Twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser have moved into the style world full time after their win on The Block Sky High and have launched an interior design business. We caught up to chat about what they learned on The Block, and why art is important.

Congratulations on winning The Block Sky High!  What are the top 3 things The Block taught you about decorating?

Alisa: Thank you. We learnt so much about renovating and styling on The Block.

1.  Find something that you love and draw inspiration from it. If it is a particular piece of artwork or cushion, then draw the colours or textures from that item to help create the mood in your room.

2.  Don't be afraid to experiment with layering and using different textures. The more textures you use, the more interesting and dynamic a room can be. The trick is to work out what goes with what, and for a lot of people that can be the hardest part. Take plenty of photos along the way and remember you don't always have to make purchases right on the spot. With your photos, create your own 'mood board' of all the things you love and want to incorporate into your room. Visually seeing the products all the products together will help you decide if they are the right choices.

3.  Invest in a statement piece. Lysandra and I have never been ones to spend big money when it comes to decorating. Decorating on a budget can be challenging, but it really does pay to spend money on that one "statement" piece, whether it's a hard covered coffee book, designer cushion, or artwork for the all. You can then build around that piece with less expensive items and let your statement piece do most of the talking.



The Exchange, Alisa's favourite piece.

How do your personal styles differ?  Is there anything you can never agree on?
Alisa: We definitely have similar styles but this doesn't mean we don't disagree, as anyone who watched The Block would know. We call this "the process" and do not settle on anything until we both agree.

How would you describe your style?  Do you have any design heroes?
Alisa: If we had to narrow it down I would describe our style as contemporary, sexy and sophisticated. We aim for our work to have an 'Alisa and Lysandra' touch and pride ourselves on originality. Lysandra and I have drawn a lot of inspiration from Darren Palmer and have received a lot of advice from him over the past couple of years.


Alisa & Lysandra's style as seen on The Block. Image by Dominique Cherry.

What were your criteria when curating this art collection?
Lysandra: Alisa and I are very visual people. When selecting this collection we were inspired by the colours and mood of each piece. Another criteria was how versatile each piece would be and whether it would work in a variety of different settings and spaces.

How important do you think art is to a home?
Lysandra: Now more than ever, Alisa and I know the importance of art. I feel a room without some form of art is a room that lacks emotion. Art can come in so many different forms, from sculptures and statues to lighting and beautiful hand painted pieces. I believe that artwork is the most influential design piece that can create a point of interest.


Alisa & Lysandra's style as seen on The Block. Image by Dominique Cherry.

What do you think are the most important things to consider when buying art?
Lysandra: Artwork has to create an emotion. It has to speak to you in some way.

Alisa: You also need to think about the proportion and colours of the artwork to make sure it will work in the intended space.

Do you have a failsafe styling tip for art?
Lysandra: If you choose artwork that you love, you can't go too wrong. Artwork is very subjective, so most people will have an opinion on it. Here are a couple of failsafe tips I can give when selecting artwork.  Make sure the proportion of the artwork is right and select artwork that matches colours portrayed in your room. Pick out one or two of the boldest colours in your room and draw inspiration from that. Be confident in your choice, because art can bring a lot of joy.



Chrysalis, Lysandra's pick.

Which is your favourite artwork in the collection, and why?
Alisa: My favourite piece is The Exchange. I love the boldness, warmth and excitement of the colour and the depth and drama of the aubergine.

Lysandra – My favourite piece is Chrysalis. I am drawn to the soft colours which have an instant calming effect. The muted tones and colours remind me of the calming ocean and soft clouds. It just goes to prove that not all art pieces have to be bright and colourful to catch one's attention.

Follow Alisa and Lysandra on Facebook, Instagram @alisa_lysandra and twitter @alisa_lysandra.