Sarah Acton, Interior Designer from Kann Finch Group in Sydney (www.kannfinch.com.au) gives us the heads up on all things a la mode right now. The best news of all? It’s easy enough for all of us to do!
FUN & YOUTHFUL - A joyful feel can be easily injected into any space, whether there are kids in the house or not. And the good news is, with just a few decorationg tid-bits, you don’t have to spend much, either! “Simple ways are with fabrics, crockery, polkadots and stripes,” says Sarah.
THE HAPPY HOME - A happy home is all about keeping the more “serious” base colours like timber, stone and leathers, in your home and adding a colour to each area to liven it up. Sarah says: “Bright yellow and orange are great colours for winter to warm up visually.”
EMBRACE GEOMETRY - Introducing geometry in your home allows visual stimulation. No matter what the overall style of your home, Sarah recommends embracing “floor patterns, rugs, fabrics and artworks” to keep things interesting.
TURNING JAPANESE - Japanese-themed rooms are all about “materials and simple clean lines” says Sarah. If you love a fresh, tidy-looking home then look out for custom built cabinets, shelving (wall mounted or free standing), credenzas, sideboards and bed heads with adjoining bedside shelves. Keep a close eye on the type of material used, too. “Light timbers easily accessbile in Australia are White Oak, Spotted Gum and the popular sustainable bamboo products,” adds Sarah.
THE NEW YORKER - Why envy the celebrities when you can add a touch of New York to your Aussie pad? “This is the perfect inspiration for apartments,” Sarah insists. A typical New Yorker is all about Herringbone floorboards, darker timbers, white walls, leather, and mixing in lots of older styles. “Think quality vintage,” adds Sarah.
RENEW & RESTORE - “With awareness of sustainability, concentrate on quality, restoring pieces you love and those you find,” says Sarah. Not only will it save you money in the long run, it’ll add loads of character into your home. “Look out for timbers which can be resanded and oiled, metals which can be polished or plated, leathers which can be conditioned, and furniture which can be reupholstered, relacquered or painted.”
1950s GLAMOUR - 2011 has seen the 1950s come back with a vengeance. Sarah says it’s easy to step back in time with a few touches to your home. “It’s all about Tom Ford inspired materials, furniture and fabrics,” she says.
METALLIC ART - Bring some life into your home with a touch of the metallics. Sarah says easy ways to incorporate metallic art are through “room dividers, lighting, wall mounted pieces, screens, and outdoor rooms - new or old.”
RUSTIC GLAMOUR - More and more people are turning to rustic decorating to add character to their homes. Rustic glamour is all about old pieces mixed with the new. “Achieve the look with aged timber combined with shiny new glass, or aged leather with metal,” Sarah suggests.
BEACHSIDE CHIC - The beach shack will always be a favourite for Aussies - mainly for the effortless approach and laid-back feel. “Pale timbers and white…. nautical stripes, cane and wicker… They’re always easy on the eye and easy to live in,” says Sarah.
