Who lives here?

Kathryn, her husband and their two children, Sophie, 4, and Alexander, 2.
What did you learn from the renovation? Kathryn: “The value of taking the time to see and feel samples in person – not always relying on what you can see online – whether it’s a marble slab for the kitchen, or fabric samples for soft furnishings.”
Which space is your favourite? “It’s so hard to pick one! Probably the kitchen and casual dining area – the heart of our home, where we spend a lot of time with our children.”
What advice would you give someone planning a renovation? “Take the time to find a designer who has the right aesthetic for you and who is also keen to design something practical, which will suit your family and day-to-day life.”

That attention to detail echoes throughout this refreshed harbourside home, where Kathryn lives with her husband and their two young children– Sophie, four, and Alexander, two. What was meant to be a quick kitchen and bathroom update soon evolved into something bigger. “A new build might have been easier!” jokes Kathryn. Though the original bones and structure were retained, almost every surface was reimagined with care.

The family had moved into the home shortly after Alexander was born, drawn to the leafy suburb’s proximity to beaches, schools and local parks. “It’s a wonderful place for the kids to grow up,” says Kathryn, who’s enjoying a career break from corporate law to focus on family life. A passion for classic interiors – particularly the work of design duo Georgia Boyd and Merian Migliore at The Classic Outfitter – set the tone for this transformation.

“We wanted the home to feel timeless, but still practical for our young children,” explains Kathryn. Shades of blue and white topped her wishlist, along with wainscoting on the walls and classic cornices, all now proudly in place. “I’m delighted to have them in our home,” she says. With Georgia’s help, the layout was reconfigured to suit the family’s needs. The former main bedroom became Sophie’s, while two other bedrooms and an adjoining office nook were merged to create the serene main suite, complete with a walk-in wardrobe, sitting area and water views.

Andreas Sdrolias and his team at Atlantis Building Constructions helped bring the vision to life after Kathryn spotted his work nearby. And architect Andrew Tzannes from Smith & Tzannes, along with The Garden Bug, which continues to maintain the landscaping, rounded out the dream team.

Naturally, there were a few surprises along the way. The original floorboards, which the couple had planned to sand and polish, turned out to be structurally unsound. What began as a setback turned into one of the home’s standout features: elegant ash grey herringbone boards were laid downstairs, paired with matching linear boards upstairs, both visible from the central staircase. “I love the visual interest it has created,” says Kathryn.

Looking back, the renovation was far more stressful and time-consuming than Kathryn imagined at the outset – but also more rewarding. “It’s worth it in the end!” she says. “It’s a real joy to see all the ideas come to life.”

Kitchen

“There is something beautiful about walking through the house and paying attention to all the things we took a lot of care to select.” Kathryn, homeowner.

Dining

Living

WE LOVE…classic colour combinations

“We’ve always loved blue and white, and these colours feature heavily in our home,” says Kathryn. White sets the stage throughout with strong blue focal points, such as the ‘Scarlett’ occasional chairs from The Classic Outfitter, upholstered in Villa Nova ‘Calvia’ fabric. These are layered with plump, patterned cushions in a Fabricut ‘Loire’ print in Chambray. The living room is styled with a mix of pieces in the same colour palette from the owners’ collection, the designer’s range and Orient House. For details, see orienthouse.com.au

Bedroom

Powder room

Outside

Source Book

Interior design The Classic Outfitter, theclassicoutfitter.com
Architecture Smith & Tzannes, smithtzannes.com.au
Builder Atlantis Building Constructions, atlantisbuilding.com.au

The post Inside a timeless family home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here?

Lauren Mahoney, interior designer and Studio Trio creative director, her husband Steven Zahra, operations manager, their daughter Aerin, six, and King Charles Cavaliers, Chester and Alice.

Which spaces do you use the most?
“Our lounge room and kitchen. We sit at the banquette a lot; our daughter does her homework there and we have our meals there nightly and chill in the lounge.”

What’s your design style? “My true interior design style is a bit neoclassical.”

What inspired this palette? “Quite often, American designers make rooms beautiful and cohesive, but they’re all different. They colour block a lot and the whole home tells the story, not individual rooms.”

Unsurprisingly for the couple, who spend their days designing homes for their clients at Studio Trio, phase one of a three-stage renovation launched soon after they collected the keys. “We boarded off the original front part of the house and moved into the back extension while we fully renovated the front,” explains Lauren. The dark “rabbit warren” floor plan was the first thing to go, replaced with a new four-bedroom, north-facing layout that embraces streams of natural light.

Next came a feast of finishes, both new and old, which was equal parts renovation and restoration. While reviving the home’s heritage features, the couple uncovered the locations of the original fireplaces – “you could see the hearths on the floor,” recalls Lauren – so they scoured Chippendale Restorations to replace them with marble mantlepieces and cast-iron inserts salvaged from Federation homes in the area. Ceiling roses, wainscoting and wall mouldings were reinstated; new windows were sourced to match the remaining originals.

“At that time, I was heavily influenced by American designers who were using pastels – Caitlin Wilson, The Fox Group and Alice Lane Interior Design,” shares Lauren. A floral Thibaut fabric, ‘Chatelain’ from the Heritage collection, helped solidify her colour scheme.

“That was a big inspiration,” she says. “It has French grey, pretty pinks, beiges and soft greens. I love all these colours – they’re not bright, they’re still grey reduced– and I decided to weave them through the rest of the house. I didn’t want it all to be the same, so the kitchen has more of the French grey and black; our daughter’s room has more pink.” Aged brass accents feature throughout, while Black Japan floors and swathes of Resene White act as gentle palate cleansers.

“While we were renovating the front, we put in a DA to get permission from the Inner West Council to demolish the back ’80s extension that we were living in and replace it with a classic addition built on the same slab,” says Lauren. This marked phase two of the project, which council approved in 2019 after a gruelling application process. With the front part of the home newly reconstructed, the family moved in while they knocked down and rebuilt the entire rear extension. “It was a big project. It was massive,” admits Lauren.

This was all set to the tumultuous backdrop of the pandemic, when the only certainty was uncertainty and each month brought a fresh surge in material and labour costs.

“Steven and I used to say to each other, ‘My eyes are burning from exhaustion!’” says Lauren. “But we’re both so passionate about construction, architecture and detail, and this is our house, so we just got on with it.”

At last, the internal renovation wrapped up in 2022 and, in between pauses to relish the result, Lauren and Steven swapped plasterboard for plantings and revived the gardens and exterior in the third and final stage. They perked up the front pathway and porch with new tessellated tiles, refreshed the gables and fretwork on the facade, and replaced the Art Deco front fence, which was not original, with a faithful Federation design to match an old photograph of the home that a local historian dredged up from the archives.

Despite the challenges, they’d happily do it all over again. “It was a huge project, but I loved every moment of it,” says Lauren. “I think we’ve got the bug!”

Kitchen

Despite its opulent feel, the kitchen palette is restrained, letting the details do the talking. Lauren teamed Shaker cabinetry in Taubmans Dapple Grey with vividly veined but neutrally toned Arabescato Corchia marble benchtops from Architectural Stone Works.

She then brought in warmth with Perrin & Rowe tapware in Satin Brass from The English Tapware Company. The scheme is grounded by Piccolo Chevron flooring in Raba Eterno from Tongue & Groove and crisp Intrim VJ wall panelling painted in Resene White. All the light fittings are from Urban Electric, from the ‘Hull’ pendants and ‘Audley’ sconces to the flush-mounted downlights. Lauren added Nordic ‘Sake’ bar stools in Tobacco from Lincoln Brooks for extra island bench seating when loved ones visit.

The extra-wide Lacanche ‘Savigny Classic’ cooker is perfect for feeding big crowds. Lauren teamed it with Gaggenau’s 400 Series combi-steam oven, combi-microwave oven and a vacuuming drawer, all in Anthracite.

“I wanted a walk-in pantry and a big kitchen,” says Lauren of her well-appointed butler’s pantry.

Living

Lauren covered the Diane Bergeron ‘Peyton’ sofas from Arthur G with Thibaut ‘Avery’ fabric in Sterling Grey and added a round Cromwell ‘French Moderne’ side table. The matching ‘Aubrey’ coffee and side tables are by Eichholtz; the custom rug is Tappeti. “The Arteriors ottoman seat was from Boyd Blue, a piece from eight years ago that I still love to this day,” she says.

Joinery in Taubmans Dapple Grey flanks the fireplace, detailed with ‘Lambeth’ knobs from Restoration Hardware and Oxford Decorative Grilles in Satin Brass from The English Tapware Company.

Dining

“I didn’t want a formal dining room because we just wouldn’t use it. Some people do, but we’re not that traditional; we had to have a banquette,” says Lauren of the dining nook. She upholstered the banquette with ‘Colorado Chintz’ leather from Pelle Leathers and nestled a custom table among Cantina ‘Barcelona’ chairs from Lincoln Brooks.

Bedrooms

Brunschwig & Fils ‘Kanchou’ wallpaper in Verdigris fills the couple’s room (top left & opposite) against the ‘Janelle’ Made Goods canopy bed.

WE LOVE…playful colour palettes

Instead of one overriding colour scheme, Lauren played with different palettes, each with a dominant colour accented by hues plucked from contrasting colour families. “I decided to work with a pastel palette with French grey as the main anchoring point. From there, I layered in blush pinks, soft pretty greens and duck egg that all interweave back to each other. So, as you look at the house, all the colours are linked,” she says.

Thibaut ‘Katsura’ wallpaper in Cream and Lavender and a bench seat in ‘Alessandro’ fabric in Spa Blue are soothing in the guest room.

Brunschwig & Fils ‘Les Touches’ fabric in Grey graces the bedhead, curtains and lampshade.

“I am a bit of a ‘modern classic’ designer and I like personality. I think I have a very neoclassical style.”

Lauren

“Every morning, our dogs run and jump up on Aerin’s bench seat to look out the window and see us go to work,” says Lauren of the perch.

Bathrooms

The Water Monopoly’s slender ‘Paris’ double basin suits the ensuite.

Carrara marble fills the bathroom, with Daisy floor mosaics from Surface Gallery and bespoke skirting tiles. The Water Monopoly ‘Hanley’ bath pops below panelling in Taubmans Dapple Grey Half.

Below Carrara subway walls, Norwegian Rose subways border Daisy floor mosaics in their shower, all custom-made by Surface Gallery.

Wall panelling in Taubmans Heritage Rose Half is lit by Ralph Lauren Home ‘Barton’ sconces from Laura Kincade.

Study

Steven often works in the study, with walls papered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Wendle’ print in Leaf, and ‘Woodfern’ curtains in Forest Green. To offset the Intrim wainscoting in Resene White, the couple painted an old desk in Resene Green Spring.

Laundry

I don’t hang out in there, so it didn’t have to be a big laundry,” jokes Lauren of the slim space. The Belfast Sink and tiles, laid in a Cabochon pattern and bordered in black, are the stars. A Roman blind in Lee Jofa ‘Garden Roses’ fabric in Beige Aqua crowns the custom Dutch door by Windoor Joinery.

Interior design & builder Studio Trio, studiotrio.com.au.

Source Book

The post An elegantly renovated Federation home in Sydney’s Inner West appeared first on Home Beautiful.

After purchasing the mid-century gem in April 2022, the radio and television host took a refreshingly gentle approach to its transformation. Rather than stripping away its original character in favour of slick, modern finishes, Chrissie embraced the home’s quirks and charm.

Going against the advice of friends and family who suggested spray-painting timber panelling and redoing the vintage tiles, Chrissie stayed true to her vision. “They wanted to make it dead inside,” she told Domain. “So many people said, ‘You can get tile paint for that,’ and I was like, ‘Why would I?’ Why would I turn a 70-year-old tile into a $3 Bunnings white square?’”

She was the sole bidder at auction, securing the property made up of two self-contained dwellings: a three-bedroom home at the front and a two-bedroom at the rear, both accessed via a shared entry hall. 

Despite her busy schedule, Chrissie poured her spare time into the renovation – replacing carpets, choosing patterned wallpaper that nods to the era and carefully preserving the home’s unique character.

“It was really important I didn’t just remove everything that made it unique.”

Chrissie Swan

In a personal touch, she nicknamed the property Garland House, affectionately referring to its two sections as ‘Judy’ and ‘Liza’ – a tribute to the iconic mother-daughter duo.

Though Chrissie initially planned to move in, she listed the home for sale with WhiteFox in May. Located at 14 Mayston Street, Hawthorn East, it had a price guide of $2.6-$2.86 million and has reportedly sold for slightly less than the lower end guide.

For updates on the sale, see the real estate listing.

The post Radio and TV host Chrissie Swan’s Melbourne home has sold appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here?

Carlie, an interior designer and owner of Hygge Design, and Marcus, a professional golfer, their two children, Archie, 16, and Lily, 14, and George the golden retriever.

What made you fall in love with this home? “It had a very spacious, welcome feel to it, almost like living in the country.”
Renovation timeline? “We allowed 12 months and finished two weeks before Christmas, just in time for all the family to enjoy the day together.”
The brief? “It’s a big house, but we felt there were some small modifications that would really utilise the whole home to its full advantage.”
Best renovation decision? “We’re really happy with the long run of joinery on the south wall of the kitchen. It has made the room look and feel so much larger, despite being a darker timber. Also, the application of block colour painting – it adds a modern touch to the home, but still enhances the four-metre ceilings and bespoke skirting boards and architraves.”

Carlie shares her home – built in 1890 and named Pointside – with her husband Marcus, their two children Archie, 16, and Lily, 14, and George the golden retriever. Originally the servants’ quarters and horse stables for the main homestead, the Georgian-style buildings underwent a conversion in 1947, which was covered by Home Beautiful in an article titled ‘They Live in the Stable’.

Jump ahead to 2016, when Carlie and Marcus noticed the home up for sale while they were in Rio for the Olympics (Marcus is a professional golfer). “As soon as we landed back home, we went and had a look, and well, it was love at first sight,” says Carlie.

“The landscaped gardens drew Marcus in, while I fell in love with the old lady’s natural light, four-metre high ceilings and all of her character and history. You could almost sense the happiness and memories of other families in the home.”

The couple made just a few structural tweaks to the layout, which proved to be serendipitous. When relocating the kitchen’s entrance, Carlie opened up a wall to find a doorway in the exact place she wanted one. Removing the old splashback to make room for a servery window revealed an original window opening in its desired spot, as well.

“Surprisingly, the house is not heritage listed, but we really listened to her and tapped into her past,” says Carlie.

The interiors, on the other hand, needed a little more help. Working to a brief of ‘warm and welcoming’, Carlie selected quartzite stone for the kitchen, which helped inform the rest of the materials palette. American walnut joinery was the perfect companion, finished off with a tonal scheme of blues, browns, rust and bone.

“Coincidentally, we found a very old hand-printed wallpaper behind plaster in the bathroom that was in the exact same palette,” says Carlie. “We’ve had it framed, and it now hangs in the entry.”

“There is quite a bit of colour, but it’s all tonal, so nothing screams at you. We wanted a feeling of calm and hygge (cosiness).” —Carlie

The cream, brown and blue colour palette continues in the living room, where a blue velvet Togo settee and chairs are perfect for sinking into at the end of a long day. A pale blue stool from Fenton & Fenton and a mustard side table from Facebook Marketplace keep belongings close at hand.

A swirling artwork by Hannah Nowlan commands attention on the walls, which are painted in Porter’s Paints Salt Wattle. Ambient light is provided by a West Elm ceiling pendant and a vintage Danish wall light from the Kraftsman.

Much of the furniture was sourced secondhand; Danish designers are often Carlie’s go-tos. “Vintage furniture is great for the environment. Made so well, it’s ready for another life, and the thrill of patiently searching and finding just the right piece is quite addictive,” she says.

Spread across two storeys, it’s a large house, which suits the family well. Carlie, Marcus and the kids sleep upstairs, while two bedrooms on the ground floor are reserved for guests.

“We are that house that people drop into, and we couldn’t love it any more. We also have a lot of family from the country, so it’s wonderful to have them stay for longer periods – they jokingly request the ‘green’ or ‘blue’ room,” says Carlie.

Above all else, it’s a home for laughter, for food and for flow. It’s a home for simple pleasures, such as reading a book on the daybed by the fire, playing sport on the lawn with friends, or cooking up casseroles or dumplings in the kitchen.

“The renovation has allowed us to really use all the rooms to their best ability,” says Carlie. “I feel comfort, ease and happiness here. Visitors comment that it feels warm and welcoming; that is everything to us.”

Kitchen and dining

The kitchen features American walnut veneer joinery and Mirage Lake Quartzite from CDK Stone, used for the benchtops and splashback. A linear pendant from Beacon Lighting and vintage midcentury sconces from Etsy light the space.

“We entertain a lot and having the extra fridge, double ovens and butler’s pantry behind the wall of joinery means it is a dream kitchen to work in,” says Carlie.

Studio lounge

Living room

“We believe that buying high-quality materials that last a lifetime is one of the most sustainable things you can do.” —Carlie

Family room

The kids lock themselves away in the family room, where a Jardan lounge, Anaca Studio Toulouse ottoman and cushions from Globe West and L&M Home create a cosy hangout.

Curtains and blinds by Fabric Creations and walls painted Dulux Buff It add to the calming palette. Atop the Marketplace sideboard are a Panton table lamp from Mr & Mrs Designer and prints and decorative items from Denmark.

“I have Danish ties and speak Danish, hence the name Hygge Design. This is also why our designs have a strong connection to Denmark,” says Carlie.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms feel timeless and inviting, with marble and long subway tiles from Tiento Tiles, Faucet Strommen tapware and a walnut vanity to match the kitchen joinery.

“Adding underfloor heating to all the bathrooms was one of the best decisions, it is amazing for Melbourne winters!” says Carlie.

Main bedroom

Exterior and garden

Source book

Interior design Hygge Design, hyggedesign.com.au
Joinery South Coast Kitchens, southcoastkitchens.com.au

The post This grand heritage home combines Danish style with Australian warmth appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Why do historic homes feel so special?

Historian Penelope J Corfield once posited that “all people are living histories”, meaning we are a direct result of our pasts. Our homes, too, are much the same, evolving alongside us while still representing a bridge to bygone times. It was this connection to previous generations, mixed with the potential for a second wind, that made the current owner of this heritage house fall in love at first sight. “I knew the minute I walked in,” she says, having purchased the property with her husband within six days of their first inspection.

Inside story

Who lives here? The director of Sapphire Designs and Interiors, her tech executive husband, their two teenage children and the family’s Cavoodle, Molly.
What do you love most about historical homes? Homeowner: “There’s always a story within the walls. It feels solid, homely and warm.”
What are the biggest challenges of living in a heritage home? “There are a lot of legacy systems that you need to be prepared to upgrade.”
What’s your favourite room? “The kitchen and lounge area. By removing two walls and introducing French doors, we welcome in sunlight that floods the space all day.”

Situated on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, the home dates back to 1938 and was designed by Leith McCredie, an Australian architect well known for his work on the Bondi Pavilion. The homeowners and their two teenage children had lived in Singapore for seven years before returning to Australia. “When you live in a rental, everything is temporary and modern,” says the homeowner. “I wanted to make a home where you could sit on a comfy lounge, look out the window to the garden, bring the kids back to their roots.”

Heritage house discoveries

During the homeowner’s renovation, remnants of the past came to light, such as a servant’s button, previously buried beneath an old layer of carpet. Driven by curiosity, she researched the history of the grand home and discovered the original owner was Dr Stuart Scougall, an orthopaedic surgeon who also played a significant role in establishing the Art Gallery of NSW’s collection of Aboriginal art. Excitingly, he had even invited the Home Beautiful team to photograph Kepdowrie for the June 1944 issue of the magazine.

The article detailed the Georgian architecture of the home as well as its sublime garden, which was Stuart’s pride and joy. To gain a deeper understanding of the abode, the current owner reached out to Stuart’s grandchildren, with whom she developed a beautiful connection that enriched her sense of custodianship towards this slice of living history. She sourced original floor plans, which included maid’s quarters and a ‘telephone room’. The family also recalled garden parties hosted with Davis Cup competitors. The past was no longer a concept, but a tangible gem that the current owner is contributing to. “I hosted a garden party and it was lovely, knowing 50 years ago someone was hosting theirs,” she reflects.

How to decorate a heritage house

The brief was to bring the interiors into the 21st century without erasing the heritage house charm. The ground floor, consisting of small, closed-off rooms, was transformed into an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, complete with new French doors leading to the garden and large windows to maximise natural light. The first floor benefitted from cosmetic updates and an extension was added, housing the garage, mezzanine office, powder room and more.

The homeowner, who is also the director of Sapphire Designs and Interiors, then turned her attention to the decor. The palette was informed by the garden vistas that gently complement the natural tones, offering a timelessness that suits the stately home without feeling like a pastiche. It is sensitive to all that has come before, but proudly stands on its own. “I feel lucky to be part of the history of the home,” she reflects. “A house finds you, I’ve heard. I’m glad this house did.”

Tour the heritage house

The front door was custom-made by Sydney Woodworkers and finished in Dulux Satin Black. Twin FP Collection ‘Lucca’ urns in Ash Grey from Flower Power frame the entrance, alongside outdoor wall sconces from Beacon Lighting.

“We’re lucky to have a home that has a story to it, to know what that story is and add our own” – Homeowner

Entrance

Molly the Cavoodle loves the Provincial Home Living rug and Woodos floorboards in the entrance of this heritage house.

Kitchen

Created by Dégabriele Kitchens and Interiors, timeless appeal mixes with modern conveniences in the new open-plan kitchen. The homeowner selected a statement 40-millimetre thick benchtop from Gitani Stone. The stone’s light hue complements the white subway-tiled splashback from Marble Plus. Pops of contrast and colour come in the form of Coco Republic stools, existing terrazzo kitchen flooring and Roman blinds from The Curtain Factory. ‘Marino’ pendants in Oil Rubbed Bronze from Urban Lighting complete the scene.

Living

The first significant change involved turning the living room into an open-plan space. “There were three to four rooms in the kitchen area and we knocked all the walls down and created one big, open space,” shares the homeowner. “We put French doors across the back, so the whole space was opened up. And, because it’s a north-facing block, all the sunlight comes in at the back of the house. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

A Nick Scali ‘Dream’ sofa in Slate offers plentiful seating, topped with cushions from Walter G and a Cultiver ‘Mira’ throw in Enzo. The sense of a soft landing continues through the space with Hycraft ‘Pegasus’ carpet in Apollo from Carpet Right. The coffee table is adorned with books from Kinokuniya and a Provincial Home Living ‘Kylix’ urn.

We love… sheer elegance

The stately curtains, with their contrasting rods and finials, form classic window dressings that complement this characterful abode. The homeowner opted for soft James Dunlop Textiles ‘Balance’ fabric in Cloud for the sheers, to provide privacy without sacrificing sunlight. The new French doors feature handles by Keeler Hardware, which complement the hue of the curtain fabric. For similar, visit thecurtainfactory.net.

Main bedroom

Lovely layers of blues and whites add a classic appeal to the couple’s room, ambiently lit by a ‘Langley’ Cafe Lighting lamp.

Ensuite

The bright palette in the ensuite is courtesy of ‘TB Calacatta’ porcelain tiles from Marble Plus, custom cabinetry by CRS Joinery finished in Dulux Vanilla Quake and a Cosentino vanity top.

Guest bedroom

A Cultiver quilted bedcover in Pinstripe and Walter G cushions complement the Lavender Hill Interiors bedhead in the guest room.

Powder room

‘In the Hamptons’ Olive et Oriel wallpaper tones beautifully with the Dulux Prestige Blue of the Shaker-style vanity in the powder room. Powder rooms can present an opportunity to go bold on design choices, which this homeowner proudly did, mixing wallpaper, wainscoting and bold colour.

Laundry

The homeowner drew the outside in with soft shades of green in the laundry, choosing a subway-clad splashback from Tiles By Kate and a botanical ‘Allium’ fabric in Jewel by Charles Parsons Interiors for the Roman blind from The Curtain Factory.

“I really took a lot of inspiration from the gardens. It’s a calm and peaceful environment” – Homeowner

Alfresco dining and living

Laid with large ‘Sinai Pearl’ limestone pavers from Marble Plus, the homeowner refreshed the rear patio. A ‘Java’ outdoor table from Provincial Home Living teams perfectly with ‘Zulu’ outdoor dining chairs from Domayne.

Exterior

One of the original features of this heritage house is the ornate exterior wall lamp that dates back to 1940 and illuminates the side of the home, where red bricks meet sandstone quoins. These traditional accents communicate harmoniously with recent additions. Now that the renovation is complete, the homeowner is thrilled with the sensitive update that honours the original owners and their thoughtful design. “I love living here,” she says. “I feel really proud that I’ve done something like this and created this beautiful memory.”

Source book

Interior design: Sapphire Designs and Interiors, sapphiredesignsandinteriors.com.

Architect: Bean Project Management and Design, beanprojects.com.au.

Builder: Jim Wilson Constructions, jimwilsonconstructions.com.

Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine.

⁠Have it delivered to your door!

The post Inside a 1930s heritage house with links to famed Sydneysiders appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Inside Bachelor stars Sam and Snezana’s Elsternwick property

No strangers to the spotlight, Sam and Snezana first met and fell in love under the watchful gaze of millions of Australians on the reality TV show The Bachelor back in 2015. A beautiful relationship blossomed before the eyes of adoring fans and the couple, along with Snezana’s daughter, Eve, have gone on to share a life and family together, marrying at the end of 2018 and having three more daughters together.

It’s no surprise then, that the home Sam and Snezana first settled into was fast outgrown by their growing brood and the couple began to turn their attention to the search for a larger home.

After hunting for over a year, the ideal property emerged on a north-facing corner block in the inner Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick, to suit their family, business interests and busy lifestyle. Sam and Snezana enlisted the help of architectural firm Castley McCrimmon to realise the potential of the property – a pretty Victorian-era house with soaring ceilings and original architectural features.

We had a chat with the man himself about the essential ingredients it took to make this “quintessentially Melbourne” house a home for their family of six.

Who lives here? Sam, a father of four and fitness trainer; Snezana, a scientist and mother of four; their daughters Eve, 18, Willow, 6, Charlie, 4 and Harper, one; plus Hendrix, the chocolate labrador.

What is your decorating style? Sam: “Both Snez and I love old Victorian style and Heritage homes. We love having the creativity to add contemporary modifications via the floor plans and layout, however, always keeping in mind to maintain the soul and the history of the home.”

Any renovating lessons learnt? “We renovated in the middle of COVID-19 which was very challenging as you were only able to have five people on site. So I guess the biggest lesson is to always be patient!”

Anything you would do differently? “Have another bedroom. With Snez’s family in Perth and mine in Tassie, we definitely would love more space to have them stay.” 

What do you love about this home that you didn’t have in your last house? “That it’s ours. We were renting before we had this place and it’s definitely a home made by us, for us, and that’s what is so special about it.”

Is this your forever home? “I definitely think our goal was to make this a forever home, and I don’t think we have outgrown it – we could comfortably live here for the next thirty years, however as the kids get bigger I’d love them to have a slightly bigger backyard and guest bedroom. I think the fact we also love renovating gives us that extra motivation to see what we can do for our next home.”

Favourite detail? “The combo of three things: dark parquetry flooring, high ceilings and arches, and steel frame windows. Combined together they really make it special.”

What are you most proud of? “From a house perspective: It was our first time renovating and we are super proud to be living in a home that we have created together (of course with the extremely talented help of our architect and builder).”

From a home perspective: “That we have created a beautiful home for our girls and that was the main objective from the start.”

Snez’s tips for finding the right selfie spot in your home: “It’s all about the lighting whether that’s in the bathroom or wardrobe. It’s also important to find the right spot in your home for the perfect ‘golden hour’. It’s crazy how well you know your home and when it injects the best light.”

Walk-in wardrobe must-haves: “Snez and I would always love more space. I love clothes (not as much as her!) but I definitely feel she would like some more wardrobe hanging space for her clothes.”

Your favourite room in this house? “It would have to be Harper’s room. It’s the front room of the home and was initially designed to be a guest bedroom until we had her. It has lovely natural sun and high ceilings. I think I also just love it because it’s her little room.” 

Kids’ room must-haves: “Beautiful wallpaper, curtains, and bookshelves. Also be sure to ask your kids what they want so when they see their room, it feels like their dream bedroom has been brought to reality. It’s really special seeing their little reactions.”

Your best buy? “I’ll tell you what wasn’t the best buy! The second living space was initially meant to be a pool table and bar room in which I deluded myself into thinking we spend a lot of time with adults. Of course, after twelve months of living it was completely converted into a kids’ playroom with toys and mini couches. So the pool table was definitely not the best buy as much as we miss it.”

Favourite possessions? “I love my home gym and study alcove upstairs. It is my little sanctuary. Snez loves big light features and did a wonderful job designing the kids’ bedrooms from the beautiful wallpaper to the classic furniture which is an area she is super proud of.”

How do you spend the weekends? “Kids sport, more sport and more sport! We also love going down to Mt Martha which is our weekend escape. It’s crazy how quickly the weekends fly by.”

What do you love about the home’s connection to nature/neighbourhood/children? “We have a beautiful park across the road. You open the door and see beautiful greenery directly opposite. We are also close to transport, cafes, and lots of other young families living in the neighbourhood. It feels quintessentially Melbourne.”

The post Sam and Snezana Wood have finally sold their glam home appeared first on Home Beautiful.

But it wasn’t until 2021 that she got the opportunity to transform a home from the inside out. Alison and Tony were looking to buy a home that would become a short-term rental when they found this abode. They knew it would be perfect for an Airbnb. “It felt like the seaside cottage of my dreams,” says Alison. The humble home, which had been a fishermen’s shack, had stunning south-facing views of Norfolk Bay. While it was built in 1964, it was made of recycled materials that dated much further back. The position, size and location were idyllic, but the interiors left much to be desired. “I wanted to take it in this completely unexpected direction,” explains Alison. “When you’re looking from the outside you can think, ‘oh a bloke built this’, but when you get inside, it’s completely feminine.”

Who stays here here?

Alison, a school careers advisor, Tony, a mathematical modeler, and their children, Rosie, 16, Theo, 14, and Jean, 10. They also rent it out on Airbnb.
What’s your design style? Alison: “Warm, cosy, irreverent, feminine, comfortable and happy. It feels like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ met up with ‘The Little Mermaid’… at a British hotel by the seaside.”
Weekend ritual? “We’ll often start by having a swim off the jetty, snorkel around that spot, then get in the hot tub and quite often stay there for the rest of the day.”
Best renovating tip? “I learnt so many things from YouTube. Even small things like how to patch holes in plaster.”

Inside the colourful Airbnb transformation

What came next was a labour of love that progressed over the course of two and a half years. The home was in sound structural condition but the layout needed tweaking. The living room and main bedroom switched positions, leading to a large and luxurious bedroom retreat. The wall separating the new living space and the dining room was knocked down, creating one long, open-plan area that faced out to the deck and seaview beyond. In the bathroom, Alison tiled two walls and replaced a shower-over-bath with a standalone shower that spanned the width of the room.

She leant into maximalism, collecting second-hand pieces and covering the walls in a mix of bright hues, patterned wallpaper and enough art to make a curator jealous. While the prospect of creating overwhelm with the palette was nerve-wracking, Alison was bolstered by the knowledge that this home was but a fleeting stay for guests. “I wanted people to visit and experience what it’s like to live with so much pattern and colour,” she explains. While it felt risky, Alison couldn’t be prouder of the result. “It gives me a deep sense of joy being immersed in something that’s colourful, warm, cosy and comfortable.”

Living

Decorating this Airbnb began with a green feature wall in the living room. “The light reflecting off the ocean is quite blue and with a neutral palette it felt cold,” admits Alison. “The green wall absorbed the blue light and made it feel warm and cosy.” South Hobart Tip Shop provided a lot of second-hand treasures, including the lamp base, lampshade and green Constance Spry urn. The round, gilded mirror, sourced from Red Fox Antiques in Launceston, creates contrast against the predominantly straight lines and rectangular shapes of this tableau, including a window seat, upholstered in Ottoline ‘Sporty Stripes‘.

We love… decor inspired by native flora and fauna

Alison was inspired by the stunning seaside surrounds while decorating. “The interiors reflect the beauty and the sensitivity of the local area,” she explains. In the living room, Farrow & Ball ‘Aranami’ wallpaper in 4601 creates a neutral backdrop with a subtle, marine-inspired pattern while a watercolour painting, sourced from South Hobart Tip Shop, depicts an orchid endemic to Tasmania. This strong connection to the local flora and fauna is an especially nice touch for guests at the Airbnb who wish to connect with the place they are staying in.

“I had this worry that there were rules and if you didn’t know the rules, something would go wrong”
– Alison

Kitchen

Alison tiled the splashback herself, using a National Tiles gloss square option. A vintage seagrass rug from Antiques to Retro in Hobart covers the floor near the rear door, finished in three-quarter strength Porter’s Paints Roman Holiday. This was mixed by Fragments in Hobart.

The deck with sea views

At times, the views include the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. “On any given day, seals will go past, dolphins will go past, sometimes whales,” Alison says. “It’s
in this magical place, but it’s still quite close to Hobart.”

Dining

In the dining room of this Airbnb, a bookcase from Trove antiques shop houses objets. “It’s filled with things I collected from the water’s edge, like sea sponges and shells,” shares Alison. A Margate Train Traders cane trolley and bench seat bought at Gowans Auctions are positioned beneath another gallery wall. Artworks by friends are prominent, including a sketch of the critically endangered local red handfish from The Changesmiths by Mel Stanger and a tablescape by Chrisy Wong.

Bedroom

The antique brass four-poster bed was Alison’s must-have for the Airbnb and was also a Gumtree find. “It was based on my love of British hotel interiors,” she explains. Thick, luscious green velvet curtains were another wonderful secondhand purchase. They are Alison’s most treasured Facebook marketplace find.

Wainscoting with VJ panelling also continues the heritage charm, with ‘Acanthus’ wallpaper from Farrow & Ball positioned above. This was chosen for the pattern, which is reminiscent of local bull
kelp forests.

Above the wainscoting, Alison has displayed framed botanic specimens, which she found in Glenorchy Tip Shop. They were dated and collected by C Rathbone, a man who had worked for the Parks and Wildlife Service, but had sadly since passed away. “I’m glad I was able to save some of his precious specimens,” shares Alison, who notes that they are all species endemic to Tasmania.

Bathroom

Blue wainscoting-style tiles from National Tiles were laid by Alison. The wall sconce, from South Hobart Tip Shop adds a touch of glitz and glamour, positioned above a small vase of corymbia ficifolia, also known as red flowering gum.

Backyard

As with the interiors, Alison, who previously worked as a florist, created this garden herself. It was the biggest speedbump in the entire project, due to a particularly wet year. “There were days where I just sat in the dirt and cried,” she recalls. Now, it’s one of the areas she is most proud of. A firepit from local metallic artisan Ninapatina creates a cosy centrepiece amid Phlomis ‘Lemon Blush’ and Cotyledon orbiculata ‘Silver Dust’.

Hot tub

The cedar hot tub, from Shym Saunas, is the perfect place to take in views of the bay. This is especially spectacular on nights when the colourful Aurora Australis is visible.

Source book

Stay: You can book ‘The Lady Primrose Sands’ via Airbnb, here.

Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine.

⁠Have it delivered to your door!

The post Colourful interiors and striking sea views envelop this Tasmanian Airbnb appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Tim bought Kinvonvie, located in Hamilton, Victoria in 2012, continuing nearly a century of ownership for his mother’s family. With his father retiring and three other siblings to consider, the family’s decision to sell the property publicly was, Tim says, a fair one. “If I was going to buy it, I didn’t want other family members to feel I’d been given a discount,” he says.

Having spent much of his life as a stockbroker in Melbourne and London, he hoped to keep the property in family hands. “I drove up and walked over the property for a few hours, and fifteen minutes before the sale deadline, I walked into the estate agent and put my offer in,” recalls Tim.

Fast forward to 2025 and Kinvonvie is thriving. “When I took the place on, the homestead needed a large makeover. Virtually on the day I settled, I had the bulldozer in.” Within a year, the back of the house boasted a new kitchen, dining area and bedroom wing, built by Ron Huf and designed by Melbourne architect Russell Barrett to suit the original 1912 and 1920s rooms.

The result is a light-filled homestead, framed by flourishing banks of hydrangeas and a series of courtyards leading to a rambling garden. Privet and cypress hedging enclose the auto-irrigated lawn – which, Tim notes with satisfaction, “can be controlled via mobile phone from London.”

Inside, Tim’s love of classic English interiors is unmistakable. With the help of Melbourne interior decorator Lill Reid, he created timeless, functional spaces, filled with carefully sourced antiques. Memorabilia, photographs and portraits add to the home’s layering and welcome family members returning for the holidays.

“It’s a sanctuary and my escape from a busy life in stockbroking,” says Tim, who acknowledges his role in the property’s legacy. “My father, Michael, did a great job managing and expanding Kinvonvie for my mother. He’s always been a tough taskmaster, but he’s always said, ‘You leave the property in better condition than you found it’. That’s what I hope to do.”

Entry

Weatherboard cladding extends a warm welcome at the entry.

Tim is a fan of British design doyenne Kit Kemp’s art-filled interiors. Inspired, he curated a diverse art collection, choosing pieces that “get people talking”. A work from Graham Geddes Antiques & Antiquities oversees the entry.

The hallway is lined with framed artworks of a ram and merinos, including copies of photographic prints from the archive of the Art Gallery of NSW. Beautiful, natural vignettes bring the spirit of the land indoors. The Canadian oak floorboards are by Royal Oak Floors.

Polo mallets are put to good use in the rear hall, forming the perfect spot to hang one’s hat.

WE LOVE…stylish window seats

Tim deliberately kept the diamond leadlight windows free of blinds or curtains. “I like to have as much natural light as possible and not feel closed in when I’m in the country,” he says. Without any overlooking buildings to contend with, he embraced the light and views, even encouraging restful moments to pause and ponder the scenery by adding a window seat, styled with comfortable seat pads and scatter cushions.

Kitchen

Tim’s architect, Russell Barrett, selected the olive green hue on the panelled kitchen cabinetry. “He got it right,” says Tim.

In keeping with the home’s country aesthetic, the long kitchen island is topped with warm-toned timber.

Dining

Roman blinds in a striped fabric by British designer Vanessa Arbuthnott dress up the kitchen windows and adjacent casual meals area.

“I just love horses. They make me calm,” shares Tim, who decorated the dining room with a portrait of his polo pony, Mombassa. “He was my favourite. Before he retired I had him painted by Geelong artist, Deb Fisher. He is still alive, down in the paddock.”

Living

“After taking layers of wallpaper off the walls, we discovered a cream paintvbeneath,” recalls Tim. “I had it matched atvHammonds Paints and it’s now a colour of itsvown: ‘Kinvonvie Cream’.” The antique lanternvwas ‘electrified’ by Tim’s electrician.

A portrait of Tim’s mother, Virginia Twomey Stewart by Polish artist W Cybulski, hangs above an antique oak chest of drawers in the sitting area near a sofa in Brunschwig & Fils fabric.

Tim saw the tartan carpet in the billiard room at an Irish-themed Emirates Marquee during a Melbourne Racing Carnival. “At the end, I asked if I could buy it as it was otherwise headed for the tip. So I had it steam cleaned, rolled up and stored in the stables here. I had the idea that when I did up the homestead, I could use it.”

Bedrooms

The main bedroom is a restful study of neutral tones and duck egg blue. The grey acorn fabric on the curtains and Roman blinds is by British designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. Tim purchased the African prints above the bed while on safari in Tanzania.

Outdoors

Rhys and Taylor, the children of Tim’s farm managers, with their four-legged friends.

Tim’s beloved polo pony, Sarabi.

Tim enjoys entertaining in the alfresco.

Abutilon blossoms happily in the garden.

Architect Russell Barrett, russellbarrett.com.au.

Builder Huf Builders, hufbuilders.com.

Source Book

The post The traditional style of this homestead in Victoria is an ode to country life appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“I was partaking in my fave hobby – drinking wine and looking at realestate.com when we stumbled across the old Commonwealth bank that had been closed for the previous 6 months,” Pip tells Home Beautiful. “It was solidly built with its generous features, but had not been loved for sometime. It was just screaming potential.”

As the founder of lifestyle and homewares brand, Jumbled, Pip had enough artistic vision to see what the place could be and the property’s potential was enough to convince both Pip and her husband, Nick Luelf to view the building in person, where they were quickly won over by its unique character features.

“We were instantly drawn to its Spanish Mission Design with Solomonic columns, plaster half-shells topping the windows, a parapet with square in-fills, and a curved corner entrance. The combination of the Mediterranean accents and art deco features instantly drew us in,” Pip says.

Despite not knowing what they were actually going to do with the property, Pip and Nick had both fallen in love with it enough to make a purchase.

“We just purchased it without knowing what we were going to do with it,” Pip explains. “It almost gave our accountant a heart attack, but it was true love. My husband, who is a builder, said we needed to buy it about 1o mins after we arrived to view it for the first time. It just has the most magical feeling.”

However, after realising that the town, which is located 20 minutes away from Orange in the Central West, didn’t have any luxury accomodation, Pip and Nick knew what they had to do.

“The same way as we fell in love with the bank, we also fell madly in love with Molong and it’s incredible community. Molong is a bustling little town that has so much to offer, but didn’t have a luxury accommodation offering. So, that is what we set out to create,” explains Pip.

“That has been the most rewarding outcome of this whole project—giving the old bank new life and bringing tourism to the glorious community of Molong.”

The Sona renovation

 While Pip could see the building’s potential, both her and Nick knew their was a lot of work to be done to turn the 1930s building into something special.

“When we purchased it – it looked like a fully functioning bank inside with the tellers and desks….unfortunately they didn’t leave any money behind for us,” Pip jokes.

While Nick did most of the build himself, to help them achieve their vision, the couple enlisted the help of architecture firm, Studio Esteta in Melbourne.

“I went to high school with one of the directors, Felicity Slattery,” Pip explains. “My husband Nick Luelf is a builder and we all just work so well together, it is a total joy.”

While Pip and Nick were set on creating a sense of luxury in the new version of the building, they didn’t want to lose the features that drew them to the old bank in the first place.

“We wanted to celebrate the original features and history of the bank rather than erase them,” explains Pip.

To do this, the couple made sure to preserve the property’s heritage features, such as the fireplaces, picture windows and ornate ceilings, while giving the Australian heritage colour palette a modern twist.

“We took a modern take on the Australian heritage colour palette – think blues, reds, green and cream. I am a colour lover and I feel like we celebrate colour in this space in a grown up kind of way.”

The renovation notably saw the original part of the bank transformed into a light and airy open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, which Pip describes as her favourite space in the newly renovated building.

“I love the way the light dances through the sheer cafe curtains in this space. It transforms all day long. All of our guests comment on the light and shadow in Sona. There is something magical about it. The old bank vault is now the Butler’s Pantry. You can cook up a storm, entertain, relax by the fireplace and enjoy the art of doing nothing in this space.”

Pip Brett

Other notable features of the renovation include the wave pattern used throughout the accomodation, which is a nod to the bank’s original exterior features.

However, for Pip and Nick, one of the best parts of the entire renovation process was meeting people who had a personal connection to the building.

“We met lost of people who lived and worked at the bank. They all loved visiting the worksite often to see the progress. It felt like we were doing something that everyone was invested in and proud of. Many important memories would have taken place in the building.”

Sona’s completion doesn’t mean the couple have put the tools down yet, with Pip and Nick engaging Studio Estata for their fourth project together.

“These are 5 x 2 bedroom apartments in Orange that are going to be ultra cool! They are going to be called BON BON and will hopefully be completed near the end of the year.”

You can book a stay at Sona or connect with Pip on Instagram.

The post Before and After: An old country bank is transformed into boutique accommodation appeared first on Home Beautiful.

What they did find, however, was a charming but dated 1930s Californian bungalow on Sydney’s North Shore, which beckoned with potential. Close to the couple’s grandchildren and public transport, and large enough to host loved ones, the low-maintenance, single-storey abode ticked every box on their wishlist, except one: it was crying out for a revamp. Aesthetics aside, there was asbestos to remove, an old slab to replace and damp issues to fix, so after admiring Krista’s work, Christine and Greg engaged her to unveil the bungalow’s potential.

Who lives here?

Christine and Greg, who downsized from the couple’s larger family home nearby.

Where is it? The single-storey 1930s California bungalow is on Sydney’s North Shore.
How long did the renovation take? Design work began in October 2022, a DA was submitted to council in February 2023 and approval was granted in July 2023. Building started one month later, finishing in June 2024.
The dream? To improve flow, infuse the home with style and storage, and cater to hosting.
The brief? The interiors received a top-to-toe revamp, a new deck was added to the exterior, and the carport and studio were fully renovated.
Must-haves? A single-storey home so they can age happily in place, with large indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, a garage, and a low-maintenance design they can lock up and leave when travelling.
On the wishlist? “The self-contained, detached studio was a real bonus, which certainly had not been included on our wishlist!” says Christine.
Why is this your dream home? “We are well-settled and extremely happy in our new home and now couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” shares Christine.

Kitchen

“The kitchen wasn’t in terrible shape, but it was dated and in need of fixing up,” shares Krista of the existing cooking space. In its place is now a stone-clad marvel, where Calacatta Viola marble in Monet from Franchi Umberto Marmi Australia reigns supreme.

“Originally, there were hardwood floors, but we had a lot of moisture under the house, so our builders had to get in there and deal with some of those issues to make the home nice and dry,” explains Krista. She replaced the old floorboards with elegant ‘De Marque Oak’ in Chevron Cannes from Preference Floors.

Butler’s pantry

Dining

Alfresco

Having an entertainer’s home was a must for Christine and Greg, who had long coveted a sheltered alfresco living zone. “Despite having a beautiful, sprawling home before, they’ve never had an undercover area where they could entertain outside,” says Krista. “They wanted the Australian dream. Now, they can open the big steel doors, pull the long dining tables together and host everyone outside, even if it’s raining.”

To bring their vision to life, she proposed a covered, spacious deck that now wraps around the home, flows directly off the indoor living area and is styled just as beautifully with alfresco furniture and decor. “They go out every morning and have a coffee in their new outdoor area at the back,” says Krista. “They love starting their day like that, it puts smiles on their faces.”

Renovation lessons learnt

Despite most of the changes being internal, Christine and Greg needed to lodge a Development Application (DA) with council to alter their home’s exterior envelope. This gave them greater creative freedom than if they’d worked within the stringent rules of a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), which governs internal building works. However, they lost six precious months waiting for DA approval. “If you can stay within your building envelope with whatever renovation you want to do, that’s great, as you can get a CDC through council fast,” explains Krista.

While the wait was anticipated, what caught everyone off guard was the soaring price of materials in the wake of Covid. In just 10 short months between starting the design and the build, Christine and Greg needed to increase their budget to achieve the dream.

Bathrooms

Best renovation advice

Every renovation, without exception, involves compromises. “I always ask my clients in the very beginning, ‘When that time comes for us, would you rather compromise on budget or aesthetic?’” says Krista. “Nine times out of 10, they say budget. I’ve never seen anybody wish they hadn’t chosen the nicer option.” She also says it’s vital to be upfront with your designer or architect about which rooms or features you value and which are lower priorities.

Krista suggests adding 30 per cent to every quote, from your joists to your joinery. “Give yourself a buffer, then ask for that amount when you go to the bank,” she says. “It’s better having extra money there now, even if you are paying a bit of interest on it, than needing to request it later, as delays can cost you a lot more in the long run. And if you don’t need it, you’ve only paid a small amount for peace of mind and to keep your project on track.”

Working with a reputable builder is key, though Krista cautions clients that the golden days of fixed-price contracts are numbered. “If you do have one though, chances are they’ve built that buffer in already. So you may be paying a little bit more upfront, but you’ll have that extra peace of mind,” she explains.

Laundry

Bedrooms

Living

Krista specified timeless wall mouldings to infuse the interiors with the look Christine and Greg love. “They really wanted to honour the classic details that were already there, which California bungalows have, but modernise it as well,” she explains. “Not only did we keep the ceiling mouldings, but we enhanced them by adding wall mouldings.” For similar moulding profiles, try ‘IN23’ timber inlay moulds from Intrim.

To echo the elevated interior finishes, Christine and Greg bought a digital artwork by Still Moving Art at Etsy to display on their Samsung ‘The Frame’ TV, which is neatly bordered by classic wall mouldings in the living area. The space is lit by a sconce from Etsy and a Jake Arnold ‘Ellery’ floor lamp that Krista shipped from Crate & Barrel. An Eco Smart fireplace built into the joinery unit cosies up the room.

Hallway

Interior design Krista Collard Interiors, kristacollarddesigns.com
Joinery Furnisa, furnisa.com.au
Builder Ducker Constructions, @duckerconstructions

Source Book

Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine.

⁠Have it delivered to your door!

The post A charming but dated Californian bungalow is revamped on Sydney’s lower north shore appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here?

Lindar, partnerships manager and her adult children, university students Mackenzie, Stafford and Sienna.
Favourite spot in the house?
“My bedroom, it’s a beautiful calm oasis from the goings-on of family life when I need some ‘me’ time, plus the curtains Leigh recommended are a stunning centrepiece.”
Best source of interior inspiration?
“Home Beautiful, of course, Houzz and Highgate House’s body of work.”
Lessons learnt renovating?
“Trust your instincts. Be bold expressing your personality in the choices you make and have faith in your interior designer. They weave their magic and make your dreams come true.”

While the house needed some TLC, Lindar was taken by its incredible location on a quarter acre block, overlooking the Brisbane River and city skyline and saw her role as a custodian as she set about reinstating its heritage charm.

“When I began master planning the renovation I grew to be fascinated by the story behind the house,” she says. “I spent a lot of time at the state library researching its past and discovered Rockfield was originally built for a coal merchant Captain Daniel McGregor, his wife and six children, and records show the first post delivered to the address was in 1892.”

Having changed owners numerous times in the century prior to Lindar’s custodianship, the house had undergone various interior iterations, yet even shrouded in ’70s mission brown, orange lino and laminate, beautiful original features such as VJ walls, timber fretwork breezeways and intricately crafted architraves still shone and captured her imagination.

Lindar’s vision, plotted and executed over several years, involved an extensive renovation, which celebrated the home’s heritage within a more modern, open-plan layout. Ideas were pooled from three architects to create the harmonious blend of classic and contemporary design which encompassed altering the floor plan, extending the wraparound verandah to make the most of sweeping views and building in the undercroft to create extra bedrooms, bathroom, living space, laundry, garage and grand staircase.

Original features were reproduced on the new lower level with turn-of-the-century inspired ceiling roses, classic cornicing and digitised timber cutout breezeway panels added above doors. “Woodworkers duplicated all the original trims and doors in cedar throughout, which were painted white to emphasise the city views and enhance the natural light throughout,” says Lindar.

The result is a blended upper and lower level, which makes it feel like the home is entirely original. As a long-time admirer of interior designer Leigh Boswell of Highgate House, Lindar enlisted her expertise to create a look that transcended eras.

“I love Leigh’s eye for all things classically beautiful and she had wonderful ideas, which at times pushed me out of my comfort zone, in a good way,” shares Lindar of the enduring palette layered with timber, marble, custom upholstery, stately lighting and glorious shades of green, which enhance the connection to outdoor spaces.

Reflecting on the three decades she’s lived in the house, the last two with her adult children Mackenzie, Stafford and Sienna, a favourite place to gather is the deck, which has hosted many celebrations and provided an idyllic spot to take in the city sights and sounds.

“From the deck, we always enjoy the annual Riverfire event and New Year’s fireworks displays and being directly opposite the Riverstage in the City Botanic Gardens we benefit from free concert music,” says Lindar.

Recently closing her chapter in the home’s history to downsize, Lindar reflects her gut instinct all those years ago was right. “I’ve loved living here as a custodian and I’m proud to have left my mark on Rockfield and the Brisbane landscape.”

Entryway

A reception area was created on the new lower level, with materials such as Thibaut ‘Bankun Raffia’ wallpaper matched to the upper level. Apart from antique pieces, Lindar chose all the furnishings with interior designer Leigh Boswell, such as the timber table topped with a ‘Vicenza’ lamp and marble ruffle edge fluted bowl from Highgate House. The ‘Stanford’ chandelier was sourced from Zest Lighting and has custom shades by Highgate House.

Kitchen

Lindar’s brief to kitchen design and construction company Wyer + Craw was for solid timber cabinetry in the kitchen. “With all aspects of the house I thought about longevity and the ability to simply repaint quality timber cabinets, if I ever wanted to change the colour down the track, really appealed,” she says.

VJ walls in Resene Truffle frame the zone, while a decorative custom blind in Duralee fabric injects pattern alongside Fornasetti plates. She opted for a mix of benchtop materials: black granite adorns outer benches, while the island is topped in Arabescato Corchia marble from Project Stone.

Living

There are several living areas, yet perhaps the most well used is the space adjacent to the kitchen. Highgate House sofas were chosen for their timeless appeal, as was the Hooker Furniture vintage ‘West’ X-base coffee table, from Globe Imports paired with a Rug Concepts rug. Cushions from Highgate House.

We love…timber cladding

There’s something incredibly warm and welcoming about VJ walls, which add extra depth and character to a space. As lead paint was discovered on some existing VJ walls during the renovation, the most cost-effective solution was to copy the original profile and sheet over it, with the classic look recreated and used extensively throughout the interior. For similar, try Easy VJ, easycraft.com.au.

Bedrooms

In this space, Thibaut ‘Patani’ wallpaper in Charcoal sets the scene for a custom bedhead from Highgate House. An Emac & Lawton ‘Prescot’ chandelier and posters by John Ireland round out the room. Doubling as a study for the university student, a ‘Campaign’ desk from Xavier Furniture is positioned to take in garden views, with an armchair from Highgate House in the corner.

“The house has a sense of quality and history that I love as well as style from the late Victorian era.”

Lindar, homeowner.

Connected to the verandah via French doors, teamed with original soaring ceilings, the main bedroom is a tranquil retreat. Highgate House cushions feature on the bed while a timeless Highgate House lamp and bedside table echo the Greek Key pattern in the Thibaut ‘Maze’ wallpaper.

“I loved adding colour in places, especially green, which is beautiful and calming.”

Lindar, homeowner.

Bathrooms

Walls adorned in Thibaut ‘Nemour’ wallpaper in Green create an enchanting backdrop in the bathroom, with decorative features such as the Brodware ‘Classique’ console from Elite Bathware & Tiles. Carrara floor tiles add to the classic feel, as do ‘Molly’ bamboo wall sconces in Nickel (for similar, try Cromwell) with custom shades from Highgate House. A Cromwell Artisan Chest, sourced through Highgate House, is on the back wall.

Laundry

The laundry continues the classic grey and white palette with custom cabinetry in Dulux Vivid White, complemented with a Caesarstone benchtop. On the floor, Platinum Silver Travertine from Stone & Tile Studio adds a wonderful textural element.

Gazebo

A ‘Snyder’ outdoor sofa set by B_seated layered with cushions from Provincial Home Living creates a comfortable retreat in the gazebo to enjoy glorious garden views.

Interior designer Highgate House, highgatehouse.com.
Architects Bruce Buchanan (retired); Kon Panagopoulos, KP Architects, kparchitects.com.au; Graeme Spender, Davis Sommerville Architects, 0411 451 369.
Landscape design Steven Clegg Design, stevencleggdesign.com.au.
Exterior tiling Stellar Tiling Group, @stellartiling
Kitchen joinery Wyer + Craw, wyercraw.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine.

⁠Have it delivered to your door!

The post A stately 1890s Brisbane home that carefully balances history with liveability appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“The poky, casual living area wasn’t functional and didn’t suit our busy, informal household flow at key times – before and after school and work,” says Chelsea, who runs a not-for-profit organisation and craved a welcoming family home.

“We have a big extended family and often host many people, so I wanted that to work easily. I also like everything to have a place to be stored – and in inner-city houses storage is an issue – so thoughtful, considered storage design was important.”

Who lives here?

Chelsea, Michael, their daughters Matilda, 11, and Annabelle, eight, plus Pippa the Labradoodle.
Your favourite feature? Chelsea: “The big Greek-style dining table, which I squeeze 20 people around for our big family lunches, is awesome and creates an easyto- use space that brings joy.
Is this your forever home? “I want to say it is… My husband would definitely say it is!”

Chelsea and Michael had engaged interior designer Melissa Balzan to revamp their previous home and loved the outcome, so they swiftly organised a consultation with her to discuss what they hoped were modest changes. “The initial meeting with Chelsea was to help with the decoration of the house to make it comfortable and functional for her and her family,” recalls Melissa.

However, as old homes often do, the terrace had its own agenda. Crooked, wayward walls and uncooperative, slanting floors made major jobs of the minor alterations the couple proposed. One issue snowballed into another and, as their dream of completing a more substantial future renovation stubbornly refused to wane, they decided to bite the bullet and enlarge the scope of work.

“Needless to say, the ‘small’ renovation happened very quickly and grew to be slightly larger than expected,” recalls Melissa, who untangled the puzzled floor plan and added storage and style in equal measure. “In the end, new flooring was laid, walls were demolished, a bath was removed, joinery was installed and spaces were created that function well and will hopefully see Chelsea and Michael through the next few years with ease.”

The couple tasked Melissa with creating interiors that were “not showy,” says Chelsea, who wanted an artistic scheme that balanced pretty aesthetics with a practical design suited to family life. “I like things to feel bright, happy and welcoming with an understated ease,” she says. “I love art and whimsical design and wanted the spaces to provide an ‘experience’ with interesting pieces.”

The newer rooms at the rear are now defined in rich navy, while the older front rooms bask in earthy pinks, browns and greens – a palette Chelsea plucked from hues in Jai Vasicek prints she found at Fenton & Fenton, which hang in the formal dining room. “We have a lot of pink in this house – I am not sure how much input my husband got with that decision!” shares Chelsea.

Classic yet contemporary, the finished abode radiates a cosiness that ensures the entire family feels comfortable and at home. “Our little one loves the animal decals on her walls and her reading nook. There is also great storage for all her little trinkets and favourite treasures,” says Chelsea. “And my tween loves her tweeny wallpaper and comfy reading swivel chair, which seems to be regularly tested for speed, Formula One style!”

Kitchen

Polytec cabinetry in Adriatic spruces up the kitchen, which bathes in natural light courtesy of the existing greenhouse-style glazing.

On the benchtop, the pear vase is from Kimpton & Co and the bowls are from Horgans.

A slim banquette, crafted by MBD Joinery and covered in Walter G fabric, stars in the casual meals area. Custom cushions in Inge Holst textiles chime with the colours in the wall plates, most of which hail from Heirloom Tableware. ‘Tangerine’ dining chairs from District Furniture surround the Carrara marble table (for similar, try the ‘Kelsey’ dining table from Castlery). An Anna Charlesworth pendant illuminates the dining nook.

Living

It’s light, bright and has great airflow,” says Chelsea of the informal living area. Grounded by a ‘Bijou’ rug from The Rug Collection, the coffee table and sofa are Globe West finds, while the armchair is from Arthur G.

The couple reused their existing custom sofas, upholstered in Mokum ‘Ficus’, in the main living zone. “When we have guests, the more formal areas are ready to go and it makes life a lot easier,” says Chelsea. The bespoke cushions in pretty Colefax and Fowler fabrics echo the hues of the artworks.

The original marble fireplace stands proud below a verdant artwork by Rachael Little, commissioned through Forman Art & Framing, and a smaller painting by Katie Wyatt.

Karndean Flooring from Allfloors underscores the interiors and is warmed by sisal carpet from Floorspace, which Melissa layered with a Cadrys rug for extra comfort.

Dining

Lyrical Jai Vasicek prints from Fenton & Fenton inspired the palette of earth-drawn pinks in the formal dining room. The parquet-style timber dining table from Oak Road is the hero of the space and pairs perfectly with dining chairs from Xavier Furniture and twin timber storage chests from Wisteria. The stately space is finished with an opulent Cafe Lighting & Living chandelier, which was specified by Melissa.

The pinks in the dining and living areas were inspired by Jai Vasicek prints Chelsea found at Fenton & Fenton.

Bedrooms

The palette of desert pinks flows into Chelsea and Michael’s first-floor bedroom, where the bespoke bedhead and cushions, covered in Colefax and Fowler fabric and crafted by MBD Joinery, take centre stage. Neutral bedlinen from Aura Home tempers the sweet scheme, while an artwork by Alexandra Plim from The Moree Gallery is the cherry on top.

“The home has some lovely bones with its high ceilings and well-appointed front rooms both downstairs and upstairs,” shares Melissa. “As the ceilings are so high, we needed statement light fittings that once again reflected that it was a home belonging to a young family.”

For a similar pendant, try Early Settler’s ‘Mirella Capiz’ chandelier; for a similar mirror, try Middle of Nowhere’s ‘Bjorn’ oval mirror.

Brass accents add a hint of opulence to the couple’s room with ‘Le Forge’ bedsides from Boyd Blue and ‘Ivory Lacquered’ boxes from Cromwell.

Melissa kept the existing carpet in Annabelle’s bedroom and freshened up the space with a lick of Dulux Natural White paint. The swivel function on the Brosa armchair is regularly put through its paces, while the sage colour complements the curtains and bespoke bedhead from Xavier Furniture (for similar, try Andrew Martin ‘Picket’ fabric in Leaf).

Annabelle’s Pottery Barn ‘Penny’ desk and Provincial Home Living bedside are finished with a custom lamp and shade that are pretty in pink (for similar, try Bragg & Co).

Bathrooms

Schumacher ‘Tiah Cove’ wallpaper in Sage Leaf adorns the powder room and is picked up in the green Polytec vanity in Topiary. For a tactile touch, Melissa introduced Hepburn Hardware ‘Rope Pulls’ and a cane mirror (for similar, try ‘Orbit’ mirror from Republic Home).

Interior design: Melissa Balzan Design, melissabalzandesign.com

Builder: Pete Stewart Projects, petestewartprojects.com.au

Source book

The post This inner-city Victorian terrace is pretty in pink appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who stays here?

They agreed on one thing: the building meant far too much to their family to fall into further disrepair. “It’s the original farmhouse and we wanted it to live on and be handed down to our kids,” she adds. Budgets were tight, so they opted to do the lion’s share of the renovation themselves, with the goal of tidying things up and making the home liveable again. But the more Georgina worked on the cottage alongside her family – husband Cameron, brother Brad, her mum Tracy and Uncle Dave, a builder – the more she fell under its spell. “I really didn’t want it to be just a white cottage,” she says. “I wanted it to stand out and be unique.”

Undaunted by the sheer labour involved in laying flooring, replacing walls and installing a kitchen thrifted from a house in nearby Bangalow, Georgina soon hit a roadblock when decisions had to be made concerning paint colours, furniture selection and infusing the cottage with personality. Having worked on a previous project with interior design studio Cedar & Suede, Georgina called on its founder Carlene Duffy for help. “The whole way she had my complete trust,” says Georgina, who didn’t bat an eyelid when Carlene suggested a brazen palette of lime green, burgundy and dusty blues accentuated by flashes of red.

Stripping the home back to its studs and making it whole again was a full-circle moment for Georgina, whose kids now enjoy a childhood like hers. “Hopefully it’ll last another hundred years,” she says

Kitchen

Georgina loves the kitchen cabinets painted in Porter’s Paints Dark Newport Blue and splashback tiled in ‘Rosa’ travertine herringbone mosaics from Burleigh Tiles . However, her favourite feature is the ‘Henley’ double fluted farmhouse sink from ABI Interiors. “None of the original cabinet doors fit that sink, so we bought similar doors from Ikea, cut them in half and glued them back together,” says Georgina. “It was so much work, but I kept saying, ‘I really want this sink’.

“The second-hand kitchen was one of the first things we bought before we even started renovating.”

Georgina, homeowner.

A corner dining booth feels inviting and maximises the space available. The ‘Newport’ round pedestal table from Abide Interiors is the hero of the home’s dining zone, while chairs thrifted on Facebook Marketplace are painted in Resene Raging Bull. “Georgina almost didn’t paint the chairs,” recalls Carlene. “I said, ‘Well, you have to paint the chairs,’ and when she did she said, ‘I’m so glad you made me paint them’.”

Living

Throughout the cottage, Facebook Marketplace finds mingle with upcycled Ikea pieces. An Ikea ‘Ektorp’ sofa in the living area is reupholstered in bold ‘Amboli Indigo’ fabric from Warwick. The armchair and ottoman are also from Ikea, and are covered in ‘Brixham Indigo’ and ‘Mojave Russett’ respectively, which are both also from Warwick. A ‘Barcelona’ pendant light from Gypset Cargo ties the whole look together.

Bedrooms

Painted in Porter’s Paints Back Country, the couple’s bedroom, known as ‘the mustard room’, showcases a vintage chest of drawers and a ‘Biscayne’ rattan bedhead in Tobacco from Naturally Cane. A ‘Kantha’ coverlet from Temple & Webster tops the linen-dressed bed (for similar, try I Love Linen).

With walls painted in Resene Mocha, the ‘rust bedroom’ is perhaps the cosiest room in the house. Curtains with classic blue stripes are contrasted with a vintage Kantha cotton floral bedspread from Etsy and bedding in marine blue from I Love Linen. An ‘Austin’ wall light from Emac & Lawton illuminates the rattan bedside table (for similar, try the ‘President’ rattan bedside table from Naturally Cane).

“They wanted to celebrate the house, and I interpreted that as ‘let’s go nuts with colour.”

Carlene, designer

The only time the cottage’s colour palette came into question was when Georgina began painting the bunk room in Resene Gingko, which appeared almost neon before the blinds were installed. Two coats of Resene Tangaroa high gloss turned a simple ‘Dante’ pine bunk bed from Luxo Living into a hero feature, while glass panes in a vintage wardrobe were replaced with fabric curtaining in ‘Amboli Indigo’ from Warwick.

Bathroom

Penny round tiles contrast with ‘Artisan Roma Piazza’ matte floor tiles, both from Burleigh Tiles, while a Roman shade in ‘Salford in Abyss’ from Warwick highlights the salvaged timber windows in the bathroom. VJ panels in Resene Double Fossil are a backdrop for thrifted art and a cane vanity mirror.

Laundry/mudroom

Vintage baskets are a pretty and practical way to add interest to the laundry walls, painted in Resene Peanut.

The rear hall serves as a compact mudroom, with patterned flooring from Burleigh Tiles leading from the threshold into the laundry. ‘Hövolm’ peg board rails from Ikea create additional hanging and storage space.

Interior design: Cedar & Suede, cedarandsuede.com.au.

Builder: David Green.

Stay: This home is available for short-term rental accommodation on Airbnb as Keltara.

SOURCE BOOK

The post A colourful renovation restores a century-old farm cottage to its former glory appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“The previous owners moved it onto this acreage block from a very old part of Toowoomba.”

Melanie, homeowner

Who lives here?

Melanie and Stuart Parker, daughters Penny, 13, and Tilly, 10, Gretchen the Miniature Dachshund, plus chickens and a duck.

How do you achieve this layered look? Melanie: “I start with something quite neutral, then layer pieces on top. You can have a little play with it. I like that it’s ever evolving.”

How important is practicality? “I don’t want to spend every day of my life telling my children not to wipe their hands on the chairs. I’d rather specify something that’s going to live up to the demands of a family.”

Do you have any favourite pieces? “I really wanted to use these gorgeous little Wedgwood plates my mother-in-law gave me. They’re hung over the window in the kitchen.”

In 2012, the couple moved into the 1941 Queenslander with their oldest daughter, Penny, who was a baby at the time. “Every room had different carpet and, being from Brisbane, we immediately ripped them all up,” recalls Melanie. “Then we had our first Toowoomba winter, which was freezing, and quickly thought, ‘Oh, that’s why they had carpet all through the house, because it’s so cold’.”

“We always knew we’d need to renovate, but it just had that beautiful feeling an old home always has.”

Melanie

A second daughter, Tilly, joined the family within a couple of years, cementing dreams of making the house feel like a forever home. “We had a growing family and knew we wanted it to be a house they would grow up in,” says Melanie. Yet they had to wait patiently for some time before the budget was available to do a big renovation. “We were going to renovate once and do it properly,” explains Melanie.

Finally, plans were drawn up by Alisco Designs and construction by Athorn Building began. The busy parents and their tweens lived in the home during the renovation, so it was a trying 10 months to say the least. “It was horrendous, I would never do it again,” says Melanie. “But our builder was great, he accommodated us staying in the property. We renovated one side of the house first, got that nice, and were able to live in that area while we renovated the rest.”

In the end, they were rewarded with a home that has “a much better flow” and an expanded kitchen with views of the eucalypts that first made them fall for this spot. “It’s a peaceful outlook,” says Melanie. “The kids are always in the pool and I can see them from the kitchen now. Every day I walk in and think, ‘I love this’.”

Living room

“This is the hub of the home,” says Melanie of the living room. “It’s where the fireplace is and it’s on all day and night in winter.” The pendant is from Ivy + Piper, while the coffee table is an old dining table with its legs cut shorter. “We pull everything off it and use it for puzzles.”

Collected pieces adorn the room, including the antique gramophone used as a side table between two Os de Mouton armchairs upholstered in Fanny Shorter ‘Mill Pond’. The sisal rug adds to the cosy feeling. “It’s an excellent base to layer pattern and colour onto,” shares Melanie.

The pink linen cushions and floral cushions in Gastón y Daniela ‘Brigitta’ fabric are custom designs by Ivy + Piper. The fiery red vintage Indian suzani throw on the side table is spectacular when combined with the cool blue of Dulux Waikiki on the architrave and skirtings.

Kitchen

“It was a solid timber kitchen when we bought it,” says Melanie. “We’ve extended it and added more windows to take in the view and added a huge deck on the back of the house.” The new kitchen was fitted with Caesarstone Pure White benchtops and cabinetry in Dulux Vivid White.

“It’s got a much better flow for entertaining and for family life,” explains Melanie. The island features a custom lattice base in Dulux Egyptian Gold.

The kitchen is full of character with details such as brass strips and kickboards, plus handles from Kethy. It’s destined to be the hub of many happy Christmases for years to come.

“We’re a boisterous family, so a big central island was really important to the kitchen design.”

Melanie

Dining room

The vintage dining table is surrounded by vibrant green bistro chairs and an antique Indian chair which was bought as a pair. “I just couldn’t go past them, they’re so quirky,” says Melanie. “They make me smile all the time and they’re super comfortable.” The rug is from The Rug Shop in Bangalow, with curtain fabric from Ikea.

“Life’s too short not to have a bit of fun.”

Melanie

Sunroom

“I’ll often sit and have a cup of tea here,” says Melanie of the sunroom, where a framed Hawaiian print joins art by the couple’s daughters.

Melanie sits on a sofa covered in Ivy + Piper ‘Chinois Soiree’ fabric. The daybed nearby is upholstered in Warwick ‘Renly’ in Lagoon, with cushions by Ivy + Piper.

Cabinetry in the sunroom is custom designed by Ivy + Piper, with co-founder Elizabeth Flekser pictured, and built by Echidna Creations.

We love… statement floors

To unify the mismatched floorboards throughout the house, Melanie stained them all in the same “dark, nearly walnut shade,” except the floors in the sunroom. “We painted these red, because why not?” she says. “I love red, it’s such an energetic colour. This is where the kids hang out, so I thought it would be fun to put a feature colour on the floor.” The same Dulux Red Collar paint punctuates the drawers that store puzzles, records and games.

The coffee table is vintage and the perfect place for a cuppa alone or to gather with friends. “It’s a beautiful spot. It looks straight out over the valley through the trees,” shares Melanie. “It’s where the morning sun comes in, so I’ll often sit and have a cup of tea on the day bed. When the kids have friends over, they all flock here.”

An antique meat safe that was passed down by Melanie’s grandmother functions as a sideboard. It’s topped with a vintage lamp which stands beside a Chase Bliss poster, a favourite band of Stuart’s. The tree artwork is by 13-year-old Penny.

Main bedroom

Framing the couple’s room are Clarke & Clarke ‘Menara’ curtains. The bespoke bedhead by Ivy + Piper features Pierre Frey ‘Ismaelia’ fabric. It’s dressed with a custom lumbar cushion in Malika Ikat fabric from Style Rev, with green European pillows from Adairs. On the wall in Dulux Pastel Mint Half is a print and small oil work by Sarah Elliott, while a Persian runner is warm underfoot.

Powder room

This powder room is painted in a soft lilac shade, Dulux Modesty Half. A Bastow ‘Georgian Gooseneck’ mixer teams with the Gert Voorjans sink skirt.

Study

The home studio has a pep in its step thanks to Schumacher ‘Santa Barbara Ikat’ wallpaper. With their main office in Brisbane, Ivy + Piper’s dynamic design duo, Elizabeth and Melanie, use the studio when the pair meet regional clients or Melanie works from home.

“On the days when we meet country clients, Elizabeth comes up and we work in the studio together.”

Melanie, homeowner

The space is a feast of fabric swatches. Bespoke Austrian blinds in ‘Burford Column’ fabric, a vintage chair and Emac & Lawton pendant team well with vintage photos from a thrift store that Melanie framed. “I love how they contrast with the more feminine palette in my office,” she says.

Interior design: Ivy + Piper, ivyandpiper.com.au.
Building design: Alisco Designs, aliscodesigns.com.au.
Building: Athorn Building, athornbuilding.com.au.
Kitchen joinery: Weston Kitchens, westonkitchens.com.au.

Source Book

The post The vibrant renovation of a 1940s Toowoomba Queenslander appeared first on Home Beautiful.

It was during this time that the property also featured in a 1943 issue of Home Beautiful, with the original images and article capturing a unique time in the home’s — and Australia’s — history.

Sadly, the once-grand home has now been left empty for nearly half a century. Favoured by squatters and daring teenagers, rumours of family disputes, hauntings and even a curse have seen the property make a name for itself both locally and on social media, with TikTok and Youtube accounts such as Abandoned Oz giving fascinated viewers video tours of the derelict estate.

However, Morella’s new era is fast approaching, with the property finally selling for $10 million, according to Domain. While the new owners reportedly have plans for a flash new property, the plans will reportedly respect the original site as well.

Before the property enters its next exciting era, let’s take a look back at its impressive past in Home Beautiful.

Morella mansion in Home Beautiful magazine

When Home Beautiful visited Morella mansion, it was owned by Leo Parer, his wife Helena and their three children. Leo reportedly paid paid £500 for the property in 1936 before enlisting the help of architect Eric Nicolls from Walter Burley Griffins for a redesign three years later.

The 1943 article discusses the lasting impact of late Australian architect Burley Griffin on Australian architecture and the property itself. When describing the home’s interior, Home Beautiful’s Norah Cooper wrote that the front door isn’t connected to a porch or portico, but instead “its only emphasis being a heavy flat stone lintel projecting from the wall immediately above”.

Likewise, she wrote that the property’s flat roof is a distinctly Burley Griffin feature.

The article also focuses on the property’s Greek-style Corinthian columns, with Cooper writing that “an immense circular loggia is built out from the central hall facing the water. Its huge Corinthian pillars support an equally huge open sun deck from from the bedroom above.”

The most interesting part of the article is perhaps not even the home itself, but its fascinating depiction of a period in Australian history.

“Mrs Parker, like lots of other Australian wives and mothers whose homes are on Sydney Harbour, has simply refused to be evacuated,” Cooper writes of the wartime period.

However, the family’s 200-year-old Spanish mahogany dining room set was said to be packed away “safely out of reach of any possible enemy action that may make that portion of Sydney’s soil its target”.

The war also impacted the property itself, with Cooper writing that “the garden will not be finished properly till the war is over”.

Likewise, plans for a ballroom were to be finalised after the war, “in time for the children who will then be grown up”.

We’re excited to see what Morella’s next era looks like.

The post See Sydney’s neglected ‘Morella’ mansion in its glamorous glory days appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Berry, New South Wales, is a regional town that enjoys proximity to both the countryside and the coast. A gateway to other towns but also a destination in its own right, Berry is less than two hours south of Sydney. It’s remote enough to offer a more peaceful life but still close enough to the action. This was one of the defining reasons for Neale Whitaker, an Australian television host and interior design expert, to make the tree change.

Moving from an inner-city terrace in Sydney’s Surry Hills, Neale now happily calls Berry home with his partner David, a former hair and make-up artist. In early 2024 it was announced that Neale was leaving The Block to spend more time with David who was dealing with some health issues. They share the country cottage with their dogs Teddy and Graham, and a much-loved senior horse named Bill, who lives on the property. The animals are as distinguished as their home, blending seamlessly into their romantic setting.

On the inside, this home delves into colour and texture. Each room is thoughtfully layered, with everything perfectly set in its place. Such attention to detail can sometimes feel forced, but the warmth of this interior is friendly and inviting – giving you permission to sit down, relax and even put your feet up. This is a testament to Neale’s experience in design as the former editor of magazines Belle and Vogue Living. Somewhat like a magazine article, this cottage is a series of vignettes that tell you a story as you move from room to room.

Neale and David’s character, history and travels are represented by unexpected moments where tradition meets contemporary, with an eclectic mixture of decor. Confident and unafraid to embrace a ‘more is more’ approach, the home is filled with memories that hint at a playful passion for life. Neale spends much of his time immersed in design and reviewing interiors, so it’s refreshing to see his own personal style flowing throughout the home. His design style is decisive, harmonious and fun – a unique brand of polished elegance with a laid-back undercurrent.

When renovating the home, the original features of the cottage were retained while its compact floorplan was improved. Neale and David started the work by opening up the living and dining area to facilitate better internal flow, and also renovated the kitchen. Over the years, they have added to the renovation with updated bathrooms and cosmetic changes to all three bedrooms and the verandah. Their most recent addition was building a freestanding guesthouse on the property, optimising their land to create a peaceful couple’s retreat. Now they’re able to offer guests a taste of their lifestyle – even if just for the weekend.

Living in the country might seem like a counter-intuitive choice for Neale given his demanding filming schedule and constant travel. However, it’s precisely the busy nature of his career that makes this home the perfect choice: it forces him to slow down and remove himself from distractions to better appreciate the calm.

Neale and David have created their own special safe haven – a place to be unapologetically slower. In doing so, they have proven that you can have both the career and lifestyle you desire. In this case, the pair have prioritised their way of living and made their careers work around it. It does require some sacrifice, but any inconvenience they face living away from the city is far outweighed by the benefit of enjoying a happy and peaceful life together in the country.

“Our home creates our lifestyle. It brings us peace and serenity and allows us to move at a slower pace (mostly, not always!) than we did when we were living in the city.’“

Neale Whitaker

Neale Whitaker home Q&A

How has your life changed since living here?

Life has changed in numerous ways for us in the time we have been here (not least of which were the changes brought about by Covid), but overall life feels more balanced and authentic. My work still requires me to travel regularly, so there is some planning involved in living here but it’s well worth the effort.

What drew you to the location?

We had been visiting this region of the New South Wales south coast regularly for many years before making the decision to move here permanently in 2018. It’s a beautiful area that offers the best of several worlds to us: rural location, proximity to the ocean and it’s less than a two-hour drive from Sydney.

What changes have you made to your home to make it your dream space?

Is there such a thing as a dream space? I’m not sure. But I guess our home would come pretty close. When we first moved in, we renovated the kitchen and opened up the main living/dining area. Over subsequent years we have renovated the bathrooms and made cosmetic changes to the bedrooms and the verandah area. We also built a guesthouse on our property in 2022.

Can you describe the community where you live?

Berry is a close-knit and inclusive community, comprising people who have lived in the region all their lives (or at least for many years), and people like us who have migrated from Sydney. The creation of a new suburb at nearby Huntingdale Park has introduced a younger demographic to the mix. It’s got a nice vibe.

What are some of the challenges of living where you do?

The biggest challenge, for me in particular, is the number of hours I spend weekly on the road between Berry and Sydney. Living in a rural or coastal area can require careful planning but any disadvantages are easily offset by the advantages.

This is an edited extract from Retreat by Lucy Glade-Wright, published by Hardie Grant Books and available to buy from Amazon.

The post Neale Whitaker’s country cottage set on rolling green acres appeared first on Home Beautiful.

It was March 2020, just as the world was coming to an unprecedented standstill, when the couple snapped up their ripe-for-a-makeover home at auction. “It was the last possible auction before the Covid lockdown,” says Aoife, adding with a smile: “We panic-bought the house.” Happily, though, there were no regrets.

The parents of two were excited by the prospect of putting their own stamp on the home while allowing the period details to shine. After living in the home for a year, Aoife and Graham asked interior designer Maryann Schmidt, principal of Hunt & Design, to be at the helm of the renewal, with Maryann’s builder husband, Martin Schmidt of Schmidt Construction, charged with the actual works. Every room was given a facelift.

Gem-like shades of electric blue, combined with intricate pattern and texture, infuse the home with personality. There are the sculptural pendant lights delicately suspended over the entertaining zones. There is the considered application of statement wallpaper. And, of course, the bountiful pops of Lapis Lazuli marble bringing life and energy to a myriad of spaces.

The result is an atmospheric house that continues to delight its owners. “It’s restful and comfortable, but beautiful,” says Graham. “There are little moments that make you smile as you move around the house and take in different things. Most of all, it feels like home.”

Who lives here?

Aoife, an urban planner, and Graham, who works in software development, and their children, Lara, 11, and Elliot, eight, plus Luna the French Bulldog and Cassius the Maine Coon cat.

Did Graham share your commitment to bold colour?
Aoife: “Definitely. I’m very colour-driven and Graham also appreciates how colour can lift a space.”
Is there anything you’d do differently?
“I don’t think so. The spaces are glorious and really work so well for a growing family.”
What’s left on the to-do list?
“We have to fix up the backyard – that’s Graham’s summer hobby. But it’s now a case of letting the house grow with us, so that it feels even more lived-in and comfortable.”

The entryway

Gracious period details – leadlight panels, ornate plasterwork and soaring arches – greet visitors in the entrance.

“I was spoilt for choice in terms of showcasing the beautiful heritage features in the home,” says Maryann.

The living room

Floor-to-ceiling windows with views out to the verdant gardens sit behind a ‘Siena’ fireplace in the conservatory.

This is one of the family’s favourite spaces. “We pulled out the wall between here and the kitchen, added some structural beams, and really opened up this space so it’s more conducive to modern family living,” says Maryann.

A ‘Zermatt’ rug from The Rug Establishment anchors the zone, with a pair of Dimitri Vargas tables on top.

The kitchen

Sultry and sophisticated, the kitchen showcases swathes of inky Grigio Perla marble and Tasmanian oak joinery painted in Dulux Sharp Blue. “Teaming black with the blue here was a change for me, but the way Maryann has done it is just exquisite,” says Aoife.

Casting a golden glow over the island bench, shapely Tom Dixon ‘Melt’ pendants from Living Edge crown the hub of the home.

“The pendants have such a moment in the kitchen because they’re supported by the dark black marble and the blue joinery, giving them the opportunity to shine and take centre stage,” says Maryann. The kitchen stools are from Jardan.

Floating marble shelves provide an opportunity to display favourite collectibles.

The dining room

A duo of ‘Spacey’ pendants in a Supermoon shape by Lasvit sets a gallery-like tone in the formal dining domain, its moody hues reflected in Belinda Street’s ‘Remembering (Blue)’ artwork from Curatorial + Co.

“The lights have a fun planet vibe,” says Maryann, “the perfect anchor for the space.”

Bedrooms

Refined brushstrokes of colour and artistry come to life via the Unique Fabrics Decors & Panoramiques collection ‘All’ombra Dei Cipressi’ wallpaper in the couple’s bedroom.

A suitably serene feel has been cultivated in the couple’s second floor bedroom, demarcated by a vaulted curved ceiling.

Bathrooms

The Lapis Lazuli marble vanity in the ensuite is teamed with ‘Stepp’ circle basins from Nood Co and ‘Spin’ mirrors from Artedomus.

“We tried to weave blue throughout the home in slightly different ways.”

Maryann, Hunt & Design

In the couple’s ensuite, tactile Italian terrazzo tiles from Surface Gallery line the floor and shower seat, with Royal Blue zellige Moroccan tiles from Tiles of Ezra encasing the walls.

In the main bathroom, Lapis Lazuli marble sits beneath a Stepp circle basin by Nood Co.

A Kaldewei bath in the main bathroom is surrounded by Italian terrazzo tiles from Surface Gallery.

The stairs

“Graham had a wonderful idea to put Lapis Lazuli marble insets in the floor at the bottom of the stairs as a threshold between the old and new parts of the house,” says Maryann.

Interior design: Hunt & Design, (02) 8919 3999, huntanddesign.com.au
Build: Schmidt Construction, 0410 512 025, schmidtconstruction.com.au

SOURCE BOOK

The post Bold shades of blue take this Sydney Queen Anne heritage home into a new era appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Fortunately a Brisbane family was up to the task of renovating the home, seeing through the dilapidated finishes and poor layout to the home’s original quality.

Who lives here? Amanda, a childcare centre director; her husband Jeff, an electrician; their children Hudson, four, Charlie, 13 months, and Poppy, four months; and dogs Lulu and Lenny.

Location: Inner southern suburbs of Brisbane.

Original property: A four-bedroom 1916 Queenslander, with modern additions.

Renovation time frame: Eighteen months, on and off.

Why this house? Amanda grew up next door, where her parents still live, and, as a child, was intrigued by the house, which had been given numerous “makeovers” in the 1950s and ’60s. 

“When the property came up for sale, we were nervous about the size of the project, but when it didn’t sell at auction, we made an offer and it was accepted,” she says.

“We knew it would be a big job, especially with a baby and both working full-time, but we were excited by the challenge.”

The works: The internal layout was reconfigured to allow for an enlarged kitchen, new bathroom and new main bedroom. The exteriors were totally overhauled, with timber stairs reinstated at the front and a deck added at the back.

The result: “Removing several internal walls has created a much more open-plan feel, with an abundance of natural light throughout,” says Amanda. “Stripping away dated finishes and restoring original features has also given back the home its architectural integrity.”

Favourite aspect of the redesign? “The kitchen – because we chose every element from the drawer handles to the light fittings,” Amanda says. “It’s a favourite place for the family to congregate.”

Major changes included restumping the house, removing exterior bricks from the lower section and replacing them with timber battens in keeping with the home’s era.

The front deck was stripped back, tiles were removed and damaged timber and joists replaced. New timber cladding, balustrades and French doors, along with a set of external butterfly stairs, were added to give the exterior a beautiful new look.

Inside, several internal walls were taken out to create a much more open-plan feel, with the original carpets and sheeting stripped off to reveal beautiful timber floors and vertical joinery.

The layout was reconfigured to allow for a grand, Hamptons style kitchen.

Central to the new layout is a striking kitchen island bench topped with marble found on Gumtree, with beautiful cabinetry and industrial-style pendants.

French doors lead out to the new back deck, transforming the former casual eating area into a light, white dining room.

Philippe Starck for Kartell ‘Louis Ghost’ chairs surround a one-off dining table found at Verandah House, with a vintage sideboard from The Old Boathouse and chandelier from Beacon Lighting create a fascinating mix of old and new.

Removing the internal wall between the living and dining room has given a much more functional layout. 

A ‘Stockholm’ rug from Ikea almost stretches the width of the room and anchors a classic ‘Arianne’ Chesterfield from Early Settler and a pair of wingback chairs found at Botticelli House, while a black timber ‘Riviera’ cabinet from Town & Country Style houses collected treasures.

This serene retreat is a far cry from the original decor. The bedroom is furnished with French provincial-style pieces, including an upholstered bed, found on Ebay and dressed in a ‘Nyponros’ quilt cover from Ikea. 

It is layered in soft grey, blue and taupe tones that co-ordinate beautifully with the bedside lampshades and the walls, painted in Taubmans ‘Cliff Face’. 

A ‘Lorne’ button-back armchair in Natural Linen, from Early Settler and curtains in ‘Waterfall Ruffle’ in Ivory from Urban Outfitters, along with a striking chandelier (try ‘French Provincial’ iron chandelier from Design Chandelier) add the finishing touches.

The nursery features an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, curios and books that complement a timeless palette of grey and white. 

Sheer ruffle curtains not only modulate the natural light, but also add a lovely textural element.

With the existing wash zone demolished in order to extend the kitchen, the original sunroom was divided up and reconfigured to create a new, generously sized bathroom.

A clawfoot bath acts as a central focal point, while timber floors and vintage-style pieces, such as the Early Settler tapware and vanity add warmth. 

The post Before and after: A classic Queenslander transformed appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Undeterred, they bought the property, all the while questioning whether to raze it or renovate. Their answer came from interior designer Karemeh Malek of Calla + Lily Design, who was confident they could gut the interior and work within the structurally sound, well-proportioned footprint to build Fadia’s vision, which was clear from the outset. “I love transitional style and I wanted to bring that California bungalow look inside,” she says.

The renovation journey

Who? Fadia, Charles, and their kids Victoria, 12; George, 10; and Nicholas, eight.
Where? A picturesque suburb in Western Sydney.
Original property? A 1960s to 1970s brick bungalow that hadn’t been touched since.
Time frame? The six-month design phase began in 2019; construction started in 2020 and finished a year later.
Why the reno? The size, site, bungalow style and single storey (with an attic) were perfect for family life, but the floor plan was dysfunctional and the interiors drab.
Must-haves: Four bedrooms, a generous entertaining area and a transitional aesthetic.
The works: Kept structural elements but gutted the rest.
Favourite aspect? “We love to entertain in the open-plan area and have friends and family over,” says Fadia.

Entry

Aesthetically, Fadia’s brief was for a traditional home with a trendy twist. “We added classic details like the wainscoting from Intrim and the tiles,” says Karemeh. “Then we introduced some contemporary elements with the brass tapware, which is quite modern, the mirrors, furniture and the neutral colour palette with that beautiful beige-grey cabinetry.”

Living area

Functionally, the family needed four bedrooms so their three children could have their own rooms. A decent-sized entertaining space was also a must, plus an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area to readily welcome their nearest and dearest.

Kitchen

“In my old home, the kitchen was so small that it put me off cooking. We love having family and friends over, so needed a big kitchen with lots of space,” says Fadia. “My husband and I wanted beautiful joinery too, so we allocated the majority of the internal fit out budget to that trade.”

To amp up benchtop and storage space, Karemeh designed a long run of cabinets skirting the kitchen. A butler’s pantry and laundry hidden behind tall joinery delivers extra practicality, and the island turns cooking into a social affair.

Overhead, twin ‘Manor Barn Glass’ pendants from Beacon Lighting offer functional flair above an Orient House vessel. “We tried to choose fittings that looked high-end but without the price tag and we wanted to be reasonable with our choices in terms of lighting, so bought some pieces from Beacon Lighting and they look beautiful,” says Karemeh.

Anchoring the scheme are engineered timber floorboards in Noble Grey from Ideas Flooring. “I love dark floorboards, they’re really practical with kids,” says Fadia.

“They’re a young family and love entertaining, so the kitchen is the heart of the home.”

Karemeh Malek, interior designer

Main bathroom

A key pearl of wisdom came from Karemeh. “She told me, ‘You can always get carried away with what you’d like in your home, so think about where you want the wow moments and focus on them’,” shares Fadia. “Ribbed glass in the wet rooms was a non-negotiable.”

She compromised by using Shaker-style joinery only in ‘public’ areas – such as the kitchen, main bathroom and powder room – while opting for cost-effective flat-profile joinery elsewhere. “You can always pare it back in the less visible areas, which is what we did in the kids’ bedrooms,” she says.

Lessons learnt

To make budget-savvy decisions and ensure child-friendly interiors, Fadia recommends questioning whether pretty inclusions are practical, too. “Yes, you can splurge, but is it practical?” she asks. “‘Practical’ is my husband’s favourite word.”

Fadia and Charles also booked materials and trades well in advance to secure prices and lock in the pros they knew they’d eventually need – a tactic that helped buffer against price rises and labour shortages. So, were they able to stick to their original budget? “Oh, you never stick to the original!” says Fadia with a laugh. “But we did well.”

Interior design: Calla + Lily Design, 0403 353 637, @callalily_design_studio.
Joinery: Exquisite Kitchens, (02) 9755 4342, exquisitekitchens.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post How classic details brought new life to an old Californian bungalow appeared first on Home Beautiful.

After 20 years of living nearby in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Krissy, one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Sydney, saw this house come up for sale and felt it would be perfect for her family. While not quite her style, she fell in love with the home’s welcoming feel. “It’s very important to me that a house has got a good feel,” she says. “As soon as I walked into this house, I knew it had always been a happy home.”

Previous

Tour Chyka Keebaugh’s magnificently maximalist penthouse apartment

The cleaning secrets of Real Housewife Krissy Marsh

Take a peek inside the real homes of The Real Housewives of Sydney

Next

Who lives here?

Krissy Marsh, reality TV star, and her husband Johnny, a property funds manager; with their children, Billy, 20, Nicco, 18, and Milana, 16; plus their four dogs: Elvis, a five-year-old Ridgeback; two poodles, Bronte and Bondi; and a rescue dog, Frank.
Favourite spot to sit? Krissy: “I love that lounge room because everyone loves to sit in there and watch the TV, which comes down from the ceiling.”
What’s your top tip? “I don’t want to be precious about my soft furnishings so I choose outdoor fabrics even for indoor purposes. This means the fabrics are more resilient to dirt and even mould.”

After living in a more modern house, Krissy says she had to adjust her thinking because of the age of the home, which was built around 1920. “I’m not a perfectionist by any means, but I like things to work, and I like things to be fixed,” she says. “I’ve had to relax a little bit on that because with an old home, nothing’s ever perfect.

Entry

The family had spent a few years living overseas in Shanghai and Singapore before returning home to Sydney in 2017. Krissy says she was happy in her old house, but when this came on the market, she couldn’t resist the opportunity.

Like many renovators, she didn’t plan to do much to the home before moving in. “I said to my husband, ‘we’ll just give it a lick of paint and fix up the bathrooms a little,’” says Krissy. “Anyway, a lick of paint turned into him rewiring the entire house, putting in every audio-visual fandangled thing you can imagine, including a screen in the living room that drops from the ceiling, and a big sports TV. Every bathroom was redone, so we ended up doing a lot more.”

In the entrance, black and white tiles (Nero Marquina marble and Carrara marble from Teranova Tiles) were added by Krissy when they moved in, with the advice of Nellie Tilley, who also sourced the round table from Lydie du Bray Antiques as the hero piece.

The stairs are carpeted in Tuscan Celestine sisal from International Floorcoverings Australia, which is able to stand up to the demands of a busy household. “Georgia had picked all this amazing and fabulous leopard-skin carpet and I’m just like, ‘Guys, I’ve got four dogs. It’s not going to work’. So I said, what’s going to really work and be really hard-wearing? And she said sisal. Done.” Visit International Floorcoverings Australia.

We love… hardy interiors

Living room

Krissy renovated the house with the help of her friends, interior designer Nellie Tilley, who did the selection and design of bathrooms, tiling, feature lighting and curtains, and Georgia Boyd from The Classic Outfitter, who helped source furniture and soft furnishings.

The sofas in the living room are practical, despite being in white fabric as it’s outdoor fabric that can be changed.

Kitchen

Krissy loves cooking (she even released a cookbook in 2023, with proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House), so a well-appointed kitchen was a must. They didn’t make many changes to the space, except for replacing the stove and giving the cupboards a fresh coat of Dulux Natural White. A small table provides casual eating and the dining chairs have washable covers.

“We love entertaining, and we love people coming into the house and feeling relaxed.”

Krissy

Main bedroom

The generously sized main bedroom includes two walk-in robes and overlooks the front garden. Most of the furniture was sourced by The Classic Outfitter, including the bedhead, in Warwick ‘Haven’ linen in Navy, Theodore Alexander ‘Eli’ oval bedside tables and ‘Monte Carlo’ mirror from Xavier Furniture.

“We love the combination of classic architecture with modern art and furniture, making it both lived-in and beautiful.”

Krissy

Main ensuite

The adjoining ensuite features a custom vanity with a Carrara natural stone top and subway tiles from Teranova.

Powder room

“Believe it or not, the powder room is my favourite room in the house,” says Krissy, adding that she loves the wallpaper they chose. “Because it was such an awkward shape and it had bits coming down in the roof, we wallpapered everything. So you just think it’s a part of the character now.”

Anna French ‘Willow Tree’ wallpaper in Navy combines with a custom Carrara marble bowl from Candana, an antique mirror from Maison et Jardin and a sconce by Visual Comfort.

Outdoor area

The home opens out to a garden full of traditional plantings, including topiary and entertaining areas. “It’s just really lush up in that garden area.” The pool was already there, but Krissy and Johnny added a small little sauna that looks out into the garden.

So, now the home is complete, Krissy says that it’s important the home welcomes everyone, especially her kids and their friends. “No matter what time the kids get home at night, and no matter how many friends they bring, they always know that there will be a meal in the fridge,” says Krissy. And that’s what I love about our home. A home is the people that live in it, who are the heart and the essence of it.”

Interior design: Nellie Tilley Interiors, 0404 030 222, nellietilleyinteriors.com.
Furniture and soft furnishings sourcing: The Classic Outfitter, (02) 9958 4500, theclassicoutfitter.com.

‘The Real Krissy Marsh Cookbook’ is available from therealkrissymarsh.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post Step inside RHOS star Krissy Marsh’s elegantly updated 1920s home appeared first on Home Beautiful.

While brimming with history, it appeared somewhat clinical after a contemporary face lift had stripped the home of much of its personality. But to one of the new owners, who has a background in furniture and homewares retail, a beguiling makeover beckoned, just as it did for the interior designer she engaged, Cameron Kimber.

For both parties, it was a case of looking to the past while embracing the present. With their shared love of antiques, the pair knew exactly where to begin when it came to the home’s dramatic reimagining. “We both love the more traditional and classic styling,” says the homeowner.

Who lives here?

A couple who love antiques and recently downsized from a larger home.
What appeals to you about antiques? Homeowner: “The sense of history – the age and patina. I’m always on the lookout, and love looking through antique centres and shops. You can certainly mix antique pieces with contemporary ones, and comfort has to be a major factor, too.”
What was your biggest splurge? “The steel-framed doors. But they really open up the house to the outside.”
What’s your decorating style? “I love different textures and materials, as well as pops of colour. I’m definitely not afraid of a bit of colour.”
Which colours do you prefer? “It changes. In this house, it’s the very calming greens and blues, but in other homes it might be different colours.”

The original structure was largely unchanged and features a study, sitting room, casual living, dining and a galley-style kitchen on ground level, with bedrooms above. However, the major cosmetic makeover that unfolded over nine months unlocked the home’s true potential. “We installed beautiful oak parquet flooring that instantly gave the house a lovely warmth, added new steel-framed glass doors out to the rear courtyard, and completely redid the kitchen, as well as introducing new cabinetry, carpet and wallpaper throughout the house,” says the owner.

Living room

Then it was time to dress the spaces with statement pieces, many of which, of course, were antiques, as well as a curated collection of artworks and richly layered soft furnishings.

“We asked Cameron to come back to us with his ideas – and we loved all of them,” says the homeowner. “I trusted him implicitly as I’d seen a lot of his work and just adored it. Cameron brought in a beautiful palette of colours and styles for the house in a very classic, almost English country style.”

“It is light, cosy and beautifully textured, but also very liveable,” says the homeowner of the living room. The sofa is upholstered in Pierre Frey ‘Croise Collobrières’ in Crème from Milgate, with a Samuel & Sons rope fringe. Opposite, the armchair is covered in George Spencer Designs fabric.

Kitchen

With its Calacatta Mezza Machia marble benchtops and Shaker cabinetry in timeless Dulux Beige Royal, the kitchen is a serene spot. “I love the depth of the veining in the marble we selected, and also the glass display cabinets that really open up the kitchen,” says the homeowner.

Dining area

Lit by a Visual Comfort & Co ‘Allen’ chandelier, the artwork by an unknown artist above the oak table adds drama to the dining space. And the dining chairs? “Cameron found them at Lydie du Bray Antiques and we had them reupholstered and restudded. They turned out like works of art – and they’re comfortable, too,” says the homeowner.

Contemporary aspects of the interior act as a backdrop for the couple’s antiques – both new finds and old treasures – which Cameron dotted throughout the home and balanced with more modern pieces. When it comes to selecting vintage furnishings, he offers this advice: “Choose antique pieces that aren’t too fussy, and that have all the best hallmarks of the era”. For a wide range of antiques, visit The Vault Sydney.

We love… a mix of eras

Main bedroom

According to the designer, the couple’s faith was pivotal to the project’s success. “The owner’s absolute trust in me led to this result – she understood the importance of choosing the right pieces. We needed to add colour and soften the style of the house,” he says.

While Cameron selected a timeless collection of freestanding furniture, several of the couple’s existing pieces also received prominent status. “The antique oak armoire in the front sitting room was given to me by my parents many years ago, and I absolutely treasure it,” she says.

“Then there are the bedside lamps, which originally belonged to my grandmother and have so much sentimental value to me. I just love that connection and could never part with any of these pieces.”

Farrow & Ball wallpaper in the main bedroom, is evocative against the bedhead in Colefax and Fowler’s ‘Fuchsia’ fabric in Silver/Leaf.

Guest bedroom

A custom Porter’s Paints navy adorns the self-contained studio bedroom, while International Floorcoverings ‘Trellis Argento’ carpet ups the texture.

Powder room and bathroom

“I absolutely loved this wallpaper the first time Cameron showed it to me,” says the homeowner of ‘The Vase’ print by Clarence House. “I just had to have it! The powder room is the perfect room in the house to show personality.”

In the bathroom, ginger jars and pots indulge one of the homeowner’s loves.

Courtyard

Steel-framed doors from Steel Door give the living room leafy views of the travertine-paved courtyard. “This courtyard is a small space, but it’s sun-drenched and surrounded by greenery – the perfect spot for a morning coffee!”

Interior designer: Cameron Kimber Design, cameronkimber.com.

SOURCE BOOK

The post An 1800s sandstone cottage beautifully revived in heritage style appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The pair started making cosmetic updates to the modest two-bedroom house almost immediately after purchasing the property. “First, we restored and painted all the dark wooden trims white to lighten the whole place up,” says Catherine, mum to three grown-up sons. “We also replaced the horrid aluminium windows with timber and stained glass windows to replicate the rest of the house.”

Who lives here?

Catherine, an operations coordinator, her husband Simon, who runs a marketing consultancy, and Elsa the Groodle.
Secret to renovation success? Catherine: “Communication is key. We were grateful for regular updates and meetings [with Sunday Homes] to make decisions and changes.”
What’s your favourite space? “Simon loves the balcony because it’s like another room, and the district view gives a real sense of space. I love the open-plan living/kitchen/dining area for its beautiful style.”
Your biggest splurge? “The chandelier over the kitchen island. I saw it on an Instagram account I follow and tracked it down. It’s so glamorous and a little bit unexpected.”

Meanwhile, designer Amy Thackeray and her builder husband Paul, both of Sunday Homes, replaced the kitchen and dining room at the rear with a double-storey extension. “We knew we didn’t want a modern box on the back but something that would stand the test of time,” says Catherine.

The renovated section now has an open-plan zone housing the living area, dining space and kitchen, with a butler’s pantry and powder room upstairs, and a new main bedroom and ensuite downstairs. A standout feature in the open-plan area is the soaring raked ceiling. “We had envisaged having that ‘wow’ factor for the living area, which the vaulted ceiling delivers,” explains Catherine.

Living area

“We made a conscious decision early on not to have a TV in this room,” explains Catherine. “It’s great for conversation to have the sofas facing each other, and when the kids come over we play board games.” A pair of Freedom ‘Addison’ sofas with custom slipcovers and a ‘Stradbroke Bobbin’ coffee table from Abide Interiors sit atop a sisal rug in Oyster from Natural Floorcovering Centres, which helps to anchor the space.

“The raked ceilings create a sense of grandeur,” says Amy. “When you enter the new extension from the bungalow at the front, you really experience the ‘wow’ factor.” V-groove panelling lining the ceiling creates a traditional look and feel, while also helping to connect the new extension with the original part of the home.

We love… high ceilings

Also included in the extension was a large balcony, which connects to the open-plan area through bi-fold doors. “Friends and family gravitate towards the balcony when they come to the house; it’s a very sociable space,” says Catherine. “It’s west-facing, so it gets a lot of sun in the afternoon and we have the most spectacular sunsets in the evening – something we weren’t able to appreciate until the extension was finished.”

Kitchen and dining

Amy followed Catherine’s brief to deliver a timeless look by combining light walls with warm timber pieces and rustic textures. Subtle hints of old-world glamour add personality. The result is a relaxed style that is ambient and welcoming. “It makes us smile and feel calm,” says Catherine. “We love everything.”

The kitchen, with its impressive Falcon ‘Professional+ FXP’ cooker and deep island bench, is an entertainer’s dream. The spectacular light fitting above the island is the ‘Montreal’ long chandelier from Emac & Lawton, while a pair of stools from Modanest sit below. Brick-laid subway tiles from Ammonite Living and a Perrin & Rowe ‘Ionian’ mixer from The English Tapware Company add traditional touches.

“The sense of space is spectacular. It is a bit of a luxury to have such high ceilings, which you can only have if you are not building above.”

Catherine

A monochrome ‘Black Cockatoo’ canvas print by Paul Looyen, from Life Interiors, draws the eye to the dining zone, with its Camargue custom French oak table and Provincial Home Living dining chairs.

Powder room

A quiet moment can be taken to freshen up in the powder room, which features an Astra Walker ‘Rona’ pedestal sink and Brodware ‘Neu England’ tapware.

Main bedroom

The new extension includes an ensuite and main bedroom, both located downstairs at the back of the house. “I love the fact that the bedroom is quiet. It also opens onto the garden via French doors, which is lovely,” says Catherine. Dulux Casper White Quarter adds a warm note to the walls. The ‘Robe’ bedhead in Natural and ‘Montrose’ bedside table are both from Provincial Home Living.

Ensuite

A calming symmetry is achieved in the ensuite with side-by-side ‘Rotterdam’ metal mirrors from The Framing Project.

“I think the calm colour palette is timeless – I am not really into what is ‘fashionable’.”

Catherine

Bathroom

Drawing on the homeowners’ heritage, Amy chose hexagonal mosaics from Ammonite Living for this charming black and white bathroom.

“Catherine and Simon are English, and the tiles in this bathroom are a nod to the traditional English-style homes they grew up with,” she says.

Laundry

Storage abounds in this hardworking laundry, where cabinetry by Luxe Joinery painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter conceals a built-in hamper and pull-out ironing board. “I also think a hanging rail is a laundry essential,” says Catherine.

Interior Design/build: Sunday Homes, sundayhomes.com.au.
Joinery: Luxe Joinery, @luxejoinery.
Bi-fold doors: Shamrock Joinery, (02) 7251 9079, shamrockjoinery.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

---

More home tours

Previous

A serene Hamptons-inspired dream home on Sydney’s northern beaches

The calming makeover of a 1920s Melbourne bungalow

A seachange creates a Hamptons dream home from a tired weatherboard cottage

Next

The post A 1920s Californian bungalow revived in classic Hamptons style appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“It’s maximalist, biographical, classic and, most importantly, comfortable,” says Lloyd, who’s known for the bright, individualised homes he creates as principal of Oliver Mark Interiors. “This is our first home and, incredibly, it was the first home we inspected when we began searching. We instantly fell in love with the charm of the period detailing and unique character that can’t be replicated in newer constructions.”

Who lives here?

Interior designer Lloyd Hodgkinson, his husband David, who owns a salon, the couple’s 20-year-old Cockatiel Muffy, and chickens Gilma, Vernal, Joyce and Elva.
Best decision you made? Lloyd: “Renovating our kitchen. It not only significantly improved the aesthetic appeal but also the functionality and overall comfort. It has become another room we now dine and entertain in.”
Biggest renovating splurge? “Most definitely the kitchen and bathroom! We both had a very hard time compromising, so the investment was significant. But we don’t regret any of it. Each space brings us so much joy.”
What’s next on the agenda? “The laundry and some light landscaping at the front of the property.”

The home’s bones were solid, but the kitchen and bathroom needed an update, as did the beige-on-beige interior. Although eager to add their own stamp, the couple took a gradual approach over nine years as their time and budget permitted.

“When we first moved in, the only furniture we owned were two terribly uncomfortable suede sofas, a bed, bookcase and a $30 plastic folding table from Bunnings, which sat in our dining room for six years until we could afford the antique table that we truly desired,” recalls Lloyd.

Living room

One of the first steps was painting the interior white to create a fresh canvas, which helped Lloyd and David assess each space and consider how they wanted to live and feel within them.

Injecting personal style was also paramount for the avid collectors. Every window presented an opportunity for drapes, with lampshades, bedheads, chairs and cushions also avenues for textures and prints.

It took about 15 sample pots before the couple spotted Dulux Sunbound – the perfect golden hue for the living area. “Yellow can be a divisive colour, but I’ve found it’s a very easy colour to live with,” shares Lloyd. “It is like a neutral in the sense that you can add almost any accent colour.” Doing just that, the space is boldly furnished with a custom fringed sofa by Wills Bisgrove in ‘Sahara’ Racing Green from Kirkby Design.

Kitchen

On the cusp of their kitchen renovation, a pivotal moment was visiting Anna Spiro’s Melbourne home, which Lloyd says solidified his “design DNA”. “Anna’s kitchen is painted pale yellow, with an incredible bright purple island bench and orange internals. As soon as we saw it, we knew committing to bold colours was what we wanted to do.”

Inspired to create a home that sparked joy, a vibrant fitout followed, with a glorious green kitchen, sunny living area, moody bedrooms, a blue-infused office and a bathroom in soft pink.

“Beyond the physical comfort, it really encompasses a sense of emotional wellbeing and contentment that comes from surrounding yourself with elements like textures, lighting, patterns, books and flowers,” says Lloyd.

Dining room

A Hudson Furniture hutch painted in Dulux Bengal Blue is a stately feature in the dining space. It is joined by an antique English oak sideboard, which sits below a decoupage artwork with majolica plates grouped on either side.

“Entertaining friends and family is a great passion of ours. David cooks and I set the table.”

Lloyd

One of the couple’s favourite settings is their Il Viaggio di Nettuno tableware and Serenk napery from Peter’s of Kensington.

Guest bedroom

Far from an afterthought, visitors are treated to their own cosy room clad with VJ-panelled walls in Porter’s Paints Braidwood. A bedhead upholstered in Braquenié ‘Le Grand Corail’ in Rouge Fond Crème offers an explosion of pattern.

From bold geometric shapes to quirky motifs, stripes and florals, the abundance of pattern adds interest and depth. “For us, spaces that are vibrant and expressive – filled with the richness of colour, texture and pattern – bring a sense of joy, comfort and inspiration,” says Lloyd. “While some people may not take such a heavy-handed approach, we’re maximalists so the more layers, the merrier.” For a range of fabric, visit Elliott Clarke.

We love… pattern play

Main bedroom

Walls in Dulux Ceylon Tea cocoon the couple’s retreat. The feast of fabrics includes a throw from Slowdown Studio, a bedhead in Jim Thompson ‘Garden Party’ in Orangerie, and a Roman blind in Rubelli ‘Quatrefoil’ in Lavender.

“Most artworks are antique engravings that we have collected over the years. We commissioned the large nude artwork above the bed by Brisbane artist Sheryl Whimp,” shares Lloyd.

Bathroom

The home’s original bathroom was “beige-on-beige and depressing,” recalls Lloyd, who transformed the space. “Rather than a glass shower screen, we felt a cotton embroidered shower curtain was beautifully soft and chic,” he says of the addition from Annie Selke.

Calacatta Oro subways line the walls, with Syvota marble floor mosaics and a border of Indian green marble, all from Urban Tile Company.

The bathroom vanity is topped with Calacatta Viola marble from SNB Stone, with Brodware tapware in Brushed Nordic Brass adding to the luxurious ambience.

Study

Each room has its own personality and in the office, walls in Dulux Black Drop create a calming canvas. “It’s a jacaranda blue,” says Lloyd.

“I feel truly connected to our home and what we’ve created, and for the time being it’s more than enough,” adds Lloyd.

Interior design: Oliver Mark Interiors, olivermark.au.

SOURCE BOOK

---

More home tours

Previous

A splash of colour breathes new life into this charming historic home

A light, bright contemporary new build in Brisbane

A father and daughter join forces to create a colourful dream home

Next

The post A beautifully renewed 1930s Queenslander full of personality appeared first on Home Beautiful.

After a short time on the market, this Coogee, NSW, home was sold in May 2024.

We can’t wait to see where Chloe and her family are off to next.

News Flash

Who lives here?

Chloe Brookman, co-founder and director of toy and homewares brand Olli Ella, her husband Charlie Wheeler, and their children Tennyson, 15, Arlo, 12, Nell, eight, August, five, and Quentin, three. They have a Chihuahua mix, Tito, and Poodle mix, Digby. The final feline resident is a Devon Rex named Humbert von Twinkle.
Which rooms get the most use? Chloe: “Well, we have five kids and snacks are key, so wherever the snacks are. The kitchen is always a hot spot for us!”
Biggest renovating lesson? “Things always take longer than you think they’re going to. Adding 30 per cent on, time-wise, in addition to 30 per cent on budget, is a good way to stay sane.”

The mum of five has a track record of throwing herself into projects others see as challenging. Buying and renovating this Eastern Suburbs home in Sydney is top of the list. “Truthfully, no-one was interested in this house,” says Chloe. “It was a tricky property. The landscaping was tiered and the house was configured as a duplex with two separate homes, one on top of the other. It was painted this bright teal colour and didn’t appeal to many people.”

But the location, just a short walk to the beach, and the integrity of the early-1900s building won them over. “You could see that it had undergone a few renovations but some of the original details were preserved,” says Chloe. Ornate ceilings and bewitching Art Deco details shone through, which they embraced when converting it into their family home.

Over a speedy four months in 2023, the front door was moved, a new internal staircase was created, six bedrooms became five, plus a playroom with plenty of toy storage, and the floor plan got a shake up. The couple had already sold their previous place in the same suburb, so where does a family of seven go while their new home is taking shape? To Tassie, of course! “We travelled through Tasmania during the demo and structural phase,” explains Chloe. The rest was spent in an Airbnb.

Having grown her toy and homewares business into a global brand with offices in Australia, London, Amsterdam and Los Angeles since she began it with sister Olivia in 2010, Chloe is adept at managing things from any locale. The savvy entrepreneur and her husband, Charlie, enlisted the help of Live in Design for architectural plans and Build Strong for the construction.

Then, Chloe took the reins with the cosmetic elements. “I really wanted it to feel like a grown-up doll’s house,” she shares. With the dusty pink and pale green combo, mixed with whimsical wallpapers, leadlight windows and daintily placed furniture, she has achieved exactly that. “What I love is that it feels like it’s always been this way. It doesn’t feel like someone has come and renovated it. It feels like a house you discovered that is 200 years old.”

Entry

A beautiful new set of stairs creates a grand entrance foyer. “The challenge was making the staircase work in the space. We had only 1.8 metres side-to-side,” says Chloe. “Luckily, it looks incredible. It’s one of my favourite parts of the house.” The custom green shade by Dulux is used liberally throughout the home. A sisal stair runner from International Floorcoverings Australia adds a natural element. Custom Rojo Alicante marble floor tiles from Teranova echo the wave on the Olli Ella pendant and vintage Maitland-Smith wall light.

Living room

“We found an awesome Art Deco fireplace, roadside, which we restored and put in,” says Chloe. “That set the tone for the rest of the house.” The mantelpiece is Dulux Pale Sage with arches on either side. This was the perfect spot for the family’s beloved piano, which all of the kids play. A vintage armchair, reupholstered in pink fabric, sits in the other arch below an artwork by Leo Reis. The gold-hued sofa was a second-hand find, with a vintage ceramic elephant next to it and Jonathan Edwards artwork above.

“What I loved about the house is that it retained some original features from when it was built in the early 1900s.”

Chloe

A pendant from The Vault Sydney lights an Olli Ella coffee table on the chequerboard floor. “The original pine floors were in really poor condition,” says Chloe. “The options were to cover them with new timber or try to make them work. We did some patch-and-repair, then put this pattern across them using a stencil and different stains.”

We love… feature arches

It may look like these arches have always been here, but it’s not the case. “We had to build out the wall to house the fireplace, so that left two hollow sides on either side,” explains Chloe. Rather than live with blank spaces, the couple dreamed up these divine details. “We created some nice arches to tie in with the windows that sit across from them,” says Chloe of the gentle curves, painted in Dulux Buff It.

Kitchen

“We designed the kitchen to feel quite European. Everything’s centred around the Falcon oven,” says Chloe. She kept the rest of the space quite simple, from the marble benchtop to the brass knobs and handles from Hepburn Hardware. Instead of a splashback, the custom green shade sprawls across the walls and rangehood. “It’s [Dulux] Wash&Wear paint, so it’s very easy to wipe off.”

Stairwell

Rather than introduce other colours and materials, Chloe wanted to go all in on the one hue as to not detract from the ornate elements. Swathes of green allow the leadlight window to really shine.

Hallway

Sisal carpet from International Floorcoverings Australia adds warmth upstairs, underscoring a vintage oak sideboard and Italian lights. The papier-mâché sun piece brightens the space, along with art by Chloe’s son Arlo and her sister Olivia. On the left wall is a work by Jordy Sosnowski. Rumpus In the kids’ play space, a painted 1980s oak cabinet runs along the wall, with eye-catching vintage lights on the far wall. Bonnie and Neil bolsters sit on the second-hand sofa, which is reupholstered in sheepskin. The vintage coffee table is made from a single hardwood tree trunk.

“If you’re adding a lot of detail, you sometimes need to pare back other things.”

Chloe

Main bedroom

The couple’s place to relax and reset is the main bedroom. Painted in Dulux Beige Royal, the new wainscoting and niche with the vintage wall light are details that are entirely fitting with many of the home’s original ornate elements. The minimalist custom bedhead is upholstered in Warwick fabric, with bed linen from Cultiver. A vintage side table completes the soothing space.

“If you look through the house, there’s a complexity but a simplicity in the design.”

Chloe

Tennyson’s bedroom

The eldest child, teenager Tennyson’s bedroom is painted a custom blue with a scalloped Ottoline wallpaper border and vintage artwork.

August and Quentin’s bedroom

This dreamy bedroom belongs to the two youngest boys. The beautiful second-hand leadlight windows have Dulux Pale Sage around them and are dressed with relaxed Mokum linen Roman blinds. A vintage side table sits between well-loved Ercol chairs (“We’ve had them forever!”), with beds designed by Chloe. The mushroom basket and Dinky Dinkums dolls are from Olli Ella.

Nell’s bedroom

The only girl in the family, Nell’s bedroom is a true delight. Wainscoting is a wonderful detail put in during the renovation, with a floral wallpaper from Milton & King. Nell’s “mix of potions” is mounted on the wall next to a vintage cane desk and boudoir chair.

Laundry

The sweet laundry displays an array of Olli Ella baskets on French oak shelves. A playful and cheerful sink skirt brightens up the utilitarian space.

Bathroom

“Most people use this one during the day,” says Chloe of the ground-floor bathroom. The custom Rosso Verona tiles from Aeria Country Floors join red scalloped Ottoline wallpaper on the door frame. Vintage cupboards were repurposed as a linen press and the European bobbin stool has been in the family for many years.

Kids’ bathroom

Pink and white Teranova tiles were laid to form candy stripes in the upstairs bathroom, the go-to space when the kids are getting ready for bed. A local curtain maker crafted the sink skirt using dead stock to dress up the Art Deco basin. Shower hardware from CB Ideal Tapware ties in with the existing pendant and vintage sconces.

Ensuite

The couple’s ensuite features Teranova floor mosaics, with Gather Co tiles around the base of the wall. A Turner Hastings basin teams well with the Rachel Donath ‘Arte’ mirror in Gold and vintage pendant and sconces. The wall was cut to fit the window from Egypt, which almost gives the effect of being in a ship looking out to sea.

Architect: Live in Design, liveindesign.com.au.
Builder: Build Strong Constructions, buildstrongconstructions.com.au.

Olli Ella online shop: au.olliella.com

Source Book

More Art Deco homes

Previous

The founder of Heatherly Design owns this seriously stylish bolthole

From a cramped city apartment to an art deco Federation dream house

The playful Art Deco makeover of a red-brick cottage in Canberra

Next

The post A quaint and whimsical renovation by Olli Ella co-founder Chloe Brookman appeared first on Home Beautiful.

But while its location near the inner city was ideal, the two-bedroom floor plan was not. It required major changes to transform it into a family home robust enough for the couple and their sons Alejo, Tomas and Guido. “We needed more space for our teenage children, who love to have friends over, and for Sergio and me, who work from home a few days a week,” says Lorena.

The clever solution, devised by Baastudio Architecture and executed by Saunders Building Company, was to raise the house 9.5 metres and build an entire new level below it. The lower floor now features a spacious home office, gorgeous kitchen, and living and dining areas that flow onto a generous alfresco area and pool. Upstairs, the home’s original layout has been reconfigured and extended to accommodate a tranquil main bedroom and ensuite at the rear of the house.

Who lives here?

Lorena and Sergio, both engineers, and their three sons, Alejo, 17, Tomas, 15, and Guido, 12, plus Frodo the Labrador.
Best renovation decision? Lorena: “A big pantry. When we entertain, we leave everything there so the kitchen and dining areas are clean.”
Favourite weekend rituals? “Saturdays involve lots of kids’ sports. Sundays are quieter. My husband has Italian heritage, so the day is often spent cooking and doing meal prep for the week, all homemade with love.”
Best perk working from home? “The zero-commute time to travel to the laptop. Also, I get to pat my dog every time I get a cup of tea.”
What’s your next home project? “I would love to create a herb garden.”

With the home’s area effectively tripled, there was more space than ever to fit-out and furnish – a task Lorena set about tackling during the build. “I looked at endless houses on Pinterest, making sense of what worked and what didn’t, and creating many boards,” she explains. “Ultimately, I opted for a timeless style with lots of white – almost like a blank canvas so I could add pops of blue and original artwork.”

Living areas

Custom joinery by Burgess Kitchens & Cabinet Makers provides practical, elegant storage and display shelves in the living area. At night, the shelves are brightened with ‘Barclay’ wall lights from Emac & Lawton, which add ambient lighting for a cosy effect and shine a spotlight on accessories from Florabelle Living.

A Pearce roll arm sofa from Pottery Barn is matched with occasional chairs upholstered in Warwick Fabrics ‘Arlington Dove’, all set atop a European Tortoiseshell sisal rug from International Floor Coverings.

Kitchen

Downstairs, the classic white kitchen features beautifully crafted coffered ceilings and traditional-profile custom joinery, making it a serene backdrop to family life and a convenient place for the couple to catch up for lunch mid-week. “I’m fortunate to have the larger downstairs office and Sergio works upstairs, so on days we’re working from home and not in the city, we can easily meet up for a chat,” says Lorena.

Luxurious light fittings complement this home’s heritage. “When researching designs for the house, I came across an article about lighting. [It explained that] it can make a space, and now I understand how,” reflects Lorena. While plenty of thought and deliberation went into each selection, Lorena’s favourite light is the Aerin ‘Jacqueline’ chandelier from The Montauk Lighting Co above the dining table.

We love… statement lights

Lorena’s must-haves for the white-on-white kitchen included a big cooker – they chose a Falcon ‘Nexus’ dual-fuel appliance – a sizeable island, and a pantry to hide mess and meal prep. Cabinetry in Dulux Lexicon Quarter is the perfect match for the ‘Vintage’ splashback tiles in Oslo White from Classic Ceramics. And although it was a challenge to align the trio of Thomas O’Brien ‘Merchant’ lanterns from The Montauk Lighting Co above an island bench topped by Stoneville Calacatta Venezia, the result was worth the effort.

Alfresco area

Wide stacking doors between the kitchen and lush outdoor dining zone facilitate a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor living spaces. The alfresco area, which overlooks the pool and greenery beyond, features a dining table that travelled here with the family from Argentina. It was updated with paint to complement ‘Henley’ outdoor dining chairs from Highgate House.

“With so much natural light the house is very bright. You never have to turn on any lights during the day.”

Lorena

Main bedroom and ensuite

With windows overlooking the pool and verdant yard, the main bedroom stays cool during Queensland summers with a Beacon Lighting Fanaway ‘Veil’ ceiling fan and light.

Lorena fell in love with the Spanish-made Ape Grupo Fiorella ‘Martia’ tiles featured on the couple’s ensuite floor. They chose Dulux Posey Blue for their custom vanity, which is topped with YDL Stone’s Rosemee engineered stone.

Alejo’s bedroom

For the home to have a cohesive feel, it was essential to meld new and old. Fortunately, the decorative plaster ceilings and bay windows were retained in the newly designated boys’ bedrooms, while the couple added character details, such as intricate cornicing and Art Deco-style ceiling roses, to the upper-level spaces.

Family bathroom

The builder restored the original casement windows in the boys’ shared bathroom. The ‘Marietta’ freestanding bath is from Schots Home Emporium.

Home office

Lorena works from home a lot and wanted a pretty office, so she asked Tahn Interiors to decorate this space, adding a rug, desk, accessories on the shelves, and commissioned art by Ingrid Bartkowiak.

Pool

It was Sergio’s idea to create the cabana by the pool. It provides shade, privacy and the perfect spot for an outdoor sofa plumped with custom cushions, which are upholstered with 3Beaches fabric. It’s now a favourite spot for the family to gather, and the area is in constant use throughout the warmer months.

While the couple were confident with key interior selections, stylist Tahn Scoon helped with the finishing touches, including art, custom cushions and decorative pieces that bring the whole look together.

“I love it here,” says Lorena, referring not only to the house, but also their 10-year tenure in Australia. “This is home.”

Architect: Baastudio Architecture, baastudio.com.au.
Builder: Saunders Building Company, saundersbuilding.com.
Joinery: Burgess Kitchens & Cabinet Makers, burgesskitchens.com.au.
Interior decorating (office & second living): Tahn Interiors, tahninteriors.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post A historic Brisbane home renovation full of light and charm appeared first on Home Beautiful.

When Tori and her husband Tom bought the home a decade ago, it wasn’t quite so alluring. “The house had a quick renovation by a developer,” says Tori. “It was originally a 1919 two-bedroom cottage gifted to a returned serviceman from World War I. We stepped inside and loved the natural light, but there was much we wanted to change, such as the oddly shaped rooms, the lack of flow between the house and the garden, and also the rather dark decor.”

Who lives here?

Interior designer Tori, her husband Tom, and sons Oscar, 13, and Henry, 10, plus Frankie the Mini-dachshund and Wolfhilde the German Shepherd.
When did you become a designer? Tori: “I’m a former lawyer, but I was always looking for something more creative, so I studied interior design and recently launched my own business.”
Any tips for renovation challenges? “You have to make quick decisions at times, and also some compromises.”
What’s one thing you’d love to add? “I’d love to pay homage to the World War I soldier for whom this home was built – to find a photo of him and display it.”
Best thing about decorating this home? “It’s allowed me to be so expressive and creative.”

In 2020, after renting out the house while living in Oman for several years, the couple and their two young sons returned to Brisbane ready to embark on a major renovation. Adding a pool was first on their list, and then it was time to bring the home into a new era. They tweaked the floor plan to incorporate a formal entrance, a luminous new kitchen, and revamped living and sleeping quarters. A ground-level addition included a luxe guest bedroom.

When it came to the decor, Tori took inspiration from interior designers Charlotte Coote, Martyn Bullard, Baptiste Bohu and Tamsin Johnson. Colour was also a driving factor in the creation of the interior, particularly varying shades of green. “I wanted to bring the outdoors in,” explains Tori. “People can be a little scared of colour and there is a trend to be minimalist and neutral. I appreciate that look, but I don’t necessarily want it in my own house.”

Foyer

The vibrant front door opens onto a foyer, which continues the chequerboard Carrara and Nero marble tiles of the porch, but it doesn’t stop there. “I was going to have the black and white stone floor on the porch and in the entry only, but then decided to carry it through,” says Tori. “It’s beautiful to walk on — so soft and cool underfoot.”

A vintage Murano glass chandelier from Allpress Antiques hangs above a 19th-century mahogany table that once belonged to Tori’s grandmother.

Kitchen

Storage behind closed doors keeps clutter at bay in the beautifully planned and executed kitchen. “All the appliances have custom-made storage, so everything is hidden away until it needs to be used,” says Tori, who designed the zone with the help of Brisbane cabinet-making firm KBK.

The two-pack Shaker-style joinery in Porter’s Paints Popcorn is a crisp contrast to the island in Porter’s Paints Black Ice, set off perfectly by the Carrara marble benchtops and splashback from Project Stone. Illuminating the work and dining space are stunning 19th-century French chateau lanterns from Miguel Meirelles Antiques, as well as a ‘Double Cup’ wall light by Anna Charlesworth positioned over the sink.

“My inspiration was a traditional French boulangerie with marble tops, unlacquered brass hardware and wide benches.”

– Tori

Dining area

The Banker by Roy B Wilkins, Giraffe Licker by Jessie Breakwell and Portrait by Jai Vasicek dominate the wall over a custom-made American oak dining table and bench seat with a ‘Blake’ dining chair from Satara.

Living area

The floor plan may be open, but clever zoning means every square metre is used to its best advantage. In the living area, a comfy ‘Hudson’ modular sofa from Jardan is spacious enough for the whole family. Bespoke green cushions in ‘Jungle Room’ by Catherine Martin for Mokum and ‘Etna Stripe’ from Fabricut.

“Mixing contemporary and antique pieces adds to the character, charm and depth of a home.”

– Tori

Reading nook

“This is a relaxed space with a beautiful flow to the outdoor living area,” says Tori about the casual living zone, furnished with armchairs inherited from her grandfather. “I restored and reupholstered them in a mad animal print,” she tells us.

Main bedroom

Every piece in Tori and Tom’s bedroom was carefully considered, including the antique chest of drawers and chair. “Our bedroom has a calming energy, and the high ceilings make it feel so spacious and airy,” says Tori.

Guest bedroom and bathroom

An accent wall papered in Magnolia ‘Grandiflora’ from Magnolia Interiors reflects the greenery outside the guest bedroom. “The room has the most amazing views through its large French doors into the garden,” says Tori.

The finished interior strikes a beautiful balance between minimalist and maximalist, thanks in part to Tori’s masterful mixing of old and new. “The trick is to get the balance right,” she explains.

Tori approached the lighting scheme in a similar way, using functional contemporary fittings only when necessary, and letting eye-catching and vintage-style lamps, chandeliers and sconces steal the scene. “I do love statement lighting. I loved hunting for really unique pieces and they all have a story,” she shares. “I try to steer away from too many downlights.”

Pool area

A shimmering pool is now one of the home’s top drawcards for the family, who love taking a dip here in Brisbane’s perennially mild climate. “We completely redid the garden and put in beautiful sandstone stepping stones and travertine pavers around the pool, and we also added a crazy-paved outdoor shower alcove,” explains Tori.

It comes as no surprise to hear Tori’s work in the home is far from complete. “This house will keep evolving for another 10 years or so,” she says, admitting she is constantly rearranging objects on the bookshelves and styling precious travel memorabilia. “It’s always a moving feast for me.”

Interior design: Banbury Design Company, banburydc.com.
Joinery: KBK, kbk.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post A much-needed refresh sees this Brisbane cottage revel in colour appeared first on Home Beautiful.

For interior designer Lisa Alward’s client, who bought the property in 2020, the home ticked all the major boxes. “He grew up just down the road and, as his parents still lived in the area, he’d been looking for the right property to move closer to them and this was it,” explains Lisa. “The location was perfect, he loved the home’s heritage features and the potential it offered for entertaining and adding his own touch.”

Who lives here?

A Brisbane-based property developer and fund manager.
Best design decision? Lisa: “Increasing the size of the terrace to enhance the indoor/outdoor flow and entertaining space around the pool.”
How do you approach interiors for heritage homes? “I like to pay homage to the home’s history, while incorporating the client’s specific needs, to create functional spaces that are beautiful and timeless.”
What’s your favourite feature? “From the minute you step through the gate, the house and beautiful gardens are revealed and it feels like you’ve entered a serene paradise.”

The bungalow had previously been renovated, yet with a desire to further enhance the home’s size and level of luxury, the owner engaged architect Salvador Farrajota of The Artificial. He was tasked with extending the footprint, adding a cantilevered gym, hot tub, lower-level alfresco area, massage room and sauna. “This home was rich with character appeal, which we needed to balance with the client’s desire to modernise,” says Lisa.

Wonderful Federation features include the terracotta-tiled gable roof, jewel-like leadlight glass, bedroom bay windows and a long central corridor, all of which were retained and enhanced with a fresh palette and decorative elements that paid homage to the home’s era. Lashings of Dulux Natural White and Dulux Lexicon Quarter were used inside and out, original floorboards were sanded and stained a warm brown, and personality was added with wallpaper, artwork and beautiful lighting.

Entry hall

The original timber floorboards came up a treat with a thorough sanding and a fresh coat of warm stain, and the existing leadlight front door was refreshed with Dulux Lexicon Quarter and new hardware. “Adding all brass new window and door hardware was a subtle yet effective way of elevating a luxury feel with a hint of lustre,” says Lisa.

In the hall, a custom ‘Chromatic’ hand-knotted wool runner in Ginger from Halcyon Lake leads the eye to where a Rachel Prince artwork, In the Clouds, takes pride of place. “To help protect the floor in high-traffic areas I specified rugs, which blend subtly with the scheme,” explains Lisa of the newly refreshed timber floors.

Kitchen

As the kitchen’s existing Corian benchtops in Deep Night Sky and white gloss vinyl-wrap joinery were in perfect condition, a major overhaul wasn’t at the top of the agenda. Instead, Lisa updated the space with new Grazia and Co ‘Diiva’ swivel stools, a Timothy Oulton ‘Iceberg’ dining table and ‘Mimi’ dining chairs from Coco Republic.

Living room

The homeowner’s love of the Mediterranean and desire to be surrounded by a sea of blue saw waves of cerulean sweep through the interiors. “A simple yet really effective alteration was switching the living room windows to French doors, which opened the space out to the pool and gave the interior an incredible sparkling blue backdrop that is echoed with turquoise accents in soft furnishings,” explains Lisa.

Inspired by the owner’s love of the Sicilian coastline and the home’s pool, which forms an azure backdrop to the living area, Lisa chanelled a palette of Mediterranean blues. The Armadillo ‘Agra’ rug in Kingfisher is paired with a plump Molmic ‘Hudson’ sofa and custom cushions in Kelly Wearstler ‘Graffito’ fabric in Teal/Pearl.

“The brief was to create an interior with a timeless, elegant aesthetic.”

– Lisa

Main bedroom

Spaces were reconfigured on the upper main level, with a former games room converted into a spacious main bedroom, perfectly positioned to take in city vistas and benefit from a clever reshuffle that allowed for an ensuite, walk-in-robe and office.

“The biggest change with the bedroom was relocating the leadlight doors, which now open to the living area, allowing an unobstructed view to the pool.”

– Lisa

Study

Casamance ‘Gustav’ wallpaper in Sable defines the study within the main suite. Lisa teamed a Barolo desk with a Timothy Oulton ‘Mimi’ dining chair, both from Coco Republic.

Bathroom

The previous owner had recently renovated the first-floor bathroom, so it was easily finished with a Coco Republic ‘Knox’ side table and Aura Home towels in Clay.

Guest bedroom

A velvet bedhead in the guest room is teamed with L&M Home cushions and Coco Republic ‘Amsterdam’ bedsides.

Pool and garden

The large block also lent itself to a complete garden overhaul, with Andrew Munro of Define Landscape Architecture at the helm of the redesign. This involved reimagining dishevelled garden beds to create a cohesive leafy space, layered with a variety of foliage, colours and textures. “A significant undertaking was excavating the front yard to provide the perfect foundation for a large expanse of soft fine-leaf Zoysia that flowed between new paths,” he explains.

The verdant, manicured and low-mow lawn is a focal point that perfectly offsets the home’s white exterior. “As the area can be quite shady, ‘Sir Grange Zoysia’ was chosen as it handles low light well and has a lovely fine blade,” says landscape designer Andrew Munro. “To help establish a strong, healthy root network, we prepared the site with a deep layer of sand under a quality underturf blend.”

We love… lush lawns.

A go-to entertaining area, the pool zone was upgraded with glass fencing and the surrounding travertine from Amber Tiles was extended to increase the outdoor living space. Poolside loungers from Lavita Furniture are scattered with cushions from Provincial Home Living.

Although the project has since evolved, with Lisa sourcing additional furnishings and consulting on subsequent additions, the bulk of the work was finished in time for the homeowner to enjoy Christmas 2021 at his stunning abode – surely the best gift of the season.

Interior design: Bella Vie Interiors, bellavieinteriors.com.
Architect: The Artificial, theartificial.com.au.
Builder: Winacres Property Group, winacrespg.com.au.
Landscaping: Define Landscape Architecture, definela.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post This 1930s Brisbane bungalow is an entertainer’s delight appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Many people don’t realise, before choosing a builder, you’ll spend tens of thousands of dollars on reports for your DA – excluding any architect or designer fees! I live in a heritage area, so our designers at Sydesign engaged a town planner to prepare extra documentation to ensure our plans got approved quickly, which they did. It was money well spent.

“I love how the charcoal awnings feel a bit European and add drama to the exterior”

Elle, HB editor & homeowner

How to keep your renovation on budget

The most important thing is to choose the right builder. I worked with Nic Ryan and Tim Davis from Rise Architectural Builders. I’d seen their work and we had several meetings before even signing a contract, so I felt completely comfortable handing my house keys over to them. Our renovation was completed on budget and two months ahead of schedule, and though we were lucky not to uncover any nasty surprises in our 125-year-old house, there were other contributing factors:

1. Be honest about your budget

At the beginning, our builder Nic went though the costs with me item by item so I knew exactly where our money was going and what contingencies might look like. I was clear with our budget so he knew what he had to work with. For example, when it came to choosing the roof, I showed Nic what I wanted, he smiled and said “you can’t afford that,” but then he showed me some beautiful options within my budget.

2. Select your PC items at the start

I chose prime cost (PC) items and most of what I wanted, from floorboards to tapware, before engaging our builder. After the “what can I afford?” discussion, this meant he could order everything so it arrived on schedule. Delays cost time and money!

3. Buy locally made and stocked

We renovated just after the Covid lockdowns when it was hard to get a lot of materials. For that reason, we chose products that were either manufactured in Australia or in stock at local warehouses. For example, our doors and windows were made locally by Jeld-Wen, and our external awnings by Wynstan. This meant lead times of weeks rather than months.

4. Light wisely

At the framing stage, I had a meeting on-site with the electrician where we discussed the lighting plan. I rarely use overhead lights, so we limited those to a few key areas and put in small downlights on gimbal so we can angle them towards artworks. Instead, we focused on some beautiful pendants and wall sconces from The Montauk Lighting Co to add ambience.

As in the bathroom, I’ve used an oversized wall mirror in the dining area to reflect the light and greenery in the courtyard it faces. It’s a wonderful way to add depth, movement and light to a tight space that would otherwise feel flat. The key is to go for a massive mirror so you don’t even notice it’s there, it just looks like an extension of the room. But be warned, large mirrors need to be considered at the
structural framing stage because they’re heavy!

How to plan storage in your renovation

My kitchen isn’t a big one, but people are often surprised to discover how much storage there is behind all the joinery. And it’s no coincidence. I measured the height of cans, jars and baskets, as well as glasses, stacks of plates and small appliances, then designed the space to fit everything in. For example, instead of having three drawers each 200 millimetres high, I went with 150, 200 and 250 millimetres to fit all my pantry items, from tinned tomatoes to flour canisters. I also used a couple of other clever hacks: children’s wall-mounted book shelves (try Etsy or Ikea) make the perfect condiment racks mounted inside my pantry doors, and they look chic. And, for overhead cupboards, typically they come with only one shelf, so get an extra one put in so you can fit tumblers in the middle and wineglasses on the top and bottom. Most cupboards come with bracket holes, so this is an easy retrofit for an existing kitchen, too.

How to tailor your kitchen to your needs

Start with the appliances

They will dictate how your kitchen is laid out. It’s been a dream of mine to have a big Ilve cooker – it’s the reason we renovated the whole house! (We had to knock out walls to redesign the kitchen and one thing led to another.) But being exposed to so many options, I wasn’t sure which brands to go with for the rest of the fit-out. Thankfully, the product experts at Winning Appliances gave me guidance.

I took my floor plans into their showroom and met with one of the team. He asked me questions like ‘how many people live in the house, what do we like to cook, and do we entertain?’ Along with my budget and the measurements from my plans, these questions helped narrow down which appliances would be perfect for me. What’s great is anyone can go in store to get this advice. Mixing and matching is the ultimate way to create a kitchen tailored to your lifestyle. And, in case you’re interested, I chose an integrated Fisher & Paykel French-door fridge and freezer, integrated V-Zug dishwasher and a Whispair
extractor fan, which is so quiet I sometimes forget to turn it off.

Choose materials realistically

I love the look of natural stone, but in reality, I also love tea, red wine and curry. Plus, I’m a messy cook. So I chose a Caesarstone benchtop and splashback in ‘Calacatta Nuvo’, which is much more forgiving
and easy to maintain than marble. I did learn, however, that if you have your heart set on marble but you, too, are a messy cook, you can get what’s known as a ‘bulletproof’ finish on the stone, but it’s pricey at about $1000 per square metre. Speaking of withstanding the knocks of daily life, my joiner recommended we take the stone down the side of the kitchen in a waterfall design since it faces a high-traffic hallway.
It wasn’t what I originally envisaged, but now I love it – and with a toddler in the house, it has certainly paid off!

“The oven is the reason we renovated the whole house”

Elle

Living room

Being a Victorian-era worker’s cottage, our home doesn’t have any expansive views, so I sought to create ‘moments’ that would draw the eye throughout each space. For example, we kept a courtyard next to our dining area, which bounces natural light into the centre of the home and provides a spot of green. Beyond the living room is our small but perfectly formed backyard and greenhouse. We chose artificial grass installed by Aarons Outdoor to ensure a year-round green view. The bi-fold doors frame the dining setting from Yardware, another elegant vignette.

How to maximise space in a small living room

When working with a small footprint, one way to make a room feel larger is to play with height. We demolished the rear of our house so we were able to raise the roof height. Floor-to-ceiling linen curtains from Tuiss further enhance this trick of the eye. Another idea is to install tall skirting boards, like the heritage style we chose from Intrim Mouldings. You can do the same thing with modern profiles, too.

Main bedroom

In the bedrooms and bathrooms, I wanted to see if I could create a bespoke look using off-the-shelf products – namely, the joinery. In the bathrooms, I chose vanities from Vanity By Design, which you can have custom-coloured. In the bedrooms, the wardrobes and daybed surround are made from Kaboodle Kitchen’s pantries. We use them all the time in our Home Beautiful photo shoots, so I knew the quality was great and loved that they have a paint-your-own option, since I wanted the joinery to be the same colour as the walls.

My builders integrated them under a bulkhead and up on a plinth so I could wrap the skirting boards around the room. People are surprised they’re from Bunnings!

“I chose a calm colour palette for my home, instad playing with texture in my surface and furnishing choices.”

Elle

Bathroom

In the bathroom, a Caroma ‘Liano’ bath sits against a backdrop of Carrara slim chevron mosaics and ‘Elegante’ terrazzo tiles in Nimbus from National Tiles. A Cabinet Maker’s picture light in Antique Nickel
from The Montauk Lighting Co lights up a custom mirror and Neu England tapware in Brushed Nickel from Brodware. (Photography: Alana Landsberry / Styling: Corina Koch)

Follow the line I designed our main bathroom to follow a grid, which is a wonderful way to visually enlarge a room. For example, the wall mirror is in line with the Caroma ‘Liano’ bath below and the beautiful marble chevron tiles from National Tiles surrounding it. However, this room wasn’t easy. Despite my floorplans, it wasn’t until the room was framed up that the builders pointed out the bath and vanity I’d chosen were too big. We simply went down a size for each, which gave the room more breathing space, making it look larger.

Son’s bedroom

I ummed and ahhed about how to decorate my son’s bedroom. He’s two, but I don’t want to have to redecorate every couple of years so I – controversially – went for quite a grown-up scheme. His bedroom, along with the guest bedroom downstairs, is dark for most of the day so I chose a muddy grey wall paint that feels calming and cocooning. No amount of white paint will make these rooms feel brighter! It actually has the opposite effect, making them look stark. Accents of burnt orange and olive green bring richness, and timber and wicker pieces add more warmth.

Courtyard renovation ideas

1. Rework what you have

When we bought the house it had a charming cabana complete with outdoor kitchen in the backyard, but we never used it. It was going to cost too much to remove the structure, so we repurposed it instead. Now, the space functions as a greenhouse, dining area, storage shed and laundry. All beautifully styled, of course!

2. Update with exterior cladding

After stripping everything out of the cabana the walls looked a bit shabby, so as a simple fix we clad them in EasyVJ150 panels from Easycraft. I loved the look so much I had all the joinery (again, more Kaboodle Kitchen units) clad in the same panels and painted the lot in the soft Porter’s Paints French Green for a cohesive finish.

3. Hide ugly tiles with new pavers

The great cover up The tiles from the cabana were in good condition, but didn’t suit the new aesthetic, so we laid beautiful travertine pavers in Oyster Grey from National Tiles over the top. They patina beautifully so they’ll age well.

4. Herb garden awning

I’d always wanted to grow my own herbs and veg but we have possums in our neighbourhood and they eat everything. So, to make sure they don’t get into the greenhouse, we had a Zip Style awning from Wynstan installed on the open side. We opted for the fabric Nougat 508 with hardware in Paper Bark and it’s absolutely brilliant – you can see through it, and it lets the airflow in for the plants, but keeps the wildlife out. Not to mention the mosquitos if we’re dining alfresco.

5. Exterior lighting

The greenhouse is an extension of our home, so I wanted the lighting to be beautiful. We chose a gorgeous pair of bronze outdoor sconces by Diane Bergeron from The Montauk Lighting Co. I love supporting Australian design.

6. Exterior awning

I’ve always loved the classic look of awnings over restaurants in the high streets of European and British towns and cities, so I used this as a reference when designing the exterior of my house. I showed the team at Wynstan what I had in mind and they recommended their Pivot Arm awnings. They give you fabric samples so you can colour match to the rest of your exterior finishes – we chose
Monument 542 to complement our render in Dulux Colorbond Dune. Plus, they’re made in Australia so the process is quick and easy. And having just experienced some very hot days here in Sydney, they sure keep the heat inside to a minimum, too!

Architect: Rise Architectural Builders, riseab.com.au

Awnings: Wynstan, wynstan.com.au

SOURCE BOOK

The post Inside the calming city cottage of HB editor Elle Lovelock appeared first on Home Beautiful.

During the four-and-a-half years, they’ve lived in this fine Queenslander, which dates back to 1925, interior designer Hayley and her family have given the home a fresh sense of purpose.

The ground level is the domain of Hayley and her husband Lance’s three children, who revel in the casual living space that leads out to the newly installed pool. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad can survey the Brisbane cityscape from their deep, first-floor wraparound balcony where they have created a stunning retreat with knockout city views – a favourite part of the home. 

Who lives here? Hayley, co-director of Porchlight Interiors, her surveyor husband, Lance, and children Kelsey, 23, a graduate architect, Zak, 16, and Abbey, 14.

How would you describe your style? Hayley: “Home. It’s an important word to me – a place where people feel welcome.”

You pushed the envelope with… “The vanity downstairs [page 102] – I had it custom-made locally. It’s so heavy it took two men to get it in!”

What’s your colour crush? “Blue, because it’s very peaceful and calming. We love beach holidays and sunny skies.”

What do you love experimenting with? “With a basic foundation of whites, neutrals and timber, I can layer it with new things – touches of industrial, or an Indian or African piece.”

“When you have teenagers, it’s really great to have two living areas, upstairs and downstairs, that are separated,” says homeowner Hayley, an interior designer, who shares her house with her husband, Lance, and their children Kelsey, Zak, and Abbey. “It’s important that they can have their friends in one area while you have yours in another. If they want to watch movies or play games downstairs, it doesn’t interrupt us spending time with friends upstairs.”

Coming together is just as crucial for the family of five, and it’s in the kitchen that the members of this household invariably meet. When Hayley and Lance bought the home, this was the first space they tackled, ripping out ill-fitting cabinetry and replacing the awkward layout with an open, dynamic design.

Main lounge room

Gentle blues and greens create a serene feel in this zone. All textiles, including the Schumacher fabric used to upholster the armchairs and Westbury linen on the sofa, are sourced through Porchlight Interiors, set off with an oversized copper-rimmed clock from Meizai. On the cushions, a vibrant botanical print by Raoul Textiles of Santa Barbara, US, creates more visual interest, while the herringbone-weave sisal rug provides texture and warmth underfoot. 

Home bar area

As with many Queenslanders, previous owners had raised the house to utilise the ground level, and during this refit installed a bar salvaged from another home of similar heritage. In keeping with the glamorous Californian air of the new pool area it looks onto, the bar received the same treatment as the rest of the interior, painted in Dulux Whisper White for a lighter and fresher feel. The structure was also updated with a high-impact Nero Marquina marble benchtop.

Along with the kitchen/dining room overhaul, Hayley had the home’s interiors painted in fresh Dulux Whisper White and layered textiles and furniture that caught her designer eye. “I typically start with a light, neutral base and add depth into the room with dark accents that anchor the space well,” explains Hayley. “I have a passion for using a lot of sea-foam blue colours for their peaceful quality. I like simple – it’s the way it’s put together that gives it interest.”

Family room

Replacing cream gloss floor tiles with wide engineered French oak boards has made the world of difference to the downstairs living area. This teen chill zone is decidedly grown-up, but the layers of texture keep it feeling relaxed: plump linen-covered sofas and a tactile wool rug do the trick nicely. Furniture, all in chalky whites, includes an Indian hall table, with antique Chinese drum stools from Orient House below. In contrast, a solid Naga coffee table (for similar pieces, browse the range at Stone Pony) floats in the middle to centre the space. 

“We raised a beam that was making the kitchen really small and built right out to the space they had used as a dining room,” reveals Hayley, who also enlarged the room by taking the cabinetry right to the 3.1-metre ceiling. “It has made a very small kitchen quite grand.”

Bookending the space is an integrated study area that fuses the living and kitchen areas, and a built-in seating nook for dining that has the bonus of hidden storage. “Built-in seating is a great way to make a room feel bigger,” comments the interior designer. “We have a lot of different groups of friends who come through this space, and we can sit there for hours. Once you put the food on the table, there’s no need to get up. You can just sit there and enjoy.”

“It was a very small space but with city views, this was the right place for dining. We can now fit 12 people comfortably around the table, and often do!”

Hayley

Dining area

For a stylish dining nook, make sure the built-in seating is standard dining chair height to fit under the table. This includes the finished height once the foam cushions go on top. The backrest cushion needs to be on an angle for added comfort. Romo fabric was chosen to cover the bench seating – which contains discreet storage – offset by Walter G cushions. Throughout this upper level, existing timber floors were given a sultry Black Japan stain. 

Kitchen

A mix of cabinetry not only makes the kitchen feel more relaxed, but responds to key needs in the area. The cooking zone’s high-end brasserie look reflects the family’s passion for food and entertaining. Constructed by Maytain Cabinets, the generous island is painted in Dulux Maraetai Grey and topped with luxe Statuario Venato marble. This striking hub of the home is finished with polished nickel lighting and cabinet pulls from Restoration Hardware in the US (available through Porchlight Interiors).

Bathroom

The downstairs bathroom is the domain of the eldest children, and introduces a hip, industrial vibe. A steel-framed vanity topped with honed Carrara marble sets the scene. Phoenix ‘Vivid Slimline’ tapware in matt black Onix finish, a trough-like ‘Cielo’ basin from Highgrove Bathrooms, ‘Enhance’ wall light brackets from Beacon Lighting and a black-framed mirror complete the look.

“Home is filled with love – somewhere you feel yourself, and enjoy being with family and friends. That’s probably the core of what my interior design is about”

Hayley

Interior designer: Hayley Hayes, Porchlight Interiors, 0423 806 007, porchlightinteriors.com.au
Flooring: Timber Flooring Unlimited, 0414 733 342, timberflooringunlimited.com.au
Kitchen: Maytain Cabinets, (07) 3216 7601, maytain.com.au

SOURCE BOOK

The post A classic Queenslander gets a fresh sense of purpose appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“The house itself was pretty basic and poorly insulated,” says Claire. “It had very few north-facing windows to the back garden, so the house felt dark. And we were all sharing one very small bathroom directly opposite the front door, so there was zero privacy,” she laughs.

Who lives here? Claire, a book designer, and Tim, a high-school principal, their children Gus, 11, and Lydia, nine, plus Tilly the cavoodle and two chickens.
Is this your forever home? Claire: “The kids will definitely see out their high school years here. I can’t imagine us leaving any time soon.”
What do you love most about the neighbourhood? “There’s a close-knit community with many like-minded families and a cute main street of shops.”
Tell us about the beautiful garden. “Our good friends run Green Living Landscapes and they put in a beautiful garden for us, with vegie beds and a mix of native and Mediterranean plants.”

For eight years, the couple lived in the home with their children, Gus, now 11, and Lydia, nine, until they were “bursting at the seams”. The best course of action, they agreed, was to renovate. Reaching out to architect Nicola Dovey, founder of Drawing Room Architecture, the couple were confident they were in the right hands.

“It felt like a natural fit with Nicola,” says Claire. “She’s very practical and down to earth. She got exactly what we wanted straight away. “The solution was obvious to all three of us – to maximise the northern light, and add a new kitchen and living space facing the back garden. Nicola also incorporated an ensuite off our bedroom at the front, a powder room, family bathroom and third bedroom.”

Living and dining

A boardroom table that once belonged to Tim’s grandfather is now the family’s dining table, teamed with classic Thonet ‘Erinna’ chairs. On the adjacent wall, a Spacecraft screen-print of an angel was a gift from Claire’s mother, interior designer Kerry Smith. The living and dining areas can be sealed off from one another by the sliding door, painted Dulux Sandgrass Green.

Claire’s interior designer mother, Kerry Smith, also worked on the home. “I’d always hoped my mum would do the interiors when we renovated,” says Claire. “She has just retired, so we were lucky we were able to get it done in her last year of work. It was very special.”

From the outset, sustainability was a major focus. Key elements included an electric induction cooktop, reclaimed timber external cladding from CERES Fair Wood, double-glazed timber windows and doors, maximum insulation in the extension, and passive solar design and ventilation to keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter.

Kitchen

Organic texture reigns in this space. The benchtops are low-silica-content Silestone in Nolita from Cosentino, the splashback is terrazzo from Acropolis Marble and the overhead cabinetry is Tasmanian oak veneer while the front of the island bench is clad in Porta Contours Tasmanian oak. The pendant above the island is the striking UV Fold by South Drawn.

“My decorating style is a bit pared back but obviously I love natural materials and surfaces,” says Claire. A range of earthy, environmentally conscious finishes are showcased in the home, including the spotted gum flooring from Havwoods, which grounds the new wing while adding beauty and warmth. Go to havwoods.com/au to book a virtual or in-showroom visit.

We love… organic style

Meanwhile, with David Alexandrakis from Cassilis Constructions taking charge of the works, the family moved out in December 2021 into an even pokier pad. “We have a fibro shack at the back of our property, so we all – Tilly the dog included! – lived there to save rent,” says Claire. “It’s tiny with no heating – and there were possums!”

Ten months later, the family settled back into their reimagined home. Understated and beautifully earthy in style and finishes, it heroes its raw materials. From the raked plywood ceilings and spotted gum flooring in the new wing to the terrazzo kitchen splashback, organic textures abound. Best of all, this is a light-drenched, environmentally conscious home that revels in its leafy surrounds.

Family bathroom

Light pours into the bathroom through a skylight. “The room feels really bright, even though there are no windows as it’s in the centre of the house,” says Claire.

“This is such a light and bright house, so it’s always a wonderful place for us all to come home to.”

Claire

Back garden deck

The whole family loves the new Victorian ash outdoor deck, including their two chickens. “The back living room that has so much natural light and looks out to the garden is definitely my favourite space in the house. We all love hanging out here,” says Claire. “The home is so lovely to live in all year round because of all the sustainable features.”

“I wanted the home to be warm and inviting, with lots of timber and other natural materials.”

Claire

Nicola is also thrilled. “It’s now a sunny, warm home with easy access to the garden,” she says. “All the elements were leaning in the right direction. The home and the site just needed to find their synergy.”

Architect: Nicola Dovey, Drawing Room Architecture, drawingroomarchitecture.com.au, @drawingroomarchitecture.
Builder: David Alexandrakis, Cassilis Constructions, cassilis.com.au.
Interior design: Kerry Smith.
Reclaimed timber cladding: CERES Fair Wood, ceresfairwood.org.au.
Cutek timber oil: cutek.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post This 1950s cottage in Melbourne is a sustainable sanctuary appeared first on Home Beautiful.