Real Living September 2010

For many of us the on-setting season is autumn. There's a now a familiar chill in the air and the nights are drawing in as each day passes. Down under it's a whole different story; their days are warming up as the sun heads south to play for the next six months. How does jumping on a plane and heading their way for a few minutes of bright and airy interior inspiration sound? Game? Fantastic, doors to manual it is, then.

First up, the Real Living cover, which was the perfect choice. They've managed to get quite a number of 'hooks' onto it and yet it still feels fresh and uncrowded. Unsurprisingly, the cover of magazines plays a huge part in how I feel about the issue as I begin to turn the pages. The ethos, atmosphere, themes, main features - they all need to be clear from the cover. Real Living team, take your seat in first class, because you get full marks for this fab cover.

An early feature provides simple and accessible ideas on how to add some pizazz to your windows. Just the other day I picked up a length of fairly thick brown string and used it to tie back a pair of loose curtains. The effect has smartened up the window area in question so much that it makes me smile each time I see the refreshed space. Real Living's tips are of a similar vein: fun and crafty ways to make your windows shine.

Their home tours provide inspiration for fresh and muted palettes, perfect for letting the fresh greens of spring take centre stage. This opener is testament to looking outside for design inspiration as well as within the four walls of the space in which you live. That tree adds such vibrant colour - and drama - to this living room.

Much like my UK fave, Livingetc, Real Living rounds off with some great meal ideas. With foodie mags being my second love only to the shelter titles, it's always a welcome addition for me to see some inspirational, accessible and excellently styled food features. So, a cracking issue from the guys down under, leaving me refreshed and ready to hop back on the plane to London for hot chocolate and roaring fires.