Home Tours

Artful Architecture

Let your home do the talking
Original fireplace defies open planPaul McCredie

Many of us purchase our home having fallen in love with the architectural features of the building itself. When renovating and decorating, there’s often no need to reinvent the wheel – let your home’s own beauty speak for itself.

Hallway arches dressed in white
Hallway arches dressed in white (Credit: John Downs)

Portraits line the hallway in this renovated workman’s cottage, where one wall and trims have been painted in Dulux Wash & Wear 101 in Antique White USA and face the other wallpapered with Merci for NLXL’s ‘Brooklyn Tins 02’ wallpaper, available at Quintessential Duckeggblue.

Pressed metal power
The power of pressed metal (Credit: Marcel Aucar)

The renovation of this Victorian cottage saw it being stripped back to bare bones. Retained were it’s high ceilings and large cornices and tall skirting boards were reinstated, all working cohesively for an authentic ambience. 

The hallway is lined with pressed metal panels for heritage appeal and walls are painted in Dulux wash & wear in ‘Fair Bianca’. 

In the master bedroom beyond, an upholstered linen bed and warm caramel carpeting lend a French provincial influence to the decorating scheme.

Original fireplace defies open plan
Original fireplace defies open plan layout (Credit: Paul McCredie)

The fireplace in this living room divides the formal front living room from the rest of the home. Painting the walls, trims and fireplace surround all in a matte white allows the artwork to take centre stage against a backdrop of elegant architectural detail.

This transition zone works as a kind of gallery for the homeowner, with an ever-changing display of art and collectables. Here, an Anna Stichbury red and gold painting hangs next to a selection of plates, while a vibrant painting by a young Danish artist sits above the fireplace.

Original floorboards have been lovingly restored and given a deep brown satin finish.

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