Keep that Aussie sunshine shining all day long, even when you’re indoors. Everyone needs – no, everyone deserves an interior that’ll spark some excitement into your life, even on dark, dreary, rainy summer days.  And no, we aren’t talking about busting out your retirement savings for a massive home renovation project. Instead, we’re talking about using accent décor to revitalize your space – on a budget. And you guessed it! The Source Homewares has it all. Here are some of our favourite ways to revamp a space with vibrant vibes without breaking the bank.

Out with the Old

Old can be very good for your interior; it can tell a story and emit an ambiance that you simply can’t buy in a store. However, old can also be exhausting for your interior. There’s a fine line between good old and wow-that’s-so-old. So, take a look around your home and replace anything that has truly seen better days in your home. Something as simple as adding a new accent jug into your home can instantly revitalize the entire space.  

Switch out the Standards

Standard vases; standard bowls; standard cutlery; standard – everything. Homes today are often filled with so many typical items. Plates are white, cupboards are white, kitchen containers are clear glass – and where’s the fun in that?

For a splash of vibrancy, switch out the “standard” or “typical” home décor items for fun and exciting alternatives. For example, trade in your glass cups for Clio glassware and even your cupboards will appear revitalized…. And they’re cupboards!   

Add in Some Creative Shapes

Round vases, square frames, oval platers, oh my. Forget about adding standard shapes into your interior. While there’s nothing wrong with these items – we love them too – they can make a winter-worn interior seem basic, boring and dried up.

Opting for creative shapes in an excellent way to add dimension and individuality in your home. Vases, such as our Petite Vases, bring a bit of personality, elegance and vibrancy that is certain to push out the winter blues, especially if you fill them with fresh flowers.

Favour Fresh Flowers

The easiest way to liven up your home for summer is to fill it with the fresh aromas of the season. Flowers are not only an aesthetic addition to your home but they also smell good! And who doesn’t love a home some fresh Flannel flower?

But here’s the thing… If you’re going to be putting fresh flowers in your home this summer, you need some unique vases that are just as beautiful. There’s nothing worse than lovely petals losing their beautiful because of the vase they’re in.

Accentuate Simple Spaces

The fifth best way to liven up your home without breaking the bank is to accentuate the simple spaces within your interior. Think tabletops, dusty corners, unused spaces, staircase landings, etc. Adding something as little as an accent jug on the odd ins and outs of your interior can instantly transform that space into a revitalized area infused with summer vibes. So, if nothing else, stock up on accent jugs and put them in areas that are missing a little something-something or in places of the home you’ve never spent more than a couple of seconds looking at.

Now, all that’s left for you to do is head on over to The Source Homewares and get your summer shopping on! We offer creative aesthetics for your home at a price you won’t cringe at because, as we said, everyone deserves to have an interior that sparks some excitement!

We are so excited to announce the upcoming arrival of a select range from Hannah Turner.

Egg cups in Turkey, Peacock, Flamingo and Birds. Salt & pepper shakers in Ginger cats, Birdy and Toadstools. All beautifully gift boxed.

Hannah Turner is a Bristol UK.  based artist.

Victoria:

Bed Bath N' Table (The Works): 255 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, 3122. (03) 9810 6600

Key Ingredients: 1/171 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, 3068. (03) 9481 1011                                  Key Ingredients on facebook

I want I need: 572 High Street, Echuca, 3564. 0447 339 455                                                    I want I need on facebook

Village Idiom: 34 Anderson Street, Yarraville, 3013. (03) 9687 3445                               Village Idiom on facebook

NSW:

Pentimento: 249 King Street, Newtown, 2041. (02) 9565 5591                                                Pentimento on facebook

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Shop: Civic Centre, Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts, Wagga Wagga, 2650. (02) 6926 9660.                                                                                                            Art gallery web site

Portobello Rose: 42 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge, 2063. (02) 9967 0046                        Portobello Rose on facebook

Beachwood: Shop 10/57 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 2107 (02) 9918 7162  beachwood.com.au/

South Australia:

Presence: 12 Adelaide Arcade, 12/115 Grenfell St. Adelaide, 5000 (08) 7226 1914       Presence on facebook

featured image by mattinwood.com

On a trip to the great China trade fairs, Suzanne and I were at the stand of one of the finest Chinese ceramic manufacturers, I mean they supply some of the most exclusive companies in the ceramic tableware world. We were just browsing, as we rarely if ever would purchase an "off the shelf" pattern. On the walls of the stand were the most beautiful watercolour panels.

What if we could have these patterns on dinnerware we thought? The artist was contacted and she was delighted to have her artwork applied to a collection of plates and mugs.

The whiteware we chose was New Bone China. Traditional Bone China contains animal bone ash, where-as New Bone China contains calcium oxide instead of bone, which makes New Bone china finer, whiter and more durable than standard porcelain. It also has a beautiful translucency. Just hold one of our plates up to the light and you will see how fine they are.

So back to the watercolour patterns. The watercolour patterns are applied to the finest rice paper from Japan then pressed onto bisque plates and mugs by hand. The rice paper is removed, the pattern remains on the bisque-ware and they are glazed and fired. When you touch the plates, you can feel the edges of the ink and the strokes of the watercolour brushes.

We are so delighted with our Marnie collection, and the story behind it.

For our retailers that will visit us at Life Instyle in August this year – we will have some of the original art work on display on our stand.

Alice x

Who can resist following the super talented and creative Hayley from http://mumlittleloves.com.au/?s=the+source

Here she interviewed me about my business and shows off her favourite pieces!

Thank you Hayley!!

Hello, Welcome to our web site and blog!

The Source - Melbourne - Australia was established in 2001. With one product!

Today we are established designers, manufacturers, wholesalers and importers of gorgeous products for the home.

All our products are manufactured exclusively for The Source, and many we design ourselves.

But it's not all work! With Molly the dog heading security, warehouse management and neighbourhood relations, life here at The Source warehouse is never dull.

Here at the warehouse, we work hard, we love design, current trends, and looking to the future...(and the sound of Molly dog barking at the neighbours over the fence for a biscuit!)

We hope you enjoy our new web site, and blogs about "Life at The Source"

Alice, Suzanne and Miss Molly Dog.