Making and styling cushions

While New Zealanders tend to favour grey and dark neutrals for practical reasons (think sticky hands and paw prints), cushions can bring much needed colour and personality to a space.

If you have a sewing machine, it’s simple to make your own cushion covers – and it can be quite affordable too.

Here are my top tips for creating cushions for your space.

• Even small amounts of fabric can go a long way with cushions, as it’s only the front face that needs to display your feature fabric. With just one metre of a vivid pattern or colour paired with some plain fabric for the back, you could create four vibrant cushions to brighten up your living room

• Select an inner that is 5cm larger than the cover itself, so that your cushion looks plump and full. For example, if you have a 400x400 cover, you will need a 450x450 inner. I prefer feather inners for a real sense of luxury.

• Choose cushions that work together visually. The easiest way to do this is to start with a cushion in a pattern that you love. You can then pair this with a few more cushions that have similar colours to that initial choice, or in plain, contrasting colours.

• Try a floral pattern next to spotted and striped cushions. This might sound unusual, but it works!

Mix your fabrics for a varied look. For example, velvet, cotton and wool cushions look great together. Also consider styling different sizes and shapes together to build texture.

Lastly, ask for my advice! I have decades of experience in creating, mixing and matching cushions for colour and texture. Browse our range of luxury cushion fabrics first, then we can have a chat. We’ll soon transform your space into a chic and restful sanctuary.