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Little home touches to make your space next level

April 28, 2020 4 Comments

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Today’s blog post is all about showing you how it’s the little touches that can take your home to the next level and how sometimes you may need a bit of expert help to really breathe life into your space and make it all work together. Cohesion, commonly called “flow” can be an elusive thing when decorating.

Interior designer Sarah Yarrow added cohesion, warmth and personality to this home and she shares her tricks

Interior designer Sarah Yarrow illustrates this beautifully in this short video about what she did with a recent client’s home for their young family.

Sarah has kindly walked us through what she did and how you could do the same in your home…

The design brief for this home was largely, to make the spaces feel cohesive and inviting. Before the update, the home lacked any sort of specific style; there were no distinguishing features or key focal points to draw the eye around each room. The spaces looked okay, as in, there were no glaring acts of design faux pas, it was more that it lacked warmth, personality and the scale of many existing furniture pieces and accessories were all wrong.

My first step was to really nut out the desired aesthetics the clients were after (contemporary coastal), then it was all about sticking to that style and constantly referring back to the agreed concept before making each selection.

The final result really answered the brief in terms of ensuring cohesion and flow throughout the spaces. I did this by keeping the colour base quite neutral with cool whites then added warmth using dusty โ€œdirtyโ€ pinks, warm greys and olive into the palette.

I added interest by creating a focal point in each space so there was something to anchor and draw the eye into. For example, the black pendant light in the kitchen catches your eye in the tall ceiling and then naturally guides you down to the hardwood timber shelves which are lovingly stocked with soulful treasures and practical wares.

AFTER kitchen
Kitchen shelf details
BEFORE kitchen

The tiny study, once a nothing sort of area, now has a fun but very simple wallpaper which completely changes the feeling. Cladding the fireplace horizontally in VJ boards counterbalanced the dominating scale and really added some comfort to the previously bland facade.

AFTER study
BEFORE study

Repeating these principles throughout the whole home helped me connect each space and ensure there was an overall flow throughout.

Itโ€™s the little touches which give the home its character and personality though. Given the ceilings were very high at over three metres and the base colour palette of wall paint and kitchen finishes were all cool whites, it was imperative to add lots of texture to help ground and deliver warmth.

Furnishings full of cool colours, with no pattern or texture would have left the home feeling cold and cavernous. Instead, I added sheer curtains to soften the large wall of glass, incorporated wool textured rugs and throws, patterned cushions and of course, the personalised accessories, were ways I was able to achieve the desired feeling.

AFTER Sheer curtains and textured homewares soften the room and the glass

My clients love to travel so many of the chosen accessories reflected that passion: books, collected vintage wares and family photos. While I started the โ€˜storyโ€™ for them in terms of the accessories, I was also conscious of leaving empty spaces for them to fill out the shelves with more special collected pieces as time goes on. That way, it becomes an ever-evolving memory display of their lives together as a family. Thatโ€™s what a home should be in my opinion!

AFTER dining
BEFORE dining

At the end of the day, my goal is always to leave my clients with a home thatโ€™s entirely reflective of them, not whatโ€™s in the showroom or the magazine or what the Joneses have up the road. Take inspiration from those sources of course, but the only way to truly have a home with soul and style, is by being YOU! Be true to that and follow those key design techniques, and youโ€™ll end up with a truly cohesive home that makes you feel good.

For more on Sarah

Nineties holiday apartment gets a fresh makeover

After photos: Jacqui Turk

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

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Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

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It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

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Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

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Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

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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 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarKarina von Byern says

    May 1, 2020 at 5:37 am

    Hello Jen,
    Where can I get the fern wallpaper shown in the study? Itโ€™s so simple & refreshing, Iโ€™d like it for my bathroom. Thanks!

    Karina

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 1, 2020 at 11:51 am

      Hi Karina, it’s from Murals Wallpaper online ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. AvatarKristyJones says

    May 3, 2020 at 1:58 am

    I like that black pendant light in the kitchen. It is indeed catchy and stylish. Where can I find it Jen? I would like to include it on my next project.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      There’s a link to Sarah’s website at the end Kristy, I’m sure she’ll help if you drop her a Line ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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