On the Bookshelf :: The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale
The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale, Hardie Grant, 2015. All images © Anson Smart.
My shelves and coffee tables are piled high with gorgeous design books. Each one serving its own unique purpose, reaching out to a select and stylish audience. It is not often that I think a book is for everyone; The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale is. A beautifully curated book that is both guide as well as visual inspiration. This beautiful manual filled with over 200 vibrant photographs of 18 of Natale's projects will delight the most accomplished designer as well the novice who may be intimidated by the whole process of designing a home.
As I made my way though The Tailored Interior I was taken by the designer's diversity of styles, from a classic and traditional New England style home in Brisbane to a crisp and contemporary home in Melbourne. From Traditional to Transitional to Modern, each space clearly unique is shaped with Natale's unmistakable touch, a Midas touch it seems. Natale walks us through the importance of all elements of design. No detail is left unturned... No floor, ceiling or wall is uncovered. He offers up tips and facts from everything from paint to furniture, from rugs to accessories while factoring the importance of a room's architectural details, size and light sources. His insight, tips and suggestions, like a needle and thread, pull all the pieces together, to create a product that is polished and complete.
In The Inspired Room we're given images that inspire, words to admire. Carefully crafted and thought out Natale guides readers through the design process, starting with inspiration and conception through to cohesion, while navigating through the various aspects of pulling everything together.
A coffee table book indeed. And yet, this is one to cuddle up with in bed at the end of a long day with a cup of tea or glass of wine, to lose yourself in. These images aren't to flipped through quickly and the words aren't to be skimmed over. This is a book to savor.
About the author: With his signature style, Greg Natale has been feted as one of Australia's top designers, winning numerous awards. He has been featured in prestigious publications such as Wallpaper, Vogue Living, Time, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Architectural Digest, and ElleDecor.
The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale, foreward by Jonathan Adler, Photography by Anson Smart. Published by Hardie Grant/distributed by Rizzoli New York. Publication date September 2015.
“When you’re creating the mood for a space, the first step is to find your inspiration. A revamped personal favourite, such as a re-upholstered piece of furniture, can often set the tone for a room’s design.”
“The art of layering is to keep the big picture in mind while you address every little detail. Build up your look from walls to furniture to accessories, considering how each surface and piece relates to the next.”
“When you’re building up contrast in a space, consider the interplays between different scales, colours and finishes, curves and angles, ceramics and metallics, man-made pieces and natural organic shapes.”
“If you start with a neutral-toned sofa, you can then add details, patterns and pops of colour through cushions and accessories. Textures provide another level to play with - mix soft and hard furnishings for dramatic effect.”
“Try mixing diverse patterns for a dynamic effect, but make sure they share a huge to keep your look cohesive. Then choose a piece a piece in one solid colour to tie the patterns together and provide a focal point.”
“Cohesion is about bringing together all the elements of your design so that the layers of walls, floors, ceilings and furniture speak to one another, both contrast and balance are evident, and finishing touches add vitality.”