makeovers with Simplify my Home

1COLOUR When defining zones, colour is your best friend. Use objects and furniture from the same colour family to create visual separation, and if you’re feeling adventurous, add a feature wall in a statement hue or effect. Here we’ve used sandy shades and teal in the lounge, and a stronger terracotta/black combo in the dining area.

2FLOORING When zoning a space, it’s best to keep some elements consistent so the various areas still have good overall flow. Wooden flooring is great for creating continuity throughout a large room, and rugs can then be laid on top to delineate smaller zones.

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Concrete pot, $325, from Mood Store, painted in Resene Vanilla Ice. Oak and brass screen , $695, Hobbs sofa , $2495, from Me & My Trend. ‘Desert Sands 1’ print, $250, from Amber Armitage. Missoni Timmy throw , $835, Broste candle , $4, from Tessuti. Angami Tin cushion , $129, from Republic Home. Pool slides , $229, from La Tribe. Kenza rug , $599, from Freedom. Ercol Svelto coffee table , $2195, from Good Form. Scent of Home candle , $99, from Father Rabbit. Pink tumbler, $89.90, dish , $229, vessel (on dish), $189, candleholder, $49.90, from Asili. Wall in Resene Rice Cake. Page 102: Dante vase (second shelf), $135, from Republic Home. Eva bag , $529, from Father Rabbit.

1 Hotel Magique ‘Make Waves’ print , $95, from Father Rabbit. 2 Isobel vase , $119, from A&C Homestore. Marble candle pillar, $11, from Kmart. 3 Toscana bookcase , $899, from Target. 4 HardieGroove lining from James Hardie. Rockcote Otsumigaki from Resene. Quick-Step Palazzo pure oak matte flooring from Flooring Xtra.

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TEXTURE Once you’ve worked out your colour scheme, select materials to help define your spaces further. Velvets, knits and fluffy flokati rugs are ideal for a living space, whereas smooth wood and ceramics are better suited to a dining area. This painted wall was drybrushed over the top for visual texture and depth.

4FURNITURE Open shelves are a wonderful way to create the effect of a wall without blocking out light or losing functionality. If this isn’t an option, a slatted screen (as we’ve used opposite) is a versatile way to zone spaces and can easily be stored when not in use.

5STORAGE Use shelving to signal a change in function within a large space. Books and decorative objects work well in a living space, while you may choose to store plates and glassware in a dining space. Plants or greenery will provide another element and act as a linking theme through the entire open-plan space.

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Horn vessel (on book), $62, from Asili. Ercol Marino armchair, $3195, and ottoman , $1195, from Good Form. Rachel Carley Clouds cushion , $240, Rachel Carley Rose bowl (on sideboard), $95, Walk in the Park wooden vase , $165, from Tessuti. Villla vessel (with foliage), $85, from Father Rabbit. Artwork by stylist using Resene Dawn Chorus, Resene Crowdpleaser, Resene Double Ash and Resene Rice Cake. Shelving unit, stool, books, rug, sideb oard, wall, floor, as before.

1 Hans Wegner replica Elbow chair, $239, from Cintesi. 2 Avalon side table , $49.95, from Mocka. 3 Valencia buffet 2 door, $1299, from Freedom. •

Work the line ROOM REVEAL

Wavy stripes bring a little bit of zing to this home workspace

Styling by Alex Walls . Photography by Claudia Hinty .

CREATE THE LOOK

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1 Bamboo desktop drawers , $17, from Kmart. 2 Uniti gold wire desk tray , $8, from The Warehouse. 3 Bonded leather 2020 weekly diary , $39.99, from Kikki.K. 4 Buddy table lamp , $249, from A&C Homestore. 5 Madam tier vase , $49.99, from A&C Homestore. 6 Cabins book by Philip Jodidio, $45, from Father Rabbit. 7 Mesh pouch , $24.99 for 2, from Kikki.K. 8 Folded metal bookends, $49, from Everyday Needs. 9 Hugo desk , $749, from Nood. 10 Jerry chair, $149.99, from A&C Homestore . 11 Yamazaki Tosca small basket , $39, from Good Thing. ALEX WALLS STYLIST

Office spaces don’t have to be stark, impersonal and uninspiring. In fact, colour needs to be considered carefully in work spaces to encourage productivity and a positive working environment.

At A&C headquarters, we have a team of creatives, book-keepers and spreadsheet lovers, and not all of us feel the need for a ‘creative corner’ as such. But for me, I love just a touch of colour to keep me energised and inspired. To kick off a new year, I always like to have my new diary ready to go – this year I’ve chosen a lovely design by Milligram, and decided to use its cover as the starting point for this workspace.

For the walls, I picked Dulux Waihi for its warmth and energy and applied it as a playful stripe against a background of chalky Dulux Okarito. I want my work area to feel fun and energetic, so I decided the lines didn’t need to be perfectly straight and crisp. While painting, I let my paintbrush do its thing and left the brushstrokes and crooked lines as they were. This is how I like it, but if you prefer straight lines, just use some painter’s masking tape. Only taking the colour halfway up the wall prevents the effect from being too overwhelming and allows some clear space to encourage all that creative thinking I’ll be doing in 2020 (I hope). Good luck for dreaming up your best ideas yet!

OPPOSITE Avocado Oslo pot , $24.99. Potted faux philo bush , $29.99. Brown glass vase , $44.99. Green bottle vase , $79.99. Madam tiered vase , $69.99. Wheat bunch, $17.99. Rose Oslo pot , $49.99. Books , from $39.99. Milligram 2020 diary , $44.99. Beysis water bottle , $59.99. Checked bag , $24.99. Oval ramekin , $19.99. Jerry chair, $149.99. All from A&C Homestore. Shelves , $139 each, from Made of Tomorrow. IKEA Lerberg desk , $209.99, from Urban Sales. Wall painted in Dulux Okarito and Dulux Waihi. Other items stylist’s own.