Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a well-placed pop of colour. No wonder coming home holds such delight for Charem and Lev, who swapped a character property in Melbourne for this newly refreshed address in Brisbane’s riverside suburb of Bulimba. Together with son Noah and cavoodle Bella, the couple are revelling in a ‘feels-like-us’ vibe and a home that sings with beautiful bespoke style, thanks to a recent transformation by Connors & Co.
“After moving into our new house, it was time to invest in making it into a home we were not only proud of, but happy to be in every day,” explains Charem. “We wanted it to feel like us.”
As luck would have it, the school run served as an introduction to interior designer Kate Connors, director of Connors & Co. “Charem invited me (at drop-off, our kids were in the same class) to come and see the new house,” says Kate. “I don’t think either of us realised it would be a year-long project and the start of a special friendship.”
For Charem, the personal connection instilled confidence while Kate’s team and portfolio sealed the deal. “We engaged Connors & Co. after seeing previous projects that elevated living spaces with real functionality and style,” she says. When it came to the brief, Kate was immediately on the same page. “Whilst the owners wanted less of the maintenance that comes with old buildings, they missed the charm,” says the designer. “They wanted to fill the new house with their own personality.”
A custom approach was called for, with Kate also cherry-picking several noteworthy accent pieces to deliver the desired look and feel. “We aim to create homes that uniquely reflect our clients, and this one is such a lovely example,” says Kate. “We employed a transitional style to marry the contemporary architecture of the home with Charem and Lev’s classic taste.
Fabric selections and furniture styles are romantic, lighting all has a vintage style, art a nostalgic feel, and furnishings are eclectic for a sense of whimsy.”
Exploring Charem’s love of fabrics became a major focus, and highlight, of the design process. “The fabric scheme was very much considered, with the process enjoyed just as much as the result!” notes Kate of the selections that include Hudson ‘Sea Glass’ from Diane Bergeron and Anna Spiro’s ‘Grandma’s Quilt’.
After introducing her client to the still-life paintings of artist Kate Vella, knowing she’d appreciate the nostalgic style, Kate says Charem became quite the collector. “She purchased a number of pieces, and the colour in Kate’s work became a major source of inspiration for the palette (alongside Kezz Brett’s work), particularly glossy paint colours for custom furniture.”
Bespoke details and handmade pieces underpin the project, including the delicious entry console, ottoman and tray, and clay-beaded Sphere chandeliers, artisan-made in South Africa for Klaylife, that illuminate the stairwell. The new study nook is a standout; an elevated workspace of substance and classic style.
To give the kitchen an elegant, personal touch, Connors & Co. worked with Brisbane’s QConcepts (who also assisted with the study joinery and several one-off pieces). “The kitchen just needed a few updates” explains Kate. “We replaced the splashback with a white fan mosaic tile, replaced the pendant lights with Il Fanale’s Anita pendants, and added Lily barstools from Cotswold with matching scalloped edges.”
Careful spatial planning and clever selections were required in the open-plan yet compact living/dining area. Kate chose the Arte round dining table from Jardan to keep pathways clear while still ensuring plenty of comfy seating for the whole family. A glorious painting by Australian artist Kezz Brett makes every meal feel like a joyful occasion in this well-used hub.
It’s rare that Covid delivers an upside but, in this case, there was a silver lining to the project’s unavoidable delays. “Building the space slowly and thoughtfully meant we were able to achieve a lovely, layered interior — which always feels more like home,” notes Kate. “Like opening a jewellery box, it reveals itself in layers of ornamentation; glossy furniture, juicy colour, vintage-style lighting, nostalgic art and the prettiest of prints.”
The owners are equally enamoured, praising Kate and her team for their eye for detail and impeccable style solutions. “Throughout the journey, our interior designer has become someone we can trust and a friend whose expertise in design we highly value,” Charem says. “Kate and her team have been wonderful at every recommendation. With an eye for detail around tricky design layouts, sourcing furniture, through to custom-built cabinetry, nothing was ever too hard or too challenging. Connors & Co. gives you the personal touch so many businesses forget to deliver in our current crazy world.”
One space brings the whole home together, capturing the imagination of the designer herself. “I love the entry,” reveals Kate. “A glimpse of the chandeliers and then the entry console — the glossy green inspired by Kate Vella’s Pineapple Still Life, a hint of vintage in the crystal vase sitting pretty with a contemporary resin piece.
It’s a hint of what’s to come … and a beautiful moment on your way into a beautiful home.”
Words: Nicole Deuble // Photography: Francoise Baudet // Styling: Kate Connors & Gabrielle Reinhardt
