When an Auckland couple bought a Devonport villa, their focus was to return it to its original character.
With an eye for design, Wanda Szychowska could see that behind the 1980s decor of her new home, an elegant villa was waiting to emerge.
Szychowska and her husband Rhys bought the 1920s home in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore two years ago, when they were seeking a child-friendly house
for their son Oskar, aged 4, and daughter Zigi, 2.
At the time it had vinyl flooring, beige carpets and walls, polished pine panelling and aluminium joinery, but Szychowska, an interior designer and stylist, could see beyond that to the high stud, kauri floorboards, pressed decorative ceilings and grand fireplace.
"The villa oozed potential, needing only a few easy changes to the internal floor plan and some serious decorating updates," she says.
Her goal was to create a light-filled home that paid respect to the villa's original character. "By updating the floorboards, architraves, skirting boards and ceilings with a coat of white paint, we can admire and appreciate them over time," she says. "A simple white palette allowed me to inject my personality, which is quite vibrant and energetic, into items such as furniture, artwork, lighting and accessories."
A casualty of the revamp was the poky 1980s kitchen, which was replaced with a gleaming new one designed by Szychowska in a simple galley-style configuration. "With a young family in the mix it meant the choice of materials had to fit strict criteria, which included being easy to wipe clean, fingerprint proof, chip resistant and waterproof, yet still stylish," she says.
Glossy white cabinetry is the mainstay of the look but Szychowska added texture and subtle colour through the benchtops, island and splashback. The granite has a marbled effect, while the splashback is a textured glass with the back spraypainted metallic silver.
A new dining area was created by forming an extra level above the downstairs rumpus room. "We managed to create an entire room by flooring in the otherwise dead space," she says. "Removing the pine panelling from the ceiling means the transition is seamless from the walls upwards, disguising the sloping ceiling, and it has a gorgeous view over the garden. We love to dim the lights at night and entertain our friends with cocktails."
In contrast, the rumpus room was a place where Szychowska envisaged the kids could go wild. "Children's spaces should be fun and quirky," she says. "Don't be scared to try out your own art on the walls - it's easy enough to paint over when you feel like a change. The kids will appreciate that you painted it yourself, and you can engage them to help."
Style tips
White light: If you choose an all-white palette, use a brighter white to accentuate features such as detailed ceilings.
Thinking ahead: Szychowska is always collecting ideas that she might try out one day. "I love to cut out images that inspire me and place them on my mood board. It's constantly evolving."
Child's play: Don't hold back when it comes to decorating a child's bedroom. "Have fun reflecting the personality of the child," says Szychowska. "Don't forget that a home should flow and each room should connect to the next, and kids' rooms are part of the big picture."
Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. See the latest issue, on sale now, for more achievable home ideas.
