Loni Parker from Adore Magazine discusses her Palm Springs inspired Higlett House renovation
With her Higlett House dream home finally completed, we pinned down Adore Magazine’s Loni Parker and asked her the all-important questions about her magazine, personal style and of course her stunning Palm Springs inspired home renovation.
Adore Home Magazine, in both its online and print format, has had huge success as a guide to all things interior - how did it all begin?
I started Adore about 13 years ago as an online magazine. I had been working as a graphic designer in a small magazine publishing company (producing trade magazines) and had a real interest in all things interior design related. I’ve always been a bit of an entrepreneur and had started a couple of side-hustle businesses whilst working full time (both unfortunately fizzled out over time).
I wanted to combine my love of graphic design with interior design and that’s how I started Adore. I had all the skills and knowledge to put together my own magazine, but just lacked the funds to do a printed magazine. I decided to release an online one version instead which steadily grew a world-wide audience. Within about 3 years I was able to quit my full-time job and do Adore full time. Eventually I crossed over to print and have never looked back!
In Higlett House you have created a cohesive, beautiful and practical space - what was your approach to designing and renovating your own home?
Thank you! Our home is a 1960s mid-century beach shack which needed a lot of love! To honour the mid-century modern bones of the home we did a contemporary take on Palm Springs style. I also wanted to introduce more colour into the home, and we have lots of green tones, a splash of peachy pink along with classic whites and timber.
Your renovation screams Palm Springs to us but what do you consider to be your personal interior style and inspiration?
I think in general my style is all about clean lines and simplicity. I don’t like a lot of clutter so prefer things looking more pared-back. I have a real appreciation for lots of decorating styles and feel like each home dictates the design direction. In our last home it was more of a modern coastal feel and in this home, we’ve embraced a contemporary Palm Springs style.
You specified our Orb Max Pendant Lights for your kitchen and hallway, what attracted you to this pendant for these key spaces?
This style of light is very reminiscent of the round orb lights you would see in mid-century modern homes. It is so quintessentially Palm Springs – a modern day classic and I knew it had to feature at least once in our home. We have the extra-large size over our front entry, and you can see it through our clerestory window. That in itself creates a wow moment as you walk through the door.
In the kitchen, we have three of the large size Orb Max pendants. As soon as they were hung, I knew they were the right choice, they’re bold but classic and add just the right amount of mid-century to the space.
Your master and ensuite bathrooms are a triumph. How did you achieve such light and luxury from two very small spaces?
Our ensuite was very small and was originally our main bathroom (and was the one and only bathroom in the house). We stole some space out of a second hallway off the main hallway (weird floor plan) to create a larger ensuite. Also, by changing the layout of the toilet, vanity and shower we were able to create a space that felt larger. The addition of the tall louvre windows allows so much natural light and ventilation into this room.
Our main bathroom is smaller in size and in the centre of the house also (meaning no ability to add a window). Instead, we added a skylight which floods the room with natural light. I’m sure if we didn’t add this, the room would have felt very dark. Light is such an important aspect of a home renovation and wherever possible, by adding a skylight or even larger windows or sliding doors, can really improve the way a home feels.
Take a closer look at Loni's use of a clever layout and all the right interior fixtures to transform her two very small spaces into luxurious light-filled bathrooms in our Higlett House bathroom journal.
With access to so much interiors influence, what do you see as the biggest interior trend right now and what do you predict will be next?
The biggest design trend right now is anything Mediterranean in style. Think arches, terracotta tiles, rendered walls, furniture made with a micro cement finish, and crazy paving in natural stone (like limestone and travertine).
It's always hard to know what the next big design trend will be, and I think at the end of the day you should decorate with things you love. Stay true to your home’s style – let that be your guiding light for how to design.
If you could choose any other Lighterior lights for your home, what would they be?
For an in depth look at the full Higlett House renovation, head to Adore Magazine online where Loni takes you through the transformation room by room.