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“Interior designers are scientists and stylists are magicians,” says Inside Out’s Vanessa Colyer Tay

By Jen Bishop β€’

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Vanessa Colyer Tay, who has been style editor at Inside Out for four years, is happy so long as she’s constantly evolving and being inspired. I’ve long been a fan of her work, and while she’s not as self-publicising as some stylists, her work is well known and respected, and that says it all.

This shoot for Inside Out a few months ago was one of my favourites of all time and hey, they were bang on with the neon and pastel trend. Just take a walk around Koskela if you need any further proof!

A versatile stylist who can work to any brief, VCT has honed her skills over the years. β€œMy understanding of styling processes and development has grown, as with each project comes more experience and a greater understanding of how to deliver a bang-up job,” she says. β€œAs long as every day is a new notch on the inspiration belt, my style will continue to evolve.”

While Vanessa thinks the increased media presence of stylists and interior designers is welcome, work should still be judged on its own merit. β€œIf the two worlds (media and superbly scrumptious styling) can mesh together it can surely inspire and that’s a good thing. Loads of work goes into styling photo shoots and if a photo shoot can live longer than a month (or a magazine’s use by date), and go on to inspire more people it’s highly rewarding. I love hearing feedback from people who have been inspired by my work. To me, this is the best possible reward and in turn inspires me to be progressive.”

Stylists have a pretty high profile in Australia at the moment. Vanessa says it’s because they tend to have β€œan in-built flaunt-it mechanism,” describing interior designers as scientists and stylists as magicians.

β€œInterior design is the crux of any living area. Spatial planning and material specification decide how the interior shell of a space will sit. Styling is like the decoration on a cake, it adds personality and charm. It focuses on items that aren’t fixed, such as furniture and accessories. Ultimately if a space is designed well, it rarely needs as much styling as one that isn’t.”

Vanessa’s varied role at the popular magazine includes styling sets and homes for photography, concept development, design blogging and online content production, news and trend snippets along with sourcing merchandise and liaising with suppliers. Before Inside Out she was the senior stylist on another Australian interiors magazine and worked on a number of freelance projects.

β€œIf it’s creative, I’m in. Most of my time is committed to Inside Out but when it prevails I do dabble in other styling projects.” She’s been working on a new celebrity chef book coming out later this year. β€œIt’s absolutely delightful and on my β€˜favourite projects’ list, but for now my lips are sealed,” she says.

β€œI’m also a firm believer in sharing knowledge so that the quality of styling in Australia continues to grow and stand strong on a global level. You’ll often find me at design schools having a yarn to stylists-in-waiting or at live talks and presentations.”

Following some time out to have her daughter, Vanessa’s now successfully juggling motherhood and work, as much as a mum ever can! β€œI love working and I love my young daughter more than anything. Saying goodbye in the morning is the hardest part of any day, but I find huge reward in styling. It keeps me inspired, fresh and open to great ideas. I find some peace in knowing that my daughter reaps the reward of my inspired and excitable mind. My imagination is bigger; therefore our craft and play projects are too. I think a job that’s easy to juggle with motherhood is a myth, and styling is certainly no exception.”

So has her house become a mess of toys and all the paraphernalia that comes with children? Somehow I doubt it. To all the mums out there trying to keep their home stylish and kid-friendly she says: β€œHaving children is a fabulous excuse to indulge in colour, illustrative art and well-crafted wooden objects that are just as delightful on display as they are to play with. The biggest home style saviour for families is storage, lots of it and preferably concealed.”

Beautiful photographs like these aren’t just down to the styling. β€œThe stylist and photographer are a team who together produce one slice of pictorial history. The ability to inspire and push each other in the right direction is essential,” says Vanessa. β€œWe often shoot lots in short timeframes so using two minds in a productive manner will offer a quicker, tighter, stronger and more comprehensive photo shoot. It’s kind of like mixing two brilliant colours together to create an amazing shade of tangerine. Without the right amount of effort on each part, the result falls short.”

VCT’s a dreamer so she doesn’t see herself being a stylist forever. β€œFor now I am a stylist, and will always be one in some capacity.” And our magazines are all the better for it!

Photo credits from top to bottom

1, 2 and 3: Sam McAdam for Inside Out

4:Β Sharyn Cairns for Inside Out

5: Sharyn Cairns for Inside Out

Check out more of Vanessa’s work at her website.

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May 2, 2012

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!πŸ‘ŒπŸ» This is just one room fr Play room goals!πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarMeghan says

    May 2, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Thanks for sharing this Jen, Vanessa is definitely one of my list of favourite stylists and one i look to for constant inspiration. Her work is consistently great and perfectly detailed!

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