The weather is getting warmer, and finally we’re starting to see some much-missed COLOUR blooming around us here in Melbourne, as we say goodbye to the grey, winter landscape.
In celebration of all things springtime (and inspired, in part, by this morning’s spectacularly colourful Sydney home!) we bring you a roundup of the most vibrant colour schemes from our homes archive.
The Eltham home of John Henry and Deb Ganderton features Verner Panton coloured chairs and a Robert Venturi Chippendale chair, with Peter Wright polka dot artwork. Photo – Sean Fennessy for The Design Files.
Introducing colour at home doesn’t necessarily mean painting walls and surfaces. A white-on-white scheme is the perfect backdrop for pops of primary colour – seen here in the Eltham home of John Henry and Deb Ganderton, whose colourful Verner Panton chairs and a kaleidoscopic collection of artwork transform this bright, white space.
P.S. I once promised myself I would never used the expression ‘pops of colour’…! Consider this the first and last time.
Colour can be introduced on any surface – why not try the floor!?
A bright, eye-catching flooring choice can be the perfect treatment in mid century homes, such as Matt and Carly Skinner’s incredible home in Beaumaris, which features Supertuft’s Escape Velour carpet in ‘Abby’. Carpet is making a comeback!
Louise and Martin McIntosh’s home in Melbourne’s North-Eastern suburbs. The timber-lined ceiling is original, the homeowners added grasscloth wallpaper to the walls, and cushions by Swedish designer Stig Lindberg. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The study in Madeleine and Jeremy Grummet’s North Caufield family home. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Contrary to what reality TV would have you believe, a great interior shouldn’t be completed in a week – banish ‘The Block’ mentality! For an eclectic and authentic feel, beautiful rooms need to be layered and added to over time. This incremental approach frees you up to save for items you REALLY love (buy well, buy once!), and gives you time to develop confidence in your decorating choices.
Even a room with white walls can be given an extraordinary lift when layered with colourful objects and soft furnishings. Fill your bookshelves with colourful books and objects you love, and introduce a bold floor rug or soft furnishings in an accent colour.
YES, painting a room requires a little effort, but it’s also one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your interiors a major update, without the need for professional help.
If you lack confidence with bright colours, try a mid or charcoal grey – still ‘neutral’, but with a little added oomph!
We also love shades of deep blue and teal in bedrooms and bathrooms, as seen in the homes of interior designers Amanda Henderson Marks and Lauren Li. After all, as Lauren says, ‘Why not splash around some colour, it feels good and makes me happy!’
Annie Price and Jamie Paterson’s mid century home in Beaumaris. Vintage Dutch wallpaper from Etsy, fibre optic lamp from garage sale, print and cushions from an op shop, curtains and small teak table from eBay, and Modular chairs from Charles’ Chairs. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Annie Price and Jamie Paterson’s mid century home in Beaumaris. Vintage Wallpaper from The Bitch is Back in St Kilda, Divan couch by Anderson Furniture Australia (Designer: Gerard Dubey) upholstered in vintage fabrics. Cushions made by Annie from Jamie’s Nan’s old curtains, and actual curtains from eBay. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The Sydney residence of Karen Julian, her husband Bruce, and their two grown-up daughters, Holly and Megan, features an incredible array of vintage wallpapers. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The Sydney residence of Karen Julian, her husband Bruce, and their two grown-up daughters, Holly and Megan. Study nook vintage wallpaper found on eBay, vintage pendant light from eBay, ornaments found at Vinnies, and shelving made by Bruce. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
If there’s one thing more anxiety-inducing that choosing a bold paint treatment, it’s installing wallpaper. Terrifying stuff. Understandably, since wallpaper can be a significant investment, and requires an expert to install. (DON’T even think about doing it DIY!)
The right wallpaper, though, can completely transform a room. We loveAnnie Price and Jamie Paterson’s mid century home in Beaumaris, and The Sydney residence of Karen and Bruce Julian, which both feature an incredible array of vintage wallpapers.
Try Flashback Fabric for a brilliant range of retro-inspired options.
In case you missed it in our house tour this morning: inside the Potts Point home of interior decorator Chrissie Jeffery. The master bedroom includes, bedhead in ‘Maggie Linen’ in ‘fig’ with ‘Mrs Munro’ hand-block printed linen on bed, and velvet cushions from Designers Guild. Photo – Nikki To, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The bold and beautiful home of Kip & Co co-founder Kate Heppell, her partner Mal Heppell (of DMS Landscapes). Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The bedroom is the most personal of spaces, rarely seen by anyone other than close family. So, if you can’t go BOLD with your decorating choices here, where can you!?
Moody greys and blues are always a popular choice for sleeping quarters, but it’s also worth experimenting with brighter hues!
We love the feminine palette in the home of interior decorator Chrissie Jeffery, and the unexpected orange in Kate and Mal Heppell’s sunny master bedroom!
The North Fitzroy home of Kylie Zerbst (of Obus) and partner Simon Murray. Artwork by Kirra Jamison. Photo – Annette O’Brien, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
My number-one tip for introducing colour at home, particularly if you don’t have the time/money/confidence to tackle a big paint job, is to start with one internal door – so easy!
Just twi litres of paint and an afternoon is all you need!
Madeleine and Jeremy Grummet’s North Caufield family home. Artwork titled ‘Homecoming’ by Luisa Rossitto , op shop Parker chair covered in Warwick ‘Pantone’ fabric, and coloured glass, which has been passed down from family members, bought from op shops, on overseas travels, and from talented local designers. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Inside the home of Madeleine and Jeremy Grummet. The colourful TV/family room features blue Ottoman from Kasbah Imports, hot pink cushion from Curio+Curio, vintage ceramic racing car made by 13 year old Harriet Grummet. The Red/pink vessels on shelving are by Madeleine’s friend Emma Davies, and the orange acrylic bird by Madeleine’s other friend Madeleine Stamer. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
A love of colour usually starts with ‘stuff’. The stuff that catches your eye: bedlinen, cushions, tableware and trinkets… things you buy without much thought for where they will go or how they will be displayed. But, as a collection grows, you often start to see common themes emerge.
Display much loved objects en masse, grouped by material or colour. We’re in awe of the coloured glass collection in the North Caufield home of Madeleine Grummet.
