THE SOLUTION TO A SIMPLE, MEANINGFUL, WELL-DESIGNED LIFE /
THE F Ê T E / LIF E PROJECT NO.
45
ACTION STATIONS Welcome to the Fête/Life Project – a collection of helpful, useful and practical articles that can be applied to life at any time, but especially now. Sourced from the many magazines we have released, our message has never been more relevant or needed by our community today… let’s embrace the simple life and treasure what is truly important – human connection, community, self care and pure acts of kindness. SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST /
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home / O R G A N I S A T I O N
PHOTOGRAPHS / JENAH PIWANSKI STORY / STYLING / JESSICA SMITH
ACTION STATIONS There is nothing more stressful than a disorganised morning. It is easy for the family to be thrown into chaos at the loss of an item of clothing, a misplaced library book or a breakfast spill. Time constraints further magnify the anxiety, sometimes leading to mega-meltdowns, attempts at crazy shortcuts and all-round tension. Enter the station – a dedicated depot, small or large, designed purely for one function – making our lives easier when we need it most. Sometimes home organising is thought
A bathroom cart, with each item right on
of as neatly putting things away in a place
hand beside us as needed, saves the daily
and forgetting about them. But the most
scrabble through crowded drawers and
effective kind of organising can result
cupboards, searching for essentials while
in daily pleasure when we take the time
getting ready. A hanging rack in a child’s
to identify the actions performed most
bedroom, holding every item they need
regularly in our domestic setting and
for the day ahead with a handy chart
streamline the items we use to complete
documenting their daily activities,
each of these tasks. A station does
counters the strain of the ‘I can’t find’
just that.
moment. A neatly stacked breakfast tray,
At its base, a station can take the form of any kind of storage vessel – be it a cart, a tray, a hanging rail or a basket. Then it’s a matter of grouping items to fit the purpose, making for a sense of calm control over our household possessions and, with the right choices, something as easy on the eye as it is immensely practical. Stations also help
pre-prepared with just the right crockery, cutlery, cereal and spreads, only has to be carried to the table for the meal to be served, saving crucial morning minutes. And, for the inevitable spills that follow, having the perfect cleaning kit within reach might just avoid a few cross words and a lot of frustration.
to alleviate common stressors because,
It isn’t only mornings that benefit from
by putting them together in the first place,
this form of organisation, of course.
we’ve thought about our actions in
There are endless opportunities for
advance, compiling essentials for the
stations throughout our living spaces,
moment they’re required. A station is like
inside and out, each individually tailored
a personal butler, anticipating our every
to the activities most regularly undertaken
need, holding out a cleaning cloth with a
there. With a little thought and care,
deferential smile when the muesli slides
utilitarian items can become a joy to use
to the floor, or reminding us about that
when set up for a specific task, in a way
lost library book so we can hunt it down
that showcases both form and function.
the night before it’s needed.
Stations lend a sense of control to the
Morning stations we love include a bathroom cart, a child’s hanging rack, a breakfast tray and a cleaning kit. Each one tackles a potential morning obstacle and turns it on its head. Together they form an arsenal against the anxious morning rush, encouraging us to take back control of even our earliest starts.
STATION TIPS / SIZE / S TAT I O N S C A N B E A N Y S I Z E, F R O M TINY (THINK A MENDING KIT FOR A LOST BUTTON OR DROPPED HEM, IN A LIT TLE DRAWSTRING BAG) TO L ARGE (A BATHROOM CART IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS). LOCATION / S TO R E YO U R S TAT I O N S AWAY I N A CUPBOARD WHEN NOT IN USE, O R L E AV E O U T I N P L A I N S I G H T. A S M A L L E R S TAT I O N C A N S I T O N A B E N C H T O P O R S H E L F. AESTHETICS / T O C R E AT E A N A E S T H E T I C A L LY P L E A S I N G S TAT I O N WO RT H Y O F B E I N G O U T O N CO N S TA N T D I S P L AY, C O N S I D E R P R A C T I C A L BUT BEAUTIFUL ITEMS. CROCKERY IN ORGANIC SHAPES AND NEUTRAL COLOURS, FOR EXAMPLE, MAKES MEAL TIME A PLEASURE AND IS EASY ON THE E Y E WH E N S TAC KE D A N D N OT IN USE. DECANT ESSENTIALS LIKE MUESLI OR COFFEE FROM U N S I G H T LY B O X E S A N D B A G S I N T O AT TRACTIVE JARS OR CANISTERS. USE A BEAUTIFUL DISH AS A BASE FOR JEWELLERY OR SKINCARE PRODUCTS IN THE BATHROOM.
interactions we have with our belongings, in turn creating room for enjoyment, even
SUB-STATIONS /
relaxation, as we move through our day,
IF YOUR BELONGINGS VEER
remembering that even the smallest of moments build to colour the ambience of our lives.
TOWARDS MAXIMALIST IN NUMBER SEPARATE THEM OUT BY CREATING ‘STATIONS WITHIN A STATION’… A L A R G E R S TAT I O N S U C H A S A C A RT, OFTEN BENEFITS FROM A NUMBER OF SMALLER STORAGE OPTIONS WI T H I N I T. S EG M E N T I T E M S I N T O U S E ( S K I N C A R E , M A K E U P, H A I R A C C E S S O R I E S, J E W E L L E R Y, TOILETRIES) AND CREATE M I N I -S T A T I O N S F O R E A C H , U S I N G D I S H E S, CO N TA I N E R S A N D ZIPPERED OR DRAWSTRING BAGS.
ISSUE NO. 27 / FETEPRESS.COM.AU
81
[ NEUTRAL ZIPPERED BAGS IN VARIOUS SIZES ARE HANDY FOR SMALL ITEMS AND ARE ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH TO LEAVE OUT ]
BATHROOM STATION / SIMPLIFY MORNING ABLUTIONS W I T H A T H O U G H T F U L LY S T O C K E D B AT H R O O M C A R T. H AV E O N LY T H E D A I LY E S S E N T I A L S AT H A N D – E X C E S S C LU T T E R C A N B E S TA S H E D AWAY I N A C L O S E D C U P B O A R D. G R O U P L I K EI T E M S A N D M A KE U S E O F P O RTA B L E SECONDARY STORAGE, SUCH AS ZIPPERED BAGS FOR MAKEUP AND T O I L E T R I E S – E A S Y T O PA C K-A N D-G O S H O U L D L A S T-M I N U T E T R AV E L P L A N S ARISE. DECANT SKINCARE INTO A M O R E A E S T H E T I C A L LY P L E A S I N G VESSEL, SHOULD ITS PACKAGING BE LESS THAN IDEAL.
01. S unnersta Trolley in White $49 and Kragsta Nest of Tables in Black $139 for a set of two (smaller one shown), both ikea.com.au 02. M isa Storage Ladder in Black $249, Misa Hanging Mirror $39.95, Talle Bath Towel in White $39.95, Talle Hand Towel in White $19.95, Tari Soap Pump in Snow $39.95 and Tari Tray in Snow $24.95, all countryroad.com.au 03. 1 00% Linen Robe in Kohl $140, inbedstore.com 04. M outhwash 500ml $25, Amazing Face Cleanser 100ml $35, Deodorant Roll-On 50ml $35 and B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel 60ml $125, all aesop.com/au 05. L arge Pochette Bag in Cashmere $69 and Small Pochette Bag in Cashmere $59, both uashmama.com.au 06. D ove and Dovelet Eco Toothbrush $7.50, heydaystore.com.au
CHILD'S STATION / A W A L L-H U N G B E D R O O M R A I L E A S I LY HOLDS EVERYTHING A LITTLE ONE N E E D S F O R T H E I R D AY A N D A H A N DY D A I LY A C T I V I T I E S C H A R T S I M P LY D I S P L AY E D O N A C L I P B O A R D S E R V E S AS A REMINDER FOR PARENTS AND CHILD ALIKE. OUTFITS CAN BE SELECTED AND BAGS PACKED THE EVENING PRIOR, BUYING TIME (AND S A N I T Y ! ) F O R A L L I N V O LV E D.
01. H ang On Piccolo Coat Rack $165, plyroom.com.au 02. U rban Balance Bike $79.95, mocka.com.au 03. G ingham Jacket $79.95 and Speckle Knit Scarf $44.95, both countryroad.com.au 04. L e Edit Merino Pompom Hat in Charcoal $59 and Dove and Dovelet Kids Eco String Bag $14, both heydaystore.com.au 05. L ink Knit Sweater in Ecru $25.95, zara.com/au/en 06. W ood & Wood Co. Backpack in Charcoal/Black $90, wandwco.com.au 07. A 4 Black Timber Board with Bulldog Clip $19.97, fcmsales.com.au 08. B lack on White Book by Tana Hoban $8.73, bookdepository.com 09. P lanting Tree Paper Double Ring Notebook $1.95, muji.com/au 10. S ’Well Insulated Bottle 500ml in Moonstone $62, etienne.com.au 11.
rum Sticks and Mouse Toy, D stylist’s own.
[ A LIGHTWEIGHT STRING BAG MAKES A SIMPLE TOTE FOR LIBRARY BOOKS ]
[ A STACKED TRAY GOES FROM KITCHEN TO TABLE IN SECONDS – JUST ADD MILK FROM THE FRIDGE ON THE WAY! ]
BREAKFAST STATION / HAVING ALL THE BREAKFAST BASICS IN ONE PLACE MAKES THE MORNING R E PA S T A C I N C H . A P E R M A N E N T LY S TO C K E D T R AY, F I L L E D W I T H C R O C K E R Y, C U T L E R Y A N D FAV O U R I T E B R E A K F A S T F A R E , C A N H A P P I LY L I V E ON A BENCHTOP OR IN A CUPBOARD, READY FOR ITS MORNING DUTIES. AN ADDED BONUS IS THE EASE WITH WHICH BREAKFAST CAN BE CLEARED A WAY – S I M P LY S TA C K T H E T R AY AND GO.
01. I KEA PS 2012 Chair with Armrests in Black $75, Egentlig Coffee/Tea Maker 0.9l $29.99, Vardagen Carafe with Lid 1l $2.99 and Korken Jar with Lid 1.8l $3.99, all ikea.com.au 02. B asique Tray 50cm in White $80 and Jeremy Tablecloth 140 x 220cm in Grey $50, both freedom.com.au 03. T apas Bowl Set of Four in Snow $54.95, Tapas Side Plate Set of Four in Snow $54.95 and similar black cutlery Nolan 16 Piece Cutlery Set in Graphite $179, all countryroad.com.au 04. S imilar Glasses Bormiolo Bodega Modern Red Wine Glass $3 each, westelm.com.au 05. M udhavi Butter Cloche in White Speckle $75, heydaystore.com.au 06. A cademy Home Goods European Beechwood Scoop Large $7.95, oscarandwillow.net.au 07. M ason Cup and Saucer in Black $16.95, robertgordonaustralia.com
CLEANING STATION / UNEXPECTED MORNING SPILLS BECOME LESS OF A CHORE WHEN YOU HAVE A DESIGNATED CLEANING KI T. M A KE E A S Y WO R K O F P E S K Y CRUMBS AND STICKY FINGERPRINTS WI T H A P O RTA B L E B A S KE T H O U S I N G P R O D U C T S S U C H A S A B E N C H S P R AY (TRY A NATURAL ONE, OR MAKE Y O U R O W N E C O-F R I E N D LY V E R S I O N ) , CLEANING CLOTHS AND SPONGES, A LO N G WI T H A P R AC T I C A L TA B L E BRUSH.
01. R isatorp Basket in White $14.99, ikea.com.au 02. I ris Hantverk Table Brush Set $49 and Iris Hantverk Kitchen Cloth $14, both scouthouse.com.au 03. B ondi Wash Bench Spray $22, oscarandwillow.net.au 04. A ll White Cellulose Sponge $6.40 for a pack of three, Black and White Scourer Sponge $5.80 for a pack of two, Microfibre Cloth in Black $9.95 for a pack of two, Sanitising Sponge Spray 60ml $6.95 and Swedish Dish Cloth in Black Pack of Two $9.95, all barklybasics.com.au 05. T inker Linen & Lime Artisan Apron #1 in Natural $85, instagram.com/ tinker_shop_
[ CLEAN SWEEP / USE A TABLE BRUSH FOR QUICK CRUMB REMOVAL ]