james said – The Interiors Addict

How to: Decorate with Pantone’s Greenery

As I discussed recently, when it comes to interiors, Pantone’s 2017 colour of the year Greenery can be a tricky hue to work with. Proving it’s not impossible however is Bethany James-Best of James Said who was kind enough to offer her top five expert tips on incorporating the colour into your home.

The James Said showroom featuring a super stylish Greg Natale green rug

Make a statement
Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and dive right in when it comes to a strong colour trend like this one. “Go bold with this daring colour. Why not introduce a fabulous velvet arm chair in this colour and make it the feature in your space? Or paint a whole wall in it for real impact? Some of the most fabulous interiors feature bold colour and this zesty shade of green may be the pop of colour you have been looking for,” says Bethany.

Think monochrome
“Use bold patterns in black and white and introduce Greenery as a splash of colour. We have a fabulous setting here in our showroom which features a monochromatic palette with a fabulous rug by Greg Natale,” says Bethany. The bold, black and white space is certainly elevated with a pop of vibrant green.

Give it time
As with any bold interior trend, Bethany believes that Greenery takes a little bit of getting used to. “One of our biggest recommendations when using a bold colour such as Greenery, is to give it time. You will probably be startled at first if you haven’t used such a vivid colour before. Let it digest and take some deep breaths once you have introduced it, especially if you have committed to painting your walls or introducing it in a big ticket item, such as a rug or a sofa. Let your mind adjust and get used to the colour – you chose it for a reason after all!” says Bethany.

Indoor plants
While indoor plants have been trending for a while now, Pantone’s celebrated hue gives you even more reason to bring the outside in. “Incorporate real greenery – introduce beautiful planted tropical palms or some loose foliage on your coffee table as this will tone done the vibrancy of the green and give a more natural feel to the space. Green Hydrangeas are a personal favourite of the James Said team,” says Bethany.

Pair it with gold
“For those of you who are a little more adventures and love glamour, pair Greenery with gold. Just like the colours of Australia, green and gold look fabulous together and while this dramatic look isn’t for everyone, we can’t get enough of it. This could be as simple as introducing a splash of green foliage in a gold vase. This look works really well in interiors which feature black also as the contrast is beautiful,” says Bethany.

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How to: Master the Hollywood Regency aesthetic

Conjuring the glamour and sophistication of Hollywood’s heyday, the Hollywood Regency aesthetic is one of the most sumptuous around, but it’s also one that can be tricky to master (ie. its hallmark bold prints, colour and accessories aren’t always that easy to pull together). We caught up with interior designer Bethany James-Best of James Said, a luxury online purveyor of Hollywood Regency wares, who brought us up to speed on the aesthetic and how to use it in your home.

“Hollywood Regency is known for its bold colours, such as dramatic black and white, yellow, red and magenta. Geometric patterns, Chinoiserie, large stripes and over the top florals are another big part of the Hollywood Regency look,” says Bethany who does warn that using too many bold patterns can make a room feel cluttered or chaotic however. “I would treat patterns as I do colour and limit them both to three per room,” says Bethany.

And rather than just simply replicating the past, Hollywood Regency is about mixing old with new and giving classic pieces a modern twist. “For example, you can have a modern sofa but regency styled armchairs. The perfect finishes, glossy lacquer and mirrored furniture is perfect for this era and instantly infuses Hollywood Regency glamour into a room. Shiny surfaces and accessories are also a key component of the style,” says Bethany who believes the aesthetic is no trend, and is here to stay.

“This beautiful style is timeless and the perfect way to add a touch of glamour to any space. It’s a modern day classic, it allows you to fuse old-world and new and will continue to be part of the design language for years to come,” says Bethany.

It’s also an aesthetic that can be dabbled in, and doesn’t require full-blown adherence. “Committing to the full Hollywood Regency style isn’t for everyone as we all have our own tastes. But we do believe adding a few elements of this style can enhance all spaces – this can be as simple as a beautiful velvet arm chair with Deco lines paired with a contemporary style sofa or a bold geometric rug,” says Bethany.

An interior designer by trade and based in Perth, Bethany started her company after becoming frustrated with the lack of Hollywood Regency pieces available in Australia. “I couldn’t source the beautiful pieces I wanted to complete the look I desired – you simply couldn’t find them. This started my journey into locating the most beautiful brands in the world and bringing them to the Australian market. I Frequent High Point in the US and the Maison Objet show in Paris, among others, to find pieces that inspire me with the hope that others will fall in love with them the same way I do,” says Bethany.

bethany-james-best-copy — Bethany James-Best

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