Interior design ideas inspired by the fashion industry

Fashion designers have often said that they think of themselves as artists.

To view more of this project see "finding your perfect match"

From sketching illustrations to sowing sculptural garments for the runway, big fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel and Prada have treated the fashion industry like a real life art gallery for showing off creativity and quality design.

Why not channel this world of fashion in interior design? Here are some decorating ideas to get you started.

Luxe curtains

Fabrics are, in many ways, the essence of the fashion industry. Dazzle your home with a variety of different luxe fabric curtains, some with reflective shimmering materials, others with pleats or some turned into Roman blinds. The Resene Curtain Collection has a wide range of curtains expertly chosen to match with our paint colours, so you can double the elegance with complementary walls and window coverings.

When it comes to choosing the right curtains for your home, take advice right from the founder and genius behind the fashion house, Dior.

"White is pure and simple and matches with everything," said Christian Dior.

Mr Dior also noted that "you can never really go wrong if you take nature as an example."

Many people would agree with these wise words! Don't say goodbye to the trees outside your window when you draw the curtains to a close, because there are several fabrics that pay tribute to the shapes and colours of pretty plants.

Local designer influences – Karen Walker

What better way to get a fashion-forward feel to your home than to support local talent? Iconic designer Karen Walker has collaborated with Resene to put forward a range of paint colours. The Karen Walker Paints collection will remind you of her classic runway looks. With a mix of bright, cheerful hues as well as timeless neutral shades, the collection will match many kinds of furniture and rugs.

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same," said Coco Chanel. The Karen Walker neutral colours, such as Resene Bleach White or Resene Milk White, will give your walls a stylish feel that is sure to outlast passing trends.

Although you can use these paints on your walls, a lovely place to indulge in your favourite paint colour is your wardrobe or dressing room. Every time you get changed, you can feel like fashion royalty.

Mannequin coat-hanger

Greet your guests to your fashionable home as soon as they walk through the door with a mannequin coat-hanger. Let them drape their scarves and jackets over it. Stringing a few strands of faux pearls around the neckline is a nice accent. Paint the mannequin to accent your room colour scheme and your entrance will never be dull.

If you can also find a wrought-iron or wood hat stand, place them side by side for an added chic feel. You can paint these in matching colours using Resene testpots, and for a glittery look suitable for the high fashion industry, paint the legs with a metallic colour such as Resene Allusive or Resene Bullion.

Treat room arrangements with style

"Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions," advised Ms Chanel.

When you decide where the sofa goes and how to arrange the coffee table, think about indoor-outdoor flow and open plan living proportions. Sometimes with interior design, less is more – allow your statement pieces to be the main focus, much like the base garment of a catwalk. Accessorise with cushions, sculptures, decorative items, potted plants and candles.

Finally, use a vase of flowers as your finishing touch then enjoy your new look.

Colours mentioned in this article...

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.