Sofa so good: Cushion styling secrets from the experts

When it comes to cushions, it’s all about the mix, the match and, of course, the method. We asked five stylists to show us how it’s done, using cushions and throws from Weave

MATT PAGE

Stylist, design consultant and owner of Chloe the pug. What’s your look? “Loose but tailored. I don’t like my cushions pou ed and lu ed and formal. I want things to look comfortable, rather than stitched-up.” Styling secret: “Larger cushions – and fewer of them. Too many small cushions are just too much to deal with!” What not to do: “Don’t choose your artwork to match your cushions – it should be the other way around. I chose the blush cushion to pick up on the colour in the Antonia Mrljak paintings that were the starting point for this look.” Follow Matt on Instagram @mattpage

MEGAN MORTON

Author, stylist, traveller and founder of creative hub The School. What’s your look? “Dark and dramatic, with a dose of pretty pink.” Why pink? “I chose the pink and wine colours because they’re on the opposite side of the colour spectrum to green, the dominant shade. For highlight colours like this, try to keep to around 15 per cent of the room. I kept things interesting with a secondary colour combo of black and white, with movement in the patterns.” Styling secret: “Cushions want to be in groups of at least three. For me, two cushions is such a sad thing!” What not to do: “Never buy two of the same cushion, as it’s like having two of the same handbag.” Follow Megan on Instagram @megan_morton

ADAM POWELL

Bondi-based interior stylist and installation artist. What’s your look? “Inviting, relaxing and unstructured. At home, I like to mix di erent-sized cushions to make the look less uniform. Soft elements like cushions and throws are so important to balance hard edges in a room.” Styling secret: “Always include something unexpected. My dark horse was the orange and white herringbone cushion – both the colour and texture add depth.” What not to do: “I like to drape throws on the arm or the back of a sofa or chair, rather than fold them. The way the material drapes and crumples can be really beautiful.” Follow Adam on Instagram @theboyfromthebush

JONO FLEMING

Inside Out’s style editor. Also designer, foodie and 1980s film buff. What’s your look? “Bold and graphic. I chose a simple, neutral sofa, so I used cushions and a throw to really amp it up.” Styling secret: “Mixing patterns is possible as long as you keep everything within the same colour scheme. A simple black and neutral palette, with a pop of blue to pick up the artwork, help keep the look cohesive but not dull. What not to do: “Avoid symmetry, especially with cushions that have similar shapes. Keeping things o balance helps create a relaxed, easy look.” Follow Jono on Instagram @jono. leming

EMMALY STEWART

Stylist, crafter, vintage collector and cat lover. What’s your look? “I’m a bit of a maximalist when it comes to cushions and throws. I have a throw on every chair at home, and sometimes I have to take cushions o the sofa so I can sit down. I just love the way they can transform a room.” Styling secret? “I always put a cushion on an armchair – otherwise it just looks bare and lonely.” What not to do: “I don’t like to have more than two of the same cushion – a mix is much more interesting. I chose rich velvet tones with a plain linen and neutral texture for balance.” Follow Emmaly on Instagram @emmalystewart

‘Zaza’ sofa, $5198, King Living.On sofa, from left: ‘Sausalito’ throw in Tar, $159.95, ‘Zoe’cushions in Blush and Beetroot, $59.95 each, and ‘Lesotho’ cushion in Tar, $79.95, all Weave. ClassiCon ‘E 1027’ table, $1780, Anibou. Studio Twocan ‘Apricots’ vase, $95, Jardan. Louis XVI-style side chairs, $2400/pair, The Vault. Thonet GmbH ‘S411’ ottoman, (part of a set with lounge, not seen), $7955, Anibou. Peter Dwyer Ceramics urn vase (on book), $165, Becker Minty. ‘Mitre’ rug in Basalt, $1199/200cm x 300cm, Weave. Gubi ‘Multi-Lite’ pendant light, $959, Luumo Design. On shelf, from left: H Skjalm P lower pot in Rainbow Finish, $64, Designstu . ‘Jiya’ vase, $149, Inartisan. Kristina Dam Studio wooden sphere, $139, Designstu . Peter Dwyer Ceramics bowl, $275, Becker Minty. Plate (on wall), stylist’s own. Geometric Abstraction XXIX artwork by Celia Gullett, $1700, Collab Gallery Sydney. ‘Light Studies’ leaning light, $450, Paul Wells. Background in ‘Interior Expressions’ low sheen acrylic paint in Poplar Grove, $74.90/4L, Haymes Paint.ADDRESS BOOK, page 150.

Thonet GmbH ‘S411’ lounge, (part of a set with ottoman, not seen), $7955, Anibou. ‘Antwerp’ sofa, $1999, West Elm. On sofa, from left: ‘Sausalito’ throw in Pigment, $159.95, ‘Tarifa’ cushion in Sandstorm, $89.95, ‘Santiago’ cushion in Lapis, $89.95, ‘Congo’ cushions in Tar, $79.95 each, and ‘Lesotho’ cushion in Tar, $79.95, all Weave. ‘Industrial Outline’ loor lamp, $399, West Elm. ‘New York’ co ee table, $1950, MCM House. On co ee table, from left: Oh Hey Grace bud vases, $130 and $110, Pépite. ‘Marley’ marble tray, $220, and Studio Elke ‘Jewel’ orb in Dusk (in tray), $245, both Jardan. Ferm Living arched brass card stand (in tray), $99, and Kristina Dam Studio ‘Decoration Circle’ object, $225, both Designstu . ‘Mitre’ rug in Ghost, $1199/200cm x 300cm, Weave. ‘Eligna’ laminate looring in Newcastle Oak Dark, $42/sqm, Quick-Step. ‘Bermuda’ wall light, $850, Marz Designs.Blue Moon Rising artwork by Hannah Nowlan, $3300, Saint Cloche. ‘Concrete Egg’ pot (in doorway), $143, Koskela. Background in ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen interior paint in Murray Red, $91.55/4L, Dulux. ADDRESS BOOK, page 150.

‘Terrazzo Tooth’ stool, $350, Fenton & Fenton. AYTM globe vase, $175, and Ferm Living ‘Balance’ brass candleholder, $79, both Designstu . ‘Wilfred’ armchair, $4711.85, Jardan. ‘Zoe’ cushion in Blush, $54.95, Weave. ‘Pu Pu ’ sofa, $2399, Blu Dot. On sofa, from right: ‘Sausalito’ throw in Tar, $159.95, ‘Austin’ cushion in Seafoam, $49.95, ‘Malaga’ cushion in Sandstorm, $89.95, and ‘Zoe’ cushion in Copper, $59.95, all Weave. ‘Mitre’ rug in Feather, $1199/200cm x 300cm, and ‘Zoe’ cushion in Mallard (on rug), $59.95, both Weave. Curio ‘Cane Partition’ screen, $3480, Clickon Furniture. ‘Shale’ dresser in Smoke, $2899, Blu Dot. On dresser, from left: Ferm Living arched brass cardstand, $99, Designstu . Sarah Ellison ‘Blaze’ vase, $269, Clickon Furniture. ‘Jungle Cargo’ vases (from left) in Sea Foam, $150, and Cloudy Bay, $180, ‘Warrior’ vessel in Sea Foam, $190, and ‘Jungle Cargo’ vase in Sea Foam, $130, all Clay Canoe. Carrara marbledumbbells, $99.95 each, Addition Studio. Middle Of Nowhere AreaDusty Pink print, $375 (framed), Life Interiors. Background in ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen interiorpaint in Blue Grouse, $91.55/4L, Dulux, dulux.com.au.ADDRESS BOOK, page 150.