Daily Life

All White Now: A love of white has transformed a terrace into a family home

The home A Victorian terrace house on the edge of Cooper Park in Woollahra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Who lives here Susan Sheller, owner of decorating store Cotton Love Home, and her children Will, 18, Bianca, 15, and Justin, 13.

 

Susan in the open-plan living area. "I love a home to feel fresh – fresh air, sunlight and foliage – so the energy is free to flow," she says.

What I did "My signature style is white on white," says Susan. "I removed the carpet and used a special mix of mud and other ingredients to give the floorboards a weathered look, like driftwood. Then I painted everything in my favourite colour, Dulux Stowe White. It creates a nice backdrop for the antique French mirrors, chandeliers and oversized furniture."

 

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"In my bedroom everything is calm. It's a place I can jump into bed and fall straight to sleep."

Favourite room "It moves with the seasons," says Susan. "I love sitting by the log fire in the living room in winter, but in summer, the garden is my favourite place."

 

"This is our summer TV room. It flows onto the garden.

The 'hood' "It's like living in the country," says Susan. "The birds in the park wake you up in the morning, and it's leafy and calm."

 

Susan repainted the kitchen's cupboards and replaced the benchtop. The silhouettes are of her children.

What's next "My next project will probably be a new house, to challenge my creativity."

 

The photo at the home's entrance is "a special piece from a talented friend, Greg Nagel", says Susan

Best tip "Do it now – don't think that you'll come back to it."