ARTFULLY DONE

Decorator Simone Haag was brought in to elevate this historic home with carefully curated design choices

- WORDS Pip Rich

LIVING ROOM

'This was an exercise in working with existing pieces and figuring out how to reroute,' says Simone of the sofa and chairs that had already been bought by the architects. Subtle 'lifting moments' came from the gold flecks in the rug she added in.

Green Toucan artwork by Dean Bowen. Chester Moon sofa; Anais ottoman; Marilyn swivel chair, all Baxter at Space. Cosmo Sky sculptural floor lamp, Kifu Paris at Moebel. Fairmont rug, Behruz. (Left) Alcor console, Maxalto. Artwork on wall, clients' own. Ceramic (far left) by Deborah Halpern

ENTRANCE

'You immediately walk into this vestibule and from here you get amazing sight lines into the dining room,' says Simone.

Chair, Sebastian Herkner at Origine. Rainbow Queen totem sculpture by Christoph Kiefhaber

When the Australian decorator and curator Simone Haag opened Livingetc's September issue with an essay on what the word 'style' means today, she talked about approaching interiors in the same way you would an outfit. She said that sometimes an unexpected twist, like the up-flick of a shirt collar, is all you need to look more sophisticated, and that the same attention to detail could elevate a space.

So what are the 'collar-flick' moments of this three-bedroom home that she decorated in Adelaide? 'Well, there is a lot of heavy timber - floorboards and ceilings - so the collar flicks came from softening them with the rugs, the curtains, and using a different fabric for every single chair,' says Simone. 'And, of course, the graphic carpet that we covered the staircase with.'