Interiors: New year style revival with stylist Steve Cordony

A home styling reset is a perfect start to a new year, as nothing is quite as uplifting as changing it up indoors.

Doing it right in 2022 all comes down to colour, texture, appliances and objets d’art – tapping into new trends.

According to leading interior stylist and Westfield Direct ambassador Steve Cordony, who also runs masterclasses, revamping with colour – whether it’s for one room or an entire home – is an ideal starting point.

This year it’s all about earthy tones, such as rusts, grass green, soft baby sage and plenty of neutrals. For those keen to plug into brighter scenes, it’s all about dirty purples, stronger blues and vibrant yellows – the jolt of happiness in the home we’ve all been waiting for.

“Colour is a great starting point for creating an interior and layering your home from there,” Cordony says. “I love a monochrome base and stick with neutrals in a palette of white and grey, and will always add an accent colour.

“Colour is great for a feature wall and makes a space more playful and fun.”

Stylists often talk about the importance of texture, and they’re not necessarily referring to carpet and curtains. Texture can be introduced into every room.

Whether it’s a timber chopping board in a white kitchen or a stoneware coffee plunger on display alongside a ceramic dinner set, it’s all about introducing different finishes. In the lounge room you can add velvet cushions to a linen sofa.

“People tend to think of texture as wallpaper and bed linen – soft hero materials in the home – but for me, texture is about thinking about every element you’ve got and focusing on that,” Cordony says.

“Juxtapose brass cutlery with a glass vase; a marble coffee table can hold a timber bowl. It’s about mixing elements and being clever in the way you deliver a layered and textured story in the home.”

Wallpaper is still big in 2022, but wall dressing is all about graphic prints for wow factor.

“Romanticism is back in a big way,” Cordony says. “You’ll see stronger graphic texture on walls in the home, from wallpaper itself to wall murals.”

Some of his favourites include IKSEL Decorative Arts and de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper.

“Seeing a soft, baby-pink wall that leads to an amazing menagerie scene of animals, monkeys and palm trees brings graphics into the dining room or powder room. It’s statement dressing and a trend we’ll see this year,” Cordony says.

Appliances have never been more in demand in the home than since the pandemic began, and this year is a chance to dial up what’s on show.

Cordony suggests investing in a decent air purifier, having lush cosmetic appliances such as a hairdryer and hair straightener on display in the bathroom and, when it comes to objets d’art, turning to artisan and handmade pieces.

“People don’t want something you can get everywhere,” he says. “Having a sculptural piece on display – whether it’s a ceramic on a mantel, bedside table or coffee table, you can wow with a fabulous item.

“Vases are also a must – perfect for florals and greens – and don’t forget to update your coffee table books.”