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Downsizing? Our expert shares how to do it with style

April 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

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Weโ€™ve reported on the luxury downsizing trend before but for the uninitiated, itโ€™s a movement whereby affluent downsizers are trading mansions for luxury, spacious apartments with all the mod-cons of their previous residence but with fewer strings attached. And testament to the rapid growth of the downsizer market, Melbourne interior designer Kym Lackmann has set up the design studio Luxe Domain in response helping empty nesters, baby boomers and single person households โ€˜editโ€™ their belongings whether relocating to a smaller residence or staying put.

Kym Lackmann
Interior designer Kym Lackmann in front of a glorious wall of cushions

โ€œDownsizing is incredibly liberating, but it can be daunting for people who have lived in a family home all their adult lives. The home often represents the growth of a family, and the evolution of individuals and their achievements and passions โ€“ even more so as one gets older,โ€ says Kym. And while some downsizers choose to sell the family home and move to a spacious apartment, others need help utilising the spaces in their existing property. Whether itโ€™s transitioning a childโ€™s room to a guest room or a play area to an entertainment room, the evolution of a family often requires that rooms are repurposed.

โ€œThe focus is really on curating existing belongings, maximising space for the things that matter, and purchasing contemporary furniture which helps to breathe new life into the oldโ€ says Kym, summarising her approach.

Combining new and existing pieces is key to the process
Combining new and existing pieces is key to the process

And just because you may be downsizing, you may not necessarily want to dispose of a lifetimeโ€™s worth of meaningful treasures โ€“ and nor should you. โ€œIt is really about reconciling existing items, even if you are moving into a glossy new residence. People underestimate the personality ingrained in older pieces and their ability to infuse soul and to direct the flow of a new space,โ€ says Kym who shares her top tips for downsizers below – more of which can be found in her new book The Art of Luxury Downsizing.

Review
โ€œEvaluate your existing belongings and home carefully and identify what is meaningful. Really question the โ€˜real estateโ€™ that each of your belongings will potentially occupy in your new residence,โ€ says Kym echoing Marie Kondoโ€™s sentiments.

Precious antiques can add so much personality to a space
Precious antiques can add so much personality to a space

Texture is king
โ€œIncorporate textures where possible. When moving into slick spaces, the use of textures prevents the space from seeming like a white box. For example, even if many of the downsizing generation have negative associations with 1960โ€™s wallpaper from their childhoods, they are often surprised by the impact of premium modern wallpaper,โ€ says Kym.

Texture

Resist throwing everything away
Many stylists talk about the importance of making sure that your belongings are a personal reflection of your life and story which makes throwing them all away (while tempting) a bad idea. โ€œDo keep two or three items rather than getting rid of everything. While it is tempting to donate or throw away all items, existing pieces personalise the space. Keeping these will help to remove regret down the track and will still enable you to move forward.โ€

Book cover
The Art of Luxury Downsizing by Kym Lackmann

Photography: Kristoffer Paulsen

Kymโ€™s book The Art of Luxury Downsizing, RRP $45, is available now through luxedomain.com and selected bookstores.

For more | Tech-driven luxury apartments in Melbourne

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Take a scroll through the stunning new art on line Take a scroll through the stunning new art on linen collab from @grottilotti and @linen_house We love it! โค๏ธ

And even if you're not in the market for new linen, the bird cushions would look fab on a sofa. The pink one might be finding its way to my house...

More info on the homepage now via link in bio.

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I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

Read founder Sophie Cartwright's top tips for transforming your rental home on the blog now. Via link in bio.

Which colour is your fave?!

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

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Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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