Create a cool look for summer at your place

RATTAN, natural tones and textures, and fresh white couches are hot this summer as interiors take a light, airy, resort-style twist inspired by the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Nicola Murray from She Creates Co. Picture: Dominika Lis

RATTAN, natural tones and textures, and fresh white couches are hot this summer as interiors take a light, airy, resort-style twist inspired by the ‘70s and ‘80s.

As Nicola Murray from She Creates Co explains, creating this look at your place doesn’t have to cost the earth or require a complete makeover.

“There are a number of ways we can create this look and feel on a budget. A few fun hacks I have tried this summer are; cutting big palm leaves and letting them dry out and using them as a wall feature; using cane baskets as pendant shades; and upcycling vintage cane furniture from op shops,” Nicola says.

Summer interior design with Nicola Murray from She Creates Co. Picture: Dominika Lis

But before you hit the shops, you need to declutter and clean your home so you’re working with a relatively clean slate.

“Think about each room and figure out exactly how you want it to function and feel. From there, you can seek inspiration and find your style,” she says.

Once you’ve reached that point, you can look for and find items that are functional and create the style you’re after.

Summer interior design with Nicola Murray from She Creates Co. Picture: Dominika Lis

Nicola says the boho, minimalistic look is popular using organic and natural materials such as dried leaves, rattan, linen, jute and timber. “As we move towards summer, the colours and tones become lighter. People are out in nature and they’re bringing that back into the house,” she says.

“The colour palette is really neutral, with natural colours and textures, rattan, and glasstop tables with a cane base. It’s a return to popular styles from the 70s and 80s.”

COPYRIGHT WARNING for Moreton Life ONLY. Phone Kylie Knight 3480 8226. At Home section summer interior design with Nicola Murray from She Creates Co.

Bringing nature inside is as easy as cutting palm leaves and other branches, and putting them in a vase, as you would cut flowers.

You can also use dried flowers, particularly native arrangements and reeds that hold their shape and colour well.

And living potted plants are a great way to bring some greenery indoors.

“Our world is becoming more health and environmentally-conscious, therefore it is becoming a trend to use more sustainable and natural materials. We are instinctively drawn to nature and this is starting to show more in interiors and fashion,” Nicola explains.

Summer interior design with Nicola Murray from She Creates Co. Picture: Dominika Lis

It’s a trend that extends to outdoor living spaces too.

“Santori vibes are a major trend for outdoor areas this summer … think whitewashed wooden decking, white render, palms, arch-shaped architectural features, bougainvilleas, organic sandstone paving and pale blue pools,” Nicola says.

She loves the look and says it brings us back down to earth, back to nature and makes us appreciate the natural beauty around us.

Visit shecreatesco.com