Jono Says “I enjoy letting colour dictate the design process which makes it easy for other elements to fall into place, so this palette served as my inspiration for every decision”
You’ll rarely find plain, minimal, white-walled interiors in Jono Fleming’s back catalogue of bold and colourful work. Instead, the interior designer and stylist takes a more daring and vibrant approach.
Predominantly working for editorial publications, interior designers and brand campaigns, Jono first felt the creative itch in childhood, knowing from a young age he was destined to dabble in art or music. Fast forward a decade and Jono began studying at the Whitehouse Institute of Design where he earned a Bachelor of Design with a focus on interiors. “It was during this time I was lucky enough to intern at some great Sydney firms including BKH,” says Jono. “This was a very detailed course but working in the industry during this time helped further my skills and passion for design.”
From interning to working as a senior stylist for online retailer Temple & Webster, Jono has dipped his toes in many avenues of the industry, including stints with interior design businesses of different sizes. He even donned his teacher’s hat (not long after his own graduation) when he began tutoring at the Whitehouse Institute of Design and Sydney Design School.
Jono favours a philosophy of fun when it comes to design, and life in general. “This can sometimes be such a serious industry and I like to look at design in a lighter frame of mind,” he explains. “Interiors and design can be so much fun, especially residential spaces. These are the places you occupy daily, it’s your haven, your sanctuary, and I think it’s important for these spaces to refl ect you as well as have a vibrancy and fun that makes it joyful to spend time in.”
When designing or styling for a specific client, Jono will always work towards the intended vision, however, he will find a way to incorporate his signature layered look into each project. “I’m always conscious of how trends and the constant cycling of furniture have made things feel so temporary in the styling and design space,” Jono laments. “To combat this, I always encourage clients to look not only at well-made pieces that they will hold onto for decades to come, but also to incorporate vintage pieces. There’s so much history and so many layers you can add by mixing in vintage pieces, and it counters the growing trend of fast furniture which inevitably ends up in landfill.”
Jono looks to colour for inspiration, as well as keeping an eye on local and international trends. “For a recent bedroom transformation, I drew inspiration from the 2024 Dulux Colour Forecast Muse palette,” he notes. “I enjoy letting colour dictate the design process which makes it easy for other elements to fall into place, so this palette served as my inspiration for every decision.”
Considering the vibrant approach applied to his work, it’s no surprise that Jono’s most memorable projects have been those that push the boundaries. “I’ve always experimented with colour, and whether it’s a penthouse I recently designed on the Gold Coast or my family farmhouse, I like to add colour in unexpected ways,” he affirms. “No white-on-white walls here. I love to explore how colour can change a mood, a feeling and what that evokes. I think this resonates with people as it produces an emotional reaction.”
In addition to bringing more colour into the world one interior or styling project at a time, Jono encourages everyone to take design risks. “There’s so much of the same out there in terms of the information being given to the public about interior design,” he concludes. “It’s time to let people explore design on their own or, at the very least, guide them to take more risks and make bolder choices. If I can teach people to have freedom in design, I’ve done my job.”