What's new instore at Whiteport

Is all this talk of recession and tough times getting you down? Then now's the perfect time to visit Whiteport and see what's new instore to cheer you up. Nothing beats a little retail therapy to brighten your day and you don't have to spend alot either. We've got lots of gorgeous items under $30. Whether you're looking for a gift or just a gift to yourself, we've got loads of inspiration instore now.

Choose from our stylish Megansett cutlery sets, perfect for entertaining and the beige & white polka dot handles will team perfectly with crisp white table linen. Have you been putting off organising your loose photographs lying around the house? Then check out our new Chatham photo albums, a stylish and practical way to store your treasured memories.

Is it time to spruce up your bedroom but you're not sure how? A new bedspread or quilt is the quickest way to make a big impression. Our Osterville bedspreads can be used all year round and the stylish grey and white design will work with almost any colour scheme. Team them with our gorgeous Tiah silk blend cushion covers for a soft, romantic look.

And if you're still struggling for inspiration, then you can't go past our ever-popular Hamptons butler's trays. Now available in new Sand colour, they make the perfect bedside table, ideal for holding books and your alarm clock. But they're so versatile, don't just limit them to the bedroom as they make a great occasional table too.

Happy shopping from the Whiteport team.

The white idea

Up until now, we've mainly published posts about decorating with white, the Whiteport way. This week, we thought we'd give you some other perspectives and ideas on decorating with white to show you just how versatile and easy it can be.

We've chosen just a few images we hope will inpsire you and demonstrate how easily you can decorate with white. We love the Better Homes and Garden American website which has oodles and oodles of decorating ideas.

In this bedroom designed by Vicente Wolf, you can see just how well his chosen white pieces work. You'll notice not everything in the room is white but a predominantly white background or canvas allows you to show off some signature pieces, such as the bedhead and bedside table.


Likewise, this sitting room works beautifully and yet not everything in it is white. The warmer tones in the floorboards makes the white pieces stand out. This setting also demonstrates how you can mix shades of white together. Don't think that every white has to match. You'll achieve a softer and more interesting look if you mix different shades of white and cream.

Never be fooled into thinking an all white colour scheme is boring or limited to a certain style. White is the most universally preferred colour for decorating predominantly because of its adaptability. It suits any style be it beach house, shabby chic, ultra modern or farmhouse country.

Images courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens (US) and Vicente Wolf.

Little luxuries

Who says you can't have a little luxury every day? It doesn't have to be expensive or take up lots of time. With a little imagination, you can spoil yourself every day and feel all the better for it.

The easiest place to start is in the bathroom. Like most people, you're probably always in a hurry getting ready for work to ever really enjoy the time you spend here. It's not just about showering and shaving. By introducing a few luxurious items you can make getting ready a truly enjoyable experience.

Start by throwing out those supermarket soaps and body washes and invest in some luxurious and pure products instead. Not only are they kinder to your skin, but you usually find you need less so they actually last longer proving better value for money. We love the French savon de Marseille range. Our fabrique a L'Ancienne soap has been chosen because of its purity and natural ingredients. Highly recommended by paediatricians for the care of babies' skins and dermatologists to treat adult skin problems. They contain only natural products and therefore no chemicals to harm the skin.

Likewise, our authentic Marseille cube soaps are world renowned for their high standard of purity. Containing pure ingredients and the legendary fragrances found nowhere else but in the Provencal countryside. They are free of chemicals and synthetic additives that can cause allergies and contain no animal fats. They contain only the purest of natural ingredients, with a minimum of 72% pure soap content from olive and vegetable oils, alkaline soda ash from marine plants and sea salt water from the Mediterranean Sea.

Who doesn't feel squeaky clean after they've exfoliated? We've tried lots of exfoliators and body scrubs on the market, but can't go past Asquith & Somerset's salt scrub. An invigorating and cleansing treatment that leaves the whole body soft, smooth and radiant. And the best part, it keeps working afterwards. You're left with a silky smooth barrier of protection that continues to nourish your skin throughout the day.

Of course moisturising your skin after showering is just as important as the products you use to cleanse your skin. The Savonnerie de Bormes body milk from the Provence region in France is made using ingredients from flowers and plants to moisturise, soften, soothe and protect the skin. For more sensitive skins, we recommend the Savon de Marseilles body milk. Made in France, this body milk has moisturising agents combined with vegetable oils to soften and nourish the skin. Fragrance free, it is particularly good for sensitive skin types.

Last, but by no means least, don't forget to upgrade your old bath towels. There is nothing better than wrapping yourself in a gorgeously soft and fluffy bath towel. Our Mayflower bamboo towels are unbeatable for natural softness, with a beautiful silky lustre. Four times more absorbent than 100% cotton towels, their natural anti-bacterial properties means they are suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

So you see it's not difficult to introduce a little luxury to your day and we believe once you've tried it, there's no going back.

New inspiration for your home at Whiteport

To inspire you this month, we've added lots of exciting new items to the Whiteport online store. Remember, the beauty of decorating with white is it's timeless, simple and complements any colour scheme. But you don't have to have an all white scheme to be able to achieve the look. Just introduce a few pieces to update your look. White always looks fresh and clean and can make a huge impact without breaking the bank.

For the bedroom, we have the lovely Osterville quilted bedspreads, as currently featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine. Based on a french design, they are perfect to use all year round, either as a bedspread or folded along the foot of your bed. Team it with our new gorgeous silk blend Tiah cushions. Available in 3 colourways, they will add a soft and delicate touch to your bedroom.

Add some style to your household chores with our stunning new Dragonfly range of home products. Choose from matching linen teatowels, bag holder and ironing board cover all made here in Australia. The Dragonfly motif is as popular as ever and these make great gift ideas.

Is it time to update your bath towels? Check out our new Hamptons range. Designed in New Zealand, the classic ribbed design will suit any bathroom and of course nothing beats the look and feel of fluffy white bath towels.

These are just a few of the new items instore now at Whiteport. Click here to view the entire range. We hope they will inspire you to decorate with white.

7 Secrets of Successful Decorating

Decorating doesn't have to be difficult. Infact, it should be easy and fun. At Whiteport we believe everything we sell should improve your way of living. Whether it be luxurious bath towels or smart yet practical storage baskets, our mission is to inspire a Whiteport lifestyle in every home. We've put together the following pointers that we hope will help demystify interior decorating.

1. Establishing a neutral palette and accenting it with bold dashes of colour allows flexibility in decorating. It's cheaper and easier to change the cushions on a neutral sofa than to change or re-upholster the sofa.

2. Use furniture that has good lines and bold shapes; add unique pieces and heirlooms to add your own style and personality. Look for bargain pieces at online auction houses and second hand stores that can be given a new lease on life. Remember classic pieces won't date.

3. Don't overlook the importance of good lighting. Lighting creates ambience and makes a space welcoming. Utilise ceiling lights as well as lamps to give you the flexibility to choose the best lighting for a situation. Brilliant white bulbs are best for ceiling lights whilst softer frosted bulbs work well in lamps.

4. In large areas which are multi-purpose, divide the spaces by the use of rugs and arrangement of your furniture. For instance, a long dining table can separate the kitchen from the living space.

5. Storage that is attractive and practical is the key to clutter-free living. Choose solutions that complement your belongings. White is a good colour for storage. It works well with natural materials like rattan and wicker and with most colours.

6. Decorating with white and neutral palettes is all about texture. Mixing different textures will ensure your all white colour scheme doesn't look bland or sterile. Also, remember to change textures with the seasons; in the warmer months, use flat crisp materials like cotton and linen and in winter, introduce chunky blankets and rich, luxurious throws.

7. Probably the hardest part of decorating is displaying objects in a room. Unify chosen items for display by colour, material, shape or theme. Groups of three are attractive as are slightly off-centre arrangements.

Decorate for less with 20% off

Hurry in for great storewide savings at our 1 day sale, tomorrow Thursday 29 January. Sale is exclusively for Whiteport subscribers only. Just enter coupon ID 'sale' at checkout to receive your 20% discount. Offer applies to everything in store - no exclusions.

Don't forget to check out our New Arrivals. We've extended our popular rattan Brewster range with tissue boxes and napkin holders, along with Spot coffee mugs and much more.

There's no better time to spruce up your home. Happy shopping !

The White House

This month we're proud to be featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine. Get the inside story on Whiteport including founder, Jennifer McCabe's, stunning white beach house where all of the Whiteport images are shot.

You'll also glean some insights into the world of Whiteport, including how it all started, decorating tips and our exciting plans for the future. See a real life example of how an all-white colour scheme is all-encompassing and can work equally well with modern or more traditional homes.

We hope you enjoy the article and look forward to welcoming you to the Whiteport online store soon. Remember to subscribe to the site to receive our monthly specials, product news and special subscriber-only promotions.