There’s an art to selling a home and it doesn’t just involve finding the right real estate agent. A lust-worthy interior can have buyers lining up at the front door potentially adding tens-of-thousands of dollars to the sale price.
“We’re not just creating a look, we’re illustrating a lifestyle,” says property stylist Melissa Rice who launched The Hired Home after 14 years in the real estate industry. “More often than not, the first introduction a buyer has to the property is through the internet and if the photos are bland, with no furniture and no emotion, you will have less buyers there. People want to see colour and personality in a home because that’s how they want to live. Buyers don’t want to live in a white box.”
Having an on-trend, snap-worthy interior can add up to 30% to the value of the property and according to Melissa, it starts with a good declutter and refresh. “I think the biggest turn off is if the property doesn’t present well; the furniture is tired, the home is messy and dark. People want light and airy and bright,” she said.
“It’s so important to present the home to its full potential, not only in the look but the floor plan. If it’s a small bedroom apartment we will try to fit in a study nook and things like that, so everything is addressed.”
Melissa recommends sellers update light fittings, install new carpet and apply a fresh coat of paint before the home is listed. “When someone is living in a property it doesn’t matter how clean and tidy they are, it just gets tired. Even light switch covers; over time they start to discolour.”
The same rule applies when styling. “Once you start using a product it doesn’t look fresh and clean anymore,” said Melissa who recommends investing in new towels, curtains, white linen and accent cushions to really lift the home.
“In bedrooms I tell people they must pull the furniture off the walls. A lot of times people believe pushing beds to the corner of a room is going to make it feel bigger, it’s not. For shelving, we would probably style about 60% of the shelf, leaving space for the eye to rest. Not every space has to have something on it.”
Have you ever wondered why some people’s houses feel warm and inviting, while others appear cold and alienating? A professional stylist or interior designer is trained to know exactly why, and just like creating a piece of art, they can pull together interiors that channel precisely the mood or style they’re after.
A professional eye can quickly see the flaws that need concealing and the good points to play up. They can make a dead space functional, make a tiny bedroom look much larger than it actually is, and turn a cavernous, cold space into an inviting, warm one.
While mere mortals may not have the formal training of the pros, they can certainly adopt some of their tricks of the trade to maximise the potential of any space.
Clear the clutter
Have you ever seen a hoarder’s house that you’d describe as “zen”? A house full of clutter is never going to feel like a restful space, so the first step to restoring harmony is to clear out all the excess stuff that you’ve accumulated over the years. Keep surfaces clear of clutter, so the focus can fall on the objects and personal touches that capture your interior style.
Pick a soothing palette
Lots of bright, colliding colours create a busy mood, so for a sense of harmony, choose a neutral palette that you can then punctuate with colour accents and texture. Neutral doesn’t necessarily mean white, by the way, which can sometimes make an interior space feel cold and clinical. Shades of beige, blue-based greys, muted yellow… as long as it’s a relaxing “background” shade, it will be a good neutral backdrop to work with. Let things like artwork, rugs, cushions, knick-knacks or even a shelf of books provide the colour highlights and personality.
Choose furnishings carefully
Big, bulky furniture takes up space, so opt for clean lines, whether it’s a sofa, coffee table or sideboard. And be careful WHERE you place furnishings, as it will have a major impact on how people circulate through your home.
Shine a light
Light is a major influencer of mood. A place flooded with natural sunlight will always be cheerier than one starved of natural light, so do everything you can to optimise your natural assets and bounce around light. Choose light-filtering blinds over heavy curtains; highly polished floorboards over satin ones; and strategically placed mirrors, which will also make a place look bigger. At night, soothing table lamps or lights on dimmers will always be preferable to harsh overhead lighting that makes you feel like you’re in a dental clinic rather than relaxing at home!
–Cherie Barber is the director of Renovating for Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.
Super stylist Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors shares her best wisdom on a topic so many of us get horribly wrong…
Photo by Armelle Habib
I’m calling it — the most commonly repeated interior decorating mistakes I see in my line of work are almost always with rugs. Getting the size right seems to bamboozle the best of them, and it breaks my heart to see an otherwise finished and beautiful space let down by an unfortunate rug selection. Here are some foolproof tips to help you get it right and save on the heartache and the hip pocket.
Tip 1
Almost every single time bigger is better. A generous-sized rug will give the perception that your space is actually larger than what it is. Your eyes are always drawn out to the edge of rugs so if you want to work with the optical illusion of creating a more generous room, GO BIG. Small rugs can often look lost in space if too small and lose their impact.
Styling by Julia Green & photography by Cricket Saleh for Prudence Caroline
Tip 2
Ensure the couch or the bed connects with the rug if possible so the room feels cohesive and unified.
Tip 3
The dimensions of your rug can define a space, as well as separate one space from another. Use it to create the geography of your home. Mark it out in tape if you need visual confirmation.
Tip 4
Colour and pattern are important when it comes to selecting your rug. You need to ask if yourself if the room is screaming out for texture, colour or both? Good rugs can be like art for the floor. And remember, rugs can either quieten the volume of a room, or turn it up!
Styling by Anna Chisolm for Greenhouse Interiors and photography by Annette O’Brien for Brent Rosenberg
Tip 5
Layer them up if you like a boho look. This can be a fab way to recycle rugs that are too small to hold their own. Look for a common thread with your patch working though, in either colour or texture.
Tip 6
Think carefully about the traffic on the rug and make the right selection accordingly. For instance, a light coloured rug under a dining table with kids is asking for trouble. Choose durable materials for high traffic zones.
Tip 7
Find a good rug dry cleaner. They can make your rug look brand new again for a small fee. It’s worth it if you have an investment piece.
Styling by Julia Green and photography by Annette O’Brien for Arthide
Tip 8
Try before you buy every time with rugs. Most stores are very understanding of this, and will loan out for short periods of time. Oh, and don’t forget to use an underlay to avoid any tripping hazards!
Tip 9
Always mask up the ideal size of rug you require on the floor first to clock it visually — then go shopping and don’t budge (much) from these dimensions. Or have one custom made to suit your measurements.
We’ve covered the heart-warming story of Klaylife before but, for those not familiar with the brand, the company’s gorgeous clay bead chandeliers are made by a group of talented South African artisans affected by HIV. With no two pieces the same, due to the handmade nature of the beads, the range is truly special and it’s now looking even more amazing given the brand’s latest collaboration with stylist Jacqui Moore.
That ombre chandelier is heavenly!
“I’ve been working with Klaylife since their launch in February 2015 and was thrilled when they asked me to design part of their next range – as a stylist it is quite rare to get that level of creative freedom,” says Jacqui of the new range that features floor and tables lamps, smaller pendants and new colours too.
“I adore the Klaylife chandeliers but not everyone lives in a home that can take something of that scale and effect. So I wanted to design something that was accessible to everyone, not just in price point, but also in size. That’s where the idea for the spheres and barrel shaped pendants came from,” says Jacqui of the new smaller pendant lights that can be hung solo or in clusters.
“Klaylife’s stunning colour palette runs through a tonal spectrum from black and charcoal to pale grey, stone and soft white and there’s a beautiful bluey-grey colour called Seaspray. It was important that any new colours worked back with that palette,” says Jacqui who has added blush and a statement teal shade into the mix.
“I think what is really magical about these lights and the women who create them, is that there is a personal and lasting connection between them. Since each bead is hand-rolled from locally sourced clay, not only is it unique, but you can see the evidence of the human interaction it took to create it. It’s like leaving a fingerprint and I think that is beautiful,” says Jacqui.
Check out this video to see how the artisans at work.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Art Direction & Styling: Jacqui Moore
Just as their moniker suggests, the boutique leather brand Art Hide use cowhides to weave creative magic in producing their stunning, artistic wares. “Art Hide aims to take the raw aesthetic of a beautiful, natural textile to a whole new level. Our range adds warmth and texture to a space while looking cool and modern, yet classic at the same time. It’s durable, super easy to maintain and fabulous with kids!” says says Art Hide’s Kura Perkins (a former PR executive) who set up the business with her sister Bree Hay-Hendry (a textile and fashion designer) in 2009.
The fabulous range includes originally designed floor rugs, cushions, furniture and accessories that are created using ethically sourced leather products. “Art Hide’s premium quality cowhide is sourced as a by-product of the meat industry from regulated tanneries, where methods involved in tanning and dyeing are always safe for workers and are non-pollutant,” says Kura.
Aside from human rights abuses, unethical practices often result in a substandard product too. “Inferior hide rugs usually use cheap cotton thread that unravels and snaps, causing the rug to come apart. Often the hide has a dull quality and may smell because of substandard tanning practices and/or it may thin very quickly. Many are produced from factory scraps in India or Bangladesh, where unregulated tannery conditions are polluted and dangerous for workers,” says Kura.
The range is truly different to anything else on the market and we love the way the sisters have reimagined the textile. “We use contemporary design and colour and a range of innovative hide finishing techniques, such as laser burning, while still respecting and playing to the strengths of cowhide’s natural beauty. Our pieces have the ability to take the average interior to the sublime,” says Kura.
The company offer a bespoke service too. “We work with clients to create pieces that are truly tailor made. Art Hide materials work brilliantly as wall, floor and furniture coverings, creating a stunning and unique focal point in commercial spaces like hotel lobbies, bars and clubs, as well as in the home,” says Kura.
Sisters Kura and Bree
It’s the new range that really piqued our interest though – the use of colour in particular. “Colour is hugely important to us and we’re always developing new tones; many are showcased in the new designs. How fabulous is the emerald green?” says Kura, who worked with stylist Julia Green on this gorgeous shoot. We want one of each!
Photography: Annette O’Brien | Styling: Julia Green | Styling assistants: Noël Coughlan, Alice Atkins and Emily Whitney
It’s feminine and romantic, welcoming and calming, but when used in a considered way – and not just in the form of paint – a little or a lot of pink can transform a room into a totally luxe and lustworthy space that can work for guys, too – Sketch Gallery in London, anyone?
It’s time to replace visions of Barbie-pink bedrooms and garish salmon bathrooms with more sophisticated shades of the colour; dusty blush, peachy pastel and velvety rose (mmm). Here’s a little pink-spiration from west elm and some tips from stylist Vanessa Colyer Tay on how to make pink work at your place.
So, how do you nail pink like a pro? “You have to consider pink as part of the bigger picture,” Vanessa says. “Use bolder shades as a vice to draw focus, and use softer shades of pink in place of light neutrals to create a warm, huggable atmosphere. A soft, velvety blush armchair like this one is a nice introduction into the world of pink without being OTT.”
How much pink is too much? “If the room feels uncomfortable, then it is too much of the same shade, however when it comes to a combination of shades including light, dark, vibrant and pastel, there is no such thing as too much if the balance is just right.”
What about using pink as a focal point? “Focal points can subliminally guide you through a space or invite a guest to sit on the sofa without you saying a word, such as a super-soft and inviting cushion. Think about how you want people to travel through your space, or what you want them to naturally see when seated and create some focal points accordingly.”
Is pink a new neutral? “The right shade of pink can work wonderfully as a neutral, offering more interest, warmth and femininity without going overboard girly – a faded pink rug or soft linen curtains are just a couple of ways you can use pink in-lieu of neutrals.”
However you decide to decorate with pink, whether you go the full haul or add a few subtle accents, I think we could all do with a little more pink in our lives!
When you consider the widespread penchant for minimalist design, and the way it is often executed in such a cold and uninviting way, it makes sense that the Scandinavian take on the trend is so wildly popular. Scandinavian design manages to infuse clean lines and clutter free spaces with warmth and appeal in a beautifully understated way – the perfect bathroom inspiration.
With winter very much set in, the bathroom can feel like a cold, uninviting minimalist space but it needn’t be that way. Look to the Scandinavians for simple ways to warm up a space – they’re experts given their ridiculously cold climes
“A pared back Scandinavian style, Nordic minimalism is keeping it simple without being too austere. Hints of soft colour add character to the room which is balanced with imperfect materials such as concrete look tiles and white washed ply,” says interior stylist Bree Leech of the Reece bathroom pictured.
Less is more Just as Coco Chanel said you should always remove an accessory or one item of clothing before leaving the house, less really can mean more when it comes to Nordic minimalism. Keep your spaces simple and opt for clean lines and a neutral palette. Think baths and sinks with smooth lines and minimal detail. Plus, there are lots of fabulous baths on the market these days that, while spacious inside, are neat and compact in design too.
Fine lines Bench tops are trending to the slimmer side this year with basins following suit. Thin, delicate edges are big on the bathroom style radar this year – think paper-fine edges for a super sleek finish.
Reece basin with slim edges
White on white When it comes to bathrooms, tone-on-tone white is always a timeless, fresh look. It also looks clean and uncluttered and has enduring appeal.
A vivacious antidote to the Scandi-minimalism so popular at the moment, this children’s room is alive with fun and colour and we like it…a lot. The creation of Tess Beagley from Minted Interiors, the room belongs to her two little girls Lotte, four and Jemima, two – a bubbly pair that needed a room to match.
Jemima & Lotte
“I knew that I really wanted to do something fun and bright and being in the interiors industry, I wanted something very different to what I see every day. A lot of muted Scandi style is around at the moment but I knew it wouldn’t suit our girls’ personalities. They are so full of bubbles, fun and laughter and they love jumping around together. I knew this room would be a great match for them,” says Tess.
Craft nook
The girls have shared a room since Jemima was three months old but when it came time to fit two single beds in there, as opposed to a bed and a cot, the design plan was hatched. “Jemima needed a big girl bed but due to the French doors and fireplace, there was no room to fit two single beds so we knew we had to put a bunk in.” Tess explains the room was desperate for a redesign given her girls’ growing personalities and needs too.
While the room has amazing bones – French doors, dado rails, high ceilings, polished floors and a fireplace – it was challenging to design for the same reason. “Given there was something on each wall it made it hard to lay everything out and we had to make use of awkward spaces,” says Tess, who designed a reading nook on one side of the fireplace and a craft table with peg board on the other.
Reading nook
One piece that survived the redesign was the girls’ beloved tallboy, an upcycled find that Tess customised a few years ago. “It was an old chest of ugly pine drawers with a nasty stain and big round pull-on knobs. We sanded it right back, repainted it and put the map inserts into the top drawers and then a varnish over it. We completely adore it,” says Tess.
Upcycled tallboy (right)
We’re particularly wowed by the gorgeous Zilverblauw wallpaper on the fireplace and the neon sign too – both add a retro vibe and make the fireplace the hero of the room. “The wallpaper is from Little Muse & Market and the neon sign is from Neon Poodle and it was a custom piece,” says Tess who installed clear Perspex Mint Rhapsody book shelves from Leo & Bella in the adjoining reading nook. “The little table and chairs was a thrift shop find and I repainted it,” says Tess.
We love a bit of bathroom inspiration here at Interiors Addict and the latest pics from Reece have given us plenty of that. Styled by leading Australian stylists Jason Grant, Marsha Golemac and Bree Leech, the pics feature beautiful Milli tapware. Whether you’re renovating, would like to, or you’re simply looking for a bit of interiors escapism, these pics are pretty dreamy. But they also pose the question – just what is your bathroom style?
‘Boho’ bathroom styled by Bree Leech
With its casual vibe perfect for coastal locales, the boho trend is one that just simply never dies though thankfully, it does evolve. With the addition of the wood, Armadillo & Co rug, textured stools and potted plants, this bathroom is pretty gorgeous. But as far as inspiration goes, how fabulous is the aqua indoor/outdoor shower recess?!? We love its mid-century patterned concrete too.
‘Simple Luxury’ bathroom styled by Marsha Golemac
If understated elegance is your thing the Simple Luxury space, styled by Marsha Golemac, should tick the boxes. The marble splashback and copper mirror are obviously on trend but the featured Milli Pure three-piece tapware set caught our eye with its smooth, subtle curves and pared-back forms. What’s even better is that the tapware is available in rose gold, matte black, chrome and gun metal. Yay!
‘Neo Classic’ bathroom styled by Jason Grant
Brought to life by super stylist Jason Grant, the Neo Classic bathroom space draws heavily on the masculine, timeless appeal of black and is complemented by the use of the Milli Axon basin mixer. Not only does it have gorgeous, clean lines but the black and chrome colour combo make this a heavenly pairing. This look is so appealing because of its timelessness – it’s a look that’s almost certain to endure and when it comes to something as costly as a bathroom, that can only be a good thing.
‘Coastal Living’ bathroom styled by Jason Grant
As you’ve no doubt noticed, black tapware is trending in a big way and the Coastal Living bathroom has a lovely, understated monochromatic palette only augmented by the crisp lines of the black Milli Glance basin mixer. Stylish with a capital S!
Winter interiors are all about texture and layering, says interior stylist Steve Cordony. “By using trays or books to elevate and showcase accessories, or different fabrics, you can create layers and texture within a monochromatic space so it has depth and dimension, and doesn’t feel flat or too safe.”
We love that pop of Yves Klein Blue!
Masculine and luxurious, Steve’s latest collaboration with King Living is a great example of this layering and texture at play. We love the pop of Yves Klein Blue, the monochrome abstract painting and the way all the elements come together to create a cohesive, super-stylish whole.
“When designing a space, I always want to create an element of glamour but more importantly a space that feels layered and has soul. By incorporating textural elements and interesting quirky pieces against a monochrome base, it allows the space to have many different elements that come together to create one beautifully styled and layered room,” says Steve.
The undoubted star of the show, King Living’s Neo Sofa, makes us want to curl up with a good book or possibly sip a martini – or even do both! “I love the generous proportions of the sofa, and the fact that you can reconfigure the chaise to suit you. This allows you to move things around and change your space without having to change the sofa itself,” says Steve of the flexible, timeless piece. “The design has traditional elements, which make it an instant classic, but is contemporary too.”
A big fan of candles and books, Steve believes they’re the finishing touch to any room. “I love creating a space that has beautiful accessories and furnishings but creating a sensory experience within a space using scented candles is key. Books give your space a soul and are the perfect styling tool to create vignettes and ‘shelfies’!”
As for wider interior trends this winter, Steve believes dusty pink, duck egg blue and shades of green are the colours to watch. He’s also a proponent of metallic accents – choose accessories in brass, copper and gold and pair them with chunky wool and linen knits, raw timber and marble for a textural wonderland and cosy winter escape.
In this video, I chat to the super talented west elm stylist Brendan Nash about my recent bedroom makeover and show you around a bit more. It’s really fun to see it all come together in time lapse!
Heres’ the moodboard Brendan put together for my room after my brief. As you can see, almost everything made the cut!
If anything took your fancy, you can find the links to where to buy everything in the original post, where you can also enter your details for a chance to win your very own $1,000 west elm giftcard.
Would you like more video content on Interiors Addict? Let us know in the comments.
We recently bought our first home in Sydney and have been slowly but surely adding our touches to it. The biggest job is a full bathroom reno and we’ve just locked that down so you can follow its progress in the new few months! Onto less involved projects, and I was keen to make the most of our beautiful master bedroom. It’s spacious and light-filled with two windows, and is definitely the largest bedroom Damian and I have ever had.
When we moved from our last place, I got ruthless at chucking out what I didn’t need or love. Bed, drawers and desk aside, it was a pretty blank canvas in the bedroom. We had it painted (Resene’s Black White) before we moved in, and installed new floors (natural oak laminate from Darren Palmer’s Provincial Lane range for Carpet Court) and it was just crying out for those extra layers of warmth, texture, colour and interest. I couldn’t think of a store I’d rather team up with to transform it than west elm as I pretty much love everything they do, so when they asked me, I leapt at the chance to work with them to turn my bedroom into a grown-up sanctuary (and the one place we try and keep the baby’s toys out of)! I’ve also recently moved a secretaire desk into the bedroom and when our part-time nanny starts, I plan on sometimes hiding in there to work!
Their Design Services stylist, Brendan Nash, asked me what sort of look I was after before providing a mood board. I immediately loved almost everything on it, so after making a few tweaks, I left it all in his capable hands until makeover day! It was so exciting to have a professional style my bedroom; what a treat!
Regular readers will know my favourite colour is navy, which is convenient for a couple’s room because it’s nice and unisex! I also love gold accents and have them throughout our home, from my sofa legs to cabinet handles, accessories and so on. I wanted the room to feel calm and cosy, conducive to both relaxing and sleeping and focusing to write at my desk.
I think you’ll agree, he nailed it! I absolutely love our new room and have found myself going to bed early a lot because I’m so keen to hang out in there! I also swear my bed is more confortable thanks to its new linen, although I’m not sure if this is in my head or the reality?! I’m also a definite convert to the top sheet, something I have never seen the point of having before with a doona! With winter drawing in, it was the perfect time to transform this space into a warm and inviting boudoir!
I love the layered rug look (something I wouldn’t have been brave enough to try myself) and while I don’t think I’d have picked the bedsides myself, they’re a surprise hit! I love the texture and warmth added by the reclaimed timber, but the white lacquer is modern and light and easily wipe clean. I love the roomy drawer to hide away all those essentials, and the space underneath for books and mags.
It was a real luxury to have my bed made to look like one out of a magazine spread and I watched Brendan and his colleague Naomi Young carefully, making mental notes. I absolutely love the feel and laid back luxe look of linen but had never thought of choosing it in navy before, always playing it safe with white. I really love the colour injection in this room. Cleverly, the only touches of pink are in the one cushion and the flowers, so if I want to change the pink to a different accent colour down the track it’ll be really easy (and let’s face it, everything goes with navy!).
If you have a little bedroom envy (and frankly, I couldn’t blame you!), then listen up, because west elm are giving you the chance to win a $1,000 voucher to spend on goodies for your own home. Simply enter using the form below by midnight Sydney time on 25 May 2016.
All I want to change now is the blinds, but I can’t decide whether to go for curtains or blinds or to splash out on plantation shutters! What do you think?
Everything else pictured is my own. Please ask in the comments if you’d like to know where something is from!
Did you know west elm offer a free design service, in your local store, your home or via phone?
When tasked with transforming a tired rental for sale, interior designer and stylist Laura Downie, of Studio 1 Interiors, used a combination of black accents, soft timbers and fresh linens to create a relaxed, contemporary coastal feel.
“The brief was all about getting the house market-ready for sale following the departure of the rental tenants. While renovated fairly recently, it was looking a little tired and worn in places,” says Laura who referenced the home’s Bondi locale by mounting a beautiful wooden surfboard on the wall. “The surfboard and several framed prints by a local photographer will help sell the lifestyle to the lucky new owners,” says Laura.
Of particular note, is the bold dark paint colour that was applied to the home’s exterior – a move that greatly increased the home’s kerb-side appeal. “Following a colour consultation with the client, we agreed to paint the exterior of the home in a bold but contemporary colour to create impact. Importantly, the colour matched the adjoining neighbours’ house and it really made those cedar slats a feature!” says Laura, whose advice paid off. “The owner had people knocking on the door making offers before the paint was even dry! So many people in the local area commented on it and the real estate agent feels the colour alone will add significant value to the sale price.”
The home was furnished with items from a range of suppliers including many local ones. “Sourcing locally is super important to me and I used several Sydney suppliers for the creation of a couple of bespoke furniture pieces and photography for this project. It created a unique, styled space that embraces the Bondi lifestyle.”
As for the sale of the home – prospective buyers will have to wait a while before snapping it up. “The owner loved the transformation so much that he has decided to live in the home for a while before selling,” says Laura.
Changing the face of online shopping, online retailer House of Home is hosting a pop-up event in Melbourne this weekend, where you can peruse their fabulous array of interior wares in a real-life setting.
Curated by House of Home, the online marketplace that allows consumers to shop for a multitude of retailers in one destination, the event is being hosted at Shaynna Blaze’s inner city design studio, Borough of Hawthorn. For the first time, you’ll be able to see what is already available online brought to life.
“It’s like wandering into someone’s home you really love, and just being able to place your orders as you go. It will allow customers to see these products styled in a personal space versus a shop floor, and enable them to buy immediately too,” says CEO Stephen Jones.
The pop-up will feature several spaces and an array of interior styles including Nordic minimalism, industrial eclectic and the latest on-trend colours and textures with brands such as Norsu Interiors and Pickawall exhibiting on the day.
Plus, the first 300 guests to pre-register for the event will receive a gift bag that includes an exclusive A4 typography print of their choice as well as other goodies from the event sponsors.
Welcome back to our much loved Covet My Coffee Table feature! It’s been too long! Today, we’re sharing a snapshot of the home of Lucia Braham. Many of us struggle with styling our coffee tables, yet done well, they can really make or break a living room. Who better to show us the ropes than a stylist? Over to Lucia…
“The styling on my coffee table is ever evolving and changing, depending on the seasons, what I’m working on, recent travels or my latest obsession. Styling throughout your home, I believe, should be a reflection of you, and a coffee table is the perfect platform to tell a micro story.
“Books and magazines are an obvious element. I love to stack them at different heights to create layers and plinths for other pieces. Some sort of greenery, even a leafy branch in a vase, always adds a little life.
“The candle is a limited edition fragrance/collaboration between Lumira and Monster Children which I absolutely love. The Henry Wilson Vide Poche was a gift for Christmas.
“I’m always swapping plants around to different spots in my home which I find keeps them thriving. I’m obsessed with artisan ceramics at the moment and loving this pot and tray by Wingnut & Co. The shapes are from Marble Basics, and the circular glass boxes are from HAY.”
Sydney’s Supa Centa Moore Park is running a fun and fabulous table styling competition over the next couple of weeks with a $5,000 shopping spree up for grabs, for the talented winner.
Contestants will be allocated just 30 minutes to create their ultimate dinner table setting using a range of wares from Supa Centre Moore Park retailers.
The weekly winners will compete for the grand prize on Saturday 12 March and the overall winner will receive a $5,000 gift card to spend at Supa Centa Moore Park plus a styling session with Vanessa. Everyone who participates will receive a $50 gift card to spend at the centre.
The competition kicked off on Saturday 20 February but there are still two more heats left before the finale – to enter head to the centre’s Facebook page here.
If we’re honest, when Justin Hemmes opens a new Sydney hospitality venture, we’re probably more interested in its design features than its culinary offering. Original, iconic and market-leading, Hemmes’ Merivale Sydney bars and restaurants are always defined by their fabulous interiors (oh, and the food and drinks too…).
Coogee Pavilion
Next Monday (7 March), Sydneysiders can get the insider tips when Justin and Bettina Hemmes, architect and interior designer Kelvin Ho (of The Paddington and Coogee Pavilion fit-out fame) and stylist Amanda Talbot host an intimate evening called Style Me Merivale at The Ivy. We have two tickets and dinner to give away to a lucky reader but more on that later…
From a venue’s conception to how much its location and food influence its interior, it’s sure to be a hugely informative evening, hosted by Vogue Living editor in chief and The Block judge Neale Whitaker. You’ll learn how to take high-end interior design ideas and translate them to your own home at a fraction of the price.
Coogee Pavilion
We chatted to Amanda Talbot, who says while being inspired by others is great, you should always be true to your own style first and foremost. “The biggest advice I can give to people is to design your home for you and not get caught up in the latest trends. Take the anti-design approach so that your home feels timeless and provides comfort.
“The best way to give a hospitality venue longevity is by not getting caught up in current trends as they will date very quickly. The other trap many people fall into is creating spaces that are very themed,” adds Amanda, who loves to mix old and new furniture. I often buy furniture from the Salvation Army or eBay at bargain prices and get it reupholstered. Invest in some custom pieces and give yourself a brief – it’s the perfect way to make sure you stick to your design and don’t stray.
Coogee Pavilion games area
“With a commercial space, it’s important to get people to connect with an environment without any of their personal belongings and the best way to do this is by connecting to people’s senses, nostalgia and to give the space a buzz.”
As for a venue’s location, it’s a very important consideration when designing from scratch. “Location is fundamental to the interior because it dictates the people who will be coming to the venue and the location also holds history that we can use to inject into the space. For instance, with Coogee Pavilion, I found out Coogee was famous for Sydneysiders to catch a tram from the city and go whale-watching during whale season. The original building also used to house a roller skating and fun park so it gave us the idea to build a games area for children and adults.”
Coogee Pavilion
What’s on the menu can also dictate the direction the interior takes. “Fred’s is based on head chef Daniel’s philosophies. The food is honest and the cooking is done over an open hearth which gave us the cues for the space.”
Coogee Pavilion
The creative team start with mood boards in what is a very collaborative design process. “We are like a big family on the Merivale projects. I work alongside Justin and Bettina Hemmes and architect Kelvin Ho depending on what project and we all go through every detail together,” says Amanda.
Monday’s event promises to be “all your Pinterest dreams come true”! Tickets are $45 including drinks on arrival. Get your tickets here
One lucky reader will win two tickets to the event plus dinner for two at Uccello –to the value of $150– afterwards. To enter, complete the form below by midnight tomorrow (Thursday 3 March 2016).
We caught up with interior stylist extraordinaire Jason Grant recently to glean some interior styling tips and chat about his debut homewares collection and online store opening. Launched last week and designed exclusively by Jason, the range (MJG by Mr Jason Grant) is everything you’d expect of his famed beach-done-chic aesthetic.
“I like to think of the collection as Bondi to Beverly Hills as it’s heavily influenced by my trips to Palm Springs and California and I live in Bondi,” says Jason, who very carefully considered his latest venture before launching. “I didn’t want to be the stylist that put out a collection that’s copying what everyone else is doing. I wanted it to stand out and the feedback so far has been very positive.”
With items starting from $35, the unique and stylish range is affordable too. “I wanted to offer beautiful things that aren’t particularly disposable and are not crazy expensive either,” says Jason who has a sizeable US following – the site shows prices in US and Australian dollars.
“I think Australia is a magical place to people that don’t live here and there is definitely a similarity between California and Australia. The light is one thing but the access to nature is another – the way that people live is very similar due to the proximity of the beach, desert and bushland in both places,” says Jason.
One standout from Jason’s collection are the souvenir plates. Adorned with the slogan ‘I love Bondi,’ lobster or marlin motifs, they are the perfect blend of kitsch and cool. “I wanted to create something that was iconically Bondi. You can go to many places in the world and buy great, stylish souvenirs but unfortunately not in Bondi. For that reason I’ve had stores in Bondi and Paddington pick them as they’re ideal for tourists.”
Inspired by a trip to Palm Springs, the retro mesh planters are another standout item. “I came up with that idea on holidays and after providing a sketch and sourcing the material, they came out exactly as I envisioned,” says Jason.
As for people styling their own homes: “You need to find your own style and confidence and you should also only ever buy things that you can’t stop thinking about. If you love something you should have it, even if it means saving up for something,” says Jason, who plays a long game when it comes to styling his own home.
“I think there’s this idea that there’s this urgent timeframe with home interiors. It isn’t a race and your living space is always being edited, updated and changed. There really isn’t a finishing line and the key to being a great decorator is being a collector over time,” says Jason.
