a few washes. Also, I think people relate the feel of the product to its quality and it’s the same when we shop for clothes.

MG Collection includes cotton quilt cover sets, detailed sheets and a selection of accent pieces including cushions, throws and towels and will be available in store and online at Target from tomorrow (September 10). More target.com.au

I'm not going to lie, one of the things I'm not looking forward to about moving is the dreaded end-of-lease clean-up. It's not like my place is a hideous pigsty or anything, but I've been here for almost eight years and the thought of getting it all back to as-new is not sounding like the funnest way to spend my last few days in Sydney.

The truth is, I'll probably hire professional cleaners to do the dirty work for me but that hasn't stopped me collating some of the best cleaning hacks for your home I could find. You can thank me later!

• Instead of scrubbing, spray cooking spray on your glass shower door and/or walls. Give it about five minutes and wash it off with soapy water and dry it. The oil in cooking spray will dissolve the soap buildup and lime deposits.

• Rub a lemon over taps and faucets in the bathroom and kitchen to remove stains.

• Remember this homies: oil attracts oil. Next time your bacon breakfast makes a mess of the stove, add a few drops of vegetable oil to paper towel, then wipe the greasy surface and watch the oil disappear!

• Carpet stain driving you crazy? Spray stain with a mixture of two parts water with one part vinegar. Lay a damp rag over the spot, then press a hot iron - set on the steam setting - on the rag for about 30 seconds. You might have to repeat if the stain is really dark or stubborn but this will work wonderfully to remove most common food stains and dirt from your carpet.

• A plastic bag filled with vinegar around your shower head will get rid of stubborn stains.

• Greasy oven? Fill a bowl with 1/2 cup of ammonia into a COMPLETELY COLD oven. The fumes will work their magic overnight. Just wipe clean the next day.

• Cover any grease stains on the wall with white chalk, wait a few minutes and then wipe the chalk away with a damp cloth. 

• When's the last time you cleaned the tracks on your sliding windows and doors? Don't worry, I can't remember either. To clean, dip a cotton tip in white vinegar and wipe out the grime. Repeat with a clean cotton tip and then run a clean paper towel along the track too.

• WD40 is a apparently a great way to remove scuff stains on the floor

• Bathtub rings can be removed by rubbing them using salt and a cut grapefruit: Cut a grapefruit in half and sprinkle it (and the bath) with salt. Now use the fruit as a scrubber and those rings will fade away.

Image via @domayne_australia Instagram

It's been a long cold winter in Sydney so not only am I looking forward to summer, I'm also looking forward to experiencing my first Queensland summer. Adding to my excitement is that, for the first time, I have a proper backyard to furnish. That's right, grass and all!

So obviously I was especially keen to head out this week on a chilly Sydney evening to get a taste of what the warmer months have on offer at the Domayne Summer 15 launch.

I came away full of ideas for our alfresco area from large lounge and dining furniture to cute accessories and furnishings. Far from the days when your choice for the backyard was limited to a plastic table chairs or a chunky timber setting, this season's choices are sleek, modern and there's something suited to every budget and taste.

Colour is definitely in this summer and although my boyfriend and I prefer a neutral palette, I'm sure we'll manage to inject some brights through soft furnishings and accessories like cushions and serving ware.

Yes that's a cronut on top of coconut!

Domayne's Pontoon lounge setting is priced from $999. These two seaters with one arm rest retail for $2199 each.

Pontoon rectangular dining table, $2199 and; Harbour dining chairs $349 each

Today marks day four of my health kick - the goal is to lose 5kg by the time I head north in a couple of months time. My boyfriend is also trying to be more conscious of what he's eating and so, to support each other, we've both downloaded an app that helps keep track of your daily calorie intake.



All good in theory right? But the truth is we both just really love food. We love trying out new restaurants and bars, comparing our favourite dishes from place to place (him: stuffed zucchini flowers; me: anything involving haloumi) and getting a healthy dose of food envy when the other one orders something that we wish we had chosen ourselves.

So, understandably, counting calories is kind of difficult for both of us. But given that we are soon to be the proud custodians of a backyard pool, we both thought it was about time we shed those extra winter kilos.

And while I have no doubt we'll both reach our respective goals well in time for cozzie weather, I know part of our motivation (well mine at least) is a deliciously decadent reward meal on the other end. After all, according to an article I read yesterday on Elite Daily, couples who eat together stay together.

"When you’re eating together, you’re actually conversing," dating expert Ashley Fern says. "You aren’t watching TV, your head isn’t buried in your phone — instead you are 100 percent focused on your partner and your meal. While other people rush through meals, you and your SO drag them out for as long as possible."

"You may overindulge from time to time, but there’s no shame in your game," she writes. "In fact, your partner is right there alongside you, inhaling slice after slice of Domino’s. The best part of it is you hit your limit at the same time, forcing the both of you to pick up right where you left off at the gym."

Aaahhh... the gym. While we've never actually exercised together there is also good evidence to say working out with your SO can have some serious benefits.

"Lab studies show that after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity, couples report feeling more satisfied with their relationships and more in love with their partner," psychologist Theresa E. DiDonato writes on Psychology Today.

I'm sure this is what all couple who work out together do!

"Another long-standing concept in social psychology is that the mere presence of someone else affects your ability to do an activity," says Theresa. "Even if you already feel competent doing a particular exercise, bringing along your romantic partner may be a fantastic way to boost your energy output. Your partner’s presence will improve your speed, without you necessarily being aware of their influence."

So basically bring on the tacos.... but don't forget the treadmill.

I don't think I have ever felt as emotionally exhausted as I do right now. Don't get me wrong, things with my boyfriend are going great and we can't wait until we get to wake up next to each other every morning. But, in a way, it's that "can't wait" feeling that is what's so exhausting.



In the past couple of weeks, I've officially broken the news of my move to a large number of friends and family. My immediate family and close friends already knew but it wasn't until last week that I officially told my bosses at work and made an announcement on Facebook to my wider circle of friends (because nothing's official until it's on Facebook, right?).

To tell you the truth, thinking and talking about "the move" constantly for the past couple of weeks has been almost too much to handle... even I'm bored by talking about it now and last night I could barely even string two words together when my boyfriend called to say goodnight. I just want to be up there and settled in our new life together without the hassles of actually packing up my apartment and starting in a new job.

"It's easy to underestimate the emotional impact of this peak time in your life redesign," writes Caroline Cameron in her book The Great Life Redesign.

"Perhaps the busiest phase of a redesign, the last month or so is a whirlwind of final arrangements, last times and farewells. It's also a time of mixed emotions. Sadness and anxiety, as you let go of all that's familiar, go head to head with excitement and anticipation as you move towards your dream life.

"Sometimes bewildering and emotionally draining, how you manage this time will have a big impact on how easily you transition to your new life."

But could my mental exhaustion also be a sign of anxiety about packing up and heading north? Apparently yes.

"Anxiety is extremely physically and mentally draining," says Ryan Rivera from The Calm Clinic. "It actually shuts down some parts of your body and brain in an effort to save energy for other parts of your brain, and it excites your muscles so much that over time your muscles become completely drained of energy, ultimately causing you to experience considerable fatigue."

Regardless of what's causing my fatigue, Caroline says high highs and low lows are all part of saying goodbye to one chapter of your life and starting another, but that caring for yourself through all of them is vital.

Her advice?

• Time out and me time are daily must-dos: "Whether it's simply stopping for a cup of tea, kicking a footy around the backyard with the kids, going for a walk and getting plenty of sleep, simple care routines will keep you physically and emotionally fit"

• Acknowledge what you've achieved each day: "When there's a lot to do, it's tempting to move quickly on to the next task. Celebrate every achievement to maintain momentum and confidence."

• Ask each other "how are you feeling?": "This lets your partner know whether you need high-fives for getting something finished or a hug when you're feeling sad or overwhelmed."

Summer is the perfect time for making the most of the great outdoors. Longer days, warm weather and, of course, summer holidays make it almost mandatory to spend plenty of time outside.

And with my impending move north I am more excited than ever to create the perfect outdoor living space.



The good news is there’s no need to leave home to enjoy the best Mother Nature has to offer as your backyard can be the perfect summer playground for entertaining family and friends, watching the kids enjoy the holidays or simply kicking back with a good book and a refreshing summer cocktail.

The “backyard room” is becoming an increasingly important part of Aussie homes.

As the weather warms up our living and dining moves outside and, as a result, designs and landscaping have become more and more sophisticated with many spaces now integrating features such as fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and edible gardens.

“The outdoor room is the most versatile room in the house,” says landscaper Jason Hodges. “Not only can an outdoor room increase the value of your home, but the health benefits of spending time outdoors are undeniable. The backyard is quickly taking over as the favourite gathering space for cooking, entertaining, relaxing and spending time with loved ones.”

With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your outdoor space in order and ready for the family to enjoy during the warmer months.



“The beauty of the outdoor family room is that it can be anything you want it to be; you are only limited by your imagination,” says Jason. “Whatever size outdoor space you have, there are countless ways to create an exceptional room to entertain, relax and spend time with family.”

Furniture

Paramount to any outdoor living space is the right furniture. However deciding what function you want your outdoor area to have is necessary before any purchase.

Jumping in and buying that 12-seater dining setting is no good is you prefer lounging around the pool and only have a big family gathering once or twice per year.

“Having the right outdoor furniture makes dining outdoors simple, easy and stylish,” says Amanda Grant from Ikea. “Dining furniture is great for lunches and dinners, while low seating is wonderful for cocktails and tapas.”

If kicking back in the sun is more your style, lounges and deep seaters should be on your shopping list.



“Choose pieces that encourage togetherness,” says Guy March from Cosh Living. “An outdoor family room with seating facing each other will create an environment for conversation and interactivity to thrive.”

If you have a smaller space that needs to serve several functions, consider furniture that can serve more than one purpose such as a timber storage bench that would work as seating or a low table. Fold-up chairs are another popular option if you don’t need permanent seating outside.

“Items that are multifunctional, flexible and can be easily moved around to create an alternative setting are very popular with families,” says Guy.

Materials

“Just as a home has walls, ceilings and a floor, an outdoor room should be protected from the elements,” says Boral’s David Bird.

“This means constructing walls and a roof to shield against the wind and rain in winter, and being mindful of shade sources for summer months.”

Some of the more popular options for constructing outdoor spaces are paving (for flooring), stone and timber.

Jason, who is an ambassador for paving company Adbri Masonry, says pavers can set the theme for the whole space, determining the look, feel, colour palette of your outdoor room.

“Pavers can create a big impact in a small area,” he says. “Coloured concrete pavers, for example, can completely transform the look and feel of any space.”



If you have a timber deck, consider creating a unified look by using timber in other parts of your outdoor space.

“Timber can also be used for screening to create separate spaces or for added privacy,” says Clinton Skeoch from Boral’s timber division. "Timber screening allows the light through to maintain the connection to natural surroundings.”

Stone is another good option and complements the natural environment.

“Boral’s range of cultured stone is available in a variety of shapes, colours and textures and looks great teamed with brick, timber and glass,” says David.

Fire up

Once the basics of your outdoor space are all sorted, it’s time to add some character with features such as fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and integrated audio systems.

A fireplace will add warmth and ambience to the outdoor room as well as creating a focal point thanks to its large-scale presence.

“Not only will a feature fireplace make a huge statement in the outdoor family room, it also ensures you can make the most of the space by using it all year round,” says Jason.

“If you’re on a budget, try Adbri’s miniwall blocks for a fire pit project. They don’t use any glue and are concrete, making them great for enclosing fire pits.”

Hot options

Outdoor kitchens are also gaining popularity, thanks in part to television renovating shows.



If space is an issue, many manufacturers offer outdoor kitchens in modular units so you can customise inclusions to suit your space.

Look for units made with high quality materials such as granite, porcelain-coated steel, stainless steel and chrome, to withstand frequent use and outdoor temperatures.

Wired for sound

If you love music, integrated speakers are another must for your outdoor space.

There are lots of products on the market now that will wirelessly connect outdoor speakers with your computer, tablet, phone or iPod streaming music or the radio direct from your device so you can listen to the cricket in full stereo from the pool deck.

For real music lovers, TruAudio’s SubTerrain Subwoofer is a unit installed into the ground with a small mushroom-shaped tube and speaker that is left exposed so audio is dispersed throughout the garden. The system is available in Australia through Advance Audio and is priced from $1995.

When I decided to move interstate to be with my boyfriend full time, I knew it would mean transitioning a whole heap of things in my life as I know it.



Instead of living 20 minutes down the motorway, Mum and Dad will be an hour-long flight away. Instead of seeing one of my best friends in the office every day, our catch ups will be over Skype, email and old-fashioned phone calls. Instead of looking over my back fence at the Harbour Bridge, I'll be watching the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks on TV like the rest of the world.

These are things that will certainly be different to what I'm used to but they are also adjustments I'm more than willing to make if it means starting a new life in a new city with my boyfriend.

One thing that I was hoping would remain a constant was my job. My manager was hoping the company would approve her plan to keep me in my current role but have me working from an interstate office. Unfortunately the powers that be disagreed and last week I handed in my notice.

I love my job and the people I work with make coming into the office more fun that I think it's supposed to be! But I always knew there was a chance my manager's plan wouldn't come to fruition.

What I wasn't expecting though was the strange feeling I had pressing send on my resignation email. It wasn't that all of a sudden the whole move felt real, it was more a realisation that this is the first of many 'goodbyes' I'm going to be saying over the next couple of months.

I'm not great at goodbyes (not ideal for someone in a long distance relationship!) and I'm not just talking about the hard ones. Of course I don't like dropping my boyfriend off at the airport after a visit but - and I'm not proud of this - I'm also the person who'll slip out of a party without saying goodbye to anyone except the host because... well, I'm not really sure why.

"From the sublime to the mundane, the simple to the complicated, farewells are an inevitable part of life," says psychotherapist Diane Barth on Psychology Today. "They can be incredibly painful—but they don’t have to be devastating. And here’s something important to know: If you’re having a hard time with any kind of goodbye, you’re not alone."


When we get to the airport drop off area, my boyfriend always says "it's not goodbye, it's see you later" which is, of course, a great way to look at it. Hopefully as I say "see you later" more and more often over the next couple of months to friends, family and colleagues I'll be able to channel his positive attitude.

But if not, Diane has some tips to make goodbyes - no matter how big or small - a little easier.

• "Recognise that mixed feelings are normal," she says. "The tricky thing is to find a way to make space for all of these conflicting and sometimes contradictory feelings. But the more you do open yourself up to the different emotions, the more you will be able to process the more painful ones."

• "Feeling sad about leaving one situation, or anxious about moving into another, does not necessarily mean that you have made the wrong decision," says Diane. "Most of us have these feelings about even the best possible moves in our lives. In fact, the time that I worry about a possible problem is usually when a client tells me about an upcoming change without talking about some of the conflicts about it."

• "Try to put all of your confusing feelings into words. Talk to a friend or a relative, but set the stage first, so that they don't get worried that you have either gone off the deep end or (more likely) made the wrong decision."
• "Whether you are leaving a house or neighbourhood, a school or university, a job or a relationship, try to give yourself a little time to reflect on both the good and bad aspects of the experience," she says. "Don't try to pack in everything you have not done, or everything you meant to do in the short time you have left. And try not to turn it into an all-bad experience in your mind, something you are eager to get away from because it has been nothing but negative. This may make it easier to justify leaving in the short term, but will have problematic consequences down the line."

There's no doubt that social media is the perfect place to while away a few hours. Who hasn’t found themselves on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest into the wee hours, wondering where the time has gone?



But instead of posting cat videos, commenting on photos of old school friends’ kids or accidentally liking an ex-boyfriend’s profile picture, design buffs are turning to these channels to inspire and be inspired.

A simple hashtag search for interiors or interior design turns up literally hundreds of thousands of results — ranging from professional stylists showcasing their latest work to brands promoting looks and products to design amateurs just doing their thing.

We asked three design professionals how they use social media and get their tips for the best places to look for inspiration on your phone, laptop or tablet.

The designer: Lisa T, Lisa T for Target, iamlisat.com

“I’m a social media addict (if you know of a rehab for people like me, inbox me). Can you believe, I actually set my alarm 40 minutes earlier than I need to because I have to check Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest every morning? Waking up to comments and regrams on my Lisa T for Target account makes my morning, and scrolling through my feed inspires me for the day.

Lisa T's Instagram page

“In terms of the types of things I post, I love to make people smile, feel good, be inspired and be part of something. My posts are a combination of product, sayings, fashion and lifestyle. It shows who I am and what inspires my designs.

“I am inspired daily by how many people style my products and the time they take to post their shots. Our whole team gets such a kick out of reading the comments and seeing the #shelfies.

“Tips …. leave yourself time. Pinterest is excellent for organising ideas into folders sorted by themes. I like to file by topics but many pinners file by colour. I have to confess I’m not the most organised person, so Pinterest is an excellent tool to file inspiration.

“Besides my kids’ and friends’ Instagram, I have no particular loyalty to any pages but there are some Insta accounts that I find myself continuously “liking”: @targetaus; @dotandpop; @bigshots; @interiorsaddict: @weinspirelux; @lisamessenger; @theinteriorqueen; @thecoolhunter; @thegoodquote; @Iquitsugar, and; @beautaplin is my latest crush — incredible poetry about life and love.

“One of the other tools I love is Polyvore.com, which is excellent for mood boards. Each item is linked to a site where you can buy it. It also allows you to see other people’s mood boards, making for inspired choices in colour combinations and finishes.”

The blogger: Jen Bishop, Interiors Addict, theinteriorsaddict.com

“I use all the major social media channels but I have the most followers and engagement on Instagram and it’s my favourite to spend time on. My social media strategy is two fold: to drive traffic to my blog, and to create and maintain a conversation with my followers and readers so they get to know me. I also hope my posts inspire people to create a stylish home on any budget which is personal and meaningful to them.

“I think the more visual channels such as Instagram and Pinterest are the best for interiors inspiration. The great thing about Pinterest is that it’s pretty self explanatory and easy to use. Be careful though, you can end up losing hours and days to it.

“If you’re looking for inspiring accounts to follow, a great cheat is to go to accounts you already love following and see who they follow. It’s likely they’ll be into the same stuff you are.

“Also, see if your favourite brands have social media accounts. you can usually find them linked to from their websites.

“On Instagram, some of my readers are my favourite accounts to follow.

“Check out our #7vignettes on Instagram for some stunning examples of amateur stylists and photographers producing incredible work.”

The brand: Temple and Webster, Victoria Baker, Editor, templeandwebster.com.au

“We use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube but the content we post is slightly different for each of them because they all have different audiences.

“We have the highest number of followers on Facebook but there is more reach and engagement on Instagram and I think that’s because it’s a really visual tool. We’re in a very visual business so sites like Instagram and Pinterest work particularly well for us.



“As we don’t have a bricks and mortar store to meet our customers, tell them about our products and get their feedback, our social media conversation is really important. For us it’s about inspiration and telling a story. Social media is a really powerful way to get people to engage with our brand.“ I think the best social media tools for finding inspiration are definitely Instagram and Pinterest — you can lose hours on either one. Delve as deep as you can by looking at who you’re following and then looking who they follow, and who those people follow and so on. You can uncover some really cool accounts that way that you might not have seen ordinarily.

“On Instagram, I follow local stylists such as Megan Morton (@megan_morton), Sibella Court (@sibellacourt) and Kara Rosenlund (@kararosenlund). I also follow plenty of international bloggers such as Emily Henerson (@em_henderson), Design Sponge (@designsponge), Apartment Therapy (@apartmenttherapy), and Claire Lloyd on Pinterest (pinterest.com/clairelloyd58/).”

The rise of the shelfie

Too shy for a selfie but have an impressive shelf at home that shows off your styling prowess? Why not try a shelfie instead?



Urban Dictionary defines the shelfie as “a picture or portrait of your bookshelf — showcasing literature in all its glory”.

But design afficiandos have taken things one step further, using the shelfie hashtag to display vignettes of co-ordinated shelves of all shapes and sizes.

A quick search on Instagram and Pinterest using the shelfie hashtag brings up thousands of photos — Instagram alone has more than 210,000 images.

“Creating something beautiful is compelling ... it’s meditation of sorts,” says interior stylist Hilary Robertson.

“Even if nothing else in your room pleases you, you can transform one surface to your own satisfaction.”

First published Home, The Daily Telegraph 8 August 2015