Chrissie Jeffery

Chrissie Jeffery, CEO and founder of Sydney-based textiles and interior decorating chain No Chintz, is known for her use of colour and pattern. She has established a name for herself transforming white rooms into homes with designer flair, often achieved with a clever selection of cushions, fabric and rugs. She says an important part of the process is taking a wholistic approach. “I’m wary of concentrating on one design element, such as colours for painting walls, without considered fabric choices, as it can lead to unresolvable problems with the whole look,” she says. Chrissie advises people to consider if they are playing it too safe with neutrals, such as linen and taupes. “Often our clients have ended up with a room lacking character,” she says. “We love using fabric enthusiastically.” As well as her exclusive range of fabrics at No Chintz, Chrissie enjoys using Brisbane designer Anna Spiro’s new range. She says fabric can be a great way to give new life to an old piece of furniture. “It’s important to reuse everything that can be reused,” she says. “I hate throwing out furniture.” A good way to consider colour is to study its use in historic buildings. Chrissie says to take note of painted rooms and study why they have worked. Often a pleasing look is about balance. “If you use coloured walls for instant pizzazz in a bedroom, make the window furnishings and bedding white,” she says. “The colour of the walls gives interest and character at a reasonable cost.” At the moment, she enjoys using blue and grey. “The key to using colour has been in experimenting on myself and never being prejudiced about colour,” Chrissie says. When white is required, she likes Dulux Natural White or Porter’s Paints Old Church White. “I’m about comfort and style so that’s my main goal in a room. I’m not good at buying everything new for rooms. I do love clients who collect art and objects and who own ‘meaningful stuff’: it’s so rewarding to reuse things in different ways.” (02) 9810 0078; nochintz.com

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Chrissie Jeffrey, in her Potts Point apartment, loves to add pizzazz with colour, such as this Maidenhair green by Porter’s Paints. The artwork is by Chris Langlois, the chair from Jardan is covered with Stripe fabric from Donghia, and the rug is from Robyn Cosgrove; the Haberfield house is a decorating project featuring a selection of cushions from No Chintz; in the Haberfield house living room, the wallpaper is a special order from Sparkk, the chairs are covered with Cashew Nut Love Ikat fabric in Orange, $99 a metre, from No Chintz, and the rug is Dash & Albert Birmingham Black, from $485, from Winton House. For stockist details, see page 135.