Inside a Brissy Home where IKEA and Imported Pieces Play

I love a home tour and I love me some IKEA furniture, so when I got the chance to bear witness to both coming together, all my Christmases had come at once.

Today’s home tour is amazing for two reasons. Firstly, it utilises flatpack furniture in interesting ways. And secondly, it pairs said furniture with one-off, imported finds. It’s a design marriage made in heaven and it comes to us courtesy of TLC reader Emma Flint.

Emma definitely has an eye for style and is a bit of a vignette pro, so let’s take a look inside her home and find out how she made it all come together.

Inside Emma Flint’s Brisbane Home

Tip: Only buy and display pieces you really feel drawn and connected to. Not just something that’s trending or currently in-store.

Modern, Eclectic and Organic

Emma’s home is situated in the northern suburb of Morayfield in Brisbane. She’s been there a few years and has well and truly put her stamp on the place. Prior to this she was living in a typical Stockland development block. Moving into a home on over one acre has certainly inspired her to get creative inside.

Emma describes her interior style and modern, eclectic and organic. And tells me that she only displays decor in her home that she really feels connected to.

“I love to mix vintage and modern pieces and lean towards the Scandinavian feel for my interior,” she explains. “You will always find a lot of texture in my house, plants (can’t get enough of indoor plants) and the odd quirky conversation piece like my carved buffalo skull from Bali (above)”.

The textural story is the element that most intrigues me about Emma’s home, because when you take a close look at it, it really is all about texture. As I’ve explained here on the blog before, the more varying textures you have in a room, the more welcoming it will feel – and Emma has nailed this philosophy perfectly.

Tip: Spend big bucks on the larger pieces in your home and experiment with the smaller items. If you love it, buy it. If it doesn’t work, give it to a friend!

Meshing IKEA with Imported

Above you can see how Emma has meshed IKEA furniture with her own one-off finds. She tells me that she’s sourced pieces from a Balinese importer before and often creates her own cushions or artworks, or finds interesting homewares in second-hand stores. It’s a skill that results in her interior looking interesting, resolved and personalised.

“If you are like me and always changing things around, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” Emma advises. “Spend the big money on key pieces and choose them in a neutral tone and add your colour and personality with the accessories”.

Of course, IKEA is not the only retailer Emma turns to for affordable decorating finds. She’s also a fan of Beacon lighting, Spotlight, Pillow Talk and my recent fave for budget buys, KMart!

When I ask Emma for her advice on making your home look relaxed, stylish and well-rounded, she says that it’s all about giving it a go and not sweating the small stuff.

“I think the overall number one thing I have learnt about decorating, is trust your instincts, take some risks and always, always have fun!”.

What do you think of Emma Flint’s home?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below as to which room or pieces you’re digging. Post a question for Emma below if you have one and hopefully she can answer them 🙂