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.
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