Since launching its iconic Nap Dress, Hill House Home has been dedicated to creating pieces that transcend fleeting trends. Their new summer collection reflects this commitment.
Discover how to build a stylish aesthetic that stands the test of time. Learn the art of incorporating timeless patterns into your design that offer endless appeal and sophistication.
Artisanal Craftsmanship
While design trends come and go, elements that are imbued with a sense of tradition remain timeless, made by Hill House Design. This is because such details have the ability to connect with people on a deeper level, and they can serve as a point of reference for future generations to build upon. Think of a central hall stair and window seats in a colonial or Georgian home, or an arched doorway in a Spanish Mission style house. Those details don’t just look good, they feel right.
The artisanal craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic of Hill House is the perfect example of this design principle in action. Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s 1903 creation in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, was commissioned by art collector Walter Blackie, and built with an emphasis on connecting with the Scottish medieval past through a re-use of traditional forms.
To achieve this effect, the exterior of the Hill House is clad in smooth stucco and a simple, protective eaves. Mackintosh also opted not to include traditional rainwater features, instead creating a series of slender, water-tight gables that allow for the overlapping of wall surfaces. As a result, the building is less imposing than it looks from a distance.
Inside, the dark wood panelling and bespoke furniture add a sense of refined elegance to this home. This aesthetic reflects the Arts and Crafts movement of the Edwardian era, which rejected mass-produced materials in favor of a handmade aesthetic that incorporated traditional craftsmanship.
The resulting design of the interior is also a lesson in how to achieve a timeless, uncluttered aesthetic. The occupants of the home are careful to only decorate with pieces that have meaning to them. This reduces clutter and ensures that the objects they bring into the space will be cherished over time.
The timeless, uncluttered design philosophy of the Hill House is an effective and practical way to create a beautiful, well-appointed home. The same principles can be applied to any residential project. In fact, the team at Hill House Interiors is committed to guiding our clients through this process, resulting in stunning homes that will stand the test of time.
Versatile Layouts
A discerning clientele trust Hill House Interiors to deliver bespoke interior spaces that are both functional and spectacular. Their residential portfolio ranges from contemporary pieds a terre to classical country estates, but their scope extends beyond homes to include boutique hotels and yacht design.
In a sloping Sydney suburb, Hill House combines references to European formality with nuances of familiarity and personality. Decus Interiors took a clear approach to the architectural intent of the architecture by Luigi Rosselli Architects and layered custom joinery, materiality, furniture and art – all influenced by the clients desire for their home to be inviting, warm, and classic.
The absence of dividing walls in open floor plans allow for flexibility to accommodate different activities and occasions. Conversation seating arrangements, artwork vignettes, pianos, games and even dining room booths can be added to open plan living rooms to create a personalised and versatile space. And open concept living can work especially well in a family home, as this Hill House for a young family of six shows.
Rather than a traditional bedroom, the upper level of this Hill House is dedicated to an expansive master suite. A large walk-in closet and a spa bath provide ample storage and privacy for the owners. A separate wing of the home offers a guest room, study or playroom with access to a balcony that takes in sweeping views over the surrounding hillside.
As with the other houses, a blend of traditional and modern materials was chosen to ensure the home is not outdated. This includes white brick and timber floors that complement a light palette of greys, yellows and creams.
In a time when styles are so quickly adopted and forgotten, it is important to keep in mind the importance of choosing design elements that are timeless. Whether it is a arched doorway in a Spanish mission style house or a central hall staircase in a colonial/Georgian style home, it is best to stick with styles that are not overly influenced by trends so they do not look dated in the future.
Timeless Elegance
Whether in clothing fashions, furniture styles or the latest textiles, trends are fun and exciting to find. But they are fleeting. They can quickly go out of style, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the instantaneous availability of information on the internet, resulting in a hyper-awareness of what is “in” and what is “out”.
A design is truly timeless when it is anchored in the architecture of the house and built upon with a thoughtful integration of the client’s own aesthetic and personality. This is the approach taken by Hill House Interiors founders Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss.
The team’s ability to bring their clients to the next level of luxury by balancing contemporary aesthetic with traditional elegance is what sets them apart from other firms. A key component of this is the use of bespoke fabrics and materials.
For example, the team uses woven and boucle fabrics to add texture and interest to a room. A white chair in a textured fabric will look more sophisticated than the same piece in a solid white cotton. Similarly, adding natural elements to a room, such as a tree trunk as a coffee table or exposing the wood grain of a floor, can help keep a home looking fresh and new.
Hill House’s team also helps their clients reduce the number of items in their homes, choosing pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful. The result is less clutter, a more organized space and the ability to enjoy the beauty of the home’s decor for years to come.
The HM team takes this philosophy further by designing for longevity. According to their designer Yannique Hammond, “textured surfaces, where you can see the wood grain, wear well and look just as good after a long time.” Likewise, using neutral colors such as taupes and grays allow the design to remain relevant over time.
Located in historic Heritage Hills, this Hill House home was designed to showcase the seamless fusion of their design philosophies and expertise. The result is a family home that embraces its elevated location and combines classical references to European luxury with nuances of familiarity and personalization.
Endless Appeal
While many of the characters in The Haunting of Hill House have dramatic reversals throughout the series, perhaps none is as drastic as Hugh Crain. In the beginning, he remains staunchly skeptical that the house is haunted. Yet by the end, he becomes one of the most ardent believers in the supernatural evil that lies within. The reversal highlights the way in which a person-s mental state can drastically change their worldview.
In a similar way, Hill House itself undergoes constant evolution. The National Trust for Scotland first commissioned leading modernist architect Margaret Brodie to make changes to the building in order to prevent water damage. Unfortunately, her efforts to prevent the damage proved futile – decades of rain had left the building severely damaged. In the end, the Trust made the bold decision to box the Hill House in order to preserve it for future generations.
While the decision to box Hill House is an admirable one, it raises questions of what exactly is the’real’ Hill House? The reversals of Hugh Crain and the evolution of Hill House itself highlight the need for design to be mindful of the context in which it exists. This is especially important when dealing with buildings that have been altered significantly over time.
The 2018 reimagining of Hill House illustrates how classic references can be combined with nuances of familiarity and personality in order to create timeless family homes. At Decus Interiors, we believe that a thoughtful approach to the design process allows us to produce interiors that will stand the test of time. We work to understand our clients- goals and values, and use these insights to design spaces that will be cherished for years to come.
