Chouchou Albury: A French Duchesse

There are interiors that are designed to look beautiful, and then there are interiors that ask you to slow down and experience them. Chouchou, a newly transformed property in the heart of Albury, belongs to the latter.

Created by property owner and renovator Victoria Tonkin in collaboration with designer Sharon Parker of Curated, Chouchou is not an exercise in following a particular interior trend. Instead, it is an exploration of how materials, colour and detail can work together to create an atmosphere – one that feels layered, expressive and deeply personal.

Chouchou is Victoria’s fourth renovation project, and was conceived not just as somewhere to stay, but somewhere to experience. A place that could shift with its guests and its purpose, as Victoria puts it, “The possibilities feel expansive. As though the space has a life of its own.”

Sharon describes the project as part of a broader shift within design towards spaces that prioritise feeling, atmosphere and authenticity rather than simply chasing trends.

“We weren’t interested in designing something that simply looked beautiful. We wanted to create a home that had depth – where materials, colour and detail work together to evoke feeling, memory and a sense of place.”

The materials are deliberately tactile. Stone, cabinetry, hardware, textiles and lighting have all been considered as part of a larger composition and the result is an interior that captivates your attention – the closer you look, the more there is to discover.

A rich dark chocolate box.

The experiential design approach is most apparent in the master bedroom. Here, the palette deepens into rich chocolate tones, creating a room that feels enveloping, sensual and quietly theatrical.

The walls feature a hand-painted French wash, while ruched drapery introduces softness and movement. The choice of Cashmere Touch Duchesse carpet in ‘Murat’ provides a quiet foundation for the décor above it. The rich chocolate shade enhances the overall visual statement, helping to showcase the room’s textural layers and architectural details, providing the perfect complement rather than competition.

The bedroom is perhaps the one space in a home where flooring is experienced most intimately. It is the first surface encountered in the morning and the last before bed. Carpet brings a softness and warmth that reinforces the feeling of retreat – particularly when paired with the enveloping colours and tactile fabrics chosen for Chouchou.

Duchesse’s luxuriously soft twist pile offers a comforting underfoot experience, while its reliable nylon construction brings lasting durability and colour performance to a room that is designed to be savoured and enjoyed.

All of these carefully chosen elements make Chouchou a home designed not simply to be seen, but to be felt.

Feel Cashmere Touch carpets yourself by ordering free samples online.