HOMES
March 2014, and over the next 18 months the house evolved at a slower pace while planning approval was sought. Carole
took the time to consider her vision for the interiors. “I like the Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics, but I don’t follow trends,”
she says. “Most of my projects have a lot of white and timber – I like fresh spaces that don’t yell at you.” She wanted to make
her own home feel fresh and peaceful, fuss-free and comfortable, while experimenting with layout and design. She chose to
forgo a large island bench in the kitchen and go for something more discreet and personal. “I hate overhead cupboards, so
I don’t have any,” she adds. “The house is all about volume and spaces that are lower or narrower in some areas, then more
expansive in others. It’s about a process of discovery – things reveal themselves as you travel through the house and
experience the space. I don’t like it when everything is immediately visible and on display.” She has carefully furnished the
home with pieces that have a story. “I like to mix a bit of old and a bit of new – and there are some pieces I’ve had for over
20 years that I’ll love forever,” she comments. “It really feels like ‘my’ house.” R
Utilising space This end of the house opens straight onto the laneway so Carole wanted to create a barrier between it and the living space with
a utility room that doubles as a butler’s pantry. “It’s a brilliant space,” she says. Bath inclusion The ensuite bathroom is small, but the mirror makes
it appear larger, and there’s still room for a bath. Storage includes full-height shelving that looks like part of the panelled door next to the basin. A
real living