Styling Tips With Interior Stylist Christiana Masina

I am based in the Sydney Eastern beaches, I am an Interior Stylist who is passionate about helping home owners create their very own coastal abode in their homes, bringing the outdoors in and making homes feel like you are on holidays all year round.  

With four children, sunshine is a summer pre-requisite with an emphasis on recycled materials, organic textures, layers and a neutral palette. There’s no better way to tie a bunch of random pieces together, I am forever inspired by the coastal elegance of the Hamptons. That’s the feeling I work with to create a slice of Hamptons.  

I started my styling journey when I was 10, this is what I had always been passionate about. Design Divine was started by myself, Christiana Masina and my carpenter husband, Massimo Masina. Together we focus on bringing the client into a collaborative and creative experience to allow the project and its brief to reach complete realisation.

 Three words to best describe yourself.  

Passionate, organised and supportive.

Your favourite Paradise Road bedding set and why?  

Oooh my favourite Paradise Road bedding set is more than one, but I would have to say at the moment I am loving the 'Amber Sun' duvet cover bedding set, it gives off such gorgeous warm Boho vibes.  

There is also something pretty special about knowing exactly where each product is made, how it has been created and who has made it. I absolutely love that all Paradise Road bedding is hand-made with love from start to finish and no two pieces are the same. 

      You are a talented stylist – what’s your source of inspiration?  

I believe that everyone deserves to have a beautiful home and life that they truly love, but it all starts with believing in yourself. My passion is to create aesthetically pleasing and relaxed spaces both indoor and outdoor, I love to push the envelope and create surprising spaces.  

I've been a stylist for over 15 years and every project has been different – no two days are ever the same. I have a fun-loving approach to the design process. I like to break the rules a little and take inspiration from unexpected places.  

 My decorating style has a touch of the Hamptons, blended with vintage Boho charm and relaxed coastal modern comforts. I am super-keen on recycled finds and I am proud of my many rags- to-riches transformations!    

       Your favourite space in the home to style? 

It would have to be the lounge/living area. We spend most of our time in the living area, our attitude is very relaxed and with four young boys on the loose we knew we wanted to create a large space, where the whole family could get together and the kids can still do their homework and feel apart of our activities. 

That feeling of being able to open up our house and let the inside tumble through our French doors that open onto our undercover verandah, allowing us to entertain in the outdoors regardless of the weather. 

Be it a new build or a renovation of an old home, the common theme in space planning and design is to knock out walls in the quest for the ultimate open-plan "everything" space, that creates a seamless transition between kitchen and family room areas, and often stretches the entire width of the house.

When faced with the challenge of bringing urban designer chic to a suburban subdivision home it’s to 'Know Your Needs'...If you expect one room to be all things to all people in your household, you'll want to invest a little extra time planning how to make the hub of the house reflect your sense of style and your approach to living and entertaining.  

 What are some ways to create a sense of relaxation, retreat and paradise in the bedroom?

The inspiration for your coastal bedroom will obviously come from the ocean, sand and beach, these are the colours we are drawn to.

Whether it is a very white, muted and soft palette of naturals and creams, pastel blues and greens, pops of bright teals and deep navy blues or a monochromatic palette, these will all give you the same result of that holiday feeling !  

Adding pops of deeper teals, aquas or navy blues is a beautiful option if you love colour. The softer and more muted the palette, the more relaxed and calm the space will be.

Your three top tips for styling vibrant and patterned bedding, like Paradise Road's bedding sets.     

Use the colours of the ocean, beach and sand as your inspiration for your colour choices. 

Picking up some of the colours from the vibrant Paradise Road bedding through cushions and accessories allows the space to feel cohesive and balanced.  

Also adding pieces that have a special meaning to you such as a shell from a holiday, a piece of coral, a book or a vintage piece from a family member.

How to add instant holiday vibes to any space?

I truly believe that anyone can transform a space in their home to give them a relaxed holiday feeling. 

There are so many beautiful homewares and furniture options to suit any budget. I will give you some of my tips to transforming your home so you can feel like you are on holidays all year round ! 

Feature Walls - Having your main base palette in a white/beige or light grey gives you a perfect backdrop to introduce all of your amazing accent colours and wow pieces of furniture in your coastal home. 

Choosing interesting wall art for your home will compliment your other photographic art or paintings as well as add character and texture to the space. Some beautiful options for coastal wall Art, is using natural elements like sea grass, cuttlefish, shells, driftwood, macrame and anything that is inspired by the coast. 

It’s all of the soft furnishings, vases, greenery, books, accent pieces and character pieces that truly bring your coastal home together and create that overall holiday vibe. 

A coastal home needs to be calming and relaxing.

Get in touch 

 We hope you are feeling inspired to get styling and creative in your home, thank you for reading.

 Learn more about Design Divine and Christiana by visiting www.designdivine.com.au

 Have a question ? E-mail us or get in touch over Instagram @paradiseroadbyronbay

'Amber Sun' duvet cover and pillowcase set in Arlia design composition.