Australian House & Garden – September 2019

H G DECORATING

42 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Ask an expert

SHELF

LIFE

Well-styled shelving adds character and

interest to your home, writes Kate Nixon.

T

he ultimate ‘shelfie’ is a chic juxtaposition of old and new,

form and function, style and wit captured in an arrangement

of perfectly positioned pieces. The best approach is to clear

the decks, lay everything out and begin with your favourite pieces.

Work within a consistent palette to layer objects in varying scales

and finishes, with vertically and horizontally stacked books. Make

it personal – collected objects from your life and travels add

authenticity and become conversation starters that thoughtfully

reflect the best of those who live within the home. #

Send decor questions (with name and address) to H&G Advice, PO Box

4088, Sydney, NSW 1028 or email [email protected].

OR TRY THESE...

Contents International Design Regency-style boxes, bowls

and art; contentsid.com. Orient House Enormous selection

of artefacts from China, Africa, south-east Asia and India;

orienthouse.com.au. LuMu Interiors Stylish, tribal edit

of monochrome accessories, candles, sculptures, even

crystal clusters; lumuinteriors.com.

FROMLEFTConchiglieceramic bowl by Rina Menardi

(42x36cm),$450,Fanuli; fanuli.com.au. Smoke glass bowl in

Grey (25x16cm), $125, BoConcept; boconcept.com.au. Horse

Bit With a Twist ornament in Antique Brass (27x24cm), $55,

Domo; domo.com.au. Botanical ceramic and rattan jar in

Navy (51x42cm), $379, Domayne; domayneonline.com.au.

Fresh ideas & easy updates

✚ Vary materials, textures and scale within a consistent palette.

✚ Utilise practical items for display – think vases, jugs, trays,

baskets, even folders and boxes.

✚ Add texture and interest inside the bookcase with timber

panelling, wallpaper or a contrast paint.

✚ Group books by colour and size to inject a lovely hit of

colour or a welcome block of neutral. When stacking,

books with thicker spines are better than thin ones.

Glass doors give you the look of open shelves

without the hassle of dusting.

Photography by Maree Homer.

BEST

BUY

$125

On the level