Go Bold and Maximalise

This month we’re bringing the colours of summer indoors and championing all things bold, bright and joyful. We’ve teamed up with local interior designer Kate Norcott to get the do’s and don’ts in creating a completely unique home.

If you’d consider yourself a less-is-more aesthetic type of person, look away now, things are about to get very offensive for your eyes. If you’re a more-is-more type of person, then welcome and let’s gaze through the lens of colour, pattern and layers and celebrate the excess of maximalism.

Over the last decade, the interior design trend of maximalism has been making its way up the ranks and we’ve really started to see homes embrace the bold in the last couple of years. Maybe that time we had to spend indoors summoned people to evaluate their style and decided that perhaps the four white walls in every room and being surrounded by generic flatpack furniture didn’t quite hit the nail on the head.

The great thing about this trend is it’s a fantastic opportunity to express your own personal style and personality, it’s a celebration of everything you love and it comes from the heart making your home wholly unique to you. The spirit of maximalism encourages the bold choices of going wall-to-wall with leopard print wallpaper, combining animal, floral and geometric prints or opting for the teal colour kitchen cabinets with ornate handles, she wants to bring you to the dark side and break all the rules.

Of course, there is a fine line of over-decorating, cluttering or a dizzyingly busy design, easily done, we’re excited, right? We need to map out our own maximalist meter and know when we’ve gone too far and when it’s time to stop. This wouldn’t be OM Magazine if we didn’t provide you with some helpful design tips and advice. We’ve even enlisted the help of local interior designer Kate Norcott from Kate Norcott Designs. Never say we don’t look after you.

Be Bold

Because let’s be real here, we’re not here to keep it subtle. The first point of call, picking the colours, “Create a bold and vibrant colour pallet on a mood board, this will help keep the intention of the design and not allow it to become “messy” sticking with those colours” says Kate. Examples of complimentary clashes could be green and pink, orange and blue or yellow and purple, the best advice? Take a look at a colour wheel and generally chose opposing colours to create the impact. You then have the freedom to mix plenty of different styles and patterns with the confidence that the colour scheme will help tie it all together. “Use metallics and brightly coloured furniture … Be brave! Be Bold,“ advises Norcott.

Upcycling

“Upcycling is a passion of mine,” Norcott notes, “Adding an acid yellow or neon orange lacquered paint or even gold leafing to a sideboard or bedroom wardrobe will create that ‘wow factor’ statement piece that you can build your room around.” This isn’t an ‘out with the old and in with the new’ approach. One of the key ingredients in this style is mixing old and new giving something new life and it doesn’t need to break the bank or cost the earth. Facebook marketplace is an absolute treasure chest full of beautiful old pieces waiting to be the centre of attention in your home.

The Power of Pattern

This style of interior design is all about commanding attention, nothing says ‘I’m a master of maximalism’ quite like blending patterns and scales to achieve the look. “Think geometric and floral wallpapers, animal prints [and] layering fabrics” Norcott explains. Adding in some plain surfaces like a painted wall, a sofa or even a plain rug will help to break it all up. “Start slow by picking a few patterns you like and mix together accent pillows, rugs and a wallpaper to build your confidence,” adds Norcott, “you can create impact with gallery walls of artwork
and photography.”

All Eyes on Me

When creating your own interior style it’s important to create a strong focal point. Now, to help diminish those worries about creating a busy room, a great rule of thumb is to have somewhere for the eye to rest. This could be in the form of an opulent set of drawers that you inherited or found at a flea market or a bright canary yellow sofa which could be the bold contrasting colour in the room.

Inspiration

OK, so you have the basics down but it always helps to look at examples to draw inspiration from. Firstly, what kind of style are you? Are you more of the countryside motif? Or are you more of the Palm Springs glamour? Perhaps you lean more into the Art Deco opulence. Whatever it is, there will be a catalogue of examples on the internet to give you some artistic spark. Pinterest is a great app to use with plenty of pleasing examples. Finding interior designers who resonate aesthetically with you is a great place to start. Some brilliant maximalist interior designers are Sophie Robinson, Kate Norcott, Johanna Franks, Siobhan Murphy, Cotty Lee and Angel Adoree.

If you’re looking for those statement pieces to start your maximalist journey, some places I’d recommend is TK Max as they tend to have some fantastic ornate pieces and accessories. Love Frankie, which is based in Totnes, is the definition of bold and brave. Here you’ll find statement lighting and handmade lampshades as well as an eclectic selection of textiles, murals and adornments. Let’s not forget about those good old charity shops. They are full of hidden treasures that, when paired with the right furnishings, can really make an impact in your home.

The beauty of choosing maximalism for your interior is that it’s never finished, after all, it’s about the journey not the destination. The style is one not to be rushed, it’s an organic process by adding inherited pieces that sit in the loft or a collection of cushions built up over time, even trinkets from past holidays or your children’s/grandchildren’s craft projects. It’s a showcase of everything you love over time.

If you’re thinking about going maximalist then you have to be ready to fully commit, the style won’t work by just dipping your toe in, you have to cannonball straight in. Be brave, you won’t regret it.

Still feeling like you could use some help? Contact Kate from Kate Norcott Designs to discuss your interior dreams and allow her creativity, passion and flare for upcycling vintage pieces to make them a reality.