With a loyal following that spans the globe, when the UK's Abigail Ahern provides style advice, or releases a new range from her multifaceted retail collection, people take notice.
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The self-described designer, retailer, author and blogger is a maximalist at heart and regularly uses her own captivating home as the basis for tips on anything from decorating sideboards to lighting kitchens.
Ahern's retail business covers everything from faux plants to furniture, and now a new range of paint colours that was released on February 12. With names such as Ember, Kelp, Outback and Wattle, almost every shade is inspired by the Australian landscape.
We asked Ahern what was behind this inspiration that's so far from her home.
Tell us about the new paint colours.
Our latest collection of paints is our most nurturing yet, they speak of familiarity and comfort.
Inspired by the infinitely rich colours of the Australian outback and landscape, these earthy, muted, supremely soft colour choices are designed to be coordinated harmoniously with our other existing colours.
Blurring the lines between inside and out, these stunning hues offer up a beautiful combo of colours that provide a sense of calm, warmth and security.
From swampy hues to the fabulous colour of the earth after a downpour, from summery grasslands to winter muddy fields, it's all in the paint selection.
- Abigail Ahern
What is it about the shades that's reminiscent of the Australian landscape?
Your landscape is so vast with so many different variations and nuances that I just had to capture it; from swampy hues to the fabulous colour of the earth after a downpour, from summery grasslands to winter muddy fields, it's all in the paint selection.
How would you recommend people incorporate the colours into their decor?
All shades have been designed to cover all walls not just a feature statement wall. Of course some are bolder than others so you could certainly start with a feature, but that was never the intention.
In previous visits to Australia, what struck you about the landscape and the raft of colours?
I have visited often through work especially Melbourne and Sydney. But beyond those two fabulous cities I am blown away by the raft of colours.
From the ochre red outback around Uluru, to the pink lakes of Western Australia, to the putty creamy sands of the Whitsunday Islands. It has been a fabulous inspiration to my latest palette.
Given your penchant for maximalism, what attracts you to a landscape as vast as Australia's?
I am a maximalist and I love surrounding myself with nurturing colours that reflect nature as they soothe, cocoon and make me feel so contented.
Your landscapes may be vast, but I am not looking at the vastness. I am responding on an emotional level to the colours within and how those colours make me feel, which is supremely happy.
