Nikki Weedon is on a mission to inject colour and personality into Australian homes. After working for more than 15 years as an interior designer and decorator – including a formative stint in London – the founder of Brunswick studio Nikki Weedon Interiors is finally seeing Australians start to move beyond coastal neutrals and minimalistic design schemes.
“The UK really embraces colour and texture and patterns,” she says. “Australia is getting there, but we’re still conversative when it comes to interior design.”
She points out how colour can affect how we feel, as well as how Australians often see home decorations as an afterthought compared to architecture and landscape. But whether we’re entertaining or just enjoying the space on our own, our homes should feel like our personal sanctuary.
With that in mind, Weedon has shared some wisdom with Broadsheet. Many of these easy and affordable little touches can dramatically change a room without requiring a massive overhaul – and they come at the right time, with Linen Lovers saving up to 30 per cent on full-price furniture from Adairs. The Aussie homewares brand has also just released its AW25 Winter collection, which blends classic sophistication with refined opulence.
Choose art and homewares that reflect you
“Artwork is the most personal thing, because it reflects your taste and your travels,” Weedon says. “It might be a piece from a local artist or a framed photograph of a special moment. A piece of art that your kids have drawn is priceless. It’s a really nice storytelling moment, and it brings a bit of visual soul to the place.”
Art is also more affordable and customisable than people might realise, and it plays well with other homewares. “You can layer your storytelling,” she adds. “Objects and homewares definitely add character and emotional value to a home. It’s not about creating perfection or matching sets. I think being as eclectic as you can really makes the space feel much more like yourself.”
Arrange flowers for each season
Houseplants are often a go-to when freshening up a space, but don’t look past fresh flowers – whether you pick them yourself or go to your trusty florist.
“It lifts the mood of the space,” Weedon says. “It also connects you to the different seasons and brings your outside inside. Arranging flowers is a bit of creative expression as well. No two bunches are ever the same, and you can change them over. You’re bringing different colours and textures into the space. It makes you feel more connected to the environment. And there are so many vases and ways of displaying them.”
Treat yourself to the best bedding
Weedon believes the bedroom is the most important room in the house. “Your bed is the last thing you get into and the first thing you get out of,” she says. “It should be something that feels beautiful as well. Your bed should invite you into the room. It’s about comfort, but also creating a restful energy that helps you switch off from the outside world.”
She points to bedding with natural fibres or breathable layers as a lovely way to pamper yourself. There are countless options for getting it just right, between sheets, pillowcases, quilt covers and the ideal mattress. Linen sheets can work equally well in summer or winter, as can a well-made wool quilt. “If someone prefers a more rumpled, lived-in look, they could look at linens,” Weedon adds. “If you want something really hotel-like, there are beautiful cottons.”
Don’t overlook the importance of bedroom furniture either – if you’re still holding on to a hand-me-down bedside table or a bed frame you found on Marketplace when you first moved out, consider upgrading to a piece that reflects how you live (and sleep) now.
Look for texture and mood in your furniture
“Since Covid, people have been thinking more about how they feel in spaces,” says Weedon. “People aren’t just doing a random white bedside table. They’re looking into different materials and using timbers. They like the idea of it being more natural.”
She notes the emotional impact of various textures, ranging from marble side tables all the way to faux fur chairs. That vibe-shift potential also extends to cushions, which Weedon describes as the “jewellery of the home”.
“They’re versatile and you can swap them out depending on the season,” she says. “In summer, you probably want light and bright fabrics. And in winter, you might decide to do velvet and heavy colours, with more texture and cosiness.”
Don’t underestimate sensory touches
We all know a certain candle or incense can dramatically change the feel of a room. But other scent-based and sensory touches can go far, too. For example, Weedon uses Adairs linen spray every time she makes her bed, which signals that it’s freshly made and ready to be slept in.
You can elicit a similar emotional response in yourself and others by establishing a signature scent for your house. And again, it can change with the season.
What we see and hear is just as powerful as what we smell, so Weedon and her partner opt for lamps over down lighting and vinyl records over streaming music when they have guests over. Flipping a record and holding the sleeve is welcome tactile engagement, but curating a specific streaming playlist for a mood or activity can be subtly thoughtful too.
“It adds this extra layer to someone’s home,” says Weedon. “If you love something, have it in your home.”
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Adairs.
