Guides

How to Mix Polished Brass with Raw Wood in a Living SpacePolished brass and raw wood create a conversation between refinement and nature. One catches the light with a warm, reflective gleam; the other brings grain,…
A Single Bloom in a Found Vase: The Quiet Power of RestraintThere is something quietly radical about choosing one stem instead of an armful. A solitary bloom in a rescued vessel turns a side table into a tiny still…
Why Clear Glass Bottles Glow Best in a Sunny WindowA group of clear glass bottles can turn an ordinary window ledge into a small still life. As daylight passes through different shapes, thicknesses and curves,…
Decorating with Ceramic Ginger Jars: More Than a Porcelain ClassicGinger jars have travelled a remarkable distance from the spice cupboards of Chinese merchants to the most photographed living rooms of the past decade. Once…
The Allure of a Patchwork Quilt Draped Over a Lounge ChairThere's something quietly compelling about a patchwork quilt draped over a lounge chair. It's a styling choice that feels both accidental and deliberate, like…
Let a tall branching sculpture anchor your roomA vertical sculpture with branches reaching upward behaves a little like a tree planted inside your living room. It draws the eye, frames the architecture, and…
What an Art Fair Taught Me About Curating Small Works on PaperWalking through the booths at Sydney Contemporary last spring, I found myself stopping more often at the smaller walls. The big canvases shouted for attention,…
Styling a fireplace screen when there is no flameIn many Australian living rooms, the fireplace is a heritage feature rather than a working heat source. Whether the home is a Victorian terrace in Paddington,…
Styling a Sofa with a Mix of Velvet, Linen and Fringe PillowsThe Australian living room has shifted dramatically in the last decade. Open-plan layouts in Brisbane and Perth have replaced formal sitting rooms, and the…
How to Bring a Sense of History with a Victorian Picture FrameA Victorian picture frame can make a room feel collected rather than newly assembled. Its ornament, patina and weight suggest earlier interiors, family…