MOODY CONTEMPORARY
Home to a boisterous and energetic family of five, this abode recently underwent a dramatic transformation to become warm, contemporary and full of laughter.
Photography: Hannah Blackmore / Styling + Interior Design: Little Liberty / Words: Jacqui Greig
Owners Ollie and Lube, together with their sons Dylan, Nathan and Jordan, built the house in 2002. And after following interior designer Nicole from Little Liberty on social media, Ollie knew Nicole had the style and creativity to update their home.
Ollie wanted clean, sleek lines and neutral tones with splashes of colour: “Nicole listened to my ideas and my family’s needs, and then showed me designs and options for my input. She created each room with its own character.”
The complete overhaul was an exciting project for Nicole, whose primary goal was to create inviting spaces with a colour palette of “tonal moody colours” that would work together to create a luxe sense of contemporary charm.
“We also wanted to exchange any dark pieces of furniture with light pieces, and bring in marble and copper accents,” Nicole explains.
The current trend for all things navy or blue definitely had an impact, with Nicole pairing the blues with different colours in every space while purposefully giving each space a connection to the next, as well. “My favourite aspect of my home is the colour palette that flows throughout, to create fresh and vibrant spaces,” says Ollie.
The vibrancy is courtesy of carefully selected artworks that add depth and interest, such as the Katie McKinnon piece on the light grey wall in the lounge. In the dining room, an Urban Road print evokes moodiness with its blue and navy clouds, while a Pampa horse print in the main bedroom ties in beautifully with the tan leather accents and the iconic, bell-shaped Normann Copenhagen pendants.
Each lighting situation in the home was thoughtfully considered, with Ollie and Nicole choosing statement pieces that were still practical. Over the dining table, striking copper pendants hang at different levels, while the large, Twiggy-style floor lamp in the lounge room adds drama.
“We decided to use the ‘Brimnes’ bedframe from IKEA for both rooms, because of its clever under-bed storage drawers and added headboard storage that is concealed behind the headboard.”
It is in the boys’ rooms, however, where Nicole’s creativity shines: “The boys reflect their fun and energetic personalities, and are able to display what they’re most passionate about,” says Ollie.
“We basically were starting from scratch in these rooms, and we wanted to incorporate as much concealed storage into the rooms as possible,” explains Nicole. “We decided to use the ‘Brimnes’ bedframe from IKEA for both rooms, because of its clever under-bed storage drawers and added headboard storage that is concealed behind the headboard.”
The rooms feature striking removable wallpaper, along with textural accents such as the beautifully soft, Uimi knit blanket, and plenty of fun, personal touches. These include the super-cool display rings to showcase the soccer-obsessed boys’ ball collection. In fact, the display options in both rooms have become statement pieces in their own right, with a masculine-looking A-frame shelving unit displaying a beloved Lego collection, and a Land of Nod acetate box shelving unit that boasts X-men and boxing figurines. Nicole was thrilled that she was able to make Ollie cry with every room reveal: “The end result was so emotional, because it was beyond my expectations,” says Ollie happily.
