Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Slow Living in Adelaide
Kinfolk's latest coffee table book shows us how to slow down our lives and enjoy the people and things around us
Khai Liew and Nichole Palyga’s house in Adelaide is a peaceful retreat comprised of thoughtfully selected decor. There is a distinct Japanese influence – a style Liew inherited from his father who built himself a Japanese-inspired home in Malaysia. This couple’s abode is one example of the 35 slow living homes featured in Nathan Williams’ latest book, The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living. Williams promotes the idea of slow living as a way of reclaiming time and devoting it to whatever brings us joy and meaning. According to the author, our homes are a direct reflection of this ethos, providing a place for us to be expressive and enjoy time with our loved ones.
The home’s decor is simple and elegant with only carefully selected pieces on show. “Our house is an orderly one where everything has its place,” Liew says.
The master bedroom is decorated with more wooden elements. The 1930s Japanese gown on the bedhead adds softness to the design, as well as personality. A 19th-century abacus hangs on the wall and is one of Liew’s treasured Australian folk art pieces.
Liew’s own work as a designer can be seen here – the American walnut bedside table and the lamp, with a mulberry-bark paper shade, were both products of his craftsmanship.
Liew’s own work as a designer can be seen here – the American walnut bedside table and the lamp, with a mulberry-bark paper shade, were both products of his craftsmanship.
One of the couple’s friends, Helen Fuller, designed the ceramic vases pictured here. Palyga bought the teak box during a holiday in Copenhagen, and the chair is by an unknown mid-century Danish designer.
Artwork: Andre Derain
Artwork: Andre Derain
Liew’s minimalist style is inspiring as it demonstrates how good living with less can look. “I’m good at distilling what I don’t want and I’m happy to live with less,” he says. He describes his style as a blend of mid-century modernism, Japanese aesthetic and the importance of space, light and material. He says he inherited this style from his father, whose home in Malaysia was influenced by a trip he took to Japan.
The tranquil courtyard area is the couple’s favourite spot. The surrounding walls give it a sense of security and more timber elements – including the table and chairs and wall features – have been added here. Manicured hedges add some greenery to the hard surface area, while still fitting with the orderly feel of the home.
Liew says that he enjoys cooking out here on his barbecue all-year-round, which essentially makes it an extension of the living area.
Liew says that he enjoys cooking out here on his barbecue all-year-round, which essentially makes it an extension of the living area.
The Kinfolk Home; Interiors for Slow Living is available now in Australia for $65.
TELL US
What do you like about Liew and Palyga’s home in Adelaide? Let us know in the Comments section.
TELL US
What do you like about Liew and Palyga’s home in Adelaide? Let us know in the Comments section.
Much of the house is decorated with various types of solid wood, which is an aesthetic Liew picked up during his time as a collector and conservator of early Australian furniture and folk art. This natural material contrasts nicely against the white backdrop of the home to create a consistent colour palette throughout.
Photos by Sharyn Cairns, images excerpted from ‘The Kinfolk Home’ by Nathan Williams (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2015.