Design Direction with Pearl Interiors
Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer visits Noosa’s newest interior design studio for expert advice on making her new-build feel like a beautiful, cohesive, inviting home.
Being invited to experience the Design Concierge service at the new Pearl Interiors design studio in Noosa Junction was one of those moments where work and life align perfectly, as I’d recently signed the contract for my new home build and needed some interior direction.
Pearl Interiors was founded by expert interior designer Morgan Brady, whose experience includes working with prestigious creative agencies in New York. The studio offers services ranging from luxury end-to-end interior design to the innovative Design Concierge service – an affordable 60-minute consultation providing tailored advice on everything from layout and tiles to colours, finishes, and interiors.
“The goal of our Design Concierge service is to save you time and money, as well as empower you to be brave and get creative!” Morgan explained. “We know that people often get to the point where they need the advice of an expert, which is why we’ve made it really accessible.”
When I stepped into the serene, stylish Pearl Interiors studio, Morgan immediately put me at ease as we discussed what I wanted to achieve: an inviting, eclectic family home that felt beautiful while also being practical for life with two small children.
Here are some of my key learnings from our Design Concierge session:
Trust your own taste
“You know what you like – the colours that speak to you, and the textures you’re drawn to,” Morgan said.
“I love helping people to be bold and trust their own judgement.”
For our home, we’ve been inspired by the ‘Australiana’ colours in nature: think eucalypt greens, deep ocean blues and earthy tones, which we’ve incorporated into key areas including our front door, kitchen cabinets and bathroom tiles.
I wasn’t sure if adding a statement sofa in a rich green would be too much, but Morgan was all for continuing the theme, and suggested pairing it with a rug in warm natural tones (washable, of course, to suit this current stage of life).
Look into lighting
“Investing in statement lighting for entryways, living areas and bedrooms can transform a room visually, while creating a beautiful glow in the evening,” Morgan said. She suggested adding a mid-century-modern-inspired light in our entryway, a pendant light in our kitchen, and two hanging pendants to the master bedroom. She also recommended warm globes and dimmer switches, particularly in bedrooms for creating ambience.
Great design = subtle repetition
This tip was an absolute game-changer for me, as Morgan pointed out that I’d already accidentally incorporated subtle two-tone repetition into our home with green and oak kitchen cabinets and green/blue and white in the bathrooms.
“Subtle repetition of a design element – whether it’s a shape, texture or something else – catches the eye and creates a cohesive flow throughout the home,” Morgan explained. She suggested using this two-tone approach for the kids’ bedrooms – a colour to half the wall, then white above – to add a sense of fun and playfulness, but warned against this for the master bedroom, where she suggested ‘colour drenching’ (painting the walls and ceiling one shade) for a more relaxing, sophisticated vibe.
Use contrast to balance textures
This is relatively easy to incorporate, whether it’s a new-build, renovation or freshening up your existing home.
“If you have a busy texture in a piece of furniture, a rug or other soft furnishings, balance that out with a calm texture,” Morgan explained.
My dream sofa is a dark green bouclé modular sofa, and Morgan advised pairing this with 100% linen cushions in neutral tones and wide stripes to complement the texture of the sofa and create harmony to make sure we love spending time in the space.
Morgan wants her Design Concierge clients to leave feeling excited, empowered and confident.
I certainly feel inspired to put her advice into action… plus I know that if I need any more tips down the track, Morgan’s expertise is just an appointment away.
DESIGN CONCIERGE
Book your 60-minute session at Pearl Interiors to chat about your renovation, home build or interior styling for just $395! You’ll receive advice on material, layout and interior styling advice plus discount codes and an exclusive Pearl Interiors Notebook and Tote bag.
Visit www.pearlinteriors.com.au to book.
