Interior designer Leah Henricks was looking for a project but her perfect home was already renovated

Interior designer Leah Henricks was after a project but when she found this newly renovated home in Sydney it just felt right

Our home is a contemporary design with Spanish and Hamptons influences – crazy I know but it seems to work LEAH HENRICKS, INTERIOR DESIGNER/OWNER

Sometimes you just know when you’ve met

‘the one’. That’s how Leah Henricks and her husband felt when they first saw their home in Clovelly, close to the beach in Sydney’s east. “In early 2017, we were a family of four living in a two-bedroom semi and bursting at the seams,” says Leah. “We had an approved DA and were about to start building, but thought we should take a look at the market to understand what we’d get if we bought elsewhere. Then we came across this house. Being a designer, I never thought I’d want a home that was renovated. However, I fell in love with this place as soon as I saw it. So did my husband.”

Features that sealed the deal were the unique pink exterior, the beautiful curved walls and the large new kitchen as well as the room divider in the living area. “I wish I could take ownership of the colour selection,” says Leah. “I mean, seriously – a salmonpink house! It might seem a bit over the top, but one of the things I love about this house is that it inspires me as a designer. It pushes the boundaries in design and colour, and also with the finishes that were used.”

With her designer eye, Leah knew it would be easy to make it their own – just some decorating to put their stamp on the place. As soon as they got the keys, she jumped right in and began sourcing furniture and homewares from Jardan, Eco Outdoor, Armadillo &Co, MCM House, Totem Road, Koskela, Tigmi Trading, CLO Studios and more to tie in with the existing colour scheme and materials. ‘I always have a game plan,” she says. “I love to immerse myself in the space and do some research. Once I have developed my overarching interior scheme, I look at how I want to implement it. For this house, I focused on our living areas and have been working through the other rooms over time as our budget allows.”

Leah describes her decorating style as relaxed and modern Australian yet timeless, with a touch of minimalism. “I’m inspired by nature and I love a neutral palette with pops of colour and contrasting textures,” she says. “I like to create spaces that connect and reflect the people living in them.” Leah’s favourite is the living room “because of the clever dividing wall between the dining and sitting areas” and gorgeous design features such as the fireplace, decorative firewood stack, oak shelving and pitched white timber ceiling. “But I especially like the look of the white timber bifold doors and the way they frame our stunning gum tree out the back,” she adds.

Now that most of the work is done (there are a few projects in the pipeline; see Lessons Learnt on page 67), the family have an easy-to-use transseasonal home. “In summer we open up the doors and fully enjoy our outdoor living space,” Leah explains. “Having a big yard with a pool, barbecue, deck and gum tree makes us really feel like we’re living in Australia. I grew up in regional areas and didn’t think I’d ever achieve this in an innercity suburb. We entertain on the deck and the kids love swimming in the pool, playing tip or going on the swing we have hanging from the tree. In winter, we all cosy around the fire in the living room and have dinner parties with friends.”

Leah’s instincts about the house were spot-on and she has adapted her style to suit. This perfect match was meant to be.

I didn’t want to just fill my home with things. I wanted to take my time and fill it with items I love LEAH

KITCHEN

GARDEN “Our backyard is to die for,” says Leah. “We never imagined finding a home in this area with such a big grassy area and pool.” Table and chairs, Eco Outdoor. DINING AREA Leah is a fan of good-quality furniture that’s made to last, hence her choice of the Luxa dining table (from Totem Road) and Markson dining chairs in Ivory (from Coco Republic). Artwork by Carly Williams.

LIVING ROOM Not unlike the rock formations at Clovelly Beach, the scene in the Aquabumps photograph above the sofa is called Mediterranean Melt. “I haven’t been to the Amalfi Coast yet,” says Leah, “but I can definitely imagine basking in that beautiful water one day.” The Long Beach sofa is from Coco Republic. Wilfred armchair, ottoman and throw, Jardan. Kara marble coffee table, Totem Road. Hang 1 mirror, Blu Dot. Rug, Armadillo & Co. Face sculpture by Holly Ryan, Jerico Contemporary.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Flat bedhead in Teak & Tan, $1850, Fenton & Fenton. Avenue throw in Cement, $295, In The Sac. Hang 1 mirror, $599, Blu Dot. Mediterranean Melt photograph, from $150 (unframed), Aquabumps. My Fate Was Always You sculpture by Holly Ryan, $2800, Jerico Contemporary. Kent oak bench, $1490, Barnaby Lane. Kalahari weave rug, from $440, Armadillo & Co. Alby leather cushion, from $772, Jardan. Markson leather chair, $425, Coco Republic.

ENSUITE The floor tiles are before Leah’s time but she’s been told that the wall tiles are a handmade terracotta design called Antico Arrotato Cotto from Eco Outdoor. Basins, tapware and toilet, Parisi. POOL (opposite left) The pool sits in front of the family’s beloved gum tree. Beneath it is a pretty vinecovered shed with French doors (see page 140 for more shed inspiration). MAIN BEDROOM (opposite right) “I like to put artwork where it feels right in the space, and that isn’t always above the bed,” says Leah. To the side is a framed photograph bought on holiday in Paris. Flat leather bedhead, Fenton & Fenton. Linen, In The Sac and In Bed. Seed leather bench, GlobeWest. Chair and side table, Eco Outdoor.