Historic homes are always some of my favourites to work on and this home in Strathalbyn was no exception.
Before the transformation this Strathalbyn property had good bones and ample potential but needed quite a bit of work to make it suitable for this growing family. So in terms of interior design, we did quite a lot to this already character filled property - I can’t wait to show you…
Together we focussed on re-orientating and renovating the kitchen, adding a new bathroom into the existing floor plan, renovating an existing bathroom, creating a separate lounge room and decorating each room.
My client had a classic farmhouse style, and loved to add vintage pieces into her home so it was a joy to work with her to create such a meaningful family home.
Reorienting the kitchen to back on to the original stone wall added character, whilst the classic white cabinetry allowed for the range hood and texture in the space to be the highlights.
The Country Kitchen
The plan was to change the position of the kitchen in the open plan area to make the whole space more functional. This resulted in a light-filled space with a large kitchen peninsula that ensured the cook could easily oversee family life while using this space.
The design of this space focussed on a classic style cabinet front with brass fixtures with a warm neutral bench top and splash back. We wanted the focal points of the kitchen to be the bespoke range hood, timber floors and beautiful stone wall, and by keeping the selections understated I think this kitchen has a lovely balance.
The New Bathroom
This space was originally being used as a library and storage area, but being the home of a busy family home was better positioned to be a second bathroom.
The design of this wet area was to keep the exisiting fireplace and mantle as a feature. This was a more affordable option and added character, as it’s not often you see a fireplace in a bathroom!
Design wise the focus was on creating a warm, textured and character-filled bathroom using a vintage cupboard for the vanity, stone look tiles and a mix of brushed brass and antique brass. Practically this new bathroom provided a big bath for children to use and a roomy shower to enjoy.
Creating an additional bathroom into the floor plan of this home added functionality. The rustic original fireplace creates a focal point and the warm colour palette of the other selections bring a warmth to this new wet area,
Opaque timber french doors add warmth and extra light into this bathroom that is positioned in the centre of this home.
The Warm Sitting Room
Updating the second living area in this historic property created a space that was a joy to retreat to. With the addition of custom joinery to create a window seat and bookcases resulted in extra function and character for this space.
We upholestered an exisiting sofa and made a benchseat cushion, as well as painted the mantle piece and walls to create a soothing colour palette of muddy greens, taupes and blues. Adding to this foundation some vintage artworks and furniture pieces and it’s a space you don’t want to leave in a hurry.
This custom joinery piece is the hero in this second living space, it creates extra seating and a place to display vintage pieces.
Upholstering the existing sofa helped create a cohesive colour palette which helps create such a calming room.
The Renovated Existing Bathroom
This bathroom was in need of updating and in doing so the floor plan was changed to create a better flow.
The bath was removed to make way for a bigger vanity, and using a vintage cupboard created character and warmth that was cohesive to the other spaces in the home. In addition a larger, light-filled shower was created which made the space more functional for this family.
Interior Decoration
For this project to feel complete it required decorating the spaces to incorporate the vintage pieces my client was drawn to, as well as injecting colour and individuality.
The end result is a home where every room feels purposeful and cared for. It can be easy to want to skip over this part, but it really is the key to creating a home that speaks to the personality and character of the family that lives in it.
Injecting a warm, muted colour palette added interest whilst being in keeping with the age of this property.
A Historic Beauty
This period home already had a lot of character, but now with the changes we made to the floor plan and spaces we renovated, it’s even more beautiful and functional.
If you have a home you’d like to inject some more character into and like my help, a design consultation would be a great way to get some clarity and ideas from a designer.
Thanks for reading,
Bec x