Stockland reveals hot trends for winter living

Ambient lighting, outdoor fire pits and a warmer colour palette throughout the home are the key trends to beating the winter chill over the coming months, according to Australia’s leading residential developer.

Sophie Pickett-Heaps, Design Studio Co-Head at Stockland, said that as the temperature dropped there were many clever ways to enjoy your home without the need to hibernate.

“Queenslanders love to entertain outdoors and there is no need for the cold winter months to put a stop to that,” Ms Pickett-Heaps said.

“Outdoor fire pits are continuing to gain in popularity and they are available at a range of price points these days and are a great way to relax outdoors without feeling the chill.

“Invest in some comfortable chairs or an outdoor setting and some throw rugs and you are all set for a cosy night by the fire.”

Other on-trend elements to making a home warm and cosy during winter include soft lighting, candles, throws and cosy rugs in living rooms, and thick blankets and extra pillows in the bedrooms.

“Winter is all about shorter days and lower temperatures and making yourself feel warmer,” she said.

“Having lights you can dim or even table lights in your living room on a lower wattage can create soft lighting and help with that ambience. It’s a bit like a candle effect and candles are always good for a warm, intimate and flattering light.”

Rugs across floorboards and easy access throw rugs scattered across couches were other must-have winter trends for living spaces.

“Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your living room that also becomes a decorative feature is important and as we move into the colder months, we want a warmer palette. So with the throw, it can easily bring in a darker, warmer colour and add warmth to your interiors,” Ms Pickett-Heaps said.

At Stockland’s Pallara Display Village in Brisbane’s south-western growth corridor, Privium Homes’ Frida 28 display showcases the ease in which entertaining can be achieved during the colder months.

Privium Homes design partner Lori Bastone, creative director of Design Rouge, said the Frida 28’s integrated floorplan encouraged year-round outdoor living.

“The generous open-plan kitchen, living and meals area melds seamlessly with the alfresco precinct to easily allow entertaining or relaxing around the outdoor fireplace cooking marshmallows and telling stories to the children,” Ms Bastone said.

“Upstairs a sweeping master bedroom suite gives shelter from the cold winter nights, and the three additional bedrooms and an inviting retreat area provides the perfect place for a spot of quiet relaxation away from the downstairs activity hub.”

The Pallara Display Village features 32 homes from 16 leading builders and is located in Stockland’s thriving new Pallara community, at 2 Brookbent Road, Pallara.

Fireplaces and textured brick walls are common design elements to many of Pallara’s display homes, which are creating a welcoming and warm havens this winter, with Chelbrooke Homes’ Sorrento display featuring a striking Purevision 1500 by Real Flame fireplace with feature brickwork in its open plan living area.

Brighton Home’s Cooper display has an eye-catching Ergofocus fireplace in its multi-purpose retreat, where its warmth can be enjoyed from the open plan living, kitchen and dining areas.

“It allows a cosy winter retreat and a spot to recline on one of the chairs and read a book, just tucked away from the kitchen and dining, a space to unwind while keeping an eye on the kids playing outdoors, “ Brighton Homes marketing manager Kathryn Wilkinson said.

The Pallara Display Village is one of a range of display villages in Stockland communities across Queensland, including the new Foreshore Coomera Display Village which opened last month on the Gold Coast.

Other Stockland display villages are located at North Lakes and Newport in the Moreton Bay region, Sovereign Pocket at Deebing Heights, and Aura and Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast.

The Pallara Display Village is located at 2 Brookbent Road, Pallara. For more information, call 1300 619 561 or go to the website at www.stockland.com.au/Pallara.