Spring Styling Series | Part I
Over the next three weeks, we’re going to show you how to transform three key areas of the home for Spring: the bedroom, the living room, and a Spring entertaining tablescape.
Join Lulu as she shares her expert tips on bringing a fresh touch to your space, ensuring each room feels renewed and ready to welcome the new warmer season.
Tell us a little about you, and your background in becoming a Visual Merchandiser and Interior Stylist
I’ve had a career in the fashion and beauty industry for many years. After buying my first property in Potts Point in Sydney at the age 25 and renovating it, I became obsessed with interiors, which led to renovating several properties and studying Interior design at Sydney Design School.
I was the VM, curator and interior stylist of one of the largest high-end, multi-branded interior showroom, event space and art gallery on the Northern Beaches in Sydney for five years.
I moved to the Gold Coast over two years ago and have been styling stunning projects from penthouses to beachfront and hinterland properties. I love styling our projects for photographic shoots and content creation. My passion is sourcing and buying unique styling pieces and art for our retail store.
My latest focus has been the curation of the styling elements for our new Kira & Kira Showroom opening very soon! I love the major growth the Gold Coast is having and the architects that are pushing the boundaries of modern design here on the Coast.
Where do you draw most of your inspiration and how do you stay on top of current trends?
Travelling overseas and staying in new cool boutique hotels in Japan, Europe and the US gives me the most inspiration. I love LA and New York and have been on an amazing architectural tour of Palm Springs. I have recently travelled to Ibiza so now I'm loving a Spanish Finka.
To be at the forefront of the interior design industry, I subscribe to a range of fashion, interior design, architecture publications, websites and interior magazines.
I’m obsessed with Instagram and Pinterest, following a range of designers I admire from Europe, the US and Australia who are usually trailblazers, set trends and have their finger on the pulse in the design industry.
If you could only change three things in the bedroom to achieve a refreshed bedroom space, what would they be?
Art - Changing the Art can transform the entire look of a room, going from moody to a relaxed serene space. You can also change the vibe of a room with art through the style of the art, for example, an abstract piece replaced with a Mediterranean fine art photography piece will completely transform the theme of a room. I love Yolan Eke's textured original art in soft colours to add calm vibes to a bedroom.
Bed Linen - Lastly, who doesn't love fresh sheets! On the base of the bed, I’d start with a linen fitted sheet in a neutral tone and a top sheet with a fine stripe or pinstripe. On top, you can introduce Spring hues such as soft caramels, muted pinks or earthy greens. I love the new range from Dos Ombre. Elevate your bedroom by incorporating layers to your bed linen, adding soft textures for ultimate comfort.
What textiles or materials would you recommend for a lighter, more seasonal feel?
I love creating a calm, nurturing space in bedrooms. I always feature linen in any season, however in Spring I like to play and layer with lighter, textured linens and cottons in soft colourways. The Cyprian Cushion range and the Kalahari in a lumbar size by Baya adds an inviting, artisan aesthetic.
Silk is trending this Spring season - for example the Everly Cushion by L & M which is made of a gorgeous silk blend, and our Cultiver Silk/Linen Double sided Pillowcases. These are amazing as there are a myriad of health benefits to sleeping on the silk side, and then you can flip to the linen side when you make your bed in the morning!
What are some key elements to consider when transitioning a bedroom from Winter to Spring?
First and foremost I would be to say goodbye to heavy fabrics like velvet, wool and remove additional layers.
I would swap out a heavier duvet to a bed cover in Spring in preparation for the warmer weather. The Pony Rider Coming Home Blanket or The Enes Bed Cover are perfect bed covers for the warmer evenings.
Swapping out a wool rug for a jute or light weave rug is perfect for creating a cooler feel in a room.
Fresh flowers in a beautiful vase is a must on a bedside in Spring.
How would you use colour theory to create a refreshed mood or feel in a room?
Colour is an absolute key element to the art of styling and particularly relevant when it comes to refreshing your space for the new season.
The beauty of using colour theory in a space is to use neutral base, then introduce accent colours to the space. Colour needs to evoke emotion creating an aesthetic with sense of calm and relaxation.
For example, in the space below our primary base is made of our duvet and pillowcases which are our Cultiver Linen Duvet and Pillowcases in Natural. The Saarde Enes Bed Cover in Anatolia is matched to the pink hues in the background of the featured art by the beautiful Hey Maker Studio (watch this space for new pieces of hers coming very soon!) and finally, the darker tones of the art immediately attracts the eye.
Using accent colours this way allows an easy way to change up the look of your space, by replacing cushions, throws, bedding and art, while your furniture choices and rugs can remain.
