The Happy Valley Project by Anna Carin Design
Nestled in the serene Kangaroo Valley south of Sydney, this charming country home is surrounded by lush rainforest and is home to a family of wombats. The new owners, having purchased the property from the original designer, turned to Anna Carin Design to inject personality, colour, and an extra touch of wildlife into the space. Guided by the core principles of vibrant, welcoming, and animal-inspired design, the owners wanted their home to reflect their love for animals and bold hues. The design process saw the team sourcing vintage, repurposed finds and Australian-made pieces, bringing together a playful blend of animal motifs—leopard cubs, echidnas, and platypuses—set amidst nature-inspired textiles.
Utopia Goods’ textiles, such as the Firewheel Earth Lounge and Paradise Cocoa Armchair, brought the spaces to life with their rich, earthy tones and intricate patterns. These pieces, alongside the Tree of Life Earth Grey Bedding, added a layer of warmth and texture that complemented the surrounding landscape while embracing the home’s vibrant personality. The pieces not only provided comfort but became a part of the home’s storytelling, weaving the outdoors inside through their Australian-inspired designs.
The home was transformed into a place of warmth and joy, beautifully described by the owner's sister after her first stay: "The interior now matches the natural beauty outside, creating a perfect connection between the indoors and outdoors. It’s the most joyful, comfortable place to visit – I didn’t want to leave."
To ensure the interior didn't compete with the stunning natural surroundings, the owners carefully chose a palette inspired by the landscape. They gathered fruits, vegetables, and flowers from their garden to select the perfect tones of tangerine orange, rhubarb pink, and eucalyptus green. Guided by the rhythm of the slow-moving wombats grazing on the lawn, the design exudes a sense of ease, comfort, and timeless tranquillity, blending seamlessly with the beauty of the surrounding wilderness.
