The very best homes are more than just the sum of their parts. Pick up any magazine or scroll through some Pinterest pages or the online socials, and you’ll quickly notice that even those enormous, high-end places with location, location, location, are not always the ones that will arrest your eyes. Despite their obvious attractions, they won’t always have you saving, screenshotting, or if you still love print like I do, tearing out the pages for that ‘dream home’ folder. My bet is that if you look through your ‘saves’ the majority will have that unique, almost intangible quality – an ethereal ambience. A sense of calm and home. It’s a quickening of the heart, and the feeling that you want to jump into the image and just be there. We all want to capture it, so here are my top tips for doing just that.

LIGHT THE WAY

The ability to control light in a room has obvious practical advantages, like creating dark for sleep, and brightness for doing tasks. But it’s that other power of light that can affect us humans in terms of our moods and emotions by providing us with a sense of calm and tranquillity. The best options we have for harnessing this sense of oasis in our homes is by having options for our window coverings. Blinds are a no-brainer – they come from block-out to sheers and everything in between, giving you the freedom
to adjust the light in your rooms, day and night. And for ease, motorised blinds give you the power of automation – you can have each blind set to a different height. My current favourite is the Transitional Light Filter blind in warm white, which goes beautifully with the warmer toned paint colours that are becoming increasingly popular.

Sheer curtains, particularly when they are gently swaying in a breeze, can also have such a calming effect on us. I have recently installed the Seattle sheers in Chalk in my bedroom and can confirm that they add the dreamiest, most ethereal vibe to the space. I can’t wait for summer to throw open the windows and watch as the warm wind catches them.

CREATING CALM WITH COLOUR

There are certain colours that just don’t work when creating an ethereal space (I’m talking to you, fire engine red and citrus orange!). You need to look at paler hues to harness an ambient, ethereal charm, so opt for soft greens and blues, pretty pale pinks, mauves and apricots, dove greys, and warm beiges.

Layering these shades can considerably add to the feeling of comfort and calm, and rugs are a wonderful way to start. The beautiful Serenade Abstract rug in either white or beige will add a whimsical yet contemporary layer to your space. The Reno rug in Linen is another great option as it has the added feel good factor of being made from recycled plastic bottles, and it is machine washable as well.

NOTHING BEATS NATURE

We hear a lot about the benefits of biophilic design which is all about increasing our connectedness to nature through our home design. By using natural materials such as timber flooring and natural wool carpets we can create an indirect but important link to nature, so consider the satisfying feeling of walking on real timber flooring. The new Verity range is a deluxe option, and I adore the softness of the Limed Oak (I can see some stunning sheer curtains gently puddling on this flooring).

The Gaia Wool Natural Formations collection draws inspiration from some of Australia's foremost natural landmarks, from the multi-tonal sands of Wave Rock to the mossy greens of Hanging Rock. Sinking your toes into this each day would certainly help add to your sense of calm.

AIM FOR ETHEREAL EVERYDAY

Our homes, now more than ever, need to provide us with more than shelter. We need space to regenerate ourselves, nurture our senses, and find contentment. I aim to create a sense of calm and ethereality across my entire home, not just my bedroom or lounge  room. After all, it’s in the more action-packed spaces like kitchens and home-offices that we might just need a bit more help. So let the gentle light in, enjoy the feel of natural materials underfoot, and let your eyes rest on a soothing palette of gentle hues.