Modern Australian Style
What is Modern Australian style I hear you ask?
Well Modern Australian style reflects the climate, history and geography of Australia. Embracing an indoors/outdoors lifestyle and making use of natural materials, it is a style that adopts a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity and functionality.
To create that beautiful Australian look, some elements are key.
Keep it real…
Australia is lucky to be home to some beautiful forests - from tropical to fir, to arch-typical eucalyptus trees.
Given this abundance of natural timber, creating a timber look is integral to developing an Australian style for your house or room. You can achieve a timber look through cabinetry, walls, and ornaments. Try a lighter hue when it comes to the timber, as it provides both a sense of warmth as well as light.
Examples of Australian wood include: Tasmanian Oak, Victorian Ash, Australian Blackwood, Jarrah and Redgum.
This sense of nature can also be complimented with the use of natural fabrics, earth and sea toned ornaments and finally the use of indoor plants to once again suggest that important indoor/outdoor sensation.
Colours of Australia
Australia is a country surrounded by sea, the world’s largest island. Unsurprisingly then, the colours of the beach are popular when it comes to developing an Australian style. From sand colours to muted aquas and blues, Australia has it all.
But Australia is more than its beautiful beaches. As many of you overseas would know, Australia is also famous for its ‘bush’ - those inland parts of the country that are home to some of our most famous residents (think kangaroos, koalas, emus, platypus etc).
In the centre of the country, the colours take on a more earthy hue, with browns and soft greens (think eucalyptus green) being particularly common. Given the current popularity of colours like sage green, you should have no trouble finding a colour to match.
Remember, regardless of the colour, the idea is to be restrained - muted colours are what you want.
Image is courtesy of NAU Furniture Australia.
Dangerous Curves ahead
Tying in with the timber accents, natural and subtle curves displayed via wood markings, cabinetry or even paintings adds to the Modern Australian look. Why? Because the natural contours are reminiscent of waves on the water or wind in the trees.
Give me some space…
Australia is a big country, and that is reflected not just in the size of our land, but also in the way we live. Although large blocks might be going out of favour as urbanisation takes hold, Australians still love their sense of space and this is reflected in the layout and design of our homes. Make sure to keep rooms, particularly high frequency ones such as kitchens and bathrooms, spacious, using hidden cabinetry, lighter colours and uncluttered decor to re-enforce that much wanted sense of space.
Bi-fold windows, walls of sliding doors and indoor/outdoor living enhance the modern Australian style and also works beautifully in our climate.
Recognising our first peoples
Aboriginal art dates back 60 000 to 80 000 years and is art made by indigenous Australian people.
It includes work made in many different ways including painting on leaves, wood carving, rock carving, sculpting, ceremonial clothing and sand painting. Aboriginal art is closely linked to religious ceremonies or rituals.
Although colours and styles tend to depend on individual artists and the regions and communities they come from, historically materials and colours used for Aboriginal art were obtained from the local land. Ochre or iron clay pigments were used to produce colours such as white, yellow, red and black from charcoal. Other colours were soon added such as smokey greys, sage greens and saltbush mauves.
Investing in a beautiful, authentic piece of Aboriginal Art not only speaks to the heritage of this country, but ties in beautifully with other elements of Modern Australian Style.
Australian Style key points
So, if you are keen to adopt a bit of Modern Australian for your next project, a couple of key points to remember.
Keep it relaxed. Modern Australian style is built on natural materials and a love of indoor/outdoor living.
Don’t over-style. The key is to keep styling minimalist, appreciating simplicity and functionality as well as craftsmanship.
Balance rustic, earthy materials with elegant modern touches.
Use bi-fold doors and windows.
Bring the outdoors in with greenery and artwork.
Use natural colours, wood and stone.
Use achromatic colour schemes.
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