Rustic Charm Interiors & Design : Spring Magazine 2023

“How lovely is the silence of growing things“

- Evan Dicken

Sunny days ahead

Warmer weather is in our future and we ’ re ready for it! Peeling off the layers from a cold and wet winter, we ’ re embracing sunshine on our faces with a fresh breeze in the air

Spring brings change and renewal Making room in our homes and schedules for entertaining again, as we seek to spend more time outdoors and connect with loved ones Getting into the garden and bringing the outdoors in helps to cultivate a spirit of renewal.

We hope you'll be inspired to create your very own seasonal planter to welcome guests at the front door and experiment with simple styling ideas to transform and refresh your spaces for the season ahead

Here's to a beautiful home filled with sunshine,

FRONT DOOR REFRESH

IT STARTS HERE

Front door planters are the perfect way to begin your celebration of spring Visit your local nursery and get creative with bursts of colour and fresh foliage, as you design your own unique planter combination

Keep your planters asymmetrical for a casual look that’s welcoming for guests Give your front entrance the attention it deserves with a new doormat, entry rug and stylish planters! This simple update will make you feel ready for the season ahead and is such a fun way to introduce colour and pattern to an often overlooked space in your abode

Your front door is like a business card for your home and family life, so make an impression that’s hard to forget

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Fresh foliage helps to connect your outdoor space with indoor rooms Introduce potted plants to your alfresco space to create impact and a holiday-at-home look that's effortless

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A trio of planters with easy-care greens, for year-round freshness

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A pop of pink flowers against the crisp blue and white of our PACIFIC ARMCHAIR welcomes spring

STYLE TIP

Think outside the pots!

Potted herbs and evergreens create a fresh look that will last longer than their flowering counterparts Choose fragrant herbs such as rosemary, basil or mint to ignite the senses, plus have fresh cuttings at the ready for your culinary creations or next BBQ.

Create a welcoming spring entry with potted colour mixed with natural foliage

Vibrant pinks mixed with greens, or crisp white and lavender paired with silver plants makes for a soft and unexpected palette.

Before you enter your home, create a moment of happiness with a spring refresh at your front door Potted plants (coloured or ever-green) make for a welcome home moment sure to delight your senses and greet guests

We love the look of one substantial pot, planted en masse with a variety of plants exuding a casual cottage style Go for a trio or duo of pots in various sizes for a look that’s more collected over time Stick with either a similar colour palette or a similar material selection for cohesion Plant a variety of herbs grasses or ever-greens in each pot for a more impactful look

Zinc, terracotta or ceramic are our materials of choice, though you can source many inexpensive and lightweight pots from your local nursery centre

Up the ante with a fresh doormat, layered with one of our doormat rugs for an extra level of style that’s easy to replicate Choose from neutral tones or coastal blues, and rinse and repeat with our indoor/outdoor collection Choose your perfect front door rug for your home here

Style Tip

Experiment with variegated greenery and potted colour for visual interest Choose plants of various heights and leaf shape to add depth and dimension to your pots

DESIGNER TIP

If you don’t possess green gardening hands, you don’t have to miss out Opt for hardy plants such as rosemary or bay leaf to keep your entry looking vibrant Keep a sweet watering can nearby to complete the story and offer a gentle prompt

Invest in realistic faux plants - faux Olive trees look realistic and you can enjoy the look without the maintenance

Looking for more inspiration? Our friends at Monika Hibbs Home have you covered with three different looks and exact plant choices Ready to get planting this weekend? Discover more here

DESIGNER TIP

Grow your plants compact in the pot, the fuller the better Underplant a hero plant with ground cover for instant #potenvy We love this example of succulents underplanted with a robust Olive tree The mixed shades of green work well with the similar shape of the leaves A pairing that would be perfect for drought-tolerant climates

STYLE TIP

Experiment with varying plants and pot heights and shapes to create interest and depth

Choose planters in a similar colour palette and mix the material choice (think terracotta, glazed ceramic, rattan or pots with subtle pattern) for a look that’s cohesive and effortless Happy gardening!

Plants of choice:

Hardy herbs

Fragrant Lavender

Paper Daisies for colour

Perennial Petunias

Bunny Tails for tall

grasses

Boxwood for formality

Trailing Dichondra adds softness

Succulents underplanted for low maintenance

STORIES OF SCALE

NEW HEIGHTS

Scale is an important interior design element used to create high impact within a room

The ‘scale’ refers to how an item relates to the size of the room

Avoid the mistake of choosing lots of little pieces when decorating a cosy space Instead play with scale and proportion to create stunning magazineworthy results

It’s the difference between a room that ticks boxes vs a room that looks and feels just right

We embraced modest ceiling heights in our #Atwellproject by anchoring a large, almost-to-ceiling bookcase This gave the illusion and feeling of expanse within the connected dining and living rooms

STYLE TIP

Scale and proportion work in tandem Proportion is how an item relates to other things within a room. Choose the hero piece of the room first, then balance it with other decorative items. Remember to leave some negative space to give the eye a rest Blank space allows the main feature or pieces within a room, to have their own moment of appreciation

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Overscalled pendants hung in a pair complement the high ceiling in our #CLAREMONTPROJECT

The extra large size is the right scale for the tall ceiling height

STYLE TIP

Hang pendant lights lower than you think is ‘normal’ for a designer touch We recommend 76- 91 cm from the kitchen countertop And allow approximately 15cm on each end of a kitchen island

STYLE TIP

Creating a gallery wall is a fantastic way to display your art and photographs in a visually appealing and cohesive manner Experiment with frame size to the scale of the wall Decide on a theme or colour scheme that ties your gallery wall together and plan your layout on the floor before hanging anything

STYLE TIP

Hang art in a layered formation to fill a wall, add balance or create a vignette moment Choose complementing details, so the artworks form a story Stacked artwork is a fast way to achieve scale & proportion within a room

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In this entry foyer space by Studio McGee, scale and proportion are on display Careful selection of furniture and decor accessories, indoor plant and shape of light pendant all work together to showcase a balance and restraint With ample white space to draw your eye creating function and flow in this thoroughfare space

SEASONAL STYLING

STYLING FOR SPRING

Styling for this blooming season can be summed up with these three concepts:

- Refresh

- Rediscover

- Renew

This spring we ‘ re embracing the simplicity of styling with nature to give our spaces fresh energy. Transforming tired and heavy living areas with a pared-back approach, as you rediscover and embracing a ‘less is more ‘ philosophy

Renewing our minds to welcome a slower pace towards the tail-end of the year by seeking simplicity in our homes, meals and daily schedules

STYLE TIP

Function and beauty go hand in hand Get ready for the busy months ahead and keep the clutter at bay with accessible storage solutions

Woven baskets are an easy and inexpensive way to to contain everyday essentials - plus they look chic!

Set the scene for a garden party to celebrate spring

Keep it simple and let your tablecloth take centre stage

Choose a vibrant pattern or colour and decorate with everyday kitchen staples like fruit (citrus) and vegetables or herbs, en mass for an earthy and organic style

STYLE TIP

Every room needs something found Blend old and new together and create instant provenance This is especially important to add character in new builds homes

Scour second-hand stores for bargain finds or vintage art online You’ll be amazed at the treasures you uncover!

Vintage pots in various shapes add interest and dimension

Their sculptural quality means they are pretty enough to be styled solo Got an empty corner? Why not complete the look with an oversized scuptural pot

Instead of traditional florals in a vase, switch things for a refreshing change Potted vessels with live plants add freshness and a whimsical aesthetic to give a room that is lived-in, blending an outdoor aesthetic with an indoor feel and look It’s an easy swap to make a house feel more inviting, plus it makes a great hostess gift too!

Renovating this spring season?

Create a flat lay of inspiration to keep you grounded when making numerous choices Have fun with new tiles or layout styles and try out that wallpaper or textile you ’ ve had your eye on It’s time to be bold!

Previous Page & This Page: Green is the colour of spring Green symbolizes rebirth and freshness and is a soothing colour to decorate with Think about how you can incorporate more greenery in your interior spaces - whether it’s through cushions throws plants or a fresh coat of paint to a feature wall or cabinet

L-R: Layered organic textures become the star of a neutral-inspired interior Declutter your spaces and lean into intentional decorating choices We adore this simple candle wall sconce Refresh your bedding with European linen for the warmer months ahead, keeping you cool in slumber Unlacquered brass hardware will patina over time, effortlessly aging gracefully

NINE THINGS TO TRY FOR SPRING

Make treasured memories while experiencing new things to do in your home, garden and community

Try your hand at creating a planter pot, see our tips on page 13

Visit the wildflowers in your local national parks and take some photos to print and frame for your gallery wall.

De-clutter your space. If the process feels overwhelming, start with one drawer, then another, and Pack a picnic and enjoy a fresh alfresco meal in nature

Book tickets to a concert and you’ll have something to look forward to in the months ahead.

Clean your windows. Your home will thank you for it and you’ll appreciate a newfound sense of clarity

Play tourist in your own city Try a new cafe in a different suburb for brunch and browse through boutiques you ’ ve never ventured into before Book a winery tour in late spring when the vines are full of leaves.

Plan an outdoor family movie night, complete with popcorn and rugs to lay on under the stars

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

EMBRACING IMPERFECTIONS

For over 15 years we have been working with the same European manufacturer to design, build, and finish-by-hand, our European range of bookcases, cabinets, sideboards, and bedside tables

Made by generational furniture artisans, preserving time-honoured traditions and valuable skills, while providing a livelihood for their families is what makes our partnership so special.

From imperfect natural timbers, quality hardware and applying finishes by hand, the look is organic and made to last a lifetime

Divots, knots, fissure lines, exposed joins and brush strokes are all part and parcel of furniture manufacturing By embracing the natural imperfections found in nature's creations like timber, we can keep unnecessary waste out of landfill and provide you with one-of-a-kind treasures for your home Win, win!

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Look for pieces with a story

Decorating with patina infuses authenticity in a space

Furniture made or finished by hand is a breath of fresh air especially in a world overflowing with unrealistic perfection and mass-produced goods

Our European Collection embraces the essence of perfectly imperfect Making the most of what nature gives us by embracing the imperfections to create something of beauty and function.

Touched by hand, made to last a lifetime with timeless appeciation

Below Double door cupboards, complete with lock and key

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NEWPORT GRAND BOOKCASE in Navy & Natural Wax

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese term translates to flawed beauty Or perfection in imperfection

Referring to the beauty found in nature which is organic, asymmetrical, or otherwise "imperfect" but still aesthetically pleasing An aesthetic approach that emphasizes nature, the incomplete or impermanent, and a "slow living" approach

Imperfect nicks found naturally in timbers or throughout the manufacturing process are something our perfectly imperfect philosophy happily embraces Smoothed out by hand-sanding, destined to bring authenticity to your home while escaping landfills These pieces could be labelled as defect, though here at Rustic Charm Interiors, we embrace it

A crisp white CLAREMONT BOOKCASE is made up of three single units of our Modular range, designed to sit snuggly next to each other No screws to force conformity, but designed to sit comfortably next to each other thanks to their hand-planned timber edges

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Patinaed art gives black and white artwork a vintage, handed-down aesthetic

SPRING

2023

Bring warmth and style to new home builds by sourcing something of provenance Doors, exposed timber beams or light fixtures are a stunning way to incorporate character into your home, and seamlessly blend old with new

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