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Country meets the coast
In a small coastal Queensland town overlooking the hinterlands, Michelle Ludwig of @our.mountain.life has been creating a slice of heaven. Recently having built her dream home with her husband, Michelle has also worked tirelessly — between naps and nappies with three kids under four years old in tow! — to decorate their new modern farmhouse in the mountains. And the results are truly breathtaking. A talented DIY interior decorator with an exquisite style, Michelle shares her inspiration and shows us how to create a patio paradise for summer.
Simplicity & style
“It’s always been an aspiration of mine to style my own home,” says Michelle who confesses that building the family residence was an emotional rollercoaster with endless decisions to make along the way. “It was exciting but daunting at the same time, as we had never built before. But it was all worth it. We absolutely love the end result as we got to create our dream home and make it a reality.”
Drawn to the simplicity of white on white in her interior design, well-selected fixtures and finishes strike a sophisticated balance between function and form. It was important to Michelle to capture a contemporary farmhouse feel, along with a spacious, open-concept layout to accommodate her growing family.
Elegant & uplifting
Timber flooring, decorative tiling and vast picture windows framing the misty mountain landscape conspire to create an ambience that’s both elegant and uplifting. Her picks from the Early Settler range add a layer of luxe and celebrate the country-meets-coast location.
“I love the unique furniture Early Settler offers and all of the gorgeous natural timbers,” says Michelle. “Not only does it suit my style more than other brands, but a lot of the pieces have a real homely feel.”
A private oasis to escape at the end of the day, her favourite room in the house is her bedroom. “It has an open-plan ensuite with an Early Settler Rosette Granite vanity, freestanding Alto bath and Etienne chandelier, all backdropped by my bay window seat.”
Alfresco living
Inspired by magazines, Instagram and Pinterest, yet largely her own imagination, Michelle recently created her outdoor-living area. “I really enjoyed decorating our outdoor space. I wanted something practical for our family but also comfortable and stylish.”
Free to be unique
Michelle advises other DIY stylists to have fun with their decorating, to experiment with different styles and to work out what works best for you and your family. You don’t always have to follow a trend, she says. Be unique and mix and match different pieces. There is nothing wrong with repurposing old furniture as it almost always has a lot of character and charm.
A former dental nurse who became a full-time mum after the birth of her third child, Michelle says: “I’m so grateful I am able to stay home with the kids at this precious time of their lives. And with the Christmas entertaining period just around the corner, I’m also looking forward to spending more time with friends!”
Quick quiz …
Every home should have… a beautiful big breakfast bar for home entertaining.
I would describe my style as… rustic provincial farmhouse.
Number one tip for decorating? Don’t be afraid to get creative with a space and change things up. If in doubt, pick neutral colours and add pops of colour with homewares.
Comfort or style? I’m all about the style. However, my husband always reminds me of our three small kids and the need for comfort and practicality.
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