Stylish solutions to all your design dilemmas
Each issue, we’ll find stylish solutions to all your decorating and design dilemmas from those in the know
Q I have 2.5 metres of wall space for a wardrobe in my master bedroom but I’m not sure where to start with the design. What guidelines can I follow? Kelly, via email
“Look at the items you currently have in your wardrobe,” says Christine Evans, director of marketing at Stegbar (stegbar.com.au). “Do you love shoes? If so, are they high heels or flats? Do you have lots of business shirts and pants? Personalise the storage so your wardrobe is functional for you. If you’re sharing it with your partner, plan individual sections and create designated areas such as trouser racks and tie/belt storage, and long hanging space for dresses. There are some basic rules for hanging space – single-hang minimum shelf height is 1650mm and double-hang minimum top shelf height is 2000mm. If space is tight, install a pull-out mirror in the hanging space or to the side of a drawer tower. Full-length door mirrors can be added to the front of sliding doors or the front and back of hinged doors. And if you have a vanity area, add a mirror where you can do your makeup.”
Q I want to replace the downlights above my four-metre kitchen island bench with pendant lights. The cabinetry is dark walnut and the benchtop is light brown/grey marble. Should I match the colour to the cupboards or the benchtop… or neither? What size should they be? Alex, via Instagram
“Try not to match your pendant light colour directly but keep it within the same tonal family,” says stylist and interior designer Lisa Koehler. “Brass tones or wicker will complement the walnut’s warm tones. With the size of the island, think about scale and proportion, and the ceiling height. With the placement and size of the pendants, aim for even distribution of light and consider one long pendant, for example, the 240cm Rakumba ‘Capital’ light (rakumba.com.au). Another option would be two pendants of 50-60cm diameter, symmetrically balanced above the bench. A decorative solution is three pendants grouped at one end.”
Q Should I re-coat my deck now or wait until spring? Denise, via email
“It’s no secret that unsealed timber and water don’t work well together, so coating your deck before winter provides optimum protection throughout the colder months,” says Adam Dovile of House Rules. “A sealed deck will prevent the boards from absorbing water and protect against warping, cupping and cracking when the warmer months hit. A regular maintenance schedule [ideally, yearly] will ensure that your deck maintains its appearance and protection from the elements for longer. My tip is to use the Cabot’s ‘Finish In One Day’ deck coating system (find out more at cabots.com.au). It enables you to complete what can be a six-week process in just one day.”
Q Are marble and light timber accessories still the go for interiors? Any new trends on the horizon? Sarah, via Instagram
“A natural material in its rawest form is timeless, so marble and timber are always the go,” says Bruce Summers, head of homewares design
at Country Road (countryroad.com.au). “Walnut is a trend with interiors and home accents, however, lighter timbers such as oak and ash are great with the natural light in Australia. Walnut is ideal for adding depth and warmth – it pairs beautifully with other timbers and looks superb with brushed brass accents. Simplicity in form is also important, while focusing on texture rather than bold colour or pattern creates interest in a more stylish and sophisticated way, and it won’t date the way that pattern does. Go for rippled glass, tactile weaves in textiles and textured glazes in ceramics.”