The secret to elevating a basic white-walled space isn’t necessarily more colour — it’s texture, tone and thoughtful layering.

Start with Soft Neutrals for Calm & Cohesion

Before introducing colour, it’s important to establish a calming base. Soft neutrals — think warm whites, stone, sand, oat, mushroom, greige and pale taupe — create a sense of peace and balance that allows a room to breathe.

These hues sit quietly in the background, never shouting for attention, and they prevent a space from feeling visually jarring or chaotic. When your base palette is gentle and harmonious, everything else you add feels intentional rather than overwhelming.

Neutrals also provide longevity. They don’t date quickly and they adapt beautifully as your tastes evolve.

Texture Is Where the Magic Happens

Texture is what turns a room from nice into inviting.

If you love white walls but want warmth, texture is your best friend. Consider:

• Subtle limewash or mineral paints for soft movement

• Timber battens or slatted wall details

• Fabric-wrapped panels or upholstered walls

• Plaster, Venetian finishes or gentle render effects

These elements add depth and character without introducing bold colour — meaning the space still feels calm, cohesive and timeless.

Texture engages the senses. It creates warmth visually and emotionally, making a room feel layered and lived-in rather than stark.

Keep Colour Flexible with Soft Furnishings

If colour is your thing (and for many of us, it is!), the best place to introduce it is through soft furnishings and accessories, not permanent finishes.

Cushions, throws, rugs, artwork, lampshades and decorative objects allow you to:

• Change your look seasonally

• Reflect your mood or current style

• Experiment without long-term commitment

Today it might be soft blush and clay tones. Tomorrow, sage, olive or muted blues. When colour lives in your styling rather than your walls, your home can evolve as you do.

This approach also ensures that nothing feels too dominant or overpowering — colour becomes an accent, not a distraction.

A Home That Feels Calm, Warm & Adaptable

The most beautiful interiors aren’t loud. They’re layered, considered and quietly confident.

By working with a base of soft neutrals, adding texture for warmth and depth, and introducing colour through easily changeable elements, you create a space that feels calm, welcoming and endlessly adaptable.

White walls don’t have to be boring — they just need the right supporting cast.

The post How To Warm Up White Walls appeared first on Style Counsel online.

Looking for a bedroom style makeover without going to the expense of buying a new bed? Well, why not consider an oversized bed headboard? It makes a stylish and luxurious addition to any bedroom. Big, bold, and luxurious, an oversized headboard can make a statement without overwhelming your space, adding a touch of sophistication and instantly elevating the look of your bedroom.

Is bigger better?

We all know bigger isn’t always better but when it comes to your bedhead I do think it is!  An oversized bedhead or headboard can add drama and a focal point to your bedroom, creating a sense of luxury and opulence. Importantly, it also provides extra comfort and support making for a cozy and comfortable backdrop for reading or watching TV in bed. With the larger surface area, it also allows for customisation with fabric, colour, and design giving you more opportunity to add interest and texture to the room as a whole.

How do you make the transition to a super-sized bedhead?

Start by measuring your bed to ensure a proper fit. Think of the extra proportions as you would when choosing bedding – like putting a King size doona on a Queen Size bed. Or a Super King on a King Bed. Consider the height and width of the oversized headboard for proportion. And the style and width of your bedside tables.

Choose a style that complements your existing decor. If your look is traditional maybe consider button trims. If coastal, maybe consider slip-cover/linens. Modern? Try velvet panels or no panels at all. Or a funky rounded shape instead of rectangular.

Where do you get one and how do you style it?

Check out the furniture stores for a wide selection of styles and sizes, or browse online retailers for unique and customizable options. Some of my favourites include Beds a Head, Luxo Living, and Bed Nest. OR you could consider hiring a pro like me for more insider tips to help you choose the design and have it custom-made to your specifications.

As always, when it comes to style, don’t forget it’s not what you wear it’s how you wear it.  The same applies to styling your interiors. The addition of a large textured rug and – space allowing – a footstool will really complete your look. Don’t forget some beautiful flax bed linen and cushions to take your makeover to the next level!

The post The Head of Your Bed appeared first on Style Counsel online.

How to Merge Coastal Style With Industrial Style

Truly classic coastal is usually quite rustic with key elements being weathered, light colours and materials. It often verges on very classical and traditional with the light seaside vibe associated (and often confused) with true classic Hamptons style.

A combination of both coastal and industrial combines that lovely light and airy, rustic feel but it’s balanced with darker touches and cleaner/simpler lines. Definitely not as masculine and heavy as a true industrial, but somewhere in between. And it really does work!

Colour

Classic coastal style is based on predominantly white/light pale timbers, paired with light neutrals and blue and white accents – from duck-egg blue to French navy or even brighter blues. To combine coastal with industrial I like to darken the colour palette with touches of black. Think black steel legs on tables, black cane/rattan feature chairs etc. It picks up a lot of the darkness you see in an industrial design but also blends really well with all the traditional base colours – white, linen, beige and cream.

The result? It feels light and clean but with a stronger edge. It’s light but dark; monochromatic and neutral but white/pale isn’t the dominant timber base. Soft, stone greys and sandy tones dominate, layered with rusty, rich browns, classic cream, inky blues and the occasional pop of dark green for a truly balanced look.

Texture

An industrial edge comes from rougher textures combined with darker colours to balance out the smoother materials like simple white plaster walls, concrete floors and smooth metal accents.

I always like to warm up a lovely blank/white canvas with the addition of lots of texture. Or sometimes simply by adding pops of your signature colour. Add handmade pieces – old photos and books, earthy ceramics in light tones, framed photos or artwork painted by the kids, plants or flowers – anything that looks and feels like it has a history, or simply tells your story.

So what are the key elements for pulling off Coastal Industrial?

• Think touches of black, charcoal grey, tan, and dark blue or green added to a predominantly light neutral theme of beige, white, sand, linen
• Bring in touches of black, streamlined metal to combine with lighter, weathered or recycled wood
• Warm things up with wicker or rattan, personal or handmade objects, books, photos
• Soften the look with touchable textures – linens, soft but chunky knitted throws, fringing or tassels
• Keep pattern to a minimum. A pop of colour and texture will usually create enough interest.
• Keep it personal! Include homewares that tell your story. Family photos, home-made items, books you actually DO love to read…you get the picture?!

And don’t forget how easy it is to add those personal touches to your coffee table vignette! I wrote another blog about that recently. You can read it here…

The post How to Merge Coastal and Industrial Style appeared first on Style Counsel online.

For everyday, you need to leave enough clear space for coffee cups or glass of wine but with the use of trays you can also easily convert the table to a low dining table for a casual Netflix night in!

Five Key Elements

1. A tray (or trays)
2. Coffee table books
3. Greenery or a floral arrangement
4. Decorative bowls or boxes
5. Glass (like a candle or clear vase)

Five Key Tips

1. Size does matter!

The key is to arrange in various grouping sizes and textures. Make sure the items are to scale. If you have three large coffee table books paired with a tiny scented candle it will look out of proportion. Keep floral arrangements or plants low enough so they don’t obstruct your view of people opposite – or the TV!

2. Give your remote a home

Never lose those darned remotes again. Give them their own dedicated place in a pretty dish or tray.

3. Think outside the square

Coffee tables aren’t always “tables” as the name might imply. Try a large (or small, depending on the size of your space) ottoman that easily doubles as a foot-stool or extra seating. Use a large tray in the centre or a few smaller trays to display items and keep them level/safe.

4. Don’t be afraid to layer

Coffee table books are a great feature but they can also take up valuable space. Try layering some of your special items on top. If you have plenty of room, try opening a book at a key page that means something to you, or has key colours you’d like to feature.

5. Pick a Colour

Always keep in mind the Style Counsel rule for styling with colour. If your overall base colour palette is neutral you will always have the luxury of being able to play with a feature colour if and when the whim takes you! Seasonally, you can change the whole look of your space with the addition of a few books covered in the colour of your choice, a change of floral arrangements or cushions and throws.

And finally, remember, this is personal!

You need to know who you are what you like. Sure, we all get inspiration from many different people and places (Instagram, shops, catalogues, shops, magazines, friends etc etc) but the key to making it all work is when it truly reflects your personality. Display books that you actually would pick up and read. Display plants or flowers that actually love; candles that you will actually light…you get my drift?!

The post How To Style a Coffee Table appeared first on Style Counsel online.

So pop into the Styling You Pop Up Shop (pun intended) soon. It’s at 1/129 Latrobe Terrace Paddington (behind Thousand Island). Make sure you mention that Al (from Style Counsel) sent you to qualify for your discount and spread the love to all your friends looking for outfit inspirations for their Christmas holidays.

Check out these great resort looks online at the Styling You Shop…

Now, as most of my clients will know, I’m a bit of a frog. I feel the cold. So, no matter where I go – and pretty much all year round – I usually bring a light sweater or scarf to wrap around my shoulders or throw over my knees. I just love my Styling You The Label Nicoll cashmere wrap (pictured beautifully below on Nikki) so believe me when I say it’s a wardrobe staple and perfect for any occasion – day to night, winter through summer.

Nikki says, “Try on something you normally wouldn’t just because” and I completely agree. You just never know what direction it might take both you and your wardrobe. Like Nikki, I’ve also been telling my clients since forever – “Don’t buy it unless you love it”. Thing is, I’m sure you’ll find many pieces you love at The Styling You Shop so this styling tip could prove to be very challenging indeed!

Happy styling ladies! Make sure you share your Styling You The Label Pop Up Shop finds with me on Facebook. Nikki and I would both love to see what you in your lovely new purchases!

The post Styling You The Label Shop Pops Up appeared first on Style Counsel online.

1. Not letting go of the past

How can we start the next chapter of our life if we keep re-reading the previous ones?

2. Staying in toxic relationships

Life is too short to waste time on toxic people, whether they be a partner, friend, colleague, or employer. The people you get to choose to be with should support you, help you and lift you up. Deep down, we all know that uneasy feeling we get when we continue to make excuses for – and keep associating with – the wrong people.

3. Telling lies.  To yourself

Everyone lies. White lies can be good – sometimes – especially if they’re used to prevent hurting another’s feelings or to let someone down more gently. But nothing good ever comes of lying to yourself.

4. Settling for less

I can’t think of a better way to cause stress in your life, actually! Keep putting your own needs last, and putting them on the backburner for someone else and watch how quickly resentment and frustration builds. Go on! Give it a try it if you want to experience more pain…I can assure you it really works!

5. Letting your fear of being less than perfect take hold

Trying to be perfect is a sure-fire way to make you feel constantly anxious. If you’re scared of making a mistake you won’t pluck up the courage to try. It’s far better to do something and get it wrong than to never try at all. Don’t let your fears get in the way of who you are meant to be and what you want to accomplish. “Every success story has a trail of failures behind it; every mistake can lead to success”.

6. Being jealous

There’s always going to be friends or colleagues whom you perceive to be smarter or more successful than yourself. Stop concentrating on their talents and start focussing on your own “PB’s”. Success is a battle between you and yourself – not them. Measure yourself only against yourself.

7. Putting yourself down

Oh, am I the QUEEN of this one! Stop talking yourself down, because believe me, there are enough people out there willing to take on that job for you, and usually behind your back. Ignore your small-minded thoughts and focus on some big-picture goals to start getting yourself in the healthier habit of building yourself up instead of tearing yourself down.

Now don’t get me wrong…I’m not sitting here behind my laptop, languishing in any sort of ivory tower of happiness, telling you how to live your life ‘cos I’ve got all my shit together. Far from it! I’m just sharing with you the things that I know deep down I/we shouldn’t be doing if we really do want to avoid the stress trap.

So, what’s the take-away?…

“Don’t give the things that stress you out the power to stand between you and your happiness”

The post 7 Habits To Guarantee More Stress appeared first on Style Counsel online.

When I first met her, I naively thought I might be able to help her with her newly diagnosed terminal cancer. To help her raise awareness of not only her condition but also her newly launched Blog “Dear Melanoma”. So, I interviewed her as part of my own humble blog series “Al interviews a Woman of Style”. And, honestly, not just because of her diagnosis or her Blog launch, but because Emma really did have an incredible, unique and infectious sense of true style – inside and out. And it was obvious from the very first day we met.

It was my friend Bec Sparrow who first introduced me to her, and I do believe (as Bec said at Emma’s FUNeral today) that Bec was meant to meet Emma. For so, so many reasons that even Bec won’t ever really be able to understand or explain. All I know is she really does have an incredible way of finding the best in people and encouraging them to have the courage to show that “best” off to the world. But that’s a whole ‘nother story. More on that later…

Back to Em. You see, I was lucky enough to have dodged my own “Big C” bullet at age 29 (not Melanoma, thankfully, but…) and I perhaps again, naively, thought I could help this beautiful young woman raise awareness and support for Cancer – the horrible disease that has claimed way too many people I love – both young and old.

It’s a diagnosis that Emma herself used to describe to me as “frustrating beyond belief”. We had way too quickly discovered too many similarities; too many shared surgeons/specialists. Too many references to us both being “duds”. We both agreed how frustrating it was to live with chronic conditions that others just couldn’t see or even begin to understand. But then, how do you deal with this? Now we’re talking Terminal Cancer! It really was a game-changer. And as we both understood, it was definitely one of those things about which you don’t get the luxury of “thinking positively” just so that others will feel better. As she used to say often, “Sometimes you just can’t win an unwinnable fight – even from the very beginning”. And as for anyone who dared to tell her to “think positively” about her diagnosis at such a young age? Well, let’s just say both of us would laugh (and cry) and chink our wine glasses and say “Give me one fucking good reason to think positively about dying at the age of 23?! Pulllleeeasse!”

So. We became friends. We shared sushi and wine. She visited ME in hospital (go figure?). She brought me chocolate-coated berries (a delicacy she said I just HAD to discover); both she and Serge shouted ME Aburi salmon at the Sushi Train when I just wish I had been able to shout them; we shared and compared stories of two of our (mutually excellent long-term) Specialists, one of whom I had inappropriately renamed after he had removed my large bowel, and happily shared with her his nick-name. She and I shared stories of what it had been like to “look well”. To be young, but also to be living with a chronic illness that was simply not visible to the world. She would offer advice to me (yep, the 23-year-old advising the woman twice her age) about coping with the downturn in income when you can no longer work as hard as you once used to; the guilt of feeling like a failure to your husband/family; the frustration of not being able to do anything to change it. She was a total INSPIRATION to me for the short three years of friendship we had. And now she’s gone I can’t describe the survivor-guilt I now harbour. I’m hoping a good counsellor will be able to help me with that though. I mean, compared to what Emma and her husband/family are going through, I’m disgusted to even admit that I’m struggling here right now!

So. Let’s fast-forward to the last few months of 2016…

What was I doing? I was just doing whatever it is I do – which is nothing compared to what this amazing young woman had been doing for her whole (way too short) life. I was becoming increasingly concerned about my Mum’s health, but also kind of in denial. Was I ready to face that next stage? Nope, I was definitely not. I’d just said goodbye to six friends/family in the space of less than six months and was vowing that 2017 just had to be better. But all the while, Emma was clinging to any hope she could of simply accessing another clinical trial that might buy her some more time. More time to be with her gorgeous husband Serge; time to be with her beloved fur-baby Ralph; and for goodness sake, what about time to be with her incredibly strong, loving, supportive and close family?

Over the last three months or so, I’d kept in touch with Em privately. I was very aware of what she was going through and knew how many much-closer friends and family she had, and how her energy levels would certainly only allow her enough time to keep in touch with her nearest and dearest. I certainly didn’t want to add any more pressure so I watched from the sidelines and felt completely helpless/useless. Hopeless. Possibly partly to do with what I was personally facing myself. My mother’s health had been clearly declining in the last few years, but none more so than it had in the latter quarter of last year and the first three months of 2017.

I think we, as kids, want to think that our parents will be there forever. We’d love to deny that they’re actually “ageing”. And no matter what our relationship with them is/was, we still want to think that we’ve got plenty of time to sort out our shit and say what we want to say. Well, you know what? Life doesn’t always follow a script. And if Emma’s early death has taught us anything, then please let it at least be this:

• How PRECIOUS life is.
• How you never know when it will be taken from any of us.
• That age isn’t a guarantee.
• That we can all try to follow a script but life doesn’t.

Emma lived every single day of her way-too-short life to the fullest. She inspired. She raised funds. She helped others less fortunate. She had goals. She had dreams. She spent every moment of that life LIVING. I honestly can’t say I have done that. And I have already lived twice as long as she did. I hope I can find the strength to do even half of what she achieved.

Even if you know death is imminent, you’re still never ready…

On Christmas Day 2016, it was clear to me that my usually crazy, wild, unconventional 89yo Irish Mum was definitely not quite “herself”.  If I’m honest, it was clear things hadn’t been right for many months prior. But she was fighting SO hard to conceal things; to be strong; to be “normal”. I allowed myself to think/hope that “she’ll be right” as she always was. But…

We admitted her to hospital mid-January for a simple UTI and the associated “delirium” that often accompanies it (and had been back in 2015). But it was clear to me this time that there was really a lot more to it. After two weeks of fighting with her to go back to hospital for more investigations, she finally relented and was diagnosed with malignant ascites in early February. Advanced Ovarian Cancer. My Mum was gone by the end of March. March 30^th to be exact. Not even 8 weeks from diagnosis to death. I know for a fact she had fought this for a LOT longer than she/we had ever known.

Why am I sharing this story with you on the day we said goodbye to my beautiful YOUNG friend Emma?

Because I want to make sure that none of us ever take our life (or the lives of those we love) for granted. That we never just think “she’ll be right”. Or that we’ve all got a “lifetime” to say what we want to say to those we care about.

On a positive note, I do feel so very fortunate. Actually, I feel quite blessed. Because I got to spend precious time with my mum in the last few months and to say what needed to be said. And truth-be-told, she said things to me that I don’t think she’d ever had felt comfortable saying when she was supposedly “well”, or trying to act like she was. She’d spent a lot of her life trying to keep up appearances. Trying to be strong. She also had struggled with showing emotion (something I seem to have NO problem with, thanks to my highly-emotional Greek Dad!). Regardless, I still very much feel the loss.

Both of my parents have now gone from this life, but you know what? In the scheme of things, I am also SO very lucky to have outlived them both. You know, ‘The Circle of Life’ and all that? Because what Emma’s family is going through today – what they’ve gone through these last three years – is just unimaginable. Unfathomable. To lose a child (no matter how old) is just wrong. It’s not fair. It really pisses me off. I have no answers or theories about the meaning of life and I doubt I ever will. Other than to say this:

“Emma, in dying, you taught me more about living than I’ve ever been able to understand. You taught me what strength and resilience really looks like. You knew how hard it was to live with a chronic illness; with an invisible disability, long before you were diagnosed with the mother of them all – a Terminal Illness. Just knowing you taught me – hopefully has taught us all – what resilience is. It has taught me what being grateful is all about.”

RIP Emma. You will NEVER be forgotten. I promise.

If you’d like to read more about Emma, visit her Dear Melanoma Blog here. Let’s continue to help spread her message about Sun Safety while raising much-needed funds for research into a cure for Melanoma.

The post How Emma Betts Taught Us All How to Live appeared first on Style Counsel online.

Thing is, people often compliment me on mine – even ask me how I do it – because they THINK I’ve got super-thick hair. HA! Have I got ’em all fooled or what? I’ve actually got mousey, thin, wispy hair, which in recent years due to over-processing has actually gotten thinner and without tlc looks just plain “blah”!

But never one to give up, I’ve fought back against my wispy lifeless locks. I’ve worked out all the hacks and tricks I can to make my hair look thicker and healthier. Because, as they say, (apparently) “the higher the hair the closer to God” (or something like that!).

And I’ve finally plucked up the courage to put it all into my very Video Tutorial for you – you lucky things!

I’ll be producing more of these How To Tutorials (now that I’ve gotten over the fear of doing one in the first place!) and hopefully as I go, I’ll get better at it. So make sure you subscribe or check in regularly so you don’t miss out on the next riveting addition my Youtube Channel!

But for now, sit back relax and watch how it’s done! See how Big Al gets her Big hair!

The post How To Get Big Hair – Tutorial appeared first on Style Counsel online.

Yesterday, I was in the Chemist Warehouse, wandering through the aisles, waiting for a script. An employee approached me saying, “I’m sorry…I hope I don’t make you feel too uncomfortable saying this…” She then showed her ring finger and said “I’m a married woman and all – so don’t get me wrong – it’s just that you really are very beautiful. You’re very lucky”. I was very pleasantly gob-smacked and surprised. I said “Oh, wow! Thank you! How sweet of you! I don’t feel it/see it, but what a lovely thing to say! You’ve just made my day!” I went on to play with testers of lipsticks and makeup when I heard a voice call out “You don’t need it! Seriously!” I looked up and there she was again! In that very moment, because of her kindness, I actually felt like perhaps I didn’t need it either.

But then…I actually debated whether I should share this story…

Because of the reaction I got from my husband! What I’m getting at here isn’t so much about what this lovely lady said to me. It’s more about how much I struggled with sharing this happy story with YOU! Why? Because his immediate reaction to my story was – and I quote – “Oh God. Make sure you don’t tell that to anyone! They’ll just think you’ve got a big head!”

Now I ask you. If this woman had been rude; if she’d shoved me out of the way and not said sorry or excuse me; if she’d taken my car park; if she’d done or said something negative and I’d shared my story with my hubby, I’m sure he’d say to our friends next time we got together, “Hey, Al…tell ‘em that story about that bitch at the chemist the other day!” Why? Because it might incite outrage? Or it might provide a juicy, meaty story. A laugh perhaps? But tell someone something positive – something that made you actually glow with happiness or pride for hours after – and they may think you just have a big head!

“If you think something nice about someone – whether you know them or not – TELL THEM!”

I’ve long been a believer in this – it’s a philosophy that I’ve shared with all my clients at every opportunity.  I can’t tell you how good it makes not only the giver but also the receiver of a genuine compliment. They/you will be walking on air for the rest of the day. You know yourself how good it feels to be the receiver, so how can you feel bad or embarrassed plucking up the courage to share that compliment with a total stranger? And let me assure you…the receiver will be not only smiling inside and out, but your compliment could also just be the thing that makes that person NOT give up.  NOT feel hopeless. NOT feel inadequate. NOT feel useless. NOT feel ugly. NOT feel like they don’t make a difference in their job. NOT feel like everyone is out to get them or complain about their service. Your comment could just be the thing that gives them a reason to keep on fighting. To keep on doing what they’re doing. To keep on believing that they’re on the right track.

So!  How about we all set ourselves a daily challenge to seek out the positive in the people we come in contact with. It might be a passerby, a shop assistant, waiter, car park attendant, someone at your gym or in the lift at work or in your apartment complex. Whoever it is, let’s look for something positive about them or that encounter and TELL them! I guarantee you’ll not only make their day, but you will feel pretty damn good too. Let’s start a compliment revolution! Pass it on/share it/live it/do it! Because…

“The best way to make yourself feel good is to make someone else feel even better!” Alison Triffett

The post A Total Stranger Made My Day appeared first on Style Counsel online.

SO, without any further ado…here it is. Just what you’ve been waiting for. The second installment of my Wardrobe, Beauty and Life Hacks Infographic series. You can download it for FREE right now. Just click on the link below:

Life & Wardrobe & Beauty Hacks #2

And if by any chance you missed the first one in the series, click here to check it out now!

Feel free to spread the word with your mates or better still, leave a comment and share some of YOUR best hacks. Sharing is caring, after all!

The post Wardrobe, Beauty and Life Hacks #2 appeared first on Style Counsel online.