Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Interior Stylist's Fun and Fashionable Canberra Home
A young couple's dream home combines smart casual style with low-maintenance materials for an all-round delight
Gina Ciancio, aka editor of Style Curator blog and an interior stylist, is living the dream in her custom-designed Canberra home, where she’s layered affordable finds with colourful artworks on top of a neutral palette.
Back when Gina and Bruno were child- and care-free, living in an old home in Woden Valley, Canberra, they nurtured dreams about renovating their place. But as time went on, the list of obstacles became frighteningly long.
“It was riddled with issues including bust plumbing, shonky electrical work, and damaged foundations, which were causing the house to crack,” says Gina. There was also the problem of the home’s placement on the property. “It was smack bang in the centre of our block, so it would have been difficult to extend and impossible to build a granny flat.”
The strategy they were banking on was to eventually build a granny flat and use the income from renting it out to help cover the additional mortgage that the couple needed to build both houses.
“It was riddled with issues including bust plumbing, shonky electrical work, and damaged foundations, which were causing the house to crack,” says Gina. There was also the problem of the home’s placement on the property. “It was smack bang in the centre of our block, so it would have been difficult to extend and impossible to build a granny flat.”
The strategy they were banking on was to eventually build a granny flat and use the income from renting it out to help cover the additional mortgage that the couple needed to build both houses.
After realising there wasn’t any of the old place worth salvaging – there was a notable absence of character or heritage features – they decided to start again with a fresh design and a new build. Enlisting the help of architect Rob Henry of Rob Henry Architects, they handed him a few images to help define what they wanted: a clean-lined, contemporary Australian home with a granny flat. Privacy, they said, was of prime importance, as was fitting in, or referencing, the many traditional brick homes that line their leafy suburb.
The first-floor plan
The design their architect came back with immediately spoke to the couple. “We loved Rob’s floor plan, which he presented first, and [which has] only ever had minor tweaks,” says Gina.
The first floor encompasses three of the four bedrooms plus all of the communal living spaces of the home, split over varying floor levels. The three bedrooms and bathroom are on one level, there are three steps down to the powder room, which wraps around to the front door. Two steps lead down to the main living areas and a single step leads down into the garage and laundry area.
“I love the split-level design. We wanted to do minimal site cut so Rob designed the house to be on four split levels,” says Gina.
The design their architect came back with immediately spoke to the couple. “We loved Rob’s floor plan, which he presented first, and [which has] only ever had minor tweaks,” says Gina.
The first floor encompasses three of the four bedrooms plus all of the communal living spaces of the home, split over varying floor levels. The three bedrooms and bathroom are on one level, there are three steps down to the powder room, which wraps around to the front door. Two steps lead down to the main living areas and a single step leads down into the garage and laundry area.
“I love the split-level design. We wanted to do minimal site cut so Rob designed the house to be on four split levels,” says Gina.
The site plan
Rob arranged the home and granny flat’s positioning to accommodate the privacy aspect of the brief. The granny flat has a separate driveway on one street while Gina’s home has its own driveway on a different street (the property is on a corner block).
“There’s total separation and we don’t feel like we have people intruding in our space,” says Gina.
Rob arranged the home and granny flat’s positioning to accommodate the privacy aspect of the brief. The granny flat has a separate driveway on one street while Gina’s home has its own driveway on a different street (the property is on a corner block).
“There’s total separation and we don’t feel like we have people intruding in our space,” says Gina.
Inside, Gina, who is also an interior stylist, made all the material selections, a feat she found daunting at the time, but has now translated into a deep love for a space that is her own, through and through. “Polished-concrete floors, high ceilings and black fixtures are just a few of my favourite features,” says Gina, who incorporated them throughout the build.
“It was also important to me that the interior had a good flow or consistency about it, so I developed a mood board and materials palette for the whole house and tweaked it slightly for some rooms.”
Dining chairs and table: Clickon Furniture; pendant light: Copper Industrial Design
“It was also important to me that the interior had a good flow or consistency about it, so I developed a mood board and materials palette for the whole house and tweaked it slightly for some rooms.”
Dining chairs and table: Clickon Furniture; pendant light: Copper Industrial Design
“Overall the materials palette is minimal black, white and grey because I love to layer in colour through artwork, decor and accessories, and change these with the seasons or as my mood changes,” she says.
Artwork by Annie Everingham; Icon tap: Astra Walker
Artwork by Annie Everingham; Icon tap: Astra Walker
Gina went for crisp white walls (Greyology 2 from Haymes Paint) for a modern feel and polished-concrete floors using the Geostone range by Holcim, because it’s hardwearing and she “loves the look”.
Joinery in Nero from the Cleaf Matrix range: Nover; solid-marble splashback: CDK Stone; barstools: Kmart
Joinery in Nero from the Cleaf Matrix range: Nover; solid-marble splashback: CDK Stone; barstools: Kmart
At the end of the living area the bird artwork is from a local boutique, Handsome Pretty, and the chair is by Barnaby Lane.
“I want the interior to feel minimal and uncluttered, yet homely and welcoming. I’m not into flashy or showy design, just beautiful materials executed well,” says Gina. “It works well for our lifestyle because it feels happy without being OTT – when we come home from a busy day, there’s nothing like having a home you love to greet you.”
Sofa: BoConcept; the coffee table originally is from Tysiza although Gina changed the timber top to marble by getting a local stonemason to cut a piece to fit; Marnie McKnight artwork: Bluethumb
Sofa: BoConcept; the coffee table originally is from Tysiza although Gina changed the timber top to marble by getting a local stonemason to cut a piece to fit; Marnie McKnight artwork: Bluethumb
Castle & Things, Kip & Co and More Than Ever are just a few of the brands Gina loves.
Blurring the line between indoors and out, a deck runs off the living area.
Sofa, chairs and coffee table: Early Settler
Sofa, chairs and coffee table: Early Settler
The vanity is custom made. The tiles are handmade subway tiles from Tile Republic and Gina chose encaustic tiles for the floor.
The roomy laundry, which is adjacent to the garage, features tapware from Meir.
Patrick’s bedroom features a rug from Rugs of Beauty. The bedside shelf is from H+G Designs.
The main bedroom
As with other rooms throughout the home, art is a feature in the master bedroom and has been used to bring depth to the colour scheme. Here, the smaller framed print in the parents’ retreat is by Mia Oatley and the larger is from Antoinette Ferwerda.
As with other rooms throughout the home, art is a feature in the master bedroom and has been used to bring depth to the colour scheme. Here, the smaller framed print in the parents’ retreat is by Mia Oatley and the larger is from Antoinette Ferwerda.
“The upstairs bedroom is the one zone in our house that’s almost entirely free of kids’ toys,” says Gina. “It’s a space that’s our own where we can completely relax. I love the pitched ceiling and large windows that look out to the tree tops. It’s a calming space – I just wish we had more time to enjoy it!”
The home office
“My home plays a big part in my business,” says Gina. “It was my first big project where I selected all of the internal finishes and it helped me flex my interior design skills. It gave me confidence in this space and I’ve since completed a couple more renovations with a very exciting one planned this year.
“My home plays a big part in my business,” says Gina. “It was my first big project where I selected all of the internal finishes and it helped me flex my interior design skills. It gave me confidence in this space and I’ve since completed a couple more renovations with a very exciting one planned this year.
“Every week, I shoot products for brands or showcase styling tips or new trends in my home; it’s the perfect blank canvas,” says Gina.
“Often, I’ll work from home in my upstairs office; especially with Alexander being so young and sleeping most of the time.”
Lauren Danger artwork: Bluethumb
“Often, I’ll work from home in my upstairs office; especially with Alexander being so young and sleeping most of the time.”
Lauren Danger artwork: Bluethumb
The ensuite for the main bedroom features tiles from Tile Republic. The vanity and mirrored cabinet are custom-made, while plantation shutters are from DIY Blinds.
“With young children, it’s also nice to splurge on items that I can treasure – and keep out of reach of tiny hands,” says Gina. “So I love using ceramic pieces by local artists or investing in artwork.”
Overall, says Gina, the house is ideal for her family’s lifestyle. “There were a few things we overlooked when we built, as we didn’t yet have kids,” says Gina. “It would have been great to have a kids’ room just off the kitchen. Luckily, I recently completed a small under-stair cubby area for Patrick and he’ll happily play in there or outside so I can enjoy a cuppa outside while he plays… or do the laundry,” she says with a laugh.
Tell us
What appeals to you about this light and lovely home? Has it sparked decorating ideas that you can use? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Has the time come to freshen up your home’s interior design? Find an interior decorator near you here to help fine-tune your home
Overall, says Gina, the house is ideal for her family’s lifestyle. “There were a few things we overlooked when we built, as we didn’t yet have kids,” says Gina. “It would have been great to have a kids’ room just off the kitchen. Luckily, I recently completed a small under-stair cubby area for Patrick and he’ll happily play in there or outside so I can enjoy a cuppa outside while he plays… or do the laundry,” she says with a laugh.
Tell us
What appeals to you about this light and lovely home? Has it sparked decorating ideas that you can use? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Has the time come to freshen up your home’s interior design? Find an interior decorator near you here to help fine-tune your home
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gina Ciancio, Style Curator blogger, her husband Bruno, son Patrick, and baby Alexander, along with Arnie, the rottweiler
Location: Woden Valley, ACT
Configuration: The couple built two homes on the property – a main house consisting of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a powder room, study, living room, kitchen and dining room for the family – and a granny flat to rent.