How does one create joyful interiors? With colours that spark optimism and radiance, such as yellow, red and orange.


How does one create joyful interiors? With colours that spark optimism and radiance, such as yellow, red and orange.

Few homes will leave such a striking first impression on visitors as this two-bedroom apartment in the Newton area. While the dominant hues are red, orange and yellow, shades of greys, blues and greens also make an appearance, alongside metallic tones such as rose gold and chrome. The homeowners say their decorating goals were simple; their brief to Nikki Hunt and Kylie Tan of Design Intervention was for a fresh happy home full of colour, and with a sense of the unexpected. “The clients had seen a feature of our work in a past Home & Decor issue. They were particularly drawn to our confident, creative use of colour,” says Nikki.

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For readers trying to achieve a similar look, Nikki has these tips. “It’s all about finding the correct balance between neutrals and colour, pattern and plains. Make sure you have enough neutrals and texture to balance out the strong use of colour.” Kylie says to look for patterns that fall within your colour scheme – and don’t hesitate to mix them with your solid pieces. “If you use all solids, the room will seem overly saturated and too many patterns will fight, so focus on choosing one or two to help break up the space,” she explains.



She says this was an exciting project to work on because they were starting with what was essentially a blank canvas. “The clients were planning to retain just their sofa, and their bed from their previous home. Everything else is new, which meant that we could propose the furnishings and hard finishes to create a cohesive design,” says Nikki. The original layout of the apartment featured three bedrooms, however, Kylie says the couple wanted to combine two bedrooms to create an expansive master with a generously sized walk-in wardrobe and study areas. “In addition, the existing kitchen was dark and dated, and they wanted to incorporate an eat-in area within the kitchen. So we began our design process by reworking the floor plan,” she adds.



When it came to the colour scheme of the living area, the designers wanted to create a sense of joy. “In the context of colour psychology, the use of yellow was an obvious choice. Yellow radiates happiness and optimism. The neutral backdrop and pink and orange accents help bring those vibrant yellow tones down to earth. This room exemplifies optimism, yet the abundance of neutrals ensures serenity, too. The room soothes as much as it inspires,” Nikki explains The designers also wanted to introduce a mix of metals into the decor. “A touch of glimmering metal can make a space instantly more glamorous. A couple of decorative pieces with clean lines, such as the polished chrome coffee table, and brass trumpet pendant keeps the space modern,” she shares. Kylie says this home is full of surprises, everywhere you look. “There is a welcoming, playful quality to these interiors, reinforced by the use of colour, shape and pattern.” It’s clear that the owners had fun decorating as well – creating a vibrant home that is bursting with character.

