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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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I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

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The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

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Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

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Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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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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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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