Favorite Interior Design Finds
Here's what I loved in the month of August
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So here is a wrap up from the month of August…
Interior spaces I’m loving
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025
Books I read
What I’m watching
Favorite instagram account
Favorite Finds for the home
What’s going on with me
Interior Spaces I’m Loving: Lived In
I’ve noticed that we’re seeing spaces published in digital or print media that seem to be more ‘lived in’. Maybe you’re thinking - well of course they are ‘lived in’ because they are houses. But actually the way that we often see houses photographed and styled means that the signs of a human inhabiting the space are taken away. No books (or just the dreaded Tom Ford tome on the coffee table) and no ornaments or everyday things.
So it is lovely to see these spaces that look pulled-together (no one is wanting to see images of spaces that are TOO real!) but spaces that tell a story about the people that live there.
So this isn’t a particular ‘style’ rather it’s just that these images represent a more authentic way of living. The objects, books and special pieces are layered in an artful way and make the space feel ‘lived-in.’
I thought of this term ‘curated clutter’ and I know that idea of clutter is triggering for some, but I think I’ll dive into this a little more. It’s important to recognise the word ‘curated’ in there. I love the way to live stylishly with those everyday things and there is a way to do it so that it is intentionally effortless and chic.
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025
The new colour forecast for 2025 dropped just yesterday. It’s exciting to see the colour combinations and choose which of the three main themes I like best. My friend Bree Leech is actually the stylist and forecaster for this epic colour palette collection every year. But being the true professional she is, I am not privvy to any insider scoops so like everyone else I wait until the launch.
Somewhat annoyingly, my favorite is the Still palette. I say annoyingly because it’s the most neutral of them all and yet I am a huge lover of colour! But although the Still palette is the most neautral, it is far from boring! I am finding that these earthy colours feel soothing and just good to be immersed in.
I find these deep burgundy colours of the Recollect palette very comforting and well, I’ve always loved burgundy. We painted our studio entry a deep burgundy like this, the walls, ceiling, stair balustrade and all and it felt so good to step into a moody moment. It really set the tone for feeling creative and it was so bold and exciting.
I see the Emerge palette as the most bold of the three. The colour cominations are so exciting and playful. The warm pinks and terracottas are actually easy backdrops to a space.
More on the Dulux website.
Books I read
Gosh I loved this book. Sandwich is a story about family and well, it’s about getting older. I loved how tenderly Rachel, the main character looks back on when her children were young. Whilst her and her family stay in their annual holiday beach shack she has a lot going in in the moment and at the same time she remembers when her children were toddlers. I guess I am still in the thick of it all, Benji is 2 with Indi 11 and Coco 10 so it made me really want to soak up all of these little moments.
Such a cliche perhaps but we don’t often have a older female protagonist and actually it was just a warm, lovely read.
Coming Home to Nature: The French Art of Countyfication is a beautiful book that just might make you pack your things and move to the country forever. I actually read this a while ago but I wanted to share it with you. It’s authored by three friends, each of them lived in the hustle of Paris. They moved their families to the coutryside and have just not looked back.
They talk of the simple thing that they never knew they would enjoy so much; seeing the sun set over the fields, having friends pop in for spontaneous drinks that lead to dinner and forgetting to wear make-up. But they also keep it real; the kitchen is full of ants, the neighbour has just used manure on their garden and they spend a lot of time in the car. Anyway, there are great practical tips and a few recipes plus the photos are gorgeous.
What I’m Watching
I haven’t really been obsessed about a series in a while - please send me your recommendations. However I did enjoy The Assembly. It’s on the ABC and it’s a series of interviews with well known Australians. But there is a twist because asking the questions are journalism students with autism. The questions can be direct, funny, interesting and well, it’s great.
I did notice in the interview with Hamish Blake that one of the journalist students asked him about his famous house. He said that he feels somewhat out of place when he stands in his kitchen. I actually thought that was a bit sad. You should feel like you’re at home, when you’re at home. Not in a hotel or anything. Did you notice that question? But I mean, it’s a very cool space and maybe he didn’t really want to get involved in the interior design - fair enough!
Favorite instagram account
Arvin Olano is so nice! He lives in LA in a gorgeous mid-century home and he also has a popular YT channel too, that ‘nobody asked’ for. That’s his little thing he says.
Tell me, who are you tuning into lately?
Favorite Finds for the Home
Galerie Glustin is an incredible gallery for unique furniture pieces located in Paris. This mirror is so beautiful and special.
I saw my friend Jono post about this new coffee table from Castlery and I think it would be so perfect in my lounge room. You know I love some gloss and I also love this russett colour. Great size and smooth, soft corners are family friendly for our 2 year old. It’s $799 direct from Castlery website.
I would get some looks from my husband Phil if I bought home another cushion - he is all onboard with making our house a home but we do NOT need, nor have the capacity for another cushion. Hence why I’m sharing this with you.
You need a striped cushion in your living room. It adds a graphic element and a little zing to a space. Every room needs a little pattern and I think this is it. We have a striped cushion (like this but it is no longer avail) and it is my favorite.
This is called the Pipi from Country Road and it’s $129.00.
I have had my eye on the incredible painting by Clara Adolphs for a while and when I was recently asked in a podcast interview about art, she was the first artist to come to mind. I love it. Read about her work in Artist Profile.
Design Happenings
Well the Belle front cover definitely got attention this month!
The front cover of the 50 year anniversary issue features an image generated using artificial intelligence. I asked my instagram followers what they thought and I can’t say that it was mixed. It was 100% negative feedback on this cover. Some felt ‘tricked’ because they didn’t know it was AI and others felt miffed that with all of the talent in design, photography, stylists etc in Australia, they had chosen a robot to create the image. I am an advocate for AI - I even have a course about how interior designers can use AI - but I don’t know how to feel about this cover. What do you think?
Here’s some information on my AI for interior designers course if you’re curious.
What’s going on with me
This month we had Kip&Co visit to shoot my place. Nothing like a photoshoot deadline to finally paint one of the bedrooms! We also teamed up with Dulux to paint the room the most beautiful blue, I can’t wait to share with you how it turned out. I absolutely love it.
Also, this is also pretty cool news, Bree Leech and I are releasing a podcast soon. We have recorded a few episodes and it’s the MOST fun!
If you want to be the first to know about the podcast, click here!
I am also helping interior designers with a new course ‘Attracting Clients and Getting Published’ which is now open. Here’s a bit of information if you’re a designer and could do with a nice boost in your strategy when it comes to getting the right clients and getting your work out there.
Talking about courses, I am working on a new course that I hope you’ll find useful and also fun. I’m helping you design your own home that you will love. If you’re decorating, renovating or building I want to help you find your style, source the cool things, keep track and organise it all so that you have a solid plan. Think like a professional interior designer and create something really special that is so ‘you.’
Here’s a waitlist to be the first to know about the Style Studies course.
Have a beautiful weekend,
Lauren