There’s so much of my life that I’d love to share with you, from my journey as a novice gardener to how I host and entertain. In my job, and over the past 20 years working alongside the best of Australia’s interior designers, decorators, gardeners and hosts, I’ve learnt a lot. And it’s information I hope you find as helpful and inspiring as I have. Let me know if there is a topic you’d love me to explore!
Why I’m decorating with red at home
The unexpected red theory might be a TikTok trend from two years ago, but I’ve never been one to follow trends. Instead, now is the time I’ve decided to begin my obsession with this glorious hue. It used to be a colour I’d avoid at all costs in my home, but now I can’t get enough of it. Sparingly used, mind. I just bought a pair of crimson-patterned cushions, and I have my eye on a set of vintage ruby-red crystal wine glasses. A few elegant pieces are just enough to totally transform a room, sofa, bed or tablescape for autumn.
“Natural linens and neutral hues are also best friends with red, tempering the look and making it instantly sophisticated.”
Elle Lovelock
How to decorate with red interior fabrics
The tricky thing with red is that it can look commercial if thrown around with abandon. I like to team it with materials that are my go-to neutrals. For example, silver photo frames next to a red mercury-glass candle or bamboo and steel flatware on the table as a companion to my lusted-after ruby crystal glasses.
Natural linens and neutral hues are also best friends with red, tempering the look and making it instantly sophisticated. Consider a burgundy throw on a stone coloured linen sofa. Brown shades, too, whether in espresso-toned rattan or faux tortoiseshell, work beautifully to elevate red and even make it look expensive. Deep merlot hues look wonderful with white and ivory ceramics, porcelain and china. Try combining them with rich red napkins or a vase of claret-hued dahlias or Alstroemeria.
On a much larger scale, a berry-coloured kitchen looks phenomenal with white marble benchtops and either brass or nickel hardware. If you still need convincing, check out the kitchen of American artist and designer Josh Young (which appeared on our July 2025 issue cover). He’s done this shade better than most.
In Josh Young’s own kitchen at Sycamore House, custom cabinetry and an island painted in a warm, deep red for a bit of colour. The palette stays unified, even in the workspaces.(Credit: Photography: Kirsten Francis)
Artful Home by Josh Young (author), Kirsten Francis (Photographer), $72.82, Amazon.
Which patterns and fabrics look best in red
I often decorate with red at Christmas time and I always feel a bit sad when it’s time to pack away the seasonal decor, which is why I’m bringing this shade back for autumn. But to ensure things don’t look too festive, I choose the patterns carefully. Ikat, ocelot, houndstooth and paisley all look fabulous in red.
On my bed, I have a pair of paisley print European cushions in a palette of rust, burgundy, mustard and a hint of grey-blue. They look divine against my navy headboard. Something I love to do when styling my bed is to use white pillowcases that have a trim or border detail in a colour that works back with my seasonal cushions. It’s another simple way to achieve a high-end designer look. Currently, I have pillowcases embroidered with a rust coloured border, but I also have my eye on Sheridan’s ‘Belgrave’ ones in Dark Cherry.
Shop red clothing and accessories
If you’ve decided to incorporate red into your personal style, it’s really important to find the hue that suits you. Think of it like a red lipstick. You see, I can’t wear red that leans too brown – rather, I look for a blue undertone in both my clothing and accessories to complement my pinkish skin tone. The thing I’m looking forward to wearing most this season is a vibrant red cableknit sweater from Lilysilk. With blue jeans or grey flannel trousers, I know it will be my go-to piece. (PS if you want to shop this brand, it’s worth waiting for their sales.)
In the beauty cupboard, my must-have for autumn also happens to come in red packaging. I’ve recently discovered the New Zealand brand Tronque, and its Triple Active Body Milk is divine! It smells amazing and moisturises without being too sticky.
Shop The Edit: From Elle
Clockwise from top: Whitehill ‘Bali’ photo frame, $59.99/18cm x 13cm, David Jones. ‘Illoura’ throw in Cherry Red (170cm x 130cm), $325, Coco Republic. Zafferano ‘Bilia’ egg cup in Clear, $34, Casa e Cucina. Triple Active Body Milk Cleopatra’s Ganache, $120/200ml, Tronque. ‘Cyme’ tote bag in Black Cherry, $890, Polène. Matiere Premiere Rose De Mai Grasse candle, $149/220g, Libertine Parfumerie. ‘Belgrave’ tailored pillowcases in Dark Cherry, $49.99, Sheridan.
Are Media Pty Limited collects your personal information through this site to process registrations, send out newsletters, communicate offers, discounts, competitions, or surveys, and to provide you with targeted advertising based on your online activities. Our Privacy Policy contains information on how you can access or correct your personal information, which entities we may disclose your personal information to (including overseas recipients), how to opt out of targeted advertising, and how to lodge a complaint.
Related
Advertisement
Advertisement
We collect and use data about how you use our sites to improve your experience, analyse site performance and provide you with relevant ads. To help you better understand how we do this, we've introduced a new Cookie, Tracking and Targeting Policy, effective 2 April 2026. Follow the above link to find out more or to opt-out of targeted ads
We collect and use data about how you use our sites to improve... Learn More
We collect and use data about how you use our sites to improve your experience, analyse site performance and provide you with relevant ads. To help you better understand how we do this, we've introduced a new Cookie, Tracking and Targeting Policy, effective 2 April 2026. Follow the above link to find out more or to opt-out of targeted ads
