The Design Files

Real Home Trends 2017
Over the past year, we've been thrilled to see a return to colour. After decades of white walls and timber floors, it's refreshing to see colour being boldly and bravely used like never before.
At The Design Files, we pride ourselves on seeking out and documenting real Australian homes. The homes we shoot are an eclectic mix of grand, architectural masterpieces, Victorian terraces, mid-century modernist gems, coastal shacks, tiny city apartments, and everything in between. Were not slaves to trends - but we do see a lot of houses, and we get a first-hand sense of what works in modern Australian homes.
Here are some of the key trends we’re seeing in Australian homes right now:

Pastel Pink
Millenial pink isn’t going away anytime soon - we’re still seeing soft pastel pinks and coral tones as a great alternative to white in contemporary interiors. These tones work particularly well with pale blonde timber and lime washed floors.
We like:
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Shades of Blue
Likewise, we’re loving the varied uses of blue we’ve been spotting in modern interiors recently. From soft pastel shades, to deeper, dusty hues, blue is a versatile base and a great alternative to grey. A great solution for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, these cool tones work well with marble bench tops and ceramic tiles.
We like:


Textured Walls
Wall treatment isn’t always just about colour - texture is important too. We can’t get enough of internal painted timber panelling, whether used on walls or cabinetry, this adds graphic interest and is hard-wearing in high traffic spaces. Alternatively, textured paint surfaces are a great way to add interest - we love rugged concrete-style finishes, and chalky, textured interior walls reminiscent of rendered plasterwork.
We like:
Gallery
More of The Design Files

Inside the NGV
Lucy was lucky to be granted behind the scenes access as this historic exhibition was brought to life, and to chat with NGV exhibition designer Ingrid Rhule, for an insight into the design and use of colour for this show.
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