This Carnegie house has come a long way since Chelsea (The Design Files’ very own Advertising and Sponsorship Manager!) and Stuart Hall purchased it in 2013.
Back then, the home had been a student share house rental for many years, complete with locks on all the bedroom doors, and TV ports in every room. ‘It was quite rundown and required re-stumping, which then cracked all the lath and plaster walls,’ says Chelsea. ‘Plus, the house was poorly insulated and had no heating, so the first winter there was quite uncomfortable!’
After living in the house for five years and becoming parents to Angus (now 5) and Evie (3), Chelsea and Stuart were keen to maximise the space for family living, so they decided to renovate and extend.
LSA Architects designed an update and extension, retaining the original period rooms at the front of the home, and adding a new open-plan living, dining, kitchen area; aswell as an en suite and kid’s playroom.
‘We love the open-plan living area – how the space flows from indoors to outdoors, its connectivity to the playroom, and especially the window seat. It’s a lovely spot to sit and admire the garden, and the kids enjoy building Lego there and pretending it’s a stage for dance performances!’ says Chelsea.
Framed windows set within the sage green living room wall (painted with Dulux Powdered Gum) draws the outdoors into the interior. ‘I love gardening, and this colour brings the outside in, to make the space feel connected to the garden,’ says Chelsea.
In contrast, the main bedroom is painted a mid-grey colour (Dulux Dieskau) – a shade that feels calming and cosy to encourage retreating at the end of the day.
Adding to these lovely interiors is the family’s growing art collection, including works purchased from various TDF Collect and TDF Open House events!
‘We’ve scoured many galleries and art fairs over the years, finding pieces that fill us with joy,’ says Chelsea. ‘The Spencer Shakespeare painting in the living room is a personal favourite; a birthday present from Stu that perfectly reflects what’s beyond the window outside.’
Renovating horror stories are common, but Chelsea enjoyed every moment of creating her dream family home. ‘I made most of the interior selections and loved the planning and building process,’ she says. ‘It was so exciting seeing the renovation take shape, and our builders were a dream to work with.’ A truly dream renovation, from start to finish!
Sofa from King Living. Marble candle holder and ‘Clive’ vase from Country Road. Column pillar candles from Gingerfinch. V-joint wall painted Dulux Powdered Gum to ‘bring the outdoors inside!’ Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Artwork by Spencer Shakespeare. ‘Chubb’ coffee table from Sarah Ellison. Perforated trays from HAY. Marble candle holder from Country Road. Column pillar candles from Gingerfinch. Maison Balzac glass candle holder – a special Christmas gift to Chelsea from Lucy! V-joint wall painted Dulux Powdered Gum. Other walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Chelsea, Stuart, Angus (5), Evie (3), and their dogs Bomber and Gizmo! Sofa from King Living. Cushion from Bonnie & Neil. ‘Chubb’ coffee table from Sarah Ellison. Perforated trays from HAY. Marble candle holders from Country Road. Column pillar candles from Gingerfinch. V-joint wall painted Dulux Powdered Gum. Other walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
‘Chubb’ coffee table from Sarah Ellison. Perforated trays from HAY. Marble candle holders from Country Road. Column pillar candles from Gingerfinch. Maison Balzac glass candle holder. Stool from Mark Tuckey. V-joint wall painted Dulux Powdered Gum. Artwork by Spencer Shakespeare. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Disco Burger artwork by Maurice Golotta. Tilde tapered vase by Ella Reweti. Painting & sculpture by Kenya Peterson. Sculpture by Kirsten Perry purchased from the 2019 TDF Collect show ‘Art and Artefact‘. – ‘Her work is so tactile and beautiful, I’m obsessed!” says Chelsea. Brass lobster from Fenton & Fenton. Charles ‘Ghost’ stools purchased on Gumtree and Facebook marketplace. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Artworks on loan to Stu by his sister, Amanda Hall, and avid art collector! Dining table from Provincial Home Living. Old dining chairs from IKEA, purchased when Stu first moved out of home. Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
‘Clive’ vase from Country Road. Kitchen cupboards painted Dulux Dieskau (neatly hiding the fridge inside), Charles ‘Ghost’ stools purchased on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Our view from the main bed. Artworks by Elizabeth Barnett, Nunzio Miano & Liam Murphy. Walls painted Dulux Dieskau. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
‘This is the first house where I’ve had an ensuite and it feels very grown up!’ says Chelsea. Tapware by Sussex from Reece. Wall light from IKEA. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Artwork in the hallway! Left one by Annie Everingham. Plant stand found on Facebook marketplace. Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Angus’s bedroom. Chelsea’s childhood bed, resprayed yellow. Bedding by IKEA, Adairs, Kip&Co and Gorman. Pendant lamp shade by IKEA. Artwork by Jasper Knight. Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Evie’s room. Bedhead from Love Tree Interiors. Letter ‘W’ print by V. Happy Co and frame from Country Road. Bunting from the Adairs x Fleur Harris collaboration. Bed linen from Castle and Things. Cushions from Bonnie & Neil, including one purchased from the 2012 TDF Open House! Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
A collection of artworks by Stu’s sister and niece, as well as Annie Everingham, Rowena Martinich and Cassie Byrnes for TDF Collect. Console table from Globe West, housing special objects from Sarah Ellison, Kirsten Perry and Amanda Dziedzic. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
The beautiful jacaranda tree at the front. Exterior painted Dulux Silkwort and Dulux Vivid White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
