Shannon Fricke’s decorating masterclass

“Often, one or two key pieces will determine my colour palette,” says Shannon, who chose an azure, pink and gold scheme for this lounge space, inspired by a stunning blue velvet sofa from Coco Republic. Strings of bunting bring whimsy and draw the eye upwards. “Hanging something from the ceiling builds your theme from top to bottom,” she explains.

For accessories, Shannon incorporated a mix of objects with different shapes and heights. “I’ve also layered touches of gold to make the scene more interesting,” she explains. The finishing touches: candles, feathers and fresh blooms.

A key tool in the decorating arsenal of every stylist, attention-grabbing pattern has been employed here in cerulean blue floor tiles from Jatana Interiors. “I wanted to carry the blue of the sofa through every space, and I love the design of these tiles, too,” says Shannon. “Pattern and shadow really add ambience.” 

To soften the masculine feel of the shed backdrop – and her lead shade of blue – Shannon incorporated subtle and feminine shades of magenta. 

Romance and fun inspired this fanciful bedroom setting. “Effective lighting adds to the ambience of the space,” says Shannon, who used a custom-made ‘Love’ light installation as a showpiece. Trailing ivy and fresh roses link to a mini garden on the side table. “Little things like this help layer up a space and make it interesting,” she says. A plain but pretty mix of pink and blue velvet bedding brings a warm and comforting feel and allows boldly patterned floor rugs to steal the show.

The fabulous floral theme is mirrored in the lounge area, where vintage-look Lazybones wallpaper makes a sweet backdrop. “The whole theme of this living zone is based on its pattern,” says Shannon. Rather than papering the whole wall, Shannon hung offcuts of vintage wallpaper; she suggests embracing this decorating trick for a celebration or party. “The key to layering clashing patterns is to keep the rest of the space fairly simple,” she adds. 

Texture is key to achieving Shannon’s signature layered look. “Everything I add when decorating has texture, whether it’s a soft velvet or something with shine,” she says.

Hanging glass lanterns create a frame for this outdoor scene. “They make guests feel like they’re held within the space, which lets them relax and feel comfortable,” explains Shannon. Sometimes the most stylish decorating devices are also the thriftiest; to set this party scene, she used hanging paper fans from BHLDN.

For more beautiful entertaining ideas, check out these tabletop tips, here.