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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n You might expect an interior-design tastemaker like Greg Natale to have decorated his own home in shades of fashionable white and cream.<\/p>\n But Natale is a fan of colours that grab you. \u201cIn my own apartment, a maroon theme runs strong,\u201d he reveals.<\/p>\n Maroon reminds Natale and his partner of a cherished trip to Paris, where they saw the colour everywhere. \u201cHaving maroon walls and carpet transports us back to a city we love,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Natale happily admits his maroon-led colour scheme is not on trend, acknowledging that, in 2026, many homes that hit the market or are featured in magazines are cream-coloured copies<\/a>.<\/p>\n While many home owners default to white, experts say those who plan to stay in their homes long-term should embrace hues that speak specifically to them, and can do so successfully by following simple rules. But those who are looking to sell may prefer to take a different approach.<\/p>\n Related Article Home owners who want their interiors to reflect their personality often engage Natale, known as something of an interior-design chameleon, adapting to clients\u2019 preferences.<\/p>\n For one recent residential project in the United States, he employed a mix of patterns, animal prints and deep colours such as olive green and burgundy.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother house, for a client in Sydney who loved colourful Murano glass, became a jewelled box, with each room taking on its own character, defined by colour,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He believes no colour is off-limits in a home. \u201cWhen applied thoughtfully and in the right context, any hue has the potential to bring depth, character and brilliance to a space,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say he operates without guiding principles. He often works with one-colour palettes, for example, combining multiple shades to create visual texture.<\/p>\n \u201cBy working with different shades and intensities of the same hue, you can create a nuanced interior that feels considered,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Fellow interior designer Thomas Hamel agrees. \u201cRather than introducing lots of competing colours, it\u2019s often more effective to establish a foundation and layer in subtle tonal variations, creating depth and longevity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He says nature-inspired tones evoke a sense of comfort and calm.<\/p>\n \u201cWarm whites, gentle greys, stone, sand, sage greens and muted blues all have an enduring quality and tend to create spaces that people genuinely enjoy spending time in.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he says there\u2019s no \u201cwrong\u201d choice when choosing a palette to live in long-term.<\/p>\n \u201cColour is deeply personal,\u201d he says. \u201cFor some clients, richer tones such as deep olive, oxblood, aubergine and navy can create wonderfully intimate and sophisticated spaces when used thoughtfully.\u201d<\/p>\n The key to success, he says, is to select colours that reflect the style of the home \u2013 ornate or minimalist, for example \u2013 and its residents\u2019 personalities.<\/p>\n Related Article He cautions home owners against following the crowd when it comes to colour, as trends can date quickly.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to consider how natural and artificial light will affect a colour scheme throughout the day, he says.<\/p>\n \u201cTesting colours in situ and viewing them at different times of day is always worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n While Hamel and Natale encourage clients to choose colours based on personal preference, BresicWhitney agent David Smith-Cameron takes a different position when advising those looking to sell.<\/p>\n \u201cWhite is always the safest bet,\u201d he says, adding homes painted in other colours can be \u201ca bit overwhelming\u201d to many buyers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something we often find with deceased estates that haven\u2019t been touched for decades. Most buyers will walk into a colourful property and immediately feel like they need to make a change, which isn\u2019t always what you want when selling.\u201d<\/p>\n BresicWhitney is selling a semi in Sydney\u2019s upmarket Woollahra that was previously for sale in early 2021, when it had striking brown cornices and beige walls in the living room, combined with busy styling. The same home now has off-white walls and minimal styling, making the living room look calmer.<\/p>\n Smith-Cameron describes painting a property white as an \u201ceasy win\u201d that can deliver a strong return on investment when selling. \u201cI\u2019m renovating a house in Paddington at the moment, and I\u2019ve just spent 30 grand painting it for that exact reason,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Related Article But choose your whites carefully. \u201cThere are 100 different shades of white, and they\u2019re all very different. A warm white can have a yellowy undertone, whereas a cool white might have a blue undertone.\u201d<\/p>\n He suggests home owners choose a white that corresponds with other colours and materials in the home.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople who have cool-coloured features throughout, such as darker floors or blue or grey stone, should paint with a cool white, and those with warmer-coloured features should choose a warm white.\u201d<\/p>\n For those determined to buck the all-white trend, Smith-Cameron offers some guidance: \u201cA home with personality is a great thing, but an interior that is too loud can put people off.\u201d<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ae16079bc5701dd4e15340f7e1534688cc77e9b3.jpeg\")
Interior designer Greg Natale is a fan of colours that grab you.Anson Smart<\/p>\n![\"Warm](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778745733_775_c7b267214d52558a869376300b1b08c2a8736a78.jpeg\")
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Natale employs principles such as one-colour palettes.Anson Smart<\/p>\n![\"Nature-inspired](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/721651a4d23ded882d18d597859d020b02d432c1.jpeg\")
Nature-inspired tones can create a sense of calm.Anson Smart<\/p>\n![\"Co-director](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781335578_170_e43ebd6fd31f1ee052748746126e1a5ee89260d2.jpeg\")
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