Bold and bright floral takes centre stage in this budget-friendly revamp. Whether you have a lot to spend or just a little, bathrooms don’t have to be boring! The project “Three years ago, I installed a horizontal black and white striped wallpaper on the end wall by the bath. This looked great for a while but unfortunately, with three young children who splash about in the bath each night, the paper had begun to peel, tear and look unsightly. The replacement cream walls looked dull and I wanted to give the room a quick freshen-up without spending too much money. The bathroom design I purchased the deco style cabinet off Trade Me for a bargain. I removed the doors, sanded off the varnish and drilled a hole in the top for the plumbing. I applied a couple of coats of Resene 'Cut Class' in a gloss finish. All it needed was a basin, and I instantly fell in love with the form and shape of the Toto Le Muse oval basin and extended mixer tap from Plumbing World. I came across the ‘Romantic Pop’ Komar wallpaper (available from Resene) when styling a home for a photoshoot last year. I wanted the bathroom to feel light and fresh so I opted for crisp white walls painted in Resene ‘Alabaster’. As the feature wallpaper is very bold, I chose a pale blue finish on the vanity so it complemented, not competed with, the bright paper. I went with chrome finishes to match the hardware already installed in the bathroom. Budget
TOTAL $2100
Komar wallpaper from Germany (available at Resene); walls painted in Resene ‘Alabaster’; vanity painted in Resene ‘Cut Glass’; Toto Le Muse basin and tap from Plumbing World; towel rail and ring from Mitre 10; mirror custom-cut by Howick Glass; custom-made 60mm poplar Venetian blinds from Brightshine Blinds, colour-matched to walls. Photography by: Emma MacDonald
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BEIGE... it generally conjures up images of a pale, fawny, sandy colour that you'd usually associate with dreary, dull and old fashioned interiors, right? Well guess what? IT'S BACK, it's on trend; and with a bit of style know how, it definitely doesn't have to be boring! I've found the VERY BEST beige paint hue out there, and when paired with wallpaper it looks BLOOMIN' beautiful! We're also going to cross over to the dark side in our 2nd colour trend tutorial this week. Why? because I know a lot of people still remain anxious about using dark colours in interior spaces. With a bit of style know how, I'll show you how dark tones can be used to create drama and warmth without compromising on the sense of space in a room. STYLIST TIP: Achieving a 2020 colour trend (navy, hunter green, beige) is easy - simply look to nature as your design compass, and bring the outside in. BEIGE-ING GRACEFULLY... If you consider beige to be uninteresting, mundane and tame, think again. Beige is one of the best neutrals out there, as it can work in a variety of spaces regardless of room size, natural light, era, or style. Trust me, there's a beige paint out there for you, no matter what your decorating approach. My absolute fave is Resene 'Albescent White' as it's incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide array of colours and accents. Additionally, beige brings both warmth and a sense of calm to a space - something that the current trend of 'grey' simply cannot match. Used tonally, beige walls, mixed with a little stone, natural wood and linen textiles will instantly make a room feel restful and serene. Alternatively mix beige with a bold wallpaper and pops of colour for a vibrant and contemporary look. OUTSIDE IN... If you read my blogs; and follow me on social media, you'll already know that I like to push the boundaries when it comes to colour. My first tutorial this week, pairs bold with beige to create a bright and playful living space. Bringing the outside in, I'm taking my colour cues from nature (I'm not talking leafy greens or stony hues here, instead think sunset orange, azure blue waters, tulips and fresh lime). For this, I have chosen an Aspiring Walls mural 'Bloom Boom' to be the key feature element in the room. To ensure the magnificent colours pop, I've paired this mural with 'Resene Albescent White' paint. I highly recommend painting the walls, ceiling, window trims, cornices and architraves all in the same beautiful beige hue. STYLIST'S TIP: Use a semi gloss finish on the trims and arcs for a subtle contrast. The uniform use of paint will make the room feel bigger and won't distract the eye from the feature mural. Featured above: Aspring Walls Murall - BLOOM BOOM, Resene Albescent White and Miss Lolo Clemintine Couch in Emerald SPEND, SPLURGE AND SAVE SYTLING.... When it comes to styling a space such as this, be as bold as you like . Resene 'Albescent White' can be paired with a limitless selection of colours, so don't be afraid of really comitting to that bright and playful aesthetic. I suggest you Spend on a striking Miss Lolo Clementine Couch (see above - NB. Emerald is my pick, but any of their fabric colours will work here) and style it in front of that AMAZING 'Bloom Boom' accent wall. Splurge on a selection of Sage and Clare cushions from STFD, and Save with the Kirra Buffet from Mocka. WHO’S AFRAID OF THE DARK? It seems a lot of people fear the dark (paint that is) and I want to change that. Yes, using a dark colour in your interior spaces is a daring and dramatic design decision, but one that can definitely pay off if you're bold enough to embrace the dark side. For my 2nd colour tutorial, I've chosen nature's midnight sky as my inspiration (Navy being one of the 2020 colours of the year). Ive chosen to pair this with Aspiring Walls 'Imaginairum Lemur' Wallpaper for my room's feature detail. To create an intimate and cosy vibe I've chosen to paint the remaining walls, trims, cornices and arcs in my favourite navy hue - Resene 'Coast' (as above use a semi gloss finish on the trims for a subtle contrast). Use natural elements such as timber, rattan and seagrass to keep the 'outside in' styling cohesive; as well as providing lighter tones to contrast and lift the space. SIZE DOESN'T MATTER! It's a pretty common misconception that using dark colours on walls will make a room feel small. Size doesn't matter - any size room can go dark. Dark bathrooms ooze luxury, dark bedrooms feel cosy, dark hallways scream elegance and the list goes on. Whatever size, shape or function, it can work. Not only do dark walls look amazing but they also allow art, photographs, plants, and furniture to really pop against its dramatic backdrop. STYLIST'S TIP: Patterns LOVE to be with other patterns!! When styling a room with a patterned wallpaper don't be afraid to infuse the space with contrasting styles - mix and match florals with stripes, geometrics with spots and ikat with animal. SPEND, SAVE AND SPLURGE STYLING... Just like a plain white wall, a dark wall equally needs something to break it up. Mirrors, photo wall arrangements, furniture and art all help to break up the space, as well as cut into the expanse of dark. I suggest keeping the styling simple - save with the Rattan Table Lamp from Kmart and splurge on a Rennes natural Sisal Rug from Source Mondial and an Elmwood Rice Sideboard from Indie Home Collective. Whatever your 2020 colour trend preference, paint is by far the simplest and most cost effective way of transforming a space. If you want to introduce texture, personality and colour to a room add a wallpaper, but choose carefully as this will be a more long term investment. If youre wanting to transform a space in your home, I hope this tuturial has helped to see beige in a new light and you're no longer fearing the dark. Go forth and bring the outside in at your place and be sure to send me some images so I can post them on my social pages.
Happy Styling! Annick x ROCKIN' THE SHOCKING.. Inspo for your interior can literally come from anywhere - artwork, fashion, greeting cards, soft furnishings, food and nature just to name a few. For those that don't know me, I love fashion as much as I love interiors; so it's unsurprising to find fashion influencing my design ideas. Don't be afraid to take inspiration from outside the box sources either - I once based a bedroom's colour palette on some gorgeous gift wrapping - true story. A beautiful plate of food or a colourful cocktail, can equally feed your imagination for your next interior project. MOOD-BOARD MASTERCLASS... Pin your faves, take photos and keep cut outs to create your own mood-board of ideas - this will help identify any themes you are drawn to, as well as getting your creative juices flowing. Having created my mood-board, I'm going to use it as inspiration to create a bold living space. I'm generally full noise when it comes to making a statement, so an in-your-face pop of pink using Resene 'Shocking' is just the ticket. For equal parts balance and contrast, I've chosen to pair the paint with a playful wallpaper - Ducks by Aspiring Walls. For a confident focal point I've used a vibrant, canary yellow sofa; added a black and white geometric rug to reflect the palette of the wallpaper and framed the space using a floor lamp and potted greenery. BOOM! Featured above: Wall painted in Resene Shocking, Paper of the week - Ducks by Aspiring Walls STYLIST'S TIP: Patterns LOOOOVE to be with other patterns, so don't be afraid to mix and match florals with stripes, geometrics with spots and ikat with animal. Go crazy! BLUSH & BLOOMS Fashion transcends my BEAUTIFUL design project too, taken inspiration from the Isla dress by NZ/AU Design Duo 'Bird & Knoll', Mr Boxette Lizard bag by Deadly Ponies and pretty pumps from Scarpa. My summer faves of Pink Champagne and pastel toned foliage also gave us some added colour cues this week. To compliment this magnificent mural - 'Poetic Petals' by Back to the Wall - I'veused a barely-there blush on the floors using the prettiest of pinks - Resene 'Wafer'. Whatever your design preference - be it bold or beautiful, remember inspiration is everywhere and don't be afraid to push the boundaries.
Happy styling Annick x THE COMEBACK QUEEN Every year a large group of respected designers, architects and global paint companies gather to identify the hottest interior design colour trends for the upcoming year, and you may be surprised by their crystal ball predictions. For the last few years, various shades of grey have been slathered on walls all over NZ and across the globe. However, according to the aforementioned group, beige is ready for her comeback. SAY WHAAAAT? Other trends to expect in 2020 include deep, bold tones such as navy and hunter green (phew), more natural wood in furniture, décor and cabinetry (I like!), and a movement toward more neutral colours such as French Vanilla(meh), Mint (yum!), Sage (double yum!!), Hazelnut and Warm Grey (meh). HOW TO… BEAT THE BEIGE IN YOUR BEDROOM So according to those making these predictions, these colours aren’t just about how they look in a space, but more about how they make you feel. So, rolling with that analogy, I’m going to show you how you can embrace the neutral trend using a few of my favourite Resene paints, and style them with a colour loving twist. I personally love green walls in a bedroom. There’s a reason hospitals use it, as it's a restful and calming hue, however you'll find my choices are not as insipid as the dingy old hospital waiting room; instead, these colours will make you feel cosy and relaxed, turning your bedroom into that grown up retreat I think we’re all craving. THE WALLS: For those of you wanting something a little more subtle I suggest two coats of Resene Juniper (tone: muddied mint) and for those that prefer the dark side opt for 2 coats of Resene Balderdash (tone: seductive sage). Either way, they’re two of my all-time faves and will look incredible in your space. STYLING YOUR SPACE: COLOUR SCIENCE 101.. Given green is created through a mix of blue and yellow, use these tones as your accent colours (they can fall anywhere on the colour spectrum from deep navy to the palest of blues, from the brightest yellow to a dirty mustard) as they will always work well when paired with the mint or sage tones of Resene Juniper or Balderdash. Alternatively, for a more feminine vibe, opt for pink or lilac accents as they simultaneously contrast and compliment green on the colour spectrum. For those die hard colour enthusiasts out there, I suggest using orange for a bold pop of colour .I personally love a good navy blue as a contrast to green (and hey, it’s also very on trend), so for a fabulous focal point I suggest investing in a beautiful headboard. I have one from Miss Lolo in my bedroom & LOVE IT! Click the link to view her Cleveland Design Headboard in Essence. My pick for this gorgeous quilted velvet fabric is 'Atlantic'. https://miss-lolo.myshopify.com/collections/headboards/products/cleveland-design-headboard-in-essence. Pair with simple natural or white linen bedding for a clean and crisp look. Complete the look with timber bedsides such as these from MAMT (https://meandmytrend.com/tables/side/1-cubed-bedside.html), Marmo Marble Table lights form Kmart (https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/marmo-marble-table-lamp/1024804) and some potted greenery from www.giveplants.co.nz for that final style flourish. And voila! You've just nailed the neutral.
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AuthorAnnick Larkin - Stylist | Content Producer | Creative Director Archives
April 2020
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