Colour code

Warm layers of colour, pattern and texture infuse a onceplain city apartment with exuberance and familiarity

- By Stephanie Hope

Downsizing from a large family home to a smaller city apartment was a pleasantly seamless experience for the female owner of this Toorak two-bedder and her little dog, thanks largely to the creative inpur from interior designer D Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors. "The apartment - as many new apartments are was styled in a modern and pared-back way, which didn't suit the client, who loves antiques, fabrics and colour," Amy shares. "It was our job to make the space feel like a home, through the addition of soft furnishings, bespoke lighting, furniture and linens."

Colour and pattern were key to this, each room layered with the perfect mix of striped, floral, and paisley upholstery, cushions, lampshades and rugs. "The lush greens and rich reds work well for a Melbourne climate, and the owner loves to garden, so it was important to surround her in florals and fresh colours," explains Amy.

While some apartments can feel boxy and cramped, the modern finishes in this boutique design helped counteract this and led to a feeling of spaciousness. "This neutral base really makes the fabrics sing, and it helps the apartment feel large and bright," Amy says.

TAKE CUES FROM THE OUTDOORS