With sensational city views, a client with utmost faith in the vision and a team committed to bringing it to life, the classically executed interior design of this home in Brisbane’s inner north was a heavenly combination.
When designers Leigh Boswell, Ashlee Consoli and Rhiannon Matthews from Highgate House were approached by previous clients to transform another home for them, the team was delighted with a new opportunity to weave their magic.
“Because we had worked with Karen and Shaun before, they absolutely trusted our vision from beginning to end,” Leigh says of the project. “And it was such a pleasure working with them again. Their brief was to make this house feel like a home, focusing on creating a lighter and softer environment. We think we got it spot on, too, by focusing on a transitional style and merging classic interiors with the home’s modern architecture.”
Working alongside Aligned Building and Construction and the joinery experts at Garsden & Clarke, Leigh and her team at Highgate House redesigned and furnished the entire ground level, as well as the master bedroom upstairs. The overhaul also included a spatial refresh, with walls repainted throughout and new carpet and window treatments in the main living area, dining, kitchen, laundry, powder room and entry.
A gift to any interior designer, Karen and Shaun’s home boasts captivating city views and vast windows, which largely dictated the design. Leigh, Ashlee and Rhiannon maximised these attributes with clever furniture layout and thoughtful selections of window furnishings.
“Our first job was to remove all the dark timber shutters from the windows and replace them with breezy sheers and Roman blinds to let in more light,” Leigh says.
Colours chosen for the project were also hugely influential in helping blend softness and light. While deep vintage-green is a calling card throughout, it is complemented indoors and out with soft shades of sage, blue and grey.
The master bedroom is now a plush retreat in timeless neutrals and grown-up greens, with everything from the chest of drawers to the armchairs sourced from the exquisite global collections of Highgate House. Key pieces were also customised for the project, including a bespoke bedhead with contrast piping, custom cushions and lampshades and an upholstered bench. Art prints are also in keeping with the modern classic style and were imported exclusively by Highgate House.
In the living room, “we selected a deep dirty-green textured fabric for the sofas which is both relaxing and forgiving for family living,” Leigh says. “We paired it with warm whites and rich neutral textures to ensure the home felt fresh and light.”
Indeed, the sumptuous settees and occasional chair, custom scatter cushions, floor lamp with custom shade, patterned jute rug, and motorised Roman blinds make this room ready for pure relaxation.
“We also installed a large custom-built wall unit to house the TV and an array of beautiful accessories sourced from our retail store,” says Leigh. “Open shelving on either side features textured woven wallpaper to internal backs of joinery and fine Shaker-profile doors.”
The colour palette flows into the kitchen where a handsome island bench grounds the scheme and slim-profile Shaker joinery adds a modern twist alongside black pulls and knobs imported from the United States and a trio of striking pendants. Matte-white crackle subway tiles carry a handmade feel, highlighted by feature LED lighting, while woven bar stools bring warmth to this well-loved hub.
Even in the most brilliantly styled homes, there is always a favourite space — and this home is no exception. For the design team, it’s a love affair split between the powder room and the living area.
“The powder room has such great impact for such a small space, and the wallpaper we have used there is a standout,” notes Leigh. “Other outstanding design elements by Highgate House, such as the honed Carrara marble floor tiles and honed marble benchtop, all come together beautifully to give it that ‘WOW’ factor. But we also love the living room for its textures and relaxed nature. It feels so good when you are in the space.”
Words: Louise Tigchelaar | Photography: Elouise van Riet-Gray
