Designing a new home in Bowral, influenced by American architecture

Country Town House

Location: Bowral, Australia

After we sold our lovely farm South Acres, we bought an old house in the old part of Bowral, which we demolished. I then set about designing a new home with the help of a draughtsman who very successfully interpreted my many, many ideas on to ‘paper’. The whole process took about three years.

I designed the internal layout of the house first, and included everything that we would need. The exterior design took a while to get right and I was definitely influenced by American architecture.

I took a long time deliberating about what furnishings and fabrics to use for the interiors. I was, at the time, very enamoured with the Arts and Crafts era and with William Morris in particular.

I began by translating some of the design aspects of this era, but in a much lighter way, and a nod to A&C can be seen in the style of the panelling, architraves etc throughout the house. I have used William Morris wallpapers and some fabrics throughout the house. Other fabrics I have used in the house are Colefax and Fowler, Lisa Fine and Robert Kime.