My Houzz: Connecting Work and Play in South Australia

Rebekah and Timothy Cichero are inspired by objects with character and a story to tell. When they renovated and expanded their early-20th-century villa in Adelaide, South Australia, the pair decided to use secondhand bricks. “I love heart and soul,” says Rebekah, a stylist and interior designer. “And these bricks have it.” She and Timothy, an architect, made sure the bricks were laid in a pattern that was consistent with other historic buildings in the area. They also installed teak veneer cabinetry in the kitchen to reflect their love of midcentury modern design, and utilized Mintaro slate countertops from a local quarry.

The interior is filled with a constantly evolving collection of hand-crafted, vintage and upcycled pieces from the couple’s neighboring retail shop, One Small Room. “It’s usually an instant attraction to something, which might be a combination of a color, shape, function, and/or pieces with a story to tell, that have been loved by others before,” says Rebekah. “If a new design piece catches my eye, it has to have some soul and to have been thoughtfully and lovingly crafted and considered in its production.”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rebekah and Timothy Cichero; their children, Ruby (age 9) and Tobias (6); and their chocolate Labrador, Chico
Location: Croydon suburb of Adelaide, South Australia
Size: 200 square meters (2,153 square feet); 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a home office

The new open living space has three zones defined by the layout of the furniture, the exposed ceiling beams, and the jarrah (eucalyptus) wood inserts in the concrete floor. Rebekah and Timothy can see the kids play in the yard from the kitchen, can fit at least two families around the long dining table and have room to move around but still feel close. In case anyone wants a private space, there are four rooms to escape to in the front of the house and a big deck outside.

Graphic rug: Brita, One Small Room; pendant: Kina, David Trubridge; cushions: ClothFabric and Bonnie and Neil; artwork (left): Sue Ninham and Carey Potter; Risom Lounge Chair: Jens Risom for Knoll; flooring: concrete: SA Techfloor; small rug: Anna, Brita Sweden; decorative tulips: 1950s Rainsfords Metal Petals


Rebekah and Timothy, shown here, lived in London for two years and brought some British sensibility to their Croydon kitchen, which features Mintaro slate countertops. Says Rebekah, “The slate is such a beautiful, natural product and reminds us of our London days, too.”

The cabinetry is teak veneer with ebony handles. The 1977 Nicki Groos painting to the left of Rebekah was purchased at an auction; the vintage decanters were found on a trip to France.

Bar stools: vintage, One Small Room; pendants: Lite Bulb by Porky Hefer Design; glass decanter (left): Nick Mount; framed artwork (right): Georgia Cheesman; wall-mounted boxes: Bonnie and Neil


Rebekah is an avid collector of beautiful things; she uses an old printer’s drawer to display a collection of travel finds and gifts in the kitchen. A vintage Turkish tin is used to store tea, while framed butterflies, an original bus scroll in its winder case, a wooden fruit collection and a vintage Danish scissor light complete the vignette. The couple bought the ceramic ladies on a trip to Iceland.

Wall-mounted boxes: Bonnie and Neil; clock: vintage, One Small Room; bread bin: Alessi; flowers: Fleurs de Nadia Flowers


The couple wanted the villa’s new addition to feel like it had always been there. The walls made from secondhand brick lend a sense of age.

The couple purchased the LC4 Chaise Longue by Le Corbusier when they were living and working in London.

Painting (center): “Little Sundance” by Jacob Logos; framed photograph (right): David Cripps; wall-mounted light: Tolomeo Classic Wall, Artemide


The jarrah wood deck is a popular space for outdoor dining and entertaining. The “Fish Chips” sign is an auction find, and the ceramic bowl and potted succulents are gifts from friends.

Trestle table, bench, vintage food cover: One Small Room; metal stools: Tolix Stool Tabouret 45, 1000 Chairs


“I really wanted the bathroom to be a place you were happy to spend time in,” says Rebekah. “I included artwork, ceramics, a starburst clock and a wall of vintage mirrors to add a unique touch.”

Colors from the kitchen and living area are repeated here. The room includes vintage finds like the Danish stool, metal letters and 1970s resin pendant.

Towels: Orla Kiely; ceramic bird: Gerry Wedd


A linen cupboard and small laundry area flank the entrance to the bathroom. A double vanity allows both children to brush their teeth at the same time. The collection of vintage mirrors is a creative alternative to one sheet of glass. The vanity is made of Tasmanian oak and teak veneer with a Mintaro slate countertop, while the floor is polished concrete.


The master bedroom is bright and spacious. It’s decorated in neutral tones, with inky blues and warm wood highlights complementing a textured wool blanket bought in Mexico.

Painting: “Evening Hunt” by Jacob Logos; ceramic wall birds: Gerry Wedd; bedding: Malabar; bed and bedside tables: Scandinave, Transforma


Doorways to the dressing room and bath are located on either side of the fireplace in the master bedroom. Timothy designed and built the bathroom towel rail with friend and furniture maker Adrian Potter. The room is accented with a Danish stool and mirror, and a vintage armchair bought in London; an antique Chinese window screen is used as wall art above the mantel.


The moody charcoal and neutral color palette flows into the en suite bathroom, which features luxe decorative Italian tiles from Estilo.

Fixtures: Estilo; sink: Caroma


Son Tobias’ room is a fun and friendly space, with a patchwork throw made by Rebekah’s mother.

Bedding: Sproutdesign; artwork (left): Laura Wills, Printspace; deer head: Made590; cowhide: One Small Room; beds: vintage Danish, One Small Room


Tobias’ room also features a giraffe growth chart wall sticker and vintage cupboards and suitcases, which are used for storing clothes and toys.

World map: Premiär, Ikea


“I love looking at this view from my daughter’s room,” says Rebekah. “The retro children’s saucer chair adds color and gets dragged from room to room when friends visit.”

The beloved hall dresser is one furniture piece that won’t be making its way to the couple’s retail shop. A collection of Italian and Danish ceramics, and a retro carved wood bust, adorn the top.

Bird prints: Naomi Murrell


Daughter Ruby’s room features a comfortable chesterfield sofa, a Danish bed and a colorful Indian pouf. Vintage suitcases are used for toy storage.

Monkey, doll, and rabbit toys: handmade, Fiona Dalton; wall birds: Naomi Murrell; babushka doll artwork: Tsk Tsk


The front entrance of the original bluestone villa opens to a central hallway, with classic arches and doors that lead to four symmetrical rooms. A Danish buffet provides convenient storage space for fabric and wrapping paper.

Runner: Floorco; pendant lights: Coral, David Trubridge


The playroom has some great pieces, including a vintage clock, bus scroll, trestle table and cupboard — all found while sourcing items for the shop. The bright yellow chair is a design classic by Thonet; the couple bought the cowhide patchwork rug on a trip to Buenos Aires.

Artwork (left): Emma Grierson; piano seat cushion: Stoney, ClothFabric


Rebekah crosses the alleyway that separates her home from the couple’s shop, One Small Room. Inside the shop is a collection of vintage finds and new designs.

Pottery: The Mod Collective; stirrers: Sands Made


The family’s chocolate Lab, Chico, also loves hanging out at One Small Room.


Rebekah, shown here with daughter Ruby, says one of her favorite things to do on a weekend is to relax on the reupholstered Danish sofa with a cup of tea and an interior design magazine. “[Our home] is functional, looks good and is inviting and welcoming to all ages — nothing’s too precious, and people are happy to stay,” she says. “It’s also a great space that can evolve as our family evolves and our needs change.”

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