Built by a celebrated horse trainer in the late 1960s, this neo-colonial home in Adelaide’s southwest boasts an impressive pedigree. Over the years, it’s proven a stayer, but even the most feted thoroughbreds have a use-by date. When the current owners bought the house in 2021, they knew its opulent, if rather faded, interiors needed a revamp, and who better to climb into the saddle than interior designer Georgie Shepherd?
“As soon as we walked in, we knew it was special,” says the owner, who, with her husband, also owns a building company and lives in the home with three children under 10. “The house had incredible bones – arched doors, wide hallways, bay windows and generous proportions within a single-level 600-square-metre footprint. We immediately saw how it could be reimagined and took it on as our own building project.”
“The footprint needed a complete rework to create better flow, functionality and connection, especially to the outdoors,” says Georgie. The L-shaped plan had two separate wings. The bedroom wing (also with a formal living and dining area) was relatively well resolved, except for the lack of a main bedroom suite, but the kitchen and informal living area in the other wing were poky, separate spaces.
Additionally, the outdoor area, tucked under a verandah, was undercooked. “The kitchen and family spaces felt disconnected and closed-in, a feeling compounded by low ceilings and awkward bulkheads, plus the decor was dated,” says Georgie.
“We wanted the home to feel indulgent but also family-friendly,” says the owner. “It needed quiet zones for retreat, communal areas for connection, and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. With three young children, functionality was a priority, but it also needed to feel calm and resolved.” The couple gathered visual references for Georgie and several overriding themes emerged: arched forms, muted textures, tonal greens and understated elegance.
Together with architect Elia Mavrou from Mavtect Designs, Georgie extended the informal living wing while also removing internal walls to form a generous open plan, including living and dining areas, a huge kitchen with an island bench and a powder room, mud room and butler’s pantry. These spaces now connect to the alfresco entertaining area and pool through a bank of arched French doors.
Simultaneously, Elia and Georgie raised the roof to 3.5 metres. “The main living area had a 2.7-metre ceiling, but needed more volume to elevate the home and do justice to its scale and detailing,” says the owner. “Raising it completely transformed the space and set the tone for the whole home.”
To support that change, they rebuilt the bay windows to echo the original form and repitched the roof into the existing structure to make a seamless transition.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom wing, Georgie created a lavish parents’ retreat by combining two smaller bedrooms and two compact bathrooms, complete with garden access and an outdoor shower. Aesthetically, the owners wanted to build on the home’s neocolonial style and add a refined, contemporary edge.
“Our goal was to create something timeless and elegant, which respects the home’s heritage, and introduce modern touches to make the spaces feel fresh, inviting and better suited to their lifestyle,” says Georgie. “The owners’ love of classic and Mediterranean interiors was clear.”
Most significantly, she drew inspiration from the arched openings and arch motifs, which have defined this home from the beginning. “We carried those through with the new doors and windows and the butler’s pantry joinery, and echoed it again in the ensuite shower.”
Other design details, such as the pocketed arched sliding doors and omnipresent marble and intricate finishes, were reprised in the new addition. Similarly, the original yellow exterior bricks were bagged and painted white, creating a fresh, uniform look.
As well as marble, natural materials throughout include stone, timber, bronze, brass and Venetian plaster, chosen “for their beauty, authenticity and ability to age gracefully”, says Georgie.
“These materials not only bring warmth and texture but also durability. The palette of soft neutrals, earthy tones and subtle Mediterranean-inspired hues complements the natural materials and enhances the classic feel.” Deep greens appear in the butler’s pantry and on the marble entry tiles and main bath.
“The kitchen has to be my favourite room,” says the owner. “Its soaring ceilings and stunning marble surfaces are breathtaking. Light floods in, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes the room feel both grand and welcoming. And the bay window provides a special spot to just sit and take it all in.”
Georgie Shepherd Interior Design: georgieshepherd.com.au;
Mavtect Designs: mavtectdesigns.com.au;
The Building Company: thebuildingcompany.net
Shop the look
Cassidy Swivel Chair
Castlery, $449
Miro Dining Table
Freedom, $2299
Helena Dining Chair
Lounge Lovers, $399
DInosaur Designs Leaf Bowl
David Jones, $150
