A FRESH INTERIOR DESIGN FOR A TRADITIONAL LEURA WEATHERBOARD
This Blue Mountains Weatherboard was purchased by a Sydney family, firstly as a weekender, with a view to make it their forever home later on. Positioned in the heart of Leura and surrounded by established cold climate gardens, the home offers the quintessential character traits of tall ceilings, spacious rooms, original timber casement windows, and solid timber flooring.
Interior Designer, Fiona Harding, was invited to refresh the entire interior, including paint colours, textiles, feature lighting, in addition to a complete kitchen and laundry installation, whilst simultaneously working with the client on furniture selection.
The brief called for a fresh, modern space respecting the homes history while capitalising on the abundance of natural light spilling from the tall windows throughout. Thoughtful touches add softness and interest reflecting the warmth and character of traditional Mountains homes.
Walls painted in Natural White with complimentary enamel trim ensure a timeless and fresh aesthetic throughout.
The main window of the dining room faces North. Thoughtfully considered block out curtains were installed crafted from a linen textured poly-cotton viscose blend. Using this particular textile allows for fluctuating temperatures, without changing the height or width of the drape.
Throughout the space, antiqued brass wall lighting provide soft, warm lamplight for relaxed evenings.
For the floor, a custom made sisal wool basquette rug, finished with linen binding, provides warmth under foot and a natural texture to the space.
Hanging low over the table, Fiona chose a handcrafted ‘Mud Australia’ pendant light. Mud pendant lights are intentionally crafted with a natural, informal line along the edge, enhancing the artisan nature of these unique pendants, whilst invoking a sense of calm and intimacy within the space.
For the kitchen, a fresh approach to a traditional style was the brief.
In keeping with the white colourscape throughout the house, the use of texture in the non-rectified tiling, a vertical panel Niche wall and brass hardware ensured the space remained warm and welcoming.
Cabinetry was installed with a traditional shaker profile and painted in 2 pac polyurethane in Natural White to compliment the period of the house, and the walls throughout. The island and Niche, with vertical join feature wall were painted in ‘Salt Wattle’ by Porters Paints, to provide a gentle contrast and interest. Once again using the aged antique brass wall lights, to connect the kitchen to the dining room.
The benchtops are crafted with a double bullnose from ‘Silestone’ in Statuario. A thoughtfully selected porcelain butlers sink and Brass Taps, with porcelain handles from the English Tapware company are in keeping with the charming period of the Mountains weatherboard home, whilst ensuring longevity of the high quality fixings.
From the kitchen, a butlers pantry and laundry are dressed in matching cabinetry, tap ware and porcelain sink to provide uniformity with the kitchen when the doors to each space are open. Plentiful storage ensures the functional spaces can remain tidy, even whilst in use.
‘Armac Martin’ nobs and pulls crafted from unlacquered brass are used in each of the spaces, once again, bridging them together with uniformity and providing warmth. We love that they will patina over time, enhancing the traditional scape and adding texture, warmth and love for the space.
Interior Designer: Fiona Harding, Thornton & Blake
Photography: Silversalt Photography