Layered living

Melissa Penfold

AS DAYS AND NIGHTS get colder, it’s time to CONTRAST TEXTURES Put cotton with silk, linen with talk about layers. Taken literally, this involves making velvet, and canvas with cashmere. Opposites attract. your house cosy with extra blankets and throws. But it ADD FAUX FUR This has quickly become a luxurious also covers all the decorative elements you add to way to add depth and texture to a space. If everything a room to create interest, texture and depth. Here are is neat, tidy and clean, the luscious texture of faux fur some favourite ways to layer up in winter. will instantly transform this feeling. START WITH BEDDING Add a fresh duvet filled with the THROW IN SOMETHING UNEXPECTED There’s beauty in fluffiest down, two European pillows and a lightweight imperfections and an offbeat accent, such as a huge quilt or throw folded at the end of your bed. Go for the timber bowl or hefty cast-iron pot, can become the same colours, tones and textures, and forget about defining element that makes a space really come alive. a mountain of cushions – it scares men. PLAY WITH TEXTURE It’s easy to gravitate towards the ALWAYS LAYER YOUR LIGHTS Instead of overhead usual suspects such as wood and leather when trying to lighting, think of pools of soft, diffused illumination add layers and craft a textural living space. Why not with a mix of wall, table and floor lights. Put picture branch outside your comfort zone and try patterns lights above bookshelves to add gravitas. you’re attracted to? Think rough plaster walls (or GO FOR VARIATIONS OF THE SAME THEME Use a variety objects), concrete, metal, cork or paper. of the same hue to introduce depth and interest, or a REMEMBER THAT NEWER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER Seek out mix of mirrors to reflect light from multiple surfaces. vintage pieces, which offer more interesting texture and Overlapping artworks create texture, especially when a wider range of nuanced colours, over new ones. in contrasting frames, while layered rugs bring visual PUT A CAP ON IT Layering creates a diverse space that warmth. Make small furniture items your final addition. keeps the eye moving. But be careful that the curated COSY THINGS UP Curtains, blinds and upholstery add look ties in together and doesn’t become a byword for colour, texture and physical warmth to a room while “anything goes” by putting a limit on the number of insulating against cold and noise. layers and contrasting styles you use in one area. 1 Egyptian rug in Aegean, 2.4x3m, $4000, armadillo-co.com 2 Classic lamp in Tortoiseshell Onion, $599, braggandco.com.au 3 ‘Aria’ chunky knit throw in Charcoal, $249, countryroad.com.au 4 Cire Trudon ‘Olim’ EDP, 100ml, $299, libertineparfumerie.com.au 5 Angora and fine merino wool chunky cable throw in Dove, $539, bemboka.com 6 ‘Toller’ side table, POA, blaineynorthcollection.com 7 ‘Pomelo’ cushion in Chalk, $147, walter-g.com.au 8 ‘Loop’ handspun merino wool rug in Ivory Earth, from $5050, cadrys.com.au 9 Amouage ‘Epic Man’ EDP, 100ml, $399, libertineparfumerie.com.au 10 Egyptian rug in Aubergine, 2.4x3m, $4000, armadillo-co.com