Tucked away in the leafy village of Burradoo, in the New South Wales Southern Highlands, Clover by Economos Group embodies the allure of country living.
The home draws on a deep connection to its surroundings, layering natural and reclaimed materials with the comforts of contemporary living. Every detail is considered with purpose, allowing craftsmanship, materiality and the landscape to tell its story.
Interior and commercial designer Brielle Economos takes us inside Clover, sharing her thinking behind the home, her approach to decorative lighting, and the pieces that helped bring it to life.
Tell us about Clover. What was your vision for the home?
Our vision was to handcraft a timeless country sanctuary, immersed in nature, and rich with a traditional soul, yet graced with modern comforts. We embraced quality classic country details, shunning trends and mass-produced materials to create something irreplaceably heartfelt and enduring.
“Clover centres around an ethos of choosing permanence over convenience. We focused so heavily on traditional craftsmanship because we believe that there’s a ‘human energy’ that can be felt in artisanal building. We wanted each room to feel like a craftsman’s artwork and carry that soul with it as a legacy for future generations.”
Most importantly, we wanted to retain the sense of being immersed in the countryside, so you would feel a sense of place in the Southern Highlands and be enveloped by the lush surroundings and vibrant seasons for which it is synonymous.
A core part of the vision is embracing all-natural materials and aged reclaimed materials that work together to weave a sense of history and soul throughout the home. The floors are old antique French oak logs that were painstakingly milled into floorboards, the driveway is made of centuries-old Belgian cobblestones that were hand-laid, and the interiors are anchored by historical Australian wool store beams.
Above: A stunning moment in the kitchen, framed by Australian wool store beams, with Ralph Lauren Home 'Dalfern' Single Wall Sconces adding a touch of brass.
Every window is handmade and designed to let in the natural light and surroundings, to give a sense of being completely immersed in the countryside. The home is surrounded by cold climate gardens, an orchard of citrus, apples and pears, towering grandfather trees and layered hedges.
We wanted Clover to feel inviting and comfortable, like you could walk in with your boots on and dog in tow. We felt it was important to retain areas of the home with a sense of traditional grandeur and formality, while other rooms are more casual and relaxed. A home that takes time to explore, with each room having its own personality but still being a part of the same story.
Above: The ‘Hulton’ Double Sconce by Thomas O’Brien sits in elegant contrast to the crisp white walls of the light-filled living space.
What inspired the country home aesthetic?
The country home aesthetic was heavily inspired by Clover’s location in Burradoo, creating a deep sense of belonging to its natural environment.
Burradoo is known for its English countryside feel, classical gardens, open pastures, traditional pony club, agritourism and the vast European trees that visually punctuate the very four distinctive seasons in the Southern Highlands.
We’ve focused our aesthetic on carefully selected natural materials, equestrian elements, local antiques and a colour palette informed by nature.
We used deep warm brown tones, greens, and warm whites. Metal accents such as natural brass, bronze and iron sit alongside layers of natural textures – jutes, linens, wools and aged timbers – with plaids and whisky-toned leathers, to give a sense of a home collected over time.
Above: A pair of ‘Hulton’ Single Sconces by Thomas O’Brien flank the marble fireplace in the main bedroom.
What role did decorative lighting play throughout the project?
We feel that decorative lighting can be transformative to a room, informing the tone, personality and mood – most of all, bringing daily joy and ambience. The ability to cast shadow and warm luminance transforms evenings at Clover to warmly glow and feel magical.
“We believe that the lighting should complement the room’s story and add functional art and interest.”
One of the very first design decisions made for Clover was the lighting, particularly the selection of Ralph Lauren Home lighting. We wanted quality, natural materials, beautiful classical details and craftsmanship that we’d become familiar with through our other projects with the Ralph Lauren collection.
In particular, the Westbury collection. Clover is our fourth project where we’ve selected the Westbury, and it won’t be the last! A testament to its enduring timelessness and quality.
Above: The magnificent ‘Westbury’ Triple-Tier Chandelier by Ralph Lauren Home commands the scale of the double-height living room, bringing classical country character and drama.
Tell us about your favourite lighting moment in the home.
Our favourite lighting moment in the home centres around the Westbury Triple Chandelier by Ralph Lauren Home. Its breathtaking scale and meticulously crafted details – solid brass stirrups, rich tan leather straps, thick brass hoop accents, and elegant linen caps infuse the space with classical country charm and intentionality.
“It was truly love at first sight, an investment piece chosen to complement the room’s soaring double vaulted ceiling and handcrafted two-storey windows. We needed a chandelier that could command the scale of the room, and the Westbury does just that.”
Fitted with a dimmer switch, it softly glows, casting warm, inviting shadows that enhance the room’s ambience. From outside the house, the chandelier’s warm light filters through the extra-large windows, creating a magical, cosy mood that encapsulates the heart of the home.
How do you know when you’ve found the right light for a space?
Choosing lighting is one of my favourite parts of any design. There is some lighting that instantly captivates you, and you know they’re exactly what the home needs. They bring drama and create a scene, the perfect piece of art.
“You know you’ve found the right light when you can’t stop thinking about it.”
Some lights are the star of the design scheme while others gently enhance it. When looking at your lighting schedule, you can step back and see that they all belong in the overall design and are a collection that creates personality with unique differences but feels like they belong.
To discover more from Brielle Economos, and the Economos Group, follow @economos_group on Instagram or visit economosgroup.com.
Photography courtesy of the Economos Group.