A STYLIST WHO’S NEVER BEEN ONE TO STICK TO THE RULES HAS CREATED A PICTURE-
PERFECT FAMILY HOME THAT’S WARM, WELCOMING AND BRIMMING WITH ECLECTIC CHARM
Story KARINA MACHADO Styling LESA LAMBERT Photography ANASTASIA KARIOFYLLIDISFREE SPIRIT
ORIENT EXPRESS Unique pieces that tell a story, swathes of timber to enliven white walls and the exotic opulence of old-world brass create an
oasis-like welcome in this modern central Gold Coast Queenslander that stylist Lesa shares with her husband, Greg, and the youngest of their three
children, son Reid, 16. “Even when the sun’s not out, it’s still beautiful and light and airy,” says Lesa (pictured), who collects vintage brass vessels
(above left). “I pull those vases out sometimes and put beautiful fresh flowers in them. I’m forever styling.” Lesa’s collector’s eye is also evident in
both the dining room (above right), where old Indian screens are grouped to striking effect on ‘Palm Black’ wallpaper from Affordable Decorators,
and in the family room (opposite), where a cluster of crosses gathered across the years are a conversation starter. FA M I LY RO OM The pink-and-
rust tones of the Linen House cushion from Pillow Talk (opposite far left, on the Oz Design Furniture couch, alongside a Habitat macrame square
cushion in Meerkat from Pillow Talk) inspired the palette for the “relaxed look” Lesa created in the welcoming family room. Here, her collection of
Japanese vintage calligraphy brushes draws the eye atop the oversized coffee table – she has two of these “precious” centrepieces, as she calls the
former Ikat weaving tables she bought years ago from a boutique homewares store that is no longer trading. “You could throw a mattress on it and turn
it into a daybed if you like, they’re that solid,” says Lesa, whose “much adored” white Moroccan ottoman from Maison & Maison softens the scene. >