AT HOME
WITH
Judith So
26 Country Home Ideas
COASTAL
Country
Judith has created a modern country-style manor in the scenic holiday suburb of Port Stephens. Story and Styling by Tim Neve Photography by Johan Palsson
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JUDITH’S DECORATING TIPS: �
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Judith opted for resin paint for her white floor but the look can also be achieved in a simple two-pack process, which is instead oil-based. This was applied over the existing chipboard floor panels. Colour-code. An all white interior can look clinical. Instead Judith recommends Dulux Antique White, which is a shade warmer. Think differently. The most innovative soft furnishings are the oversized vintage coffee-bean sack floor cushions, purchased for only a few dollars each. When bargain hunting keep in mind that a great find may still need restoration work to fit in with existing pieces. Always try to mentally budget potential costs during your decision-making process. Judith relies on retailers and tradespeople to complete her look, and has developed a strong network of suppliers, making the effort to create a personal connection with each. They now love dealing with her time and time again, and are prepared to go the extra mile to make things happen.
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M
elbourne-based Judith So wanted to create a holiday home that reflected her idea of tranquillity. She had never been to Port Stephens in New South Wales until a friend suggested the area. Upon visiting the locale, she instantly fell in love with the peace and seclusion it offered. The waterfront suburb is typically associated with tropical-inspired holiday villas, so Judith decided instead to create a unique country-inspired interior in the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property she had ‘snapped up’. Nestled in a quiet court with beautiful views of its marine surroundings, it had been on the market for some time and the interior was in need of a vast update. No challenge for Judith – she revels in picking colour schemes, seeking out unique furniture and homewares, and managing local tradespeople to complete structural work. Over the past year she has flown many times direct from Melbourne to nearby Newcastle to create her vision. Intended as a recreational property for herself and her two sons, Judith is so pleased with the home she’s created, she is now adamant that this is the place for her future retirement.
ABOVE LEFT: A combination of old and new, Judith displays some of her amazing bargain-hunting finds in a huge display cabinet. ABOVE RIGHT: The essence of chic styling, a vintage coffee bag is the inspiration for this stunning upholstered chair from Villa Maison. OPPOSITE PAGE The neutral colour palette continues into a cleverly selected mix of antique and modern French-provincial furniture and homewares.
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MODERN
MANOR
Judith has fashioned a charming and romantic French-inspired interior, which at the same time has a highly modern feel due to her clever choices. The extensive open-plan layout of the living and dining areas uses furniture to divide the space into stylish sitting zones. Unique furnishings and homewares form delightful little vignettes – as if each area has its own narrative and purpose, whilst fitting into the overall scheme. Selecting a neutral colour palette was the first step in establishing the desired sense of tranquillity. A stunning white resin-painted floor bounces light onto Antique White wall finishes. “Antique White is perfect as it’s just a tone away from pure white and adds an element of warmth,” says Judith. An all-white colour palette would be far too clinical.” While being far from overtly ‘nautical’ in flavour, the skilful choice echoes the clean, white sandy beaches of the region.
ABOVE LEFT: Judith loves the open-plan living and dining area that stretches out from the elegant white kitchen. ABOVE RIGHT: A lime green laminate kitchen with timber-veneer flooring was revamped into a stunning country-look kitchen, complete with an antique chandelier. LEFT: Even the small laundry space now evokes country charm, with stunning restoration tapware over a modern square basin. OPPOSITE PAGE The revamped country-inspired kitchen, complete with period hardware in all white, continues the chic look.
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The neutral colour palette continues in a cleverly selected mix of antique and modern French-provincial furniture, and homewares that combine delightfully throughout. A huge display cabinet in the entry showcases ornate porcelain vessels alongside rustic paraphernalia of yesteryear. An oversized iron clock face is the only wall decoration in the living room and acts as a strong statement piece. In the master bedroom, a four-post bed – while grand in tone – is sleek and modern in style yet still works with the country theme. Provincial texture is added in soft furnishings, such as the unique vintage coffee-bean sacks with tassels in each corner that Judith found for a few dollars each and had made into oversized floor cushions.
RESTORATION
ABOVE: The perfect escape for boys – the kids’ room has a nautical flavour enhanced by a modern red chandelier. LEFT: Truth in advertising – Judith’s bedroom is soothing and tranquil. OPPOSITE PAGE The distant water views add to the ease and leisure the home evokes.
32 Country Home Ideas
AND RENOVATION
A major renovation has transformed the property into a light-filled space. The old interior was very dated, with a kitchen with lime green laminate, aluminium window frames and timber-veneer flooring. This is a far cry from the space presented today, achieved with new timber bi-fold French doors and plantation-shuttered windows that open to let the coastal breezes flow through. Judith’s passion is bargain hunting for unique furniture and homewares, and the home is filled with amazing finds from her pilgrimages. She admits that “the price of some of the pieces were a steal, but the real cost is when you start to restore them.” Antique glass chandeliers in the dining and kitchen areas were purchased at a modest price and cleaned in an acid wash to give them a new lease of life. Little has been done to the exterior of the brick home, which resembles the style of other houses in the area. This only adds to the surprise and delight when the front door is opened revealing Judith’s amazing interior design. An avid gardener, she also has
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grand plans for the surrounds of the property, which will no doubt be flourishing in no time.
LET
THERE BE WHITE
The most unique aspect of the interior design is the resin-painted white floor. However, the revamped country-inspired kitchen complete with period hardware in all white, continues the chic look. In the master bedroom’s ensuite, a large-scale double vanity, also in sleek white, is completed with two ornate etched glass mirrors found in the Philippines. The vintage canisters and perfume bottles Judith has collected and now displays on the vanity evoke a sense of old world romance. Even the small laundry space exudes country charm, with stunning restoration tapware over a modern square basin.
FINDING
TRANQUILLITY
The distant view of water from the property adds to the ease and leisure the home suggests. Judith likes to watch a particular boat that passes regularly as it makes its way into Port Stephens, and it’s simple pleasures such as this that have convinced her she’ll retire here one day. Until then, she intends to lease out the home so others may experience the tranquillity she’s discovered. It’s easy to imagine honeymooners, artists or writers finding romance and peace in this place she has so lovingly created. �
ABOVE: In the master bedroom’s ensuite, a large-scale double vanity in sleek white is completed with two ornate etched glass mirrors. RIGHT: In the master bedroom, a sleek four-post bed is grand in tone but modern in style while still working with the country theme.
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AT HOME
WITH
Sit in style
Judith So
Make it personal
Judith’s bower-bird approach to re-purposing simple vintage materials is very much in vogue. Simplify a grand Louis chair with upholstry in vintage coffee bean-sack fabric. We love Villa Maison’s Remy chair upholstered in black linen and hessian coffee-bag print, $1145.
A mix of classic pieces and vintage accessories makes for a laid-back home with a quirky edge.
Black and white For a colour scheme based around natural tones with lashings of black and white, a range of matching accessories is essential. If you like pure white pieces, check out the collection from Brentwood Interiors for something similar.
On the side
The timeless look of this coffee table from Town & Country Style makes it perfect for a relaxed space. It’s available in a range of timber stains so you can get just the right tone for your home.
BUY T E G BUD
Fantastic finds
Stylist Sibella Court has spent the past decade based in New York and on returning to Australia last year opened the doors of The Society Inc – a charming corner store, set back from the main buzz in Paddington. It’s a delightful terrace filled with the rustic and rare curiosities Sibella finds on her travels. The eclectic scenario changes theme each season, with a colour range designed in conjunction with Murobond paints to suit. Tactile and unique – vintage hessian cushions $50 each, string balls large $35, medium $25, bottles from $35 – all from The Society Inc.
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A standout
A black statement piece, like Judith’s four-poster bed, can lend drama to a room. If you like the effect but want something a little more budget friendly, you can’t go past this Trollsta sideboard from IKEA, $629.