Sitting on a sweeping half-hectare block, Annelise’s brick bungalow home is surrounded by some majestic gardens. While working from her home office, the busy corporate executive enjoys an outlook of evergreen trees and Japanese maples that change colour with the seasons. “This constant view of nature is a great counterbalance to my busy work days,” says Annelise, who also co-owns vintage and secondhand furniture marketplace Curated Spaces.
In 2018, she and husband Oliver made the decision to relocate with their children, Henry, 12, and Elke, 10, from Sydney’s eastern suburbs to the NSW Southern Highlands – and they haven’t looked back. “Our kids’ school in Sydney had almost no outdoor space, and running in the playground had just been banned; it didn’t feel like the childhood either of us had,” recalls Annelise. “Friends had recently moved to the Highlands and we decided to explore this option for our own family.”
Who lives here? Annelise, VP of talent acquisition at American Express and co-owner of Curated Spaces; her husband Oliver, marketing and PR consultant and co-owner/director of Berrima Vault House; their children Henry, 12, and Elke, nine; and pets Ned the fox red labrador puppy, Clover the cockalier and Claude and Basil the cats.
Must-have inclusions? Annelise: “Marble in the kitchen and bathroom. Despite the high maintenance, I love it. And sisal carpets suit the country setting perfectly.”
Favourite local shopping spots? “Suzie Anderson Home, The Bronte Tram and Hunter & Gatherer Collections are great for decorative pieces.”
Future plans for your home? “We’re in the process of extending the garage to include a gym, sauna and second office.”
As is often the case, the couple couldn’t go past the first property they viewed. “The house, while not really our style, had a lovely family feel,” says Annelise. “I watched the kids run straight down to the back garden where a swing was hanging from a huge deodarpine and I was sold. Seeing them instantly gravitate to being outside on a big expanse of grass and climbing trees, it just felt right.”
They lived in the home for a year before embarking on a complete rebuild, expertly guided by close friend and architectural designer Sally Wilkins. “Sally has lived in the Highlands for longer than us and understands the importance of designing for the seasons,” explains Annelise. “She was able to suggest things we would have regretted not including, like having a separate family entrance for muddy boots.”
Together, they created a flowing, flexible floor plan that takes better advantage of the home’s north-facing aspect and includes options for entertaining and family-friendly features. There’s an expansive kitchen filled with bespoke storage, a private parents’ retreat with walk-in wardrobe, a lounge room with fireplace, dedicated kids’ retreat and a charming laundry and mudroom with a Dutch door – “possibly my favourite thing”, declares Annelise. “One of the best things about a rebuild is that you can design your space exactly as you need. Everything was considered against our lifestyle and needs, which means it’s a very easy house to live in.”
A central dining and sunroom was a pivotal piece, featuring raked ceilings and windows on all sides as an easy link to the outdoors. At one end, books line the windowsill and two plump couches are a cosy spot to read – while at the other, an eight-seater dining setting is ideal for hosting dinner parties or poring over the papers. “It works so well; there are beautiful views no matter where you’re sitting,” says Annelise.
Throughout, the base palette has been kept fresh and neutral – whitewalls, natural stone benchtops, warm engineeredoak floors and sisal carpets – with blues and greys in the living spaces. “Covid had an impact on supply and there were a few last-minute pivots with our finishes, but I’m really happy with the substitutes we found,” says Annelise. “We also sourced a lot of items locally, which felt good.”
Much of the existing furniture had been chosen specifically for their Sydney home and didn’t suit their country idyll, so Annelise sold the lot on [Curated Spaces] and started afresh with sumptuous lounges, stately chairs and timber chest side tables. Tufted rugs, handmade ceramics, plump cushions and indoor greenery bring colour and energy, as do special lighting pieces.”I love the ambience that feature lighting provides and chose some beautiful pendants for the kitchen, bedroom and dining, along with gorgeous sconces in the bathrooms and entry,” she says.
And outside, there’s room to roam, to relax, to breathe, be it on the huge deck that spills out from the kitchen, dining and sunroom, the paved sandstone area with fire pit and outdoor seating or by the pool. “Possibly the best way to describe our home is ‘calming’,” says Annelise. “It’s a real oasis and I feel instantly relaxed when I walk in the door.”