DESIGN DETAILS
ASK THE OWNER:
Kitchen & bathroom designer Annika Rowson
Annika, what was the design inspiration for your home? ‘Mid-century modern’ was a key influence, combined with a strong focus on building a home that’s naturally warm with minimal heating required. We wanted to create a house that would be timeless, bold and aesthetically pleasing, but durable and able to withstand busy family life. What are you favourite things about the house?
The courtyard first and foremost – the light it brings is amazing, not to mention the warmth. Every room with the exception of the guest bedroom and powder room open onto this space, and the greenery is incredibly calming.
We have concrete floors throughout the house, and they’re so easy to maintain and retain a lot of heat – even during the winter months it’s an extremely warm home. The breeze-block wall is
a favourite, and the games room is a fantastic space for the boys to hang out in, and keeps the lounge tidy. How would you describe your interior style?
Eclectic, textured and elegant. I’ve also learned to be quite minimal during my years of renovating and only hold on to items that I truly love or that have sentimental value. What are the merits of undertaking a new build? Being able to start fresh, not having to work around pre-existing restraints, and the ability to orient towards the sun. What advice would you give to anyone planning
a new kitchen or bathroom? Research! Identify your aesthetic and work with a designer who’ll suit it. Select a designer you trust; someone who understands your style and budget will take the hard work out of it. Quality is also very important: do it once and do it right.