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Jono Fleming on styling with colour
Stylist, designer and podcaster Jono Fleming is the master of over accessorising a space to perfection. He has a particular knack for incorporating colour and fun into his styling while still achieving a casually elegant final result.
But living in an apartment, Jono is all too familiar with the challenges of styling a small space.
“With apartment living, you’ve got a set layout where things are supposed to go,” he explains. “If they’ve designed the apartment for a dining table or TV to go in a certain space, you need to find pieces that fit those spaces perfectly.
“You don’t really have the flexibility to move things around as much as a house. But in saying that, there’s different things to look at when you’re selecting pieces.”
Jono has styled the Dainelli Sideboard and Issho Dining Table in his signature style, sharing his tips for bringing colour, fun and elegance to your space.
The curved edges of the Dainelli Sideboard in Congo create flow in the space while also serving as multifunctional storage.
Overcoming the challenges of a small space
Jono is a fan of multi-purpose furniture. Like the Dainelli Sideboard in Congo.
“When I opened the Dainelli Sideboard up, I didn’t realise there were going to be drawers inside at the top,” Jono explains. “For apartment living you end up combining rooms a bit. The sideboard is the TV cabinet but it’s also where I store all my extra plates and platters. Having those multi-purpose pieces of furniture is a huge saver for me.”
Of the furniture you choose, Jono says that shape matters. In a small area you interact with the furniture more so curved edges can soften the space.
“It makes it feel more inviting and creates a bit of flow,” he explains. “The Dainelli Sideboard has a curve on the edge and it sort of wraps around the space. It allows a bit more of a natural walkthrough in the space rather than having so many corners and rigid lines.
“Putting the Issho Round Table in Congo in my space made it feel even bigger. Playing with shapes can really change the entire way a space feels.”
Jono recommends using artwork as the starting point when styling to bring colour, warmth and life to the space.
Be bold with artwork
Known for using artwork in his styling, Jono knows that for many people it can be rather intimidating to find the right piece for their space.
“A lot of people are scared of original art because it can be expensive,” he explains. “But there are different ways to go around it. There’s nothing wrong with a print or a poster. But then I’d suggest investing in really good framing to finish it off and make it look more expensive than it might actually be.”
By starting with an artwork as the base of your decorating, Jono says you can start to create a palette. In his styling, he pulls a key colour from the artwork and then builds the soft furnishings, vases and other decor from there. While he says you don’t need to have exact colour matches, he suggests working with tones and shades to build colour and life into your home.
Jono's styling draws on the colours of his artwork
Another common concern with apartment living is that you don’t often have the external view you would living in a house. The windows may be smaller and fewer, but with artwork, you can create an internal view of sorts.
“You can fill your wall with one big artwork, but don’t forget about the smaller moments like shelves, sideboards or bedside tables,” he says. “If you can add some smaller artworks, it’s just something really beautiful that adds a personal touch and a bit of warmth.”
Jono effortlessly blends the sculptural form of the Issho Round Table with the classic design of the Amara Timber Chair, both in Congo. He brings the style together with a floral centrepiece and coloured glassware.
Have fun with styling
Jono chose the classic Amara Timber Chair in Congo to contrast against the sculptural form of the Issho Round Table, the statement piece in the room.
With these pieces as the base, Jono then introduces colour and warmth with a large floral centrepiece and fun coloured glasses.
“People go with black because they know it’s a safe colour,” he explains. “But then you need to be a little bolder with your styling and add some contrast and warmth in colour. With the floral centrepiece I brought in green and orange hues along with the layers of glass. Glass on glass is actually a really nice way to add layers to a table but it doesn’t feel too cluttered because there is that transparency to it.”
In choosing pieces for styling, Jono is not only looking for sculptural forms or colour to bring warmth. He’s also looking for functional pieces that can serve both purposes.
“I like to have my double duty pieces,” he says. “A beautiful sculptural object that’s also a candle holder or a bowl that we can also use as a fruit bowl. I like to pick pieces that will have use but I also just love sculptural shapes.”
Australian designers and artists feature prominently throughout Jono’s home.
Embrace Australian design
Supporting local artists and designers is important to Jono. From the Australian designed KING furniture to artists and local brands such as Robert Gordon, Fazeek Homewares and Maison Balzac.
“Most of the pieces I have at home are Australian made or Australian designed,” he says. “You can find smaller artists on Pinterest, Instagram and Etsy and that’s where you can get really amazing ceramics, artworks, candles and those sorts of things. You pay more but you get quality.
“We use the nice plates all the time. These pieces are made to be used. I want to make sure the pieces get used and are loved.”
Jono's Issho Round Table in Congo set for four.
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Quick questions with Jono Fleming
Watercolour or oil painting? Oil painting.
Stripes or spots? Stripes.
Stone or wood? Wood.
Fresh flowers or indoor plants? Fresh flowers. I've always been an indoor plant person, but I do love flowers. I spend way too much on them.
City or country? Country.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and what would you serve them?
I always love cooking Italian. That’s just my go to. I would invite all of my favourite comedians. We’re talking Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey. I’d just love to sit at a table with the girls and have a laugh.
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