Image reference: Bohemian Modern by Emily Henson

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Pairing back to a monochromatic palette brings a contemporary take to this look.

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Keep true to the bolder colour palette

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The materials that make the Tribal Touch look possible are rustic timbers, hand woven baskets used for both storage and wall features, batik and block printed fabrics, Pottery, feather detailing and stone ware. To achieve the look, check out our  tribal style guide.

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Cerused dressed timber dates back to the 15th Century, a skill that enriches the grain details in porous timbers, most commonly oaks. The style is predominantly created by using a pigmented grain filler to accent the pores of a timber or applying a pigmented wash.

Cerused dressing can be achieved with white pigments in oil or other clear bases against dark surfaces. You can also tint your pore filler paste with white to achieve this look and to mask unwanted tones.

A modern take on the material trend is adding a rich colour to the white medium to produce colour infused pieces. The key areas we are seeing this revival is in flooring, cabinetry and doors. However there are no rules to where and how to use this technique but here are some trend timbers that have taken us aback with their beauty. 

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The cerused detailing on the door heightens this highly textured and pattern focused space. In lighter tones it creates a marble effect and a charming subtle, touch to bright and neutral surfaces. 

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Darker and cooler tones in trend woods showcase the beauty and versatility of using coursed  dressed timber. Commonly used in contemporary and luxe styles, the neutral and cooling hues are easily paired with bright colour, metallics and slate greys. 

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The ceruse style in darker tones is a real statement piece and can match any style from Art-Deco, rustic and contemporary. Matching perfectly with bold patterns and bright colours, it adds a whimsical appeal to any space.

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The more traditional light tones in dressed timber are used in coastal style furniture, commonly known as ‘white-washed’. A beautiful way to up-cycle furniture is to add this decorative technique to hide imperfections and unwanted colourings as it breathes new life into pre-loved wooden surfaces.

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Try to incorporate trend timbers in unconventional spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens. By applying the cerused technique to wood, it removes the orange stained hue from conventional cabinetry and bench surfaces and adds a modern touch. 

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If you’re looking for the perfect rug to match your floor, check our our guide on how to style rugs. 

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Japandi interior design orgins

Scandinavian interior design (Scandi) has been developed on the principles of simplicity, minimalism and functionality. It continues to be popular in Australia, aligning with our relaxed lifestyle, connection to nature and beautiful, diverse landscape. The main characteristics of Scandinavian interiors include clean lines and the use of natural materials such as oak, leather and hemp.

Japandi is a new trend that is taking the interior design world by storm. It draws on the Japanese ‘wabi-sabi’ principle of finding beauty in the imperfect and incomplete, and it blends perfectly with the simplicity of Scandinavian design.

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1. Colour

To achieve a Scandinavian look, focus on featuring a muted, neutral colour palette throughout your home. White is commonly used on the walls to make a room appear bright and spacious. Inject life into your room and make your home reflect your personality by incorporating accent pieces. Try rugs, cushions and artworks in muted colours, such as pastel pink and grey.

To create a Japandi feel, incorporate accent colours with a cool undertone, such as green and navy. Dramatic contrast (a key element of Asian design) can also be created by using a black frame for your artworks or photographs. Next, hang them above the light oak furniture pieces.

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2. Texture

Scandinavian inspired interiors usually have light coloured wooden flooring as opposed to carpet, as wood is closer to nature. Pine, beech and ash wood are the most common, with light stain finishes, to preserve a feeling of spaciousness.

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3. Simple contrast

Ornate and excessive details in furniture are not common in Scandinavian interior design. The style favours clean lined, modern and solid pieces. In the new Japandi style, statement furniture in dark tones such as charcoal, black or dark oak stained tones are used with light Scandinavian furniture. To achieve this look in your home, you could use a light oak dining table with black wooden dining chairs. This creates the dramatic contrast that is the hallmark of the Japandi style.

Introducing simple contrast between key furniture pieces maintains simplicity, while still expressing your personal design style.

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To create visual interest and rhythm, layer different muted natural textures such as a small rectangle hemp cushion with a square, pale pink cushion. To add an eclectic Japandi feel, find a unique statement piece. We love an asymmetric plant or sculpture that embraces the idea of ‘beauty in the imperfect’. By using greenery and plants, the connection to nature is reinforced.

These tips will help you to create the basis of your Japandi interior design. Express your own style and personality throughout your home interior by adding your own unique, personal touches to the ever-popular Scandi look.

The post Interior Design Trends of 2017 – Japanese and Scandi = Japandi appeared first on Designbx.

Brave, innovative and stylised creations are Designbx’s passion, and today we highlight some stunning projects by top designers worthy of the applause of our design community. Charged with personality, these bold plans have become beautiful realities, thanks to some of Australia’s standout talents.

Poppy Lane and Scott Gibson, Eltham Victoria – Photos by Annette O’Brien

As designers of their own range of indoor and outdoor furniture and homewares, under the Pop and Scott Workshop Cooperative , it’s no surprise that when Poppy Lane and Scott Gibson created interior designs for their own home in Eltham, Victoria, the result was bound to turn heads.

Showcasing pieces ‘rich with life, colour and texture, yet simple and timeless’, a warm and eclectic interior is created with textile styling, the strategic layering of rugs, linens, patchworks and a side of pom poms. In The Design Files, Poppy says, ‘only use furniture and objects that you love,’ as this allows the home to be warm and welcoming.

Anna Spiro, Stradbroke Island –Photos by Jared Fowler

Anna Spiro collaborates with her brother Sam Spiro on Anna Spiro Textiles, which was born from a passion of textiles, patterns and colour. This is evident throughout her Stradbroke Island home, not far from Brisbane, which features some beautiful examples of her exclusive range, handmade using fine Belgian linen.

Sleek white walls complemented by crisp, colourful home decorations make the space feel fresh, yet modern. It’s a perfect combination of her island environment and the stunning items created by her textile design business.

Jeff Swinyard and Kimberley Tan, Perth – Photos by Jody Darcy

Jeff and Kimberley run Studio Atelier, a Perth interior design business that brings architecture and interiors together to achieve the visions of clients. Their practice provides conceptual home design and development, perfectly illustrated in the duo’s transformation of a dilapidated Victorian terrace.

Creating a vintage yet modern space through the use of Victorian furniture, and artworks found in local thrift shops, Studio Atelier complemented the design with a mix of timber and iron furnishings, and modern trimmings to the decor. This pays homage to the historical aspect of the house while creating a modern home.

Pop and Scott Workshop Cooperative, Anna Spiro Textiles, and Studio Atelier’s refreshing creations show the depth of talent in Australian interior design. The boldness of vision and varied styles display the diverse aesthetics we love here at Designbx where we encourage our community of specialists to design with passion.

The post Interior decorating gems – top Australian designers leading by example appeared first on Designbx.

While we all recognise how important interior design is when communicating our sense of style and expressing our personality, the choice and placement of wall art is possibly the most personal statement we can make. Visitors are magnetically drawn to these windows to our past and interpretations of our world.

But wall art isn’t just a matter of placing an aesthetically appealing item on each surface. In 2016 we’re going far beyond the basics to create beautiful feature walls with starkly different elements. In this handy guide, Designbx experts show you the tricks of the trade and ensure your wall art enhances your interior design.

Complimenting your space

Art is subjective and personal, which means your choices are bound to make a statement, but make sure that statement doesn’t argue with your space’s style. You don’t have to be too strict, but when a canvas catches your eye, ensure you imagine the design of your room. An elaborate splash of colour could enhance your Boho living room but completely contradict the feel of your Industrial home office. Create a happy marriage between your wall art and style.

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Canvas

Think big with canvas! This is a great way to make broad, sweeping statements using colours and shapes that compliment your décor. Use large blocks of colour and abstract shapes to highlight your existing palette. Rather than a focal point that draws the eye with detail, this technique is more of an integral part of your interior design, like another layer of your expression. If you really want to take this approach to extremes, consider literally using materials from furnishings, covers, curtains or rugs and getting a professional to stretch the materials, ready to mount on your walls and create an undeniable wow factor.

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Prints

It may be a little beyond our budget to add an original Monet to our Modern Eclectic dining room or priceless watercolour to our Scandi sitting room, so prints are a popular and well accepted way to add a true artistic flavour to our spaces. In stark contrast to the bold use of canvas and materials, a deft touch and apt choice of print can create a more eye-catching statement while still seamlessly adding to your design choice. Even when the art is well known, and obviously not an original (most of us don’t have a spare $151 million for a Pollack or Picasso) our love of art still makes a huge statement about our personality.

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Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the big game changers in modern interior design, reaching far beyond their practical use to become art. Never underestimate the power of a mirror. It brightens a room by reflecting natural light and adds the illusion of extra dimensions, opening up the space. Often being more cost effective than artwork, you can go oversized without breaking the budget. Mirrors now come in varied shapes and coloured glass so they become interesting pieces of puzzles that join to make artworks of a new kind.

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Vintage posters

There was a time when most posters were originals, and nearly as hard to come by as original paintings. Thanks to the convenience of the interweb, you can reproduce some of the most exhilarating images designed throughout history, and in large formats that are bound to dazzle your visitors. Best of all, iconic posters express our personal loves, from film noir and classic concerts to exotic locations and retro advertisements.

Wood carvings and hanging textiles

It’s not always about colours and shapes. Texture is just as powerful as the more obvious visual elements, especially when you’ve chosen interior design styles that rely heavily on layering of textiles, providing a feel rather than a look. Wood carvings and hangings are great solutions for homes that want less colour and punch but are after warmth. Boho and Scandi lovers are often drawn to these options.

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Neon signs

This is definitely a growing trend in interior design, and can include the humble retro sign (unfortunately not so humble in price), or custom-made signs that fit perfectly with your style and colour scheme. Be on the lookout at garage sales or invest in a piece by a recognised artist in the neon sign world, like Tracey Emin. Remember to carefully consider the relationship between the neon sign (often a central feature) and surrounding artwork.

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Colouring in

Give your wonderfully subdued palette a voice and personality by matching the tone of your room with artworks that harness your well-applied mood. Using deep blues and velvet? Match that sultry and refined look by choosing similarly moody artworks that enhance the atmosphere.

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Eclectic

Some of the most effective wall treatments are elaborately constructed, using varied styles and sizes. Think of the New York style loft with one wall absolutely teeming with starkly differing images, from photos to original paintings, creating a vibrant atmosphere and somehow drawing cohesion from mayhem. It’s a lot of fun to create a busier feature wall, and an individual, couple or family’s entire life can be expressed by breaking all the rules and combining any type of mounted art. In most cases it can all work in unison; it’s a matter of finding the right layout and order.

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Whether you opt for a subtle approach or create walls that are just as creative as the works mounted on them, there have never been so many techniques and so few rules. As long as you compliment your interior design style, the many materials we’ve featured show how much variety now exists for homeowners who are looking to go one step further to express themselves and reveal their personal aesthetic.

Designbx  |  “The wall as a canvas- how to make your feature walls a work of art”  | designbx.com

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