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Interior Design
Blue Mountains Houzz: A Country Idyll For Slower, Simpler Living
From a standard-issue brick home to a sophisticated mountain retreat with a sense of history, see how a designer did it
With a busy corporate life that involves frequent trips abroad, the owner of this four-bedroom home in Wentworth Falls, NSW, wanted a laid-back, country escape where she could decompress at weekends with her two much-loved dogs and visiting family. While the 1980s brick dwelling was in good condition, its soulless interior didn’t exactly scream ‘country charm’, nor did it connect in any way with its verdant surrounds in the Blue Mountains.
Fortunately, she knew the perfect person to help her transform the characterless space into the modern-rustic delight she imagined: Kathy McKinnon, an interior designer who she found on Houzz several years ago to work on a previous residence. Here, McKinnon shares the journey of turning the ’80s home into a warm and inviting retreat that speaks to the landscape.
Fortunately, she knew the perfect person to help her transform the characterless space into the modern-rustic delight she imagined: Kathy McKinnon, an interior designer who she found on Houzz several years ago to work on a previous residence. Here, McKinnon shares the journey of turning the ’80s home into a warm and inviting retreat that speaks to the landscape.
While this Wentworth Falls home is set in a beautiful and unique location overlooking a national park, it was devoid of character and lacked any real dialogue with its surrounds – quite the opposite of what the owner was after.
“It was a functional suburban house, but she wanted a home that told the story of rural traditions and rustic charm; a family holiday home layered with farmhouse-style warmth where she could relax and be inspired by the natural landscape,” says McKinnon.
“It was a functional suburban house, but she wanted a home that told the story of rural traditions and rustic charm; a family holiday home layered with farmhouse-style warmth where she could relax and be inspired by the natural landscape,” says McKinnon.
It was also important to the owner that visitors felt relaxed when they stayed in her holiday home and had a sense of autonomy. This part of the design brief prompted McKinnon to revitalise a bedroom on the lower level to create comfortable and private guest accommodation and add a resort-like outdoor bathroom.
Looking to breathe new life into a tired interior? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Looking to breathe new life into a tired interior? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
The front entrance.
McKinnon was tasked with making other extensive changes to the house, including a full interior fit-out with new furniture and finishes throughout. She updated the kitchen, lime-washed the floors and added new lighting, built-in joinery and a fireplace in the living area.
“It was an exciting brief and, having worked with the client on a previous project, I felt very inspired. I was given fairly free rein, which is both exciting and challenging as it opens up a multitude of options and choices,” she says.
McKinnon was tasked with making other extensive changes to the house, including a full interior fit-out with new furniture and finishes throughout. She updated the kitchen, lime-washed the floors and added new lighting, built-in joinery and a fireplace in the living area.
“It was an exciting brief and, having worked with the client on a previous project, I felt very inspired. I was given fairly free rein, which is both exciting and challenging as it opens up a multitude of options and choices,” she says.
Wall paint in Rubble: Porter’s Paints; trim paint in Lexicon Quarter: Dulux; fireplace: EcoSmart; sofa: King.
A new, built-in ethanol fireplace in the living room creates a cosy spot for the owner and her guests to gather on chilly nights, with an extra-deep sofa that’s perfect for curling up on. Surrounding the fireplace, open shelves display farmhouse mementos and curios that speak of a simple, rural life.
McKinnon chose a warm, greyed-off white (Porter’s Paints Rubble) for the walls in all the main rooms to create a neutral backdrop. Layers of texture in rich, earthy tones were introduced in the form of hand-crafted macrame, tapestries and Moroccan rugs.
A mix of Australian, English and French Provencal farmhouse-style antiques and vintage furniture pieces add old-world charm and a bespoke feel to the interior. “Furniture was sourced for its rustic farmhouse appeal as well as its functionality,” says McKinnon.
A new, built-in ethanol fireplace in the living room creates a cosy spot for the owner and her guests to gather on chilly nights, with an extra-deep sofa that’s perfect for curling up on. Surrounding the fireplace, open shelves display farmhouse mementos and curios that speak of a simple, rural life.
McKinnon chose a warm, greyed-off white (Porter’s Paints Rubble) for the walls in all the main rooms to create a neutral backdrop. Layers of texture in rich, earthy tones were introduced in the form of hand-crafted macrame, tapestries and Moroccan rugs.
A mix of Australian, English and French Provencal farmhouse-style antiques and vintage furniture pieces add old-world charm and a bespoke feel to the interior. “Furniture was sourced for its rustic farmhouse appeal as well as its functionality,” says McKinnon.
Pendants: Mondoluce; French provincial workbench: Sally Beresford; dining table and chairs: Suzie Anderson Home.
“The owner is a passionate cook and loves entertaining, so she wanted a dining table big enough to accommodate several guests and a sideboard where she could serve food,” says McKinnon.
“The owner is a passionate cook and loves entertaining, so she wanted a dining table big enough to accommodate several guests and a sideboard where she could serve food,” says McKinnon.
A woven, vintage wall hanging in ochre tones adds richness to the dining room, while its generous proportions help balance delicate pieces such as the teardrop-shaped pendants. “These fabulous organic colours in the wall hanging are inspired by the surrounding landscape and sandstone rock formations,” says McKinnon.
Contemporary artworks and feature lighting add a sophisticated edge, setting the home apart from a traditional, country-style home.
The dated, white-washed kitchen needed a revamp, but the owner didn’t want to spend a fortune. To keep the budget in check, McKinnon changed the kitchen benchtops, floors and lighting, but retained the existing cabinetry.
“We wanted to keep it simple and work with the space,” she says. “We kept the existing layout as it was working well, but softened the palette and added character with new timber benchtops and floors, rustic metal pendants over the island and underbench strip lighting for improved functionality.”
“We wanted to keep it simple and work with the space,” she says. “We kept the existing layout as it was working well, but softened the palette and added character with new timber benchtops and floors, rustic metal pendants over the island and underbench strip lighting for improved functionality.”
Strategically placed lighting was used to create drama and mood, and to highlight art pieces and the texture and tones in the wall hangings.
A French Provincial work bench, complete with the carpenter’s original clamps and turning handle, is used as a bespoke sideboard.
Vintage daybed: Water Tiger.
McKinnon increased the home’s usable living space by restyling the undercover rear deck with a handcrafted vintage Indian daybed, Moroccan floor rugs and a rattan table setting.
“You get sensational views across the national park from here and it’s now a much-loved spot to relax and entertain outdoors,” she says.
McKinnon increased the home’s usable living space by restyling the undercover rear deck with a handcrafted vintage Indian daybed, Moroccan floor rugs and a rattan table setting.
“You get sensational views across the national park from here and it’s now a much-loved spot to relax and entertain outdoors,” she says.
Downstairs guest accommodation.
“Here, we kept it simple and added a few key pieces of furniture and some small rustic joinery shelves for display,” says McKinnon. “The sheer netting around the bed adds texture and a sense of romance, and it’s also a practical solution for keeping out the mosquitoes in summer.”
“Here, we kept it simple and added a few key pieces of furniture and some small rustic joinery shelves for display,” says McKinnon. “The sheer netting around the bed adds texture and a sense of romance, and it’s also a practical solution for keeping out the mosquitoes in summer.”
The main bedroom.
Layers of texture and soft blue tones set a fresh and calming vibe in the main bedroom – the perfect setting for the owner to wind down after a busy work week.
Layers of texture and soft blue tones set a fresh and calming vibe in the main bedroom – the perfect setting for the owner to wind down after a busy work week.
Retro basin (left) and a galvanised dog bath tub (right); barn doors painted in Jaguar: Porter’s Paints.
The original undercroft-style garage was converted into a new guest bathroom, complete with charcoal-painted barn doors that can be opened up to create views of the garden while you’re bathing. “The owner thought the garage was a waste of space and added no charm to the project. She wanted to create something special with a resort-like experience,” says McKinnon.
The original undercroft-style garage was converted into a new guest bathroom, complete with charcoal-painted barn doors that can be opened up to create views of the garden while you’re bathing. “The owner thought the garage was a waste of space and added no charm to the project. She wanted to create something special with a resort-like experience,” says McKinnon.
Copper plumbing and bespoke hardware: Brooklyn Copper Co.
Recycled sleeper posts, shiplap cladding and a retro basin convey the sense that this new bathroom has been here for decades, while bespoke, exposed-copper plumbing and custom hardware add an industrial edge.
Recycled sleeper posts, shiplap cladding and a retro basin convey the sense that this new bathroom has been here for decades, while bespoke, exposed-copper plumbing and custom hardware add an industrial edge.
The outdoor shower.
“The bathroom doubles as a space for guests and a convenient outdoor shower for people to use after swimming in the nearby lake,” says McKinnon. “It was designed to maximise the outdoor country bathroom experience, and incorporates rustic charm as well as the convenience of contemporary design features. The juxtaposition of old and new features creates a unique bathroom experience within the landscape.”
“The bathroom doubles as a space for guests and a convenient outdoor shower for people to use after swimming in the nearby lake,” says McKinnon. “It was designed to maximise the outdoor country bathroom experience, and incorporates rustic charm as well as the convenience of contemporary design features. The juxtaposition of old and new features creates a unique bathroom experience within the landscape.”
Other exterior upgrades McKinnon made include new underhouse storage with barn doors, a new front gate and fence, a new carport crafted from recycled sleeper posts and a shade cloth, and a dog agility course in the garden.
An outdoor dining setting on the rear verandah creates a delightful spot to enjoy alfresco meals, surrounded by nature.
Normally based in Sydney, McKinnon needed to make new industry connections in the Blue Mountains to see the project come together.
“We sourced some local trades that I hadn’t worked with before, who were fantastic,” she says. “It’s always important to involve the local community who have local knowledge.”
Your turn
What is your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful country house? Don’t miss this Southern Highlands Houzz: A Country Home Reworked Entirely Online
“We sourced some local trades that I hadn’t worked with before, who were fantastic,” she says. “It’s always important to involve the local community who have local knowledge.”
Your turn
What is your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful country house? Don’t miss this Southern Highlands Houzz: A Country Home Reworked Entirely Online
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a holiday home for the owner, her two dogs and visiting family
Location: Wentworth Falls, NSW
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
House size: 210 square metres
Interior designer: Kathy McKinnon, interior designer and principal at Kathy McKinnon Interiors
Joinery: Jim Arnott at Bespoke Joinery
As a designer, there can be few things more gratifying than receiving a call from a previous client, asking you to wield your magic on their next home, which is exactly what happened here. And it was largely thanks to Houzz, says McKinnon. “Houzz enabled my initial introduction to this client several years ago for a previous project. I love Houzz’s high-profile, quality software and great, interactive community.”