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My Home Life: Nicola Cecchele's Dream Family Home in Perth
Step inside the home of Perth-based interior designer, Nicola Cecchele, and find out what was involved in making her dream abode
For Perth-based interior designer Nicola Cecchele, building the perfect family home for herself, her husband and their four kids was making a dream a reality. The couple were involved in every aspect of the 14-month build, with the help of Custom Residential Design and Tranquility Homes WA to ensure they were happy with their forever home. When it came to the finer details, Nicola’s experience as the founder of Style Edge Interiors came into play. The home is decorated in a contemporary style where a neutral palette with splashes of colour give it a timeless feel.
COMMENT TO WIN
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Granite Lane, comment on what it is you love about Nicola’s home. “This gorgeous locally-owned Perth shop is a dream, filled with so many gorgeous pieces I often lose track of time!” says Nicola. “Their Instagram page is amazing, the beautiful images providing a constant source of inspiration for me.” The winner of Nicola’s chosen prize has been announced. Well done bec2011!
COMMENT TO WIN
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Granite Lane, comment on what it is you love about Nicola’s home. “This gorgeous locally-owned Perth shop is a dream, filled with so many gorgeous pieces I often lose track of time!” says Nicola. “Their Instagram page is amazing, the beautiful images providing a constant source of inspiration for me.” The winner of Nicola’s chosen prize has been announced. Well done bec2011!
How did you and your home meet?
We were lucky enough to design and build our home. We found the block in 2010 and immediately fell in love with the location. My husband was drawn to the large corner block and I was drawn to the cosy family feel of the street. It was a quiet cul-de-sac with a park across the road, perfect for our three children (was to be four before we moved in!).
As soon as we put an offer in, I was dreaming of the design I would create and the flow of the space. We were lucky enough to work with an incredibly talented architect, who is also a friend, and he took my very specific vision and translated it into the plans. As this was to be our forever home I was intimately involved in every part of the design, planning and construction phases.
We were lucky enough to design and build our home. We found the block in 2010 and immediately fell in love with the location. My husband was drawn to the large corner block and I was drawn to the cosy family feel of the street. It was a quiet cul-de-sac with a park across the road, perfect for our three children (was to be four before we moved in!).
As soon as we put an offer in, I was dreaming of the design I would create and the flow of the space. We were lucky enough to work with an incredibly talented architect, who is also a friend, and he took my very specific vision and translated it into the plans. As this was to be our forever home I was intimately involved in every part of the design, planning and construction phases.
Can you please draw a picture of your house and tell us what you love about living here?
I had the most amazing experience designing and building our home; it’s perfect for our family. I love that we have a large gate that opens up our alfresco area, allowing us to watch the kids playing in the park without leaving our entertaining space.
Nicola and her daughter Isabella drew this picture together.
I had the most amazing experience designing and building our home; it’s perfect for our family. I love that we have a large gate that opens up our alfresco area, allowing us to watch the kids playing in the park without leaving our entertaining space.
Nicola and her daughter Isabella drew this picture together.
What is your favourite room in the house?
The kitchen and scullery are definitely up there. For ten years I lived with a teeny tiny kitchen that had no pantry and the smallest oven known to man! So not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for the space I have now. I planned it to the smallest detail ensuring it was not only beautiful, but functional. I like a clean look so the cabinets and stone are a fresh white, both in the kitchen and scullery. I love the flexibility it gives me with styling, as I’m constantly moving pieces around. As with most families, our kitchen is the space we are all drawn to.
Stools: Ikea
The kitchen and scullery are definitely up there. For ten years I lived with a teeny tiny kitchen that had no pantry and the smallest oven known to man! So not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for the space I have now. I planned it to the smallest detail ensuring it was not only beautiful, but functional. I like a clean look so the cabinets and stone are a fresh white, both in the kitchen and scullery. I love the flexibility it gives me with styling, as I’m constantly moving pieces around. As with most families, our kitchen is the space we are all drawn to.
Stools: Ikea
Our walk-in wardrobe is my personal favourite though. It was my husband’s idea to incorporate the make-up area into this space and it worked so well. This is where I hang out with my girls a lot – surprise surprise! They’re always with me when I’m getting ready, telling me what to wear and selecting shoes for me. We have the music playing and they dance around, so it’s a fun space for us.
What’s your favourite item in the house?
It’s not exactly a single item, but my favourite would have to be the photo wall of my children in the dining area. We’re not really into a lot of art so for my husband and I, these photos are our art. I love the life and colour that their faces bring to the room. As this is the space where our meals are shared and entertaining takes place, the wall fits in perfectly.
Sofa: King Living; Style Code coffee table: Mier Australia
It’s not exactly a single item, but my favourite would have to be the photo wall of my children in the dining area. We’re not really into a lot of art so for my husband and I, these photos are our art. I love the life and colour that their faces bring to the room. As this is the space where our meals are shared and entertaining takes place, the wall fits in perfectly.
Sofa: King Living; Style Code coffee table: Mier Australia
How would you describe your decorating style?
Contemporary, clean, simple. I’m constantly reimagining a space, so it was essential for me to have my home as a blank canvas that I could reinvent and redecorate through the years. My style mainly stems from functionality. A space should be visually beautiful, but if it doesn’t work day to day then it’s pointless.
Contemporary, clean, simple. I’m constantly reimagining a space, so it was essential for me to have my home as a blank canvas that I could reinvent and redecorate through the years. My style mainly stems from functionality. A space should be visually beautiful, but if it doesn’t work day to day then it’s pointless.
What inspires your design aesthetic?
I love the simple and minimalist style of Nordic design and mixing it with lots of textures and pops of colour. I love textures of any kind – I’m drawn to them in every environment.
I love the simple and minimalist style of Nordic design and mixing it with lots of textures and pops of colour. I love textures of any kind – I’m drawn to them in every environment.
What’s your hot design tip?
Don’t be afraid to try new ideas and break design rules where necessary! However, if you’re unsure, keep it simple – start with a neutral base, then layer colour and texture that you’re comfortable with.
Don’t be afraid to try new ideas and break design rules where necessary! However, if you’re unsure, keep it simple – start with a neutral base, then layer colour and texture that you’re comfortable with.
What do you love to make?
I don’t make, I create! I create and recreate spaces all around me. I do it for clients and I’m constantly doing it in my own home. Moving and introducing new pieces, giving the space a new feel is always so much fun.
Bedlinen: Lorraine Lea
I don’t make, I create! I create and recreate spaces all around me. I do it for clients and I’m constantly doing it in my own home. Moving and introducing new pieces, giving the space a new feel is always so much fun.
Bedlinen: Lorraine Lea
What’s your proudest design moment?
My first official client. It was and still is a very proud moment. There have been designs since that have been exciting and challenging, and I’m sure there will be many more to come, but I’ll always remember my first official installation.
My first official client. It was and still is a very proud moment. There have been designs since that have been exciting and challenging, and I’m sure there will be many more to come, but I’ll always remember my first official installation.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love entertaining and relaxing with family and friends – our home is usually filled with a lot of people. Family celebrations are hosted in our home and it’s an open-house policy most of the time. In summer we love relaxing by the pool, spending an insane amount of time watching the kids do ‘bombies’. We also love going for drives with the kids, visiting different places around Perth.
TELL US
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Granite Lane, tell us what it is you love about Nicola’s home in the Comments below. The winner of Nicola’s chosen prize has been announced. Well done bec2011!
Click here for full terms and conditions.
I love entertaining and relaxing with family and friends – our home is usually filled with a lot of people. Family celebrations are hosted in our home and it’s an open-house policy most of the time. In summer we love relaxing by the pool, spending an insane amount of time watching the kids do ‘bombies’. We also love going for drives with the kids, visiting different places around Perth.
TELL US
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Granite Lane, tell us what it is you love about Nicola’s home in the Comments below. The winner of Nicola’s chosen prize has been announced. Well done bec2011!
Click here for full terms and conditions.
Who lives here: Nicola Cecchele, her husband Bernardo, Massimo, age 10, Isabella, age 9, Eva, age 7 and 17-month-old Alyssa
Location: Perth, WA
Size: 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Photos by Putra Indrawan