AT HOME WITH Sally-Ann and John CARRYING Tradition ON THE Sally-Ann Cottle and her husband John have put their own special touch on a country classic without losing the grace and elegance of its past. Story by Susannah Hardy Photography by Tony Potter Styling by Kirstin Randl-Katalinic 24 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 24 16/06/11 1:26 PM
Pretty as a picture: this classic country homestead with extensive verandah and cascading grapevine is an absolute delight. To the right is the part of the verandah that was closed in as a party room then converted to a living space 10 years ago by John and Sally-Ann. www.countryhomeideas.com.au 25 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 25 16/06/11 1:26 PM
John and Sally-Ann Cottle have lived on their family sheep property in the Snowy Mountains for 21 years. When they first moved there from Melbourne, the couple lived in one of the smaller cottages, however 13 years ago they moved into the property s gracious early Australian homestead, filled with family history and country charm. The homestead required no structural work, just a few cosmetic changes here and there and for Sally-Ann, having been a designer for Georges in Melbourne, it was right up her alley. The house has a classic yet comfortable feel and has been carefully furnished with an eclectic mix of new and old pieces that have been inherited, collected over the years or sourced through Sally-Ann s fabulous furniture and homewares store in Cooma called Cottle House. As a result, the look is simple and classic with a great deal of interest and everyday comfort. ABOVE: The formal dining room has an elegant and traditional feel with an antique mahogany table and chairs that have been passed down through the family and a gold-framed mirror that Sally-Ann found in a Melbourne antique shop many years ago. ADAPTING THE SPACE Most noticeable in the rather traditional layout of this stunning threebedroom house is a large open-plan living space, an unusual feature for a house built in 1908. Originally a verandah, this was later closed in to serve as an entertaining area. However Sally-Ann and her husband decided to turn the space into their main living area combining lounge, dining and kitchen in one lovely, light-filled space that overlooks the property s lake. Sally-Ann wanted the kitchen to blend into this area and so chose a simple design with off-white cabinetry, a combination of Carrara marble and stainless steel benchtops and a mirrored splashback to reflect the windows on the opposite wall. I wanted it to feel like a nice, big living room rather than a kitchen, she says. The area is warm, cosy and stylish with contemporary-style sofas upholstered in a taupe fabric which has been repeated on the dining chairs and window seat cushions. A striking coffee table and dining table, both custom-made in old French oak through Cottle House, add character and interest while a large combustion fireplace creates a warm and toasty feel. 26 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 26 17/06/11 8:31 AM
This charming coffee table in the living area is a Belgian design, custom-made through Cottle House. It has been crafted from old French oak and can be made to size. www.countryhomeideas.com.au 27 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 27 14/06/11 1:53 PM
CLASSIC MAKEOVER Living in a very cold climate with freezing, snowy winters, Sally-Ann wanted to make the house feel as warm as possible and so chose Dulux White Birch for the majority of the rooms. I was quite concerned about the house being so cold and that s a really good cream with warmth, she says. This has been paired with Dulux Vivid White which was used on all the woodwork. One or two rooms have been painted differently, such as the formal dining area which features a Dulux caramel colour that Sally-Ann created herself to match the room s furnishings and create a feeling of warmth. The exception to this more neutral colour scheme is the study, which was painted in Dulux Domino, a dark charcoal that never fails to pique the interest of visitors. Ever since I had it painted, everyone s asked what colour it is, Sally-Ann says, who overall favours a diverse look, mixing patterns, textures and styles. Through her shop, she sells a wide range of beautiful furniture pieces that can easily be incorporated into a classic setting such as this country home. I like a little bit of modern, a little bit of French, a bit of English and a bit of Asian, she says. I prefer a more eclectic look. The house therefore, has a wonderful array of antique pieces such as the mahogany dining setting made for John s grandparents, cleverly combined with pieces sourced through Cottle House such as the French chair and footstool upholstered in black and white toile, found in the library off the lounge area. Other pieces, such as the old light fittings sourced through McLeod s Antiques in Sydney, were hunted down in antique shops and second-hand stores. ABOVE: The casual dining area features a classy custom-made French oak table with stylish yet comfortable chairs upholstered in a classic neutral taupe all available through Cottle House. OPPOSITE PAGE: Sally-Ann, who designed the kitchen herself with the help of a kitchen maker from Bombala, wanted to avoid it looking too long and narrow and so installed a mirrored splashback to open up the space. 28 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 28 17/06/11 8:32 AM
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SALLY-ANN S TOP DECORATING TIPS Combine different styles to create interest and an individual look to ensure rooms don t look too predictable. Try not to buy everything at once but collect over time. Include a large piece in each room as a focal point and adopt a symmetrical furniture layout to help create a calm space; too many features fight for attention. Don t overcrowd with clutter. It s important to have something organic in the house. I love flowers and if I don t have any, I ll pick fresh leaves or branches. We have books in just about every room such as the collection on the coffee table in the living room. I love books as a form of decoration. I have dimmer switches in all rooms and prefer table lamps to create small pools of light, as opposed to strong overhead lighting. Above all, a home has to be comfortable to live in. Everyone should be able to feel relaxed so try not to make things too precious. A simple, classic and understated style is my aim, which stands the test of time. Visit www.abeautifulspace.blogspot.com for Sally-Ann s decorating inspirations of Cottle House www.cottlehouse.com.au ABOVE: Sally-Ann ensures she has books and fresh fl owers in every room to create a warm and welcoming feel that invites people to sit, relax and enjoy the wonderful country ambience. TOP LEFT: Off the lounge area is a little library featuring a charming French chair and footstool upholstered in a black and white toile alongside a library-designed shelving unit all sourced through Cottle House. TOP RIGHT: The bathroom features crisp-white cabinetry painted in Dulux Vivid White and large custom-made mirrors. The fl oor is carpeted up to the tiled area besides the shower perfect in such a cold and frosty climate. OPPOSITE PAGE: The formal dining room s seating area is charming and cosy with an antique Chinese table sitting on an old Laura Ashley rug, a standard lamp from an antique shop and an old gramophone handed down from John s grandparents. 30 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 30 17/06/11 8:34 AM
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Sally-Ann adds interest through accessories and soft furnishings and with an extensive experience and love of textiles, luxurious fabrics have been used for full-length curtains such as the ivory and caramel silk taffeta in the formal dining room and the very old English chintz in the master bedroom. I like to build up interest with different-sized patterns using natural fabrics to create interest, Sally-Ann admits. TOP: The spacious master bedroom required more elaborate decorating and features a bedhead from an old hotel that Sally-Ann picked up in a local second-hand shop; the bedding and decorative mirror came from Cottle House. ABOVE: Sally-Ann s daughter has a pretty bedroom in tones of pink with bedding from Household Linen, an old bedhead recycled from a hotel and a gorgeous St Albans mohair throw. AN IDYLLIC SETTING The couple are fortunate enough to inherit an extremely wellmaintained property with a manicured, well-loved garden. John s mother was always extremely enthusiastic about the garden, as was his grandparents who planted many magnificent trees on the property. Now John and Sally-Ann, equally passionate, are four years into a six-acre garden renovation. They commissioned well-known landscape designer Paul Bangay who moved the old tennis court from directly outside the windows of the main living area and installed a delightful parterre garden. Paul decided that there should be a better outlook since this was our main living room, Sally-Ann says. Paul also designed a paved courtyard area at the back where a teak outdoor table and wicker chairs make an ideal outdoor dining spot. The property s history has been preserved with multiple buildings maintained such as the old schoolroom, which is now converted into separate guest quarters. The couple are also renovating the site s workers cottages where people can stay and enjoy a country retreat. 32 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 32 17/06/11 8:40 AM
See more images from Carrying on the Tradition online: These self-contained holiday cottages are all within range of the garden and enquiries can be made through Cottle House. Living on the property has been a fulfilling experience for John and Sally-Ann. It s been a great place to bring up our children and we are situated in a beautiful location, not far from the coast, close to the snow, within an easy distance from Canberra, Sally-Ann explains. She has also been able to maintain a successful business, running Cottle House and doing all manner of interior design projects such as the refurbishment of ski lodges in the mountains, country properties, townhouses in Canberra and more commercial properties on the coast. She has been able to combine all her talent and knowledge not only for work, but also in designing the interior of a grand old home and creating a picturesque country feel that is stylish yet always welcoming. Even she admits, A lot of people say when they walk into our home that they can really relax here. TOP: What was once the old tennis court surrounded with cyclone fencing is now a picturesque parterre garden, creating a beautiful outlook and a charming French country feel. RIGHT: The front verandah draped with an established grapevine is the perfect spot to sit, relax and take in the spectacular country views. www.countryhomeideas.com.au 33 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 33 14/06/11 1:54 PM
AT HOME WITH Sally-Ann and John Make it personal An eclectic mix of new and old pieces makes for a classic home with plenty of country charm. BUDGET BUY Light the way Sleek hurricane lamps add a rosy glow to a coffee or side table. We found this glass Nordic Footed Hurricane Lamp at Citta Design. Brass beauty Sally-Ann picked up her exquisite bedheads in a local second-hand shop, but you can get a similar look with this grand Montrose brass bedstead. Featuring genuine brass with an antique fi nish, it s available from The Original Bedstead Company. Traditional touch A classic Louis-style chair makes a comfortable addition to a living room or corner of the bedroom. This Antoinette chair is $599 at Recollections and Early Settler stores nationally. Old-fashioned appeal This Venacio coffee table has a rustic charm that s ideal for a country-style home. It s available for $2,195 from Coco Republic. Crystal clear A glittering chandelier brings a touch of sparkle to any room. This lovely one is from Themes Classic & Timeless. See more great products online: Sofa savvy Soft shades of taupe and a smart stripe pattern give this Andrew Martin Arthur sofa from Coco Republic a cosy, comfortable look. 34 www.countryhomeideas.com.au 024 House 2 Carry Tradition.indd 34 14/06/11 1:54 PM
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