In 2012, a group of interior decorators and designers were involved with renovating and decorating a beautiful Victorian Italianate home for the Lighthouse Foundation that young people and the carers were to live in. The Lighthouse Foundation provides a long-term family environment, care and support for young people aged 15 – 22 years, who might otherwise be homeless. This was an opportunity to help the community and enrich the lives of others.

Our brief was to decorate a bedroom for one of the carers. I designed this room as a retreat where the carer could feel calm and rested. Feng Shui principles were adopted to create balance and harmony. A calming palette of sea green, celadon, ivory, linen and earth were mixed with the textures of linen and wood. The light softly filters into the room through the textured roman blinds and sheer linen curtains. The room hints at oriental with the use of simple timber furniture, waterlilies artwork and blossom cushions.

DESIGN & DECORATION SHOW HOUSE 2001
‘La Prise de the Chez un Bourgeoise’

A group of interior designers were invited to decorate a room in the historic Villa Alba. The challenge was that we were not to add any holes to the walls or architraves as it is a heritage listed house, so we used any existing fittings and planned the room around them. This room was designed as a decadent tea party setting. Bursting with a French inspired palette of delicious, vibrant colours, the room is a feminine space for ladies to enjoy delicious cakes and fine tea. All the upholstered furniture was custom made in beautiful richly textured French fabrics. The Tony Phillips orchid painting compliments the French feminine feel. The cake was especially made with exquisite detail by the talented Amanda Way, and was complimented by fine Limoges chinaware. The French antiques from Miguel Meirelles are perfectly at home in this beautiful Victorian heritage building.

Awarded Best Designer Room

Several interior designers were selected to create a room setting to inspire the public that were visiting the home show. We decided on a luxurious bedroom scene that you would find in an exclusive Parisian hotel that is moody and elegant. Silk panelled walls were the backdrop to set the scene. Silk damask curtains on ebony coloured rods with mirrors behind them were used to create the illusion of space. The focal point of the room is the bed with a beautiful sensual painting by the talented Neil Mc Irvine. The custom made daybed and Louis chair are French contemporary in style and upholstered in sumptuous chenille fabrics with a contrast fabric on the back and sides. Lighting is an integral element when creating ambience and interest in any room and here we have used several sources of lighting – a bronze chandelier with hand pleated sheer shades, bedside table lamps with crystal details and a bronze floor lamp. The smaller velvet cushions on the bed are unusual as they are made by having one cover the other where the outer cover is scrunched up to reveal the depth and variation of colour of the velvet. The colours are rich and moody, using shades of charcoal, espresso and teal. Every tiny detail has been considered down to the high heeled shoes covered in the silk damask and the martini glasses with the bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin. We also participated in presentations throughout the show to the public on how to decorate their homes and answered any questions they had about using an interior decorator/designer. Also we were lucky enough to have been awarded the Best Designer Room.

Each designer chosen to exhibit was given a very small space of 2 metres x 2 metres to create a room setting of their choice. It was a challenge to create an interesting room scene with such little space and the trick was to use layers to give visual interest. We chose to do a sitting room inspired by romance. Black embossed wallpaper was the back drop to help set the scene. Richly textured sensuous velvets by Carlucci and Andrew Martin have been used on the daybed and ottoman in a rich port wine colours. An organza sheer curtain half covers the space, so you feel like you are peeking inside into a private space. The artwork of a lady’s face is intriguing and alluring. Little touches like the lingerie flung over the daybed, fun throw rugs, handmade chocolates and champagne complete the setting for a romantic, passionate interlude.

This room on view at the HIA Homeshow was a collaboration with kitchen and bathroom design company Royston Wilson Design and Window Workshop. The room was called ‘Chambre de Paris’ (Parisienne room). Royston designed a contemporary ensuite and we created a warm and luxurious bedroom to complement. The bedhead was made in a chocolate coloured chenille that had a thread of lurex running through the weave that subtly glimmered in the light. Lots of silk and velvet cushions adorned the bed in shades of raspberry and chocolate with special details such as contrast flanges and self-covered buttons. The simple contemporary fire place tied the room together and gave it an extra layer of interest and warmth.