Houzz Tour: Family Fun House
If houses could smile, this 1903 villa would have the biggest grin of them all
Grace Chamia
30 July 2015
Houzz Contributor. I'm an experienced lifestyle journalist with a penchant for open houses that I have no intention of buying...
Houzz Contributor. I'm an experienced lifestyle journalist with a penchant for open... More
Alex Fulton’s design aesthetic is anything but boring. “Our house makes us smile,” she says. Some elements even make you laugh (for all the right reasons, as you’ll come to see!). Alex set out to transform what she says was a soulless house into a family fun house that could also cater to their ever-changing collection of bits and bobs. “There was originally no storage in the house, so that was a big priority,” says Alex. “We have a strong design aesthetic and that’s really important to how we live as a family.” Despite the menagerie of ‘stuff’, there’s no sense of chaos in this vivid wonderland – which is something that comes easy to Alex. Rather, her biggest challenge was, in fact, getting the family onboard with her daring colour choices.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Alex Fulton and her husband Jeff, daughters Isla, 11, and Violet, 10, and their ‘dog daughters’, Daisy the Hairy Jack Russell and Moo the Italian Greyhound
Location: Springlands, Blenheim, in the wine region of Marlborough, New Zealand
Size: 270 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 2 living areas, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Alex Fulton and her husband Jeff, daughters Isla, 11, and Violet, 10, and their ‘dog daughters’, Daisy the Hairy Jack Russell and Moo the Italian Greyhound
Location: Springlands, Blenheim, in the wine region of Marlborough, New Zealand
Size: 270 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 2 living areas, 2 bathrooms
Photos by Julia Atkinson
The colour blue was the inspiration for the formal living room. It started with the sofa suite, which was a bargain find online. “We loved the variations of blue it had,” says Alex. The walls were then painted in ‘Dance Floor’ by Dulux to complement the sofa – Alex wanted a bright hue that would also add an element of depth to the room, to balance the high stud ceiling. “I knew the right hue immediately but I put three in front of Jeff and the girls to get them involved in the process,” says Alex. “Surprise, surprise, they all picked my blue!”
A white trim – on the window frames, skirtings, fireplace and ceiling – helps to make the blue pop.
White trim paint in ‘Mt Aspiring Half’: Dulux
The colour blue was the inspiration for the formal living room. It started with the sofa suite, which was a bargain find online. “We loved the variations of blue it had,” says Alex. The walls were then painted in ‘Dance Floor’ by Dulux to complement the sofa – Alex wanted a bright hue that would also add an element of depth to the room, to balance the high stud ceiling. “I knew the right hue immediately but I put three in front of Jeff and the girls to get them involved in the process,” says Alex. “Surprise, surprise, they all picked my blue!”
A white trim – on the window frames, skirtings, fireplace and ceiling – helps to make the blue pop.
White trim paint in ‘Mt Aspiring Half’: Dulux
The blue walls have some fierce competition on the other side of the living room, where a custom-made joinery unit helps to disguise the family TV and provides oodles of storage. Irregular open and closed shelving is a design feature in itself, with cabinet doors painted in an equally bright green that offsets the blue backdrop.
Alex and her family have filled it to the brim with the likes of holiday souvenirs, collectables, books and pottery, to truly show off their combined personalities. “There’s quite a lot going on in the house, but I’m a real Virgo in that things have to be ordered,” says Alex, “and that’s where good storage comes in handy.” The green cabinetry allows the family to hide away clutter and create curated displays all in one.
Cupboard doors painted in ‘Grass Court’: Dulux
Alex and her family have filled it to the brim with the likes of holiday souvenirs, collectables, books and pottery, to truly show off their combined personalities. “There’s quite a lot going on in the house, but I’m a real Virgo in that things have to be ordered,” says Alex, “and that’s where good storage comes in handy.” The green cabinetry allows the family to hide away clutter and create curated displays all in one.
Cupboard doors painted in ‘Grass Court’: Dulux
One of Alex’s many collections – Russian nesting dolls, which were a gift from her grandmother.
The luxury of high ceilings enables a framed Marimekko fabric to sit above the fireplace. “In our old house, which didn’t have very high ceilings, the fabric was so big that it looked like it hung from the ground. So it has actually worked in two different spaces quite well,” says Alex. “I love it as an art piece, because I love black and white and colour.”
The curios don’t stop there, either. While the room is a formal space, it packs an eclectic personality through bold artwork, more collectable displays, which are peppered throughout, and patterned and/or colourful soft furnishings.
Wall paint in ‘Dance Studio’: Dulux; ceramics: Fran Maguire; artwork: stretched piece of Marimekko fabric
The curios don’t stop there, either. While the room is a formal space, it packs an eclectic personality through bold artwork, more collectable displays, which are peppered throughout, and patterned and/or colourful soft furnishings.
Wall paint in ‘Dance Studio’: Dulux; ceramics: Fran Maguire; artwork: stretched piece of Marimekko fabric
The home’s layout, which has a long hallway running through it with adjoining rooms, enables privacy and ‘alone time’ when needed. “The two living spaces mean you can all hunker down together or separate out into kids and adult zones when necessary,” says Alex.
Upon entering the home, you are greeted by ‘Golden Girl’, a proud watchdog made of aluminium, by New Zealand sculptor Ben Foster, who does a range of pixelated animals. “I would’ve got the horse, too, if we had the space and money!” laughs Alex. Behind it is a multi-coloured coat stand, topped with a wig, of course, which sets the tone for the rest of the house: fun and tongue-in-cheek.
Paradise Tree coat stand: Magis; Coral pendant lights in White: David Trubridge; Fredericks and Mae arrows (on wall): Douglas and Bec; ball garlands: Out of the Box
Upon entering the home, you are greeted by ‘Golden Girl’, a proud watchdog made of aluminium, by New Zealand sculptor Ben Foster, who does a range of pixelated animals. “I would’ve got the horse, too, if we had the space and money!” laughs Alex. Behind it is a multi-coloured coat stand, topped with a wig, of course, which sets the tone for the rest of the house: fun and tongue-in-cheek.
Paradise Tree coat stand: Magis; Coral pendant lights in White: David Trubridge; Fredericks and Mae arrows (on wall): Douglas and Bec; ball garlands: Out of the Box
The first room to the left is 11-year-old Isla’s. She was quite directive in what she wanted in terms of design, creating a feature wall out of grey spot decals.
Light shade covered in fabric from Ikea; blinds in ‘Marbles’ fabric: Sparkk; Metoo Puppy: ECC by Magis
Light shade covered in fabric from Ikea; blinds in ‘Marbles’ fabric: Sparkk; Metoo Puppy: ECC by Magis
The genius toy nest above the bed was, however, Mum’s grand idea. “Isla sleeps with soft toys but I didn’t want them all over the bed,” says Alex. The contraption allows Isla to effortlessly pull her toys up and down when she needs them, keeping them contained and off the bed, but certainly near it. It also makes more room for Moo, the Italian greyhound, pictured, who loves sleeping on the girls’ beds. A quick fix-it, Alex designed and made the nest using a net from Bunnings, some rope, a pulley system and a hook that sits underneath the windowsill.
Jeff plays the drums, so there’s no question who contributed the music-inspired art to the hallway walls – which, you may have noticed, are lined with the family’s Lego figurines and a vintage Smurfs collection, too.
A 9-metre custom-made hallway runner spans the space, adding even more colour, pattern and vibrancy to the entrance.
Alex holds a paper tiger head she bought during a trip to Paris
A 9-metre custom-made hallway runner spans the space, adding even more colour, pattern and vibrancy to the entrance.
Alex holds a paper tiger head she bought during a trip to Paris
At the end of the hallway lies another curation of unique finds, including a cuckoo clock collection. The pink and brown clock to the left, which is actually made of felt, kicked off the obsession, which was spurred on during a trip to Switzerland. “We’d go into shops and cuckoo clocks would cover the walls from floor to ceiling!” says Alex. Laughing at the novelty of it all, Alex admits she often feels like a 14-year-old girl.
The half moon was a secondhand find purchased to fill the end of the 12-metre hallway. “It’s a nod to the era of the house,” says Alex. “I just had to put my colour stamp on it.”
Little Twist wall lights: Accent Lighting; pottery: West German Pottery
The half moon was a secondhand find purchased to fill the end of the 12-metre hallway. “It’s a nod to the era of the house,” says Alex. “I just had to put my colour stamp on it.”
Little Twist wall lights: Accent Lighting; pottery: West German Pottery
The galley-style bathroom maintains its original charm with the likes of a claw foot bath, but doesn’t retreat from Alex’s design aesthetic, either. Party decorations and a perspex Kreuz wall lamp, by New Zealand designer Catherine David, have found their way into the bathroom, for no other reason than “they needed a home”, says Alex.
The family room – or ‘Jungle Room’, as the Fultons call it – is wallpapered in
a lush greenery design from ARTE. Alex had been working on a project for the Ellerslie International Flower Show in Christchurch, and planned to use the wallpaper in her design. But just about halfway through preparations, Christchurch was hit by a devastating earthquake, and so the flower show was cancelled. When the family moved into the house, Alex saw an opportunity to finally put the 15 rolls of wallpaper to use. The sofas were recovered in a matching design fabric to complete the look.
Faux tiger rug: Cosmic Corner
a lush greenery design from ARTE. Alex had been working on a project for the Ellerslie International Flower Show in Christchurch, and planned to use the wallpaper in her design. But just about halfway through preparations, Christchurch was hit by a devastating earthquake, and so the flower show was cancelled. When the family moved into the house, Alex saw an opportunity to finally put the 15 rolls of wallpaper to use. The sofas were recovered in a matching design fabric to complete the look.
Faux tiger rug: Cosmic Corner
The blow-up monkeys, pictured, were part of a Jeff Koons installation, and reiterate Alex’s love for oversized (and undersized) objects. Take a look at their size in comparison to the animal heads in the next few photos down.
Monkeys: Brown & Co
Monkeys: Brown & Co
A collection of faux animal heads feature above and around the fireplace. “My daughter is an animal lover, so she’d never allow any real taxidermy in the house,” says Alex. The moose head, pictured, is in fact a plastic blow-up.
When asked where she sourced her collection of animal heads, Alex says they’re from all over – holidays, souvenir and party shops… “It’s gotten to the point where people now point them out to me on Instagram.” They are made out of materials such as plastic, felt, paper mache and plywood. “My favourite is the paper tiger,” says Alex. “I found him in Paris in a kids’ shop. He folds out so I could put him in my suitcase.”
The doll house-esque dining table and chairs, more secondhand finds, were originally painted for a design event, and now take pride of place in the dining room, which adjoins the kitchen. “A lot of people have dining rooms but they don’t actually use them – I wanted it to be a useable space,” says Alex. “I wanted a big family table that the kids could do their homework on and the family would eat at.”
Nearly black, navy blue walls provide a deep contrast against the bright colours of the table and chairs, and help them standout even more.
The artwork was purchased during a family trip to Bali.
Table paint in ‘Waipawa’: Dulux; chair paint in ‘Napier’: Dulux; wall paint in ‘Piha’: Dulux
Nearly black, navy blue walls provide a deep contrast against the bright colours of the table and chairs, and help them standout even more.
The artwork was purchased during a family trip to Bali.
Table paint in ‘Waipawa’: Dulux; chair paint in ‘Napier’: Dulux; wall paint in ‘Piha’: Dulux
The original fireplace (above) is no longer in use and instead displays more family treasures and photos. It originally kept a pot belly stove, which the Fultons removed for fire safety reasons.
The kitchen was previously dominated by a mossy green hue that Alex says made it look old and dated. While there are still plans to renovate the kitchen – it will be the last room in the house to get an overhaul – painted white cabinetry, navy walls and shelves pulled in from the garage suffice.
Can pendant light: Simon James Design
Can pendant light: Simon James Design
10-year-old Violet is lucky enough to have what was initially the master bedroom in the house. “It was originally our bedroom [Alex and Jeff’s] and ensuite [connected], but we’re such amazing parents that we gave it up for our daughter,” laughs Alex.
It is now a mecca for inspiration. A felt pin board holds artwork, photos of family and friends, and fanciful ideas, while a four poster bed fit for a princess is embellished with the likes of bunting, pom pom garlands and flowers.
Bed: Meluka; bedlinen: Kip & Co
It is now a mecca for inspiration. A felt pin board holds artwork, photos of family and friends, and fanciful ideas, while a four poster bed fit for a princess is embellished with the likes of bunting, pom pom garlands and flowers.
Bed: Meluka; bedlinen: Kip & Co
Violet initially wanted an all-white bedroom, but it wasn’t until the paint hit the walls that Alex realised the height of the ceilings exaggerated the colour choice. “The room has black carpet, and the contrast against the tall white walls was just too much, so the grey was a fun way to break it up,” says Alex. “Isla was quite clear with what she wanted, and she loves muted colours, so the grey worked perfectly – she went on to add the grey drops on her wall.”
The chest of drawers was Alex’s grandmother’s and has been upcycled with the same grey paint used on the walls. “I thought it had a really good shape, plus it’s functional, so we decided to spray paint it,” says Alex.
Chest of drawers spray painted in ‘Timeless Grey’: Dulux; shelves: Ikea
Chest of drawers spray painted in ‘Timeless Grey’: Dulux; shelves: Ikea
What was once a dark and dingy ensuite – with an old chimney you had to manoeuvre around – is now a shared bathroom for the girls. Both have access via their bedrooms through oversized barn doors. An extra door was added for access from Isla’s room, and another door leads to the outside. “It means the kids can run in and out of their bedrooms through the bathroom and go outside as well,” says Alex.
“I had this idea: I wanted a white space with a yellow box at the end, which is why there are two tiled areas,” explains Alex. And so the contrast in the mostly-white bathroom is acute. The hexagon tiles in white and yellow are from Academy Tiles and make a surprisingly big statement. Unlike most bathrooms, it’s fun too. The bottom of the shower is large enough to be filled up as a bath – or pool as the kids prefer to see it. “They absolutely love it – they can have their buddies over, get into their togs and kick around in it,” says Alex.
A Lego-style vanity, yellow Muuto pendants and bright accessories make this an especially lively bathroom that even visitors get excited about.
Icon + Lever tapware and hardware: Astra Walker
Icon + Lever tapware and hardware: Astra Walker
A trio of foot stools add colour and functionality – they can be used as seating and help little legs reach for shelves. The chrome towel rail was professionally painted in ‘Boyzone’ by Dulux.
Hexagon tiles in White and Yellow: Academy Tiles; flannels: Marimekko; suction hooks: Ikea; bath mat: Country Road; soap dispenser: Urban Outfitters
Hexagon tiles in White and Yellow: Academy Tiles; flannels: Marimekko; suction hooks: Ikea; bath mat: Country Road; soap dispenser: Urban Outfitters
Alex and Jeff’s bedroom is a feast for the eyes. The star of the show is the designer Hanna Werning wallpaper, which Alex says is what makes this room her favourite in the entire house. “It has a repeating pattern but it always seems different for some reason,” says Alex. “I never get sick of it.” Not just a floral pattern, look closer and you’ll see jumping foxes and gliding fish – a little bit of fun in what Alex describes as a “granny chic pattern”. It sets the scene for everything else in the room, too. “Everything started from that wallpaper,” explains Alex. “We built around it.” The navy base provides a moody tone for the room, while the corals, greens and pinks add that zest of colour you’d come to expect in this house.
Alex has taken shibori classes and has every intention of making over the duvet with the pleat and bind technique but, for now, it remains as quite possibly the ‘plainest’ item in the house – even by Alex’s own admission!
Alex has taken shibori classes and has every intention of making over the duvet with the pleat and bind technique but, for now, it remains as quite possibly the ‘plainest’ item in the house – even by Alex’s own admission!
Daisy the Jack Russell loves to snuggle on the bed.
Bedding: Kip & Co and Bedouin Societe; wall-hung sconce lights: Catherine David Designs; tallboy: Tim Webber Design; side table: NOOD
Bedding: Kip & Co and Bedouin Societe; wall-hung sconce lights: Catherine David Designs; tallboy: Tim Webber Design; side table: NOOD
From the outside, you wouldn’t guess the myriad of colours and patterns that await inside. The heritage home sits on land just under 2,000 square metres – it used to be a cherry farm – and retains its original character and paint colours.
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I too am glad that the exuberant mix of fabrics and color, so happy and so personal, has reached most who look at it. Few of the usual complaints of "clutter", "busyness" and so on. The vividness might be overwhelming even for me -- and I love color and "stuff" -- but this family has done a superb job of creating a joyous, unique space all their own. Congrats!
I love the yellow bathroom ! It's fantastic !!