Padstow 
Professional interior design doesn’t always have to equal expensive interior design. We’ll let you in on a secret: homewares experts appreciate a good budget find to complete a room as much as the rest of us.
In fact, when they’re prepping a house for sale, many home stagers like to hit up everything from Kmart to the local op shop for their finishing touches.
The trick is knowing which low-cost items look the part. We asked three experts to share their favourite picks for 2019. So here’s how Gabrielle Muir of Finer Home Staging, Jase Campbell, interior designer for Coco Republic, and Paula Grant of Copper & Pink pull a space together.
“The point in which an interior really comes to life is after the major pieces have been purchased and installed and it comes to that final layer of styling and accessories,” says Campbell. “It’s not just the room’s jewellery, but a chance to apply your own personality.
“Despite this final layer stating the mood and direction, it need not cost a lot of money.”
It’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but when it comes to creating cohesion, art of any kind is better than a blank space (sorry Taylor Swift).
Watch the scale – big is better in most cases, says Grant. “Artwork adds personality and finishes a space. It also looks great in real estate photographs because large bare walls in living areas can seem cold.”
If your budget for wall hangings is slim to none, adding art can be as simple as printing out a group of personal photos. Add a thin white border to create a polaroid effect, and print them matte, not glossy. If you like a minimalist vibe, make them all black and white.
“I am always on the hunt for new wall art and it’s definitely an important aspect for me when it comes to making a room feel atmospheric,” says Muir.
Artificial foliage and house plants
Plants, real or faux, add interest and drama to a room. You can’t really go wrong with them.
“I am a big fan of plants as well as artificial flowers for the practicality,” says Muir. “I always mix and match and if I’m doing real plants, I get the ones that are super hardy such as a couple leaves of monstera in a vase on the dining table, or a pot full of mother-in-law’s tongue.
Juxtapose different shapes, heights and room placements to entertain the eye.
Grant recommends fresh herbs in the kitchen to bring life and greenery, and suggests cutting foliage from the garden.
“I am also very into making my own succulent or cactus bowls and often use these bowls from Kmart as they are a perfect size for a coffee table or sideboard,” adds Muir.
Books
“For me, an absolute must is books,” says Campbell. “Whether it’s a few or a lot, books add so much personality and if you curate the right ones – colour!
“For instance, if you had a room of neutrals with some soft blush cushions, add in some pink and white coffee table books, although small they can really add a beautiful punch. Have some stacked in piles, and if you have a collection standing upright, frame them with some beautiful bookends.”
Cookbooks, big coffee table books and art books are Grant’s absolute go-tos.
Plump up your pillows
To elevate the feeling of luxury in a room, buy feather inners for your pillows and cushions and refresh cushion inners if your current ones are on the flat side.
“They hold their shape better and are lovely to cozy up to with a cuppa,” says Muir. They also make cheaper cushions look and feel far more luxe.
Grant agrees: “Plump is always best for beds and sofas.”
Campbell likes to add in a scatter cushion or two as an inexpensive way to layer and play with texture and softness: “Keep it neutral or add some pattern and colour.”
White duvet
When it comes to bedding, plain white is often the best option to make a room feel spacious and sophisticated, says Muir.
She often tends to save dough on the duvet cover when staging, and opts something on special or a plain waffle.
“I spend a bit more on the feature cushions to elevate the feeling of comfort in the room.”
So save on the bedding, splurge on the cushions.
Trend watch: brass and marble
Campbell: “Add even more personality by introducing natural materials like marble. Marble is very on trend and offers a timeless luxury to any room, play with scale and look out for pieces that offer colour, it doesn’t necessarily need to be white.
Grant: Consider complementary tones that enhance your base. If you have a marble bench top, don’t be afraid to add some marble and brass accents like brass glassware
“They dance so well together.”
Source: domain.com.au
