Home insights: Nature inspired styles create a haven of calm
Kitchen
The owners' aim was to create a relaxed family home, filled with natural materials and hues that are easy on the eye, with a few opulent touches. For flooring, honed bluestone tiles were chosen throughout the back of the house. To bring a sense of history to the new space, the dining table was custom made from the old house frame. The reproduction Eames chairs came from Replica Furniture.
Derek Swalwell
Sitting room
The sitting room has a more formal feel but it’s still an everyday space. A symmetrical layout lends the room its classic look, while the overstuffed midnight-blue couch acts as a focal point. The sofa by Cavalier Upholstered Furniture, was made in a plush Warwick fabric. Leather chairs from Schots bookend the sofa, while a mirror from Freedom hangs above. The replica Jonathan Adler chandelier adds a sense of grandeur.
Derek Swalwell
Living room
The decor is casual yet chic, with ‘Siesta’ sofas from Globe West, an ‘Antler’ chandelier from Café Lighting and a jute rug from Madras Link. The Cheminées Philippe fireplace was the renovation's biggest splurge.
Derek Swalwell
Hall
A hall table from Xavier Furniture and a secondhand red chair from Lost & Found ease the transition from the old part of the house to the new. The Tasmanian Oak floorboards have been stained in Feast Watson ‘Chocolate Walnut’.
Derek Swalwell
Girls room
The pink stripes are hand-painted in Tropical Orchid and Crystal Pink, both Dulux. A bedhead from Town & Country Style adds a little bit of luxury.
Derek Swalwell
Ensuite
A few splurges, such as the Astra Walker ‘Classic’ taps and marble vanity tops, are balanced by budget finds, like the bevelled mirror and undermount basins from First Choice Warehouse.
Derek Swalwell
Family bathroom
The Victoria + Albert ‘York’ bath and Carrara marble floor tiles bring opulence to the bathroom.
Derek Swalwell
Guest room
In the guest room, a display of hand-me-down artworks and op-shop paintings creates an old-world atmosphere that plays on the original home’s period charm. A chandelier from Lamp City and an upholstered bedhead from Bisque Interiors add to the ambience.
Derek Swalwell
Study
The lack of windows in the study were turned into a plus by giving the space a subdued, drawingroom feel. The desk came from Freedom and the ‘Darcy’ pendant was found at Cafe Lighting. A New York print from Warranbrooke and geometric rug from Spotlight add to the monochrome scheme. The cabinets were bought from Town & Country Style.
Derek Swalwell
Master bedroom
A plush velvet bedhead creates lavish style in the main bedroom.
Derek Swalwell
