Thursday, 25 August 2016

Interview with Jessica Iliffe, Stylist, Interior Designer, Architect

Interiors by Jessica Iliffe

What was your style brief for The Ann & Dale – Real Thing Apartments?

I have worked for my client Ramsay Property in the past. Their general style and brief is a cross between a Retro and a Mid-Century look. Keeping that in mind, when I selected the furniture and soft furnishings I wanted to add current on-trend items amongst classics as well as unique retro pieces. This way I was able to incorporate the feel of the 1970s and make it relevant in a 21st century context.

Mid Century (50s/60s) style

70s Mood Board


 
Styling in progress
What inspiration or mood boards did you draw from?

Working with Cramer’s brief for the Ann & Dale retro story and using the colour palette from the building exterior, I wanted the apartments to feel bright and happy without being too literal in the shade of colours used. It had to feel welcoming and entice prospective buyers to relate to the space and be able to envisage it as their own home.

Who is your designer of the moment?

I bought a lot of pieces from in-the-moment interior designer Greg Natale. I used Greg Natale cushions in the living and bedrooms using colours of the season mustards, terracotta, red, and blush to create vibrancy, black to create drama, as well as whites to offset the moodiness of the colour. Soft greys, aquas and navy softened the rooms. I also dropped in hints of brushed metal from a variety of stores to add a bit of depth into the whole story.

Do you believe in Feng Shui? 
Feng Shui believer

Yes, absolutely. I tend to use some Feng Shui elements when I style, adding the wood elements in the materials, fire in the colours, earth in all the green plants and water in all the grey and blue hues. It gave the whole space a nice homely energy as you walk through.



Which brands did you use and from which stores did you buy the key items?

Greg Natale cushions for One Duck Two
Greg Natale cushions $110 from One Duck Two
French Linen from Adairs
West Elm Martini side tables (navy with brush gold top) are a great buy $159
West Elm cushions $129
Freedom Rugs were great purchases to give the rooms a lift
Matt Blatt Walnut TV cabinets were very sturdy and really anchored the rooms as they created a solid piece.
Kmart for all the accessories – I chose budget items that worked with the premium ones.


What is your advice to anyone styling their new home?

I find the key to styling any home affordably is to just have a few high end pieces and the rest of the accessorising can be done inexpensively. Don’t be afraid to shop at Kmart or Target. They have some gorgeous items that look expensive even when they are not. You don’t have to pay a fortune for everything to achieve an amazing result.



The Apartments:




Jessica x

Why not see Jessica's styling for yourself, visit www.therealthingapartments.com.au  to book an appointment to see the Ann & Dale Apartments reveal!