Down to earth

How many times have you wished you could transport yourself to another time and place? With a little imagination and some clever design skills, this has been made possible for the owners of this Queensland home.

Interior designer Cathy Cowell was asked to convert a 66m² room off the swimming pool and barbecue area into a self-sufficient retreat separate from the house that would provide shelter from the tropical climate.

She says the owners' down to earth approach to life and eclectic style is reflected in the design.

"The clients wanted the space to have a resort feel. They like a fairly casual decorating style, using big pieces of furniture for lounging and relaxing on," she says.

The earthy colour scheme of ochres and sandy Moroccan tones offers a warm, welcoming ambience, enhanced by the use of woven textures and natural fibres.

This can be seen in furnishings such as the water hyacinth chairs, and the woven reed blinds in the kitchen.

The rugs on the floor a woven paper rug from Scandinavia and a leather rug from Belgium add to the natural theme.

A pair of antique, hand-carved Indian teak doors on the side entrance bring a rustic charm to the room. A modern edge is achieved through the straight lines of the burnt orange faux emu leather ottomans and a large modular sofa that converts to a double bed.

The view out to the pool is framed by rich ochre drapes, hung from custom-made wrought iron rods.

Guests step out of the room into an open-air pagoda featuring thick wooden beams and a gable roof. Outdoor drapes made from hemp enclose the pagoda, protecting the seating area from the sun.

A fully-equipped kitchen allows the owners to prepare meals for their guests.

Cowell says a sense of unity is created in the room's rich and varied collection of furnishings.

"It is warm and receptive, while still managing to be cool, practical and versatile."

Story by: Trendsideas