INFLUENCES
While most homeowners follow something resembling design rules, Evie’s style exhibits a healthy streak of misbehaviour. Colour and pattern are arranged in a way that creates composed confusion, leaving the visitor wondering just how it all works so well.
A simple exterior colour palette belies the interior, which introduces unexpected dark hues in the formal entryway. Dulux ‘Browns
Bay’ is offset by a giant quartet of framed Playtype posters spelling ‘POP!’, creating an Alice-in-Wonderland effect as it leads through to the living areas.
What awaits are rooms bursting with colour and charm: Evie’s style writ large or, as she describes it, an eclectic mash of boho glam, mid-century and pop art, with an occasional measure of calm restraint thrown in.
“When we bought the house, it was all very white, which was lovely, and I thought I might stick with that,” says Evie. “But it wasn’t long before the dark paint came out. I think my style has evolved and become a bit more grown-up in this house. We’ve never had this much space to play around with before. I really felt a need to do the architecture justice and that has influenced a lot of my decisions. Ultimately, though, I’m not a planner and I don’t have a fixed vision in my head – I just get an idea or go with what feels right. Things are always changing.”
The home is made up of a series of smaller spaces separated by split levels, built-in shelving and floating fireplaces. The spaces are connected by sliding screens and a conservatory. Since the pair moved in a year ago, the layout has remained untouched, but Evie and Sam have been tailoring it to their needs through use of colour and pattern.
“Right now, we’re a small family unit with a lot of space,” says Evie. “It’s pretty indulgent because, as I work from home, I have both the large room above the garage as my studio, and one of the bedrooms as my stock and packing room. The round room was a study but we’re in the process of making it into a snug and movie room. Using wallpaper, we’ve also unified the sunroom with the attached master bedroom so that it feels more like a single space.”