3
COLOUR
We all know how warm and cool
colours can change a space and
the people in it – but how do we come up
with a colour palette that suits the natural
light and the style we’re going for, and that
will still look good 10 years from now?
It all starts with the sunlight you’ve been
afforded, as natural light will amplify the
brightness of any colours you decide on.
A white room will look dazzling bathed in
sunlight – but without it, it can feel drab.
Therefore, it‘s always best to test your colour
palette in your spaces before committing
to painting a whole home.
I tend to work on the 60/30/10 rule. This
is where 60 per cent of a colour used is the
main colour, and acts as an anchor and
a backdrop for the rest of the space. Thirty
per cent of the space could be a secondary
colour – this tone needs to work harmoniously
with your main colour, but also be different
enough to have its own identity. Lastly, you
will want a 10 per cent accent colour, which
can be a pop of anything that grabs the
attention and makes a statement.
These colours don’t necessarily need
to be paint-based. Anything in the home
can make up these figures – timber floors,
vibrant artworks, bright throws or even
a sofa. They will all build a palette.
Colour combinations usually come in
monochromatic, complementary, triadic
(a group of three) or analogous schemes.
They all work to create different character
in a space, so do plenty of research before
pulling the trigger on a colour scheme.
I tend to choose a base colour first, then
identify what colour scheme I‘m after and
the rest seems to work itself out. Colour is
a very personal thing, so don’t commit to
anything you haven’t fallen in love with.4
TEXTURE
Texture is paramount in any
space. A heap of shiny, glossy
surfaces means your living room will
quickly start to look like a dental surgery.
On the other hand, you probably don’t
want your space to feel like a carpet shop
in a Turkish souk, either.
As with light and colour, it’s all about
balance and diversity. Balance the fluffy
throws with the matt stone surfaces, the
plush pillows with the oak timber grain, and
the soft tassels with the shiny brass frame.5
SHAPE & PATTERN
Having balance in your shapes brings
elements together. You wouldn’t fit
a round rug under a rectangular dining table,
for instance – it just wouldn’t sit right.
The same can also go for your decor.
A balance of round, square and triangle
shapes generates interest, but grouping
like-shaped objects can make a scene feel
cohesive and settled. It’s a similar story with
pattern. Whether it’s a paisley throw or
a chevron rug, it all needs to be balanced.
The best way to achieve all of this is by
trial and error – either on paper or a screen,
or, best of all, physically trying the elements
together in the room. As the old saying goes,
practice makes perfect!PHOTOGRAPHY: (TOP), TESS KELLY/BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU. (BOTTOM) ANSON SMART, (OPPOSITE) DEREK SWALWELL. STYLING: (BOTTOM) JONO FLEMING, (OPPOSITE) RACHEL VIGOR. DESIGN: (BOTTOM) ALLISON WILLIAMS, GREEN APPLE INTERIORS & DESIGN, GREENAPPLEID.COM.AU, (OPPOSITE) DAVINA SHINEWELL, DAVINASHINEWELL.COM. BUILD: (BOTTOM) TODD WILLIAMS BUILDING, TODDWILLIAMSBUILDING.COM.AU, (OPPOSITE) TEAM BUILDING, TEAMBUILD.NET.AU