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Luxe look for less: BIG W launches timeless homewares range starting from $9

<p>BIG W is set to release a '70s inspired set of homewares that you might not be able to pass up.</p> <p>The latest collection will appear in stores next Wednesday and will touch on familiar colour palettes that were all the rage in our homes back in the 1970s, with bold botanical greens, mustard golds and soft greys.</p> <p>If you’re looking for a new way to freshen up your home, then BIG W’s latest release may just be exactly what you need.</p> <p>With vibrant and deep-toned bedding, to plush velvet cushions, as well as trendy ottomans and arm chairs all at an affordable price – what is not to love about the department store’s <em>Dark Wonder</em> collection?</p> <p>Starting from just $9, customers can add a decorative accessory to your bedside table with the House &amp; Home black metal lantern or a metallic hourglass.</p> <p>Customers looking to spice up their homes can purchase the velvet armchair that comes in either emerald or grey for just $99, as well as the matching ottoman for $49.</p> <p>Online, the new collection has caused a storm amongst excited fans ready to get their hand on the items.</p> <p>“Love a touch of glam!” one user commented.</p> <p>“I HAVE to have this,” another wrote.</p> <p>The luxe homeware range also features stunning bedding to add glamour and chic to your bedroom without having to dig deep into your pockets.</p> <p>For just $49, you can have bold velvet mustard print bedding set to bring life into your bedroom or add pops of colour with the $29 <em>Dharsh</em> quilt set.</p> <p>While only a few pieces are available for pre-order now online, customers will be able to purchase items from the collection in stores from next Wednesday.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see some of BIG W’s luxe Dark Wonder collection.</p> <p>Will you be purchasing any of these homeware items? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Aussie man's frightening discovery under sofa cushion

<p><span>A man on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast made a shock discovery over the weekend when he went to relax on his couch on Saturday morning.</span></p> <p><span>Curling up in front of the TV and hiding under a sofa cushion was a large carpet python.</span></p> <p><span>It is believed the 2.5m snake came into the Cooroy house through an open verandah and then slid its way onto the sofa.</span></p> <p><span>The family then called Noosa Snake Catcher Luke Huntley to safely remove the snake that weighed just under 10kg.</span></p> <p><span>"I started laughing when I saw where it was," Mr Huntley told Yahoo7.</span></p> <p><span>"He went to sit in the spot where he usually goes to watch TV, so he went to move the cushion out of the way, but there was a big snake sitting in his spot," Snake Catcher Luke Huntley said.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSnakeCatcherNoosa%2Fvideos%2F914605282031896%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>"It was the biggest snake I've caught indoors before."</span></p> <p><span>Luke explained that the snake had stayed in the same position after coming into the house to escape the wet weather on Friday night and stayed indoors as it was a hot Saturday morning.</span></p> <p><span>“So many people leave their door open for the airflow or if they have a dog or cat.</span></p> <p><span>"It's the most common way snakes get in.</span></p> <p><span>"If you don't want snakes inside the house, keep your doors and windows closed," Luke said.</span></p>

Home & Garden

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Very proud granny covers cushions, tablecloths, walls, curtains and more in pictures of grandkids

<p>Could this be the world’s proudest grandmother? 66-year-old Carmen Baugh has taken her love of her grandchildren to the next level, wallpapering and decorating her house in their photos and even wearing their pictures.</p> <p>That’s right, this US grandma has her grandchildren’s photos covering her walls, curtains, cushions and tablecloths. While it may seem a bit overboard to us, her family love it. Baugh told <a href="http://press.spoonflower.com/worlds-proudest-grandma/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Spoonflower</span></strong></a> that her husband Bob “thinks it’s great” but that her grandkids, aged 6 and 3, took a bit longer to come around.</p> <p>“My granddaughter exclaimed ‘Oh my!’ But she and her brother then rushed straight to the wallpaper and started picking out their own photos,” she says. “They loved it all, including the pillows.”</p> <p>See her family-filled world in the pictures above and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/grandma-photobombs-real-estate-pictures/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Grandma hilariously photobombs her real estate pictures</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/90-year-old-nana-love-to-keep-tabs-on-family-through-facebook/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>90-year-old Nana loves to keep tabs on family through Facebook</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/04/girls-gets-spelling-of-grandma-wrong/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Little girl gets spelling of grandma adorably wrong</strong></em></span></a></p>

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How to make silhouette cushion covers

<p>Add a special touch to your living room with these unique DIY cushion covers! These covers can be personalised with any silhouette you choose so it can truly be a one-of-a-kind cushion for your couch.</p> <p><img width="336" height="246" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10875/person-silouette_336x246.jpg" alt="Person Silouette" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need: </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Silhouette template (it can anything you want but choose a picture that isn’t too detailed around the edges)</li> <li>Thin adhesive-backed felt</li> <li>Sharpie</li> <li>Scissors</li> <li>Needle</li> <li>Embroidery thread</li> <li>Solid colour cushion cover</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to: </span></strong></p> <p>1. Make a paper copy of the photo or picture you would like to use. You can google silhouettes on the internet if you don’t have a particular image in mind. Carefully cut around the paper template.</p> <p>2. Place template on the back of the adhesive-backed felt. Trace around the template on the paper backing with a sharpie. Cut out the felt shape.</p> <p>3. Deicide where you want to place your silhouette. Peel paper backing and stick shape on your cushion cover.</p> <p>4. As the adhesive won’t last for multiple washes, it’s a good idea to sew the felt in place. Using your needle and embroidery thread, sew around the edge of the shape.</p> <p><em>Sources: The Fashion Workshop/ Homemade By Jill</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Make your own cushions in less than 20 minutes

<p>Even the most rookie sewer can fashion make their own cushion covers in next to no time at all. With the help of a sewing machine you can update and customise any room in less than 20 minutes.</p><p>These instructions are to make a cushion with an envelope-back cover. You can easily alter the measurements to make varying sizes.</p><p><strong>What you’ll need</strong></p><ul><li>Fabric (you can use a different patterns for the front and back if you wish)</li><li>Scissors</li><li>Sewing machine and cotton thread</li><li>Pins</li><li>Iron</li><li>Cushion insert (16cm square)</li></ul><p><strong>Instructions</strong></p><p>1. Cut one piece of fabric to 18 x 18cm for the front side of your cushion. Tip:&nbsp;add 1cm to either side of your cushion’s dimensions so you have wriggle room to sew and fit the pillow inside.</p><p>2. For back of the pillow, you will need to cut a rectangular shape to allow for the envelope flap. Cut your fabric to 18 x 23cm. Then, cut your rectangle in half so you have two 18 x 11.5cm pieces.</p><p>3. Iron both pieces to ensure they’re flat and easy to work with.</p><p>4. With the two backing pieces, create a 1cm fold along one of the 18cm edges and iron or pin the fold in place. Sew a hem along this line. These folds will be at the opening of your envelope pillow case.</p><p>5. Place the square fabric piece flat so the pattern is facing upwards. Next, lay the other two pieces pattern side down on top. Secure the edges with pins, leaving a 1cm rim around the edge for your seam.</p><p>6. Sew around the edges of your cushion cover. Remove the pins and turn your pillow cover inside out. If the corners are too bulky, trim the excess material inside the cushion corners.</p><p>7. Place the insert inside and scatter your new cushions around your home.</p>

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