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Three-bedroom home on the market for unbelievably cheap price

A three-bedroom home located on the border of Victoria and South Australia is up for sale for just $65,000. But there is a catch to future homeowners who want to experience the “quiet and cheap country living”, as they might need to be handy with a hammer. “If you’re a handyman and willing to put some elbow grease into it, then this one might be for you,” the listing read. The home itself is located on two plots of land measuring 2,100m2 in Serviceton, Victoria, and is only 16 minutes away from Bordertown, South Australia. “Being on two titles, you can utilise both or sell the vacant allotment as all the dwellings are on one,” the listing read. It also features a large lounge room with wood-fire heater, and a centrally located bathroom with a bath and vanity. There's plenty of room to cook in the massive kitchen, despite it needing a lot of work, it features a formal dining area that has a sliding servery window which connects to the lounge room. Outside, the future homeowner can find a large shed, rain water storage, and a gate that opens up to a park. “It went under contract ... an hour and a half (after it was listed),” Ray White agent Hayden Obst told 7News. The condition of its electrical, plumbing and appliances are unknown, but people are still expressing their interest. Despite this, many people from different parts of the country and a few investors are still calling the real estate agent, just in case the contract falls through. Images: 7News.com.au

Real Estate

Make your bedroom a place you’ll never want to leave

Not all of us can pop into a local homeware store and score a $1,000 bed spread, but there are some little changes you can make to create the look of a super luxe bedroom. 1. Pillows, pillows, pillows! Plump, over-stuffed pillows are what you see at fancy hotels, so bring the same look home. Overstuff your decorative throw cushions to give them a more sophisticated look. Pile on more pillows with a colour scheme of your choice and transform your bed. 2. Make a blanket statement Luxury bedding isn’t attainable for all, so focus on a throw blanket instead. Choose a nice colour, one that suits your pillows and other decor and drape it off the end of your bed. It will take the focus off your duvet. 3. Style your bed side table Don’t let it evolve into a junk drawer! Empty your dining classes and clear things like hand creams and loose papers. To make the room more glamorous, get a new lamp, add in a plant and think about hanging something small in the empty wall space above the table. 4. Upgrade your mirror Try an antique-inspired brass mirror or one with an interesting shape to draw attention to it. There are also mirrors with a shelf attached, so you’ll gain a little vertical storage where you can place candles, indoor plants or whatever decor you fancy. Image credit: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

How to set up your room to help you fall asleep

Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your health and quality of life. Sometimes sleep can be disturbed due to coffee or stress but sometimes it can be caused by the state of a bedroom. If you are having trouble falling asleep at night then your bedroom environment might be part of the problem. If your bedroom isn’t the sleep-friendly environment it should be, try these tips today. 1. Remove night lights and electronics If you have a bright light shining from a radio or alarm clock, it might be a good idea to cover it at night or turn it around so the light isn’t facing you as you sleep. Our brains can misinterpret dim lights and be aroused to wake up. It is also important to not be on your electronic devices right before you go to sleep due to the light that radiates from the screen. 2. Shut your curtains Even though the light from the moon, car headlights or streetlights might be outside your window, they still could be a factor in keeping you up. Drapes will help you fall asleep at night time and stop the morning sun waking you up as well. 3. Lower the temperature Just a small drop in temperature can help induce sleep. Experts recommend cooling down your room by a few degrees to aid your brain in drifting asleep peacefully. Studies have also found that wearing socks can help you fall asleep. It is believed that if your feet are warm, it helps the internal body temperature drop. 4. Get a comfy mattress A painful mattress will not only disturb your sleep but it will also leave you with aches and pains in the morning. Make sure you shop around and research carefully before buying a mattress so you can get one that allows you to have the most natural and deep sleep. Mattress protectors and mattress toppers are also a worthwhile investment for extra softness and comfort as you sleep. 5. Choose the right colour scheme Colours can speak volumes to your subconscious so it is important to paint and decorate your room with calming colours. Colours such as blue, purple and light pink can help calm your thoughts. Select colours that are the right shade to help you feel tranquil before you fall asleep at night. 6. Declutter your bedroom The impact of a cluttered room is far greater than you might initially think. If you are tossing and turning in the night make sure that before you go to bed, your bedroom is cleared of unnecessary clutter. Once your bedroom is clean, it will make you feel like you have more space and that you aren’t restricted. 7. Choose the right bedding The right sheets, the right pillows and the perfect number of pillows are all factors in helping you fall asleep. Whether you want cotton or flannelette bed sheets, make sure you are maintaining their quality as you use them. Image credits: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Desperate measures: Shed advertised as three-bedroom rental

As Australia’s housing crisis continues, prospective tenants have been left desperately searching for accommodation. Some homeowners have taken the chance to exploit the anguish of renters by listing their own version of “budget” accommodation to make a few bucks on the side. The latest makeshift housing solution comes from a landlord in Melbourne who has listed their garden shed a three-bedroom rental. The homeowner claims the shed boasts enough room for three bedrooms and a bathroom, while photos of the “property” show a singular room, adorned with astroturf. The listing, which is believed to have been shared on Facebook, was priced at $350 per month, with pictures showing one open-plan "room" with a large mattress shoved in one corner of the shed along with what appears to be a desk. The walls have no form of insulation and pieces of wood can be seen balancing in the rafters overhead. The Facebook listing was seen by an outraged man, who reposted the ad to a group which warns prospective renters about subpar rental properties. He said he was left "speechless" by the advertisement, which he described as "sweatshop style accommodation". "These sheds will be a sauna in summer, freezing in winter and attract all sorts of vermin. People will get severely sick. This should never, ever be an acceptable substitute for housing," he wrote. "I feel like this has to be someone actually genuinely joking?" one person said. "Disgusting, the nerve this person has," another raged. The listing comes amid unprecedented pressure on the Australian rental market, with record-low vacancy rates pushing prices sky-high. Tenants have little choice but to pay up, with the national vacancy rate at just 0.9 per cent. Image credits: Facebook

Money & Banking

See inside Roger Federer’s teenage bedroom

While Roger Federer’s adult life has been filled with fame and success on and off the tennis court, a throwback photo has revealed that his teenage years were more similar to most of ours than we might expect. A photo of the tennis maestro’s bedroom has been doing the rounds on social media and shows a 17-year-old Federer grinning for the camera with bleach-blond hair, some spots, and wearing a baggy Nike sweatshirt. The future World No. 1’s bedroom walls were covered in posters of his teenage idoles, including Pamela Anderson, and NBA stars Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A 17-year-old Roger Federer with pin-ups of Jordan, Pamela Anderson and a Macedonian flag 🇲🇰 in his bedroom in Basel 😀 <a href="https://t.co/IPEIqzV9sw">pic.twitter.com/IPEIqzV9sw</a> — Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) <a href="https://twitter.com/gigicat7_/status/1584598092065648642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2022</a></blockquote> Other items dotted around his room included what appears to be an Akubra hat, along with the Montenegrin flag, a mini basketball hoop and a collection of trophies. Just five years after the photo was taken, Federer would win his first Major at Wimbledon in 2003. Fans were quick to share their thoughts on the photo, with many sharing lighthearted jokes and commenting on how normal the future star’s room looked. “Lol i like the 90s randomness of it all,” one person shared. “Looks like any normal kids room at the time,” another said. “Really been living up to his two as the blandest white guy on earth since day one,” a third teased. “The GOAT with my country’s flag 😍,” one fan enthused. As for his bleached locks, one fan dubbed it his “Eminem phase”, referencing American rapper’s iconic bleach blond hair which he had during the 1990s and 2000s. Image: Getty Images

Family & Pets

12 simple ways to update your bedroom

On the move Simply rearranging your bedroom furniture can give the space a whole new lease of life and, what’s more, it won’t cost you a penny. Refresh the layout by switching the bed’s position to a different wall so you wake up to a new view in the mornings—play around with repositioning mirrors and artwork, too. Paint job If your bedroom is feeling a little tired and drab, a lick of paint on the walls and ceiling could be all it needs to make it look loved and lived in again. Even giving the existing colour a recoat will revive damaged walls and get rid of unsightly scuff marks. Don’t forget to repaint skirting boards, coving and door frames too, to give the whole room a makeover. Pattern hit For a more drastic design change, consider wallpapering a single wall to create a focal point in the room. This works particularly well on the wall behind your bed, as it will frame and draw attention to the main feature. Opt for a pattern and colourway that are well-suited to a bedroom; something in a calming palette will help set a tranquil scene and avoid overly busy designs that may be distracting rather than relaxing. Dress up Give your bedroom textiles an update by investing in new bedding to help the room feel brand new. In plainer rooms, patterned bedding is a great and affordable way to add interest or, for a more boutique look, keep it simple with a crisp white duvet set. Accessorise with a bedspread or throw at the foot of the bed and introduce two or three accent cushions for a cosy finishing touch. Picture perfect Perk up any room in the house by changing the artwork on the walls for a quick facelift. Check out online retailers for prints—photographic, typographic and illustrations—that won’t break the bank, or collect pretty wrapping papers to put into frames for a budget-friendly styling idea that can be changed easily when you feel like trying out a new look. Bright idea If your bedside table lamps or ceiling lights are looking a little dated, switch them for something more modern or in-keeping with your bedroom scheme. A new shade can be easily swapped yourself, or ask a local electrician to fit something if it needs wiring in. Don’t feel limited to traditional lamps either; Anglepoise-style desk lamps, for example, make great bedside lights as they can be adjusted for reading and come in whole range of colours. Get creative Changing your bedroom design doesn’t have to mean buying new furniture; simply upcycling what you already have can completely change the look and feel of the room and for a fraction of the price. Use chalk paint to paint wooden furniture or change the façade of a chest of drawers by replacing the handles with a new design. Why not remove the legs of a dressing table and replace them with metal hairpin legs for an affordable update? Floor filler Making your bedroom feel welcoming is all about adding cosy textures, not only on the bed itself but around the whole room. Laying a soft rug underfoot will not only be a comfort in the cold winter mornings, but it can act as a design feature to ground your whole scheme. Choose a large design to sit beneath the bed or lay a long runner down one side depending on the space you have to work with. Focal point Rather than investing in a whole new bed, changing the headboard is a simple way to add some wow-factor into your room. Consider upholstering the existing headboard in a new fabric and adding a studded surround, for example, or build your own wooden board using reclaimed scaffolding planks which can be sanded and varnished before being fixed to the back wall. Window dressings Switching your existing curtains, blinds or shutters can make a big different to the look and feel of a bedroom. If fabric curtains or blinds are looking a little tatty, invest in a new set (or have a go at making your own)—choose a fabric that ties in with the colour or pattern on your walls to create a cohesive look throughout. Storage If keeping clutter at bay is becoming a problem in your bedroom, position an ottoman or trunk at the end of the bed to provide additional storage. This handy piece of furniture is ideal for stashing away spare bedding or winter coats. If you’re short on space, a slim bench will also do the trick and allow you to store boxes or rows of shoes underneath. New angles View your bedroom in a whole new light by cleverly positioning mirrors to open up the space. Stand a floor mirror so that it’s angled at a pretty corner of the room and reflects a key part of the interior design, such as a wallpaper or gallery wall. Use wall mirrors to bounce light coming in from the window around the room to brighten up dark corners. Image credits: Getty Images This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/12-simple-ways-to-update-your-bedroom?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

How to decorate the perfect guest bedroom

When renovating your home, or just updating your style in your key living areas, it's easy to overlook a spare bedroom that doesn’t get much use. Instead of just using it for functionality with a basic bed or desk for guests to use, see a spare bedroom as an opportunity to step out of your styling comfort zone and try some new looks. Think of the task as a challenge to create a warm and welcoming space that could be enjoyed by anyone. Following these handy tips will ensure a restful space for anyone visiting your home. Maximise on space When planning the layout of your guest bedroom, capitalising on the space you have is key. A double or queen bed with a fold out single or sofa couch can be a good balance in a bedroom that isn’t as big as a master suite. If you have a nook in your guest room, consider a single bed or desk, or other furniture that can serve more than one purpose to make the space comfortable and functional. Create a cosy environment The bed is truly the pièce de résistance of any bedroom, so don’t skimp on the quality. Picking a comfortable and supportive mattress is the first thing that should be considered, before deciding on a timeless colour scheme and adding all the comfy trimmings such as throw rugs and cushions. You want your guests to feel like your heart and soul has been injected into making their temporary home as comfortable as possible. Think about storage While the main priority of a spare bedroom is to make it comfortable for guests, think about how you can maximise storage while it's not being occupied. Think underbed storage or a chic and stylish chest of drawers that can double as decoration. When the spare room is being used, having somewhere for guests to unpack their belongings can go a long way. Instead of expecting your visitors to live out of a suitcase, they would appreciate an empty section of a wardrobe or an unused bench top to store their belongings. Bedside tables and lighting are a must When decorating your spare room, a bedside table and a lamp are must-haves. This seemingly simple addition will make all the difference to your guests, with functionality in mind while also adding to the style of the room. Think about adding practical trinkets to a bedside table as well, such as candles, notepad and pen or a tray for jewellery. Add easy-to-forget essentials It's not uncommon for travellers to arrive at their destination and realise they have forgotten essentials such as toothpaste, body wash or hair products. Adding these products to a spare bedroom will take the hassle out of forgetting these important essentials, while also adding another element of thoughtfulness for your guests. Consider adding travel-sized products for guests to take with them if they choose, as these are much easier to replace for the next guest – for such a small gesture they leave amazing impression. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Inside a $1.5 million one-bedroom beach shack

A tiny shack in Florida with stunning beach views has hit the market for $1.5 million ($US 1.095 million). This one bedroom home in the seaside town of Santa Rosa Beach is perfect for a single person looking for simplicity. The one storey property was built in 2016 and is described as one of the most unique properties on the street. Looking at its photos you’d think this was a joke but honestly, why not? Obviously if you don’t have money that’s a whole other story. The red door unlocks all that you need, as soon as you step into the house is the bedroom, with a bathroom and a bathtub (who would’ve thought it could fit), and the kitchenette. Outside there is an outdoor shower, a stock tank splash pool with lounging area, and a privacy fence. If you had the money, would you buy this house? Images: Zillow

Real Estate

Why this 15-bedroom mansion will fetch well under $1 million

As the cost of housing continues to rise, one mansion in the United Kingdom is looking to buck that trend. Located in the north of Wales in a town called Llandudno Junction, this genuine 17-century Georgian manor is heading to auction in a few weeks with a price guide of just $758,000.Of course, for this price estimate, you could assume there must be strings attached to purchasing this spacious property and there is. Until 2021, the grand abode was owned by the Warwickshire County Council and used as a training and school trip facility for students.As such, the Grade II listed piece of real estate, known as Marle Hall, is currently registered for something called ‘Class C2’, which means it can only be used as a residential care home, nursing home, hospital, boarding school, residential college or a training centre.According to the selling agent, there could be the option to apply for planning consent to change the current classification. Once that’s done, Marle Hall could make for a stunning holiday home or even a small boutique hotel given its central location.Boasting over 14,500-square-metres of verdant land, aside from the main home, the estate also hosts a number of other buildings, including a small cottage.Inside the main structure, which can trace its routes all the way back to the mid-1600s, the manor boasts 15 bedrooms, a professional kitchen and pantry, a substantial dining hall and several sitting roomsMarle Hall is expected to be auctioned off on Wednesday the 2nd of March.Image: Domain Australia

Real Estate

6 colours you shouldn’t have in your bedroom

A bedroom is a sanctuary where we can be our most authentic selves. Most people want the colours of their bedroom to feel intimate and to reflect who they truly are, but at the same time, a bedroom should feel cosy and provide the best night’s sleep. Believe it or not, colour choices in your bedroom can largely affect how calm you feel and how well you rest in the evenings. According to experts, keep these colours out of the bedroom. Black Besides just darkening a room, a colour such as black will create an illusion that a room looks smaller than it actually is. While the darkness may aid in falling asleep at night, it will consequently inhibit your ability to get up in the morning, as well as psychologically decreasing your energy. “I suggest avoiding painting all four walls top to bottom and instead getting creative with paint placement and choosing a feature wall or leaving the trims out etc,” said Home Décor Designer, Shani Moran. Neon “You should always avoid using neon colours such as electric lime and magenta as they bring excitement and energy into the bedroom,” explained property developer Shad Elia. The vibrance will create a space that makes it more challenging to wind down, which is the whole purpose of a bedroom. Instead, Elia recommends using lighter shades of grey and beige, as “these colours are warm and help the body relax when it comes time to sleeping.” Yellow Yellow is a highly stimulating colour as we mostly associate the brightness with the sun and mornings, a time when we are most alert. “While the cheerful tone may be great for daytime, those who opt for a lemon-hued room are more likely to experience difficulty falling asleep at night,” claimed Kimberly Smith, a property marketing manager. Red Like yellow, red is a striking colour. While bold colours, particularly warm-toned reds and bright pinks, can look stylish, they can also evoke feelings of unrest or agitation. “These colours are often used in marketing as they stimulate the senses, and this is not something you want when trying to fall asleep,” explained Karin Sun, founder of a luxury bedding brand. These colours are better suited for places that encourage activity, like a gym, or a warmth, like a family room. Orange “In the early days of our marriage, my wife and I thought it would be a good idea to paint our bedroom orange,” said Daniel Carter, founder of an online business. “Not the bright, saturated shade you’d normally see on the fruit of the same name, but a lighter hue. We then added green and purple accents. It looked cool and eclectic.” “We loved how it turned out until we actually had to go to sleep. The room still looked bright even when we only had a night lamp on, so we had to pull the shades down and have all the lights switched off come bedtime, not always an ideal situation.” Dark brown The darkness of the colour provides a sense of heaviness and gloom, which may decrease the motivation of waking up in the morning. “However, if your heart is set on painting your bedroom walls with a colour that is deemed not wise, you can opt for their muted counterparts instead, or use them as an accent colour, instead of the main colour,” explained realtor Tal Shelef. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/6-colours-you-shouldnt-have-in-your-bedroom" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. Image credit: Shutterstock

Art

The Block’s Scotty Cam weighs in on “identical bedrooms”

After days of controversy on-air and online, The Block host Scott Cam has weighed in on contestants Luke and Jasmin’s “copycatted” bedroom. The TV host has determined the kids bedroom is “virtually identical” to the room they have been accused of ripping off. Cam couldn’t resist stirring the pot on Wednesday night’s episode, by making sure Luke and Jasmin’s competitors knew something was wrong, a day after judge Shaynna Blaze had visited the pair to confront the pair on-air. The WA couple received a perfect score of 30 for their kid’s bedroom and bathroom on Sunday’s episode. However eagle-eyed viewers found the winning room was incredibly similar to a kid’s bedroom at a popular Byron Bay Airbnb created by design company The Designory. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838121/dailies-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/59a4ddcd1a374b32bea6088e5e0387c0" /> Blaze confronted the two in Tuesday’s episode, informing them that there was a difference between “inspiration” and “completely taking someone else’s idea”. “Hey, did Shaynna come and visit you guys yesterday?” Cam asked the South Australian couple Daniel and Jade during his visit one episode later. “Because you know, it’s not always good news when Shaynna comes visiting. That’s all I’m saying. Alright, let’s go,” he said. A couple of houses down with Jimmy and Tam, Cam couldn’t play coy any longer. “Did you hear about Shaynna popping in next door? What’s your thoughts?” he asked the pair, who were aware of the reason for Shaynna’s visit. Jimmy and Tam showed their reluctance on speaking ill of Luke and Jasmin. “Umm … in all honesty, we’re not that worried about it. We know that other people might have a few issues about it. Jas did show me the image, and it does have a … very similar influence,” said Tam. Tam said she and Jimmy had “made sure” to keep their designs original. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838122/dailies-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5793ad5db94b471796679c047fbc7780" /> “I don’t really look at too much inspiration. I don’t have Instagram, I don’t have Facebook – I don’t want other people’s designs in our house,” she said. Luke and Jasmin told news.com.au that they were “blindsided” by Shaynna Blaze's visit, labelling her “insincere” and a “smart-arse.” The couple have since deleted their Facebook page and restricted comments on their joint Instagram account after being met with a heap of criticism from viewers. 2019’s couple Mitch and Mark reached out to Luke and Jasmin with a message of “support and positive wishes”. “Hope you guys are doing OK & know from our experience it all goes away,” the pair wrote in a comment on Luke and Jasmin’s latest Instagram post. “It’s definitely come as a surprise just how nasty the online world can be. We’ve never had people dislike us. So this is all new,” Luke and Jas said. “We’ve deleted Facebook so we don’t see anything on there. Staying positive about our beautiful home and focusing on the rooms left and the auction.”

Home Hints & Tips

Take a peek inside Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough’s five-bedroom mansion

Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine are leaving their home in Mosman as they prepare for the arrival of their new baby girl. The Today host put up the lavish mansion for rent, which is back on the market for a whopping $3,250 a week. Karl moved into the five-bedroom place in 2017 after his divorce from Cassandra Thorburn. The home is located in one of Mosman’s most exclusive streets, has five bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, two bathrooms and an open kitchen. The 715 square metre property also has an indoor fireplace, backyard patio and a swimming pool. There is also a spacious living area where you can relax as well as an attic which ads a unique charm to the family friendly home. The exterior of the home is a gardener’s dream as it’s full to the brim of landscapes hedges and greenery as well as ornate gates and an interesting water feature. According to the listing, the property is available from the 19th of March. Stefanovic confirmed that they are expecting a baby girl, telling <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/karl-stefanovic-jasmine-yarbough-pregnancy-baby-girl-due-may/6ccadce3-2d0d-433a-a665-da5cd95f124c?ocid=Social-9HoneyCelebrity" target="_blank">9Honey</a> that they’re “really excited”. “We are really excited... Our whole family can't wait to meet our little princess.” According to property insiders, the Stefanovics have been on the hunt for a house to buy in the Mosman area ahead of the birth of their baby girl. Scroll through the gallery to see the opulent home.

Home & Garden

Top 4 bedroom design trends for 2019

Wondering how other Australians are decorating their bedrooms in 2019? Check out this list of the top 4 bedroom design trends this year. 1. Extreme minimalism The extreme minimalism trend is different than most others you’ll find on home decorating trend lists such as this one. Keeping up with most trends requires you to buy whatever trendy item is being recommended. That isn’t the case here – in fact, it’s the exact opposite. To be au courant with this trend, you’ve got to take stock of the items in your bedroom, and get rid of everything except the utter necessities and the things that bring you delight. These are insights that a prominent organizing expert named Marie Kondo has been teaching to her legions of followers worldwide. Marie recently rose to prominence because her ideas about <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/konmari-cleaning-method-explained">decluttering and organizing</a> have been helpful to consumers as they seek to design the homes and lives they really want. In response to Marie’s advice, countless homeowners are getting rid of possessions that do not bring them joy. Extreme minimalism has once again become a thing – and it’s an especially big thing in the bedroom closet. Have you ever stopped to consider which of the things in your bedroom bring you joy? If there are clothes in your closet or items stuffed in your drawers that make you feel fat, ugly or horrid in any way, donate them and get them out of your room. 2. Sustainable fabrics Simple bamboo, organic cotton and linen are the fabrics adorning many of the trendiest bedrooms in Australia right now. Earthy, nature-inspired colours are popular, but they aren’t your only choices. These fabrics are also being styled with a moody color palette filled with charcoal greys, sea greens and navy blues. Check out <a href="https://www.ecosa.com.au/bamboo-bedding-sets">Ecosa’s bamboo bedding sets</a> for an example of a bedroom colour palette that is spot on for 2019. 3. Macrame, weaving and other richly textured textiles Handmade textile art was popular in the 1970s, and it has made a comeback in recent years. Prominent Australian textile artists such as <a href="https://www.macrameart.com.au/">Angie Duncan</a> and <a href="http://www.melissacarey.com.au/">Melissa Carey</a> are working to popularise textile art forms such as macrame and weaving once again. Elaborate macrame wall hangings and hand woven tapestries are the up-and-coming trendy wall art pieces right now. Many of these pieces incorporate natural elements such as tree branches. Some homeowners are hanging these over the bed in place of a headboard. Others are incorporating smaller pieces into the bedroom décor in innovative ways -- sometimes as valances over a window or curtains hanging to conceal the closet instead of a closet door. Other interesting textured textiles such as tassels, pintucks and thick, hefty knitted blankets are also trending up right now. 4. Houseplants in the bedroom <a href="https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/getmedia/2d832853-778b-41dd-af42-f93f7488e21b/14-Patterns-of-Biophilic-Design-Terrapin-2014e_1.aspx">“Biophilic design”</a> is a hot new buzzword phrase that refers to the phenomenon of incorporating nature and natural elements into the built environment. There are people who are getting really elaborate with creating these nature-inspired spaces -- but really, it can be as simple as bringing some humble houseplants inside. Bonus points if you hang your houseplants in macrame plant hangers near your bedroom windows. These are 4 of the most prominent bedroom design trends we’ve observed thus far in 2019. If you’re thinking of updating your bedroom soon, consider incorporating any of these trendy elements into your bedroom decor.

Home & Garden

Woman relives horrifying encounter with snake in her bedroom

A Brisbane woman who was recovering from a late night flight was woken up by what she described as something “flicking her face” – however, she didn’t think she would see a snake when she opened her eyes. Sally Stent returned to her home at 2am, not knowing a python was in her bedroom as she slept peacefully. After five hours, Ms Stent said she had been awoken by a giant python. “I opened my eyes and the snake was a couple of centimetres from my face looking at me. It was 5-10cm from my face. I had to focus my eyeballs to see it. It was right in there,” she told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fquestnews%2Fsouthwest%2Fpython-uses-tongue-to-rouse-woman-from-slumber%2Fnews-story%2Fc0fe44cf81a4019e6202747b445a5e43&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium" target="_blank">Courier Mail.</a> The slithery reptile was hanging from her beside lamp and had put his face close to Ms Stent’s. Although surprised, the young woman said she didn’t jump or scream, but instead remained calm and left the room. Her father, who was home at the time, was made a cup of tea to calm him down before he became aware of the startling news. “I said, ‘By the way, there’s a snake in my bedroom’. It took him 15 minutes to calm down and by that time, the snake had disappeared, and he thought I’d made it up,” she explained. Ms Stent said the giant python was removed by a local snake catcher who managed to coax the reptile from its hiding place. The snake had reportedly slithered in through an open window, looking for a safe place to digest its last meal. Thankfully, Ms Stent confirmed she had learnt her lesson from the scary ordeal. “I have fly screens now on every window in the house. I was a bit too cool for fly screens before but now I’m not,” she said.

Home & Garden

Luxe for less! ALDI launches new range to transform your bedroom into a 5-star hotel

There’s just something about hotel rooms that exude comfort and luxury like nothing else, and now, thanks to ALDI, you can recreate some of that magic at home. Starting on Wednesday May 22, ALDI’s Special Buys will feature affordable home items that will help give a touch of luxury to your living space. The sale will include items from their hotel bedroom and bathroom range, as well as home heating. A queen or king sized Quilted Coverlet Set will be retailing for $69.99 and comes in four different colours. The sought-after item comes complete with two pillowcases and an oversized coverlet in a quilted pattern. If you’re looking for ways to beat the winter chill, then you can rush in to grab the Heated Throw Blanket for $36.99, featuring nine heat settings. Also on sale is the Flame Effect Heater for $129. The ambience booster has two heat settings, a remote control and adjustable flame brightness. Other items included in the sale are the Faux Fur Throw Blanket for $24.99 and bath towels for $9.99. There will also be a number of pillows, such as the Faux Fur Cushions for $14.99. Scroll through the gallery above to see what’s on offer this Special Buys.

Retirement Income

The GENIUS hack Drew Barrymore uses to hide TV in her bedroom

For many of us, having a television in the bedroom is a luxury way to relax, de-stress and unplug from the world around us – after all, it is a distraction that is confined to the comfort of our own bed. However, a big and bulky TV can put a dampener on our design aesthetic and in some cases make a room feel much smaller than it actually is – but Drew Barrymore has revealed her genius way to make sure her device is out of view when it is not being used. The best part is, this hack is extremely affordable and requires less than five steps. Taking to Instagram, the 44-year-old actress and business owner explained how she loves watching TV from bed but hates the way it looks. “#FLOWERHomeHack I absolutely love watching TV in the bedroom, however I don’t love the look of a plasma screen on the wall. It takes away from the femininity of the room...” she wrote. “So I went on Etsy ordered a hanging piece of art and did a home hack and when I’m done with my TV I just hide it behind it.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwe0vy1HYRB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwe0vy1HYRB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore)</a> on Apr 20, 2019 at 8:01am PDT </div> </blockquote> The conceal method of hiding a big appliance is a simple and extremely effective hack and comes right down to the artwork you choose. Barrymore went for a texture tribal piece that was big enough to completely hide the large television behind it. The mother-of-two girls – Olive, 6, and Frankie, 5 – recently launched her own homewares line through the American discount chain store Walmart called Flower Home, and it focusses on feminine and colourful design pieces. “I’ve been saying I wanted to go into home and design for 20 years because it’s really where my life and my passion lies. Now, finally, finally we’re here!” Drew told <a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/home/drew-barrymores-first-ever-home-decor-line-has-a-sweet-link-to-her-role-in-e-t/" target="_blank">People Magazine</a> earlier this year.

Home & Garden

Terrified woman discovers red-bellied black snake in her bedroom

As a woman from Holsworthy in NSW woke up to face another day, she got the fright of her life as she saw a red-bellied black snake slither across her bedroom floor. As she awoke, she noticed her dog staring at her bed as “stiff as a board”. It was then she realised that there was a 1.2m red-bellied black snake in her bedroom. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822857/snake-video-screenshot.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9583291bcae74c4ca3e8a69e0bd09b22" /> The removal of the snake was “quick and painless”, according to Kane Durrant from WILD Snake Catchers. “Sometimes it can take much longer but luckily today the snake was out and about and the resident had closed the door and kept an eye on the exit.” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwildspec%2Fvideos%2F1145882328916058%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Mr Durrant was shocked to be called out to the same resident's house, as he had just removed another red-bellied black snake from their backyard just two weeks prior. He explained why the snake had decided to go indoors: “I guess the bedroom is quite scary as you sleep in there and should feel safe. “Hot weather like this week can push snakes indoors searching for a cool spot to rest.” Have you woken up to a snake in your bedroom? What did you do? Let us know in the comments.

Home & Garden

Terrifying moment two warring snakes crash through bedroom ceiling

A video has captured the scary duel between snakes after they fell through an air duct in an Aussie bedroom. The footage shows the two pythons tangled together and making hissing noises after they fell through the air ducts of the home located in Brisbane’s Kenmore Hills. The fight was captured by Snake Catchers Brisbane on Sunday and shows the two male Coastal Carpet pythons battling for a female mate in the area. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwww.snakecatchers.com.au%2Fvideos%2F2060287627618889%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> “People often mistake this as mating, but it is combat,” explained snake catcher Lana Field. According to Field, whichever snake won the battle would gain the right to mate with the nearby female, whose pheromones they could smell. The two snakes fell through the air duct vent by pushing on the cover and fell into the room of the unknowing inhabitants. Social media users were shocked by the video, with one person commenting: “Imagine being in that bed when they came through the ceiling vent! OMG!” Another wrote: “Oh my God they fell through the roof, I would have died, not looking forward to summer.” Ms Field described the two pythons as “small, average size”, with a length of around 1.75 metres. “They can continue like this for hours also, until one is exhausted, feels like he's going to win the battle, get on top and he'll leave,” she said

News

The Block judge’s harsh verdict over ‘worst’ room reveal

As The Block contestants showed off their hard work in last night's bedroom reveal, one duo copped harsh criticism from one of the judges. Courtney and Hans, contestants from Western Australia, faced their fair share of battles when transforming their master bedroom – with plastering and styling issues delaying them so much they were unable to finish painting the room. Their room caused the most controversy among the judges, with Neale disagreeing with Shaynna and Darren’s admiration of the décor. “I’m just not feeling it,” Neale said to his fellow judges. “There’s nothing in here that’s going to make me want to buy it. Yes, it’s grand and majestic but it feels like an exercise in wasted space.” Neale then slammed the artwork Courtney spent two days deciding to buy, despite feedback that she shouldn’t. “I mean, what do we do with these chairs, look at possibly the worst piece of art I’ve ever seen on The Block. I know I’m sounding very over the top, but I feel so strongly that the choice of art dictates the emotions you feel when you walk into the room.” The judge then rattled off elements he would expect to see in a multimillion-dollar apartment. “Show me a couch, an ottoman, an amazing rug, floor-to-ceiling mirrors.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2018489984592px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820581/courtneyandhans.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/19d22cb94cda4f67a85c64b099e6bb1e" /> However, after seeing Hans and Courtney’s walk-in wardrobe, the judge was able to admire one aspect of their work. “This is one of the most impressive walk-in wardrobes I’ve seen on The Block,” he said. The duo received a score of 22 for their master bedroom. Sara and Hayden – 26.5 For Sydney couple, Sara and Hayden, they found their bounce back while working on their master bedroom after threatening to walk off the show last week. After Sara’s breakdown over coming last three weeks in a row, the team finally managed to show off their styling skills – receiving the highest score for their master bedroom. The team opted for a navy feature wall, a regal bedhead and an impressive walk-in-wardrobe. “I love that they’ve got the ottoman at the foot of the bed that matches the bedhead, I think that’s really elegant,” Darren said. Shaynna praised the couple for heading to her advice and showing restraint with their texture combinations. "The restraint they've shown is great," Blaze said. “They wanted all these different textures and they were clashing. They were going to have venetian plaster, a textured wallpaper and lots of velvet, so they have really pulled back.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2018489984592px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820582/haydenandsara.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b30e73bfdbf040bd808969b34e10f98c" /> Kerrie and Spence – 24 Kerrie and Spence managed to place second for the master bedroom reveal, despite their spacious room being described as “forgettable”. Although the judges complimented the colour scheme, they criticised the team’s styling arrangement. “They’re hospital lights with a hospital glow and it feels clinical,” Shaynna said about the hanging lights over the bed. “It’s a forgettable bedroom from a buyer’s perspective.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2018489984592px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820583/kerrieandspence.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1aa219f6ef374926bae9cc83783c119c" /> Norm and Jess – 22.5 The QLD duo received criticism from Neale for making their gold themed bed and TV look similar to a “gold class cinema”. “If there was ever a room crying out for less is more, it’s this one,” Neale said. “I can see where they are trying to go. I actually think the colour palette is really clever and beautifully done, but wow, what an overload.” Shaynna agreed that the decorating was overwhelming in such a tiny room. <img style="width: 500px; height: 280.7153965785381px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820584/normandjess.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2d10786680ef4ce288f9ba7ec722ad34" /> Bianca and Carla – 22.5 The team from Victoria struggled with the tiles on their feature wall and not having a visible air conditioner vent this week. “There’s a part of me that looks at that bed and thinks it’s got some of the most beautiful styling I’ve ever seen on this show. But I don’t think these girls are thinking how we actually live,” Neale said. “It’s style over substance. This doesn’t function.” Shaynna found the room overtly masculine. “I feel this is so heavily masculine with the dark drapes, the dark walls, the charcoal. There’s little in here that will appeal to a female buyer.” <img style="width: 500px; height:283.2550860719875px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820587/biancaandcarla.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7731c68645594bf1b8fbb65fc6b8a031" /> Which room do you rate the most? Let us know in the comments below.

Home & Garden

Prince Harry’s teenage bedroom had a special tribute to Princess Diana

A flashback photo of Prince Harry as an 18-year-old during his university days has recently resurfaced. The 2003 photo of the now 33-year-old royal’s room was taken when he was a boarder at Eton College. It shows what looks like an ordinary teenage boy’s messy room but eagle-eyed fans couldn’t help notice a framed photograph of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, taking pride of place on his desk. <img class="alignnone wp-image-421973 size-full" src="https://m0.her.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/29130522/princeharryeton.jpg" alt="Prince Harry's bedroom at school show had a very sweet tribute to his mum" width="594" height="345" /> Fans also noticed there was a pin-up of Hollywood actress Halle Berry on his wall. The Oscar-winner herself shared the photo on Twitter this week, praising Prince Harry for his excellent taste in women. <img style="width: 500px; height: 328.82011605415863px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820543/capture.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2cc48fafc92549bbba7ffeb4c29c5c38" /> “OK #PrinceHarry, I see you! #HalleBerryPosta @MissyElliott,” the 52-year-old tweeted, referencing a famous line from rapper Missy Elliott’s 2001 hit Work It, where she ask: “Don’t I look like a Halle Berry poster?”

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