Small-space living: A diminutive and divine home

This room has been transformed from a cramped workspace into a gorgeous study. Interior designer Adam Scougall of design company As You See It and his team went storage crazy here, designing custom cabinetry to the ceiling and a cosy daybed with drawers underneath. The daybed was upholstered in lively Sanderson ‘Manila’ fabric. A Casa Mia armchair is an attractive alternative to a standard office chair. For similar, try the ‘Julian’ chair from Oz Design Furniture.

“Our motto with furniture is to fill up the room with a few substantial pieces rather than lots of little items,” interior designer Adam says. “Here, for example, a trio of pendants adds the wow factor.” For similar lights, try the ‘Ormond’ from Arteriors.

The limed-timber dining table was designed and built by Ben Napier, a contractor for As You See It. The table comfortably seats eight, or compacts into a cosy table for four. The dining chairs are upholstered in Sanderson ‘Fitzroy’ fabric in Indigo Blue, and dark timber Wegner chairs that were revamped in ‘Husk’ fabric in Ocean from Warwick. A dark timber ‘Tivoli’ console from Pottery Barn was brought in to add drama to the expanse of cream wall.

From its beige beginnings, the living room is now awash with cheerful colour. A custom-made armless sofa and ottoman – in the same Warwick linen-blend fabric as the dining chairs – are a bold match for the couple’s original King Living leather lounges. The sofas are enlivened by cushions in Jonathan Adler ‘Ikat’ and ‘Limitless’ fabric and Trina Turk ‘Blue Sea Floral’. Interior designer Adam created the striking floral artwork for his clients. 

With timber cabinets, Caesarstone benchtops and plenty of storage, the original kitchen was more than adequate, except for a big blank wall above the sink. The addition of a mirror, which lines up neatly with the existing open shelves, was an instant success. 

An unused recess in the hall provided the ideal opportunity for display space, with glass-and-timber shelves custom-made to fill the gap. Strip lighting underneath each shelf adds a touch of romance at night time. 

Existing furniture was cleverly tweaked, allowing it to fit beautifully into the more modern space. A prized cabinet was given a genius refurb. Timber shelves were replaced with glass, and the back was wallpapered to match the wall. Two antique timber chairs were reupholstered in Jonathan Adler ‘Electrify’ fabric in Tulip and Azure to create a textural contrast with the Greg Natale for Porter’s Paints ‘Chevron’ wallpaper in Roman Silver

“In a smaller room, a wallpaper with a denser pattern is most suitable, as you may lose the ‘story’ of a larger pattern repeat with less wall space,” Adam suggests. “I always advise to take the biggest risks in the smallest areas – think how terrific highly patterned wallpaper looks in tiny powder rooms!”

A Moroccan motif was carried throughout the home; this appears in the bedroom in a custom-printed wallpaper. The original ensemble bed was finished with a new linen bedhead and coral bedding from West Elm (for a similar quilt cover, try the ‘Kenai’ from Linen House), and is flanked by West Elm ‘Wood Tiled’ bedside tables. The original window treatments were kept: large panels of fabric that stack like vertical blinds, they are virtually invisible when pulled back, appearing to be part of the wall.

The spare room is a serene space for guests. The bedhead and cushions – in Sanderson ‘Fitzroy’ fabric in Apple Green – and a blue Freedom throw pop against walls in Porter’s Paints Donkey Grey. For a similar throw, try the ‘Hanami’ in Indigo from Bianca Lorenne. ‘Natural Formations’ carpet in Koojaman from Carpet Court makes a textural floorcovering.

Travertine tiles – in a muted olive taupe – add a luxe feel. For similar, try the ‘Regal’ range at Stone Wholesalers.

Look out for more ideas to make the most of a compact kitchen here.