Modern colour – 3 steps to an eclectic contemporary interior design
Say goodbye to strictly monochromatic and minimalist interiors. Contemporary design can offer an abundance of fun and personality.
Just ask Homebuyers Centre Interior Designer, Nadija Saluwadana, who recently executed the eclectic contemporary style at the new Lawson 28 display home in Ferntree Ridge.
‘Ideal for younger couples and families, the eclectic interior design offers a fresh take on what it means to be contemporary,’ says Nadija.
‘With lots of colour and beautiful contemporary accessories, it’s a unique and affordable style for those who strive to be a little different.’
Below, Nadija steps you through her top tips for creating an eclectic interior design that still honours the contemporary aesthetic:
1. Begin with a base of whites and light greys
The cornerstone of this design is avoiding excessive amounts of black, so often the base of a contemporary design. Instead, stick to a predominantly light and bright base colour palette of whites and greys.
At the Lawson 28, Nadija invested in a mix of light Caesarstone Fresh Concrete benchtops in the kitchen and terrazzo-style grey benchtops in the wet areas. Matt dual-tone cabinets create drama and interest across these spaces, with textured Polytec White Mist at the base and woodmatt Polytec Black Ply overhead.
‘I loved using the blue glossy kit kat splashback to enhance the contemporary feel in the kitchen,’ adds Nadija.
Create a sense of warmth and homeliness by breaking up the contemporary hues with wood-look flooring. At the Lawson 28, Nadija chose the beautiful maple-coloured Brooklyn Ridgewood laminate by Surface by Hynes.
2. Insert subtle pops of colour throughout your accessories
Keep your base furniture and finishes neutral, and then add pops of colour through your contemporary accessories and styling. That way, you can easily and affordably change up the look of your interiors down the track.
‘In an eclectic contemporary home, the idea is to move away from a sense of minimalism. Keep your accessories modern – their shapes should be ones you’d see in any contemporary home – but then add colour!’ says Nadija.
‘At the Lawson 28 display home, I chose a magnificent cobalt blue as my feature hue. I particularly love how this is used in the modern feature pendants in the master bedroom.’
Thread your feature colour through contemporary vases, patterned throw cushions, side tables and bedding. Artworks also play a key role in injecting personality into your spaces.
‘Abstract art, line drawings and even photography all work well as part of a contemporary eclectic home,’ adds Nadija.
3. Create contrast through your furniture shapes
Give your eclectic accessories a beautiful canvas by including simple, neutral furniture. A mixture of geometric and organic shapes help create interest in your living spaces. For example, you might include the strength of a black architectural dining table, offset with sleek grey fabric dining chairs.
‘In the living room of our most recent display home, you’ll see I’ve contrasted the square shape of the grey Boucle Togo armchair with the soft white curves of the sofa and chaise,’ explains Nadija.
‘Boucle fabrics and woven upholstery bring texture to spaces and work well in a contemporary home. Just try to avoid the use of too many natural materials, such as linen and rattan.’
A first on display – an office by Ikea
A contemporary eclectic design doesn’t need to blow your budget. A first on display for Homebuyers Centre, the Lawson 28 study is furnished entirely from IKEA.
‘We wanted to show that creating a sophisticated, modern space can also be super affordable,’ says Nadija.
‘In the home office, we found a sleek little study desk and office chair from Ikea, as well as gallery wall shelving that’s perfect for displaying certificates, photos and potted greenery.’
Discover the eclectic contemporary design in person at the new Lawson 28 display home featuring the sophisticated Luxe façade.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious retreat, this floorplan also comes with a range of design options, including a Butler’s pantry and rear flip.
Open with or without an appointment from 24th July 2023, at Ferntree Ridge in Drouin. Get driving instructions