Here at MISURA, everyone approaches interior styling consults the same way. We start by listening. By learning about your experiences, aspirations, and the nuances of your day-to-day, we help you craft spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also deeply resonant with your personal history. Blending a personalised narrative with our knowledge of timeless design through a contemporary lens. Ensuring each piece of furniture helps to form a cohesive story.

Sounds good, but what does it all mean? The MISURA team are here to tell you. Sharing their best tips and secrets to curating spaces like a design connoisseur.

Gigi Ekinci — Showroom Manager, Sydney

I start from the ground up: floor plan, finishes, furnishings.

Floorplan

Your floorplan is the foundation of a well-balanced and harmonious space. I always encourage clients to measure up so they’re considerate of proportions of the room when they arrive. This helps them feel more confident in our discussions and helps me visualise their design journey as we explore together. I also recommend taking a 360-degree video of their space, because measurements only tell one part of the story.

Finishes

Finishes are so much more than a finishing touch. The same piece in different finishes can have a dramatic effect on the energy of your space, which is why I focus on light and depth through finishes first. Building a palette that’s in tune with the client’s taste, lifestyle and their current decor. From the warm glow of a Borghini Calacatta ceramic tabletop to Sahara Noir’s pitch-black allure.

Finishes naturally lead to the room’s colour balance, which helps create a cohesive space. Cool greys, neutrals and white help to ground the space in timeless style. For those looking to have a more profound emotional effect on their environment, warm colours naturally influence the ambiance and mood of any room. Even as accents.

Finishes naturally lead to textures, too. By layering textures in your space, the main pieces pop and you can strike a balance between the elements. When we use a monochromatic colour palette, for example, contrasting pieces (in texture and colour) will add harmony by creating focal points. Influencing the mood of the room through layering effects that create visual intrigue and emotional depth.

Furnishing

Furnishing comes last, but never least. The beauty of furnishings is their adaptability. So, think beyond trends and be bold with colour and texture. Why not? Playful cushions, paintings and throws create accents of creativity and imagination that can be changed with the seasons or on a whim.

Martina Caruana — Sales Consultant, Sydney

Don’t be afraid of colour

Whether it’s a couple of cushions, a painting or a piece of furniture itself, a pop of colour brings life to your home. Providing a sense of comfort & relaxation (cool colours and neutrals) or boosting energy and vitality (warm colours).

Colour in your furniture reflects your personality and adds character to your home. Better yet, you don’t need to be a seasoned designer to plan a colour scheme. The colour wheel makes it easy to find complementary or monochromatic schemes for whatever mood and energy you desire.

Lighting

Lighting itself can be seen as an art form within interior design. Just like a painting or sculpture, it has the power to evoke emotions and create a visual impact. You can use lighting as a design element to enhance the aesthetics of a space and create focal points. Especially through colour, which can appear dramatically different in sunlight, on overcast days or with artificial light. The quality of light can dramatically impact how objects and spaces are perceived.

Ivan Chen — Showroom Manager, Melbourne

It can be easy to get overwhelmed or lost in design possibilities. The key is to make sure that the colours, materials and proportion are in harmony.

Proportion

Proportion is the subtle art of knowing when less is more. In curating a space, it's not about filling every corner but rather about creating a sense of balance and flow. My approach often involves observing the client's natural gravitation towards certain pieces in our showroom. This observation becomes the cornerstone of our design conversation, extending from a single piece of furniture to the broader canvas of their home. For instance, the table is the centerpiece of a dining area, the heart around which the room beats. So, I usually suggest clients choose chairs that complement their dining table without pulling focus or fading into the background. Finding that balance often comes down to colour and materials.

Colour Palette

Based on the colour palette and existing furniture in a client's home, I will propose the most harmonious colours and finishes for the pieces they want to add or replace. Personally, I gravitate towards a neutral palette – black, white, beige, grey, and brown. These hues offer versatility, allowing furniture to seamlessly integrate or stand out as needed.

Materials

When it comes to materials, I often pair the organic warmth of leather and timber with the contemporary edge of metal and ceramic finishes. The interplay of these materials creates a dialogue within the space – an ambiance that is both inviting and modern.

Honesty

I see it as a huge part of my job to show clients what's possible. It's my job to ask the right questions and draw out the brief — finding out exactly what they want for their home. I also consider honesty to be part of my job, because these purchases matter more than most. We live with furniture for quite some time, so I always give clients my honest feedback.

Mina Tiesi — Sales Consultant, Melbourne

Functional Furniture Harmony

Select furniture that seamlessly aligns with your space's purpose. In my living area, an overhead light paired with an elegant armchair creates a cosy reading nook. The introduction of nature, through strategically placed greenery, enhances a tranquil atmosphere. This design not only serves its intended purpose but also establishes a calming ambience, providing a retreat for relaxation. Purposefully coordinating furniture with specific activities enriches the overall experience, ensuring the space is both inviting and meaningful.

Reflective Radiance

Incorporate mirrors with frames that effortlessly complement your interior style. Strategically placed, these mirrors enhance the perception of space and light, contributing to the room's depth and energy. The addition of reflective surfaces not only creates the illusion of a larger space but also plays with natural light, adding a touch of glamour and expert styling. Thoughtfully chosen mirrors, considering both style and placement, elevate the ambience, imparting a sense of luxury to any room. The interplay of reflections introduces an element of intrigue, maintaining a dynamic and captivating design.

Desi Kamdrawati — Sales Consultant, Melbourne

Ergonomic Design for Productivity

Choose a comfortable and functional office chair to support long working hours. Position a suspension lamp above the desk to provide focused task lighting. Adjustable lighting is key for reducing eye strain and maintaining concentration.

Take advantage of natural light by placing the desk near a window. Choose a color scheme that promotes focus and concentration. Shades of blue and green are often associated with calmness and productivity. Create zones within the office space for different tasks and moods, such as a reading nook with a comfortable chair and a small side table.

Functional Arrangement

Place your lamps strategically to create ambient lighting. This can be achieved by positioning it near the sofa to illuminate the seating area. Consider adding a floor lamp or wall sconces for layered lighting. This helps to create a warm and inviting ambiance, especially during the evenings. Arrange furniture to encourage conversation and interaction. Keep the design clutter-free by opting for a few statement pieces rather than overcrowding the space. Less is often more in creating a sophisticated atmosphere.

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Making the Most of Your Showroom Experience

From the moment you step into our Sydney or Melbourne showroom, you will be greeted by knowledgeable design advisors. Taking the time to understand your personal taste profile and design requirements.

In addition to their expertise, the design advisors can also assist in visualising how Cattelan Italia pieces will look in your space. Helping you understand the dimensions, proportions, and overall impact of pieces like the Vega Desk or Airport Bookcase. Meeting your needs but also enhancing the aesthetics of your living spaces — whether you’re looking for a bed fit for modern day titans or an elegant side table that will nestle in wherever you want to go.

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Love our furniture but not sure where to start?

We understand that multiple options and seemingly endless possibilities can be daunting. That’s where our personalised design service comes in. By working with our team of skilled and knowledgeable designers, we can bring your project to life by selecting the perfect pieces for your unique requirements, aesthetic and budget.

Enquire about our design service