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Classic Beauty: Old-World Elegance for a Brand-New Build
British colonial-style furniture and a timeless palette of blue, green and white were the foundations of this scheme
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, we speak with Leigh Boswell, interior designer and director at Highgate House. Boswell reveals how she and her team brought warmth and sophistication to this home with a beautifully resolved scheme that incorporates designer fabrics, classic furniture and a nature-inspired palette.
The main living room
How would you describe this house?
A four-bedroom new build with classic architectural details and joinery.
What look and feel did the owners want to create?
Relaxed elegance. They wanted their home to be a cosy retreat.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
How would you describe this house?
A four-bedroom new build with classic architectural details and joinery.
What look and feel did the owners want to create?
Relaxed elegance. They wanted their home to be a cosy retreat.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
What exactly did you do?
The interior design and decoration of the home, plus the design of the joinery.
We had previously designed two homes for this client – a rural property in New South Wales and a holiday home in Montville, Queensland. We take pride in building lasting relationships with our clients and consider it an honour when they return to us to decorate their new home.
For the design of this home, we took inspiration from the British colonial era. We also looked to the home’s expansive views for our design cues, and brought the outside in with strong greens, classic blues and navy.
The interior design and decoration of the home, plus the design of the joinery.
We had previously designed two homes for this client – a rural property in New South Wales and a holiday home in Montville, Queensland. We take pride in building lasting relationships with our clients and consider it an honour when they return to us to decorate their new home.
For the design of this home, we took inspiration from the British colonial era. We also looked to the home’s expansive views for our design cues, and brought the outside in with strong greens, classic blues and navy.
What was the starting point for the living room design?
An Oscar de la Renta fabric as a feature cushion on the living room settee. We expanded the palette from there.
Many furniture pieces throughout the home were custom-made locally to our specifications using designer fabrics. Our client also fell in love with our new range of imported furniture.
The finishing touches for this project were selected from our range of unique art and accessories. After working on this project for over a year, this final stage truly added personality and character and brought the home to life.
An Oscar de la Renta fabric as a feature cushion on the living room settee. We expanded the palette from there.
Many furniture pieces throughout the home were custom-made locally to our specifications using designer fabrics. Our client also fell in love with our new range of imported furniture.
The finishing touches for this project were selected from our range of unique art and accessories. After working on this project for over a year, this final stage truly added personality and character and brought the home to life.
The family room
Did you have to work around existing pieces?
No. We developed the interior schemes from scratch – from finishes, furniture and soft furnishings to artwork, accessories and window treatments.
We love using classic blues and whites, and here we combined them with other colours including neutrals, greens, rich chocolates and caramels to make the interior scheme truly sing.
Did you have to work around existing pieces?
No. We developed the interior schemes from scratch – from finishes, furniture and soft furnishings to artwork, accessories and window treatments.
We love using classic blues and whites, and here we combined them with other colours including neutrals, greens, rich chocolates and caramels to make the interior scheme truly sing.
Tell us about the kitchen
The gourmet kitchen is the focal point of the home and features a calming, neutral palette.
The Carrara marble slab on the island benchtop and the marble-look splashback tiles were the starting points of the design. We then selected joinery colours to complement these, keeping in mind the furniture palette in the adjoining areas.
We incorporated a complementary colour on the island-bench joinery and added pendant lights to make this area a real feature.
The navy bar stools add the final layer of luxury and practicality.
The gourmet kitchen is the focal point of the home and features a calming, neutral palette.
The Carrara marble slab on the island benchtop and the marble-look splashback tiles were the starting points of the design. We then selected joinery colours to complement these, keeping in mind the furniture palette in the adjoining areas.
We incorporated a complementary colour on the island-bench joinery and added pendant lights to make this area a real feature.
The navy bar stools add the final layer of luxury and practicality.
What ambience were you hoping to achieve?
Elegant, ordered and formal, yet at the same time completely relaxing.
A strong yet soothing palette of blues and greens paired with rich chocolates – with softer palettes in the bedroom spaces – helps achieve this.
Elegant, ordered and formal, yet at the same time completely relaxing.
A strong yet soothing palette of blues and greens paired with rich chocolates – with softer palettes in the bedroom spaces – helps achieve this.
Tell us about the console arrangement in the entry
This console is from our Highgate House collection. It is imported from the USA and features a hand-rubbed chocolate finish and bamboo-style detailing.
The mirror, which has studded detailing, is also imported.
To complete the look, we selected a crystal lamp base with a custom lampshade in a soft neutral stripe, and carefully curated a selection of accessories.
This console is from our Highgate House collection. It is imported from the USA and features a hand-rubbed chocolate finish and bamboo-style detailing.
The mirror, which has studded detailing, is also imported.
To complete the look, we selected a crystal lamp base with a custom lampshade in a soft neutral stripe, and carefully curated a selection of accessories.
The family room
Why did you choose full-length sheers for this spot?
Sheers were selected to highlight the double-height windows in the family room and to draw in natural light.
The sheers also soften the space while providing glimpses, when drawn, of the views to the pool and the green landscape of the golf course beyond.
Why did you choose full-length sheers for this spot?
Sheers were selected to highlight the double-height windows in the family room and to draw in natural light.
The sheers also soften the space while providing glimpses, when drawn, of the views to the pool and the green landscape of the golf course beyond.
What did you do on the deck?
We installed an outdoor kitchen complete with barbecue, exposed range hood, sink, tap and outdoor fridge. We selected the finishes and designed the joinery using Shaker-profile cupboard doors and drawer fronts, together with easy-wear hardware.
We selected furniture covered in outdoor fabrics that would provide casual comfort while being practical and easy-care.
We installed an outdoor kitchen complete with barbecue, exposed range hood, sink, tap and outdoor fridge. We selected the finishes and designed the joinery using Shaker-profile cupboard doors and drawer fronts, together with easy-wear hardware.
We selected furniture covered in outdoor fabrics that would provide casual comfort while being practical and easy-care.
Tell us about the study
This study is used by one of the clients when she is at home. She wanted a pretty room so we selected a palette of soft neutrals, whites, gold, pale blues and caramels.
This study is used by one of the clients when she is at home. She wanted a pretty room so we selected a palette of soft neutrals, whites, gold, pale blues and caramels.
The ground-floor powder room
What was your thinking behind the downstairs powder room?
We love to make a statement in the powder room using colour and texture as it is a spot visited by guests.
The wallpaper perfectly complements the colour of the room’s mosaic floor tiles and joinery. The Chinese leopard pattern also provides a touch of fun, which the client liked.
What was your thinking behind the downstairs powder room?
We love to make a statement in the powder room using colour and texture as it is a spot visited by guests.
The wallpaper perfectly complements the colour of the room’s mosaic floor tiles and joinery. The Chinese leopard pattern also provides a touch of fun, which the client liked.
Tell us about the master suite
Our client wanted a sophisticated yet relaxed feel. We selected a palette of soft blues, neutrals and caramels to create a softer palette than the stronger ones in the living areas. This truly creates an oasis within the home.
Our client wanted a sophisticated yet relaxed feel. We selected a palette of soft blues, neutrals and caramels to create a softer palette than the stronger ones in the living areas. This truly creates an oasis within the home.
What is this nook for?
This is a desk area within the casual living zone in the master suite. It provides space for simple tasks when the client doesn’t need to use the main study.
This gorgeous slimline desk in neutral timber was imported from the USA. We paired it with a chair upholstered in soft grey and an elegant lamp base in gold and crystal with a simple white shade finished with a tasselled trim.
Completing this space is a double-panel distressed gold-framed mirror and accessories.
This is a desk area within the casual living zone in the master suite. It provides space for simple tasks when the client doesn’t need to use the main study.
This gorgeous slimline desk in neutral timber was imported from the USA. We paired it with a chair upholstered in soft grey and an elegant lamp base in gold and crystal with a simple white shade finished with a tasselled trim.
Completing this space is a double-panel distressed gold-framed mirror and accessories.
And this area?
This built-in seat in the master suite creates a cosy spot to curl up with a book.
This built-in seat in the master suite creates a cosy spot to curl up with a book.
The master ensuite
What was your thinking behind the design of the master ensuite?
We wanted to create a sanctuary for our clients so we selected a palette of soft grey, silvery blues, whites and neutrals.
We used Bianco Carrara marble tiles throughout, including in the enclosed steam shower area.
A freestanding bath with a classic floor-mount bath spout, mixers and hand-held shower, provides a luxurious bathing experience, while adding an elegant focal point to the room.
What was your thinking behind the design of the master ensuite?
We wanted to create a sanctuary for our clients so we selected a palette of soft grey, silvery blues, whites and neutrals.
We used Bianco Carrara marble tiles throughout, including in the enclosed steam shower area.
A freestanding bath with a classic floor-mount bath spout, mixers and hand-held shower, provides a luxurious bathing experience, while adding an elegant focal point to the room.
We created a vanity in a stepped-back design with a Carrara marble benchtop. The vanity features a lambs-tongue profile, Shaker-style joinery and polished chrome hardware.
We enjoy using symmetry to create elegance. Here we used two bevelled-edge mirrors surrounded by three stunning wall sconces with white shades and custom silver trims.
We enjoy using symmetry to create elegance. Here we used two bevelled-edge mirrors surrounded by three stunning wall sconces with white shades and custom silver trims.
The first-floor powder room
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
Your turn
Do you love this casually elegant design as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more colourful homes? Don’t miss this Before & After: How an Extra 40sqm Gave a Family Home a Big Boost
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
- Marble-look tiles to the kitchen splashback.
- Carrara marble to the kitchen island benchtop and master ensuite vanity top.
- Quartz Stone in Vanilla to the vanity tops in the other bathrooms.
- Travertine porcelain tiles in silver to the kitchen floor.
- Bianco Carrara marble tiles to the master ensuite floor, walls and ceiling in the steam shower recess.
- All furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, artwork and accessories sourced by Highgate House. Some pieces were made locally and others were imported from the USA as part of our collections. Furniture is then customised using designer fabrics sourced by our interior design team.
Your turn
Do you love this casually elegant design as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more colourful homes? Don’t miss this Before & After: How an Extra 40sqm Gave a Family Home a Big Boost
Answers by Leigh Boswell, interior designer and director at Highgate House
Who lives here: A small family plus grandparents (who live in a self-contained flat)
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
House size: Around 600 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms: Four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, plus a self-contained one-bedroom granny flat with private access
Interior designer: Highgate House design team