When Alana first set eyes on her 118-year-old Federation home, ‘Unalla’, she says she fell in love instantly. While initially planning to purchase a block and build a new home, she says she saw the potential to add new life to an iconic home; “and instinctively knew it was right”. 

Her love-at-first-sight for the project went beyond the historic charm after Alana learned the inspiring story behind the original owner, Bessie Rischbieth, a feminist and social activist. Designed in 1903 by architect Charles Oldham in Federation Queen Anne style, Alana and her family are the third owners of ‘Unalla’ – which, as she points out, is unique given the home’s age. 

Recognising the opportunity to bring the home into a new era and, at the same time, celebrate its significant past, Alana has instilled her own design language throughout the interiors and into the garden for her family of four.

Alana’s home is on Western Australia’s heritage list for its historical and architectural significance. When it was first built for women and children’s advocate Bessie Rischbieth and her husband Henry Wilson Rischbeith, the designer says they hosted fundraisers and events at the home. “At times, Bessie used ‘Unalla’ to house women and children in need and was the author of a book called The March of Australian Women,” Alana says. “Both previous owners maintained the home immaculately.”

One key move in preserving ‘Unalla’ ‘s architecture was focusing on the cellar. “We have retained the original limestone foundations that acted as the cellars walls,” Alana says. “The limestone was hand-chiselled to reveal the stones textural quality, and plasterwork was pulled back to expose original brickwork; all of which, we have illuminated with accent lighting.” The ceiling heights, staircase and custom lead-light were also all original architectural features that Alana loved. But she says her home wasn’t designed for modern-day living, unknotting the segregated spaces in preference of an open plan kitchen, dining and family room. 

“The home is surrounded by gorgeous greenery, and it was important to have that visual from inside the home,” Alana says. “The landscape was as important to us as the interior.” It’s why she says she ensures every room in the home looks out onto the surrounding greenery through steel and glass doors or windows. When friends or family are visiting, the designer likes to entertain outdoors, using the outdoor kitchen or alfresco spaces. “The lawn and garden at the front of our home has hosted some truly spectacular parties,” she adds. 

The interiors express Alana’s approach to design; unafraid to make a bold statement yet intuitive to context. “I was able to take greater risks and be even more adventurous than usual,” she says. “I knew what needed to be done and trusted my instincts.” Naturally, she says you’ll often find her, her husband and two teenage sons in the kitchen, but she says her favourite space is the family room, for its afternoon light that filters through the trees. A passionate collector, ‘Unalla’ reveals Alana’s penchant for Australian artists, which she describes as distinctly Australian as her home, including Robert Juniper, Joshua Yeldman and Sidney Nolan.