COSY SANCTUARY

A SPRINKLING OF SUNSHINE AND COLOUR BRINGS LIFE AND LOVE TO A TRADITIONAL COTTAGE IN MELBOURNE

SUNNY DAYS A chic sense of loveliness fills the beautiful Edwardian home in Melbourne’s inner south-east that Nicole and Simon bought 12 years ago. The cottage’s delicate fretwork and scalloped weatherboards (opposite) were recently given a coat of Dulux White On White, and the fresh look hints at the elegance within. While Milo the cavalier cross labrador is happy to lie on the inky black deck, a timber bench seat from House Of Orange provides another welcome at the entrance. Inside, Nicole (pictured) enjoys a quiet moment on the window seat adjacent to the dining room, which is decorated in a mix of soft greys and delicate pinks. The pretty original print from Lumiere Art & Co reflects the gentle colour palette.

Step inside the home Nicole shares with her husband, Simon, and their children, Ruby, 13, Milly, 11, and eight-year-old Archie, and it’s easy to guess what Nicole might do for a living. Filled with carefully curated pieces, a soul-lifting mix of colour, and with a healthy respect for heritage, the home is a picture of style – not so surprising considering Nicole is the founder and creative director of interiors studio Little Liberty. When the couple first spotted this grand old Edwardian cottage – filled with original features – more than a decade ago, the stylesavvy decorator couldn’t wait to get her hands on it. “All the structural work on the house had been done by the previous owners, but its interiors were dated,” recalls Nicole. “There were brown benchtops in the kitchen and cream walls – it needed freshening up.” With a design vision she describes as “a little bit Scandi, timeless and happy”, Nicole initially set to work re-imagining the children’s rooms. “I became obsessed with decorating the kids’ bedrooms, which is how Little Liberty began,” says the designer, who embraced a palette of grey and white in each space and accessorised with colour and wallpaper. “I think they’ve been through about three different styles each over the year!” she adds. “Archie is already asking for his next look.” The process also has its professional benefits: “I get to trial things out in my kids’ rooms, see what works and what doesn’t, and then apply that to my interior decorating work.” Creating a light, contemporary and functional family home was key when Nicole and Simon took on a large renovation just over a year ago. While the family stayed put and camped out with a makeshift kitchen at the rear of the house, the home was repainted, with new carpet and timber boards laid, and a striking new kitchen installed. “It’s my absolute favourite space in the house,” says Nicole with a smile. “I had it all designed in my head and it’s turned out even better than I imagined.” Featuring Alpine White Quantum Quartz worktops and a marble-effect porcelain splashback, the

contemporary space comes complete with slick white appliances and V-groove panelled cupboards that speak to the home’s origins. Alongside the kitchen is the dining space, where a family-sized Jardan table stands under a dramatic pair of pendants, found at Space Furniture, that are suspended from the super-high ceiling. The relaxed Scandi theme continues into the open-plan living room next door, which comfortably echoes the design notes of the original part of the home where the bedrooms and a cocoon-like second living room are located. “It’s the only room in the house which isn’t white,” adds Nicole of the more formal lounge space. With its recent updates, including a new pool that adds to the abode’s crowd-pleasing qualities, the house is now truly a haven for the whole family. “After a busy day installing clients’ homes, I love nothing more than the sound of the key in my own front door,” says Nicole. “It’s such an easy house to relax in. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. It truly is my dream family home.” LIVING ROOM

New oak boards were laid throughout the open-plan living space (top left) and existing cupboards refreshed with paint and timber tops that match the floor. The bespoke sofa, covered in tactile grey felt by James Richardson, is roomy enough for the whole family to enjoy, with a Mark Tuckey stool and a rug from Bayliss adding texture. In a corner, an overscaled Rowena Martinich painting denotes Nicole’s workspace (above). “My office is the engine room of Little Liberty,” explains Nicole. “It’s where I work every day, but because it’s in the open-plan living room I have to use my time wisely. Once the kids are back from school, I down tools.”

KITCHEN This fresh white space, replete with splashes of greenery, is Nicole’s favourite room (below). The oversized island bench is both elegant and functional, with storage on one side and seating – thanks to ‘About A Stool’ by

Hay stools from Cult – on the other. The Volker Haug pendant light, which Nicole spotted at an industry event and “totally fell in love with”, is a true show stopper, but is also extremely practical. “I can finally see what I’m chopping up on the island bench,” says Nicole (pictured with Milly and Ruby). “The house has really high ceilings, and getting light down far enough to be able to see things properly has been really challenging.”