Decorating
Interior Design
Book Review: 'The Tailored Interior' by Greg Natale
Greg Natale, one of Australia's most renowned interior designers, reveals his winning design formula
Feted one of Australia’s top designers, Greg Natale offers a fresh perspective on classic interiors that are sleek, decadent and indulgent to the senses – and now we can all take a leaf out of his book … in the most literal sense. His latest work, The Tailored Interior, is not only a beautiful photographic collection of some of the interiors he’s worked on, but also a thorough guide to his design philosophy and approach. “I’m asked for advice on matters of interior design so often, and I know how overwhelming people can find the whole thing. To me, there’s a great deal of common sense to it, and when I work with clients, I try to guide them through the process step by step. I saw this book as a chance to illustrate a little of that common sense while using my own experiences and some of the houses I’ve worked on as examples and inspiration,” says Natale.
The multi-award winning interior designer has what Jonathan Adler describes as “mathematical precision” – an expert approach to creating a complete cohesive composition. “I take care to curate every piece and every finish so it relates to the next and holds its own special place in the mix,” Natale says of his definitive style. “I hope the advice in this book can help people become a bit braver about creating their own interiors.”
With that in mind, we asked Natale to talk us through the nine design steps he swears by…
The multi-award winning interior designer has what Jonathan Adler describes as “mathematical precision” – an expert approach to creating a complete cohesive composition. “I take care to curate every piece and every finish so it relates to the next and holds its own special place in the mix,” Natale says of his definitive style. “I hope the advice in this book can help people become a bit braver about creating their own interiors.”
With that in mind, we asked Natale to talk us through the nine design steps he swears by…
“If a client doesn’t know where to start, I suggest some obvious points of reference. Something personal will often provide a good starting point – a favourite artwork, or a piece of furniture they want to keep and build on, or even a much-loved sofa or chair that could inspire a new setting after some reupholstering,” says Natale.
“Otherwise, we’ll look at the building they’re in and see if there are architectural elements that could be highlighted and echoed inside the house, or if the era of the house itself might suggest a way forward. There is always a starting point somewhere!”
“Otherwise, we’ll look at the building they’re in and see if there are architectural elements that could be highlighted and echoed inside the house, or if the era of the house itself might suggest a way forward. There is always a starting point somewhere!”
STEP 2: Get your foundations right
As tempting as it may be to start adding furnishings and accessories to the mix straight away, surface finishes should really be your next priority. Natale says the most dominant finishes will be on your walls, floors and ceilings – as they will also provide the backdrop for everything that follows – so lay out your swatches and samples for these first.
Natale, quite often, gravitates towards decadent wallpaper. In this Sydney apartment, he uses David Hicks wallpaper in ‘Hexagon’.
TIP: When choosing wallpaper, Natale says light should be a major factor: “The type of wallpaper you choose depends on how well lit your room is. I’d never recommend using dark wallpaper in a room that is insufficiently lit.”
As tempting as it may be to start adding furnishings and accessories to the mix straight away, surface finishes should really be your next priority. Natale says the most dominant finishes will be on your walls, floors and ceilings – as they will also provide the backdrop for everything that follows – so lay out your swatches and samples for these first.
Natale, quite often, gravitates towards decadent wallpaper. In this Sydney apartment, he uses David Hicks wallpaper in ‘Hexagon’.
TIP: When choosing wallpaper, Natale says light should be a major factor: “The type of wallpaper you choose depends on how well lit your room is. I’d never recommend using dark wallpaper in a room that is insufficiently lit.”
STEP 3: Consider proportion
Proportion plays a significant role in design, but it’s easy to get wrong. Natale uses proportion to help people feel comfortable in the space, no matter what its size. He says proportion should apply to everything – not just the size of your furniture and how much of it, but even something like the scale of pattern on your wallpaper.
“Here, the oversized diamond pattern of the wallpaper is eye-catching and definitely the feature of this guest bedroom,” says Natale. “But in order for it to work, the other pieces had to remain fairly neutral. White and silver furniture keeps the palette cool and clean, while tonally echoing the shadows of the diamond patterns. And colour was still very much possible – and necessary – in this set-up, but the soft mint tones support, rather than fight, the wallpaper, allowing both to show to their best effect.”
Pompeian wallpaper: Cole & Son
Proportion plays a significant role in design, but it’s easy to get wrong. Natale uses proportion to help people feel comfortable in the space, no matter what its size. He says proportion should apply to everything – not just the size of your furniture and how much of it, but even something like the scale of pattern on your wallpaper.
“Here, the oversized diamond pattern of the wallpaper is eye-catching and definitely the feature of this guest bedroom,” says Natale. “But in order for it to work, the other pieces had to remain fairly neutral. White and silver furniture keeps the palette cool and clean, while tonally echoing the shadows of the diamond patterns. And colour was still very much possible – and necessary – in this set-up, but the soft mint tones support, rather than fight, the wallpaper, allowing both to show to their best effect.”
Pompeian wallpaper: Cole & Son
STEP 4: Build your layers
This is often the most fun step in the process, allowing you to add your personality to the room. But before you run out to the shops to buy all those things on your wish list, go back to some careful planning.
According to Natale, layering is all about steps. He suggests starting this process by sketching the dimensions of your room to scale on paper and cutting out shapes in proportion to represent pieces of furniture. Moving things around on paper is a genius way to save you time, money and the heartache of any odd fits.
This is often the most fun step in the process, allowing you to add your personality to the room. But before you run out to the shops to buy all those things on your wish list, go back to some careful planning.
According to Natale, layering is all about steps. He suggests starting this process by sketching the dimensions of your room to scale on paper and cutting out shapes in proportion to represent pieces of furniture. Moving things around on paper is a genius way to save you time, money and the heartache of any odd fits.
Note the layering in this Brisbane living area: “The large space here allowed for a sizeable table with eight dining chairs, the stripes of which introduce another geometric detail into the mix. The tall white leather armchairs break up the line of the dining chairs, working with the lamps and lights to bring the ceiling and floor closer,” says Natale.
Dining chairs covered in Hermés fabric
Dining chairs covered in Hermés fabric
STEP 5: Check for contrast
Creating contrast can take a room from blah to TADA! Think about your design like you would your outfit. As Natale points out, there’s a good reason why we pair a black suit with a white shirt. And he’s right. Opposites look great together…
Creating contrast can take a room from blah to TADA! Think about your design like you would your outfit. As Natale points out, there’s a good reason why we pair a black suit with a white shirt. And he’s right. Opposites look great together…
Try contrasting colours and patterns, shapes, sizes, finishes, eras and statements – and most importantly, have fun with it.
Ceiling wallpaper in ‘Chevron’: Greg Natale
Ceiling wallpaper in ‘Chevron’: Greg Natale
STEP 6: Ensure balance
What’s balance, you ask? When it comes to decorating, Natale admits it’s an ambiguous term. He says to think of it as a general feeling – does it feel right? It’s governed entirely by emotion, so step back to take it all in from a fresh perspective.
“For instance, to me, this space exudes serenity and elegance – it’s poised and sophisticated, yet by no means static, as the interplay of monochromes and metallics, lines and curves, keeps it interesting,” says Natale.
“The custom-made sideboard is a beautiful, detailed piece that celebrates angles and curves. The ornaments on it deliver contrast and movement, adding interest and a variety of shapes and textures to the setting. The chair brings liveability and lures you in, preventing the sideboard from being merely a display of objects. The mirror anchors the vignette with its warm, eye-catching design, which highlights and draws together the gilt elements throughout,” he adds.
Mirror: Laura Kincade
What’s balance, you ask? When it comes to decorating, Natale admits it’s an ambiguous term. He says to think of it as a general feeling – does it feel right? It’s governed entirely by emotion, so step back to take it all in from a fresh perspective.
“For instance, to me, this space exudes serenity and elegance – it’s poised and sophisticated, yet by no means static, as the interplay of monochromes and metallics, lines and curves, keeps it interesting,” says Natale.
“The custom-made sideboard is a beautiful, detailed piece that celebrates angles and curves. The ornaments on it deliver contrast and movement, adding interest and a variety of shapes and textures to the setting. The chair brings liveability and lures you in, preventing the sideboard from being merely a display of objects. The mirror anchors the vignette with its warm, eye-catching design, which highlights and draws together the gilt elements throughout,” he adds.
Mirror: Laura Kincade
Natale’s chapter dedicated to ‘balance’ should help to identify a few potential problems home decorators may come across. If it’s too bland, could it be that you’re lacking accessories, for instance, or colour and contrast? A feeling of too much clutter, on the other hand, could be the result of using too much furniture, having too many ideas, over-accessorising or using colours that don’t work together.
STEP 7: Play with colour and pattern
You might love the current trend of natural greens, but Natale says picking colours simply because you like them, doesn’t mean they will work in an interior. Despite being a champion for colour and pattern, they’re actually amongst the last considerations in Natale’s designs.
“Personally, I’m a great lover of pink. I find it vibrant, exciting and beautiful,” says Natale. “I always have elements of the colour in my apartment – currently, an Andy Warhol Marilyn print and a painting by Australian artist Scott Petrie, delivering rich pops of pink, which I’ve echoed in some of my accessories.”
But, as you can see in a lot of his work, he is also drawn to monochromes. “To me, they are such a chic combination that can work in classic or modern spaces. You’ll find a lot of these, too, in my apartment,” says Natale.
Rug and artwork: Conchita Carambano; sofa: Minotti; chair: Jonathan Adler
Read more: Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
You might love the current trend of natural greens, but Natale says picking colours simply because you like them, doesn’t mean they will work in an interior. Despite being a champion for colour and pattern, they’re actually amongst the last considerations in Natale’s designs.
“Personally, I’m a great lover of pink. I find it vibrant, exciting and beautiful,” says Natale. “I always have elements of the colour in my apartment – currently, an Andy Warhol Marilyn print and a painting by Australian artist Scott Petrie, delivering rich pops of pink, which I’ve echoed in some of my accessories.”
But, as you can see in a lot of his work, he is also drawn to monochromes. “To me, they are such a chic combination that can work in classic or modern spaces. You’ll find a lot of these, too, in my apartment,” says Natale.
Rug and artwork: Conchita Carambano; sofa: Minotti; chair: Jonathan Adler
Read more: Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
STEP 8: Add objects
Adding some finishing touches will complete your home’s look. “I’m always out looking at ornaments and accessories, and when I’m styling an interior I’ll often remember something I’ve seen that could be perfect for that particular space,” says Natale.
“A couple of favourite Sydney stores near me are Becker Minty and Macleay on Manning, while I always find Plantation great for online shopping,” he adds.
Natale suggests you carefully consider your choice of materials – for example, metallics, ceramics, acrylic and marble – and what effect they will have on the room.
Compact bar: Kindel
Adding some finishing touches will complete your home’s look. “I’m always out looking at ornaments and accessories, and when I’m styling an interior I’ll often remember something I’ve seen that could be perfect for that particular space,” says Natale.
“A couple of favourite Sydney stores near me are Becker Minty and Macleay on Manning, while I always find Plantation great for online shopping,” he adds.
Natale suggests you carefully consider your choice of materials – for example, metallics, ceramics, acrylic and marble – and what effect they will have on the room.
Compact bar: Kindel
STEP 9: Edit for cohesion
Natale says he can break down the rooms he works on to just a few elements, which he will then repeat and reinterpret around around a house.
For a finished tailored look, make sure you come back to your starting point and ensure that a story is being told at every stage.
Dubuffet sofa: Minotti
The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale is now available in book stores nationally
MORE BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘Gypsy’ by Sibella Court of The Society Inc
Natale says he can break down the rooms he works on to just a few elements, which he will then repeat and reinterpret around around a house.
For a finished tailored look, make sure you come back to your starting point and ensure that a story is being told at every stage.
Dubuffet sofa: Minotti
The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale is now available in book stores nationally
MORE BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘Gypsy’ by Sibella Court of The Society Inc
Knowing where to start with your design can be overwhelming, especially when various ideas are in contention with one another. This is where Natale suggests you hone in on one idea or inspiration, make that your starting point and from there ‘build your concept’.