Despite being a new-build, this home is a nod to tradition with timeless Californian bungalow features
Who lives here?
Victoria Richardson (mother and interior designer), Craig Richardson (CEO), Will, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Reilly, 7.
Victoria, what was your favourite room to decorate and why?
The master bedroom. We’ve created a cosy sanctuary with a fabric headboard I made myself and a leather armchair in the corner. The colour scheme is fairly neutral but has a touch of dusky pink with a pale grey duvet and dark-wood bedside tables. The linen drapes make the room feel luxurious and hotel-like.
What style are you inspired by?
I love the American style, but I was careful not to go down the Hamptons path with kitschy nautical-themed decor. That style to me is perfect for a coastal beach house, but not what I wanted for our everyday living. I drew from the relaxed yet elegant style of those grand American homes you see all over the States.
How stressful is building a new home?
It can be a very stressful process, especially when you want things done a certain way and in a specific timeframe, and then something out of your control throws the timing and budget out the window. I am a planner and a detail-oriented person so having any delays definitely caused me a bit of stress. In the end, though, there is not much you can do about it, so I learned to take a deep breath and relax! It all got done in the end.
Words by: Annick Larkin
Photography by: Emma MacDonald
Designed by Sue Gillbanks from Kitchens By Design, the spacious L-shaped kitchen soaks up the sun and takes advantage of both the open-plan layout and the expansive outdoor spaces
Designed by Sue Gillbanks from Kitchens By Design, the spacious L-shaped kitchen soaks up the sun and takes advantage of both the open-plan layout and the expansive outdoor spaces.
Designed by Sue Gillbanks from Kitchens By Design, the spacious L-shaped kitchen soaks up the sun and takes advantage of both the open-plan layout and the expansive outdoor spaces.
A generous deck and covered outdoor room make for year-round use with louvres that open and close depending on the weather.
A second living area adjacent to the more formal lounge is the perfect family retreat. “It’s a more casual space for the kids to hang out and watch movies and play,” says Victoria. “I kept the style a little more eclectic and fun.” The striped rug, geometric wall art and patterned cushions add texture, colour and personality to this relaxed room.
The formal lounge.
In these photos of the master suite Victoria has dressed the bed in different bedlinen, both of which tie in to the floral fabric bedhead she made herself.
“I spent a lot of time deliberating over the fabric, bringing home many swatches to help me decide what would work,” she says. The linen curtains evoke a ‘hotel’ feeling of luxury and romance.
The three children’s rooms have been designed by Victoria to stand the test of time, with colours and wallpapers that won’t be outgrown.
Twin beds in each means the rooms are sleepover-ready, while under-the-eaves storage keeps the spaces tidy.
In the gorgeous guest bathroom Victoria chose to hang a bold patterned wallpaper with a round mirror. The contradicting linear edges of the subway-tiled splashback help create contrast and drama in the small room.
In the family bathroom the sleek bath and colourful accessories and art give this practical space a contemporary yet light-hearted feel.
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