An Interior Designer's Step-by-Step Sophisticated Home Makeover
This Sydney home is a masterclass in texture and pattern. Here, the interior designer reveals how she pieced it together
Vanessa Walker
12 December 2019
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor.
Jodie Blampied of Style Merchants reveals how she created an elegant and sophisticated home from an empty shell, for a family of four in the sought-after Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.
Images by Robert Walsh
Answers by interior designer Jodie Blampied of Style Merchants
Who lives here: A family of four
Suburb: Vaucluse, NSW
Rooms you oversaw: The interior design of all spaces
Architect: Tobias Partners
Budget: $300,000 to $400,000 for the interior design
Scenario: This was a new-build home that consisted of six bedrooms and five bathrooms
Answers by interior designer Jodie Blampied of Style Merchants
Who lives here: A family of four
Suburb: Vaucluse, NSW
Rooms you oversaw: The interior design of all spaces
Architect: Tobias Partners
Budget: $300,000 to $400,000 for the interior design
Scenario: This was a new-build home that consisted of six bedrooms and five bathrooms
The overall brief
Create elegant, sophisticated, tailored interiors that would be harmonious with the architecture and surrounding garden.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to give your interior a fresh new look
Create elegant, sophisticated, tailored interiors that would be harmonious with the architecture and surrounding garden.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to give your interior a fresh new look
The brief for the living area
A comfortable family space that allowed for intimate family use and larger gatherings, including watching sports matches.
The colour and materials palette
It started with a neutral linen, and the chairs, lamp, cushions and leather timbers were layered around the sofa’s material.
A comfortable family space that allowed for intimate family use and larger gatherings, including watching sports matches.
The colour and materials palette
It started with a neutral linen, and the chairs, lamp, cushions and leather timbers were layered around the sofa’s material.
From an interior designer’s perspective, how do these pieces work together and why?
There is a strong element of texture in the combinations of leather, linen, woven-abaca flooring and crazy paving flooring against a lush garden backdrop. They are all beautiful individually and together they flow harmoniously.
Custom-made sofa and cushions; Foscarini Twiggy floor lamp; Orient House timber stool; B&B Italia Husk armchairs; custom-made ottoman in leather; Walter Knoll Oki side table; Dedon Nest Rest hanging chair
There is a strong element of texture in the combinations of leather, linen, woven-abaca flooring and crazy paving flooring against a lush garden backdrop. They are all beautiful individually and together they flow harmoniously.
Custom-made sofa and cushions; Foscarini Twiggy floor lamp; Orient House timber stool; B&B Italia Husk armchairs; custom-made ottoman in leather; Walter Knoll Oki side table; Dedon Nest Rest hanging chair
Why did you choose this dining setting?
We selected the shape and length for the table as it extends to seat 12 as per the client’s request.
We chose stained oak for the dining table and leather for the Twombly chairs.
Tell us how these shapes work together in the space
It has a lovely organic shape. The oval table complements the rounded architectural features throughout the house. I find it softer than square-edge tables.
Atticus dining table custom-made by Lowe for Hub; Minotti Twombly chairs
We selected the shape and length for the table as it extends to seat 12 as per the client’s request.
We chose stained oak for the dining table and leather for the Twombly chairs.
Tell us how these shapes work together in the space
It has a lovely organic shape. The oval table complements the rounded architectural features throughout the house. I find it softer than square-edge tables.
Atticus dining table custom-made by Lowe for Hub; Minotti Twombly chairs
What did you want to achieve in this space?
A sense of luxury while being relaxed and comfortable. This house is close to the beach but our client didn’t want a ‘beach house’ aesthetic.
Tell us about the colour selection in this area
It was based on the rug, which was selected to mirror the sea views.
A sense of luxury while being relaxed and comfortable. This house is close to the beach but our client didn’t want a ‘beach house’ aesthetic.
Tell us about the colour selection in this area
It was based on the rug, which was selected to mirror the sea views.
Why was quilted upholstery an important choice for the armchairs?
Quilting is glamorous, provides texture and amazing comfort. It’s also a strong trend that provides a good contrast to the other pieces. These chairs were a favourite of mine and fortunately the client loved them too.
Redondo armchairs designed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso; Domino coffee table by Molteni&C; Moroccan rug by Cadrys
Quilting is glamorous, provides texture and amazing comfort. It’s also a strong trend that provides a good contrast to the other pieces. These chairs were a favourite of mine and fortunately the client loved them too.
Redondo armchairs designed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso; Domino coffee table by Molteni&C; Moroccan rug by Cadrys
Tell us about the barstool selection
The Tractor stool is an iconic design. We couldn’t get the dark stain in time so we had a lighter colour stained to match the kitchen joinery. I feel they work in almost any interior due to their simplicity and comfort.
How does the flooring support the colour and materials palette in this space?
It’s a light stained oak that reflects a lot of light, helping to counter the dark joinery.
The Tractor stool is an iconic design. We couldn’t get the dark stain in time so we had a lighter colour stained to match the kitchen joinery. I feel they work in almost any interior due to their simplicity and comfort.
How does the flooring support the colour and materials palette in this space?
It’s a light stained oak that reflects a lot of light, helping to counter the dark joinery.
A view from outside into the living area
The 15-year-old son’s bedroom
Brief for the oldest son’s room
Colour and pattern, but sophisticated enough that it can be turned into another guest bedroom in time.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The walls are painted dark blue to make the leather bed frame jump off the wall. The client had selected a blue carpet, so that was my cue for the rest of the palette.
The denim-coloured bed linen was selected later, and scatter cushions were custom-made and chosen in conjunction with the paint colour, bed and bedside lamp.
Finley bed frame by Jardan; walls in Porter’s Paint Obsidian eggshell acrylic; Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp from Cult; GlobeWest Nordic bedside table
Brief for the oldest son’s room
Colour and pattern, but sophisticated enough that it can be turned into another guest bedroom in time.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The walls are painted dark blue to make the leather bed frame jump off the wall. The client had selected a blue carpet, so that was my cue for the rest of the palette.
The denim-coloured bed linen was selected later, and scatter cushions were custom-made and chosen in conjunction with the paint colour, bed and bedside lamp.
Finley bed frame by Jardan; walls in Porter’s Paint Obsidian eggshell acrylic; Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp from Cult; GlobeWest Nordic bedside table
The 13-year-old son’s bedroom
Brief for the youngest son’s room
Sophisticated and with colour. The client had selected a green/teal carpet, so I worked with that and balanced it with some natural tones in linen and timber.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The wall colour was selected after I found the scatter cushion fabric, which is a design based on water using beautiful aqua and teal blues.
Custom-made linen bedhead; wall in Porter’s Paint eggshell acrylic; Douglas & Bec Angle Lamp; GlobeWest Nordic bedside table
Brief for the youngest son’s room
Sophisticated and with colour. The client had selected a green/teal carpet, so I worked with that and balanced it with some natural tones in linen and timber.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The wall colour was selected after I found the scatter cushion fabric, which is a design based on water using beautiful aqua and teal blues.
Custom-made linen bedhead; wall in Porter’s Paint eggshell acrylic; Douglas & Bec Angle Lamp; GlobeWest Nordic bedside table
The parents’ bedroom
Brief for the parents’ room
It needed to be a retreat.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The custom-made cushion was selected to add some colour and texture to the dark headboard and bedside. We sourced the blanket from Spence & Lyda, which again adds colour and texture against the white bed linen.
Bedhead custom-made and designed by the architect; custom-made bedside table; Dulux Natural White paint on walls; Roy Parete lamp by VBO
Brief for the parents’ room
It needed to be a retreat.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The custom-made cushion was selected to add some colour and texture to the dark headboard and bedside. We sourced the blanket from Spence & Lyda, which again adds colour and texture against the white bed linen.
Bedhead custom-made and designed by the architect; custom-made bedside table; Dulux Natural White paint on walls; Roy Parete lamp by VBO
The master bedroom’s walk-in wardrobe
Why did you select this seat?
This is a really fun and glamorous chair that I knew would appeal to the client, and she loved it.
Baxter Nepal chair by Paola Navone
Why did you select this seat?
This is a really fun and glamorous chair that I knew would appeal to the client, and she loved it.
Baxter Nepal chair by Paola Navone
The master bedroom’s second walk-in wardrobe
Tell us about the fabric choice
It’s a very pretty floral linen with a wide colour selection available. We used it to bring colour and movement into this space.
Why did you select this seat?
It has a simple, elegant retro feel. We custom-sized it and selected our own upholstery.
Benchseat from Grazia & Co in Warwick Fabrics
Tell us about the fabric choice
It’s a very pretty floral linen with a wide colour selection available. We used it to bring colour and movement into this space.
Why did you select this seat?
It has a simple, elegant retro feel. We custom-sized it and selected our own upholstery.
Benchseat from Grazia & Co in Warwick Fabrics
The guest bedroom
Brief for the first guest room
Fun, pink, glamorous.
Tell us about the selection of materials
We sourced luxurious wallpaper, fabrics and furnishings with unique textures in velvet, linen, ceramic, oak and marble. The wallpaper is a quirky jungle scene that picks up on all the client’s favourite colours.
Custom-made velvet bedhead from Cole & Son; Savuti wallpaper; Porta Romana table lamp; Zuster Halo side table
Brief for the first guest room
Fun, pink, glamorous.
Tell us about the selection of materials
We sourced luxurious wallpaper, fabrics and furnishings with unique textures in velvet, linen, ceramic, oak and marble. The wallpaper is a quirky jungle scene that picks up on all the client’s favourite colours.
Custom-made velvet bedhead from Cole & Son; Savuti wallpaper; Porta Romana table lamp; Zuster Halo side table
The second guest room
Brief for the second guest room
Moody and sophisticated.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The client loved the charcoal grasscloth wallpaper I sourced, so I found a complementary velvet and had the oversize headboard custom-constructed in panels. The linen was selected last to keep the look fresh.
Manila Hemp Grasscloth wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries; Roy Tavolo lamp from VBO; GlobeWest Viva side table
Brief for the second guest room
Moody and sophisticated.
Tell us about the selection of materials
The client loved the charcoal grasscloth wallpaper I sourced, so I found a complementary velvet and had the oversize headboard custom-constructed in panels. The linen was selected last to keep the look fresh.
Manila Hemp Grasscloth wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries; Roy Tavolo lamp from VBO; GlobeWest Viva side table
The third guest room
Brief for the third guest room
Something fun and exotic.
Custom-made bedhead in linen with leather trim; Donghia wallpaper; Orient House bedside tables
Brief for the third guest room
Something fun and exotic.
Custom-made bedhead in linen with leather trim; Donghia wallpaper; Orient House bedside tables
The outdoor setting
Tell us about the selection of materials
I love the simplicity and organic feel of this cast-concrete table. Its clean lines are not precious or boring and it works beautifully with the paving and the structural outdoor elements.
Tobi-Ishi table by Barber & Osgerby; Panton chair by Vitra
Your turn
What do you love about these interiors? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more interior design inspiration? Don’t miss this My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’Burbs
Tell us about the selection of materials
I love the simplicity and organic feel of this cast-concrete table. Its clean lines are not precious or boring and it works beautifully with the paving and the structural outdoor elements.
Tobi-Ishi table by Barber & Osgerby; Panton chair by Vitra
Your turn
What do you love about these interiors? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more interior design inspiration? Don’t miss this My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’Burbs
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I’d love to have $300 000 - $400 000 for the interior design of my house.
I’d love to design someone’s interior with their $300000-$400000! How much fun!!!
I hope that $300k - $400k included all of the things, i.e. flooring, cabinetry, furniture etc etc etc and not just the designer's fee.