Photography: Alana Landsberry
Having known Gabrielle from a young age, it was a no-brainer that Belinda Dowsett of BM Interiors would help her renovate the home she shares with her two children. “Gabby’s mum is one of my dearest friends,” says Belinda. “We met on the sidelines of rugby when our sons were both playing.” The gradual makeover of Gabrielle’s charming Sydney home has unfolded in stages, beginning just as she was entering motherhood.
In the open-plan kitchen, Merci Maison ‘Ce’cile’ stools in Jaune perch on Tera Nova porcelain tiles, which offer all the beauty of natural stone while being practical for the busy family.
“The first time I worked on Gabby’s home was when she was pregnant with her first child, Ollie. We completed a beautiful renovation to the original cottage,” says Belinda. “After becoming pregnant with her second child, Poppy, she contacted me again because their needs had changed.” The brief, Belinda explains, was to metamorphose the compact residence into “a light-filled family home”.
INSIDE STORY
Gabrielle’s home
Who lives here? Gabrielle, who works in technology consulting, with her two children, Ollie, four, and Poppy, two.
What were your must-haves? Gabrielle: “We love being outdoors and wanted to have an indoor-outdoor feel. I also wanted a big laundry and big bathrooms, and lots of storage throughout the home.”
Which features do you love the most? “The curves on the bookshelves and at the entrance to my living area. I really love my green island benchtop and the fact that we didn’t shy away from using colours.”
What was the biggest lesson? “The importance of working with people you trust and are on the same page with. I have a wonderful relationship with Belinda and our builders, and it made the build feel effortless.”
“The kitchen, living and dining space works beautifully, with the walk-in pantry on one side,” says Belinda. Custom joinery by DSK in Dulux White Exchange Quarter is offset by textural square zellige ‘White Fes’ splashback tiles from Tera Nova. A honed Aquamarine quartzite benchtop from SNB Stone makes a soothing statement. Overhead, a pair of Emac & Lawton ‘Monte Carlo’ pendants in White and Brass elevate the zone. An artwork from Perfect Pieces and Bruna Rodwell ceramics decorate the shelves.
The original front cottage has been retained and the home ravishingly expanded to become a breezy five bedroom abode. “I love preserving the character of an existing home where possible, while transforming how it functions,” the designer explains. When it came to interpreting Gabrielle’s vision, Belinda’s long history with her proved handy. “She was already very familiar with my style and preferences,” shares Gabrielle.
‘Mallorca White’ subway wall tiles are a quiet counterpart to the patterned floor tiles in Peacock and Crema Marfil marble, all from Tera Nova. The vanity is topped with marble and the joinery contrasts in Porter’s Paints Newport Blue. Brass Hepburn Hardware knobs and classic chrome Brodware tapware from Just Bathroomware imbue the palette with mixed metallics. A pair of Articolo Studios ‘Domi’ wall sconces flank the custom mirror.
WE LOVE…painterly murals
The home’s pretty palette continues in Poppy’s sweet bedroom, with a whimsical ‘Moonlight Circus’ wall mural from Olive et Oriel. While fun, it’s not so young that it won’t suit the little girl for years to come. “The home was designed in a way that means as the kids get older it can be adapted to meet each phase of their life,” says Gabrielle. For more murals and wallpaper, go to oliveetoriel.com.
“The picture window perfectly frames the magnificent jacaranda tree that’s outside”
BELINDA DOWSETT, INTERIOR DESIGNER
“I showed her a couple of hundred Pinterest photos that I liked and she put everything together perfectly. I couldn’t have described it any worse and she absolutely aced it!” The renovation team was rounded out by Sydesign, which Belinda raves did “a wonderful job” translating the brief into detailed plans, while Giltinan Builders nailed the construction and DSK Joinery crafted the custom cabinetry throughout.
The subtly colourful main bedroom feels relaxed, with a bed frame and headboard designed by BM Interiors upholstered in Inge Holst ‘Sofia’ candy stripe in Butter, the same fabric on the base of the custom curtains and yellow cushion. A classic bedspread from Piggott’s Store is layered with bespoke teal cushions in Colefax and Fowler fabric. The custom Isla Design rug from Elliott Clarke forms a tonal base, with perfectly understated Cromwell bedside tables and a Globe West bench at the foot of the bed. Lamps with Emac & Lawton bases stand prettily against Dulux White Exchange walls, above timeless oak flooring.
The main ensuite has custom cabinetry by DSK finished with a Taj Mahal porcelain vanity top from SNB Stone and handles from Hepburn Hardware. Brodware tapware sourced from Just Bathroomware adds a classic touch. ‘Mallorca White’ subway wall tiles are paired with a chequered floor in tumbled Crema and Crema Marfil marble tiles, all from Tera Nova. BM Interiors sourced the mirrors, LightCo sconces illuminate the vanity area, and a custom Roman blind completes the space.
“I wanted something different, and the whole team listened and always found the best way to make it work,” says Gabrielle. From the stylish new mudroom to the statement chandelier above the dining table, there’s plenty to adore, but the biggest game-changer for Gabrielle has been the new living area that connects smoothly to the backyard.
The powder room features playful Lewis & Wood ‘Windrush’ wallpaper from Elliott Clarke, paired with a Roman blind in Colefax and Fowler ‘Tyrell’ fabric in Pink. VJ-panelled wainscotting provides a crisp contrast below, with a pedestal basin from Just Bathroomware.
The green mudroom marks the beginning of the stunning new renovation. Here, Belinda repeated the Colefax and Fowler ‘Tyrell’ striped fabric, while Hepburn Hardware hooks are stylishly handy. Laundry Custom cabinetry in Porter’s Paints Newport Blue teams with Taj Mahal porcelain benchtops from SNB Stone in the laundry. The porcelain floor tiles and ‘Daisy’ splashback tiles are from Tera Nova.
“You can open all the doors and windows and create the most perfect indoor-outdoor flow.” For Belinda, she’s particularly proud of the main bedroom. “The soaring ceiling and large picture window perfectly frame the magnificent jacaranda tree,” she says. “I spent a great deal of time considering the placement of every window and door throughout the home so they would capture natural light while also framing views of the established garden.”
Completed in a tidy 12 months and with no cost blowouts, it’s safe to say this renovation has been a resounding success. “The three of us absolutely adore our home,” says Gabrielle, who can see herself living here through all of life’s phases. In fact, she’s already planning the next additions to the family. “We’re getting chickens next month!” she says.
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Interior & landscape design: BM Interiors, bminteriors.com.au.
Architecture: Sydesign, sydesign.com.au.
Builder & landcape construction: Giltinan Builders, giltinanbuilders.com.au.
Joinery: DSK, dsk.net.au.
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