transform Because every house can be a beautiful home
set the scene As any stylist will attest, a considered collection of adornments is what makes a house a home, whether it’s a shelf of age-old curios, a pile of plump pillows or an artwork that makes your heart beat that little bit faster. >
the art of accessorising Put the finishing touches on your home just like you would an outfit – it’s all in the detail
PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY
WORDS VERA KLEIN
{material
matters{
Introduce colour and comfort with layers of touch-me textiles
1
CAP YOUR COLOURS
“Use a maximum of three colours, making sure they complement each other,” says HB stylist Rachel Peters. When choosing hues for cushions and throws, keep in mind the effect you’re trying to achieve, whether it’s cool and calm or vibrant and playful.
{decorate} transform
3
LEARN TO THROW “To casually place a throw in the bedroom, pinch it one third of the way down lengthwise and then gently toss it over a bed,” says Ann King of Sage Colour And Style. “For armchairs, a throw’s top third should land over the back.” A more formal scheme suits neat folds: “Place these over an ottoman or across the arm of a sofa,” says Anoushka Allum of Smart Space Interiors.
2 4
GET PATTERN HAPPY
“For a cluster of cushions, don’t be scared to play with different prints in similar colourways,” says HB senior stylist Heidi Albertiri. “Choose a variety of sizes, textures and shapes.”
LET THERE BE WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT) CATH MUSCAT, (TOP RIGHT) SUE STUBBS, (BOTTOM) CATH MUSCAT & JOHN PAUL URIZAR, (OPPOSITE) GAP INTERIORS/RACHEL SMITH
“If your cushions are looking a little dull in tone, add a pure white one,” suggests Karenza Jewell of Cotter And Jewell Interiors. “This freshens the palette and gives clarity to the colours.”
5
TURN HEADS WITH TEXTURE Choose textiles with shimmering metallic finishes, button features or raised stitching to add depth to an arrangement. “This is especially important if you’re working with a limited colour palette such as all white,” says Karenza. “Chunky knits and velvet add warmth and texture in winter, while cottons and silks are cool to the touch and work well in summer.”
6
SHOP SMART When choosing new textiles to add to a lounge setting, take along snippets of your existing chair and cushion fabrics. If that’s not possible, snap them on your phone and use that for reference.
7
SIZE UP YOUR CUSHIONS A good size for cushions is 50cm x 50cm – anything smaller used en masse looks a little tight and forced, rather than relaxed and welcoming. >
homebeautiful.com.au {APRIL 2015} 127
{a
fine art {
Allow a scene-stealing artwork to guide your design decisions
8 128 {APRIL 2015} homebeautiful.com.au
CONNECT THE COLOURS
“Artworks are the perfect device for tying a room’s colour scheme together,” says Ann King of Sage Colour And Style. Choose ornaments that highlight the hues in a prominently positioned picture; here beachy, blue accessories pick up the tones of a photograph of Bondi Beach by Aquabumps.
9
CREATE A GALLERY
A salon hang – when many framed works are positioned closely together on one wall – is a classic way to display multiple images at once. Start with at least five pieces grouped together, then add new images both vertically and horizontally as your collection grows.
10
CONSIDER FURNITURE “Choose artwork that has a shorter width than the furniture positioned below it,” advises stylist Ann King. An oversized picture can dominate a narrow console or small hall table.
11
GET IN LINE
Picture ledges (pictured below) are a great way to create a display of easy-to-update images. Their slim design makes them well suited to small spaces and hallways – check out the range at West Elm.
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT) GREG COX/BUREAUX.CO.ZA, (TOP RIGHT) SIMON KENNY, (BOTTOM) AMANDA PRIOR, (OPPOSITE) HAYDEN VALE ARTWORK (BOTTOM) GRAHAM KUO
12
STREAMLINE YOUR STYLE Ensure cohesion by mounting a series of artworks or photos in identical frames, as pictured above.
13
STAY CENTRED As a rule, the middle of an artwork should be hung at eye level. Also consider proportion: a small picture on a large wall loses impact and can make a space feel awkward and unfinished.
14
STRAIGHTEN UP Make sure wallhung pictures aren’t crooked or you’ll notice the angle rather than the art itself. Use a spirit level for perfectly accurate alignment.
15
SEE THE BIG PICTURE “Position a large piece at the end of a hallway to provide a focal point,” says Ann. “A distinctive artwork gives depth to a space.” >
homebeautiful.com.au {APRIL 2015} 129
transform {decorate}
{ photo
opportunity{
Create picture-perfect interiors with treasured photographs
16 18
SET UP A SERIES
Compile a collection of pictures from the same event, such as a family wedding or children’s photo session, and mount the images in matching frames to bring a sense of harmony to a gallery wall.
17GET
FLEXIBLE
For displays that can be rearranged with ease, place frames on floating shelves, as above, or use a specialised hanging rail system. “A track is fixed to the wall and then adjustable wire drops and hooks hold artworks in place,” says Karenza Jewell of Cotter And Jewell Interiors. Try the selection at Art Hanging Systems.
EMBRACE MONOCHROME
19
CONJURE MOOD A photograph can form part of a stylish vignette – choose a neutral frame and team it with a curation of favourite objects – don’t think too hard about it, sometimes unexpected touches work best.
20
FRAME UP Collected empty photo frames – preferably ornate, decorative designs – can act as artworks in their own right. Create continuity by painting them in on-trend copper tones; try Haymes ‘Designer Finishes’ Real Copper Paint.
21
MAKE IT STICK Washi tape, a crafting staple, is possibly the simplest way to attach your pictures to the wall, and looks stylish to boot. Check out removeable tapes in a range of colours and patterns at Notemaker.
22
TRICK THE EYE Embellished or gilded antique frames will make family photos resemble precious artworks. >
130 {APRIL 2015} homebeautiful.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT) JOHN PAUL URIZAR, (TOP RIGHT) GREG COX/BUREAUX. CO.ZA, (BOTTOM LEFT) MELISSA HEATH, (BOTTOM RIGHT) MAX ATTENBOROUGH
Black-and-white photos have a beautiful depth, offer a sense of nostalgia, and work well in groups. Choose black or white frames for a neat, minimalist look, and remember that to hang frames, it’s usually not essential to drill into the wall. Look for damage-free hanging solutions, such as 3M Command picture hanging strips.
transform {decorate}
{creative
collections{
Turn everyday items into exquisite visual vignettes
24TIDY
UP WITH TRAYS
Arranging collectables on a tray will help to frame the smaller items. “It makes the display easy to move when the coffee table turns into the Friday night dinner table, too!” says HB stylist Rachel Peters.
23
CHANGE THE SUBJECT
Rework your displays every three months to keep a room looking fresh – using seasonal flowers and textures is a great start. Otherwise, arrangements that once caught your eye may lose their appeal.
25
COUNT ON ODD NUMBERS
Odd numbered or asymmetrical arrangements generally look best. “Keep vignettes to a maximum of seven pieces,” says Anoushka Allum of Smart Space Interiors. “Anything more starts to feel jumbled.”
REACH NEW HEIGHTS Create visual interest by grouping together objects that vary in height, as pictured far left. “Try stacking books beneath smaller pieces to raise them up,” suggests Rachel.
27
THINK COSY IN THE KITCHEN “Kitchen shelves need a sense of homeliness and relaxed comfort,” says Karenza Jewell of Cotter And Jewell Interiors. “Add objects that are beautiful yet functional for everyday use, like timber storage containers or a herb in a fab pot.”
28
BE CONSISTENT “Group similar items together – whether treasured travel finds or vintage tea cups – to create a consistent theme in your displays,” says Ann King of Sage Colour And Style.
29
EDIT YOUR CHOICES Remember Coco Chanel’s style mantra: after putting together an outfit – or vignette – take a step back and remove one item. >
132 {APRIL 2015} homebeautiful.com.au
(TOP LEFT) GRAHAM JEPSON, (TOP RIGHT) SIMON KENNY/CONTENT, (BOTTOM LEFT) ARMELLE HABIB, (BOTTOM RIGHT) JOHN DOWNS
26
transform {decorate}
{ paperback
heroes {
Tell a style story with a careful curation of books
31TOP
YOUR TABLE
“A few favourite tomes, coupled with a bunch of flowers and a gorgeous candle, bring an easy, decorative look to coffee tables,” says Ann King of Sage Colour And Style.
30
FLOAT AWAY
Turn your favourite novels into a design feature with some creative storage – these clever floating shelves, fixed to the wall with inexpensive L-brackets, allow magazine and book spines to add flair to this neutral bedroom.
32
THINK OUTSIDE THE LINES
33
MIX IT UP “Introduce accessories to your bookshelves, such as vases or vintage shoe lasts,” suggests HB stylist Rachel Peters. “Place decorative accents, photographs and small artworks on a pile of horizontal books.”
34
GO BY THE BOOK “Try grouping your books by size, colour or theme to catch the eye,” says HB senior stylist Heidi Albertiri. “Books become a talking point in a home; people are drawn to them.”
35
CREATE AN END POINT “Position colourful objects – think pot plants or vases – at the end of a book shelf to work like a visual full stop,” suggests Karenza Jewell of Cotter And Jewell Interiors.
134 {APRIL 2015} homebeautiful.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT) DEREK SWALWELL, (TOP RIGHT) SIMON WHITBREAD, (BOTTOM LEFT) ARMELLE HABIB, (BOTTOM RIGHT) JOHN DOWNS
When working with large bookshelves that stretch across a room, break up endless rows of vertical paperbacks by turning a small stack of books on the horizontal every so often. “The negative space gives your eye a place to rest and helps you see the books themselves,” says Ann.