Rosso Levanto marble on the kitchen bench brings a sense of warmth to the interior. Ceramic jar by Szilvassy from Pan After.
A stainless steel bench adds robustness to the family home. The aluminium kettle is from Pan After.
“We created the feeling of warmth by using natural materials to inject colour into the spaces,” Alicia McKimm shares about her own home. The co-founder of interior design studio GOLDEN brings us inside the family home, where function is executed with beauty.
Crafted with her partner and InForm director Jon McKimm, this home combines their expertise to create an inviting, family-centred retreat. The interior designer’s material choice and curatorial approach balance family life with refined architectural details, and every element builds an environment that feels both luxurious and lived-in.
Working with your husband, how did you approach the brief for this house?
Alicia McKimm: As the director of InForm, Jon led the construction, operation and financial decisions while I focused on the project’s design. We could leverage our knowledge in design and construction to hone what we wanted for our family.
Can you discuss the material selections and why specific elements were chosen in the interiors?
Alicia McKimm: We created a feeling of warmth by using natural materials to inject colour into the spaces. Examples of these are the Rosso Levanto marble used on the island bench and the Italian terracotta tile in the entry and living spaces; both have a deep richness in colour. The centrepiece is a dark-stained timber box, grounding the house with its rich burgundy hues and echoing the balance of terracotta floors and natural stone accents.
We also focused on the robustness of the materials, ensuring they would withstand my three young kids. I wanted to showcase that a home can still be beautiful and liveable without being too precious. An example is the stainless steel kitchen bench. It’s so functional and almost commercial, but the way it has been detailed makes it feel more crafted and elevated.
The dining area features the Cassina Superleggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti.
Alicia and Jon McKimm with their family in the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, which is the most used space in the home— making the practical material choices necessary.
If you had to describe the pervading aesthetic of your home, what would it be?
Alicia McKimm: We wanted to create a space that, like all GOLDEN projects, imbued harmony through originality while still being long-lasting. The space focuses on natural materials, providing warmth and tactility to each area.
Tell us how your family inhabits each of the spaces at different times of the day:
Alicia McKimm: Most of our time is spent in the kitchen, meals, and living space. With large windows and a northern aspect, it is flooded with natural light from morning until late afternoon. With the indoor/outdoor connection, we often open the doors and find the kids flowing in and out throughout the day. This is also great for entertaining.
The formal living at the front of the property also gets some lovely light in the afternoon. We sometimes use this on colder evenings when seeking some sunshine.
Once the kids are in bed, I spend most of my time in my main bedroom retreat. It has a nice aspect through large windows, and the ensuite feels quite tranquil.
Are there certain areas you find yourself drawn to?
Alicia McKimm: We all gravitate to the outdoor area with the large Cassina sofa; we often sit here while the kids are in the pool. The main bedroom suite is also a welcome retreat for me.
How do the architecture and interiors work together?
Alicia McKimm: The materiality of the architecture is refined and textured, and the interiors have this same language.
Terracotta tiles around the fireplace add warmth. While curated pieces give personality, including Capitol Complex armchair designed by Pierre Jeanneret for Cassina, Flos Luminator floor lamp, Amelie wool & silk throw from L&M Home, ‘Covered in Gold’ (2024) and ‘Bertiformatio #3’ by Daniel Leone, ‘Tall Drop’ (2024) by Belinda Wiltshire, and a sculptural ceramic dish by Issy Parker.
The furniture and art play a big role in the personality of the home. How did you approach the selections, and what are some of the standout pieces?
Alicia McKimm: The artwork by Jahnne Pasco-White in our living space is a favourite, chosen during a gallery visit—it perfectly complements our home’s relaxed, informal vibe. Also, the diptych by Morgan Stokes in the lounge provides a sense of calm. The terracotta-toned wax plaster door with a custom Henry Wilson handle is also an unexpected moment when you arrive.
In what ways is this home an embodiment of yourself, and as a successful interior designer, your own design aesthetic?
Alicia McKimm: We believe a home should be equally functional and beautiful. I am a very practical person, so everything chosen needed to serve a purpose and the flow of the planning has created a sense of ease with our day-to-day life. I also love to balance out the functional by bringing in crafted elements which helps to create a feeling of warmth and comfort.
The front door offers a sense of arrival, crafted from waxed plaster with a custom Henry Wilson handle. Greeted by terracotta floor tiles and ‘Emotional Roller Coaster’ (2024) by James Lemon from Oigall Gallery.
The Vitra Akari UF3-Q, Cassina 524 Tabouret Méribel stool and Moroso Gogan sofa in the living area.
The L&M Home Odin Australian wool blanket in the bedroom.
“I am a very practical person, so everything chosen needed to serve a purpose and the flow of the planning has created a sense of ease with our day-to-day life.”
– GOLDEN co-founder Alicia McKimm
A dark central circulation zone adds emphasis to the tonal colour palette.
The Cassina Dudet armchair designed by Patricia Urquiola.
There is a strong indoor-outdoor connection, with a Cassina lounge lending a comfortable place to watch the kid’s swim.
