At Home: with Katherine Rackley

Behind the blue door on Dorset Street, Katherine and Les Rackley’s home is a warm and welcoming mix of character, comfort, and charm. After downsizing from a rural property, they’ve created a space that reflects their style, stories, and love of beautiful things. Step inside for a glimpse into their cosy corner of Richmond.

Photos: Tessa Claus

Our story
My husband Les and I live on Dorset Street, Richmond with our cat Archie. Our four children all live overseas. We have been here for almost four years. We bought this house when we downsized from our lifestyle property when my husband retired.

In four words
Cosy, eclectic, vintage, comfortable.

Sources of inspiration
A love of beautiful things – well beautiful to me.

Decorating style
A combination of traditional English and French country farmhouse.

Where we shop
Op-shops, Restore, Facebook Marketplace, Eclectic, Richmond Antiques and Curios, and markets. For new pieces I shop at Villa Rosa Maison and Beacon Hill.

Most treasured piece
The antique sea chest which was inherited. I believe it is from the 1600s with a carved date inside of 1640. It has four unique keys, one for each lock.

Save or splurge?
I love to op-shop, I find it’s like a treasure hunt, so I’d say save, but will splurge on birthdays and Christmas, like when I bought the Kitchen Aid mixer which I love. Its classic country kitchen, though Les calls it my most expensive ornament as I mostly use it to beat cream. I once bought a perfect Spode bowl for $10 from an op-shop, which was a great buy.

Renovations
The previous owner is an architect, and she did all the hard stuff. Our house was renovated when we bought it, we just had to do the fun stuff – decorating it. We had the floors sanded, interior painted, added new curtains and shutters and had shelves built. We did open a wall between the family room and a bedroom to create bigger living areas, we also had a laundry/utility/office room built to replace a lean-to.

Favourite nooks
Everyone’s favourite spot is the window seat, but I’m also particularly fond of the laundry. It has a wonderful vintage vibe that belies the fact that it’s completely new. It’s truly a multipurpose space and it has made our 130-square-metre house much more liveable.

Every home should have
Bookshelves. “A room without books is like a body without soul.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero.

If you had a day to refresh your home
I’d pay someone to clean my oven and dust all the bookshelves.

Best decorating tip
Decorate your home for you and don’t worry about what anybody else thinks. It’s your home, so do what you love.

Any debates?
Too many to list, but I have a very tolerant husband. The family will often joke that “we’ve done it, the house is finally full, couldn’t possibly fit anything else in!” But I’m of the opinion that with a positive attitude you can always find more space!

If money was no object…
I would get a new kitchen. I would love rustic glass fronted cupboards that go all the way up to the ceiling and a marble countertop to bring in the country house feel.

Favourite household chore
Baking. The first thing the children ask when coming home is whether there’s any fresh baking waiting. Carrot cake muffins with cream cheese icing are always a favourite.

Best piece of advice received
Trust your instinct, if you love something go for it.

Our neighbourhood
Being within easy walking distance to Richmond is great. I walk to the library, op-shops, supermarket, our favourite restaurant – Chai Yo Thai, and Alioke, the Sprig & Fern in the Meadows and the movie theatre are all an easy stroll.

Best memory at home
We’ve loved every day of living here, it has an incredible feel, it’s my happy place. But if we had to choose one, it would have to be around Christmas, when the family is home. We light up the outdoor fireplace, the grandchildren roast marshmallows, and the adults enjoy frozen margaritas. It’s the simple things.