One way or another

Alex Fulton takes colour curation to the next level styling this locally made Houndstooth chair from Frobisher against dramatic monochromatic layers of Resene Black and Resene Eighth Black White.

Black and white room with Mayfair Houndstooth chair

Black and white

Picking a colour palette from an artwork or a cushion is one of the simplest interior design tricks to help create a scheme. But what if you take your colour cues from an upholstered chair and what if the colours are black and white? Although I've simply chosen just white and black, I have pushed this scheme a little more with the addition of geometric patterns and stripes. A black and white stripe is classic. It offers a fresh, clean sophistication to an interior space. Black adds a focal point that anchors and grounds a room – adding white to that sets off the drama and violà, a monochromatic one two punch – knockout.

Monochrome comfort

The Mayfair Houndstooth occasional chair from Frobisher is generous in its proportions and the ideal single seat for many living rooms. This New Zealand made chair has been upholstered in a striking houndstooth fabric from James Dunlop but can be made with a wide range of fabric and leather upholstery.

Dark side

An instant space saver – a side table offers a single seater option for popping down your glass of wine without taking up the space of a larger coffee table. This elegant piece from Belle Interiors at McKenzie & Willis is simple and beautiful with the detail of steel dowels holding up the functional top.

Mayfair Houndstooth chair
Monochrome comfort

Dark side table
Dark side

Statement design vase
Statement vase

Mural detail
Homemade mural

Statement vase

You can’t beat a vase to add some drama, style and design. This 101 Copenhagen vase from Frobisher comes from a collection of exquisitely crafted vessels. With or without flowers or foliage, a designer vase is always a great addition to a styled space.

Homemade mural

Got a wall that needs that little something extra? Why not think about adding a mural? Grab some Resene test pots in your favourite hues and either hand draw shapes or use painter’s tape to section off and go wild with geometrical shapes or stripes.

Black and white: Mayfair Houndstooth Occasional Chair and 101 Block Mini Black Vase from Frobisher; Ikea Stockholm Rug from Nordic Chill; Toppu Tray Large and Toppu Pot from The Cane Collective; Belle Interiors Rod 2 Side Table from MCW; Cosh White Lamp from Freedom Furniture; Castle and Things Black and White Cushion from Bolt of Cloth; Artwork by Alex Fulton Design; Wooden Mountains the Woodlands; Resene Black and paint Resene Eighth Black White.

Alex Fulton turns her expert eye to styling the Mayfair Houndstooth occasional chair from Frobisher in this colourful, mondrian inspired space, with primary colours of Resene Turbo, Resene Resolution Blue and Resene Havoc.

Mondrian inspired room with monochromatic Maysfair Houndstooth chair

Mondrian

Piet Mondrian is one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, synonymous with his abstract simple geometric shapes and simple colour palette of blue, red and yellow. He believed that his version of modern art would transcend divisions in culture and become a new common language based in the pure primary colours. Primary colours are not current colours we see often in homewares and furnishings, but I wanted to push outside the normal of neutrals and pair this simple black and white houndstooth chair with a striking setting that paid tribute to Mondrian’s ideals and quests for dynamic tension and impactful style. It’s time to get our Mondrian… on.

Fun functionality

Homewares is allowed to be fun as well as functional. Having a little bit of a sense of humour with the stuff we surround ourselves within our homes is okay. It’s a way to make the banal more interesting (as well as an ideal way to store our fruit). Making the everyday something to smile about.

Customised colour

Often when I find it hard to find something in the colour, I want to simply customise it! In this case, a simple concrete cast stool is transformed with a couple of coats of paint. When painting objects for your home, always double-check what surface you are painting to and make sure you have the appropriate paint product that will do the job you need. It may need to be sealed if there is a chance it might be scratched.

Paint objects in custom colours
Customised colour

Colourful homewares
Fun functionality

Hang a rug on the wall
Off the wall

Off the wall

Yes, yes, rugs are for the floor but when a rug looks this good, why not add instant texture and interest to a wall with an art rug? Dilana has been collaborating with artists for years to express their works in another medium of wool, and the result is stunning and adventurous. These rugs are by the artist John Lyall and are his collaboration of representing the model construction system ‘Meccano’.

Mondrian: Mayfair Houndstooth Occasional Chair from Frobisher; Lego Storage Boxes from Toyworld; Meccano Rugs from Dilana; Volta Stockholm Mobile and Yellow Rabbit from Worldbrand; Moma Wire Fruit Bowls from Bolt of cloth; Concrete Stool painted by Alex Fulton in Resene Turbo and Resene Havoc from MCW; Spinner Vase in Blue from Nood; Resene Turbo, Resene Resolution Blue and Resene Havoc.