I’m excited to share Monroe House, a recent project featured in The Local Project. Caitlin Parker-Brown of Parker Studio reimagined the 1920s home by blending its Art Deco origins with a fresh, contemporary perspective.

As the interior stylist, my focus was on layering materials and selecting details that would feel refined yet inviting, while celebrating the character of the original architecture. Here are five ideas from the project to inspire your own space.

1. REPEAT SIGNATURE DETAILS

One way to create unity is to carry a distinctive motif through different spaces. At Monroe, the twisted rope detail from the front door inspired the kitchen cabinetry moulding and was echoed in other joinery. Repeating an element, like a shape, profile or texture, can tie old and new parts of a home together effortlessly.

2. EMBRACE BOLD FEATURES

Don’t shy away from confident choices. In Monroe House, Caitlin incorporated striking materials like Monroe Quartzite stone and striped bathroom tiles became focal points that feel contemporary yet still grounded in the home’s character. A single bold element in each room can elevate a pared-back design into something memorable.

3. REFERENCE ORIGINAL MATERIALS AND PATTERNS

Look for ways to reimagine existing details in a fresh way. Caitlin preserved the distinctive decorative stepping detail around the bath and shower, reinterpreting it in a new sage green palette with marble accents, celebrating the home’s Art Deco character. The original herringbone tiles also inspired the use of herringbone parquet flooring and mosaic tiles in other spaces, creating subtle links to the past. This approach helps honour heritage while updating it for today.

4. SOFTEN TRANSITIONS BETWEEN ERAS

Heritage homes often have extensions from different periods. In this home, the 1980s first floor felt disconnected from the Art Deco ground floor. By introducing consistent materials and gentle colour palettes throughout, Caitlin created a design which feels more cohesive and intentional. Carrying a unifying palette across old and new areas is a simple way to make a home feel whole.

5. MIX CONTEMPORARY AND VINTAGE PIECES

Pairing modern furniture with vintage details is an effective way to balance freshness with character. In this home, contemporary sculptural lighting and clean-lined upholstery sit comfortably alongside original decorative elements and vintage pieces such as the Africa Dining Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Mixing eras gives a space personality and ensures it doesn’t feel too themed or dated.

I hope these ideas inspire you to look at heritage features in a new way and find opportunities to blend them seamlessly with contemporary elements. Whether it’s preserving a quirky detail, introducing bolder materials, or mixing old and new pieces, small decisions can create a space that feels cohesive and personal.

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