Meet Lauren Li - interior designer, author, and self-proclaimed colour enthusiast. With a knack for creating beautiful, lived-in spaces that feel both stylish and effortless, Lauren brings a fresh perspective to home styling. In this Q&A, she shares her expert take on the latest interior trends, the evolving role of colour, and how to make your home feel truly yours.
What are the key interior trends for 2025, and how do they influence the way we style our homes?
The look at home is a lot more laid back. We’re feeling more relaxed about our spaces looking lived-in and that means that we’re celebrating pieces being on display. We’ve embraced open shelves instead of everything hidden behind cupboards so that our favourite ceramics or family heirlooms are woven into our spaces.
How do you see colour playing a role in home styling this year?
We have seen a departure from bright, white spaces and a move towards warmth and colour. We’re seeing a huge movement towards embracing colour wholeheartedly and totally drenching a room in colour: walls, skirting, door frames and even the ceiling. Contrary to how we might think that a room completely covered on the one colour might feel overwhelming, colour drenching actually makes a space feel cohesive and seamless because there’s no break in colour.
When it comes to furnishing a colour drenched space, the same principle applies: it’s a monochromatic approach. We are seeing colours combined from the same family so it’s different tones and shades of the one colour. However the ‘unexpected red theory’ is exciting because we haven’t seen red used in our homes for years so it feels fresh.
How do you balance bold colours with neutral tones in a space?
Bold colour often needs to be coordinated with other bold colours. When there are multiple pieces in the space of the same colour intensity, it feels more harmonious than when there is only one bold colour. When a bold colour is added to a neutral space it can feel quite jarring because of the contrast. Bold colours need to be shown in a few areas so that it makes sense such as in a floor rug, sofa and cushions.
What are your top three tips for someone looking to introduce more colour into their home?
Firstly, I want to understand how they want to feel in the space. Then I look to what is already existing and the constraints that we need to work within. Then we look at adding colour in multiple ways so that it feels harmonious such as cushions, a sculptural side table and a floor rug. I am always shocked at how simple yet transformative it can be.
What’s an underrated styling trick that makes a big difference in a space?
Apart from the obvious answer of gorgeous cushions, I would recommend that every space needs books. Adding books in a space gives it soul and atmosphere.
How would you recommend incorporating Bonnie and Neil’s Woodlands collection into different home styles?
The striped cushions are ESSENTIAL in any room. Adding an element of stripe draws the eye and makes a space feel alive, yet it’s not too overwhelming. The perfect compliment to a stripe is a floral. When mixing patterns it’s important to have a geometric (stripe) with an organic pattern (floral).
If you have an open plan space with a white wall, then you can gently introduce pattern with the Tulip pale pink cushion and Wool Marle cream cushion. If you have darker tones with a dark wood floor then the Bold Stripe in Hazelnut and Mave Hazelnut cushions will match the intensity. There are some plain colours too but in some gorgeous textures that work in so well with the patterns too.
What’s your favourite cushion from our new Woodlands collection, and why?
I love the Daphne mustard cushions because it’s a graphic floral. It isn’t a traditional floral yet it brings in an organic pattern easily to a room.
If you could style any dream space with Bonnie and Neil pieces, what would it look like?
The space would have a fireplace with a cosy fire going and there would be a Grid Chocolate Rug piled with cushions that the kids are laying on whilst watching a movie. There would be popcorn and toasted marshmallows!
What’s one interior styling mistake people often make and how can they avoid it?
Rugs that are too small is my pet hate! Make sure that the rug fits under the legs of the sofa and armchairs.
Photography by Martina Gemmola and Styling by Natalie Turnbull.
