Simone Haag describes her current family home as more ‘grown-up’ residence than her previous mid-century property in Ringwood. The designer, her husband Rhys, and their kids have remained in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs, but their new place has a slightly different feel.
It was designed in 1972 by Ian J Smith and features an ‘incredible floor plan’, complete with a sunken lounge, internal courtyard, and views of their acreage’s bushy surrounds!
‘The brief with the decoration was to channel a bit more Brutalism and err on the side of a masculine palette and pieces,’ Simone adds.
Reflecting this restrained design philosophy was particularly important in the home’s main bedroom, which showcases bespoke bedding by Abode Living using the luxury fabrics from heritage Italian brand, Kohro.
‘I was inspired by European bedrooms where the look is very clean – there are no awkward pillows to style,’ Simone says.
The queen-size bed features a duvet cover with a subtle stripe throughout, alongside two pillowcases in the same Metella linen. Simone opted for a simple, smoky grey-purple coloured fabric as a deliberate departure from a traditional crisp white sheet to create a more cohesive and tonal retreat within the earthy tones of the bedroom’s exposed brick walls.
But layered on top is the ‘hero’ – a lilac pin-striped bedcover that gives the bedroom it’s elegant, European-like feel. ‘It’s a very sophisticated textile, almost reminding me of a crisp Italian shirt!’ Simone explains. Her home is a beautifully preserved ‘hidden gem’, and working with Abode meant she could complement the Modernist house with unique textiles she hadn’t seen as bedding before.
Abode Living creative director Amelia Marasco Adair says this exact kind of customisation is part of the Melbourne-based business’ expertise. ‘Our capacity to manufacture bed linen, cushions and homewares in our Camberwell factory coupled with access to the superior range of Kohro fabrics allows designers like Simone to realise specific pieces for their projects to exacting detail,’ she notes.
‘One of the greatest tools in my design vernacular is the reupholstery of items so make them my own – especially so in bedrooms,’ Simone agrees. ‘So it’s exciting to be able to customise the bedding, ensuring it feels perfectly at home with the interiors.’
Visit the Abode Living website to explore their product range and contact their dedicated trade representative to find out how Abode can enhance your client projects.
