Tag: colour interior

master bedroom styling

  • 25 October 2023

One of the biggest problems I come across is over decorating, there is a dangerous tendency to keep adding MORE.   In fact adding more does the opposite, it confuses your mind and doesn’t give your eyes a place to land and rest.  Simplicity is critical when designing a bedroom, this space is your sanctuary away from the noise of the house.

A paired back well considered space instinctively feels comfortable, here are the key elements that make it happen …

Dark walls recede creating depth, custom made headboard, cushions and quilt enabled specific fabric combinations. Custom bedside cabinets and lighting enable functional proportions, double track curtains control light and privacy.

Layering details of proportion, colour and texture are what makes a space instinctively feel right.

Less is always more.

New build villa style

  • 24 May 2017

Every now and again a special project comes along,  without a doubt this is one of those. I was lucky enough to work with some extra- ordinary clients who had a very clear vision and buckets of bravery, digging deeply into my bag of tricks we created something pretty special together.

Hours of deliberation over tiny details, lots of excited clapping (mostly from me), and Harwood Homes amazing team of builders and subcontractors, produced this new build which is oozing with character and intricate detail.

Client brief was to recreate the essence of a traditional Villa with a modern twist.

Inky depths of Resene Nocturnal in the entrance set the mood for the rest of the home, traditional Wainscoting panels were custom made for the entrance hall along with metal screens through which you catch a glimpse of what lays beyond. Crystal chandeliers in the dining room cast delicate shadows on rich Black Marie solid timber flooring. Suspended shelving displays collected  treasurers, touches of brass continue through out the Interior adding warmth.

Images by the very talented Amanda Aitken.

Feature walls

  • 27 February 2017

I often get asked if people still do feature walls interestingly enough almost every time the question is voiced out loud it’s accompanied with a shame full cringe is if an unwritten rule has been broken and lighting is about to strike.

My reply is always this …….. There aren’t any Interior Design rules, lets face it it’s not a life and death situation! If there were rules and this was one of them and YOU love the idea of a feature wall then lets do it!

At least half of my projects have feature walls or feature rooms, it is a perfect way to add depth, mood, texture and personality.

This recently completed project in Mount Maunganui, is a great example of all of those things.

A harmonious collaboration between myself,  JMAC Architecture and  Ultimate Homes.

Images via Redfish

traditional plain interiors transformed into modern contemporary spaces

  • 22 March 2016

I recently completed a Perfect Combination Project – A blank canvas spec home + existing clients on their second project = boundaries pushed with amazing results!

The newly constructed spec home was beautifully proportioned but super plain – so plain it made you sleepy!! Client brief was to add some personality, warmth and interest so we set to work……..

The Master bedroom was spacious  opening out onto a sunny courtyard but lacked any redeeming features so we added Harlequin wallpaper, Hemptech fabric and Bianca Lorenne Bed linen.

Feature wallpaper was repeated in the Lounge with dramatic effect, an existing David Shaw Chair was revitalized with new Harlequin fabric.

Another stunning Harlequin wallpaper in the entrance added drama

These simple additions change the house to a home.

A space well and truly stamped with the clients personality.

Elegant Country house renovated to its inspirational former glory

  • 20 July 2015

I know my work has been completed on a project when it’s time to put a call out to Amanda – my trusted photographer. It’s exciting and kind of sad in a way too as it can be a long process getting to this point. On a large complex project it’s not unusual for many months to pass working alongside clients getting to know the in’s and out’s of the  family’s life, visualizing each part of the home always with the ultimate vision in mind.

The images below are testament to this very process. I had the privilege to began work on this project 2 years ago – no that’s not a typo it really did take 2 years to ensure we left no stone  unturned.  When we began renovating, the  home was terribly neglected it was shocking to see a magnificent home so ruined by weather, fortunately the beautiful bones where in tact although in serious need of TLC!!

Bridge beams were originally white washed, Jarrah flooring water damaged, structural features were hidden, some rooms had never been completed and that was just the tip of the iceberg!

My brief was to create an elegant but comfortable country home – take a look at the results

The clients had quality furniture that was also worth renovating, couches were re upholstered, family pieces were unearthed from storage and reinvented, notably the elegant arm chair in JD Madagascar Paradise. Bespoke pieces were locally sourced, the Ottoman in Harlequin Purple Snakeskin and Button Backed dining chairs in matching colored pairs.

We altered the layout of the kitchen to become open plan incorporating the bridge beam into the Stone Island bench top.

Bathrooms were elegantly restyled to fit seamlessly with the essence of the grand country home.

A combination of wonderful clients with open minds, a team of brilliant local tradesmen made the project an absolute pleasure ….. A good job well done I think!

Elegant Kitchen

  • 12 January 2015

It’s the tiny details that make this elegant kitchen by Decus Interiors work so well – details applied to ordinary items that every modern kitchen has.

To me the stand out detail is the Scullery, a ‘must have’ in most modern homes the scullery is a space that is typically shut away behind doors – strictly utilitarian, the simple addition of beautiful glazed doors, timber drawer fronts, full height tiling has been transformed utilitarian into spectacular.

Flagstone floor tiles, panelled cabinetry, industrial element of the Stainless Steel all elegantly cloaked in a soft neutral colour palette.

Timeless!

Decus Interiors, Design Studio based in NSW Australia.

colour me green

  • 21 October 2013

Response to our bold choice of colour for Ultimate Homes show home at  The Lakes subdivision in  Tauranga has been nothing but positive!

The show home boasts a stunning cliff top location with an unexpected panoramic view. The decision to use Dulux Wright Hill was a simple case of bringing the outside in.

Wright Hill is a soft shade of green with a slight yellow base so the effect is both soft and refreshing at the same time, the walls have become a back drop to the view and the home has buckets of personality!

I always encourage my clients to be bold with colour, don’t be afraid to stamp your home with YOUR personality after all at the end of the day it’s just a pot of paint!

Go on …. do it!