beginner's guide to... one room four looks

On the following pages, we show you how to construct four very distinct looks: New York loft style; a soft and feminine feel; a fun, young look; and a natural décor. Our living room is furnished with three basic pieces – a square wooden coffee table, a side table and a two-seater couch. In each case, we’ve accessorised with cushions, candle holders, floral arrangements, ornaments and wall decorations to enhance the theme.

Feminine

The look — A romantic, feminine look appeals to the senses through the use of soft, sensual fabrics, a predominantly pastel colour palette and delicate forms. Fabrics that work well in this environment are silk, velvet, chenille and matelassé. Used with restraint, pearls, tortoise shell, jet, mother of pearl and enamel are other elements that could add a feminine feel to a room. A selection of black-and white photos in delicate silver frames would also complement this theme.

Couch, coffee tables, Florence vanity bench, cushions, throw – blue and white, silver filigree candle holders, soaps (in glass bowl), blue ‘eggs’: Maytime Marketing, Peacrackle cup and saucer, throw on iron stool – blue: Nest.

How to get it — A feminine décor can become somewhat fussy and overstated, but here the aim was to create a more elegant and sophisticated design. The colour palette features muted shades such as powder blue, cream, taupe and dusty pink for a soft, delicate feel. A subtle Art Nouveau theme evokes the early 1900s, when graceful, organic forms came to the fore. The elegantly curved wrought-iron vanity bench is stacked with a pale-blue throw and silk cushions. Few things say romantic and feminine more than the simple bouquet of pale pink roses. The coffee table is decorated with a few cherished pieces: a glass bowl filled with tiny pink and white soaps, ornamental glazed eggs, and a group of silver filigree tealight candleholders. The most dominant feature of the room is the Venetian-style mirror hanging above the couch. Its sparkle and shine contrasts subtly with the softer textures in the room. The overall look is one of refinement and elegance.

Fun and young

The look — Colour and pattern are key elements of a fun, young look. For us, such a décor usually features a tropical feel, inspired by the Pacific or Southeast Asia, where bright, bold colours are popular.

Couch, coffee tables, cushions, tiles on wall, elephant piggy banks, white dish with green balls: Maytime Marketing.

How to get it — In this room, the neutral walls and floor have been accented with a clean, playful palette that ranges from hot pink and warm orange to lime green and indigo. Cushions in bold citrus tones are scattered on the floor and grouped generously on the couch. With their mix of plain, floral and geometric designs, they inject colour and movement into the room. A series of eight brightly coloured tiles depicting oriental subjects brings colour to the neutral walls. Their placement on the side wall creates a slightly off-beat look and gives the room a sense of height. Magazines are piled casually on the side table. Next to them, the palm leaves in a simple cylindrical vase help reinforce the tropical theme. An eclectic mix of elements on the coffee table includes a pair of colourful elephant-shaped piggy banks, a white dish of green balls and a fun pink ‘ghost’ candelabra. Pink and orange gerberas in a lime-green dish mirror the colours of the cushions. Liquorice allsorts in glass jars are another playful addition. Overall, the style of this room is funky and fresh – an upbeat, summery look designed to raise the spirits.

Natural

The look — While the colour palette is usually rather restrained, texture is an important aspect of a natural look. Interesting weaves of natural fibres, such as cotton, linen and wool, are typical of this decorating style, which is much less structured than a modern, minimalist décor. This type of design has a wide appeal.

Couch, coffee tables, cushions, lamp, candlestick holders, basket and bronze balls: Maytime Marketing, Throws, tray, coffee percolator, cups and saucers: Nest.

How to get it — Cane, wicker, glass and wood bring a range of different finishes to the room, giving it a relaxed feel. The predominantly chocolate-brown accents provide a nice contrast to the paler shades of the walls, carpet and couch. These darker tones also make the couch a focal point of the room. The vertical lines of the candlesticks, vases, floral arrangement and floor lamp create a bold visual statement that brings an undertone of strength and masculinity to the décor. The room also has a subtle cosmopolitan sophistication, introduced by elements such as an Italian coffee percolator and a large, curved floor lamp with an oriental-inspired design. The cuckoo clock on the wall behind the couch is a playful and unexpected touch. Three smoky-coloured glass vases of assorted shapes are grouped together on the coffee table beside a basket of bronze balls. Like the vases, the assorted wooden candlesticks on the side table add a casual note, ensuring the décor doesn’t look too contrived. The intentional absence of symmetry results in a relaxed, welcoming feel that should appeal to both genders.

New York loft

The look — Loft living was made chic by artists who began inhabiting converted warehouses in New York’s Soho district in the 1960s. By the ‘80s, they’d become the hottest place to live, affordable only to Wall Street traders. Today, lofts are sought after mainly by urban professionals. The New York loft style of interior design can be defined as modern, contemporary and urbane. While your home may not have the exposed brick walls, timber beams and floor to-ceiling windows characteristic of a New York loft, you can still create this chic, metropolitan look with a few well-chosen accessories.

Couch, coffee tables, cushions, throw: Maytime Marketing.

How to get it — The décor we’ve created here features a neutral tone-on-tone colour scheme, with accents of rich chocolate. A pair of martini glasses and some hardback architectural books casually piled on the coffee table add a touch of sophistication, while the orchid floral arrangement introduces a subtle exotic element. The retro-style lamp has a clear Perspex base and silver-foil shade, reminiscent of the 1950s. A chocolate suede throw over the couch adds some texture and interest, complementing the neutral-toned cushions. A large, simply framed artwork softens the more modern elements of the design and brings a restful feel to the room. Overall, the style is one of intentional understatement without being minimalist.

words: Leah Goodwin 
pictures: Lucent*Media 
stylist: Hamilton Brooks  
products courtesy of Maytime Marketing

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