I've rounded up my top 5 favourite things for the home. If you've moved into your new space or you're planning on stepping out soon, then add these favourites to your wish list.
Have you moved into your first apartment or house? It’s one of the most exciting feelings to be able to claim a space and mark it with your signature style. There are hundreds of articles online that will teach you how to decorate your place. So to mix things up, I wanted to shine the light on 5 items that are a must for every woman in 2018. And some of these items may be a little unexpected, but trust me, they’re totally worth it!
Jaw dropping artwork
I know what you’re thinking, how original! But to me, artwork must sing. It has to be a conversational piece that will have people staring and discussing the fine wonders of your taste in art.
So on that note, internationally renowned illustrator Kerrie Hess has released a very limited edition, inspired by Royal London and English style. Titled ‘Britannia,’ this special piece sets the tone for winter style, commands attention and embodies the Burberry effect.
Can you imagine the oohs and ahhs you’ll receive when visitors see this hanging in your living room?
The details:
Britannia, A3, $275, www.kerriehess.com
Amp up the sound
There is something so immersive about having a sound bar to amplify your TV watching experience. The crisp sound effortlessly draws you in and enhances every movie moment. I’ve recently fallen in love with the JBL Bar 3.1, and I don’t think I could go without it! Their saying, “Hear the voice. Feel the Bass,” sums it up perfectly.
The JBL Bar 3.1 features 450W of total system power, a dedicated centre channel and a 10" wireless subwoofer for thrilling bass, and voice clarity. Ultimately, the JBL Bar 3.1 soundbar with JBL Surround Sound and Dolby® Digital lets you immerse yourself in best-in-class surround sound audio. Can you imagine watching the latest runway shows? You’ll feel like you’re sitting front row.
Bluetooth enabled for convenient, wireless streaming, the JBL Bar 3.1 allows you to connect up to three 4K devices via the HDMI inputs for state-of-the-art viewing and listening experience. With the dedicated amplifier and speakers for centre channel, you can enjoy clear dialogue even during the most thrilling scenes.
Further enhanced with JBL SoundShift, you can easily and instantly switch between sound from your TV, and sound from your mobile phone or tablet. And you can control the soundbar with your existing TV remote control.
I’m speaking from experience when I say the JBL Bar 3.1 clearly raises the bar for soundbars.
The details:
JBL Bar 3.1, $699 per system, www.jbl.com.au
Sleep on a cloud
You spend a huge chunk of your life in bed, so make sure your mattress is your little slice of heaven. I’ve recently discovered koala and I’m obsessed. It’s the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on and honestly, falling asleep is so easy.
Koala states that their “unique foam has been tailored to give the lush feel of memory foam and latex, but with breathability and bounce to avoid the sinking feeling and heat that comes with mattresses made from these materials.”
What’s more, they will deliver your mattress in metro areas within 4 hours. It comes with a 120 night trial, 10 year warranty and they offer free shipping and returns. And lastly, they have partnered with WWF and other Koala charities to provide a donation with every mattress sold to protect and preserve koalas for generations to come. It doesn’t get any better than that.
The details:
Koala Mattress Queen, $1150, koala.com
Get an at home assistant
I love cooking and trying out new recipes, but I get frustrated when I have to keep referring to my iPad or recipe book to see what the next step is. Then the JBL Link 20 stepped into my kitchen and those small things in life have become easier!
You see, the JBL Link 20 is a voice activated portable speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® enabled that delivers rich stereo sound. My favourite part is that it has the Google Assistant built-in, so think of it as your very own personal Google that is always ready to help.
You can ask it questions and tell it to do things. The more you use it, the more useful it gets. Just start with “Ok Google” – a simple voice request triggers your JBL Link 20 to play music, podcasts or radio from services like Google Play Music, Spotify, Pandora and more. This compact speaker is powered by a 6000mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that offers 10 hours of continuous, high-quality audio playtime. Sporting durable, waterproof fabric materials, JBL Link 20 is ready to take the party everywhere. And with the Chromecast built-in, you can instantly start streaming to JBL Link 20 from your favourite music apps.
From cooking, cleaning, entertaining and just wanting to dance around the house for fun, all I do is talk to my JBL Link 20 Google Assistant and I’ll have the solution almost immediately. It’s that simple!
The details:
JBL Link 20, $299.95, www.jbl.com.au
Clean it up, cordless
I have white tiles throughout my house, so a dirty floor is quite visible, quickly. I’ve invested in a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner and it’s now my best friend. It’s cordless, so I can whizz around the house at my convenience to keep things looking pristine.
The model I’ve dubbed by best friend is the Dyson V8 Absolute Handstick. It powerfully clean floors, carpets, furniture and hard-to-reach areas without the hassle of a cord getting in the way. The Good Guys website states, “Thanks to 2 Tier Radial Cyclones and the mighty Dyson digital motor V8, airflow is maximised to capture fine dust, keeping your home allergen free. Its Direct Drive cleaner head removes ground-in dirt by driving bristles deep into carpets, and switching to the Soft Roller cleaner head simultaneously removes large debris and dust from hard floors for a thorough clean.”
I’m a bit of a neat freak, so I use it regularly, plus it's much faster than sweeping.
The details:
Dyson V8 Absolute Handstick, $899, www.thegoodguys.com.au
That’s my round up of household favourites that I think every woman should have in her home in 2018. If you have discovered a life saver that you can’t live without, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at fashion@fashionweekly.com.au.