Home design: Simple, elegant monochromatic decor
Try organic textures and shades
Decorating with nature is a go-to Australian design trick. So it's no surprise that organic textures, shapes and shades turn up everywhere in Sydney-born artist Anna Cayzer's home. The fisherman's cottage turned family home is a bounty of inspiration: Collected driftwood is transformed into art, seaside finds adorn shelves and branches decorate the mantelpiece. But don't be fooled by the home's casual, thrown-together elegance. Careful planning went into designing the space, complete with ample storage for the family of five. "I've 'storaged out' myself," laughs Anna. Proof of another fave designer mantra: Homes aren't meant to be showrooms. "Life happens in a house—it doesn't have to be perfect."
Get this look: Stools, Snobstuff.com. Ypsilon dining table, Crate&Barrel. One collection vase, 18 Karat. Tabletop accessories, HomeSense.
Create a summer display inside the fireplace hearth
Add a bit of the unexpected by filling a hearth with framed black and white pictures, unique objects and warm wicker baskets. Give fresh life to a mantel by dressing it with beachy finds like large branches.
Under $100 tip: Reinvent old garden furniture with a coat of chalky white paint.
Get this look: Basket, HomeSense. Teak chair, Hauser Stores.
Go monochromatic!
Sticking with one colour family and using the same flooring throughout the house create a cohesive feel. When styling your bookshelves or the coffee table, group objects by colour and shape, and place them loosely together for a casual but sophisticated look.
Get this look: Wood benches, Lovethedesign.com. Antique boxes, accessories, Angus & Company. Custom doors and windows, Bauhaus Doors.
Maximize light with mirrors and glass
Create the illusion of a larger space by leaning an oversized mirror against a wall. Brighten up any room and let sunlight in by using clear glass pendants and retractable shutters. Bonus: A framed mirror also doubles as artwork.
Under $100 tip: Group vases with mini bouquets on a coffee table.
Get this look: Geoffrey sofa, Montauk Sofa. Mirror, Hardware Interiors. Flint coffee table, Inform Shop. Black Ribba frames, Ikea.
Throw on a floor-sweeping bedspread
A quilt that brushes the floor adds a no-fuss, lived-in feel to a minimalist bedroom. A sisal rug, painted wood walls and a simple framing enhance the room's cottagey feel.
Get this look: Cream-bottle vase, Indigo. Ungaretti Coverlet, Aulit Fine Linens.
Hang a floating shelf in a nook
Transform a simple shelf into a hall table by installing it between two walls. It provides storage in a narrow space and leaves room for seating cubes or to stash shoes.
Get this look: Custom wood shelf, Urban Tree Salvage. Accessories, Snobstuff.com. Stump storage box, Gus Modern.
Install folding shutters inside
Forget heavy drapes or fussy blinds in a modern bathroom. Flat-front shutters add privacy without a lot visual clutter.
Get this look: Bathtub, Gingers. Custom shutters, Shutters Canada.
Invest in built-ins for a small room
Make the most of a tight space with custom-made solutions. Built-in bunk beds are the perfect choice in a tiny child's bedroom. Deep drawers beneath hide toys and clutter, while a long desk doubles as a side table for the lower bunk.
Under $100 tip: Add a punch of colour with mismatched pillow cases.
Get this look: Stump stool, Design Within Reach. Malm dressing table (cut down), Ikea.
GET CHATELAINE IN YOUR INBOX!
Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.