<“Our kitchen wasn’t up to scratch, there were poky add-
ons that just had to go, and the back garden was all pool.”
The couple filled in the pool, repurposed rooms, opened up
and updated the kitchen, replaced flooring and repainted
throughout. “We wanted to keep the charm of the house but
play up the parts that had been hidden under the weight of
the dark furnishings,” says Chyka. “Mostly, we wanted a
free-flowing home that would work for our family.”
The interiors, all Chyka’s own handiwork, are constantly
evolving. On occasion, her husband and children – Chessie,
now 23, and BJ, 21 – have returned from holiday to find whole
rooms completely redecorated. “I love reinventing spaces,”
she says. “I am obsessed with interiors and this house is a
reflection of what I love: colour, textiles, layering and detail.
My motto is, ‘More is more is more!’ ” As classic as the
decor is, it’s also highly personal, dotted with treasures
picked up from a lifetime of adventures. “I have a love affair
with India and the Middle East, and have incorporated
elements from my travels to these parts. Everywhere you
turn, there are little vignettes that tell a story. They
make the house feel really happy.”
Having created such beautiful surroundings, it’s not
surprising that Chyka feels most comfortable here. “Luxury
is being at home, enjoying the company of the people you
love most,” she confirms with a smile.chyka.com >‘Happiness is sitting on the sofa with a stack of interior-design magazines.’Chyka Keebaugh
HGAT HOME WITH
20 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN