Blog - Martina Hayes | Building Design & Interior Design

Which Grey to Choose?

Which grey to choose for your home?

Many people have been led to believe that grey and white work with every other colour. Right? Wrong! Choosing which grey to use is more involved than you may have firstly estimated. In this short video below I show you how to determine which grey to choose.

Does grey really work with everything?

Recently I had a friend from overseas staying with me. One day she said: “Look Martina, I understand you’re a colour consultant, but who actually needs a colour consultant because we all know grey works with every colour”. And this was my response that I replied to her.

“Be mindful of different colour bases”

I showed her three colour samples of three greys each with a different base tone.

Grey with a purple base (left), with a green base (centre) and with a turquoise base (right) — The left swatch has a purple base, the centre one a green base and the right one a turquoise base. They are all grey but each portray a different feeling and match other colours in a certain way. So now do you begin to see that grey is not just grey.

Which grey to choose depends on their undertones

Both the grey and the white have a purple undertone — Both the grey and the white (above) have a purple undertone.

An example: You have a sofa in the above purple based grey and are looking for a white paint colour for your walls. I would recommend to choose a white that shares the purple undertone as to best accentuate your space. This way all the chosen colours look and work beautifully together achieving a harmonious look. When you wish to add scatter cushions e.g. to your lounge go again for the purples, this way it all ties together.

Which grey to select for a harmonic colour scheme

Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine it with a turquoise sheer curtain — Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine them with turquoise accessories like a turqoise sheer curtain

Another example: We have now (above) a grey sofa that has a turquoise undertone, and are looking for white paint colour. You may wish to go for a crisp white in this case. Bring more turquoise in through your decorative items, such as sheer curtains. Therefore creating a harmonic colour scheme.

If you need further inspiration on your colour palette, why not have a look at the magazine’s Home Beautiful best interior colours for Winter 2019.

Deciding on which grey to choose

When deciding on which grey to choose access your space and try to determine the undertones that are existing or that you would like to create. Don’t forget about other contributing factors though such as space and light.

For more ideas and information have a look at my other post about choosing paint colours for your home.

Also be mindful that colours in photos and on screens may turn out differently.

If you find that colour matching belongs in the too-hard-basket, take advantage of our colour consulting services where we recommend a beautiful palette that brings the best out of your home.

For any questions you might have, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. Alternatively, you can also use this handy contact form.

Choosing paint colour

Choosing paint colour is not as easy as it sounds.

Have you found that your eyes have wandered around your home recently, wondering what a fresh coat of paint could do to your walls as well as the vibe and aesthetic of your home. This is fantastic opportunity to rejuvenate your interiors.

Choosing paint colour scheme

But what often troubles us all is the how. How do you select paint colours, what vibe am I trying to create or change? The answer is to find and then determine a new colour scheme.

Many of us are ready for the change but are just stuck at where to start when choosing paint colour.

This short video below is a great start for you to put you on the right path a determining a new colour scheme for your home.

Key Points from the Video

1. Ceiling height important for choosing paint colour

The first step towards choosing paint colour is to measure the height of your homes ceiling. If your ceiling measures less than 2.7 metres it’s best to choose a lighter colour. This is to create the illusion of a larger space avoiding cramped and squished.

2.4 metres is the standard ceiling height but you are not limited only to white, you have the opportunity to add pastel hues which can create a truly stunning and really quite unique space.

With a ceiling height of 2.7 metres or more, you can play with colour on your ceiling. A warm, dark hue gives your living area this snug atmosphere you always desired.

2. Size of the room critical for choosing paint colours

When choosing your paint colour it’s especially important to consider the size of the space. Different colours create different effects depending on the square footage of the room. If your space only measures a few square metres, be aware if choosing a dark colour of the effects they can portray. A darker wall colour can often make a space feel smaller, tighter and more enclosed than it actually is.

The smaller a room, the lighter the colour you should choose as it is making the most of the space, but if you do have a large room it’s a fantastic opportunity to use darker colours with added moody tones and drama to your space.

3. Natural Light critical for choice of colours

Lighting is incredibly important when selecting your hues. Colours are very perceptive to light and can look completely different at certain times of day depending how light is affected in the space. It’s a good start to determine how much natural light your space receives as well as determining whether your space is warm or cool in tone.

Two paint swatches — For the interiors of an Epping house I recommended Dulux Antarctica Lake 1/8 for the walls and Vivid White for the doors and trims

If your room is flooded with natural light, you are spoiled for choice when choosing paint colour. You can choose paint colours from the cooler spectrum of the colour wheel such as blues, greens or turquoise. These colours may otherwise may make a room seem smaller if your space does not have as much natural light.

This cooler hue on your walls may just take the edge off on a hot summer day in Sydney. It is a fabulous solution for Northern facing bedrooms. It goes without saying that the wall colour can’t change the temperature in reality, but your perception may be changed.

If you’re after a stunning space, but don’t want to bother about all this colour gibberish, have a look at my colour consult service.

Feature walls add interest

If you’re finding that the space you want to update lacks any particular interest, a feature wall could be the way for you to go. The idea is that of a wall, ideally located opposite the entry door and has no window or large cabinetry whose design differs from those of the other walls in the space. They are intended to break up the room and add interest and definition to the space.

Choosing the paint colour then for a feature wall should be something that inspires you or that brings out others colours in the space such as the hues of rugs and cushions.

Wallpaper can transform your space

Don’t limit yourself to a solid colour for your feature wall. There are so many beautiful and inspiring wallpapers to choose. Subtle fabric wallpapers add extra texture to your space for comfy hygge atmosphere. If your daring and really in need of change a bold pattern will transform your room from boring to absolutely stunning.

One supplier we often use is Eurowalls with a showroom in Sydney’s suburb Alexandria. But there are many other wallpaper shops to choose from.

If you find it difficult to settle on a paint colour, feel free call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au.

Alternatively, you can use this contact form.

Bathroom Layout Planning

Many people dream of a bathroom design and layout that feels like a sanctuary. Some people love their bathroom design to include sleek clean lines, others indulge with a farmhouse style bathroom with dried flowers and decorative knick-knacks.

Irrespective of what your personal bathroom style might be, your dream bathroom begins with a great cutting edge bathroom layout.

Industrial style bathroom with a black freestanding bathtub — Bathroom design in North Sydney

What is a cutting edge bathroom layout?

Cutting edge design is the latest most advanced creation. It is one that best conquers the space implementing energy and artistic design in your home.

A great floor plan is all about achieving great functionality while also creating aesthetic design. It puts the beautiful items on show, e.g. vanity or freestanding bathtub which then has the ability to become the focal point of the space. The focal point is the place in the space which the eye is naturally most drawn to. On the other hand, the toilet pan should be hidden as much as possible and not to be the focal point of your bathroom.

Whether you wish to construct a new home or update an existing, it’s imperative to get the layout right.

This short video (below) explains key points to consider when planning your bathroom layout.

Key Points to Remember when creating your bathroom layout

Leave sufficient walking space

A successful bathroom layout allows for sufficient walking space in-between your bathroom items. It should never feel like a tight squeeze moving from your shower to your wash basin.

Spacious Counter Top and Wall Mounted Vanity

Great bathrooms always allow for a luxurious and spacious counter top. This then leaves plenty of space around the basin to place your cream pots, perfume bottles and personal items you wish to keep on top. A classic combination is incorporating a stone bench top on a wall mounted vanity with the basin sitting on top. Standard vanity widths are 900, 1000 and 1200mm incorporating a single bowl, and 1500, 1600 and 1800mm for double bowls.

Contemporary bathroom with turquoise tiles — Wall mounted vanity with basin on top of the benchtop

Accessible Windows

Any windows should be easily accessible, allowing you to open and close it as required without the need to bend over or stepping into the bathtub to reach the handle.

Balanced Bathroom Design

A successful bathroom design comes down to achieving a well balanced bathroom layout. This means the vanity should ideally stretch wall to wall avoiding cutting short. Everything sits snug in place as if it belongs right here in exactly this spot. This will wow your visitors and make you feel good every time you use the space.

Placement of Fixtures

Shower Placement

Walk-in-showers with a simple glass screen and no door are state of the art. But unless you wish to dry the floor after every shower session, I’d recommend selecting a glass panel of at least 1.4 metres in width. This way the water splashes onto the screen and not onto the bathroom floor.

Towel Racks

Once you have decided your bathroom layout, don’t forget to find a good convienient place for your (heated) towel rack.

Bathroom layout to consider

When planning your bathroom it’s important to consider how the layout will affect the space. A traditional bathroom layout is when fixtures are placed along the walls. This is a great way to design, but be aware there are newer layout of design to consider.

A state of the art bathroom layout should be largely in consideration if you are building or renovationing to resale as it could result in a higher resale value of the property. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses!

Bathroom-Design-Latest-Layout-Trend-traditional — Traditional bathroom layout – placement of fixtures along the walls

Floorplan showing bathroom layout — Cutting edge bathroom layout

To make this layout (above) work, the bathroom spaces needs to measure at least 3.3 by 3.6 metres.

Even with a smaller space than the above measurements there are endless design combinations. Designs and layouts are created to look fantastic as well as being functional for you.

Additional bathroom

If your dream is an additional bathroom for you to say good-bye to the queues in the mornings, have a read on how to add an ensuite to your master bedroom.

Get yourself some inspiration for your new bathroom and other projects I recently completed.

I can help you to create and develop your own bathroom layout, I would love to help.

Contact me here or send an email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. Alternatively, pick up your phone and give me a call on 0434 498 450.

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8 interior design trends straight from Milan

Here I bring you interior design trends straight from the world’s famous furniture exhibition, the Salone del Mobile 2019 in Milan.

Italians set interior design trends

Italians and design seem to be a match made in heaven. When it comes to setting furniture trends in residential interiors, the Southern Europeans have always been ahead of the pack. You can do too! Simply check out these 8 trends that transform your home from drab to fab.

1. Solid coloured cabinets lead the way

What immediately caught my eye whilest wandering through the booths was the dominance of solid coloured surfaces. It’s bye-bye boring as red and blue furniture items are everywhere.

blue side board — Side board in a muted blue

While most of the hues are tastefully muted, there are sporadically bright colours on display for the opulent furniture lovers among us. This trend runs throughout the entire furniture range from sideboards to side tables and from consoles and cupboards.

2. Stained marble now in fashion

If you’re even more adventurous, put it up a notch and select a marble finish in a striking burnt orange hue. You can’t be more in vogue when it comes to interior decoration of your home.

interior design trend: red marble side board — Sideboards in red marble are in vogue

But most of us like it toned down a bit. If this is you, you’ll be pleased to know that stone and marble finishes in neutral colours are still going strong. Think about a dining table top in off-white, grey or beige with impressive veins.

3. Bulky lounges set interior design trends

interior design trend: 3 armchairs with no legs — Armchairs and lounges become bulky and cosy

After years of lounges getting more and more elegant with legs available in all colours and shapes, the latest and greatest in sofa design reverses back. I saw a lot of bulky armchairs and cosy couches that don’t have legs at all. This brings in warmth and atmosphere, especially when you have a large scale living room to decorate.

4. New materials for outdoor furniture

What’s the ants’ pants in sun lounges, cabanas and outdoor dining suites? Most outdoor furniture is beaded, knitted or woven with a rope like material emulating a natural look. However, the ropes are made of plastic that combine hardy outdoor attributes with a casual appearance. Green brownie points go to the manufacturers who use recycled plastic to produce eco-friendly alternatives.

interior design trend: woven chair frames — Outdoor furniture frames are made out of rope

Impressive is also the new generation of outdoor fabrics. They came a long way feeling nowadays nearly as soft as their indoor counterparts while continue to possess the requirements of a sturdy outdoor cover. Think about rain water repellence and UV light resistance, even in our harsh Australian climate.

5. Timber centre pieces are the latest

This timber dining table takes the centre stage

Timber veneer has almost completely disappeared from new closets and dressers in favour of solid coloured finishes. But when timber is used, it makes a bold statement. Either solid and rustic, combined with elegant materials, or elevated becoming the celebrated focal point. But gone are the days that timber is the standard feature in furniture design.

6. Wallpaper is still on top

Talking about features, wallpaper is still the first choice when it comes to creating a feature wall. But we also use it as a subtle backdrop that adds texture and elegance to any space. Did someone say that wall paper is dead? Well, not so according to the design gurus in Milan. And I’m happy because I simply love it.

textured brown wallpaper — Subtle wallpaper adds classy texture

7. Interior design trends for kids’ rooms

Childrens’ bedrooms have always been a licence to colour. But with the development to coloured surfaces you can imagine that there is no more stopping it. While grown ups’ furniture is finished in muted colours, childrens’ items are bright and fun.

blue and yellow kids bedroom — Colourful and sophisticated kids bedroom

Sophistication goes up a notch when it comes to kids’ and teenagers’ interior design trends. Clever inbuilt furniture is the way to go, making playing, studying and relaxing child’s play!

8. What’s new in lighting?

interior-design-trend-white-pendant-light — Does this pendant light inspiration come from a Sydney icon?

Everything continues to revolve around lighting. Not as the icing of the cake, but as a must for any successful decoration project. And the choices have never been more creative, magnificent and overwhelming than today. But what trends do we see? Lighting can be anything, subtle or screaming, huge or tiny, but always in context to the space it is existing in.

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If you would like professional assistance for your interior decoration project, I offer design packages with different service levels to accommodate various budgets.

Please call me on 0434 498 450 or send an email to martina@martinahayes.com.au to learn more. You can also use this contact form.

Ensuite bathroom in Waverton

My clients wanted to add an ensuite bathroom to their house. Therefore, they brought me in to help them with the design and the finishes of the space.

Ensuite bathroom with vanity and mirror — The ensuite doesn’t feel small at all

In 2018, they bought this 3 storey terrace style house with a stunning view
to Sydney’s skyline from its roof top.

View of Sydney skyline — A stunning view to Sydney’s skyline and glimpses of the Harbour Bridge

Second bathroom required

Equipped with 4 spacious bedrooms, the home had only 1 bathroom. Allthough there are only 2 people living at this North Shore address, they wanted to have a second bathroom.

Ensuite adjacent to master bedroom

Luckily, the master bedroom was large enough to cut-off a part of it. Therefore, this became the new ensuite bathroom for the home owners.

Small ensuite bathroom feels large

Though the ensuite is small, it doesn’t feel cramped at all. It has even an oversized shower with a glass screen that slides to the side saving valueable space.

ensuite bathroom mirror pendant lights — Black marble tiles and black tapware add sophistication

Marble adds touch of luxury

The black marble tiles with their luscious white veines add a touch of luxury to this bathroom. Simple white wall tiles and a charcoal coloured floor tile complement the gorgeous marble in addition.

Wall hung vanity in ensuite bathroom

When space is at a premium, I like to recommend a wall hung vanity to make a bathroom look bigger than it actually is. In this Waverton house, we fit in a 1.2 metres long vanity that gives plenty of practical bench space. Finished with the textured Ravine range from Polytec, the grey timber look ties in with the marble. With the shark nose edge on the top of the drawers we gave any handles a miss. Not only does this look contemporary and sleek. Above all, it is easy to clean and who doesn’t like that?

ensuite bathroom wash basin — The basin’s inlay matches the mirrors gold coloured finish

Stylish black tapware

Elegant is the wall mounted, minimalist water spout. The black tapware adds to the dramatic look of this ensuite bathroom. On top of the quartz stone counter sits a wash basin with a gold coloured inlay. This matches beautifully the large mirror with its frame in a distressed gold looking finish.

Tips for your own ensuite bathroom

In conclusion, if you wish to make a small ensuite bathroom look sophisticated, consider using:

wall hung vanity
large mirror
small sized tiles (such as subway tiles)

If you need assistance with the layout, design and finishes for your bathroom, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email martina@martinahayes.com.au. You can also use this contact form.