Before & After
Decorating
Interior Design
Before & After: A Family Lounge With a Laid-Back, Australian Feel
This family wanted an inviting lounge with a distinctly Australian vibe – and they found the perfect designer on Houzz!
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Before works.
What was your brief?
To create a practical and attractive living and dining space. Our client had just returned to Australia from living and working overseas. They very much wanted the space to feel Australian. As the main living space, it needed to be able to cope with the wear and tear of a busy family.
I met with the client not long after they had moved to Melbourne. They felt out of touch with local design retailers, had the juggle of family and work, all while needing new furniture to suit the space. Overall, they felt overwhelmed by the steep learning curve to find the right quality pieces to fit their style, budget and needs.
The couple are tall and have small children, so the furniture needed to suit their different size requirements and still be hardwearing and family friendly. The space needed to feel casual and to make a nod to the fact they are now back home in Australia.
What was your brief?
To create a practical and attractive living and dining space. Our client had just returned to Australia from living and working overseas. They very much wanted the space to feel Australian. As the main living space, it needed to be able to cope with the wear and tear of a busy family.
I met with the client not long after they had moved to Melbourne. They felt out of touch with local design retailers, had the juggle of family and work, all while needing new furniture to suit the space. Overall, they felt overwhelmed by the steep learning curve to find the right quality pieces to fit their style, budget and needs.
The couple are tall and have small children, so the furniture needed to suit their different size requirements and still be hardwearing and family friendly. The space needed to feel casual and to make a nod to the fact they are now back home in Australia.
Before works.
What wasn’t working for them about the space?
They were using ‘make-do’ furniture from their previous home, which was the wrong size and style for the space. There were none of their personalities in the room.
How did you address their furniture-sizing requirements?
First, we had to find a dining table that would fit people with long legs. We sourced a table with no apron to provide as much leg room as possible, with a hardwearing, easy-to-clean finish.
We selected a buffet as an entertainment unit so we could incorporate closed storage.
We added floor cushions for the children near the fireplace and the TV to provide fun additional seating.
Looking to redo your interior? Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz and browse images of their work
What wasn’t working for them about the space?
They were using ‘make-do’ furniture from their previous home, which was the wrong size and style for the space. There were none of their personalities in the room.
How did you address their furniture-sizing requirements?
First, we had to find a dining table that would fit people with long legs. We sourced a table with no apron to provide as much leg room as possible, with a hardwearing, easy-to-clean finish.
We selected a buffet as an entertainment unit so we could incorporate closed storage.
We added floor cushions for the children near the fireplace and the TV to provide fun additional seating.
Looking to redo your interior? Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz and browse images of their work
How did they want to be able to use the space?
We didn’t want to overfill the living area with too much furniture as we knew the family would be sharing the space with extended family.
The armchairs were selected with mobility in mind and are easy for older relatives to get in and out of. The new leather sofa has reclining seats to cosy up beside the fire and watch TV.
What were their must-haves?
A larger dining table and as much seating as possible to accommodate extended family.
We didn’t want to overfill the living area with too much furniture as we knew the family would be sharing the space with extended family.
The armchairs were selected with mobility in mind and are easy for older relatives to get in and out of. The new leather sofa has reclining seats to cosy up beside the fire and watch TV.
What were their must-haves?
A larger dining table and as much seating as possible to accommodate extended family.
What was your starting point?
Our client has a special vase with peach and pink tones, which was the starting place for the colour palette.
What challenges did you face?
This project was delivered in between Covid lockdown periods so we needed patience to work through timeline delays.
Our client has a special vase with peach and pink tones, which was the starting place for the colour palette.
What challenges did you face?
This project was delivered in between Covid lockdown periods so we needed patience to work through timeline delays.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
Positioning the dining area adjacent to the kitchen is a practical decision. The sofa has been placed for best view to the fireplace and TV.
To help separate the living and dining areas, we selected a large rug to zone the living area.
Positioning the dining area adjacent to the kitchen is a practical decision. The sofa has been placed for best view to the fireplace and TV.
To help separate the living and dining areas, we selected a large rug to zone the living area.
How important was artwork selection?
We selected a beautiful photograph by Kara Rosenlund of the Australian bush to hang over the fireplace.
We had art glass fitted over the print to eliminate the reflections from the wall of glass opposite. This piece then informed the green dining chair selection, which then led us to the Kimmy Hogan floral print in the meals area.
We selected a beautiful photograph by Kara Rosenlund of the Australian bush to hang over the fireplace.
We had art glass fitted over the print to eliminate the reflections from the wall of glass opposite. This piece then informed the green dining chair selection, which then led us to the Kimmy Hogan floral print in the meals area.
What are the main ingredients in the colour palette?
Peach, pink, earthy tones and green.
And the materials palette?
Timber, a little black metal to link to the fireplace and pendant lights, and green faux-leather dining chairs that connect to the artworks.
Peach, pink, earthy tones and green.
And the materials palette?
Timber, a little black metal to link to the fireplace and pendant lights, and green faux-leather dining chairs that connect to the artworks.
The vase on the top shelf has special meaning for the family and inspired the new colour palette for the living room.
Was there anything you had to work around?
The position of the hydronic heaters informed some furniture placement.
Was there anything you had to work around?
The position of the hydronic heaters informed some furniture placement.
What made the biggest difference?
Adding art brought personality to the space, and the rug helps to identify different areas within the open-plan interior.
Adding art brought personality to the space, and the rug helps to identify different areas within the open-plan interior.
Where did you splurge?
The leather sofa and the custom scatter cushions in a pretty pink Mokum fabric.
Where did you save?
The faux-leather dining chairs – they were affordable and practical as they are easy to wipe down.
Browse more images on Houzz of Australian dining rooms with touches of green
The leather sofa and the custom scatter cushions in a pretty pink Mokum fabric.
Where did you save?
The faux-leather dining chairs – they were affordable and practical as they are easy to wipe down.
Browse more images on Houzz of Australian dining rooms with touches of green
Key design aspects
Furniture
Furniture
- Kara Rosenlund photograph and Kimmy Hogan Print with framing by Forman Art and Framing.
- King Living sofa.
- GlobeWest buffet, coffee table and rattan chair
- Papillion Furniture armchair.
- LaForma dining table and chairs.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
See another great transformation in this Room of the Week: A Budget-Smart Kitchen and Laundry in Sage
What’s your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
See another great transformation in this Room of the Week: A Budget-Smart Kitchen and Laundry in Sage
Who lives here: A couple with two daughters and a cavoodle
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Room purpose and size: A combined family living/dining room measuring around 50 square metres in a three-bedroom Californian bungalow
Budget: Around AU$20,000
Where did most of it go: On new furniture
Interior designer: Sophie Kost, interior designer and director at My Beautiful Abode
How did you use Houzz for this project?
My client found us through Houzz. We then used Houzz Ideabooks to brainstorm their likes and dislikes.
Which Houzz Pro features did you find the most useful?
The Mood Boards.