As a designer, it’s very hard to relinquish control. After all, designing is what I do every day for so many clients and for such a wide variety of aesthetics. I research, I investigate, I scour design trends and I devour interior design books. So when the design of Biscayne was coming together, I had a clear vision for every detail in the home. And whilst every room at Biscayne has its own unique personality, they each reflect the flamboyant Caribbean Colonial style, filled with cerebral links of colour and texture that bring the whole story together.
So when my darling teenage daughter asked me, in somewhat of a mocking tone, if she could design her own room, I had to take some time to reflect and then deliver a considered response. I realised that it was really important for her to be involved in the creative process of designing her own space. Her own happy space.
The result is simply beautiful. Her influence is evident in every aspect of her bedroom, from the plain white palette (no wallpaper to be seen, much to my dismay) to the four poster bed that works surprisingly well in the space. Every element comes together to make the room feel fresh and cocooning. The white linen curtains with a delightful pineapple motif flow beautifully in the soft afternoon breeze, and the splashes of Jemima’s favourite colours add warmth and personality to the room – bright blue (with the divine curtain rod), green, and a little hint of pink. She also selected a painting that I love called ‘The Shape of Clouds’ from The Heidi Middleton Art Club. The fact that she’s so happy with her own space and that she loves it, means everything to me.
The landing links Jemima’s bedroom with her bathroom, and it’s a divine space full of light and colour. The stair runner creates a beautiful passage between the ground floor and upstairs, creating connection to the pinks and blues featured throughout Biscayne. These bold tones contrast with dark European Oak floors and the white walls and balustrade, and the magnificent white chandelier that makes such a statement.
From the moment we started to create the flat lay for Jemima’s bathroom, I knew I wanted to create a link to the pink tones used in the downstairs powder room. Pink is not just a colour. It’s a vibe. The vision was to marry texture with femininity, with a touch of romance. I love the tactility of the terrazzo under my bare feet and the feel of beautiful tapware in my hands. This bathroom isn’t just a functional space, it’s an experience.
We kept the space light and bright with incredible texture from the Zellige wall tiles in the same gorgeous matt chalky finish we used as a beautiful backdrop for the rangehood in the kitchen. And we referenced the joinery from the master suite and laundry with the perfect louvered doors.
One of the key elements in this bathroom has to be the sublime Cosmopolitan stone, with the double bullnose detail, the depth of colour, the texture and the glossy finish.
I love this stone so much that I decided to incorporate a design feature I enjoyed during a beautiful hotel experience. Rather than a freestanding bath which is a key trend in bathroom design, the hotel bathroom has the bath set into a large marble hob. I found that I could relax back, enjoy my champagne and have everything I needed at hand. It was so special that I decided to incorporate this style and it works perfectly. So I do have a confession. Whilst Jemima’s bathroom is definitely designed to be her own private space, it is shared by the family who love enjoying the divine bath.
The flooring is a masterpiece. I think I actually squealed with delight when I saw it laid by Henry Master Tiler. The Fibonacci terrazzo, which we designed specifically for this floor, looks incredible. Contemporary with a hint of retro, the floor is spectacular, and works in such harmony with the beautiful Cosmopolitan stone and the textural Zellige tiles.
Feminine, stylish, and a visual delight, there is so much to love about these happy spaces.
MY HAPPY SPACE MOVEMENT
If you have been following the KWD journey over the last couple of months you will be familiar with our philanthropic project, My Happy Space Movement. This bedroom was the inspiration and catalyst for the initiative following my daughter’s reaction to her new space and her commentary on how it made her feel. I’m so proud of what Jemima designed and I couldn’t be happier with the positive affect it has had on her wellbeing, having a beautiful and safe retreat of her own creation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Head to @myhappyspacemovement to follow the journey of the first four rooms we are bringing to life for four amazing students who need some joy – who need their very own happy space.
Images: Armelle Habib / Photo shoot styling: Greenhouse Interiors
A heartfelt thank you to our valued supply partners and trades who helped me bring the vision of Biscayne to life:
| COMPANY: | WEBSITE: |
| Montique Construction | montiqueconstruction.com |
| Rod Hannah Design | rodhannahandassociates.com.au |
| Reality 3D | reality3d.com.au |
| Plume Studio | plumestudio.com.au |
| Farmers Doors | farmersdoors.com |
| Winning Appliances | winningappliances.com.au |
| Lynch’s Window Fashions | lynchswindowfashions.com.au |
| 3D Windows | 3dwindows.com.au |
| DMA Kitchens | dmakitchens.com.au |
| The Montauk Lighting Co. | montauklightingco.com |
| The English Tapware Company | englishtapware.com.au |
| Domino Architectural Fittings | dominobrass.com.au |
| Laguna Pools | lagunapools.com.au |
| Vogue Grange | voguegrange.com.au |
| The Nursery Co. | thenurseryco.com.au |
| Court Construct | courtconstruct.com.au |
| Gladstones Granite & Marble | gladstonesgranite.com.au |
| Henry Tiler | mastertiling.com.au |
| National Tiles | nationaltiles.com.au |
| Klay Tiles | klaytiles.com.au |
| Fibonacci TBC | fibonaccistone.com.au |
| RMS Natural Stone TBC | rmsnaturalstone.com |
| Direct Stone | directstone.com.au |
| Marble Mosaics | marblemosaics.com.au |
| Hepburn Hardware | hepburnhardware.com.au |
| Lincoln Sentry | lincolnsentry.com.au |
| Bathe | bathe.net.au |
| Carpet World | carpetworld.com.au |
| Inspired Floors | inspiredfloors.com.au |
| Morgan’s Painters and Decorators | morganpd.com.au |
| Boyd Blue | boydblue.com |
| Classic with a Twist | classicwithatwist.com.au |
| Sorrento Furniture | sorrentofurniture.com.au |
| Elliot Clarke | elliotclarke.com.au |
| Cromwell | cromwellaustralia.com.au |
| The Lens Collective | thelenscollective.com.au |
| Edward Pope (artist) | edwardpope.com.au |
| Red Hill Country Gates | gates.net.au |
| CSR (Gyprock) | csrgyprock.com.au |
| Whelan Airconditioning | whelanair.com.au |
| Gregory Croxford Living | gregorycroxfordliving.com.au |
| Handleworks | handleworks.com.au |
http://www.katewalkerdesign.com.au / http://www.kwdandco.com.au