Colour, Personality & Styling with Jo Westwood

06 Sep 2021

We first came across Jo Westwood on Instagram (@joannajwestwood), showcasing her gorgeous home renovations and featuring our carpet. Since then she has completed her lounge with Harrisons curtains and blinds.

Jo uses neutral colours for her flooring and curtains, these act as the canvas for the room. She then introduces patterns and colours in her furnishings with plants being the final touches. We love this way of styling, as it lends itself to a timeless and versatile space.

Meet Jo Westwood

"Hi, I’m Jo Westwood and I live in Wellington with my husband and two children. We have recently undertaken renovations to our lounge putting in a large stacker slider door and new windows. The final step in the makeover was curtains and carpet from Harrisons – the icing on the cake!"

Jo's vision

"My vision for the lounge was to keep the walls, curtains and carpet neutral as I love to add colour and personality through accessories (plants, art, home décor etc). Having a neutral base, means I can change it up with the seasons or when I feel like a change."

Get the Jo Westwood look

Curtains - Double track curtains & roller blinds

Although the curtains are a neutral colour, I chose a double track so we could have a beautiful sheer Sorrento in the colour Flax. It is a linen blend that brings through the natural slub of the fibres while offering better longevity than a pure linen. The lining behind is a thermal block-out lining that has 99% heat retention and blocks out 99% of the light, but still drapes beautifully. So even though the colours are neutral, I absolutely love the texture and drape of the Sorrento fabric and the versatility the double-track brings.

For the smaller windows, I chose Linesque roller blinds which are a linen look, light filter blind allowing filtered light through and a great privacy screen. I love the way they just blend seamlessly into the window frame and also tie in with the linen blend curtains.

Carpet - What's right for you?

In a home with two children and a playful cat, we chose a solution-dyed nylon carpet with a super soft underlay. It feels beautiful underfoot and has warmed the room up. The carpet is Origin in an Oat colour 307.

Jo's styling ethos

I wouldn’t say I have a set interior style, but I love to bring life to a room with plants, flowers and a hint of gold/brass. Plants can really change the feel of a room, and I have added deep emerald green velvet cushions to the tan leather couches which tie the plants in beautifully. I always have fresh blooms on the coffee table and dotted throughout the house – flowers make me happy!

I have brought texture and interest into the room with a cane coffee table (Boheme Home) and oak TV unit (Humble & Grand). I love the lines and curves they both create. So, although the colour base of the room is neutral, these elements ‘lift’ the space.