Be Styled Archives

Pastels are still leading summer design trends; calm, soft, relaxing, but definitely not girly.

We’re seeing earthy greens and duckegg greys teamed with warmer peaches and pinks, often mixed with navy or dark green to create a balance between masculine and feminine.

How to make pastels work

It’s about mixing shades and materials. You can pair leather and wood in grey tones and then add highlights of brighter corals, pinks and blues. Add an animal print — an ocelot carpet or skin. It’s super-masculine and comfortable and perfectly balances the softer feminine tones. Our Premium Collection Savanna Scenes range has some great fun carpets to choose from.

Floors that make pastels pop

Greys and steely metals anchor your floor and constrain the lighter colours. You can use wood and then layer with rugs in softer colours or keep the whole palette in pastel and create and airy and whimsical feel, with light wispy fabrics and blurred water colour accessories.

Here are some of our favourite floors to match with pastels – whether you’re after the wood look or the softness of carpet.

Hardfloor

Carpet

Rhino Manhattan Harlem — Manhattan Harlem

Malmo Florence 'Romito' colour swatch — Florence Romito

Salisbury 'Stone Lintel' colour swatch — Salisbury Stone Lintel

Do you walk into a store and often find yourself heading towards the shiny objects? Do you love copper, silver and gold tones and have a guilty pleasure for glam? Do you also love using accessories to turn ordinary into extraordinary. This is what Metal Elements is all about

The Metal Elements style allows you to bring your passion for glam into your home. It brings a sense of edgy chic style, much like putting on the fancy jewellery with your evening wear. Using metal holds a sense of strength and boldness so you can display confidence in your style.

Why should you pick this look?

The question that should be asked is why wouldn’t you?

It’s hard wearing, it can handle those boozy cocktail parties
It adds style to an affordable base – you don’t have to spend much to look on point
It completes your look by adding the ‘finishing touches’ (for those of you who are design conscious)
It can work with other styles so you can dress it up just a little bit more. Can you ever be too glam?

What does Metal Elements look like?

A combination of different metals in the same space add warmth. It could be as simple as hanging some silver photo frames and a popping a cooper candle holder on the table.
A print lover? Well its your lucky day because it works great with prints!
It brings monochrome schemes to life!
It pairs really well with a laminate or hard flooring.
Light or dark grey and black carpet also pairs well. Metals compliment a darker flooring really well.

Does this style suit you?
If you have a more formal living area or an apartment this look will be great for you!

Do you consider yourself to be fairly simple when it comes to design and living? You tend to stay away from bold colours and textures because you prefer things to look more simple and clean. This is what the Simple Structure look is all about! A clean, clear and structured look.

Often called the ‘white look’, this style has a Scandinavian or Nordic feel and is often monochrome. You’ll see strong lines, black and white, simple accessories and no fuss.

This is a look where you de-clutter and pick strong pieces and materials to provide structure. Less is definitely more. It has a clean look that is elegant and refined, however it is not overly forgiving.

Rhino Rhode Island Charismatic Lifestyle Bedroom — Rhino Rhode Island in Charismatic

Why should you pick this look?

It’s neutral – you only need to pick a couple of colours
It has a masculine element to it
You want a stylish statement look – yes simple can be stylish!

What does simple interior and flooring look like?

Fur, even better faux fur!
Stone – doesn’t actually have to be stone flooring, you could use our vinyl, LVT or rigid products create the stone flooring look.
Heavy texture
Rugs
Throws – they soften the look a little bit and make it more welcoming
Leather – leather couches or chairs are a great way to introduce this
This look works really well with a wide flooring board.

Would this look suit you?

This look works well for those who are professional or live a high life that are soft living and able to maintain the simple and clean look.

“Get lost in nature and you will find yourself” a cliche probably too overused but in fact very true.

It is proven that ‘getting in touch with nature’ improves your well being and overall mood; we are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, etc. We become absorbed by nature which distracts us from other negative emotions. Natural Freedom is about bringing the calming and relaxing feeling we experience with nature into the home.

Natural Freedom incorporates the colours, textures and patterns you would find outside and is fresh and harmonious. It creates a sense of harmony by mirroring what we see outside.

It works well with lots of light and open room environments- that could feel too large unless the sense of space is given a purpose. Natural Freedom is timeless and won’t go out of fashion – you can always review your accent colours with the strong colours of nature when you want a change (reds, oranges, blues and greens).

Why should you pick indoor plants for your home?

Its pleasing to a lot of people as it reflects nature – who doesn’t appreciate what nature has to offer?
It’s kind on the eye – it creates a calming aura
It’s available at every level (and in every style)
It wont date

What does Natural Freedom look like?

Layers of natural fibre – think different woods, plants, twines
Natural colours such as dark chocolates, soft greys, burnt ash, creams, beige and whites
It creates a sense of space and openness
Organic/fluid – it’s a good way to create indoor/outdoor flow and wood/wood look flooring helps with this
It moves with the seasons – colours and tones can change to reflect the season
Natural materials e.g. rattan/ wood/ linen/ cotton

Would this look suit you?

Natural Freedom suits family environments, homes that will be lived in for a long time, the environmentally friendly and sustainability focused.

Rattan + Wicker Furniture

Rattan/Wicker has been re-emerging over the last couple of years, but this Spring, it’s set to take the interior world by storm!

Forget the more simple ‘70s look—rattan has been given a seriously modern update. Think peacock-inspired bedheads, wicker storage units, and rattan and chrome chairs: There’s something out there for every room and budget.

Rattan/wicker offers a warmth, charm and level of comfort to your home that other materials can’t. Whether taking on contemporary or more traditional shapes, having rattan/wicker pieces in your home invites organic elements that layer well with other decor.

Break up a modern inspired living room with wicker ottomans or add a beach feel to a glamorous bedroom with a rattan bench or accent chair. However it is introduced, furniture in this material adds a casual and comfortable element to any space.

General Eclectic Bed Head Petal from The Market

Panama Bamboo Hall Console Table from The French Villa

Clusters of Pendant Lights

Lighting fixtures do more than brighten up a room—they’re a bold detail. Go for multi-pendant fixtures, and by multi we mean at least 5 pendants, especially ones made from natural materials, because what says ‘Summer is on its way’ more than beautiful rattan pendants? The natural materials also help to tone down how over-the-top such a large number of pendants are, if you’re into a more minimalist look.

Performance Fabrics and Materials

Performance fabrics are a must—they have changed the way we live by making every room functional for the entire family. They could be used in the messiest of family rooms, but also in luxurious living and dining rooms while maintaining a fashionable aesthetic. And when it comes to carpet, SmartStrand is that performance fabric. Tough on stains, kind underfoot, our revolutionary ‘Forever Clean’ spill-and-soil barrier on our Rhino Carpet defends your home against life’s unexpected messy moments with ease.

From the pitter-patter of little feet to four-legged friends; accidental spills to muddy stomps; Rhino’s superior carpets protect with tough love that lasts for years.

Home Office

Possibly the most relevant interior design trend of 2020 is creating a home office. With an uplift in remote work, there is a need to create a workspace that is productive and functional.

If having a home office feels luxurious at this point, there are ways to organize creatively and make just about any area a workspace. Guest rooms, a bedroom area, even closets can double as offices. A small floating shelf, a mini secretary desk, or a leaning ladder are some space smart solutions that help anchor a space for work.

Mixed Metals

This Spring there is definitely an obsession with metals. Both finishings and furniture in silver, gold, tin, and copper will be prominent with such confidence that mixing them takes the trend a step beyond.

Here are some guidelines that help to keep metals from being an overwhelming feature in your room.

Be careful not to mix more than three metals in one space, when mixing warm (brass, gold, copper) and cool coloured (aluminium, silver, stainless steel) metals, choose one dominant colour and an accent one.
Having a primary metal ensures your space a sense of unity, while accent metals will guide the eyes throughout the room.
Neutral metals like cast iron and other black metals can easily combine with both.
Even though multiple metals may inhabit your space, you don’t want them to be competing for attention. Don’t clutter a space with too many metal pieces.

Wood

Natural timbers or grey tones are still very trendy, and you can see these finishes below with our COREtec Naturals in colour Meadow (also available in herringbone), Rhino EverCore Nature in colour Bespoke Oak (also available in herringbone), COREtec Naturals in colour Haze and Quick-Step Compact in colour Slate Grey Oak Extra Matt. But expect to see more wooden cabinetry from now on as well.

Designers are mixing painted cabinets with raw wood cabinets in kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms because the warmth of a wooden cabinet not only brings interest to a space but it also helps add balance to it. Yes, we are finally saying goodbye to all-white spaces and hello to warm tones!

Rhino EverCore Nature Rigid Bespoke Oak in Kitchen — Rhino EverCore Nature in colour Bespoke Oak

Quick-Step Compact in colour Slate Grey Oak Extra Matt

Have you ever walked into someone’s house and felt like you’re walking through a show room? Every room is so stylish, everything looks luxurious, everything matches, has a purpose, has it’s place and is perfectly aligned. It’s simply stunning.

You find yourself wishing that your house was so tidy and trendy but know it wouldn’t be possible, especially while the kids are still living at home!

The Comfortable Contemporary style takes that immaculately stylised look and makes it liveable – it’s modern, practical and works with your busy family life. It’s a universal look that visually has a broad spectrum.

Liking what you hear? Well it’s about to get better…This style works with you, you don’t need to go buy all the latest things to create it. It takes the current trends and works with what you already have.

Why should you pick contemporary interior design?

It’s timeless with a long life look
It lends itself to large spaces and works really well with open plan living
It doesn’t need to be expensive to look good!

What does a Comfortable Contemporary house look like?

We refer to it as a big softie – it has softer edges and woven textures (imagine those large woven blankets or a duvet with funky stitching)
Light colours (beige, cream, whites and light brown) – if you have light coloured timber flooring or beige carpets you’re off to a great start!
The furniture feels lived in, so it’s okay the house isn’t in pristine condition
Investment pieces are neutral
Colour and texture is delivered through accents. You don’t need to go buying any bold statement pieces or rip up the carpet to create this look!

Does this look suit you?

Comfortable Contemporary is a winner all round as it suits most home environments.

Spending time in nature has the power to calm the mind, refresh the body and renew the spirit.

Experts recommend at least an hour a day of “Forrest Bathing” (immersing yourself in nature) to relieve stress. But chances are, you don’t log enough hours in the bush, or by the beach to enjoy the full results! When natural landscapes are in short supply, try adding a few earthy elements to your home. Bring the essence of the outside in with natural materials, textures and soothing hues.

Wood, Stone, Wool and Greenery are your best bets for creating a natural sanctuary of your own.

The simple setting above illustrates the basics of a Naturalist home…Wood, Plants, Natural Fibres, Sunlight & Simplicity!

This decorating scheme of soft greys, undyed cottons and hand-made stoneware accessories evokes the feeling of a rocky beach. More harmonious than matching, an eclectic grouping of cushions in greys and neutrals make for a sophisticated, timeless setting. Once laid, this versatile foundation can be easily refreshed with an accessory or two.

Sofa cushions left to right: August Charcoal, Stonewashed Linen Stone, Cusco, Thea, Stonewash Linen Charcoal, August Natural. Throw: Stonewashed Linen Charcoal

These delicate grey sheers filter the sun while still allowing plenty of natural light to flood the room (Curtain Studio, Breeze Concrete).

If cream carpet isn’t a good fit for your lifestyle, you can still achieve a light and breezy look with hard flooring. We love the airy-light feeling of Malmo Mammut Laminate in Makro Oak Light Grey.

For a textured, yet modern space, wood furniture pieces in natural, rustic finishes are a highly effective addition. A well-made piece adds gravitas to your home and can last for generations.

This interior from woodedit.com ticks all the boxes: Wood, sisal, clay, natural light & greenery.

Photo: Woodedit.com Get this look with our Belgotex Barcelona Offset Tile

Great for masking architectural eye-sores, filling awkward voids or simply softening a room…PLANTS bring so many benefits of nature into the home!

Their air-filtering properties are well documented, but did you know that they also relieve stress and increase productivity? Not to mention the infinite varieties of shape, texture and size that add a living design element to your interior.

Margot Hanging Planter from Urban Outfitters

This season the emphasis is on pink, deep rouge, berry tones and olive green, brick walls, home bars and dried flowers to name a few.

Pink, and not just millennial pink

After a decade or two of pink being associated with tweens’ bedrooms, pink is back! There are, however a few rules for mastering this candy colour. First one being, avoid anything that vaguely reminds you of a colour Barbie would wear; blush-toned, muted pinks are the way to go paired with deep rouge, maroon and charcoal grey. Be sure to keep finishes matt – anything shiny and pink, and you are entering six-year-old’s bedroom territory again.

Cushions & Throw from CurtainStudio, Images from Pinterest

Exposed bricks are back

Exposed brick interior walls are one of the most popular home design trends right now. Exposed brick adds a lot character, texture and interest to a room, they can make an otherwise boring space look warm and inviting, not to mention unique. If terracotta is not your thing, they look just as good lime washed or painted creating a subtler style and if a whole wall is too much you could opt for just an exposed fireplace instead.

The home bar

We’ve been enjoying drinks indoors for quite some time now, during and post-pandemic. And although lockdown restrictions have eased up, a home bar is still a must in every home this year and beyond. This is a practical and very Gatsby-like addition, think bar carts, cocktail chairs and plenty of neon signs.

Paint a corner olive green

Bringing the beauty of nature into your home, olive green has burst onto the interiors scene for winter 2020. Warm and natural, soothing and serene olive green is the perfect hue for relaxing spaces.

Pair with white, beige and tan for for a contemporary feel. Pink and green are opposite one another on the colour wheel, which makes them work together beautifully. Freshen up your Scandi vibes by placing this warm green alongside your Millennial pink pieces.

Dried flowers

Excellent news for those of us whose fresh flowers don’t last very long….dried flowers are officially back from the dead, and they’re making a rather chic comeback.

Search #driedflowers or #driedflorals on instagram or pinterest and more than a million photos of dried flowers and foliage will pop up.

Set to become one of the biggest trends of 2020, the dried flower options are endless, from feathery grasses to cute bunny tails, lavender and thistles. And for good reason too; they’re low-maintenance, eco-friendly as they last longer than cut flowers, plus they bring a whole new range of faded colour options.

Find out how to make your own dried flower arrangement here.

The naturalist trend of Summer comes inside for Autumn. Inspired by the cosy comfort of a holiday lodge. Rich moody earth tones, soft neutral faux furs with plush textures, chunky knits and natural blended fabrics will be perfect for the cooler seasons.

Colour

This season the emphasis is on colour and creating a cosy, comforting scheme, olive green and soft grey toned blues combine with earthy terracotta tones and a splash of spicy mustard to add some relaxed warmth to your space.

Domani Toscana Midnight Duvet Cover Set by Farmers

Scarlett Aztec Duvet Cover Set by Farmers

Texture

The cooler months are the perfect time to layer up your home. We are seeing texture increasingly being used to add interest to rooms. A look that we are loving is layering up different textures in the same, or very similar colours. It’s perfect if you are big on neutrals and need to find different ways to decorate your rooms without using too many colours.

In a living room, cushions and blankets are an obvious way of doing this but in other rooms, try bringing in textures with plants (dried flowers are everywhere this year) prints and well curated knick knacks.

Shape

Nature’s presence in the home is a trend that repeats and repeats. This autumn, it is not simply the colours that are inspired by Mother Nature, but the form of the latest furniture and home accessories too. A rounded hallway console, curved sofa, organic wavy artwork or shapes in fabric.

Deep Grey Velvet Curved Sofa by Cox and Cox

Floral

Be brave and bold with beautiful colour influenced by flora and fauna. Floral is back with a modern update. Large and small, bold coloured, metallic and in the form of prints, ceilings, cushions, walls and couches. You can use dark floral upholstery, wallpapers or paintings to incorporate this trend.

Style tip – When mixing florals, make sure there’s a common colour on each item to tie them together.

Midnight Velvet Floral Duvet Set by Farmers

Eclipse Floral Velvet Cushion by The Design Store

A palette drawn from sea, sand, stones and sky.

Coastal inspired home decor has always been around, though not always distinctly “On Trend”. Coastal’s classic appeal means it never really goes out of style, yet overtime it has evolved. These days Coastal Style is more Natural than Nautical.

In a literal sense, the coastal style of the moment draws colour inspiration from, well…the coast. A palette drawn from sea, sand, stones and sky provides endless possibilities. In a less tangible yet equally important way, modern coastal style is all about evoking the feeling of a seaside vacation. Breezy, relaxed, comfortable and easygoing…that’s how coastal style should make you feel. And with a few simple guidelines, that’s how you’ll feel putting it all together!

Colour: The best coastal palettes combine warm and cool neutrals with a healthy dose of white or cream. Natural wood tones are key, layered with interesting textures and subtle pattern. Blue accents are a classic but not mandatory.

Here are two examples of perfect coastal style…they both tick all the boxes.

When establishing your colour scheme, a great place to start is the floor. The example on the left above achieves the look using classic, white-washed wood flooring, while the one on the right grounds the room with rustic dark wood. If darker wood is your preference, just be sure to balance it with white walls and light furniture.

Get the look with Quickstep Variano in Painted White Oak and Rhino EverCore Nature in Ancient Oak.

Here’s a lovely example of warm, honey-toned wood flooring as the base for a coastal scheme. Get the look with Malmo Mammut Mountain Oak Nature.

Texture: Another key feature of coastal style is natural texture. This comes from accessories of course, but should be considered in choices of furniture, lighting and especially the floor. This interior is a great example of mixing multiple wood textures with natural textiles and a cool grey floor. The floor here is cement, but it works in a coastal scheme as it mimics smooth beach stones. Get the look with Rhino EverCore Stone in Graphite.

Lifestyle: The most important aspect of coastal décor is easy-living. Create a fuss-free space for your family to relax. Remember not to get overly precious about any one element. Pick a bare-feet friendly flooring you can run through your entire home for a simple, unified look. Try our QuickStep Impressive (shown below in Concrete Wood Light Grey). It’s water and scratch resistant making it a perfect option for kitchens and bathrooms. Keep it coastal in the lounge with a jute area-rug or a cozy natural-wool runner by the bed.

Quick-Step Impressive in Concrete Wood Light Grey

Coastal style is all about layering! Inspired by the natural elements of sand, sea, grass and sky, Warm Neutrals soften a crisp blue and white scheme.

Summer, naturally a restrained, neutral colour scheme stays lively with texture! Hard-Flooring is cool underfoot and a great way to add natural textures to your home.

Pictured: Rhino Rhode Island in Mammoth Mountain. Rhino New Orleans in St. Charles Ave. Rhino EverCore Nature in Pastel Oak. Resene paint colours: Boticceli, Escape & Biscay.

Summer, naturally a restrained, neutral colour scheme stays lively with texture! Hard-Flooring is cool underfoot and a great way to add natural textures to your home.

Pictured: Rhino EverCore Nature in Pastel Oak. Rhino EverCore Stone in Graphite. Rhino EverCore Stone in Riverstone. Rhino EverCore Nature in Bespoke Oak. Custom and readymade fabrics from Curtain Studio.

The proud flooring supplier of The Block NZ Firehouse

Apartment 1 – Lisa & Ribz

Lisa and Ribz used our Malmo Exquisit Laminate in Nostalgie Teak Graphite throughout their entire apartment and were the only team to forgo carpet. They were also the only team to use a hard floor in their Master Bedroom, a room with a bold green feature wall but anchored by their rich brown floor lead them to their only room reveal.

Malmo Exquisit Laminate radiates warmth and is as pleasant to walk on as solid wood. Its embossed grained and matte surface shimmer gives it an authentic look. Its scratch resistant, durable properties makes it a perfect hard floor option for busy families.

Using hard floor in the entire house is a modern yet practical choice of flooring and really fitted the New York loft feel of the apartment.

Apartment 2 – Stacy & Adam

Stacy and Adam went for a mix of light and dark flooring in their house to create a strong contrast. They chose Rhino Portland in Skywalker a dark charcoal colour for their kids bedroom, which they went on to win. Rhino Carpet is perfect for homes with kids and pets because when spills and life happen, it won’t leave a lasting impact on your carpet.

The couple chose a warm honey coloured oak look floor (Waveless Oak Nature) from our Malmo Exquisit Laminate range to use in their kitchen, dining and living space which was a winner with the judges. The embossed grain and matte surface give it the authentic look and feel of warm natural wood.

The strong contrast between the dark carpet and the light wood-look flooring worked really well in their stylish and modern home.

Apartment 3 – Ethan & Sam

Ethan and Sam chose to use our Malmo Exquisit Laminate in Prestige Oak Light throughout their kitchen, hallway and living areas. The Malmo Exquisit Laminate radiates warmth and is as pleasant to walk on as solid wood. The contrast of the light floor with their darker hues throughout the house worked really nicely at creating the perfect balance of colour.

In the three bedrooms the boys opted for our exclusive Rhino Portland carpet in Dried Peat, a slightly darker carpet to offset the lighter tones used on the walls and throughout the furniture. Portland has Rhino’s patented Forever Clean technology making it easy maintenance for those with pets and families because of its stain resistance and easy to clean technology.

Penthouse – Sophia & Mikaere

Sophia and Mikaere choose to use our Rhino Portland Carpet in Vader in the bedrooms of their Penthouse Apartment. This dark charcoal grey colour works great in these spaces as it creates a cosiness while adding depth.

For the kitchen, dining and living space they choose our Malmo Mammut Laminate in Makro Oak Light Grey. The soft grey colour provides a great contrast with their light walls and dark carpet. The extra long planks of Malmo Mammut are great for making a small space appear bigger and a large space less busy as the shorter the plank the busier it will look.

See something you like? Pop into store and one of our friendly team will help you get the best look on your block.

Spring is in the air and so are warm terracotta earth tones.

This trend is based around a palette of warm earth tones…rust, baked clay and desert rose are offset by deep plum, stone and charcoal accents. Comforting and relaxed, these grounding hues are inspired by the natural elements. Colour ways reflect the warmer hues coming in to home-furnishings. Orangey-rusty-rosy colours are a direct evolution of the blush tones claiming the spotlight for the last few years. In fact, they mix quite well with the millennial pinks and dusky lavenders that have dominated the trends.

When it comes to the styling, keep it modern and light. Balance strong accent colours with Creamy whites and soft greys. Feel free to let your personality shine. This colour direction can be tailored to suit anyone from the bohemian to the minimalist.

Embrace the moment by using plenty of natural materials for your spring home-decor updates. Think rattan, wicker, and cane along with natural organic fibers and textiles. Accessories made by hand are the stars of the season. Etsy, Trade-Aid & your local craft fair are full of wonderful, hand-made and often one-of-a-kind pieces.

This interior featuring curtains and accessories from Curtain Studio perfectly embodies Radiant Earth. Achieve this warm wood flooring look with Malmo Mammut in Mountain Oak Brown.

Featuring: Custom blush velvet curtains, August cushion, Luna blush cushion, Stonewashed Linen blush cushion, Nest blush cushion from CurtainStudio.