HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Renovate
  • Entertain
  • Decorate
  • Shop
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Renovate
  • Entertain
  • Decorate
  • Shop
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
Subscribe
Home Beautiful Magical Makes: Fabric gift wrapping
Watch 0:18

Home Beautiful Magical Makes: Fabric gift wrapping

{headline}

{headline}

Dive into the March issue of Home Beautiful magazine

Dive into the March issue of Home Beautiful magazine

Our February issue is on sale now

Our February issue is on sale now

Our Beautiful Rooms competition winner for 2019!

Our Beautiful Rooms competition winner for 2019!

A sneak peek at the stunning January issue of Home Beautiful

A sneak peek at the stunning January issue of Home Beautiful

{headline}

{headline}

Our Christmas issue is on sale now!

Our Christmas issue is on sale now!

The hottest trends for 2019! Take a look inside October Home Beautiful

The hottest trends for 2019! Take a look inside October Home Beautiful

September issue sneak peek: Welcome to spring!

September issue sneak peek: Welcome to spring!

{headline}

{headline}

The rooms that will inspire your next makeover

The rooms that will inspire your next makeover

100 of the most beautiful rooms we've ever seen

100 of the most beautiful rooms we've ever seen

Winter warming with Home Beautiful July issue - on sale now!

Winter warming with Home Beautiful July issue - on sale now!

(Sponsor)

Our stunning April issue: sneak peek!

Our stunning April issue: sneak peek!

As seen in Home Beautiful magazine this month

As seen in Home Beautiful magazine this month

Our November issue is on sale now and brimming with makeover ideas!

Our November issue is on sale now and brimming with makeover ideas!

  1. Home
  2. Magazine

Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien

What is it that makes a room beautiful? - by Katrina O'Brien
  • 07 Feb 2019
Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien

On making a room beautiful

Is it the pieces — or maybe just one single eyecatching show-stopper — that make a space sing, or maybe a clever feature that tempts us to look twice, or a colour we just can’t get out of our heads? It’s questions such as these we ask ourselves a lot here at Home Beautiful as we review, find and create spaces to help inspire you as you decorate.

For me, a beautiful room is about so much more than the pieces that are in it: rather, it is about the people who live there, and the stories they share. Almost anyone can buy an exquisite armchair, a sofa and a dazzling array of cushions (if their bank balance allows, of course!), but not every decorator can put these pieces together with ease, to create a personal story that is a true reflection of the family who lives there.

“Ultimately, a beautiful room is one filled with soul.”

Katrina O'Brien HB acting editor
Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien | What is it that makes a room beautiful?
Marnie Hawson

Holiday vibes

It’s a dream of mine – and I don’t think I’m alone here – of owning a holiday home by the sea, where I could spend endless hours lounging about with my family thinking about nothing much at all. While I might not own one for the moment, I certainly now know how I would decorate it and turn myself into a superhost. And, while I save for that beach shack, I’m now off to a little cottage in Tasmania, or maybe Daylesford, but then there’s always Hamilton Island.

On my wish list

Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien | On my wish list |

‘Gabriella’ mirror, $1195, sarahellison.com.au

Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien | On my wishlist

‘Kane’ fabric armchair, from $599, domayne.com.au

Letter from the editor, Katrina O’Brien | On my wishlist | ‘Oiva/Unikko’ plate, $30, marimekko.com/au

You might also like:

Our Beautiful Rooms competition winner for 2019!

These are the 10 most beautiful rooms in Australia

In praise of the chandelier

Katrina O'Brien
Katrina O'Brien
As HB's acting editor Katrina has the joy of seeing products as they’re released, trends as they evolve and inspirational homes created by the country’s most clever renovators. With a mental “love list” of the things she’ll do when she renovates her own home, Katrina meanwhile brings life to it with mid-century pieces, much-loved artworks and cake!

FREE Palm Beach Candle

Bring warmth to your home - winter pine soy candle, worth $39.95

SAVE 29% Subscribe Now
FREE Palm Beach Candle
  • Decorate
  • Magazine

Recommended to you

Home Beautiful Magical Makes: Fabric gift wrapping
Watch 0:18

Home Beautiful Magical Makes: Fabric gift wrapping

{headline}

{headline}

Dive into the March issue of Home Beautiful magazine

Dive into the March issue of Home Beautiful magazine

Our February issue is on sale now

Our February issue is on sale now

Our Beautiful Rooms competition winner for 2019!

Our Beautiful Rooms competition winner for 2019!

A sneak peek at the stunning January issue of Home Beautiful

A sneak peek at the stunning January issue of Home Beautiful

{headline}

{headline}

Our Christmas issue is on sale now!

Our Christmas issue is on sale now!

The hottest trends for 2019! Take a look inside October Home Beautiful

The hottest trends for 2019! Take a look inside October Home Beautiful

September issue sneak peek: Welcome to spring!

September issue sneak peek: Welcome to spring!

{headline}

{headline}

The rooms that will inspire your next makeover

The rooms that will inspire your next makeover

100 of the most beautiful rooms we've ever seen

100 of the most beautiful rooms we've ever seen

Winter warming with Home Beautiful July issue - on sale now!

Winter warming with Home Beautiful July issue - on sale now!

(Sponsor)

Our stunning April issue: sneak peek!

Our stunning April issue: sneak peek!

As seen in Home Beautiful magazine this month

As seen in Home Beautiful magazine this month

Our November issue is on sale now and brimming with makeover ideas!

Our November issue is on sale now and brimming with makeover ideas!

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who
  • Women's Health

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines