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Your go-to destination for design inspiration and practical tips to transform your home. Discover the latest interior trends, style hacks, and budget-friendly ideas to create a space you'll love.
How to Set Up Your Living Room for Under $1000
When it comes to living rooms, often the big bucks are spent on that sublime lounge you have had your eye on for ages. While sinking into that cushy goodness is pure bliss, it doesn't feel as good doing it in an empty room. Happily, Mocka has you covered for the rest. We thought we'd show how you can set up your living room so it is comfortable, practical and stylish....and all for under $1000! Starting Budget - $1000 First order of business means getting an entertainment unit sorted. We just love our Sadie Entertainment Unit for its simple, modern style. At just $259.95, this beauty is affordable and will set the look and feel of any living room space. Budget Remaining - $740.05 Now that the entertainment unit is sorted, we need some comfortable seating for the room. What's a living room without a recliner? So the Asta Recline ($129.95) is a definite must. This is the perfect chair for watching a movie with your feet up. A Britta Armchair ($119.95) will also look superb and is perfect for a spot of reading. For only $49.95, lets also added a Crochet Pouffe for the cushiest place to rest our feet. Budget Remaining - $450.20 We bet your getting worried now that we are under $500 right? We aren't. The floors are looking a little bare. A Swirl Rug ($59.95) would help add some colour and texture to the room, while adding a layer of comfort to the floors. The simple and stylish Maya Trio Tables ($99.95) would look gorgeous styled over the rug and also be a unique option for a coffee table. While we are in the Maya Range, lets add a Maya Side Table ($49.95) for some side action next to a couch or armchair. Budget Remaining - $240.35 Now that we have the entertainment unit, armchair and recliner, floor rug, coffee table and side table all sorted, lets concentrate on lighting! A Concrete Lamp ($29.95) would certainly look at home on the side table and will add lovely, ambiance to the space of a night. A mirror will help bounce natural light around the room of a day, so an Astrid Mirror ($29.95) it is! Budget Remaining - $180.45 With all the essentials covered, we can begin adding some accents to really tie the room together. A Faux Sheepskin ($39.95) will be perfect draped over a lounge or chair. Lets also grab 2 x Mae Cushions @ $19.95 each ($39.90) because hello, accent cushions. A room also doesn't look complete without a little decoration. So a Mae Wall Hanger ($39.95) will finish off the walls nicely. Lastly, we'll add some Felt Coasters ($14.95) to the coffee tables for a fun but practical little accessory. Total Budget Used - $954.30 So there you have it, a living room set up for easily under $1000! With $45.70 left over, that is plenty of change to grab any candles, prints or a plant that you want to style around the room. Or even better, get a little treat for yourself. Full List of Mocka Products Used: Sadie Entertainment Unit $259.95 Asta Recline - Grey $129.95 Britta Armchair - Grey $119.95 Crochet Pouffe $49.95 Swirl Rug $59.95 Maya Trio Tables $99.95 Maya Side Table $49.95 Concrete Lamp $29.95 Astrid Mirror $29.95 Faux Sheepskin $39.95 2 x Mae Cushion Covers @ 19.95 each ($39.90) Mae Wall Hanger $39.95 Felt Coasters $14.95 Prices correct as of [11th september 2017]
White Bedside Tables and why you need one
There has been an increase in the need for simple, white bedside tables. Whether it is because of the minimalist movement that is widely appreciated or just changes in trends and tastes, white bedsides tables are here and they're not going anywhere. Let's have a look at the pros and cons of these side tables and where you can find a range of different styles to suit your needs. Pros and Cons of White Bedside Tables PROS Removes visual clutter White in a bedroom helps to make a space look bigger than it actual is. This is because items appear less obtrusive with edges blending more seamlessly. Pairing various white items, not just side tables, will open up the sense of space in a room. Reflects Light White tends to bounce more light around a bedroom than say wooden furniture pieces. White bedside tables are therefore an ideal option for darker rooms or those that only have one natural light source. Contrasts other colours If you have a dark, colourful wall or want to make a signature colour in the room pop, then white is definitely your friend. Snowy white tables will stand out against a colourful wall and provide a lovely contrast. Similarly, if a bed has layers of coloured or patterned bedding, then a set of simple bedside tables will accent rather than compete for attention. CONS Marks more visible It might go without saying that white furniture can show up marks and dust more easily. Try and get a set of tables with a finish that is easier to clean to reduce the upkeep. Easy to overdo While we love white in any room, is can be easy to over-do. Too much white without contrast of colours, patterns and textures, can make a room look bland and sterile. To avoid, choose your textures, accents and décor carefully to make the white furniture work for you and not against you. Mocka's White Bedside Tables At Mocka, we love the simple, classic style of a white bedside table and have a whole bunch to choose from. Brooklyn Bedside Table The Brooklyn Bedside Table is all about straight lines and simple, white style. This is a great bedside table to remove any visual clutter and has a simple modern, design that will pair with a variety of styles. Locka Bedside Table Not-your-average, the Locka Bedside Table has serious style. The powder coated steel makes it a great reflective surface so will certainly brighten a space, not to mention is super easy to keep clean. Sadie Bedside Table If you might be baulking at a completely white unit, then the Sadie Bedside Table would suit you. Providing a lovely contrast with the wood-grain top, this unit is the best of both worlds. Jolt Bedside Table The Jolt Bedside Table is the ultimate white bedside table. Affordable and sleek, it pairs different finishes to create a dynamic look. The glossy, drawer front and top surface help reflect natural light and are super easy to clean. If there is one bedside table you need, this might just be it! Are you a fan of white bedside tables? Which option do you love the best? Be sure to let us know over on our Facebook page or Instagram account. For more bedroom styling ideas and tips, check out our others posts such as '5 Bedroom Furniture Mistakes to Avoid' or 'How to Create a Gender-Neutral Master Bedroom.'
Urban Industrial Design With Mocka
At Mocka we love a gorgeous Urban Industrial designed space. The combination of old and new, raw and refined have us looking like human versions of the heart-eyed emoticon. For a style that is all about raw, minimalist open areas, the furniture and décor used in an Urban Industrial style helps to define the space and adds those intimate touches that transform a room into a home. To share the love, we have compiled some tips and tricks on how to nail an Urban Industrial look with some of our favourite Mocka products. Raw Edge With this style, it is all about the raw materials. Focus on incorporating furniture made from natural woods, even better if you can see the imperfections and grains. The Mocka Trestle Desk is the ideal pick. Not only does it have a classic design and eight colour combinations to choose from, the new Trestle Desk - Laminate has a natural edging around the desk top to showcase the raw timber within. Mix and Match Woods with Metals Now you have your key wooden pieces, it is time to add metal to the mix. A key element to Urban Industrial design is the textural and visual interplay of natural wood and sleek metals. The Porto Shelves, Mocka Lockas and Industrial Stools are the perfect candidates to add sleek materials to a room. These metallic beauties will add key statement pieces and provide a nice contrast in materials. You can even experiment with a pop of colour with the Lockas or Industrial Stools! Pair with Soft Fabrics and Décor Without a little softening, some of the rawer and more industrial pieces may feel a tad overwhelming. This is why it is important to incorporate softer décor - cushions, rugs and plants - to counterbalance the room. Use a plush Britta Chair, jute Circa Rug or our Fabric and Denim Baskets for a softer, fabric touch. For a neat idea of industrial meets soft, use our Mocka Wire Baskets to house large pot plants or extra throws and cushions. All of these elements will add warmth and a homely quality to the room.
Products To Suit Every Child
Every child is different and as such learns, plays and grows differently too. One of the best things about children is seeing them become their own person with individual loves, opinions, idiosyncrasies and talents. We all want to nourish our little ones in finding themselves, which is why we at Mocka have complied some must-have items to help them on their way! For The Adventurer For the girls and boys who love to explore the big, wide world, there is nothing better on their adventures than a set of wheels. Our Balance Bikes, Scooters, Wheelbarrows and Wagons have them covered. With loads of colours and designs to choose from, your adventurous child will find plenty to satisfy! For The Animal Lover If your child loves anything furry or with more than two legs, you might just have an animal lover on your hands. Give your child a playmate with an Ernie the Elephant, Larry the Lamb or a Hobby Horse. A great new friend for our animal lovers! For The Creative Soul If your artistic child loves nothing better than do paint, draw or create, we have the answer. Inspire your future artist with an Art House, Easel or Activity Table - the perfect surfaces for designing masterpieces! For The Introvert For the quiet, reflective girl or boy, a Teepee or Playhouse is a must. They will love a space to retreat to on their own or with their closest friends.
Our Top Three January Must-Haves
Mid-January is always a tricky time of year. The kids are on holiday, the back to work blues are setting in and keeping the house presentable is an ongoing struggle. As you are reading this, your dog probably just swallowed another piece of Lego. Indeed, it goes without saying, January comes with its classic trials - but there are three must-have items, which we think may make it a little easier. To Prepare for the Back to School Rush This one is for all the victims of January back to school panic syndrome. Oh, how quickly the stationary shopping trip creeps up on us. While we can't help you with the annual issue of finding that your household owns eight glue sticks and counting (why on earth do we keep buying new glue sticks every year?) - there is one thing we can assist with, and that is getting you ready to streamline your morning routine. The Jimmy Organiser is the ultimate tool for this - perfect for hanging backpacks, keeping shoes stowed and sitting the kids down to tie their laces. Consider the Jimmy Organiser your morning routine zone, and your best defense against the first day back madness. To Tidy Up It is always great having the kids around over Summer. However, their home occupation is often coupled with what is best described as 'the toynado'. Raise of hands for people who have had a near death "toy-car-versus-wooden-floor-versus-foot” experience in the last month. To tackle this, we suggest the Denim Basket. It's trendy, it's durable, and it's light enough for the kids to drag around the house and tidy up their toys on their own. Now there's a nice thought. To Beat the Blues The return to work is always a bit rough after a long break. But just because you're back in the office doesn't mean that you can't keep chipping away at your holiday projects! Beat the blues and keep those creative Summer break juices flowing with a new piece of furniture. Our Jesse Living Table is a great place to start - providing a platform for decoration and styling without taking up too much floor space. Let your imagination run wild after 5pm and think framed prints, vases and candles. Once you get started, you'll forget your holiday ever ended.
DIY with Hudson These Holidays
With school holidays starting and Christmas rapidly approaching, many of us have wee ones running around in need of entertainment. Our Hudson Range of Kids Tables, Chairs and Stools provide the perfect work space for all manner of holiday activities. Your children are sure to while away the hours colouring and drawing or playing with building blocks and Lego seated at our Mocka Kids Table and Chairs. But just when we thought the Hudson Range couldn't get any better, we discover our clever, Mocka Mums and Dads have different ideas - check them out! Welcome to the wonderful world of Hudson Range Hacks. These are the perfect DIY projects for the crafty (or not so crafty) parent to re-vamp any Hudson range products from Kids Tables to the Chairs and Stools. Whiteboard Vinyl Instead of simply have a wooden table top on which to draw, how about turning the entire surface into a whiteboard! Simply apply whiteboard vinyl over the wood table top surface and you now have a glossy, white space that your child can draw away at until their hearts content. And the best thing is, one quick wipe and you can start all over again! Magnetic Blackboard Paint Similar to the whiteboard, add a layer of magnetic blackboard paint and not only can you leave cute messages for your child, they have fun arranging magnets along the surface. Create a jungle with some animal magnets or Grab a set of word magnets, and you have another tool for your child to learn their letters! Decoupage This super cool activity is one you and your child can do together. Grab your paper and scissors and create a collage on the Hudson MINI Table and Chairs. A quick search online will provide a wealth of inspiration. Recycle old children's books and calendars or add a worldly touch with old maps. Not only is this a great up-cycling project, the surface is wonderfully hard-wearing. Paint The simplest way to hack the Hudson range is to add some paint. Colour the stool seats and table tops in black and white for a magic monochrome look or go bold with bright colours and designs. A great way to add some interest and colour to a room. Image & Concept Credit: Jordy May Design
