Colour, Art & a Little Bit of Palm Springs

Elena

Sep 29

3 min read

Updated: Oct 1

The Droply Edit with Kate Jansen from @wowhaus.au

What happens when you put a little more colour into a home?

For Kate Jansen from @wowhaus.au, pretty much anything.

Pink is welcome. Colour doesn't really clash. Bathrooms deserve art. And if you give her a completely blank room, the first thing she'd choose is a fabulous piece of art — although apparently a cat might also make the cut.

Kate's work is full of colour, Palm Springs energy, mid-century shapes and those little details that can turn into something much bigger.

We caught up with Kate to talk about art, colour, inspiration, unexpected places for art and why the best homes don't need to follow the rules.

01 — If you could only keep one thing…

You're given a completely blank room and told you can only keep ONE thing in it. What are you choosing — and why?

A really fabulous piece of art.

I genuinely think you can build an entire room around one artwork — the colours, the mood, the furniture, everything can grow from there.

And obviously, it would have to have a bit of pink in it!

Oh… can I also keep a cat?!

02 — Make room for colour

What's something you'll always make room for in a home — even if it completely clashes with everything else?

Colour. Always.

I don't really believe in colours "clashing" — if I love something, I'll find a way to make it work.

I'd much rather a home be colourful, slightly unexpected and full of personality than perfectly coordinated.

“I don't really believe in colours ‘clashing’.”

03 — Inspiration can be anywhere

What's the most random thing that has ever sparked an idea for a painting?

Honestly, it can be anything.

A shadow falling across a swimming pool, a fabulous striped umbrella, an old house, a chair, a woman I spot somewhere.

I'm constantly taking photos of completely random things because something about the colour or shape catches my eye.

Quite often, the tiniest detail ends up becoming the beginning of a whole painting.

04 — Take me to Palm Springs

Palm Springs, sunshine, mid-century shapes… we can see a little holiday energy in your work. What's your ultimate "I want to be there" place — real or completely imaginary?

Palm Springs, without a doubt.

Incredible mid-century architecture, huge palms, sparkling pools and all that colour. There's something about it that instantly feels like an escape.

I love creating paintings with that same holiday vibe — places that make you think, I'd rather be there.

“Places that make you think, I’d rather be there.”

05 — Art belongs in unexpected places

What's an unexpected place you'd put art?

In a bathroom!

I love art in unexpected places. A tiny piece above a bath, next to a mirror or even tucked into a little corner can completely change the space.

Art doesn't always need a big white wall — sometimes the slightly odd little spots are the best ones.

06 — Make it yours

You walk into someone's home and they ask you for ONE styling tip. What's the first thing you'd tell them?

Don't decorate for anyone else.

Fill your home with things that make you happy — colour, art, pieces you've collected, things that tell a story.

It doesn't have to match and it definitely doesn't have to be on trend.

The best homes are the ones that feel completely like the person who lives there.

“Don't decorate for anyone else.”

A little more Kate

Colour, personality, art and a healthy disregard for the idea that everything needs to match.

Kate's approach is a reminder that your home doesn't need to look like anyone else's. It can be colourful, unexpected, a little playful and filled with the things that make you happy.

And if that means a pink artwork, a bathroom painting and a cat in the middle of it all?

Even better.