TO RENOVATE...OR NOT TO RENOVATE? IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE GETTING STARTED.

It's interesting that with an initial client consultation in regards to renovations, when asked what they would like to achieve, or how they envisage the finished product to look, designers and builders can be met with an awkward silence followed by an audible gulp.

And who could blame people for that kind of response?  Renovating is a big step and of course, where do you start?

Why are you renovating?

Is it because your house is old?  Tired looking?  Is there not enough space or storage?  Has there been a new life changing event i.e new baby, changed family arrangements (blended family...think Brady Bunch) or are you wanting to invest and on-sell for some extra cash?

We suggest firstly that you start with a list of all the things that you don't like about your home.

Love being outdoors?

How do you live?  Do you love the outdoors?  Are you big on entertaining friends and family?  Or, do you just crave your own space?  Have a good long think about your lifestyle and all the ways that you live.  This will help with getting a clearer picture on what your needs and a starting point.

If you are anything like us, you have a Pinterest account with lots of pinned pictures reflecting your dream home vision.  Use this as your mood board, or cut out pics from magazines and start up an ideas book.  Sometimes it can be hard to explain what is in your head, so having something similar on hand is very helpful.

Photo credit - image via uber.net.au

What is not negotiable on your 'want list'.  How many bathrooms do you need to have?  Do you prefer separate toilet and bathroom?  Is a larger bedroom on your wishlist?  Hate the tiles in your newly purchased home?  Prefer open plan living to lots of small living spaces?  Before you know it your list will be longer than Matthew McConaugheys' Oscar Acceptance Speech!

photo credit - news.domain.com.au

What is your budget?  Silly budgets, but still very important to have a clear idea of how much you are willing to spend.  There are lots of hidden costs to consider, which is why its important to enlist the help of an experienced builder hand in hand with a good design team.

Will all the changes inevitably add value to your home?  Ask us about what is going to add value to your residence.  Your intention may be to live in your newly renovated space for many years to come, but if you do end up selling, its important to ensure you are able to recoup the cost of your renovations.  

Is it going to be reasonable to extend out to the front, side or rear of your house?  Have you considered an extra storey?  Moving upwards rather than outwards means keeping your garden just as it is and preserves your outdoor space.

Colette and Cathie Venardos - Charcoal Interiors Design Team
And lastly, get your hands on a really great builder and Interior Designer.  Find someone that you can work with and you have confidence in.
Ask to see some of their previous projects.  In this day and age with websites you will find a good designer and builder have a portfolio you can check out.
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
Ask lots of questions and ensure they take the time to get to know you and ask loads of questions too because a home is really a reflection of you and your lifestyle.  You want to enlist the expertise of somebody that really 'gets' you.

We are happy to assist with the Interior Design process of your renovation.
Phone our experienced team on 07 38526002
or visit the showroom at
41 Brookes Street.  Fortitude Valley.  Qld.  4006

EASY TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOFA FOR YOUR SPACE

EASY TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOFA FOR YOUR SPACE

The options when it comes to choosing a sofa, seem to be infinite!

You may have a very solid idea of what you want in your head, but once you start browsing online, or walk into a shop, the array of sizes, shapes, colours and customisation alternatives can leave you overwhelmed.

Here, we give a very easy to follow, conclusive list of tips to help you choose the right sofa for your space.

Our intention is to save you time, money and the dreaded buyers remorse, so read on and get confident in your sofa purchase.

1. Size matters.  How much room do you want your sofa to fill?

The balance needs to be just right and if you are waiting to include other chairs, couches, coffee table etc...then a modular style sofa could work well with great functionality.

Have a small space to work with?  Then a smaller sofa is going to be the feature of the room, so we go for practicality in balance with good design.  We can help you with finding just the right shape and sized sofa for small space too.

2.  Position, Position, Position.  Where is the best position for your couch?

Look at your lifestyle habits in this room.  What is it that you do the most in the space?...i.e watch television?....read?...entertain friends or business clients?

For the avid TV watcher, ensure the sofa faces that direction.  Love to entertain?..then arrange your sofa and any additional chairs around a central coffee table.  Love to read in comfort?  Then ensure your sofa is close to natural light where possible.

3.  Fabric...the best part!  Which upholstery materials should you use?  Gosh, this really is just so very important for a great aesthetic, yet functionality needs to be considered when choosing the fabric for your sofa.  A plush suede is just so divine, but not so practical if you have pets or little ones.

Leather is always in style, ages and wears well in general and can be quite easy to clean.

Here at Charcoal Interiors we offer a huge range of fabrics to choose from.

4. Styling You.  An essential is to choose a style that compliments your home.  Go with a shape and style that you feel an affinity with and go with your gut instinct.

Modern - Think sleek, clean lines.

Eclectic - If your tastes lean towards Eclecticism and a mix of colour and design then a modern couch with traditional accents could be the perfect way to express your inner bohemian leanings.

Traditional - If you are inclined towards the Traditional look, then think classic structure when it comes to your sofa.  Keep the fabrics to neutrals that will accommodate various colours and complementary pieces over the years...i.e soft furnishings, rugs etc...

5. Re-upholstery versus Custom Made.  If you have a special piece with good old bones we can arrange upholstery via our quality service.  

Half the fun is choosing from our huge range of fabrics and then seeing your beloved piece transform and garner a new lease of life.

Custom made sofas tick all the boxes and take the stress out of searching high and low for the elusive perfect sofa.  Your style, your fabric!  Ask us today about our custom made sofa service specialising in Australian Made sofas with comfort plus!

As a special offer to all our blog readers and regular clients we are offering this incredible sale price on our 'Sophia Sofa'.  Exclusively manufactured in Australia, and using the best quality European fabrics, this gorgeous 2 and a half seater has been price slashed to just $3,400! 

 This price includes the feature cushions crafted from revered Lizzo, one of Europes' most exalted fabric houses.

Please phone us on 07 38526002 or call in to the Showroom at 41 Brookes Street to view this beautiful sofa and make it yours today.

We are always here to help.  Our showroom is open every day but Sunday.

Check out our website for all the latest in our projects and keep up to date with what is happening in the world of Interior Design.

Charcoal Interiors

41 Brookes Street.  Fortitude Valley.  Brisbane. Queensland.

CHECK OUT OUR 'BLOG READERS ONLY' SPECIAL OFFER!

Our incredibly generous Treasure Trove Sale continues!

Each week we have been posting up photos and details of some of our most treasured finds.

We are making room for a brand new introduction to the Charcoal fold!  

There is nothing better than walking away with not only a true bargain but also an item that you have admired and wanted.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Charcoal Interiors Showroom at 41 Brookes Street Fortitude Valley, where you will most definitely walk away with one of our treasured finds.  There is something for everyone as you will see below.

MOROCCAN LANTERN - LAST ONE

Moroccan lanterns have a deep cultural history that goes back centuries.

This lighting style is that of Arabian legends and evokes feelings of mystery, antiquity and brilliance.

This item is reduced down from $445 to just $225.

Own a piece of history with this exotic Moroccan Lantern.  

Add a touch of glamour and mystery to your bathroom or bedroom with this lantern

Pop in a candle for a gorgeous glow will reflect through the stained glass.

SELECTED TABLE STYLES REDUCED

Everyone knows that we are best known for our Interior Design services and our in house custom made furniture service.  Our workshop manager and master craftsman John, creates beautiful dining tables and consoles (amongst other things) and we have a selection on sale.  Come in and have a chat with the design team about what we have on offer, and if you dont see what you want, we can make it for you!...that's the flexibility of our custom made service.

BELGIAN ZINC CATHEDRAL URNS

We have a pair of Belgian Zinc Cathedral Urns available and on sale!

Crafted in a family owned workshop in Bulgaria our pure zinc footed urn is quite at home indoors or out.  Perfect as a garden feature, flanking a stairway or arch in pairs or to hold a plant with the lid off.

We have seen these mounted on pillars at the entrance to one of our fave wineries...they look amazing!

BELGIAN ZINC FOOTED BALLS

Artisans in a family owned workshop in Bulgaria handcraft these ornaments, giving them individual character and gracefully aged patina of the European antiques that inspire them.

Use them in the traditional way to top posts or pedestals or group together on a table or in a flower bed as a point of interest.

FRENCH FARMHOUSE STYLE WIRE BASKETS...MUST GO!

Get a little bit of French Farmhouse style with these beautifully made wire baskets.

Pricing starts at just $20.

Round styles look terrific in the kitchen filled with fruit.

The wire tray styles are big enough to hold paperwork, toiletries and its uses are just limited by your imagination really!

KILN FIRED FARMHOUSE ACCESSORIES

Our Kiln Fired Farmhouse Jugs are reminiscent of a time gone by when fresh milk was stored in pottery jugs.  We have loved seeing these used as vases, or decorative pieces for your kitchen.  For something a little bit different and  the perfect wedding gift – prices start at just $50

OUR CUSTOM MADE PINBOARDS

You can always pin your hopes on a terrific bargain when we have a sale, and this one is no different with our gorgeous Pinboards pricing slashed to almost half price from $385!

Covered in imported fabrics our pinboards are so special and certainly are a welcome change to cork!

SOHO FEATURE LAMP WITH WOODEN BASE

We just love this Soho Feature Lamp!

With its hand carved timber base and elegant shade, its rustic character and elegance melds nicely.

We think this would look perfect as a feature in a living room.  Sometimes you just need that special piece for a problematic home space.  

OLD TURKISH OIL POT

Before plastic was invented, people used to store their water, olive oil, grape juice etc...in clay earthenware.

Here you can own a little piece of history with our lovely rustic Old Turkish Olive Oil Pot.  It has an earthenware base and metal lid.  One of the fascinating features of this olive oil pot is the natural staining which comes from years of storing oil....a lasting scar of its redundancy.

For our blog readers this week we are offering this Old Turkish Oil Pot reduced from $130 to just $45!

Please phone us on 38526002 to secure or pop into Charcoal Interiors as this one will not last at the price.

See you in at Charcoal Interiors for our sale!

Check out our previous blogs for more special pieces but be quick!

41 Brookes Street.  Fortitude Valley.  Queensland

Phone - 07 38526002

Charcoal Interiors Website

CHARCOAL INTERIORS 'SOULFUL TREASURES' SALE.....

Now is the time to head into Charcoal Interiors for our Sale!  We have exciting new inclusions to the Showroom and the extra space is needed to accommodate.  The design team are very excited to be introducing you to a new range that you are going to love....WATCH THIS SPACE.....

We really do mean it when we say we have Soulful Treasures for you in our sale.  There is something very special about owning a piece of furniture, or accessory that has a bit of 'soul' and a story behind it.  In this generic world of 'same-same' and matchy-matchy, we stand out from the norm with our range of thoughtfully selected treasures.  Colette and Cathie pride themselves on bringing you unique and inspiring products for your home.  And the great news is that we are having a huge sale, with lots of big reductions off selected prized finds.  Read on for all the details and this week we have something a little different with video information links.  Just click where appropriate and see the products for yourself with a voice over description.

CONSOLES AND TABLES

How about owning a piece of history with this stunning old sideboard from the Shang Xi Provence which dates back to the Qing Dynasty?  Crafted in the early 19th century it is a gorgeous piece with a subdued French influence, making it very sought after indeed.  They certainly do not make furniture like this any more and you will treasure this one forever.  

Reduced down to just $3500 in our sale.  

Pop into the showroom at 41 Brookes St. Fortitude Valley or give the girls a call to secure.

07 38526002

Click Here For Product Video

This would have to be up there with our all time faves in the showroom.  This old Spanish Door console conversion is all about character and rustic charm.  

Was $2900 and now reduced right down to just $1900

Our much admired Round French Inspired Dining Table is on sale and it will not last at just $800.

Featuring here in our Hamilton Riverside Apartment project, this table is the perfect combination of relaxed elegance and rustic charm with a French twist you will love!  Round tables are so versatile as well, and this one will seat up to 6 people comfortably.

Phone us on 07 38526002 to secure this much coveted table.

Our famous square trestle based dining table in reclaimed timbers is now for sale.  We absolutely love the timber finish with its interesting rustic detailing and know you will too.  This is the perfect table for a family.  Mix it up with bench seats and standard dining chairs...we can help you with those too!  Get in quick for this one.  Was $3200 now just $2700.   Crafted by our workshop manager John, so you know its quality and will stand the test of time...no matter what the family dishes out on it.

Our iron base console with its raw style features is a very convenient size whilst not imposing within the space too much with a length of 1800cms and depth of 500cms.

Was $1850 and now just $700

We have made it easy to own a piece of Charcoal Interiors Custom Made furniture with this beautifully crafted Hall Table in Reclaimed Timbers.  Workshop manager John puts so much care and attention into his craft.  From the selection of the timbers right down to the stain finish.  Everything has to be just right.  This Hall Table ticks all the boxes for style, functionality and good looks.

Was $1100 and now reduced right down to just $770.

LAMPS

Lovers of stylish lamps will love our special sale offer.

We have a pair of these stunning Table Lamps with intricately painted base detailing reduced down from $585 to just $350 each.

This close up of the base shows just how elegant these Table Lamps are.

And taking a further 10% off the sale price of our pair of forged iron base feature lamps brings the pricing down to just $432 each.

Get in quick as this is the last of our timber base large Feature Lamps in this style.

Was $1475 and now reduced down to just $740!

CLOCKS

Named after Paris's fashionable shopping district, our Rue de la Paix Feature Clock is deligthfully French.

Was $175 and now just $120

.....and did you know that our Large Feature Clocks all have functional working mechanisms!?

And that includes the Grand-daddy of them all, our Black Metal Feature Clock (below) 

Was $375 Now just $250 

MIRRORS AND ACCESSORIES

This forged iron Mirror is priced to sell as we need the wall space.  You will be surprised at the size of this mirror for the price of just $110!!  Would be perfect for indoors or as a fantastic way to give the illusion of space to a smaller covered outdoor area.

Surprise Mum this Mothers Day with one of our French Farmhouse Metal Buckets.  Each has a handle with traditional wood detailing and these would look amazing filled with herbs for Mum on her special day.

Reduced now to just $70 per bucket.

We knew these would be popular, so click on the link below for a brief 15 second video and description.  They really are quite special.

Click Here For Product Video Link

Have you seen our Treasure Chest of Fabric and Wallpaper remnants?

We have a variety of wallpaper remnants on sale...including our beautiful pressed metal range in the silver.  Ask for assistance and one of our friendly staff will show you what we have left.  There are still some really lovely selections available.

Lovers of Imported, Luxury fabrics will be delighted to see we still have some fabric drops available and on sale.  Prices start from just $45.  In particular our French Linens are worth coming in for.  These are fabrics that have been discontinued, so not only will you be gaining a bargain, but also snaring very unique and special fabrics.

We have one last Wall Lantern available.  Was $315 and now reduced right down to $220!!

Crafted from iron and glass.

See you in the showroom!

We welcome phone calls on any of the sale items if you have a question.

Open this Saturday 9.30am to 2.30pm

41 Brookes Street.  Fortitude Valley. Brisbane.  Qld. 4061

Phone 07 38526002

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au