Winter escape Be inspired by clever styling tricks to keep the chill at bay

Winter escape Be inspired by these clever decorative ideas to create a snug and inviting environment for the chilly season

Cool-weather decor

Set the scene

Frame a front door with a pair of oversized pots, planted here with standard bay trees. The greenery, together with the inviting glow of fairy lights in the hallway beyond, delivers a warm welcome

Lytworx LED fairy party lights in Warm White, $29.98/250 lights, I/N: 4352183. Bay trees in Eden 35cm x 33cm self-watering round planters in Granite, $49.98/each, I/N: 2941328 (plants sold separately). Lil Trooper infant gumboots, $22.98/size 4, I/N: 0317905. Troopers ‘Endeavor’ gumboots in Black, $69/size 7, I/N: 0022967, and men’s rubber gumboots in Grey, $39.98/size 10, I/N: 0259026. DeWALT ‘Titanium Pro Comfort’ extreme duty leather safety work boots in Wheat, $219/size 6, I/N: 0067314. Axton 75cm x 45cm PVC coir flock lattice mat, $21.05, I/N: 0047669. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. 

With clever styling tweaks, chosen with comfort in mind, you can take the edge off the winter chill, no matter how cold and gloomy it is outside. Now is the season to wrap up warmly and revel in the contrast between the frigid outdoors and our cosy homes. Textures, natural hues, lighting and furnishings all play a part in helping us unwind in cocooned comfort throughout the long evenings, and to stay snug during the day.

Timber tones bring a sense of warmth to any interior scheme

Muddy matters

Snuggle into a cosy jacket and park grubby footwear on a simple DIY boot stand

Above: Sunfresh velvet clothes hangers, $3.98/pack of 10, I/N: 0110804. Hard Yakka quilted shacket in Red, $89/small, I/N: 0188927, ‘Sherpa’ jacket in Blue, $89/ small, I/N: 0203756, and ‘Sherpa’ jacket in Red, $89/ small, I/N: 0203762. Thermos ‘Designer’ 1800ml flask, $24.90, I/N: 0510125. DeWALT thermal socks, $19.95/pack of 2, UK size 10-13, I/N: 0110401, and ‘Titanium Pro Comfort’ extreme duty leather safety work boots in Wheat, $219/size 11, I/N: 0067314. Right: Boot rack, see page 81 for DIY instructions. Troopers ‘Endeavor’ gumboots in Black, $69/size 7, I/N: 0022967, and men’s rubber gumboots in Grey, $39.98/size 10, I/N: 0259026. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Boot rack made using Hume Pine ‘Pinetrim’ 0.9m x 40mm x 18mm D4S premium untreated pine, $5.21, I/N: 0132615, and 0.9m x 25mm dowel, $10.50, I/N: 0293785•

Make it!

See page 81

Great outdoors

Enjoy the crisp air and rug up to gather around a fire pit or enjoy a bracing walk

Above: Arlec 500 lumen camping lantern, $43.98, I/N: 0174964. Axton ‘Cordoba’ 900mm x 600mm jute mat in Natural, $36.59, I/N: 0047663. All other products, stylist’s own.

See right for how to make these toasting sticks

Thermos ‘Designer’ 1800ml flask, $24.90, I/N: 0510125 Glow ‘Tambo’ cast iron fire pit, $98, I/N: 3171835. Hard Yakka quilted shacket in Red, $89/small, I/N: 0188927. Toasting sticks made using Jumbuck metal barbecue skewers, $4.98/pack of 6, I/N: 0122537. All other products, stylist’s own.

Nothing says winter quite like toasting marshmallows around an open fire

Toasting sticks

What you need

Safety equipment (gloves, eye and ear protection)  Handsaw  Tape measure and pencil  Drill with 4mm bit  Side cutters Foraged sticks Steel skewers (we used Jumbuck metal skewers) Epoxy (we used

Parfix epoxy adhesive 5 minute everyday)  Bamboo skewer Cord (we used Zenith jute shop twine)

Method

1Forage for sticks between 15mm and 25mm thick, and at least 250mm long. Trim ends cleanly using a handsaw.

2Drill a centred, 40mm-deep hole into the end of each stick with a 4mm bit and, 20mm in from the opposite end of the sticks, drill a hole sideways (for the cord).

3Cut the loop off the steel skewers using side cutters. Mix up the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions and dab it into the end holes of the sticks with a bamboo skewer.

4Slot the cut ends of the skewers into the sticks, positioning them upright while the epoxy cures.

5Thread cord through the sideways holes and knot to form a loop. Tip: To work the twine through the hole, thread a piece of thin wire through and make a loop. Pass a length of twine through the loop and pull the wire, along with the twine, back through the hole. 

Make it!

See page 77

Make it!

See page 80

Indoor appeal

Create a warm, wintry vibe with earthy colours, natural fibres and rustic timber. If the weather is keeping you indoors, why not try your skills at a little craft – or even a bigger DIY project?

Above left: Dining table made using Selex 2100mm x 900mm x 30mm clear laminated pine panel, $123, I/N: 0290007•, Intergrain ‘UltraClear’ gloss interior finish, $72/1L, I/N: 0190838, and Taskmaster 700mm x 10mm steel hairpin table legs, $26.69 each, I/N: 0038471 (see page 77 for DIY instructions). Mimosa rope dining chair, $69, I/N: 0033123. Above right: Mini loom made using Hume Pine ‘Pinetrim’ 0.9m x 40mm x 18mm D4S premium untreated pine, $5.21, I/N: 0132615•, and Paslode 25mm x 1.6mm wallpanel nails in Florentine Bronze, $4.95/pack of 210 (100g), I/N: 2360423. Whites twist tie jute twine, $7.98/100m, I/N: 3320946. Zenith cotton shop twine, $6.79/75m, I/N: 0554987. Whites twisted cotton twine, $3.74/50m, I/N: 0188966 (see page 80 for DIY instructions). Coffee table, see page 79 for DIY instructions. ‘Hayman’ 220cm x 150cm jute rug in Natural, $199, I/N: 0275968. Opposite: Philips 7W dimmable LED light globes in Gold Warm White, $29.78 each, I/N: 0328135. Dining table and chairs, as before. Axton ‘Cordoba’ 900mm x 600mm jute mat in Natural, $36.59, I/N: 0047663. Throws, Kmart, kmart.co.nz. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. 

SAFETY TIP

Keep candles away from draughts and flammable materials, and never leave a lit candle unattended

The beauty of a DIY table is that you can make it precisely to fit your space

Bring the cabin look home with jute rugs and toasty soft furnishings

Make it!

See page 79

Make it!

See page 79

A well-positioned mirror helps bounce natural light around the bathroom Wood works

Timber sleepers give this DIY coffee table rustic appeal

Left and opposite: Zenith cotton shop twine, $6.79/75m, I/N: 0554987. Whites twist tie jute twine, $7.98/100m, I/N: 3320946. Coffee table, see page 79 for DIY instructions. ‘Hayman’ 220cm x 150cm jute rug in Natural, $199, I/N: 0275968. ‘Bali’ 220cm x 150cm jute rug in Natural, $139, I/N: 0325601. Green cushions, Kmart. All other products, stylist’s own.

Walls in creamy tones provide the perfect backdrop for a sense of warmth

Glowing praise

Throws, fabrics and mood lighting can be beautifully effective in creating a warm vibe throughout your interior spaces

Above left: Future Glass ‘Milan’ 550mm round mirror in Black, $69, I/N: 0205178. Philodendron plant. Above right: Bird’s nest fern. Throw, Kmart. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. ◆

Security detail

With modern security camera technology, you can ensure the safety of your home and family from wherever you are

Alot has changed about the way we live, but the instinct to protect the people and things we care about has stayed the same. Modern technology has made it so much easier to keep your home, family and business safe.

UNPLUGGED

Taking your home’s security into your own hands has never been easier. New technology means installing security cameras could be a weekend job for a DIYer. Not only do these modern cameras connect wirelessly to your wi-fi router, but they can also be installed without an electrician – look for Swann’s ‘plug and play’ style systems that plug into a power socket, or completely wire-free models that run on a rechargeable battery.

ON WATCH

reach of most mere mortals, but your smart security system can offer virtually the same service. Swann’s True Detect senses heat and movement, distinguishing people, animals and cars from false triggers like tree branches or rain. The latest cameras even offer facial recognition for up to 10 people, alerting you when a friend or family member is at the door.

With two-way talk, you can chat to the delivery person remotely, scare off intruders by sounding a siren or even use the spotlight camera to shine a light bright enough to scare off anyone who’s up to no good.

EAGLE EYE

Suspect someone is lurking outside your home? 1080p full HD video means grainy footage is a thing of the past. Instead, you can expect to see faces, licence plates and crucial details, like whether your visitor is carrying a parcel for delivery – or a crowbar for mischief! Infrared night vision is enhanced by the addition of a bright spotlight that gives you the full picture of what’s happening in and around your home, even after dark.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

It’s not just external security that you want covered. Indoor security cameras can be positioned around your home to help you keep an eye on the ones you love. An indoor security camera can be used to watch over your pets while you’re at work, or even be installed in an elderly relative’s home, so you can make sure they’re safe. Smart sound alerts will send through a notification when the camera detects a sudden noise, like the sound of a breaking window or someone falling over, while two-way talk lets you check in to make sure they’re okay.

1 Swann 1080p spotlight outdoor wi-fi security camera, I/N: 0138781

2 Swann 1080p indoor wi-fi security camera, I/N: 0138782

3 Swann 1080p tracker camera with 32GB SD card included, I/N: 0188668

4 Swann 1080p wire-free camera, I/N: 0188665