Why Every Room Needs Cool Metals + How To Get The Look
Interiors
Nicola Roger’s Melbourne Worker’s Cottage. Arflex Marenco armchair from Space Furniture.Vintage Cesca chairs from CCSS. Vintage Italian marble table from Kush Interiors. Canoe wall light by Anna Charlesworth. Argil Square Snow Glazed tile from Cerdomus Tile Studio. USM Haller sideboard E2 from Anibou. Akari 24N floor lamp from Cibi. Walls painted in Dulux Pipe Clay Quarter. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks.
Sarah Shinners’ Modernist Treehouse Rental. ‘Dreamer 3’ by Robert Malherbe, courtesy of the artist and James Makin Gallery. Vintage Byron Botker Palo Alto Chair. Vintage screen. Fogia object 1 stool from Fred International. Swedese riddle magazine rack from Fred International. Photo – Dylan James
Artist Gemma Leslie’s Alphington Home. Rug bought at auction from Leonard Joel. Chairs found by Gemma’s father in hard rubbish 10 years ago! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Chrome was a popular material in the futuristic and space-age-obsessed interiors of the 5os. As with most trends, it’s recently come back into vogue — yet this time, without a palette of brightly coloured hues to accompany it.
Below, we share three tips for a more restrained and timeless approach to styling with metallic accents.
Don’t overdo it. The key to nailing this look is by using cool metals sparingly. Too much and your room will start to feel cold. Focus on one big statement piece (like the Tub Coffee Table by Fearon we’ve used in the moodboard above) and then inject small, subtle metal highlights throughout.
Pair with timber. There’s no other way to say it, metal and timber are besties. The slick ‘man made’ nature of metal teamed with the warmth and texture of natural timber go hand-in-hand — we see it so often in Australian and international interiors these days. When used right, these two materials work in such a complimentary and timeless manner.
Soften with contrasting textures. Plush textures such as velvet and delicate rice paper are the antithesis of cool metals, which makes them the perfect balancing act. Choose a large furniture item, such as RJ Living’s plush Block 4 Seater Sofa in a rich opal forest colourway to offset your statement metal item. Pieces that have these two elements already together, like ELLISON STUDIOS.’ Chromeo Armchair and Ottoman, are also great options for your space. A touch of softness from overhead never goes amiss either. We’d recommend hanging a paper pendant like the Akari 26A to complete the layers of cold and soft.
Additional moodboard credits (from left): ‘Duet’ by Charlotte Swiden from Saint Cloche. Checkered Bowl Basket from Pan After. Trap Mirrored Candle Holder by Nick Aylward from Ma House Supply Store. Hinge Candelabra by Studio Henry Wilson. ‘Solid Bodies’ by Kate Tucker from Diane Singer. ‘In Case of An Emergency Ask An Old Person’ by Daimon Donwey from Saint Cloche. ‘Bottoms Up and Down Glass’ by Anna Varendorff from Craft Victoria. IXIA Vase by Hattie Molloy. Ceramic Bowl by Rina Bernabei from Petite.
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