Sue Stubbs
Traditional hues, luxe layers and treasured collectables have joined forces to deliver an elegant sitting room.
When downsizing from a large Federation house to a terrace in Sydney’s inner east, these homeowners quickly realised two things – the interior was ripe for a makeover, and the furniture they already had didn’t suit the new home. “It was in a completely different style and designed for a much larger space,” says homeowner Sarah. Calling on the expertise of interior designer Victoria Waters, the couple explained their wish to transform the home’s central living space without altering the floor plan. Now awash with lush textures and furnishings in misty hues, the gorgeous lounge room provides a serene sanctuary throughout the seasons.
“We worked to create a classic, elegant room that wouldn’t date”
Sarah, Homeowner
Original room: “It was really quite plain and lacking in personality,” says designer Victoria Waters. “The fireplace surround was painted black and receded into the wall, and the floorboards were a very light teak colour.”
Time frame: Four months from design to completion.
Why the makeover? The homeowners wanted their living room to truly reflect their taste and lifestyle. “Sarah was very keen to totally transform it into an elegant room that was both practical for entertaining and comfortable for everyday living,” says Victoria.
The works: Cabinet door fronts and handles were updated, along with the lighting. Walls were painted in Dulux White Duck, while the void behind the shelves was coated in Dulux Organic. “The wall unit is solid timber and we painted it – as well as the trims, doors, skirting and architraves – in Dulux Whisper White, to add some lightness to the room,” adds Victoria. Khroma Sonata ‘Silka’ wallpaper in Sand from Ascraft was used above the mantel.
Major changes: The light floorboards were stained in a custom dark hue, and elegant new furnishings were selected for the room.
Lighting
A favourite feature is the beautiful glass pendant from The Country Trader. “Sarah found this light and fell in love with it,” says Victoria. “It’s a very classic, timeless pendant that works perfectly, as it complements the architecture of the home.”
Decor
A gilded mirror, such as the design from The Country Trader above the fireplace (above & left), looks just right in the sitting room of a period home. “It adds a touch of glamour to the room, and the ornate frame befits the home’s style,” says Victoria. Highly versatile built-in shelves allow the owners to display treasured collectables. The custom rug is from The Rug Establishment.
Furniture
Upholstered in cool ‘Geneva’ fabric in Smoke (above & opposite), the ‘Elson’ sofa from Coco Republic was chosen for its good looks and comfort factor, as were the ‘Hampshire’ chairs in Blazer (left), also from Coco Republic. Custom-made cushions in ‘Peony’ fabric from Warwick, plus ‘Gamut’ in Griffin and ‘Opus’ in Liquorice, both from Zepel Fabrics, deliver the stylish finishing touches.
Designer’s tip
Finding the right sofa to suit your style, space and budget can be challenging. “It’s important to choose a sofa that is comfortable and fits into the room,” says designer Victoria Waters. Map the room’s floor plan to determine what size and shape will suit. “As this room’s orientation was guided by the fireplace positioning, we had a clear furniture-plan layout,” says Victoria. “We decided on a sofa from Coco Republic under the window and two accent chairs opposite.”
For more inspiration click here.
