Here’s a sneak peek of one of the gorgeous entries to this months Decorate & Win competition! This room belongs to Sage in Tasmania and she is one lucky little girl! You can read more about Sage and her family on their new blog here and remember to get your entries in for our competition soon! You can get more info here.

Interview with Meta, winner of our Decorate and Win competition for November. Meta has been so generous with her time and insights and has a gorgeous achievable style based on mixing new and old items, which work to create a lovely sense of warmth in her family home. Here, Mete shares her ideas and inspirations, and some gorgeous images of her family home via her friend Caitln Wilson.

LL: Have you always been interested in interior design?

M: My love for interior design started when I redesigned a flower shop.  It was an old Victorian house that I had repainted inside and out.  I completely changed the look of it and made it into a women’s and children’s boutique as well.  I ran the shop for 5 years and I enjoyed coming up with displays and going to all the gift and apparel shows.  Attending these shows, introduced me to all the amazing products out there, especially the children’s toys, clothing, and furniture.

LL:Where did you start with planning the kids rooms?

M: I look to a lot of books, magazines, and blogs for inspiration and then I think about the colors that I want to use.   It is also important to incorporate the child’s interests.  Sometimes I will start with one piece and work around it.  For example, in my daughters room I really wanted to use the unikko marrimekko fabric for her curtains.   It’s such a bold pattern. I had to keep the other patterns smaller, and keep one or more of the same colors in the marrimekko fabric.

LL: How long did it take you to put each room together?

M: I am a firm believer in living in your space before you start decorating.  It’s important to see how you live in each space and how you want it to function.  With each room it has been a gradual process that I keep adding onto like layers.  I feel like you can always improve and build on each space as your children grow.

LL: Where did you find all the treasures?

M: I have a love for scouring thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for unique pieces.  Some of my favorite pieces are handed down from family.

LL: Do you have a favourite interior designer whose look you love?

M: I don’t really have one favorite designer.  I love the books by Judith Wilson, which is a compilation of many designers.  I really enjoy the Jeu de Paume books.  Keep in mind these books are in Japanese. I look at them just for the pictures.

LL: Do you have a favourite fabric designer?

M: I use a lot of Orla Kiely patterns.  I also love Plastisock, Josef Frank, and Marrimekko.

LL: What is your theory on storage?

M: Children want to be wherever you are so I like to have a small storage of toys in most rooms.  For example, In our kitchen we have a play kitchen.  When I am fixing dinner it is fun to watch my son pretend to fix dinner as well.

LL: What do you do with all the really unattractive toys the kids acquire?!

M: I keep them hidden in toy boxes or when they’re not looking I throw them away!

LL: Is the rest of your home just as gorgeous as the kids rooms?

M: Thank you!  If you would like to see some more of my house here is a link to a feature my friend did on my house. http://caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/meretes-modern-home.html

LL: Do you have any hints and tips for parents looking to put together a new look for their children?

M: Have fun!  Enjoy what you’re doing and don’t worry too much about making mistakes or having everything match.  Pick the things that you absolutely love and make it work.

A few readers have mentioned they would like to enter the Style and Win competition but can’t get a good shot of their room… I have to say I agree – it’s difficult to get a great shot inside so I’ve done some homework and have compiled some general hints. I’m going to try and get some shots this weekend too! Give it a go, it doesn’t have to be perfect and you might win a $100 voucher!

Start with these tips…

Declutter – #1 on the hit list… hide cords, move bins, remove papers and toys you don’t love and other bits and pieces. This makes a huge difference to the end result. Move it all back when you’re done!

Open all windows as much as you can to get as much natural light in as possible and turn on the lights. Try and stand with your back to the main light source

Use a tripod if possible and a wide angle lens if you have one

Rearrange the furniture a little to get a better shot. And add fresh flowers or other items to “style” the shot.

A good time to shoot is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Take photos from different angles and close up of smaller features or items you love.

Do what the pros do and take many different shots of the same room from many different perspectives.  Choose the ones you love.

Happy Snapping!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Photo competition in November; you are certainly a stylish and creative bunch! Here is the winning room tour. I’m sure you will agree that the attention to detail is amazing. Congratulations to Meta, who entered two of her children’s bedrooms in the November competition.

This is four year old Henrik’s room.  Meta’s inspiration behind the decorating… “because children are so carefree and colorful I wanted the room to reflect that.  I like lots of color and pattern and I think it is ok to not have everything match,” (we agree!) “…my son loves anything to do with pirates and vikings and their ships this is why I chose the nautical wallpaper.  The art and accessories are pieces we’ve loved and collected throughout the years.  We read every night so it was important that his room have a comfy and big enough seating for all four of us.  I wanted his room to be a fun cozy space for him to want to sleep and play in.”

We love the use of the patterned wallpaper and having the toys on display makes them easy to access and to put away! The pops of red and yellow against the blue and white pull all the different styles together, creating a cheerful and fun space. Thanks for sharing Meta, and enjoy your shopping voucher!

for more information on how you can enter our Style and Win Monthly competition visit Style & Win or email us!

Do you love to decorate, renovate and create beautiful, fun, functional spaces in your home for your children? Then we’d love to hear from you!! Every month we will give away a $100 Little Living gift voucher to the person who sends in the best photo!  PLUS your photo will be featured on our website! To find out how to enter read more…

Shown here is one of our entries this month… Thank you Ava for showing us your beautiful, whimsical room! (Ava’s Room, NSW).