What makes a home feel expensive (without being overdone)?
It’s never about filling a space. It’s about curating it. Start with fewer, better pieces. A sculptural vase on a monolithic stone console. A well-placed indoor rug that zones a space and softens its acoustics. These subtle choices shift a house from functional to fascinating. Coco Republic pieces are made for this quiet type of confidence, where detail speaks louder than logos.
How do designers layer texture and tone?
In the hands of an interior designer, a room is never flat. It’s a conversation of materials: linen and marble, oak and glass, wool and bronze. The layering of texture brings visual depth; tone adds emotional warmth. Think of your home’s inner design like a wardrobe. Contrast sharp tailoring with cashmere. With interiors, that might look like a boucle armchair beside a slick travertine side table, grounded by a muted indoor rug in natural fibres. The aim? A space that feels edited, not matched.
Why does proportion matter more than price?
Too often, people fall into the trap of assuming more expensive means more impressive. But even the finest piece will fall flat if it’s fighting the room. Designers obsess over proportion because it creates balance. A coffee table that’s too small can throw off the balance of a living area. A mirror hung too high can feel disconnected from the room.
It’s not just about the price tag – it’s about how the piece sits within the space. A generous sofa paired with slender legs. A tall, commanding vase on a low-profile buffet. These are the kinds of choices that let each piece breathe and speak within the room.
Which pieces do designers actually start with?
They begin with the anchor. The item that grounds the room. In a dining room design, that’s almost always the table. It sets the material tone, the scale, the style. Is it carved timber with a strong grain, or polished stone with graphic veining? From there, seating follows, not just for form, but for function. Comfort is non-negotiable.
In living rooms, it might be the rug. In bedrooms, the bed. Once that hero is chosen, the rest unfolds in rhythm with it.
How do you design around a ‘hero’ piece?
You don’t decorate despite the hero piece. You build because of it. A marble dining table with violet veining? Let it lead. Surround it with chairs that support, not compete. A velvet sofa in forest green? Pair it with antique brass, moody timber, soft lighting.
Accent with vases that echo the colour or tone. Layer in indoor rugs that ground the room in warmth. And edit, always. You don’t need everything. Just the right things.
A well-designed home doesn’t beg for attention. It earns admiration through restraint, rhythm and refinement. That’s the art of decorating with intention, and as luck would have it, that’s the Coco Republic way.
How does layout impact flow, and what can you do when your floorplan is limiting?
Flow is the difference between a house that looks good and one that feels good. Layout informs how you move, pause, host, relax. It’s how you enter a room and feel drawn into it, not repelled by visual clutter.
Even in tight spaces, there are tricks. Mirrors to reflect light and open the eye. Console tables that offer storage without bulk. Lightweight occasional chairs that can move when needed. And always: leave room to breathe. It’s in the gaps that good design reveals itself.
Right now, it’s the perfect time to reimagine your space. Whether you’re starting with a hero piece or simply seeking new layers of luxury, this is your moment. The End of Financial Year Sale is on, with 30% off storewide until June 30. Explore our full range of home decor, from sculptural vases and statement mirrors to hand-tufted indoor rugs, each curated to bring beauty and balance into your home.
