When Judy and Mike first crossed the threshold of what would become their beloved country home, the pair immediately lost their hearts. “They had me at the front door,” says Judy. “I had to contain my excitement in front of the agent, because I loved it.”
That front door – a delightful stable design that sits beautifully within the home’s idyllic rural surrounds – gives the first glimpse of the elegant style within, which is centred by shades of blue and grounded in natural materials such as rattan, wicker and sisal.
In the living area, restful shades provide an invitation to stay awhile. The monochromatic print – ‘Indigo Foliage’ by Designer Boys – provides a subtle monochromatic touch. Interior designer Georgia Boyd sourced the Westbury Textiles ‘Sakina’ ikat fabric on The Classic Outfitter ‘Howard’ sofa after Judy spotted a similar style in a decorating book, Coastal Blues by Phoebe Howard.
Ready to relocate from Sydney and enjoy a quieter life upon Mike’s retirement, the couple had scoured the NSW Southern Highlands for more than a year prior to finding the perfect property
Georgia kept the look consistent by sticking to textiles united tonally. “We mixed block colour and large-scale prints with micro-prints, braids and textures,” she says. “They create a layered yet pulled-together look.” The selection includes Diane Bergeron ‘Capri’ in Sky/Indigo for the dotted cushion on the sofa and Jane Churchill plaid in Sky Blue, which covers ‘Camilla’ armchairs by The Classic Outfitter. The cushions on the armchairs are covered in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Talavera’ in Indigo. A sisal rug from International Floorcoverings delineates the zone, with a Pottery Barn ‘Kala’ rug on top.
Finally, a local agent called with news of a home that potentially ticked their boxes – a new build in step with the region’s classic country homes, thanks to characterful details including wainscoting and a pretty-as-a-picture weatherboard facade.
“I’m a mad blue-and-white person,” says homeowner Judy. In the dining area of her and Mike’s beautiful home in Bowral, NSW, bold blues are tempered by the natural textures of ‘Urban Weave’ blinds from Blinds by Peter Meyer, French Country ‘Costello’ dining chairs and an Alliance Furniture dining table, all from The Classic Outfitter, and Pottery Barn baskets.
Add to that a swoon-worthy vista from the living area, a verdant garden with a veggie patch and an open-plan layout, and it’s no wonder Judy and Mike were sold. “It’s spectacular to sit with a cup of tea and watch the mist rolling in over the mountain on wintry days,” says Mike.
With a laundry on one side and a butler’s pantry on the other, the kitchen is practical and pleasing to the eye. Custom slip covers in Fabricut ‘Cosada Stripe’ in Indigo by The Classic Outfitter for the stools are a classic touch.
They were also drawn to the home’s paint palette, which included divine Dulux Rangitikei River on the kitchen island and walls coated in Dulux Mount Buller – a combination that flawlessly aligned with the blue-and-white scheme they love to live with.
The Perrin & Rowe ‘Ionian’ bench-mounted mixer is from The English Tapware Company, and the rattan pendant lights were there when Judy and Mike bought the home.
“The blue and white look is so timeless, I don’t think we’ll ever tire of it” ~ Georgia, Interior Designer
Cabinetry in Dulux Snowy Mountains Half is a fresh contrast to walls in the soft grey of Dulux Mount Buller.
All they had to do was call on Sydney-based interior designer Georgia Boyd from The Classic Outfitter, who had redecorated their previous home, to build on their new abode’s classic good looks with layer upon layer of
luxurious textiles and eye-catching furniture.
Most of the furniture in this delightful space, such as the Xavier Furniture ‘Nantucket’ armchairs upholstered in a paisley design and the S&G Furniture ‘Seville’ coffee table, relocated with Judy and Mike from Sydney. The couple asked Georgia to create a cabinet inspired by joinery they’d spotted at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California. “We’re so happy with it,” says Judy. A Pottery Barn ‘Bosworth’ rug and The Classic Outfitter floor lamp in Schumacher ‘Iconic Leopard’ fabric introduce additional blue and white.
“Judy and Mike’s taste is classic and fresh, and they were prepared to be brave with pattern,” explains Georgia. The designer drew from a gloriously bold ‘Sakina’ ikat by Westbury Textiles used on the sofa to inspire the shades of blue.
The main bedroom has a softer palette, with a custom ottoman in Warwick Fabrics ‘Arlington’ plaid in Duckegg, a bedhead in Thibaut ‘Cleo’ linen in Spa Blue and a gourd lamp, all by The Classic Outfitter. The mirror is from Pigott’s Store and the ‘Hampton’ chest from Xavier Furniture.
“The key when working with so many different textiles is to have something that brings them all together.” A softer take on the blue-and-white theme defines the bedrooms, while bolts of deep navy create an ever-so-slightly more sophisticated retreat in the sitting room and feature in the guest bedroom.
In the guest bedroom, a ‘Temple’ rattan chair from Xavier Furniture guarantees a cosy nook to relax or read.
“It’s calming, it’s easy to live with and it’s everything I dreamt that I would have in my next home,” says Judy. “If it was left to me, I never would have thought to put half these fabrics together, but they complement each other beautifully.”
Judy and Mike’s serene ensuite remains almost as they found it, with a Carrara marble-topped vanity painted in Evic Thundercloud and honed Carrara marble mosaic floor tiles to match. “The colours are very peaceful but also gender neutral, which is ideal for an ensuite,” said Georgia.
In a nod to laid-back country living, Georgia incorporated natural textures to bring warmth to what is otherwise a fresh, crisp palette. The result is a graceful home that feels refined yet inviting – as Judy and Mike’s many guests will attest.
“It’s almost like another room,” says Judy of the sun-drenched alfresco entertaining area, which connects to the home’s living area via stackable doors. “It faces north-east so it’s bathed in sunshine practically all day.” An ‘Antigua’ dining table and ‘Verdun’ outdoor dining chairs, all from Early Settler, make this a popular lunch spot.
Although they’ve only lived here for a year, they’ve barely had a weekend to themselves. “I’ve never been so busy in the kitchen!” exclaims Judy. “It’s been non-stop.”
“The grass is a Canturf, so it’s really green and when it’s freshly mowed it looks like we’ve thrown a green carpet down on the soil,” says Mike. The woodwork is coated in Dulux White Verdict Half.
Thankfully, theirs is a home that lends itself to relaxed entertaining, be it with friends who drive down from Sydney for a long, lazy lunch or those who elect to stay on a few days.
Life in their new country retreat is blissful – and worth the arduous months of house-hunting. “We love it here,” says Judy. “For me, you have to feel happy turning into the driveway, and we absolutely do.”
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