Striking a balance between traditional and contemporary design in your home is a delicate dance, best combined with an unexpected element of surprise. A vintage inspired flamingo wallpaper delivers the goods in this transitional style nursery. Lydia Maskeill, an interior designer and mother of two has a passion for detail and has successfully married a modern renovation with her federation style home in Launceston, Tasmania.
WHAT WAS THE BRIEF FOR THIS ROOM?
“I wanted a super girly space after I found out that we were having a baby girl! To fit in context with our federation style home, I went with a ‘transitional’ style. The room was very dark, cold and gloomy. For that reason, it was important to inject as much life, light and personality into the space. It was important to have storage, a reading nook and a play area because there is no other playroom in the house. By creating zones within the room there is enough space for playing, reading and sleeping.”
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?
“My husband is a builder so we are both drawn to detail and decorative features in older houses. It was a dream of ours to renovate a federation style home but with a more modern approach. It has always been important to have an element of surprise in each space that we create. Elsa’s room is no exception to this, because we wanted to retain the traditional features in the room whilst introducing some more playful elements such as the flamingo wallpaper.”
HOW DID YOU SELECT YOUR COLOUR PALETTE?
“The room was previously quite dark with limited natural light so the colour palette needed to be light and bright. The wall panelling is a white gloss finish, which bounces light around the room. The beautiful flamingo wallpaper serves as a feature wall in keeping with a contemporary design in soft muted tones. For contrast, the walls above the panelling are painted in Dulux Vintage Linen which has warmth to it and provides a subtle contrast.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE IN THE ROOM?
“The fireplace! Previously, the fireplace was lifeless and the original brickwork was crumbling away. However, the penny round tiling has made it a functional space to display books and toys.”
WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THIS SPACE?
“This whole space has been a huge transformation. To think that this room was dark, cold and lifeless and now it has such warmth, brightness and personality. I love the fun elements to the room such as the flamingo wallpaper and pink penny round tiles in the fireplace.”
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS?
@the.small.folk
@mel.obst_art
@interiordesignstein
QUICK FIRE Q’S
(Instagram) Fave scroll stopper: “tiny houses!! Love this concept.”
(Design Style) Less is more or more is more: “definitely more is more. I’m a layers kind of gal.”
(Netflix) Can’t switch off: “Cobra Kai”
(Mindfulness) Quote that best sums you up: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes.”
RESOURCES
Wallpaper – Tropical Shore by Wallpaper + Folk, Ellie Cot – Incy Interiors, Cot Quilt – Bonne Mere, Sheer Canopy – Spinkie Baby, Grey Storage Cases – Belle & Co Living, Fairy House Night Light – Little Belle Light, Felt Ball Rug – Elk and Earth, Pink Velvet Pot Holder Basket – Habitat 101
Photography by Anjie Blair
Styled by Lydia Maskeill
For more inspiration, check out wallpapers we love
