WEEROONA HOUSE

Weeroona House called for an interior transformation that would blend two influences - the architectural language of a home which mediates between rich Federation Queen Anne heritage and overt contemporary innovation by Neil Architecture, and the wishes of clients with a predilection for eclectic pieces that simmer with narrative.

In reconciling the two, the client’s mutual love for abstract art and mid-century pieces became the perfect the modulator; touchstones from which almost everything else evolved. 

I didn’t think we needed Simone until we saw how good she was! I was sceptical, knowing that what we were wanting for our home was quite abstract and translating that was going to take broad antipodean knowledge and strong intuition. We knew we wanted interesting pieces that were a bit eclectic and bespoke in nature. We are a bit out there and wanted to be challenged. We didn’t want boring sofas, and we were keen to match vintage pieces carrying history and meaning with modern pieces and were guided almost entirely by Simone on what that would look like. The outcome felt very personalised which is testament to Simone’s ability to listen, translate, communicate and ultimately deliver on the overarching atmosphere in a way that we didn’t ever imagine. The way she used rooms we would never have been able to think of.

~ Client

The clients were a very democratic couple with considered inputs that drove the direction of the project. While they were inspired by pieces that carried meaning, they didn’t have many sentimental pieces themselves, but what they did have was very sentimental — a pair of beautiful ibis statues and a selection of vintage family photographs — and served to guide the rest of the interior decorating which largely evolved from those pieces.

One big idea came from a tapestry in the entry which the clients adored. It is a piece by Krjst Studio and anchors all the other pieces in the entryway which signals the moment of arrival and sets the tone for the whole home. A custom bench by Made Studio was designed especially to sit below it, as was a hand tufted rug. This unfolding from a strong cornerstone is something that played out throughout many parts of the home. In the study, the clients had commissioned a large artwork titles ‘Banksia Symphony’ by Kate Elsey which also served to direct tones and the composition of the rest of the room. It is such a striking piece, so it was vital that every other element within its vicinity worked with, not against it.

~ Simone

Weeroona House is a substantial family home for two adults, two children, two dogs and a cat. For all its design features, the home remains deeply aligned to the patterns of those who live and grow within it, finding moments to gesture each personality while drawing everyone together as its primary force.

The study feels like a 1930’s parlour…almost. It’s such a calming space at the front of the house. It’s filled with pieces that are interesting and sophisticated. You can sit in the room and look at the different objects and it is such a pleasant distraction, tempering the day-to-day and providing a sanctuary within the home that is more of an adult space. At the other end of the lifestyle spectrum is the living room which Simone has given an entirely different atmosphere. It is a perfect expression of our family as a whole and supports the rituals that are important like coming together on one big spacious sofa that is far from boring (!), keeping the conversation going between the kitchen, dining and living areas and completely conceding to the particular way our family lives, within this particular home at this moment in time.

~ Client

We are a bit out there and wanted to be challenged. We didn’t want boring sofas, and we were keen to match vintage pieces carrying history and meaning with modern pieces. We were guided almost entirely by Simone on what that would look like. The outcome feels very personalised which is testament to Simone’s ability to listen, translate, communicate and ultimately deliver on the overarching atmosphere in a way that we didn’t ever imagine. The way she used rooms we would never have been able to think of.

~ Client