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Design Tips
Use our tips at your discretion, as they are intended as a guide only, talk to us about your project if you need further help.
COLOUR
'In visual perception a colour is almost never seen as it really is.... as it physically is. This fact makes colour the most relative medium in art.
- Joseph Albers, 'The Interaction of Colour.'
- If you are aiming for a cool minimalist feel, let a single white or neutral colour pervade the scheme, or use a variety of different neutrals. This is a good scheme to accentuate architectural detail.
- If you would rather draw attention to the contents of the room rather than the room itself, lessen the contrast between wall area, doors and trim.
- Colour behaves quite differently under different light, both natural and the various types of artificial lighting. When choosing a colour scheme, ensure that the lighting is not detrimental to the colour.
- Use colour to make your room feel larger, smaller, taller, shorter or wider. A cool light colour, especially as a broken colour effect, makes a room feel larger and airier. Warm colours that are dark and matte, tend to come nearer, giving a cosy feel.
DEVELOPING A STYLE
It has been said that decorating a room from scratch is more like being and artist than a decorator, here are some tips to begin the process.
- Style is determined by the people who use an area and what they use the space for, after that the sky is the limit.
- True style is less about the rigid adherence to a specific look and more about the individuals who live in the space.
- Utilising items that have come through the family can be fun. They add a personal history that is more meaningful which new objects cannot provide.
- Keeping a notebook of images and colours that appeal can be very useful, both to you and your designer. Include anything at all, such as simple items that might have a colour you like, images of paintings, natural objects, as well as interior ideas and colours.
- A starting point for your personal style can sometimes be found in items that you already own and particularly love.
- A well developed concept and plan, including mood boards, floorplans and elevations, will save a lot of time and money when done before the project begins.
TYPES OF THEMES
Themes can be great, and can lend a feeling of romance or a holiday feel that is soothing. Here is a list of some of the stylistic looks and the ambience that they create.
- Moroccan -Exotic, romantic and a feeling of splendour. Colours tend to be the jewel tones, brick red, lapis, various shades of ochre and terracotta, gold and umber.
- Mediterranean- Sunny, happy, a holiday feel. Blue and white can evoke the Mediterranean but this look can also utilize various sunshine colours from terracotta's to bright yellows and fiery, lively pinks purples, greens and golds.
- Classical Asian- Opulent, rich and decadent. Red, highly lacquered black, matte umber and wood tones, gold and jade green. Restful white as a contrast, with a lot of variety in natural texture.
- Contemporary Asian- Modern, chic, cool and minimal. A beautiful serene ambience to live in, natural tones with subtle shades of stone and dark wood. Grey green and red as accents.
- East European- Contemporary, romantic and decadent. Fun to work with as you can often use contrasting looks, textures and objects to great effect. Old paint, faded gold, glass and plastic.
- West European Period- Classical, traditional, regal or country. Heritage shades, antiques or rustic furniture, rich fabrics.
- Pacific Rim - Fun, modern, relaxed, cheerful and locally relevant. Natural colours that remind of the surrounding landscape. Texture and sometimes fun, quirky kiwiana, local art or objects from around the pacific rim.
 USING PAINT EFFECTS
The transforming potential of paint does not end with colour and sheen, paint effects open a whole new range of possibilities that have a variety of uses in the modern interior, here are some of the ways that special effects can be used.
- Ideal for an area that needs to be richer and uplifted from the rest of the house, such as dining room, or entranceway.
- Good for disguising or playing down architectural flaws in a room.
- An easy way to add a feeling of softness and opulence.
- A way of introducing several colours interplaying on the walls, which can be useful when harmonising a complicated existing colour scheme.
- Often used in the Mediterranean, rustic and period interiors or rooms as many of the techniques are specifically for these styles.
USING TROMPE L'OEIL AND MURALS
Using artwork as an interior element is often very personal and one of the most exciting processes in developing a memorable interior.
- Used in areas that can benefit from a dynamic interesting feature, often this is an entrance or dining area where the work can create the most impact and provide the maximum enjoyment.
- Stark exterior entertainment areas benefit from a mural to add focus and create interest. A resort feel, a feeling of serenity, or an exotic holiday atmosphere, can be obtained by including a wall painting into the design.
- Enclosed internal pool areas, are also often under-utilised when the area feels closed in or stifling. One of the ways of correcting this feeling is with a well designed trompe l'oeil.
- Many new homes have areas specifically designed to integrate a unique feature, such as a fresco, ceiling alcoves above dining or entrance areas, in addition to specially placed feature walls.
- Perfect to establish a style in a room, which could be a child's room theme, or an overall look for the entire home.
USING A DESIGNER.
Making good use of a designer is for most people, a fun and rewarding experience, but sometimes hiring the designer can be daunting. Here are some of the things a good designer can do for you.
- A well thought out, well researched design, with samples and a mood board, is the best point from which to start a project.
- The designer can usually be involved in all or only part of the project, but the more that you can work with a professional the better is the result you can expect.
- Listening to non-professional advice can sometimes lead to costly mistakes.
- A designer should be able to provide access to a broader range of bargains, exclusive items, and unique and interesting ideas than you yourself could not otherwise have.
- The best design is when the client feels that their ultimate dream has been realized, the designer should work with your tastes, ideas and existing objects, as well as providing exciting new choices and alternatives.
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