Into the light An elegant living room redesigned for today

A SYMPATHETIC YET SURPRISING REDESIGN PROPELS THE LIVING ROOM OF AN ELEGANT FEDERATION-ERA BUNGALOW INTO THE HERE AND NOW

With their hearts set on updating two “barely used” formal front rooms in their Federation bungalow on Sydney’s upper north shore, semi-retired couple Barbara and Russell contacted Alexandra Gourlay-Craig, owner and head interior designer at Vellum Interiors, after admiring her work on similar properties. “They wanted to inject colour and a more contemporary personality into the spaces, while still honouring and celebrating the heritage elements which they love,” explains Alexandra, who reimagined the dining room (see page 162) and lounge (opposite), where a handsome bay window steals the show. Despite the abundance of northern light that spills into the space, “the wall colours, heavy furnishings and dated window treatments all contributed to it feeling quite dark and a little uninviting,” says Alexandra, who introduced contemporary furnishings in a quiet, sophisticated palette. The bold exception to this is a tub chair by Jardan, which adds a playful pop of tangerine. Speaking of a pop, that sums up the owners’ response to the unveiling of their transformed lounge, recalls Alexandra, with a smile: “They went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of champagne!”

light,

“THIS ROOM IS BRIGHT AND CONNECTED nature TO THROUGH THE shapes” COLOURS AND ~ ALEXANDRA GOURLAY-CRAIG, INTERIOR DESIGNER

before BRIGHT SIDE “What was quite a heavy, outdated room is now full of light, colour and joy,” says interior designer Alexandra, who reconfigured the furniture plan in the lounge room (opposite) to allow for a“more practical, inviting seating that’s conducive to entertaining,” she says. Pieces including the muted ‘Jay’ sofa by Arthur G, the ‘Banjo’ armchair by Jardan (by the window), and ‘Rio’ coffee table by Cassina, all enhance the sense of a lovely wide-open welcome. Now, “the entire feel of the space has changed,” marvels Alexandra. >

COLOUR CRUSH “Contrast creates balance and harmony, while the pop of orange provides a sense of surprise,” shares Alexandra, who says her choice of Jardan’s ‘Joy’ tub chair (above) was “cheeky,” but it “makes the room,” she declares, and the homeowners “love it too!” The subtle ‘Float’ glass pendant from Mark Douglass Design suspended above the table ensures the stunning bay window remains the room’s focal point.

PRETTY PORTAL “I was especially drawn to the colours and shape of a sweet little circular leadlight window in the room, and wanted to celebrate this,” says Alexandra of the beautiful original feature (above). With her signature flair for seamlessly melding the past and present, Alexandra has given it new life here, in unison with the ‘Jay’ sofa by Arthur G, Nau ‘Nest’ dark timber tables by Adam Goodrum from Cult and ‘Mia’ floor lamp by Montauk Lighting Co.

SERENE SOPHISTICATION The blue tones of High Quality Disobedience (right), an artwork by Susie Dureau, find resonance in the Arthur G sofa below, along with a deep navy cushion from In Bed and the ‘Sultanabad’ rug by Perryman Carpets, a favourite piece of Alexandra’s. “The colours are unique and also speak to the heritage-contemporary balance the brief called for,” she says.