How to style your small living space
Our clients were looking to create a unique statement apartment that made their new two bedroom home stand out in this prestigious new development and to create a beautiful flexible interior. We will show you how you can think outside of the box and how to style your small living space.
The colour palette chosen for the project was soft and sophisticated using blues and taupe. This was enhanced by the use of textured wallpapers, luxe drapery and bed linen. High end furniture and custom upholstery was used throughout and striking accent mirrors in the living area increased the proportions of the room by reflecting light and opening the space.
A bookcase and an additional wardrobe were also custom made to provide extra storage options. Furniture selections were designed to be flexible allowing it to be moved around as needed offering greater flexibility and layout options within the limited space.
Whilst the building was designed with full length windows we have configured all rooms to maximise the penetration of natural daylight and allow views to the outdoors which opens the space up.
The unique aspects of the project are the use of textured wallpaper to compliment and bring out the best in the paint colours of the apartment and to compliment the luxe drapery and soft furnishings along with the use of an ethanol fire in the custom designed and Australian made entertainment unit.
Material, function and proportion were carefully considered throughout creating inviting areas that reflect the individual style and personality of the owners while carefully considering space and functionality in a small living space.
View the project here, and contact me with enquiries on how to style your small living space.
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How to: Style print and pattern in the home interior
Have you always wanted to experiment with vivacious prints and elegant patterns in your home but don’t know how to begin?
We are in an amazing new age of production when it comes to textiles and wall coverings. Wallpapers are not just for your Grandma’s sitting room anymore and nor should they be. You can now achieve detailed ornamental patterns or gorgeous subtle textured patterns with high quality digital printed wallpapers.
So whatever your design vibe is, whether a lush flocked damask, or a minimal Japanese pattern, these new methods of production can cater to all tastes. Take a look at our five tips below to get you on your way to styling print and pattern confidently.
Experiment.
(Image credit: Homes & Gardens via Desire to Inspire)
Fabrics needn’t just be for upholstery. Think outside the box to create a bespoke feature. You can create a gorgeous wall hanging from textured patterned linens – simply cut a rectangle of fabric and get it professionally framed. Think of a luxurious textile as a piece of art and the options are endless.
Mix it up.
Select a bold pattern and support it with complementary elements. This could be a basic plain textured linen in a muted tone, used as a supportive element to a vibrant Moroccan pattern or Turkish rug.
Don’t match.
Avoid matching pieces, unless done in an ironic intentional fashion, it looks awkward, dowdy and old fashioned. If you’re going bold, choose one pattern to be the star of the show.
Try before you buy.
Samples are your friend. Order the largest size sample possible or invest in a small quantity of fabric or wallpaper. If you don’t end up using it for a feature wall, I’m sure you can find a use for it later on. Place it in different areas of your home and see how it changes a room at different times of the day. Then, when you finally make your purchase, you will have peace of mind that it 100% works in your space.
Don’t be afraid.
Pattern and print are amazing features when styled correctly, adding instant visual value. They may take a little more workshopping to get right, but when done well, you won’t regret it and you’ll only get better at it with more experience. Don’t fear big or busy patterns in small spaces, they can take you into another world.
Are you ready to launch into the world of pattern? Contact us to see samples of our latest pattern and print swatches in a variety of styles to suit your individual style.
Shopping for interior accessories: What to look for and how to do it
Finding the right accents to accessorise your interior can be a tiresome task. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options available to you and difficult to even know where to begin. This guide will give you clarity in finding the right pieces that define your interior style.
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Five simple ways to make your room look more luxurious
Decorating is an expensive process which adds up quickly. Flicking through luxury interior magazines and blogs it feels like you need an endless budget to achieve luxe styling. Luckily with a little thoughtful design, this needn’t be the case. Read on for a few of our favourite ways to make the room of choice look more luxurious.
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5 simple tips to get your property sale-ready for Spring
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, the nights are slowly getting longer and before we know it, Spring will be upon us! Be ahead of the curve and start refreshing your interiors to get Spring-sale ready.
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Celebrity insider: Kelly Wearstler’s Beverly Hills home
It’s a Hollywood mansion with equal measures of old world glamour and contemporary style. That’s no surprise, as this home belongs to style powerhouse Kelly Wearstler. The American designer and businesswoman has designed homes for celebrities including Cameron Diaz and Gwen Stefani.
When it came to her own home, the 1.3 hectare estate in Beverly Hills, Wearstler was careful to respect the heritage of the home. She introduced signature furniture pieces from her self-named Kelly Wearstler store, including her black leather-and-bronze Elliott chairs and striped Durant sofa, both which highlight the home’s grand proportions.
Outside, the pool area has the feel of a resort: plush lounge chairs, manicured gardens and oversized umbrellas. It’s a home fit for a style queen of the modern era, while still feeling very much old world Hollywood. Take a look…
Images: Anson Smart via Vogue.
Celebrity Insider: Nicky Hilton Rothschild’s Manhattan home
The first thing that strikes us about Nicky Hilton and husband James Rothschild’s home is the extensive use of colour. Blues and reds are confidently used throughout the Manhattan penthouse.
The sitting room sees painted red walls paired with a red fabric lounge suite and tens of art-pieces covering the walls, while the drawing room has a blue rug, blue lounge suite and blue de Gournay cherry-blossom wallpaper, again with art-pieces across most of the walls. Both spaces are examples of the ‘more is more’ maximalist approach to design.
Nicky says she gave her husband the lead when it came to the interiors; herself just adding small touches along the way. However, there was one room where Nicky took charge: her daughter’s nursery, which includes Pottery Barn furniture, a colourful felt-ball rug and sky-blue walls.
A home for their two children, Lily-Grace and Teddy Marilyn – the design needed to be practical enough for little ones. While there are many family heirlooms from James’ English family home, no room is ‘off limits’ to the kids.
Stand-out decor pieces include the Holland & Sherry wool-covered Howard sofa – a piece handed down from James’ family and upholstered by the couple, a bright turquoise oval gesso-and-kaolin painting by Elliott Puckette and an antique marble mantelpiece.
Take a look…
Images from Architectural Digest, from here.
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How to: three steps to Hamptons styling
Hamptons is one of those styles that just never dates. It’s loved by young and old – and all different tastes. The beauty of the ‘Hamptons’ look is that it can be used very subtly, or applied to an entire room or home.
We are sharing our top tips to bring the relaxed-yet-sophisticated Hamptons style into your home in five simple steps.
Step 1 – Colour Palette
The first thing to be considered when taking on the Hamptons look is your colour palette. When you think of a Hamptons interior, what do you see? The colours used are cool tones, weathered naturals, and lots of white. So create that neutral colour palette with off-white walls, perhaps some off-white panelling, and timber floors either in a very dark brown or a pale, bleached tone.
Step 2 – Furniture Choice
Hamptons-style furniture is durable, practical and natural. It’s not embellished pieces or intricate designs. Opt for simple and practical, with a sense of organic. Perfect choices are linen upholstery, wicker and rattan. You can also consider built-in furniture, like a window seat or bookshelves, to make the space feel even more simple and streamlined.
Step 3 – Decor & Styling
Again, neutral-coloured decor pieces that tie in with other pieces in the room are key to this look. Think about just one ‘wow’ piece in each space. Beach-style pendant lights or lamps work well, with shell details or wood or ceramic beads. Finally, give some new life to your existing decor or furniture pieces, or scout some vintage stores for rustic accessories. The Hamptons home has a ‘lived in’ feel that instantly creates a sense of being at home.
Images from here.
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Celebrity Insider: Jennifer Aniston’s midcentury LA home
This star’s home is centered around midcentury design principles, but it has a decidedly oriental twist. Actress Jennifer Anniston and her husband Justin Theroux – an actor and screenwriter – purchased the Los Angeles home in 2011.
The property was designed by architect A. Quincy Jones, who was known for his modernist style, with the build completed in 1965. Seeing the home’s promise, but not in love with the existing interiors, Jennifer brought in interior designer Stephen Shadley to help her reimagine the home, while respecting the existing midcentury elements.
Natural materials like wood, stone and bronze form the basis of the home and feel strong and grounded. These are complemented by more detailed and decorative touches, such as antique furniture including a vintage rosewood sideboard, and art from across the centuries.
The midcentury heritage of the home is embraced, with 20th furniture selected, including pieces by Fritz Hansen and Don S. Shoemaker. What makes the home so unique, is the blend of this furniture with finer features such as the hand-painted wallpaper, silk rugs and antique Japanese screens, which add an oriental touch. Then of course, there’s the custom Calacatta marble free-standing bath in the master bathroom, which overlooks a private courtyard and is certainly fit for a star!
When it came to the gardens, Jennifer enlisted Marcello Villano and Anne Attinger to create Asian-inspired zones, with the pool becoming the centrepiece outside and a perfect spot to soak up the surrounds.
Take a look…
Images by Architectural Digest, from here.
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Celebrity Insider: Ricky Martin’s Beverly Hills home
He is one of the world’s most-loved entertainers, but he keeps his private life just that: private.
So we’re more than a little excited to catch a glimpse inside Ricky Martin’s new Beverly Hills home.
The pop star moved into the 3,000-square-foot home with his fiancé Jwan Yosef and their nine-year-old twins Matteo and Valentino just a few weeks ago.
Worth $13.5M, the seven-bedroom mansion feels warm, private and creative with strong mid-century influences. That’s no surprise, as the home was designed by acclaimed architect Gregory Ain in 1953.
Working with Nate Berkus on the interiors, the couple’s priorities were comfort and practicality.
With their sons growing up ‘on the road’, the move into this home marks a change in pace for the family.
A few stand-out pieces are the custom concrete table by James de Wulf in the dining room, the leather daybed by BassamFellows, the artwork by Kerry Skarbakka that hangs above the bed and copper pendants that bookmark it by the legendary Tom Dixon.
Take a look inside…
Images by Architectural Digest from here.