Home Beautiful

Inside story - Home Beautiful

Who lives here? Sharon, a personal assistant, her husband Leigh, who's in banking, both 42; and their sons

Describe your decorating style. Sharon: "A mixture of contemporary and French, relaxed and casual, and indoor and outdoor."

Where do you get your inspiration? "I use magazines extensively as references. I love reading about what other people have done and looking at before and after pictures."

If there were a fire, what would you take with you? "The framed black-and-white photos of the family."

Where do you spend most of your time? "In the kitchen and living area. It's so spacious, light and airy."

Any decorating advice? "Be consistent with fixtures, fittings and paint."

What you would do differently next time? "Not put handles on the kitchen drawers, as clothes catch!"

How does this house fit in with your lifestyle? "This house is a home and everything has a place. Also there is ample storage, which makes it easy to keep tidy."

Biggest indulgence? "The beautiful freestanding bath, which I don't regret for a minute!"

Favourite features? "I know it sounds ridiculous, but I really love my laundry! It's just designed so well."

What does your family like most about this house? "We love that it's very much an inside/outside home."

I love the colour scheme of the timber with the white with bursts of green and the pop of 

red and brown for the bedrooms.