House of hues

With its evocative palette, this Sydney waterfront home is filled with surprising decor.

- Jackie Brygel

Less, it can surely be agreed, is not always more.

And while it may require creativity and courage, the expressive use of colour, pattern and texture in a home can yield a truly joyful result. In this riverside Sydney house, the magic of a painterly palette has been brought to life by interior design practice EB Interiors. Across three distinctive levels, each space is enriched by a nuanced medley of hues, shapes and materials.

For the homeowner Chantal, there was never any doubt that the forever house she would share with her husband Peter and three young daughters would pay homage to a lifelong love of ornamental decor. "You could say that I'm probably not the biggest fan of minimalism," Chantal concedes, smiling. "I do love a lot of colour, but I wanted it incorporated in a way that would give the house a very classic, timeless feel." Happily, teaming with interior designer Emma Buchan and her team proved an inspired match for all concerned. "There was a wonderful connection with Chantal and Peter from the beginning," says Emma, founding director of EB Interiors.