Covid-19 is changing daily life in so many ways. Autumn usually means cooler evenings, warming foods and a bit of welcome hibernation. This year, though, it also means extended time at home due to rules around social distancing. So it’s worth finding something to cheer yourself up while you stay indoors. Even if it’s just a candle or a new magazine subscription.
Happily, Sydney has some amazing shops with lots of local creators of everything from throw rugs to bath salts to new Aussie fiction. Here are some picks for inner Sydney online shopping if you want to cosy up your house or send someone a thoughtful gift, and still have the financial means to do so.
Elms Store for beautiful homewares
Elms Store on Crown Street has a great selection of homewares if you are looking for something to update your apartment. Scented candles, cushions and throw rugs will all give your bedroom a lift for those much-needed early nights.
This store’s wellness section stocks some great ‘bath brew’ tea bags to add to your hot bath. You’ll also find essential oils and lovely bath products from Salus, an Australian maker of spa-inspired products.
Visit elmsstore.com.au
Rug Couture for a cosy new carpet
Located in the Queen Victoria Building, this rug shop is great for those who enjoy designing. Here, you can design your own rugs online. You just choose from a wide range of patterns, textures and colours to design a rug in a size of your choice, all from beautiful pure wool. A great way to do something creative from your own lounge room.
Rug Couture are also members of GoodWeave, an organisation that certifies rugmakers who guarantee no child labour in the manufacture of their products.
Visit rugcouture.com.au
Bed Thread for some new bed linen
Pure linen bedding is never going to be a budget option. However, Sydney-based company Bed Thread reduces costs as much as possible by cutting out the middlemen. Their luxury French flax linen bedding comes in a variety of shades and sizes.
Linen is a great fabric for bedding as it stays cool in summer and warm in winter, so if you are thinking of splashing out on bedding, this is a great company to support. What’s more, the rich greens, reds and turmeric shades are all very autumnal.
Visit bedthreads.com.au
Invest in some quality food during Covid-19 isolation
There’s nothing better than coming home to dinner on a cold evening. The best way to do this is with a slow cooker, where you simply throw in your ingredients in the morning and let the heat do the work for you. Check out Instagram or Pinterest for lots of slow cooker recipes. And an online delivery will support local butchers who have been hit hard by Covid-19 related restaurant closures. As well as quality sausages, roasts and steaks, Kingsmore Meat produces comfort food including lasagne, pies and curries if you feel like letting someone else do the cooking for a night.
Visit kingsmore.com.au
Treat yourself to some reading material
A new magazine subscription or a novel from a local bookshop will both keep you occupied at home. With Australian authors being hit hard by the cancellation of book launches, it’s a great time to discover a new local author. Sydney institution Gleebooks is offering free home delivery for customers wanting to stay at home right now. They will also happily advise you of new releases and recommendations.
Visit gleebooks.com
Talk to us about the impact of Covid-19 on real estate
Please share your tips for making your home a sanctuary as we all deal with the impact of Covid-19. And if you are looking for a Sydney apartment, or thinking of putting your own home on the market, we are always happy to talk to you about what the market is doing under current conditions. Now is also a great time to get your home ready for sale, once Covid-19 restrictions lift.
