Sartorial Interiors

On today's blog I write about the strong interior design trends I saw at the recent Melbourne Trade Show.

Earthy palettes, a reinterpretation of mid-century classics and loads and loads of different textures and materials were key. There was also a lean towards hand made or hand finished items.

To be honest, when you put all those elements together, you can't help but wonder if the underlying message is a yearning for simpler, less polished homes. Imperfections and a nod or two to yesteryear imply memories of life before Instagram, being constantly on devices and virtual socialising....a time of actual authenticity and lived experiences. Blog link in bio!

It feels like the tumultuous Covid years with the inflation rollercoaster that followed along with the continuing political instabilities around the world has led to a weariness of the world and the reaction is to create warm, safe, comfortable, healthy homes to escape to.

Or maybe that's just me!!!

Anyway, head on over for a 3 minute overview on what I see as some of the strongest interior design trends for the next little while. Blog link in bio!

Isn't life a funny thing? It's all about circles in a way.

When I started my decorating journey, I was addicted to antiques and beautiful textiles. Then I got into the industry and my style horizons broadened - I was exposed to so many amazing ideas and products. I was like a kid in a lolly shop! Hyperventilating!! I started to pare back my antique collection and introduce sophisticated New York inspired pieces and colours and artworks etc.

Now 15 years later, guess what! I've circled back where I started and am trawling through Marketplace for antiques again. I'm even designing a Chinoiserie wallpaper (more on that later!!). But now I have a deeper appreciation of what resonates most with me and while I still love that New York style and can help clients achieve that look, it isn't for me.

And that's the important - and beautiful - thing about decorating. It takes time to understand what it is that resonates for you. Don't rush anything. Your home should reflect your experiences and tastes and that is layered over time. Listen to your gut reaction (it's rarely wrong!!). In my experience, if you love something at a deep and instinctive place, then you are likely to love it for many years to come!!

And it's ok if your tastes change as you learn more and see more. In this world of social media, we have soooo much thrown our way, it's easy to get caught up in others' homes and styles....just unplug and listen to your thoughts to check that things are right for you!

For those struggling with competing thoughts on your own space, this article might help.

One of my guiding principles when working with a client is tapping into their style and story. A home must reflect the owner and their life and history. It’s a joy to help someone find that and develop it.

I hope this article helps you find you!!

I Tried the “Secret Room” Rule, and It Totally Changed How I Decorate It’s so simple yet so effective.

I would love to deck a house out in Chinese style everything! I thought it would make a great AirBnB....you know, that point of difference etc. It'd be a great project and a good challenge as you'd need to have the bathrooms and kitchen contemporary yet still work within the scheme. I'd do a bedroom along these lines. What do you think? Would you stay in something like this?

Ever considered adding a bold wallpaper to your bathroom? It's one of the few things you can do that adds huge impact but isn't actually that permanent (like the tiles are!!). So, go with traditional styles for the tapware, tiles, lighting and mirrors and then choose a wallpaper that has stacks of character!

Pro tip - get the waterproof wallpaper to deal with the steam so much better!

Happy Friday folks!

Wishing you a safe and Happy Easter! May your day be filled with love, peace and chocolate!!

Do you know what the top 3 concerns people have about choosing a coloured kitchen?
1) what if I want to change it down the track - is it easy and or expensive to do so?
2) what if I want to sell my house - will a colour turn off potential purchasers?
3) what if the colour I loved turned out to be a trend that will look dated in only a few years?

These questions often end up putting doubt in a client's mind and they default back to safe colours (often that's white).

But there's an easy solution!

You just hand paint the finish (rather than have if polyurethaned) which can be touched up if there are any chips over time AND if you want to change up the colour, it's very straightforward to do. There are a couple of options here: DIY or get it professionally down. If you do decide to do it yourself, please invest time into talking to your paint supplier for the best product to use AND watch loads of Youtube videos on how to do it. There is a bit of an art to get this right, so defintely don't just wing it!

I would recommend keeping the benchtops, sink and door profiles fairly classic so that these won't date. Tapware, light fittings and other accessories are relatively easy to swap out.

Bam! Problem solved! So now we can get out the colour fan decks, right?

Modern classic or modern traditional design is all about using classic elements in a contemporary way. Mixing a little old with a little new. Ultimately you want the result to be elegant and sophisticated and of our time but you also want it to stand the test of time too.

There are many ways to skin this cat (as they say) but for it to really sing, there are a lot of things you need to address and keep balanced. It like a beautiful riddle that you can't stop thinking about until you solve it!

If you love this style then you're in the right place. Like and follow for more!

Unique baths - like this gold beauty - can provide such a beautiful focal point for a bathroom. Think of framing it with wall sconces, perhaps even an artwork and gorgeous taps and viola! A space that packs some serious visual punch that is also functional and timeless!

Anyone else going through a Chinoiserie phase? I think mine may be both chronic and permanent.

Designing master bedrooms is one of my favourite projects. Custom wallpaper and window treatments and rugs, beautiful light fittings and gorgeous furniture selection - it's magical and such a privilege to do!

New to the blog : 11 AMAZING flooring ideas for your home reno project!

For the whole list, head over to the blog! Link in bio!

A beautiful flatlay for a luxury home in a navy palette. Great flatlays include a range of materials you would like to use throughout the house such as benchtops, curtains, hardware, flooring and tiles.

Don't be afraid to experiment at this stage of your journey. Now is the time to push your boundaries from always playing 'safe'. Afterall, that is usually when the magic happens!

If you need help with choosing your finishes for your new build or reno, we are here to help!

Belated Happy St Patrick's Day to you all! A little green dining room inspo to celebrate!

I come from Irish convict stock, but it's amazing how the connection to Ireland in our psyche remains so strong! Our surname is Flannery. My home was called "Tralee". My Dad's favourite whiskey was Irish. We love Irish music and literature. Our sense of humour is (I believe) still quite Irish!! I was brought up in a strict Catholic family. My great grandmother wouldn't let any of the family wear black and tan because that was the colour of the Royal Irish Constabulary who ruthlessly suppressed the Irish in the 1920s.

So even after several generations and almost 200 years, we still identify with those early Irish roots! Amazing.

Anyway, I hope you're having a great Sunday and may your week be kind to you!

Til tomorrow,

Mx

My dream office.......loads of natural light, house in the country, flowers.....

This makes me think of that quote from the movie, "The Castle" , "feel the serenity"!!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Currently on construction for a client's wine cellar (smaller than this one, but just as earthy!). Having a cellar under the house is great for wine because you have a more consistent and cooler temperature.

There's actually quite a lot involved but I've been loving every minute and one of my fave elements will be a rope handrail along the sandstone walls!

Actually it's also been quite funny as all the trades are really into this project.....I think it's the whole man cave dream.....I have a feeling when it's complete we may be having an official opening so all the guys can gather and talk blokey stuff like car oil and football results and maybe fishing....I don't know what they talk about. Maybe they get all philosophical about where the world is heading while they swirl cognac and smoke ci**rs. I suspect whatever it is will remain secret men's' business and that's quite ok with me.

Powder rooms can be such a great opportunity for something a little braver! Like bold wallpaper and beautiful lights and mirror. Keep the permanent things like benchtops and tapware timeless because they're the expensive things to change while wallpaper and a mirror can be swapped out more easily.

Pro tip - don't forget artwork, flowers and some storage for the less attractive but essential items like spare loo paper and airfreshener ;-)

Teal and navy are a beautiful and timeless combination for almost any room in the house.

Mix up your textures and add in metallics and glass for a sophisticated and visually interesting result.


Don't forget about pattern and the importance of finishing details such as bullion or upholstery trim!

Freebie time!

I'm often asked how a mood board for an interior design project should be created and what do you add an deven what is its purpose. So, I thought I would create an easy to use template to get you started.

Just click on the link and off you go!

https://bit.ly/3TewGGu

Email marketing and digital tools that bring your brand to life Beginners and experts use Flodesk to grow their business. Design emails and forms that look great on any device. Try it free.

Serene and welcoming vibes for this gorgeous dining room. The perfect modern traditional design which will stand the test of time and as the joinery was hand painted, it can fairly easily be changed if the owner ever tired of the green (but how could you ever tire of this shade - so delicious!).

Should you import your own light fittings? AI question that has popped up many, many times over the years.

I have NEVER taken the plunge because of these 5 reasons (read the blog!)

Linkin bio

I'm busting for the opportunity to do a kitchen reno for a client along these lines: bold yet timeless, brass and blue, classic silhouettes.

We're passionate about kitchen design and I've teamed up with one of Sydney's best joiners to transform my concepts and designs into beautiful reality. I It's been a match made in heaven and we've done dozens of fabulous projects together leaving a wake of ecstatic clients behind us!! Ok, perhaps that was a bit poetic, but not much ;-)

Pink is such a calming colour.....particularly this shade of dusty pink. It's a great colour for a bedroom and no(!) it isn't necessarily too girlie (it comes down to furniture selection and styling). If you team it with a dreamy wallpaper or mural, ivory curtains and classic furniture, and you can create a timeless, inviting, swoon-worthy space!

I'm planning a mini makeover of some stairs. I want to do a runner and I REALLY want to do brass (or black....the jury's still out) runner rails. They just finish it off beautifully, don't you agree??

Layout Mastery: We get a high out of space optimisation! Small tweaks for big impact in every room. Storage, lighting, materiality (as they say!!) are key to fabulous results

Is anyone else sick of the heat and humidity here in Sydney? OMG....I am DREAMING of cooler days and getting the fireplaces going! Here's my inspo to hang onto LOL!

On a more relevant note, has anyone painted a room a dark colour? Don't be afraid to do so! It can make a space so much more atmospheric, and it can make your items really pop such as the red sofa here and the gold shelves. Also, I am here with hand on heart to pinky promise that it does NOT make a space feel small....especially if you keep the ceilings white! I have tried and tested this enough times to know it works!

Would you be brave enough to paint a room dark?

💔

Iris Barrel Apfel
August 29, 1921 - March 1, 2024

On the blog today: The Significance of Mood Boards in Design

I know we designers tend to bang on about them, but they really really are sooo helpful as a visual tool to show how and why items and materials for a project will work. They're not difficult to do and in the blog I break down the simple steps to do your own!

As usual Link in bio to my blog page ;-)

A series of pastel rainbow rooms to celebrate Mardi Gras in Sydney tonight! Inspiration can come from anywhere and why not celebrate it when it does, right? Love can inspire big things like life choices but also what colour to paint our rooms. And if it's authentic, I say go for it (on either front!).

Personally, I love pops of pastel in any room - especially when you add flashes of bold contrasting accent colours eg powder blue with fuschia pink! I call it the "Sugar & spice" approach to palette! This reminds me, I need to write a blog about that!

Anyway, back to tonight......Have fun and stay safe! I'll be watching the ABC's coverage and seeing what's happening on the Gram!

What is it about blue? Powder blue, royal blue, navy....they're all so beautiful and so classic. Would you be brave enough to do your kitchen with pops of this colour?

A functional, beautiful kitchen is our #1 goal for our clients every time!

We love working on layout, working out where everything will go, the palette, materials, and fixtures so that it is PERFECTLY tailored for our clients. We tend to avoid what's 'on trend' because we don't want the space to date. Timeless classic elements will always be the direction we'll head.

As mums and business owners, my team and I totally 'get' the demands of growing families including the need to maximise space and flexibility. We also enjoy hosting friends and family, so know that a successful kitchen can tick all of these boxes!

So, if you're considering a kitchen reno, you know where to reach us ;-) (hint link in bio)