Colours vs neutrals – what’s your colour theory?

Colour tips for graphic-style spaces Strong lines, sharp shapes and clean design combine in this graphic look. This stark and sometimes masculine style needs warming up by way of furnishings, and this is where cushions, artwork and furniture in varying textures can work wonders. Graphic spaces are not for everyone; some find them busy and not restful with all their lines, shapes, text and patterns at play. But if you are in need of a focal point in a room, a graphic framed print can be one of the simplest ways to provide that. This stunning graphic high-rise print is partnered with a graphic-shaped chair and grid cushion. The concrete floor is also graphic in nature. Get the look > Wall painted in Resene ‘Triple Delta’ >Boden chair, $799, from Shut The Front Door > Sparkle Grid breakfast cushion, $59.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond > Highrise framed print, $429, from Shut The Front Door > Floyd floor lamp, $159, from Shut The Front Door > Metal stool, $299, from BoConcept.

Neutral tips for graphic-style spaces While a graphic scheme is normally seen as bold, this white-on-white reading nook demonstrates that it can be equally effective in a neutral palette. This wire-grid chair is teamed with a soft grid cushion and the pattern is repeated again in the decorative cube on the side table. Adding a playful yet still graphic element to this very clean, white space is the framed art with the word ‘Hi’. The lamp, nest of tables and bowl all have graphic qualities while remaining subtle. Get the look > Wall painted in Resene ‘Alabaster’; framed art made by stylist > Muuto Leaf lamp, $580, from Bauhaus > Muuto Crushed bowl, $89, from Bauhaus > White metal cube, $69.99 set of three, from Shut The Front Door > Cartagena nest of three tables, $899, from BoConcept > Aren knit cushion, $79.90, from Country Road > Replica Bertoia Diamond Chair, $229 from derlook.co.nz

Colour tips for luxe-style spaces Never busy, a luxe scheme is sophisticated, uncluttered and timeless. Each piece is carefully selected with a place in mind. A simple design and the layering of textures and quality fabrics combine in this expensive and luxurious look. In this moody scheme the dark walls and floor have been teamed with a rich-coloured sofa, with opulent velvet buttoned cushions adding another luxurious layer. Understated dark marble tables are clustered together with a stunning bunch of flowers presented in a brass ice bucket instead of a typical vase. The floral photographic print ties this room together beautifully. Get the look > Wall painted in Resene ‘Nocturnal’ > Waffle-design rug, $2152.17, from Designer Rugs > Marsala Copenhagen sofa, $2194.90, from Me and My Trend > Loom grey velvet button cushion, $59.90, from Wallace Cotton > Tibetan wool cushion in Caspian, $244.80, from Bianca Lorenne > Loom chartreuse velvet button cushion, $39.90, and Como grey/natural rectangle cushion, $59.90, both from Wallace Cotton > Marble side table, $359, marble coffee table, $499, and Pablo brass ice bucket, $115, all from French Country > Keryn Sweeney ‘Tuesday’ photographic framed print, $259, from endemicworld > Flowers from The Botanist

Neutral tips for luxe-style spaces They say that less is more and in this neutral-coloured luxe living room this rings true. The room oozes elegance, class and poise. While neutral schemes can be seen as dull and boring, this room confounds that stereotype with plenty to delight the eye. The hero piece of the room is the classic-design sofa with its brass legs. This sexy item has been given a dose of layering with Tibetan sheepskins and cushions, which provide texture in a luxurious way. Accessories such as the rug and mirror are understated but complement the other elements at play. The final touch is the criss-cross marble-topped table which is adorned with a bunch of roses and foliage. Get the look > Wall painted in Resene ‘Quarter Bison Hide’ > Waffle-design rug, $2201.09, from Designer Rugs > Motti sofa section in ecru, $3600, from stclements.co.nz > Pearl sheepskin pouf, $792, Tibetan long curly wool cushion, $244.80, and Tibetan Arctic Sunrise sheepskin, $324, all from Bianca Lorenne > White Mongolian shrug (on arm of sofa), $399, marble criss-cross table, $249, and amber glass vase, $49, all from French Country > Flowers from The Botanist > Me and My Trend brass mirror, $299, from Alex & Corban

Colour tips for boho-style spaces Why fit in when you were born to stand out? The boho look is here to stay and is a reflection of the lives and personalities of those who embrace it in their homes. Known for vibrant colours and patterns, the boho look – seen in all its glory in this rich-coloured bedroom – certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. To visually balance the earthy mustard of the accent wall, tonal bedlinen in a similar shade is partnered with a mix of muted and neutral shades. This adds softness to the space and also offers contrast to the main colour at play. The colours and patterns in the tribal wall hanging are repeated in the bedlinen and cushions, giving a sense of cohesion. Get the look > Wall in Resene ‘Afghan Tan’ > Kip & Co limited-edition wall hanging, $289, from Alex & Corban > Sove two-tone linen duvet cover in nutmeg and sand, $289 queen, Sove linen pillowcase in nutmeg, $69.90 a pair, and Sove linen Euro pillowcase in oyster, $39.90, all from Citta > Pike knit cushion in charcoal, $64.90, from Country Road; large linen cushion in foal, $129, from Tessuti > Joni round cushion, $89, and diamond cushion, $49.99, both from Shut The Front Door; Anni woven cushion cover (at front), $139, from Citta > Cup and saucer by Rachel Carley, $54, from Tessuti; pink velvet throw, $1550, Ditte planter, $35, lantern, $52.90, all from Allium > Rattan stool, $250, and small wooden hook, $10.99, both from Shut The Front Door > Fern and magazine, stylist’s own

Neutral tips for boho-style spaces A neutral backdrop creates a welcoming interior when mixed with warm textures as shown in this muted scheme for a boho bedroom. Layering textures is the key to making this bedroom the calming, restful and inviting space it is. Crisp white bedlinen is teamed with an off-white throw with pom pom detail and tassels. The bed has been layered with cushions in different shapes and styles in varying natural colour tones. Fur, wool, tassels, pom poms, fringing – the host of different tactile finishes incorporated into this setting creates lots of visual interest. Get the look > Wall in Resene ‘Sugar Loaf’; white Bedouin Societe euro pillowcases, $185 a pair, and white Bedouin Societe duvet cover, $579 queen, all from Indie Home Collective > Citta Soala throw, $159.99, from Alex & Corban > Dada lumbar cushion cover, $54.99, and Soala cushion cover (with pom poms), $64.90, both from Citta Design > Joni square white cushion (far right), $89, and tassel cushion, $34.99, both from Shut The Front Door > Aspen knit cushion (central fringe), $169, from Country Road > Leaf stool, $312, from Tessuti; Paragon Northstar hurricane light, $63.50, from Indie Home Collective > Muuto tea cup set, $68, from Bauhaus > Wooden hook, $10.99, marble hook, $32.99, wall hangings, $49.99 small, $139 long, all from Shut The Front Door > Plant stylist’s own.