Sarah Parry-Okeden is the type of woman whose Instagram algorithm serves her reels of mini cows roaming around kitchens, which is probably why she feels so at home in the Southern Highlands, in country New South Wales.
Here, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that a cow could just wander into your kitchen. At Romney House there are no cows (yet), although to the left you’ll spot a large chicken coop, home to an ever-expanding collection of hens. The founder of interior design studio Wild Orchid Spaces has recently finished an extensive two-year renovation on the Bowral property, where she now lives with her husband, Henry, two children, Ollie and Ruby, and their honey-hued dog, Sheldon.
The first thing you notice, as you follow a luxuriously long driveway lined with established Liquidambar trees – so plentiful you couldn’t possibly be anywhere but the country – is the garden. It’s rather spectacular and there’s not an out of shape Buxus hedge in sight.
Even the grass looks fake (it’s not). It makes sense, given one of Parry-Okeden’s design principles is to “blur the boundaries between interiors and nature”.
It’s an approach she learnt from her late mother Helen’s love of gardens, and why every room comes with a view of the property’s formal gardens. It all serves as a reminder that one of the greatest luxuries in life is having a garden to gaze out at (along with having no neighbours looking at you).
“Nature genuinely makes us happy,” she says. “There’s so much research that has been done around the connection between green spaces and happiness. For me, it brings calmness, creativity and just generally puts me in a better mood.”
Given that it’s now – as Parry-Okeden describes – “a sunlit sanctuary”, it is hard to imagine that pre-renovation the home was incredibly dimly lit. To bring in light, she removed the entire rear wall of the home and installed a Crittall glasshouse-style extension.
There are multiple full-length glass doors (all spotlessly clean) which frame the gardens and flood the space with natural light. She also installed a large mirror on the ceiling of the kitchen, to give the illusion of more space and light.
You also can’t help but notice that Parry-Okeden is inspired by the opulence of Indian interiors. In her home you’ll find vibrant colour (the Sea Deep shade by Dulux that runs up the staircase catches your eye), as well as intricate patterns and handcrafted furniture. In the main living space, there’s an antique Indian daybed, sourced from online vintage marketplace Curated Spaces.
“We are continuously on the hunt for furniture and interesting pieces, scouring antique markets, auctions, or little-known vintage stores for items rarely seen,” she says.
Her home is a filled with a collection of charming items that have been thoughtfully restored, giving “somewhat broken-down pieces a chance at a beautiful new life”. The restoration process itself is clearly as enjoyable as the search for something unique – both forms of creative therapy.
Each project also sees Parry-Okeden and her team design bespoke pieces specific to that home’s aesthetic. Many of these pieces are then made available to customers as part of the Wild Orchid Spaces product range.
In Romney House, for example, you’ll find the scallop patterned Cloud Rug, which was designed by Parry-Okeden and handmade in Nepal. Asked to describe Wild Orchid Spaces’ signature style, she says, “Creating homes that feel like sanctuaries, interiors layered with natural textures and designed to complement the outdoors.”
Romney House also serves as a gallery for Parry-Okeden’s curated art collection. Works by renowned Australian artists Arthur Boyd, John Olsen, and Kate Bergin hang on the walls alongside vibrant pieces by American artist Hunt Slonem, and Greek artist Kostas Papakostas.
Her preference, she says, is for artists who create whimsical, childlike works. It doesn’t stop at the artwork. A sense of play is part of each space. In her daughter’s room, for example, there’s wallpaper designed to be scribbled on.
As a self-confessed homebody, Parry-Okeden loves nothing more than entertaining in her garden or being indoors with her family, and her spaces are designed to get cosy in. Then, when it’s time for a change of pace, there’s a private gym, equipped with a sauna and Pilates machine. Or you could have a hit of tennis.
You can imagine guests must never want to leave, and the property’s adjoining Rose Cottage is there to accommodate them.
While no two Wild Orchid properties are ever the same, they all share a common thread: “natural textures, warmth through layered soft furnishings, and a strong connection to the surrounding environment,” explains Parry-Okeden. .
With homes in Colorado in the US, as well as in Sydney’s seaside suburb of Avalon, there’s a place for everything. “My love of Colorado has me embracing large stone fireplaces, expansive windows and soaring ceilings to capture light and warmth,” she reflects.
“Australia has me leaning into its sunshine and coastlines, encouraging a more relaxed indoor-outdoor flow. While Europe and Asia heavily influence my love of artisanal craft and eclectic interiors.”
Related articles:
- Return To The Country: Inside Lucy Loneragan’s Highlands Home
- The Interior Design Trends We’re Making Space For In 2025
- The Ultimate Guide To Antique Shopping
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