Photography: Jacqui Turk
A two-storey Mediterranean-inspired family home sits on a sunny corner block in a street of an Inner West Sydney suburb. Inside, a thoughtful blend of colour, texture and pattern fills its rooms with warmth and personality – an apt encapsulation of the vivacious family of five who live here. And to think it almost never eventuated due to a missed phone call.
Interior designer Stephanie Ferrara of Laidback Lee Design was in the middle of moving house when the home’s owner left a message on her phone. It was a few days later when she remembered she had never responded. “In a bit of a panic, I called her back and was so pleasantly surprised,” says Stephanie. “She sounded genuinely open to having someone come in and really shake things up and I felt so motivated to get started straightaway.”
Who lives here?
A couple with their three children.
The brief? Owner: “Our goal was to create a home that was not only functional for a busy family but also deeply personal and stylish.”
Best decision? “Stephanie came highly recommended and from the moment we connected it felt like the beginning of something special. Her attention to detail and ability to bring bold ideas to
life made this renovation truly exciting.”
Describe your decorating style “Refined sophistication meets eclectic charm. There’s a subtle nod to old-world elegance, but it never feels stuffy – just relaxed, curated and inviting.”
Favourite rooms? “The boys’ bedroom is a standout space, featuring custom bunk beds perfectly designed for their needs. And the home office is a thousand times more chic than my office in the CBD, making it a space I genuinely look forward to working in every day.”
The family had moved into their home 10 years earlier, drawn to its prime location, solid, simple design and proximity to parks, schools and amenities. However, the interiors never truly reflected them. “Over time, it became clear that while the layout worked, the home lacked personality and warmth,” admits the owner. “It was a blank canvas waiting to be brought to life, and we decided to take on this renovation as a true passion project, to transform the home into a space that felt uniquely ours and could grow with our family.”
Renovating the family home
The plan was for a deeply personal and stylish home; a blend of modern sophistication and playful, unexpected touches so every room felt special.
Stephanie took a two-pronged approach, beginning with the addition of some custom features that took the house “from basic to breathtaking”. A hand-drawn custom steel balustrade transforms the staircase into an artful feature, and custom joinery has been elevated with wallpaper inserts and bespoke walnut handles.
Outside, custom brass and marble pill-shaped lights add subtle pops of colour and luxury to the exterior. “This attention to detail elevates the home, giving it an epic quality that feels truly unique; something that can’t be recreated or replicated elsewhere,” says Stephanie.
For the second prong, she layered a mix of rich colours, textures and patterns throughout. This creates that vibrant, unique feel the owners were after. “We chose a colour palette that’s both lively and approachable, featuring earthy greens and deep chocolate browns paired with rich velvets to create a warm, inviting atmosphere,” says Stephanie. The result is expressive yet considered.
Venetian plaster walls and bronze details bring another layer of depth, while bespoke light fixtures, dark-stained floors and six-metre-long curtains dial up the drama, giving the interiors a cinematic, enveloping quality.
Adding personality to the family home
Each room or space has its own unique personality, with colours and textures selected to evoke different moods. And the owners are thrilled with it all. “Stephanie brought incredible passion, creativity and openness to the table. She wasn’t just designing a house; she was crafting a home with heart,” says the owner. “I loved that every time she showed me something new, she’d say, ‘Now keep an open mind – I have a vision.’ The whole process was a collaboration fuelled with enthusiasm and trust.”
The entry foyer
The home’s entry foyer makes a sleek and sophisticated statement, with its Venetian plaster walls and ceiling, timeless Murano glass pendants, shiny brass console and richly toned rug and artwork. “This space feels distinctly metropolitan and effortlessly stylish, while still warm and inviting,” says Stephanie. The console from Horgans is topped with ‘Bohan’ table lamps by Rachel Donath.
Colour comes in the form of an artwork in the stairway by Kerry Armstrong from Studio Gallery, Greg Natale ‘Stella Diva’ rug and ‘Sidney Plump’ chair in Blush Pink from Globe West.
The music room
The formal music room in the family home gives the owner a beautiful space to tinker on her Yamaha baby grand piano. A wall lined with Schumacher ‘Haruki’ sisal wallpaper in Indigo from The Fabric Editors displays a gallery of artworks in West Elm frames, while in the corner, an ‘Elle’ plinth holds a ‘Harira’ scribble sculpture, both from Globe West.
The green B&B Italia chair and round Hare + Klein ‘Wings’ rug from Designer Rugs are the perfect accompaniments. Thick curtains feature bespoke trims. The ‘Juno’ modular sofa and ‘Tobi’ occasional chair, both from Globe West, are upholstered in tactile fabrics for a touch of luxury.
The kitchen
A generous island with new Zalvano natural stone benchtop from Artedomus works well for the family, with a built-in dining table and Fform chairs ideal for shared meals. A low-hanging pendant from Est Lighting encourages intimate moments, while Brodware tapware in Brushed Rose Gold elevates life’s daily rituals. A splashback features brick-style mosaic tiles from Studio xOx.
“It’s a space that truly belongs to us – a perfect balance of beauty, comfort and functionality” – homeowner
The rumpus room
A ‘Float’ sofa from Life Interiors takes pride of place in front of a wall covered in Kelly Wearstler ‘Intargia’ wallpaper. A ‘Verity’ coffee table from Globe West and Greg Natale ‘Fragment’ rug mirror each other.
‘Surface’ wall sconces by Studio Henry Wilson flank the Louis Philippe mirror from The Vault Sydney.
The main bedroom
In the main bedroom, Kelly Wearstler ‘Graffito’ wallpaper from The Fabric Editors is a striking backdrop for a custom bedhead in Warwick ‘Lovely’ fabric. Meanwhile ‘Easton Tilt’ lamps and ‘Pearce’ bedsides from Globe West add style. Stephanie added a custom Henryk Studio artwork.
Curtains are in Warwick ‘Helix’ fabric, with brown velvet from the original curtains along the bottom third.
Main bathroom
‘Picket’ mosaic floor tiles in Blush from Studio xOx feature in the bathrooms of this family home. ‘Simple Wave Mould’ wall tiles in Gloss Ivory, also from Studio xOx (now discontinued), provide balance. A Nood Co bath and Brodware fixtures in Bronze add a luxe feel. An oak vanity and a Nood Co basin create a tactile layer.
Daughter’s bedroom
Stephanie created a timeless space for the daughter. It starts with Schumacher ‘Haruki’ wallpaper, Cultiver bedlinen and Dina Broadhurst artwork. A Vittoria Retreat bedhead slipcover from Globe West, ‘Alexia’ mirror from Merci Maison and Dusty Deco ‘Arcissimo’ table lamp from Royal Design are a neutral contrast.
Boys’ bedroom
The bedroom shared by the two sons features custom bunks in Polytec Black Wenge and Laminex batten panelling painted Dulux Wayward Grey. A Flos ‘Taccia’ table lamp is a statement piece.
Backyard
Stephanie paired ‘Cape’ outdoor sofas with a ‘Lucia Curve’ side table, both from Globe West. The outdoor kitchen has a feature wall of Zellige tiles from Studio xOx.
Source book
Interior design & architecture Laidback Lee Design, laidbackleedesign.com, @laidbacklee_design
Joinery New Stand Shopfitters, newstandshopfitters.com.au, @newstandshopfitters
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