One of Brisbane’s top stylists, Wendy Schmalkuche, the Team Leader and Senior Property Stylist at Coco Republic Property, lets us in on how to best style an apartment in New Farm and Teneriffe.
As an experienced property stylist, Wendy has over 15 years experience in the design industry.
This gun industry expert was a former homewares merchant and interior stylist before joining Coco Republic Property Styling as team leader in Queensland.
We can’t even begin to imagine the homes Wendy has laid eyes on!
She has had the privilege to work on some of the most iconic properties in Brisbane and surrounding areas and has a successful track record for procuring return on investment for her clients.
We sat down with Wendy to get the low down on property styling for the trendy inner city suburbs of New Farm, Teneriffe and the Valley.
What is your number one tip to 4005 residents wanting to style their own apartment?
Like anything, one has to have a plan and a vision. Begin collecting images and styles of what you like – I’d suggest collating them together in a scrap book or on a computer program to see how it looks.
You only need a couple of hero pieces in a room so go easy with flamboyant or statement pieces and let texture and colour work in with the scheme.
Ensure you measure furniture pieces and draw them up to scale on a floor plan to see that they fit in the room with good flow in between.
Access check is one of the most important things to consider – make sure your pieces fit in the lift, stairwell or doorways.
Why is the interior design of an apartment so important and what can a beautiful interior give to the owner?
Your home is your biggest investment and your sanctuary away from the outside world. It’s so important to invest time and money on things you love and bring you joy.
Personalising your home with key pieces, favourite artworks and furniture that evokes a sense of warmth and security is imperative to a better quality of life.
Budget is actually irrelevant when creating a space that is reflective of you and your personal style. It’s all about what feels like home to you.
What apartment style trends are emerging in the New Farm and Newstead areas?
Indoor plants would be a trend that has gone full circle now. Greenery is even more important with apartments and can really make or break a room.
Indoor plants are a great way to add a freshness to a room and make it less sterile. Being that apartments generally have small balconies or outdoor spaces, indoor plants give the space life, which is relevant to the local area.
How much do you have to spend to create the perfect apartment space?
Downsizing from a family home to an apartment is the perfect time to start fresh with new items of furniture, accented with personal favourites.
Mix existing pieces with new comfortable lounges, coffee tables and dining settings. The price would be dependent on what one keeps and what one buys. I highly recommend investing in new items and employing a decorator or designer to assist in mixing old and new. Spending $50-100k on a full home of new items will be worthwhile to create a sanctuary to treasure and enjoy coming home to.
How does styling a small apartment differ to styling a house?
It’s important to consider scale and use it appropriately. In a house you would have more room for larger pieces than an apartment so the key is to layer furniture and accessories so you can still achieve a warm, full look but not make the apartment seem cramped and short on space. Concealing storage with ottomans and sideboards would be another great tip.
Are you interested in learning more about New Farm? Check out our suburb profile here.
