Tag: stylist

How to elevate your living room by stylist Natalie Walton

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 20, 2022
1 Comment on How to elevate your living room by stylist Natalie Walton

This is an edited extract from the new book Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home by Natalie Walton.

Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect. They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction.

Not sure which style choices to make? All decisions should be based on the answer to one key question. When you step into your living room, how do you want to feel? Remember, creating a beautiful home is less about focusing on a look and more about embracing how you want to experience the space. Every choice we make in our homes has an impact on our emotions. Everything is an extension of you and who you are. Colour is a powerful example: we can all respond differently to even slight differences in shades. When it comes to choosing what to include in your space—from art to a sofa—focus on feeling. If you want to experience calm, for example, try a subdued palette, simple forms and soft textures. This will inform the way you arrange the space, too. Asymmetry is more relaxed and will make you want to linger longer. However, if you want to turn up the voltage and create with artful mastery, find a nexus between contrast and cohesion. Play with the friction between raw and refined, simple and sophisticated, dark and light.

Consider the function of the room. It would be futile to focus on the guest experience if you entertain only occasionally. However, astute choices in sourcing can result in furniture and decor that can be adaptable and used in new ways over time. A stool can act as a side table or seat; a daybed can perform a double duty as seating one day and in a bedroom the next. Mixing pieces from different genres and periods will create visual interest and can make the space more representative of your story. The juxtaposition of modern and old, textured and smooth elevates the contrasting elements and enlivens the space. However, when mixing materials or eras, work within a restrained palette for unity and harmony.

Redefine the space

It’s all too easy to rely on walls to define the frame of the living room. However, spaces feel much more intimate when you bring furniture off the walls. When sofas are pushed against the perimeter, the space in the middle of the room can feel like a dead zone. Instead, use area rugs to define the room. Bringing everything closer together creates intimacy and makes the space feel more inviting. Floor lamps can flank sofas and occasional seating. For additional depth, add a bench or side table behind the sofa and layer with books, table lamps and sculptural objects.

Engage the eye

We want to create spaces that are complex yet cohesive. Our brains need stimulation, otherwise we lose interest and can become demotivated. No one wants that for their home, or life. While we don’t need to create sensory overload, visual appeal is important. Create spaces that are multi-dimensional; avoid having all your furniture and objects on one plane. Play with a mix of heights, such as pendant lights from the ceiling, articulated floor lamps, table lamps with curvaceous forms, a duo of coffee tables, a couple of plinths at varying heights, art that guides the eye upwards, a few stools and a rug that grounds it all. Scale is important, too. Avoid oversized sofas, rugs that are too small and coffee tables that don’t meet the visual weight of the seating area and overall space. Aim for impact in at least one area—perhaps a pendant or an artwork. Bring it all together with a unified palette and subtle shifts in tones.

Statement sofa

Sofas are always a big investment and the centrepiece of any living room. Everything from the sofa’s form to how it is furnished will have an impact on your experience of the space. Always remember the atmosphere you want to create. Homes that feel engaging can embrace unexpected forms, such as a curved sofa. A handful of cushions in jewel-like colours can enhance the sofa experience. Balance is key here. Too many cushions and the arrangement seems more for show than comfort. Not enough and the space becomes a study in form. Find the balance that works best for you.

Curated coffee table

Coffee tables provide another opportunity to express personal tastes and interests. Commit to creating an atmosphere that enhances your experience. Create cohesion and display favourite books and decorative objects in a grid formation. Sculptural decorative pieces, plants, round trays or asymmetrical decor can help soften the effect. Groups of three or five please the eye, providing variety and interest. Also, work within the tones of the room and keep proportion in mind—both in relation to the size of your table with your sofa, as well as the objects on display. Bitsy collections can quickly get lost. A tray is a good way to corral your collection and give it more weight. Hide away any necessary but functional objects, such as remote controls, in a beautiful box. Only display what helps elevate the experience of the room. Also, appeal to the senses and include candles, flowers and plants. While fragrance cannot be seen, it is an essential ingredient in the experience of any considered home.

Sideboard style

A sideboard or console serves as a way to make your living room personal and intimate. While it often provides a resting place for functional objects, such as lamps or a television, it also allows you to display collections of art, books, ceramics and more. Create a dialogue between these objects, uniting them through materials, palette or provenance. A sideboard might be an opportunity to display seasonal blooms or foraged finds from nature. Just as you want to create a mix of heights within the living room, aim for variety on any surface, too. Ensure you include a mixture of forms—from sculptural to linear—to add interest and curiosity. Also, don’t be afraid to be ambitious with what you create. A sideboard or console is a great way to experiment on a small scale, without the commitment or cost that’s required when restyling an entire room.

Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home by Natalie Walton is published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $60. Photography by Chris Warnes.

Tags hardie grant books, how to elevate your living room, interior stylist, living room style, living room tips, Natalie Walton, Natalie walton book, stylist, stylist tips

Decorating 101 Expert Tips Styling

Megan Morton’s tips for improving your home for the new normal

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 12, 2020
No Comments on Megan Morton’s tips for improving your home for the new normal

By Australian interior stylist Megan Morton

Home has always been our refuge, but now more than ever before, the layout of our homes, backyards and communities has been placed under the spotlight.

New research from Stockland, one of Australia’s largest residential developers, revealed the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our expectations of home and neighbourhood. It’s no surprise that we are more likely to take better care of our mental wellbeing and physical health, the way we think about our home has shifted significantly. More than 80% of Australians are now more conscious that their home and environment is intrinsically linked to their wellbeing.

Space has always been an important factor to home design and satisfaction but with people spending so much time at home, it’s become vital. We’ve become less satisfied with at least one aspect of our current home or neighbourhood. The main grievance is a lack of indoor and outdoor space, with 62% of us more likely to consider space-related features than before the pandemic – such as in-home storage (44%), a separate study (40%), a private outdoor space (39%), open-plan living (36%) and a separate living area (33%).

Creating different spaces
With one in four people working from home, we know have to consider spaces such as the ‘Zoom room’ or work from home office. With this in mind, we should also consider a ‘zen’ zone for ourselves. A place to counter the activity and energy of a designated work space, where there is quiet and a time for reflection

We ask so much of our open plan areas that I like the closed rooms to have very obvious uses. Toy room, craft room, Zoom room. A custom build can allow for all of this possibility so you can look to the future – a toy room is a future media room. A future craft room is today’s nursery.

Be very diligent with your furniture. Choose items that can reflect the real use of the room and furnish it to match.

How to create a feeling of solace?
On a granular level, I think the first thing people can do is counter all the hard surfaces with soft textures. It seems a simple act but so effective. It’s a failsafe for every room. In the kitchen it can be mats, floor covering or a fabulous pendant light. In bedrooms it’s cushions and curtain trims. Living areas can be texturised with sofa fabric choices, throws and rugs.

How to create separation in the spaces?
I use a series of rugs and lights to lead the separation. I never use lights and rugs in the same open plan room, only in the front closed rooms. By swapping out you get to carve away space by swapping out the hero from floor to ceiling within the same open plan.

Top tips to harness light
Stockland’s research also revealed that we have a greater need for space and light in the home, as well as a desire to be closer to parks and green spaces.

Embrace natural light. No matter who you are and where you live, light control is so important as it can have a pivotal impact on mood. There are a couple of solutions to embrace the natural light. Firstly skylights will change the feeling of any room. Use only where you need as the idea is to use them to highlight a space. Another way to accentuate natural light sources, is by adding curtains over a beautiful window. Curtains need not be over the whole house, instead use them sparingly and show off the views you’re most proud of.

Bring the outside in. Mirrors are a great way to reflect the outside in. When you are dealing with straight lines, I prefer a rounded or archway mirror. Ensure you position your mirror to reflect a great view of the outside or garden. When we see green we know things are healthy and wonderful, to create this feeling in a home add elements of nature such as greenery or flowers to a room. This is an extremely simple but underused tactic.

How to make a home more liveable?
Liveability is achieved through likeability! And likeability is won through understanding your own needs, then marrying your decorative preferences with your home’s existing foundations. All of this can be masterfully achieved when you build new.

There are so many new highly liveable communities where you don’t have to settle for less and that are meeting our changing needs in a post-covid world. I’ve been working with Stockland and have been impressed with how they have developed homes based around embracing the things that are increasingly important to people – such as more space, storage and light within the home, as well as parks and outdoor spaces.

For more on Stockland

Megan Morton’s top tips for styling a bedroom on a budget

By Megan Morton Look, all I know is that an expensive bedroom and an inexpensive one can share common goals. Whoever let money stand in their way anyway? Money can be…

Take 5 with Megan Morton

Each week we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s best designers, artists and stylists and have them share with us what’s making them tick; anything from the best advice they’ve ever received to their favourite…

Tags home, megam morton, styling, stylist

Art Design Designers Interviews RENO ADDICT

Former Melbourne property stylist now styles homes for living

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 26, 2020
No Comments on Former Melbourne property stylist now styles homes for living

Kylie Tyrell — Interior stylist Kylie Tyrrell

After eight years of styling homes to sell, Melbourne interior stylist Kylie Tyrrell decided she would much rather style spaces to live. “If I had to dress one more bed with white linen, I was going to die a slow death!” says Kylie. No longer a property stylist, Kylie is relishing the new direction her business Goldchalk Styling has organically taken of late.

“I get to use colour, which I love, and I feel I can show off a client’s personality rather than rolling out cookie cutter fit-outs, over and over again,” says Kylie who has certainly embraced the rainbow in her newly renovated Melbourne ‘forever’ home.

Kylie’s first contact with her new home was when she styled it for sale five years ago. And while she loved it, it was not quite right for her family at the time (she had three young children and the house is multi-level). Unsurprisingly she was thrilled when it eventually returned to the market.

“We had fully renovated our previous home and were thinking of extending or moving. As a busy family of five, we were seriously running out of space,” says Kylie who quickly snapped up the home after viewing it and falling for it all over again.

Within ten weeks, the home had new flooring, new paint and a brand-new entertainers’ kitchen. “It was a dream to renovate and style a home that truly reflected me – a blank canvas really!” says Kylie.

When it comes to styling tips, Kylie is a huge believer in art’s ability to transform a room. In fact, Kylie believes it’s better to hang something up rather than nothing at all. “So often I see people afraid to hang art on freshly painted walls, or couples not agreeing on art. People waste so much time trying to choose the right art, and then fail to choose anything at all,” says Kylie who believes art is about adding to the overall look of a room, rather than the individual piece itself.

“It’s about hanging it in unexpected places, or off centre, to create interest. I often choose the art for a room before the furnishings,” says Kylie.

And as it has been for many others, the recent Melbourne lockdown measures have really made Kylie appreciate her home and its styling. “It was always our safe haven but now it’s so much more. It’s our shared office space, classroom, a place to gather for meals, a place to escape and recharge — it really has become everything,” says Kylie.

Kylie's new kitchen is a neutral antidote to the other areas of her home — Kylie’s new kitchen is a neutral antidote to the other colourful areas of her home

Ultimately though, Kylie sees interior styling as the icing on the proverbial that can make a huge difference to the way that you feel and connect with a home. “It’s the one place where you can show off who you are without reservation.”

For more

Anna Spiro’s first rug range is a riot of colour and pattern

Long time readers will know I’m a big Anna Spiro fan so I’m LOVING her debut rug range with Designer Rugs. If there was ever a time we all needed…

Tags colour, expert tips, goldchalk styling, interior stylist, melbourne, Melbourne stylist, stylist

Decorating 101 Expert Tips Styling

Styling your home: getting the icing on the cake right!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 10, 2020
1 Comment on Styling your home: getting the icing on the cake right!

Styling is what Emma Blomfield calls “the fun bit” of interiors! And it’s definitely the case that a few styling tricks can totally lift your space. We’re big on homes being unique reflections of the people who live in them, and styling has the power to give every home more personality.

Today, the Sydney-based stylist, designer and decorator, is sharing some of her top tips; things that everyone can have a go at, styling ideas you may not have thought of, and some simple rules to follow.

“It’s different to decorating as decorating consists of selecting the big ticket items like sofas, coffee tables, beds, sideboards and other larger furniture items,” says Emma, author of Home and Keeping House. “You can also have a lot of fun with decorating when choosing fabrics, timber tones and textures as well as actually placing the furniture out in the room. But styling is arranging the smaller, more moveable pieces. Think candles, books, trays, crystals, coasters, trinkets, boxes and other decorative items.”

Emma sees any flat surface as an excuse to “style up a storm”! It could be the top of a bar cart styled with attractive liquor bottles, a coffee table with a tray of nice decorative items or a hall table in the entry way with pretty trinkets and photo frames.

“A home with no deliberate styling is going to feel a little sterile, like no one lives there! The styling adds character and personality. It gives little nods to who lives there, where they’ve travelled and collected items from, or what they’ve been given for significant milestones in their lives.”

Get it right however, and Emma says your home will feel cosy, welcoming and intriguing. “You want your guests to come over and want to explore all the corners of your home because there are interesting things to look at everywhere. Those little elements tell stories and hold many amazing memories, ready to be recollected.”

Styling is also a great way to carry a theme from room to room, giving your home a more cohesive feel. “You don’t have to rely on a colour palette to do this,” Emma says. “For example, use trays to house some cute decorative items collected on your holiday to Paris in one room and then another tray in the next room with photos of your Paris trip so you carry your lovely memories into the other rooms of the house.”

While some people say it’s nothing more than fluffing cushions and not at all essential, Emma says styling is what sets your house apart from an Airbnb or rental property and shows that real people live there. “It’s an essential part of bringing a home together for its occupants. Those styling elements are often handed down to the next generation as heirlooms like teacups and saucers or little crystal figurines.”

So, do you need to call in a professional like Emma? “No! You just need to have an eye for collecting a few little meaningful things from your life. Most people can do that!”

So, where to start?

“Using trays to collate the trinket-y things really helps collate them all without the styling looking messy or unfinished. When styling a bedside table, a coaster for your water glass, a ring dish, an attractive box of tissues and a candle are all you need to create a pretty vignette,” Emma says.

“When creating a ‘shelfie’, use height and scale to create a cute display. Mix tall skinny objects with short squat objects so there’s some interest with the items on display and they aren’t all at the same height. Vary the textures too to create interest.”

You don’t need to go shopping for new decor either, although that’s always fun! “Look around your house for inspiration. You might find something in the back of your desk drawer that reminds you of the fun you had at university or a marble your son gave you when he was a child. They don’t have to be expensive items. In fact, often the cheapest items hold the most meaning and are therefore the most interesting to talk about when guests ask you the meaning behind them.

“Objects from your travels are often inexpensive but meaningful and fun objects to have on display. Or even found objects like a bowl of attractive feathers or sea urchins found on a Christmas holiday.”

If you do want to treat yourself to something new for your vignette, Emma suggests a fancy candle, candle sticks, small brass dishes, room sprays in nice bottles, snow globes, coffee table books or small photo frames as great options.

And there are some styling rules which never go out of fashion: “The odds rule is an age old styling trick. Grouping objects on your coffee table or dining table centrepiece in threes or fives is more cohesive-looking than groupings of four or six. There’s probably some science (or feng shui) behind why!”

For more about Emma

Create a home with this new illustrated interiors book!

Having enjoyed at least eight homes in her lifetime and spent a childhood globetrotting (she lived in Japan, Hong Kong and Sydney), interior stylist Emma Blomfield is perhaps better placed than…

Tags Emma blomfield, interior styling, interior stylist, shelfies, styling, styling tips, stylist, vignette, vignettes

Homewares Styling

Stylist Jason Grant creates new paint colours for Murobond

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 21, 2020
No Comments on Stylist Jason Grant creates new paint colours for Murobond

Now with 70 paint colours to his name as part of his collaboration with Murobond, creating new hues is as exciting a process as ever for Byron-based stylist Jason Grant.

This week sees the launch of his sixth collection, Paradigm Shift, created in isolation during lockdown. But like the others, it’s mostly inspired by nature. “I like to take it all in and notice all the details, and of course I see all the colours,” he says. “The new colours highlight earth elements and nature’s beauty.”

Jason art directed, produced, styled and photographed the collection solo in his studio during isolation. “I was doing some deep thinking too,” he said. “The palette is named Paradigm Shift, a concept that I discovered and spiralled into. It’s the notion of a major change that happens when the usual way of thinking about doing something is replaced by a new or a different way – a concept that inspires me and gives me hope and hope is what we need. I’ve always been a hippy at heart, focusing on positivity and high vibrations.”

He loves how a paint can transform room, an object or even a mood. “Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint for a new lease on life. It’s all in your mindset.”

Although it had been a while since he created new colours for Murobond, Jason said it came easily. “It comes naturally because I love that I get to do this. With everything I do, I love to create the process to create the result.

“Creating colours gets easier. I work in quite an analogue way, first conceptualising then creating the colour references that we colour match. This time we pretty much nailed the colours that were in my head first go.”

Because he likes to tell stories with words as well as pictures, Jason enjoys coming up with the colour names too. “These colours are inspired by a few clever people and a few favourite moments or objects.” Names include the very Aussie Flowering Gum, Wattle Seed and Davidson Plum, as well Guacamole, Vagabond, Kai and more.

“I love them all,” Jason says. “Flowering Gum in a soft pink; Vagabond, the subtle light shade of uplifting grey; and Kai, based on the leaf of a gum tree, are three standouts.”

Jason’s currently busy with a variety of projects, creating content for brands, working on a few residential and commercial spaces, including a restaurant. The biggest interiors trends he’s seeing for 2020 are creating the ultimate in home comforts, simple things becoming luxuries and simplification of living.

Jason is part of Denfair’s virtual design event this week. Tune into his online masterclass Live Your Best Creative Life, on Thursday at 12 noon.

Shop Paradigm Shift on the Murobond website | Check out Jason’s website

Jason was one of Interiors Addict’s first interviewees 9 years ago:

Jason Grant, living his dream

Jason Grant left his prestigious role as style director for Real Living magazine last year and hasn’t stopped working since. It’s a good job he loves his work so much it feels…

Tags colour, interior stylist, jason grant, mr jason grant, murobond, paint, paint colours, paradigm shift, styling, stylist

Expert Tips Styling

Interior styling 101: top stylist shares all in new online course

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 7, 2020
No Comments on Interior styling 101: top stylist shares all in new online course

Renowned interior stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones has launched an online styling school called The Stylist Lab. Her first course, Interior Styling 101, will help you define and refine your personal interior style.

You’ll learn how to style:

vignettes
coffee table
sideboards
shelfies
bed
with flowers
with art
with textures
with what you have
any room of your home!

Ex-real living magazine’s Kerrie-Ann, says you’ll be capable of styling a vignette, room or home after completing the stylist challenges in each module. You’ll even implement the basics of styling for photography so you can take captivating photos of your beautifully styled home.

“You’ll feel confident styling your home with the tips, tricks and knowledge you’ve learnt from the course and be inspired to take your styling to the next level with the skills and knowledge you have gained.”

What’s included in the course:

5 modules of styling content plus a bonus module
Demonstration videos styling many areas of your home
Step by step guides
Audio-visual presentations
Downloadable cheat sheets, checklists, hotlist of suppliers
Inspiration and examples of interiors that demonstrate the course content
The styling techniques Kerrie-Ann uses when styling any interior
Her hottest tips and tricks that you can easily and instantly put into practice at home
Stylist challenges that will help develop your ‘styling eye’
Private access to The Stylist Lab Facebook Group, where you can connect with likeminded interior lovers.

Kerrie-Ann adds: “I’ve designed the course for students to do at their own pace. They can dip in and out whenever they like. Students will have lifetime access to the course, so they can come back and give themselves a refresh in years to come.”

For more on The Stylist Lab

Kerrie-Ann’s interiors podcast with fellow stylist Jono Fleming

Tags interior styling, interior styling 101, kerrie-ann jones, online course, styling, stylist, the stylist lab

Design Interviews Styling

Becoming a stylist: Aisha swaps IT for interiors!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 4, 2020
No Comments on Becoming a stylist: Aisha swaps IT for interiors!

An IT career seems an unlikely beginning for an interior stylist but it’s the story of Melbourne’s Aisha Chaudhry. Like many women, the career change was initiated by a maternity leave stint, when Aisha decided to leave the IT world behind and study a Certificate IV of Interior Design & Decoration at RMIT.

“I spent three years completing the course part time while raising kids,” says Aisha, who also used the time to assist family members with renovation advice, build two different homes for her family’s property portfolio and work in a design capacity on a series off-the-plan townhouses. Busy much?

But it’s one thing to complete a course and quite another to actually find work in the uber-competitive interior styling field. Which is where Aisha’s relationship with Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors proved integral.

“Everywhere I looked employers wanted experience, and no one was interested in hiring a fresh graduate. So, I started attending different events to network and see if I could volunteer my time somewhere to gain experience.” She attended a couple of Julia’s styling masterclasses before asking if she could assist on a shoot.

“Julia was kind enough to offer me the opportunity but after assisting her on my first shoot, I was not sure if I was going to get another opportunity. I learnt a lot on the day and saw how much effort goes into creating one shot and seeing the final images just blew my mind.” Aisha was instantly hooked.

“The hardest part for me was to put myself out there and trust in my abilities,” says Aisha whose courage has since reaped reward after reward. Not only has she gone onto assist Julia myriad times, but she’s also had the honour of styling her own shoots too. “Aisha has become my most loyal and trusted style assist over the years and is now so accomplished I trust her with entire campaigns, and this is a first for me,” says mentor Julia.

Aisha’s Pakistani background was certainly an easy fit for the colourful Greenhouse Interiors aesthetic. She moved from Pakistan to Melbourne with her family in 1995. “Coming from a heritage that is full of colour, I am naturally attracted towards colour and pattern. I still go back to my home country and always come back inspired. In our traditional clothes we use a lot of colour and pattern which is the main influence for me.”

Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Aisha Chaudhry

For more on Aisha and her business Interior Designstein | Before & after: Stylist Julia Green revamps living room

Tags aisha chaudhry, armelle habib, colour, design, greenhouse interiors, interiors, interview, julia green, melbourne, styling, stylist

Expert Tips Interviews Kids Rooms

2020 trends: Warm neutral paint colours are back!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 21, 2020
3 Comments on 2020 trends: Warm neutral paint colours are back!

After a decade where cool paint tones reigned supreme, warm neutrals are back on-trend if the latest from Dulux is anything to go by. The work of stylist Bree Leach, a bland white child’s room was imbued with gorgeous warmth courtesy of Dulux ‘Pancake Mix,’ a biscuity, putty-like clay tone that completely transforms the space.

Part of the paint brand’s ‘Grounded’ palette (one of four trend palettes identified in the 2020 Dulux Colour Forecast ‘Essence’), the palette combines warm biscuit tones derived from nature with touches of muted coral, mauve and gold for a contemporary edge. Who would have thought that such warm tones could look so modern?

AFTER: The ‘Grounded’ palette is versatile enough to work in a girl or boy’s room

“We’ve seen a much more tonal palette coming through this year. The bold colour contrasts of previous years have made way for subtle layering of natural hues. Depth is added through texture and materiality,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager.

While the original room was fairly monochrome, it did have great features for Bree to work with including a high ceiling, solid timber floor, French doors, plenty of natural light and a striking brick fireplace. The colour palette was less than optimal however; all-white, it was fairly uninviting which is not exactly the vibe that you want in a child’s room!

“I wanted to add warmth and personality to the space so that its little occupant would enjoy spending time here. I aimed to highlight the room’s best features, detract from the less appealing ones, and spend next to nothing,” says Bree who kept the budget in check by retaining key furniture pieces such as the room’s toddler bed (with timber detailing), and the curvy armchair and ottoman.

“When you’re choosing a palette, it’s best to start with one main colour, which you can use across large expanses, such as walls, then a supporting hue and one or two accents,” says Bree.

The room’s existing warm white (Dulux Wash&Wear in Natural White) was retained for the fireplace and ceiling but Bree chose a soft clay (Dulux Wash&Wear in Pancake Mix) for the walls as a feature, to tie in with the warmth of the timber floor and the detailing on the bed. A muted lavender (Dulux Wash&Wear in Hint of Lavender) was chosen for the new door on the fireplace opening, and Bree added touches of coral in the bedding.

“We made the bed the hero of the room by piling it high with comfy pillows and using bedlinen in shades of grey and coral. An inexpensive rug adds softness underfoot – its round shape echoes the curves in the furniture. To accentuate the fabulous fireplace, we kept it white to subtly contrast with the walls.”

Styling: Bree Leech | Photography: Lisa Cohen

For more on Dulux | Australian bathroom trends: February 2020 edition

Tags Bree Leech, colour, design, dulux, interior design, interiors, paint, styling, stylist

Expert Tips Interviews Styling

Pendant lights: Does your dining room need one?

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 6, 2020
1 Comment on Pendant lights: Does your dining room need one?

In this instalment of our Ask The Stylist series with Alex Carter of Harlow + Willow, a reader writes in with a pendant light dilemma. Should she install one over her dining table, or not?

Reader question: Do I need a pendant light over our dining table? We had one, which was removed after it was damaged. We have uplights and a lamp in the same room. Should I replace it?

Answer: As to whether you really need a pendant over a dining table, there are so many things that can impact this decision. I’ll go through a few general considerations to think about below.

Size of the dining area
The size of the dining space and the dining table will greatly affect the decision as to whether to have a pendant light. I’m assuming in this case it’s a decent size (given there was a previous pendant), but did it feel comfortable or did it dominate when using the table?

I wouldn’t suggest a pendant light for anything smaller than a six seat table personally, unless it’s going to be quite small or hung high, but that defeats the purpose.

Photography: Stephanie Rooney | Styling: Harlow + Willow

Is the spaced defined?
A really nice way to design and style your home is to create zones for specific areas; this can be done in any home, even if it’s open plan. Areas can be defined by artwork, rugs or lights. If you have an open plan living and dining area, a pendant light can help to make the dining space feel like a discrete space, and create a focal point.

Photography: Stephanie Rooney | Styling: Harlow + Willow and Ali

Style of pendant
Should you decide to go ahead, the style of the pendant is the next big decision! Keeping in mind the house and the rest of the decor, you could choose to go with a simple yet striking glass pendant, such as a long line design or an architectural light. Alternatively, you could go for a softer and more textural style and opt for either a fabric or paper pendant.

Also, taking into account what else is surrounding the dining table, if there is a large and dominating artwork or bold wallpaper, you may decide to opt for a more simple and transparent light. If the room is quite simple, make the pendant the feature!

Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors and Harlow + Willow

Consider the surrounding lighting
An important consideration is what other lighting exists in the space; is the pendant required to light the dining table or is it for decorative purposes only? This will also impact the style of pendant that you go for, and the spread of light you need (the amazing team at Lights Lights Lights talk a lot about this on their Instagram account, so head over there if you’re not sure about this). I would advise separate controls too, so that you can have just the pendant switched on for a moody effect!

Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Harlow + Willow and Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors

For more about Alex

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Tags alex carter, design, dining room, expert advice, Harlow and willow, interior design, interiors, lighting, pendant light, styling, stylist

Design Expert Tips Interviews Styling

Hallway ideas: How do I furnish & style a long space?

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 27, 2020
2 Comments on Hallway ideas: How do I furnish & style a long space?

Photography: Jody D’Arcy | Styling: Harlow + Willow

In this next instalment of our Ask The Stylist series with Alex Carter of Harlow + Willow, a reader writes in unsure how to style a long hallway.

Reader question: We have a townhouse and the hallway has a huge plain wall on one side with rooms on the other. It’s like a bowling alley. What can l do?

Answer: Long hallways can feel a bit daunting but are also an awesome opportunity to add some extra features to your home and to show people what you’re all about as soon as they walk in the door!

As this reader has said, it’s only one side of the hall that has a large blank wall. This can sometimes be intimidating, but below I am going to suggest what can be done to make it a fun and interesting part of the home.

Gallery style hanging art
One option is to create a gallery style wall of art. This can be done with original paintings or prints; they can be by the same artist, pieces with similar colours, or you can go totally rogue and put up anything you love! There are no rules to this; the only condition that will determine the success or not, is commitment. For example, with the hanging style, if you go with a symmetrical and streamlined look this needs to be measured out and executed correctly. Similarly, if you decide to go for a more casual and mismatched look, make sure that none of the paintings match or line up. Commitment to any form of styling is the most important aspect – own your decision with pride!

Photography: Stephanie Roonie | Styling: Alex Carter — Photography: Stephanie Rooney | Styling: Harlow + Willow

Create a seating nook
Depending on space and the width of the hallway, another idea is to create a small nook with a bench seat. If this can be near the entry point of the house, it could be used by people when they enter the house to sit down and take off their shoes. There are very slimline benches available, such as the below HK Living Retro Webbing Bench, that make a statement without being too space consuming. Pop a piece of statement art above, and a cushion or any other accessories that will practically suit the space, and you have a winning feature!

The console
Another option is to put in an awesome console! Once again, there are plenty of slimline and space saving options so it doesn’t have to be a large cumbersome piece of furniture blocking the walkway. Consoles are great for displaying small interesting objects, such as ceramics, vases with florals, plants or even a pin board to house all your important messages and reminders. This can be your central spot for all of those pieces that seem to mysteriously go missing when you’re in a rush – wallets, keys and anything else you need to grab on your way out!

For more about Alex

Got a question for Alex? Please submit it for consideration below!

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Tags alex carter, expert advice, Harlow and willow, interior design, interiors, stephanie rooney, styling, stylist

Interviews Styling

Stylish Jervis Bay holiday home is insta-perfect

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 31, 2019
No Comments on Stylish Jervis Bay holiday home is insta-perfect

Located just 2.5 hours’ drive south of Sydney, the just launched Mandala Beach House is nestled on the northern shores of Jervis Bay, in the coastal village of Callala Bay. Situated across the road from the ocean, the home accommodates up to 12 guests making it a fabulous spot for a family or group getaway. And for interior lovers, it’s got design cred too courtesy of its luxe coastal spaces that were created by interior stylist Jessi Eve.

“Influenced by natural elements, I pulled together a palette of sandy neutrals and grey stone tones paired with soft sky pastels and ocean blues. The textures and materials are connected to nature with natural cotton, linen, rattan, and timber featuring,” says Jessi when explaining the feel throughout the home.

Jessi’s fresh palette is complemented by timber, raw texture and lots of natural light that is captured via skylights and myriad clerestory windows. Overall, the home has an inviting, lived-in feel.

“Holiday homes, in general, are moving more towards a beautiful homely feel rather than sterile and purely practical accommodation. The most popular places nowadays are Instagram-worthy with lots of visual interest at every corner, both in the design and styling. For me, Mandala Beach House nails that,” says Jessi.

Inside the home there’s a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, multiple hangout zones, and five bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms (the games room can double as a sixth bedroom if required). The home’s master bedroom has a luxe, deep-set bath with views over the bay too.

The alfresco spaces are rather covetable also. There’s a furnished balcony with ocean views, an outdoor bar and barbeque, a saltwater pool and grassed area for the kids to run. And while on the topic of kids, the home is very family-friendly and comes equipped with baby gates, a high-chair and travel cot too.

Book your stay | Another gorgeous coastal holiday home

Tags holiday home, holiday house, interior design, interiors, jessi eve, nsw, nsw south coast, styling, stylist, travel

Design Expert Tips Styling

Ask a stylist: How do I furnish a small, awkward room?

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 19, 2019
No Comments on Ask a stylist: How do I furnish a small, awkward room?

Alex Carter moodboard — Alex's proposal for the space

In this next instalment of our Ask The Stylist series, with Alex Carter of Harlow + Willow, a reader writes in with a lounge room conundrum.

Reader question: I have this unusually shaped, smallish living room and have for years configured the contents a variety of ways, but it still doesn’t sit comfortably. I want to replace the sofa soon and I’m at a loss as to what type to buy so that it fits in the room – I was thinking modular. What do you think? I have also considered v-groove panelling or wallpaper but what other items do I need to get the space to work?

Answer: My advice would be to play with the pieces in the space and to add some more dimension to the room, emphasising the amazing aspects, such as the large window.

Denise mentioned that she was wanting to replace her sofa but wasn’t sure what style to go with and was thinking modular. Because of the shape of this room I would recommend sticking with the standard 2.5 – 3 seater sofa like this beautiful neutral grey sofa from Lounge Lovers. The legs of this sofa help to give it height, and mean it won’t be too visually bulky at the end of the room.

Lounge Lovers Hampton sofa — Lounge Lovers Hampton 3-seat sofa, $2499

Rather than having a chaise, replacing the armchair with a day bed style chair like the below, and put it further back into the bay window. This will create a larger seating option, open out the space and provide a beautiful little reading nook.

Freedom NEW HAMPSHIRE fabric daybed sofa with loose cover, $1099 — Freedom New Hampshire fabric daybed sofa with loose cover, $1099

Adding a colourful patterned rug is also a great way to add more interest to the room, and create another dimension to the room which will also help to accentuate the home’s beautiful jarrah floorboards. Positioning this horizontally will also emphasise the width of the room, rather than the length. The selected coffee table has a timeless white marble top and dark wooden legs to tie in the console on the left hand side of the room.

Lounge Lovers 'Evoke' white rug, $299 — Lounge Lovers ‘Evoke’ white rug, $299

In terms of the VJ panelling, this would be a fantastic addition along the entire wall that has the bay window. It will also draw the eye to this portion of the room and out the window, making it feel even bigger!

Last, but certainly not least, is the artwork. Placing a statement piece of art above the sofa will create another focal point and a sense of personality. I have selected the ‘Plant Room’ print by Bibi Ana + Co but it could be any painting, print or even a sentimental photograph. Something that shows a little bit about the people who live in the home and tells a story!

Bibi Ana + Co's 'Plant Room' print, $890 — Bibi Ana + Co’s ‘Plant Room’ print, $890

I hope this helps and I’d love to see how it goes, if anyone else has a tricky space or furniture selection please send it through and I would love to help where I can!

For more about Alex

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Tags alex carter, alexandra carter, ask a stylist, Harlow and willow, interior design, interior designer, interiors, styling, stylist

Interviews Styling

Jason Grant & west elm update The Atlantic Byron Bay

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 5, 2019
No Comments on Jason Grant & west elm update The Atlantic Byron Bay

The stylish Byron Bay boutique hotel The Atlantic got the west elm via Jason Grant treatment recently when its communal spaces, and one of its best-loved rooms, was beautifully refreshed – just in time for the holiday season.

The new look palette includes tan leather, navy, white, earthy timbers and pops of colour that combine for a relaxed yet sophisticated coastal vibe that feels distinctly Australian. We love!

“Showing the versatility of west elm, collaborating with The Atlantic gave us the opportunity to – figuratively speaking – get our feet in the sand, indulge in the creative and demonstrate our beach cred. The space we created with Jason, a mix of materials and palette-play, is the ultimate in chill – showing that west elm is comfortably at home in Byron Bay,” says Angus Whyte, VP Australia merchandising for west elm.

Jason Grant’s relationship with The Atlantic goes way back – it was his preferred place to stay in the coastal town before making the move there permanently from Sydney.

“We’re super excited to have created these spaces with west elm and Jason Grant. It was a lot of fun. There’s no other guest that understands The Atlantic aesthetic like Jason Grant and we just know our guests are going to love it,” says Kimberly Amos, owner of The Atlantic Byron Bay.

The spaces use existing pieces alongside updates from the west elm collection bringing a bit of Brooklyn cool into what is a thoroughly Byron Bay aesthetic.

The new look bungalow. We love that beach roo pic!

The west elm Bungalow, at The Atlantic Byron Bay, is available to book now. Prices start from $350 per night.

For more on The Atlantic Byron Bay | Shop west elm online

Tags byron bay, design, interiors, jason grant, styling, stylist, the atlantic byron bay, west elm

Decorating 101 Expert Tips Shopping Styling

Cushions: 3 stylist-approved combos for your lounge

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 19, 2019
No Comments on Cushions: 3 stylist-approved combos for your lounge

In this next instalment of our Ask The Stylist series, with Alex Carter of Harlow + Willow, we solve your cushion conundrums.

Reader question: I have two white faux bamboo outdoor lounges that have navy blue covers with white piping. What cushions would look good?

Answer: Hi there, thank you for submitting your question! And what a great way to kick off, as cushions are my favourite!

So, with your bamboo lounges, the options are basically endless which can make things a bit overwhelming. I’ll try to help you narrow it down by giving you a few solutions, and also points to consider below.

Keep it classic
As the sofa already has navy cushions with white piping, one option would be to keep with this colour palette and use blue and white cushions in varying patterns, sizes and textures. When sticking with one or two colours, you can keep it interesting by mixing up the appearance.

Consider varying the shapes by using some square, rectangular and round cushions and different colour levels, some cushions could be all white, some could be a blue and white pattern or introduce a lighter blue. Texture is another great way to create visual interest, with options like velvet, suede, linen, shaggy or simple cotton!

Contrast
If you want to add a bit of excitement to the outdoor area, think about using the cushions to contrast the sofa. This could be done with both colour and shape. You could use all round and oval cushions for example, or use colours like apricot, violet, ochre, pink or greens. When considering this option, take a look at the colours in the surrounding area, perhaps even in the plants or garden and think about fun ways to mix some of these in!

Mix & Match
This would be my top pick, I think mixing and matching is a great way to create continuity with the existing pieces and surroundings, while also showing your personality. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to show your personality by including your favourite colour, or a printed cushion with your favourite flower on it. It’s still important to vary the shape and size of the cushions, including a few in the navy and white colour palette, and then a few that are either a bright or soft contrast.

Consider a throw too for those late nights or when entertaining, it’s also a great idea to have a weatherproof box (timber or similar) that you can throw the cushions in if the weather turns on you, or it gets too windy!

I hope this helps, please send through some pics of what you end up doing, I would love to see it come together.

For more about Alex

Got a question for Alex? Complete the form below.

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Tags alex carter, ask the stylist, cushions, harlow & willow, Harlow and willow, products, styling, stylist

Expert Tips Furniture Homewares Interviews Shopping Styling

Stylists Heather Nette King & Bree Leech’s spring picks

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 23, 2019
1 Comment on Stylists Heather Nette King & Bree Leech’s spring picks

When Melbourne stylists Heather Nette King and Bree Leech join forces it’s exciting times indeed. And with the talented duo set to hit west elm’s Bondi store next week (for an exclusive styling session detailed below) we caught up with them in anticipation, where they revealed their favourite styling pieces for spring.

Heather Nette King’s spring picks

Glass Gem LED Table Lamp, $249: “I saw this and thought, my daughter is going to put in a request for this. We visited the Chapel Street store on Sunday and guess who got love eyes and begged me to buy it for her?”

Curva Lacquer Trays, from $44: “If you love all the curves we are seeing in architecture and design, but only want to commit to the trend a little bit, then this is the perfect solution. On trend and functional. Tick!”

Shape Studies Vases, from $14: “These vases will look fabulous even when you haven’t bothered buying flowers. They feel kind of earthy, with a nod to the modern mid-century look. I’d buy three, pop them on a shelf, and call it a day.”

Floating Lines Wall Rack, $149: “I still can’t remember to take bags to the supermarket, or my refillable bottle to work, and I keep misplacing my ear pods after a walk. I’ve a feeling this could be the answer!”

Bree Leech’s spring picks

Pascale Sofa (168cm), $879.95: “Yellow is my FAVE. The Pascale Sofa is delicious and will brighten any living space, putting a smile on your dial as soon as you enter the room.”

Highline Bench, $599: “The perfect bench for your entry. Sit down on something gorgeous and comfy to take your shoes off.”

Raina Cushion Cover, $59: “I love graphic pattern and warm colour together, and this has a Memphis vibe, which is one of my favourite design styles.”

Hourglass Task Table Lamp + USB, $249: “I’d use this elegant stunner to create some ambience in a bedroom or living area.”

As for the upcoming workshop, if you’re in Sydney and interested in learning from the two Aussie styling greats (while snacking on a cheese grazing station by Eat & Co and drinking Logan Wines), you can expect to pick up the following useful tips on Wednesday night:

How to create perfect, pared-back vignettes that showcase your special pieces.
How to understand the storage potential and flexibility offered by dual-purpose furniture items.
How to introduce fresh colour and accent pieces that fit into your existing look.
How to devise a colour palette suited to your home and taste.
How to totally transform your space if you’re looking for a fresh start.

Heather Nette King & Bree Leech styling session
west elm Bondi – 472 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
Wednesday 28 August, 6:30-8:30pm

Spaces are limited, secure your spot here. Tickets are $15 with all proceeds donated to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Shop online | Sage x Clare’s gorgeous new spring ’19 collection

Tags Bree Leech, design, furniture, heather nette king, homewares, styling, stylist, west elm

Before & Afters Design Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT Styling

Before & after: Sydney character home restored to glory

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 8, 2019
No Comments on Before & after: Sydney character home restored to glory

Located in the eastern Sydney suburb of Queens Park, this character home was in a state of faded glory before interior designer Alex Gourlay of Vellum Interiors transformed the main living spaces recently bringing warmth, character and functionality to the abode that is home to a young family of four. I love the result and particularly the way in which the designer made the heritage features look really modern with a mix of moody paint and contemporary furnishings.

AFTER hallway. Dulux paint in Tranquil Retreat made such a difference!

AFTER hallway. A Warranbrooke mirror sits above a Grazia & Co console table.

“The rooms were completely unused because the clients were at a loss as to how to make them work for their lifestyle. Having moved from a terrace, they didn’t have enough furniture to fit in the spaces either,” says Alex who helped the family make their new, much larger, house work for them with a clever mix of paint, cabinetry, lighting fittings and soft and hard furnishings.

AFTER dining. A Katie Wyatt original artwork sits above the fireplace.

First up, the cornices and ceiling roses were reinstated which helped restore the home’s former grandeur. “I love that they look like they’ve been there forever,” says Alex of the new plasterwork.

AFTER lounge. Above the fireplace sits an Eduardo Santos original artwork sourced from Otomys Gallery

A dividing bookshelf was also added that cleverly separates the two formal spaces (the dining and lounge) while making both rooms feel larger in the process. “The bookshelves work really well to delineate and define the spaces, but they’ve also added handy storage and a feeling of warmth and cosiness in the sitting room too,” says Alex. The shelves are styled with a range of books, greenery and beautiful objects.

BEFORE The dining room as seen from the lounge room

After the plasterwork and cabinetry was completed the home was painted with a mix of elegant mid grey and green tones including Dulux Tranquil Retreat in the hallway (a mid grey), Dulux Knight of the Realm in the formal living area (a deeper grey) and Dulux Milky Spearmint in the formal dining room. “I think the colours are really striking and create mood in each space,” says Alex.

When it was time to select furniture the designer deliberately chose a lot of curved edges and organic materials to break up the long, narrow old rooms and make them feel more relaxed. Complementary (but not matching) LightCo pendant lights in both rooms add further decorative flourishes.

One last look at that gorgeous dining room

“I’m very proud of the way that heritage features have been highlighted, and then seamlessly combined with contemporary fittings and furniture. I see this as a union of the features of the house and the character of the clients.”

Photographer: Pablo Veiga

For more on Vellum Interiors | Another Sydney heritage home renovation

Tags before and after, design, home reno, home renovation, interior design, interior designer, interiors, real reno, reno, reno addict, renovation, stylist, sydney, vellum interiors

Bedrooms Design Designers Interviews Kids Rooms Styling

Real rooms: 3 Sydney bedrooms get whimsical makeovers

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 2, 2019
1 Comment on Real rooms: 3 Sydney bedrooms get whimsical makeovers

Drawing on the colourful, whimsical and often eccentric style of British interior designers Kit Kemp and Abigail Ahern, these Sydney bedrooms (part of a Balmain family home) received the makeover treatment recently courtesy of interior designer Monique Sartor of Sartorial Interiors. “Abigail Ahern is well known for her use of dark interiors while Kit Kemp has a quirky style with clashing colours,” says Monique of the inspiration behind the rooms.

Starting with plain cream rooms, Monique used wallpaper and bold paint colours to create fun yet sophisticated spaces with plenty of personality. “I love using colour in my work. I think so many people are afraid of it which baffles me because it can really elevate a space when used well,” says Monique.

The makeover kicked off in the dimly lit master bedroom with Fornasetti’s iconic Nuvolette wallpaper and a generous splash of charcoal paint (Resene’s ‘Koala’) – a risky choice considering the low light factor, but Monique enjoys pushing her clients out of their comfort zones. “The result is dramatic and warm and inviting and somehow feels larger than when it was cream,” says Monique. Finishing touches include soft furnishings in clashing teal and purple.

Master bedroom fireplace — Master bedroom

The nearby toddler’s room is a delightful space that’s sports a statement swathe of Kiki Slaughter’s painterly ‘Oh La La’ wallpaper on the back wall, accessorised with a trio of silver faux deer heads and Resene ‘Opal’ paint. The Fantastic Furniture house bed (painted with Resene ‘Imbue’) is another highlight alongside a United Interiors bunny print that hangs above the fireplace.

“The nursery was designed before the owner’s last baby arrived and given we didn’t know the gender, the scheme had to work for a boy or girl,” says Monique who used a deep teal paint (Resene’s ‘Hydroponic’) on the walls with ombre linen curtains in the same hue. An oversized yellow flower decal from Urban Walls sits alongside the cot with a gorgeous gold-flecked Amigos de Hoy rug the perfect complement on the floor.

“Overall, we took some risks, but I believe they paid off!” says Monique who admits to massaging her clients’ modest budget in order to spend money on the items that would have the biggest visual impact. “Ultimately the client loved the result and having a happy client is like having a sugar rush!”

Photography: Monique Sartor

For more | Jen’s master bedroom reveal

Tags bedroom, colour, design, home reno, home renovation, interior, interior design, interior designer, interiors, styling, stylist, sydney

Interviews Styling

Stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones on creating Real Living covers

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date July 15, 2019
No Comments on Stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones on creating Real Living covers

While you may not have heard of her by name, you’ve no doubt come across the work of Sydney based interior stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones through her many fabulous covers for Real Living magazine. After a career in the music industry, Kerrie-Ann worked on interiors title Homes+ before a freelance stint that culminated in her landing her dream job in 2017, as the style editor of Real Living.

“I had just had my second child, but I didn’t want to let the opportunity go so I applied when my son was six months old. There was a new editor at the magazine, and I had to really jump through hoops to get the job! But I did and I’m so grateful to her and the team for choosing me,” says Kerrie-Ann who describes the job as a steep learning curve.

One of Kerrie-Ann's Real Living covers. Photo by Maree Homer — One of Kerrie-Ann’s Real Living covers. Photo by Maree Homer

“I learnt a lot during my time there. I loved styling the cover shoots each month, the decorating features and house stories. It really propelled me forward creatively and took my styling to the next level,” says Kerrie-Ann. Producing the cover each month was arguably her biggest task and it involved directing a rather large team including a photographer, videographer, creative director, model, hair and make-up, florist and several assistants. A big production to helm, the shoots also had very tight turnarounds.

“I had one to two weeks to produce each cover, from the initial concept to the shoot day. After each shoot I started creating the next shoot the following day, so I had to learn the ropes, very quickly!” says Kerrie-Ann.

Kerrie-Ann Jones. Photo by Alicia Taylor

The covers, intended as a source of inspiration for people decorating their own homes, unsurprisingly required the stylist to be ahead of the trend curve. “It made me become more acutely aware and open to inspiration sources. My eyes are always switched on and inspiration can hit me at any moment. It could be a seasonal colour palette, a flower that’s in season, lines and shapes, anything!” says Kerrie-Ann who finds art and fashion a constant inspiration.

Another one of Kerrie-Ann's Real Living covers. Photo by Maree Homer — Another one of Kerrie-Ann’s Real Living covers. Photo by Maree Homer

But the significant demands of the magazine world became difficult to manage with motherhood and, earlier this year, Kerrie-Ann decided to head back to the freelance world. “I love having more of a work/life balance now so I can spend more time with my children,” says Kerrie-Ann who now styles for several furniture and homewares brands as well as magazines, while running styling workshops too.

More of Kerrie-Ann's work. Photo by Maree Homer — More of Kerrie-Ann’s work. Photo by Maree Homer

The next workshop is an Instagram photo styling session where Kerrie-Ann will impart her inside knowledge on how to create beautiful lifestyle and flatlay photos. “Writing the workshop notes has really unraveled how much I have learned about styling and I’m really looking forward to sharing all that information with people who, like me, have a genuine passion for styling,” says Kerrie-Ann. The workshop will cover basic design and photography principles, concept creation, shoot preparation and production plus post-production. There will be some practical styling stations set up too so you can style your own shots with Kerrie-Ann’s feedback.

Flatlay by Kerrie-Ann. Photo by Benito Martin

As for the next big thing in interiors, Kerrie-Ann has ear-marked a couple of trends – coloured glass vases and objects, and cobalt blue two of them. “I’m seeing cobalt blue everywhere recently, but I think only in small doses is best! Also, furniture with interesting and chunky shapes and the ancient Greek/Roman trend too with its Greek busts, statues and column motifs,” says Kerrie-Ann.

With an eye to the future, the stylist has coffee table book aspirations and a general desire to spread the styling love. “I would love to continue being a source of interior styling inspiration with the work I produce. It’s been incredible to see photos of how people have used my styling as inspiration for decorating their homes. I’m now exploring other outlets to inspire, educate and connect with people who share my passion for styling and interiors. Watch this space!”

Kerrie-Anne’s next workshop is running in Sydney this Saturday July 20 from 10am – 12pm at La Porte Space in Rosebery. Tickets are $225 each.

For more on Kerrie-Anne and the upcoming workshop | Meet talented interior stylist Jono Fleming

Tags interior, interior stylist, interiors, kerrie-ann jones, magazine styling, real living, styling, stylist, sydney