GREEN DREAM

As soon as interior designer Alanna Smit, of Alanna Smit Structural Interiors, set foot on her client’s sprawling acreage, she knew that beautiful shades of green would play a key role in the redesign of the farmhouse’s interior. “There’s an abundance of natural textures and colours in the beautiful gardens to draw inspiration from, so the Carrara and green story was born,” Alanna says of the soothing scheme used in the home’s ensuite.

While the palette came together effortlessly, reworking the floor plan took some serious problemsolving skills. “It had been renovated at some stage in the ’80s, but it didn’t in any way complement the original house and, with leaky fixtures and a tiny sink and shower, it lacked functionality,” says Alanna. Working closely with builder Ben Ash, they devised solutions to improve structural issues and include modern comforts, reconfiguring the layout and pinching extra space to create a luxury shower area. A statement bathtub was also installed below the original decorative bay windows that frame garden views and underpin the room’s unique style. “We really wanted to create a distinctive one-of-a-kind feel, so we combined traditional and contemporary elements like the classic Carrara marble floor paired with hand-painted feature tiles, which add character to the homestead,” says Alanna. Elements including the vintage glass pendant, old English-style tapware and green marble drawer knobs from Anthropology also inject charm and personal style.

“I ADORE THE BALANCE OF USING TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FINISHES AND DETAILS. IT ALLOWS THE DESIGN TO REALLY TAKE A UNIQUE FORM” ~ ALANNA SMIT, INTERIOR DESIGNER

SOURCE BOOK INTERIOR DESIGNER: Alanna Smit, Alanna Smit Structural Interiors , 0417 548 887, alannasmit.com.au. BUILDER: Ben Ash Quality Custom Homes, 0417 012 332. LUXURY VANITY The vanity, topped with custom Carrara marble stonework, is a true pamper zone. A vintage pendant adds a classical touch and picks up the metallics of the tapware, with green marble drawer handles from Anthropology injecting colour. While walls were painted in Dulux Lexicon quarter, which is quite a pure white, Alanna specified full Lexicon for the cabinetry. “This shade is mixed with black so it has a grey undertone, which adds more depth and really helps the Carrara pop,” she says.

HIDDEN UTILITY Custom cabinetry by Creative Space in Dulux Lexicon offers ample storage for towels and bathing accoutrements. The lower cabinets, disguised as a linen press, cleverly conceal a washer/dryer to create a handy European-style mini-laundry. It’s a perfect addition for guests.

1 2 STYLE ESSENTIALS 3 4 1. Glazed Safi ‘Green’ tile 15cm x 15cm, $360/sqm, Jatana. 2. Victoria + Albert ‘Cheshire’ bath with White Metal Feet, $3650, The English Tapware Company. 3. ‘Cement Basics’ tiles, $170/sqm, Tiles of Ezra. 4. Perrin & Rowe ‘12B’ shower set in Nickel, $3049, The English Tapware Company.