Meet the Style Team
11th Mar 2019
Ever wondered how the stylists live? Well here’s your chance to find out! We’ve interviewed 3 key members from the By Dezign style team & asked them about their personal style & what furnishing items they can’t live without.
Maryann Vernon - Senior Interior Designer
How would you describe your personal look?
I love pushing the boundaries of design and tend to have more of an eclectic style. When designing my home, I made it my mission to make sure that every room contained elements that had texture, height and visual interest, whilst still containing personal elements that made the house more homely rather than looking like a display home. I added texture through my accessories and wall finishes, height through greenery, lanterns and lighting and visual interest through pieces of art and furniture choices.
What are your current favourite design trends?
One of my favourite design trends is one that we see currently coming through in Autumn/Winter 19, which is that of Rattan and earthy tones. The colour palette of mustards, burnt oranges and tans mixed with the material of rattan and other types of timber add a sense of warmth and homeliness to a space, which I love.
Do you prefer fabric or leather lounges?
I prefer leather lounges for every day use and accenting with fabric armchairs. I’m a firm believer in designing for the individual’s lifestyle and as I have a cat and two nieces (whom I love to bits) that aren’t always the neatest, I felt that I need my main lounge to be leather so that I can clean it up and maintain quite easily.
What item/s couldn’t you live without?
One of the items I can’t live without is my Motion in Gold Clock in one of my bathrooms. It not only adds visual interest, but It has saved me so many times to make sure that I’m not running late to important events as I tend to lose track when getting ready to go out. Another Item that I can’t live without is my home theatre lounge. I love laying down and relaxing on the recliners any night of the week with friends or family, eating lots of popcorn and watching our favourite movies.
Courtney Adams — Stylist & Homewares Buyer
How would you describe your personal look?
I like to design for the space. Currently I am living in a low rise apartment building in Sydney city. The building is new & features rough concrete pillars & concrete landscaping walls, with timber floorboards & neutral walls. So I’ve chosen furniture which is modern & minimalist. We have a dark grey chaise lounge & contemporary white polyurethane entertainment unit in our living room. Instead of a coffee table we have gone with a round ottoman, so everyone can put their feet up & relax whilst we’re lounging around watching TV.
What are your current favourite design trends?
I love the luxe look of marble & gold. I worked closely with our Buying team to design the Courtney range of gold & stone furniture, hence the range name! The Courtney entertainment unit holds pride of place in our master bedroom.
Do you prefer fabric or leather lounges?
I am a big fan of both. We have a dog who sheds by the handful, so we chose a leather chaise lounge for our living space. It suits the modern look & feel of the space & we can easily keep it in great condition by applying a leather conditioner every six months or so.
What item/s couldn’t you live without?
I have a forest green velvet armchair with gold legs in our spare bedroom. It cocoons you in when you sit in it & I love to curl up & read a book on it. On the wall opposite we have two modern wall prints of tribal women in green & they tie in with the look of the chair perfectly. This is my favourite space in the apartment.
Maha Elhami — Stylist & Homewares Buyer
How would you describe your personal look?
As a decorator, my style changes from season to season! I tend to go for pieces that I can play around with and change to give an entirely different look to, just by adding a few new elements. My space is quite small, so I have had to be practical with what I put in there. At the moment, my style is French provincial with a luxe twist. All my furniture is light and neutral & I have introduced colour with artworks and rug.
What are your current favourite design trends?
At the moment I am loving the luxe look of gold incorporated with vibrant velvets. Being on the Buying and Merchandising team, I am having a ball working with and styling this look.
Do you prefer fabric or leather lounges?
I prefer fabric — I wanted a soft and relaxed feel for my space.
What item/s couldn’t you live without?
That would definitely be my floor mirror! Not only is it the first and the last thing I look at before I leave the house, it adds height and depth to my area.
