MAXIMUM IMPACT

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND AND UNCOVER THE JOYS OF COLOUR, PATTERN AND TEXTURE

Words LORNA GOW Photography BELINDA MERRIE Styling and projects SAM VAN KAN

Moody, romantic and with the look of antique handpainted wallpaper, Superfresco Easy’s ‘Isabelle’ design in Teal takes floral to the next level!

ABOVE Superfresco Easy ‘Isabelle’ 52cm wallpaper in Teal, $72.90/10m, I/N: 0235720. DIY picture frames made using Hume Pine ‘Pinetrim’ 30mm x 15mm untreated clear pine bolection, $30.24/2.4m, I/N: 0293512•, 43mm x 21mm untreated clear pine picture frame timber, $8.87/0.9m, I/N: 0292906•, 45mm x 20mm untreated clear pine picture frame timber, $15.18/1.8m, I/N: 0292918•, and 35mm x 25mm untreated clear pine picture frame timber, $18.81/1.8m, I/N: 0292900•, in Dulux Port Ohope, French Bay, Hāwai, High Street and Coatesville paints. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Let us introduce you to the latest interiors buzzword: maximalism, which celebrates the aesthetics of excess – or put simply, more is more. Balanced selection and placement lets you confidently display all the colours, patterns, art, accessories and textures you love, from the eclectic to the downright eccentric. So let’s say, “Thank you, and goodbye,” to minimalist, spartan spaces and live life to the max!

Gallery Wall

Prints, postcards, even photos from magazine pages can be curated and displayed to dazzling effect. The vintage images we chose work beautifully with the classic print of the wallpaper, while breaking the rules with sizes, centring and heights creates visual interest. We took it further by painting the frames in colours that complement the floral design, and rendering the photograph subjects incognito with cheeky brushstrokes. Our frames were made using various sizes and profiles of finishing timber and 3mm MDF, but you could just as easily mend and upcycle old frames for an even greater array of shapes.

Squiggle Rug

Create a unique floor covering, and repeat with the offcuts for two reverse-twin pieces of practical art!

1 Sketch your design out to scale on paper. In a wellventilated workspace, lay rugs face-down. Transfer your design onto the backs, marking cut lines with black pen.

You will need…

n Safety equipment (mask, eye protection, disposable gloves) n Two identical rugs in different colours n Black marker pen n Utility knife n Carpet seaming tape n 230mm grout squeegee n Carpet adhesive n Anti-slip rug backing n Paint roller

3 Swap out alternating rug pieces and arrange together to create a contrasting design. Keeping the joins neat and as close together as possible, tape into place with specialist carpet seaming tape.

2 Wearing a mask and eye protection (fibres may cause irritation), use a sharp utility knife to make the cuts through the backs of the rugs.

4 Wearing gloves, a mask and eye protection, use a squeegee to spread adhesive over the back. When tacky, smooth rug backing over, pressing with a dry paint roller, and trim edges. Once dry, turn rug right-side up to cure for two days before use.

Designer rugs are lust-worthy items beyond most budgets, but you can craft your own bespoke textiles with a little creative flair, a sharp knife and specialty tape

DIY dado rail made using Hume Pine 62mm x 18mm untreated pre-primed HMR MDF colonial scotia, $33.82/5.4m, I/N: 0315684•, painted in Dulux ‘Aquanamel’ low sheen paint in Tūrangi, I/N: 0140188. DIY skirting made using Hume Pine 85mm x 18mm untreated pre-primed HMR MDF NZ colonial skirting, $44.78/5.4m, I/N: 0315678• Loropetalum ‘Plum Delight’ plant in Tuscan Path ‘Harper’ 35cm cylinder pot in White, $149.90, I/N: 0252506. Zebra plant in Lotus Collection 33cm x 25cm small indoor ceramic pot with stand in White, $35, I/N: 0200332, in Dulux Hāwai (pot) and Coatesville (stand) paint. Mimosa ‘Suna’ 140cm x 84cm x 70cm rustic 2 seater lounge in Grey Teak, $1,699, I/N: 0287104† DIY rug made using Ritz 2100mm x 1500mm plush rugs in Raspberry, $169, I/N: 0275667, and Ivory, $169, I/N: 0275670, Capitol carpet seaming tape, $18.50/5m, I/N: 6650122, Cemix carpet adhesive, $40.04/1L, I/N: 8904575, and Slipstop ‘Deluxe’ 230cm x 160cm rug grip, $54.98, I/N: 0074091. Senso Lifestyle ‘Nordic’ 3m wide vinyl flooring sheets in White, $25.24/sqm, $75.72 each, I/N: 6610225. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Superfresco Easy ‘Urban Brick’ 52cm paintable wallpaper, $52/10m, I/N: 1662880† , in Dulux ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen interior paint in Coatesville, I/N: 1370182.

DIY chain light made using pendant light suspension kit, for similar try Brilliant ‘Maggie’ plug-in DIY shade holding suspension pendant in Black, $31.98, I/N: 0195409, Zenith 8mm plastic chain in White, $18.69/4m, I/N: 0389014, painted in Rust-Oleum ‘Ultra Matte’ 2X ultra-cover paint and primer in Golden Leaf, $13.84/340g, I/N: 0182708, Pinnacle 25mm magnetic hooks in Black, $30/pack of 6, I/N: 0147733, and globes, for similar try Luce Bella ‘Amber’ 4W 470lm G125 LED ES globes in Warm White, $18.25 each, I/N: 0019568.

DIY table made using Tuscan Path ‘Harper’ 42cm cylinder pots in White, $220.90 each, I/N: 0252509, painted in Dulux ‘Aquanamel’ semi gloss paint in French Bay, I/N: 0563354, and panel, for similar try Selex 2200mm x 600mm x 26mm laminated beech worktop panel, $171.50, I/N: 8330041. Dining chairs, for similar try Mimosa ‘Rope’ dining chairs, $69 each, I/N: 0033123. Arlo 290cm x 190cm woven rug in Cream, $169, I/N: 0253409. HanWood 61cm x 30.5cm hybrid vinyl tiles in Alpine Marble, $35.81/sqm, $79.86 each, I/N: 0177388. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.