Home Sweet Home

South Sound house renovation turned interior design into a passion for Anna.

When Anna Hislop began renovating her newly purchased home, she had no idea it would change the course of her life and launch a new career.

Antique Paulownia butcher block table from Shanxi, China.

In fact, Anna and her husband Kraig originally planned to build a house on the lot next door until the previous owners mentioned they were selling what is now the Hislops’ residence.

“When we decided to purchase it, we initially thought we would live here for a while and then build next door, but as we went through the renovation process, we realised how special this home could be,” says Anna. “We now love the outdoor space that the double lot has afforded us and have no plans to build on the empty lot.”

It took around 10 months to renovate the four-bed, 3.5-bath house to its current modern farmhouse-style, with Anna, Kraig and their three children – Mia, Alexander and Claire – moving into the property in June 2018.

She and Kraig had furnished their previous home, but this was Anna’s first real design project.

The living area looks out onto the pool.

PASSION IGNITED

“Our goal was to enhance what we bought, so that it would appear to be a new, well-designed home,” says Anna. “I have always enjoyed beautiful spaces, but this home is really what created my passion for interior design and homes.

painting by Susan Dougall.

“Going through the process, I quickly became obsessed with this home, and at times I even wondered why I was so passionate about it. At the end of the process, I realised that this home makes me happy every single day, and it is a wonderful thing to be happy in your home.”

It was this delight that led her to launch her own business, Anna Hislop Home, a furnishings store and interior design firm.

“It is the project that made me fall in love with homes, furniture, design etc.,” she says. “Seeing the joy that my home brings to me, and my family, was pivotal for me, and my life’s work has now become helping others feel happy in their homes, no matter the budget.”

The house is on one level and is mostly one-room deep, with lots of natural light and views of the garden. The bedrooms all surround the main living area, keeping their young family close together.

Comfort and neutral palettes are at the heart of Anna’s design, with painting by Anna’s mother, Jamaican artist Susan Dougall, along with reclaimed elm coffee table made using old timbers from dismantled buildings in China.

TIMELESS PALETTE

Anna’s style is simple and classic, preferring design that is unlikely to go out of fashion.

Original Scent bar soap by Barr Co.

“I love calm, neutral and timeless homes, which won’t become offensive or dated in 10- or 20-years’ time,” she says. “One can regularly change the feel and colour of a home, with cushions, carpets, accessories and art. It is much harder to change flooring and wall tiles. If you want to add some fun, or follow a trend, do it in a smaller space as that won’t be as expensive to change over the years.”

Applying this aesthetic, Anna added in some blue and green, and lots of pillows, rugs, and natural materials, to give texture and warmth to the house.

“As a base, we painted all of our walls Benjamin Moore ‘Decorator’s White’, and then we added the odd accent wall and some wallpaper,” she says. “Alexander’s bedroom accent wall is Benjamin Moore ‘Wrought Iron’ and it’s an absolute favourite of mine.”

Master bedroom with Clare Shelter bed in talc linen.

FAVOURITE PIECES

In the master bedroom, they have chosen an upholstered bed, from Clare Shelter in talc linen, that lends a lovely softness to the room.

Decorative cast iron jacks on coffee table.

Reclaimed wood and antique pieces also feature in the house, including the dining table, dining console table and coffee table.

“The pieces are solid and have so much texture and interest,” says Anna. “(They are) perfectly imperfect, and no two pieces are alike.”

Other favourites of by Anna’s include the Palecek Vero counter stools, which are crafted from durable steel and natural rattan, with a cream white leather seat. She describes them as being as comfortable as they are beautiful.

She has also majored on rugs, which she says are a game-changer on how a room looks and feels.

Wall sconce in front of grass cloth wallpaper.

“Rugs can either sit in harmony with your room, or they can make a statement by adding an element of surprise,” she says.

Going through the process of decorating the house, Anna learned a huge amount about different furniture lines and now sells nearly all of them through her business.

As for the name of the house, it was a chosen by the children.

“Our kids have named it Home Sweet Home,” says Anna. “It isn’t a very original name, but it shows their love for our home, and that makes me so happy.”

This article appears in the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of InsideOut magazine, now available at magazine stands and delivered to select homes in eco-tote bags sponsored by LIVING.KY.