Tag: coastal interiors

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Design Interviews

Virtual home tours bring Susanna massive Instagram following

Do you remember when you were at primary school, and they told you the job you would end up doing probably wasn’t even invented yet? I certainly do and the prediction was quite correct in my case (blogging – who knew?) and it’s certainly the case for Sunshine Coast based interior decorator and presenter Susanna Tolo of Coastal Hampton Style. 

Susanna Tolo
Susanna Tolo

After a career in beauty, the home enthusiast started an Instagram page – @coastalhamptonstyle – and began documenting her love of Hamptons and coastal interiors. Concurrently, she also began renovating a Queenslander home, documenting the process via Instagram Stories.

“I showcased the renovation process and started making friendships through the platform. I started doing tours of display homes also as I was visiting them for inspiration,” says Susanna who jumped on the IGTV wagon as soon as that launched – the format was perfect for her content. 

Susanna's kitchen
Susanna’s kitchen

“IGTV allowed me to post full home tours that wouldn’t disappear, and I must have gotten on bandwagon at the right time because Instagram seemed to boost my content,” says Susanna. And when the most popular videos on the platform included ones made by both Susanna and Will Smith, she couldn’t quite believe it. “I went up by 60k followers in less than one month – it was insane. Nobody was doing home tours and posting them to Instagram, so I guess I started doing it at the right time,” says Susanna whose popularity is no doubt in part due to her warm, approachable style.

Back then, Susanna’s home tours would get 500,000 views which is when the design industry started knocking. “Builders, designers and architects started asking me to do tours for payment and at that point I realised that it was something I could do as my own business,” says Susanna who has since grown her audience to 295k people.

Susanna Tolo
Susanna’s dining room

Aside from creating video tours, Susanna also collaborates with brands including Zanui, One World Furniture and Montauk Lighting. “I just built a new home that was a collaboration with Brighton Homes and Stockland have hired me as their marketing face too,” says Susanna.

Her personal style has also caught on with many of her followers asking where she sources her signature linen shirts. After multiple requests Susanna decided to launch her own linen shirt line. “I see the shirts as a little piece of me that can be easily posted out. It’s not easy sending homewares overseas but as shirt is a way of supporting me. Plus, it’s still coastal and on-brand and something that I generally love wearing,” says Susanna.

Susanna's dining room
Susanna’s lounge room

As for her interior style, Susanna loves a variety of things in the the coastal, classic, and Hamptons vein. “People think of me as just Hamptons style but my taste is a combination of everything and it’s not too neutral. It’s coastal with pops of colour including pink, green and blue. Mostly it’s a combination of things that I love but it’s always fresh and airy.”

Photography: Louise Roche at Villa Styling

For more on Susanna Tollo | Follow Coastalhamptonstyle

Interior designer works with heritage features on Hamptons makeover

While it’s hard to compete with the many charms of a heritage home, the ubiquitous jarrah floor can be a hard one to reconcile with contemporary interiors – mainly because…
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Expert Tips Furniture

Everything on the doorstep: the 2022 move towards local sanctuaries

Jason Granziera, in-house stylist at Lounge Lovers, shares his predictions for 2022 living.

Get grounded

Lounge Lovers research shows that a quarter of us want our homes to feel grounded as our spaces have become our sanctuaries and a place to escape from day-to-day life. Many of us are keen to get back to nature, as shown by the growing movement towards 20 minute neighbourhoods, with everything we need for a good life within this distance. This desire will be emulated with all-natural rugs, indoor plants around the home, cooling hues and calming designs. 

Opt for comfort

The way we use our homes has changed significantly over the past few years, with the majority of us spending more time at home than ever before. In fact, research shows that prior to the pandemic around 20% of all businesses had staff working from home; this has now increased to 44%.* As such, design pieces that allow for comfort and functionality will be key as we continue to spend more time at home, both working and entertaining throughout 2022. To support this theory, recent research conducted by Lounge Lovers found that more than one in three Aussies (34.54%) want their home to feel relaxed and one in four (25.92%) want it to feel cosy, grounded and connected to others. 

Inspired by the coast

According to Lounge Lovers research, Australians are most influenced by coastal living design styles (22.21%). We expect to see lots of beach-inspired items including Hamptons-style furnishings, woven baskets and muted blues and greens which bring calm beach feelings into living spaces. Our Haven sofa in Mornington Ivory (pictured above) is the perfect lounge room centrepiece for beachside homes.

Lounge Lovers sofa
Lounge Lovers’ limited edition periwinkle Bronte sofa

Very Peri

Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2022 has been revealed as Very Peri; a bold, purple hue that you’ll be sure to see popping up across homewares via beautiful cushions, stunning sofas (check out our limited edition Bronte above) and linens. You can incorporate this on-trend tone into your home by adding splashes of colour with statement walls and furniture pieces in the new ‘it’ shade, or with throws or cushions for something less permanent.

For more on Lounge Lovers

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Design Designers House Tours

Bali vibes: interior designer helps create retreat-like home

Jane and Ash’s vision for their dream home was simple – create a fresh, family home inspired by coastal blue elements and their travels to Bali with natural weave details. And interior designer Tara Daniels of Oliv Studios embraced the challenge!

The project, which took over a year to complete, is located in the suburb of Hemmant. Once merely bushland approximately 20 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, it is now an up-and-coming inner-city gem. Built by Burbank Homes, the house is tucked away down a long driveway, enhancing its retreat vibe.

With their second child on the way, Jane and Ash handed Tara the reigns. She selected all the hard materials, including the gorgeous Cosentino Calacatta stone benchtop, plus the window furnishings and a comprehensive joinery and furniture package. This gave the couple the confidence to move in with style and settle straight into life as a family of four.

Tara’s business mantra revolves around helping clients create luxurious and beautiful spaces where they can escape the chaos of everyday life. She aims to embrace the comforts of the home to create spaces where they can reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.

Thanks to Covid lockdowns, the hardest part was securing joiners and handling extended delivery timeframes to complete the project. But they got there in the end!

See more work by Oliv Studios.

Photography: Cieran Murphy

New Hunter Valley display homes reflect regional popularity

Sponsored by Metricon Homes There’s no denying that regional areas have seen a boost in popularity since the emergence of COVID-19. Coupled with the housing affordability crisis in the capital…
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Shopping

A personal touch in Deborah Hutton’s new coastal homewares range

Former international model and beloved TV personality Deborah Hutton has launched her own coastal inspired homewares range.

“I have a huge crush on coastal but that doesn’t mean it’s a style exclusive to beachsiders. The laidback feel of this collection looks beautiful anywhere. It’s coastal meets modern, and works with beachside, country or city living,” says Deborah. “The collection is relaxed luxury, easy on the eye, and ideal for mixing and matching to suit your style.”

The stylish collection is a true reflection of Deborah’s personal style, with luxurious bed linen, coordinating throw rugs and cushions, as well as towels, décor items, and tableware. 

“I’m a big fan of muted tones and neutral palettes; think crisp whites, navy, stone and duck egg blues,” she adds. “The range is a true reflection of the things I love and looks right at home in my own house. I’ve collected beautiful pieces over the years and have incorporated elements of these into the range.”

Deborah says COVID has led to changes in the way many of us are living. Whilst the home has become a vital place of comfort and sanctuary, affordability is a definite consideration during these unprecedented times.

“I’ve designed the collection to accommodate these new ways of living so that someone can fit out a new house, and make it look effortlessly stylish on a budget.”

She’s particularly proud of the bed linen and towels. “The bed linen is so relaxed and inviting and the towels are luscious, large and absorbent and both are such great value. I think people will love them.” 

The collection has been released nationwide through MyHouse. “I’m thrilled to welcome HOME with Deborah Hutton to MyHouse.” says Steven Lew, founder and chairman of Global Retail Brands. “As a much loved media personality with some serious style and interiors creds, Deborah is the perfect addition to our existing offer of stylish and great value homewares.”

For more information and to shop online.

Deborah Hutton home renovation: the final reveal!

Affectionately referred to as ‘The Beach Hutt,’ Australian media personality Deborah Hutton has just completed a dramatic Hamptons style renovation of her Sydney home with rather fabulous results. “My home…

Deborah Hutton’s tips to save money & time on a reno

We’re all brutally aware of the pitfalls of renovating. With many going over budget and just as many taking longer to complete than expected, some would say it’s a brave…
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Design Designers House Tours Interviews

Hamptons style house with just enough Aussie touches

Located in Thirroul on the south coast of New South Wales, this new build was completed recently by the team at Birdblack Design. Designed as a ‘forever home’ for a young family of five, the house’s fusion of Hamptons style with laid-back Aussie coastal details makes for a gorgeous beachside abode. “Given it’s right on the beach, we didn’t want it to look too formal,” says the home’s interior designer Sarah Nolen.

Exterior
Front elevation

The exterior features plenty of Hamptons hallmarks with its tranquil mix of soft blues, greys and crisp white; the perfect complement to its coastal location. Behind the home’s statement blue door lies a family-friendly mudroom which is the perfect spot for everyone to drop shoes, school bags, coats and umbrellas.

Mudroom
Mudroom

A design highlight of the home, the kitchen features tulip glass pendant lights above the island bench, smoky glass splash back, Carrara marble mosaic splash back and crisp white cabinetry. “The fusion of Hamptons Glam and Aussie Coastal Living is evident in the cabinetry finishes,” says Sarah.

Kitchen
Kitchen
Dining
Dining. Herringbone oak timber provides feature flooring.

The kitchen links beautifully with the outdoor alfresco dining and kitchen area via a practical bi-fold window. “This allows the owners to pass food and drinks through when entertaining,” says Sarah. The nearby kitchen features a beaded chandelier above the dining table.

Alfresco
Alfresco

The lounge room is another sumptuous space with the fireplace a stylish focal point. “The fireplace is surrounded by natural marble with the mantle an elegant backdrop,” says Sarah. Either side of the fireplace are symmetrical display cabinets lined with seagrass wallpaper which adds depth and texture.

Lounge
Lounge room
A Samsung Frame TV sits above the mantle displaying artwork and photography when not in use.

The upstairs wing houses all the home’s bedrooms and a series of gorgeous bathrooms that are accented with a series of statements tiles. The children’s bathroom stands out for its sea blue herringbone tile, double basin vanity and large, round oversized mirrors. 

Children's bathroom
Children’s bathroom
Children's bathroom

The master suite has raked ceilings and exposed beams plus views over the escarpment and ocean. An expansive walk-in robe is housed in an adjoining room.  

Master bedroom
Master bedroom
Birdblack Design bedroom
Bedside details

Colours and finishes aside, the owners wanted a house that would evolve as their kids grow up. “There is plenty of space for them to run around now but the home will still provide plenty of great spaces as they transition into the teenage years.”

Photography: Better Together Photo Co | Styling: Jessi Eve

For more

Coastal home avoids the beachy cliches with chic reno

While a fail-safe option, neutral beachy interiors can run into bland territory, but that is certainly not the case with this seaside Sydney residence. Layers of texture including terrazzo, marble…
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Interiors Addict

Beauty of home inspires print collection by photographer Christie Moore

Travel and lifestyle photographer Christie Moore, has launched a new print collection after returning from living overseas. The photographic prints came to life quite organically after returning to Sydney from Paris.

Christie spent blissful sun-kissed afternoons strolling along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk where she began seeing her hometown coastline through a whole new lens. “I experienced a new-found connection to my city and wanted to represent the connection of people to places in a tangible way,” she says.

“What sets this collection apart is that it was curated with fellow travellers and adventure seekers in mind. Focusing on storytelling, connection and adventure, each piece is a tangible dose of ‘vitamin sea’ and encapsulates the Sydney lifestyle loved by locals, expats and tourists alike. A limited edition momento for those who want their spaces to tell their story.” 

Christie grew up in Forster on the NSW mid-north coast and moved to Sydney in her teenage years, always maintaining a strong connection to the sea.

Available in four sizes, Christie’s works are printed with archival inks on 310gsm matt rag paper stock with a white border. The limited editions are hand signed and numbered with free shipping Australia wide. Prices start at $139.

Shop Christie’s work online

Styling: Jessi Eve

Greenhouse Interiors: inspiring & empowering people to buy art online

Buying art, and then knowing where and now to hang it, can be anxiety-inducing for many. But at the same time, we’re all excited to add some colour and beauty…
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Designers House Tours

Nineties holiday apartment gets a fresh makeover

A tired looking 90s holiday apartment with spectacular ocean views has been given a much-needed renovation. The entire Gold Coast apartment was gutted and started afresh with a bright, coastal style makeover. And we bet the owners are secretly pleased they get to use it themselves while leisure travel is off the cards due to Covid-19!

AFTER kitchen

BEFORE kitchen

“The brief was to design a space which instantly felt relaxing, took advantage of the views and considered the holidaymakers who will enjoy the apartment and its beach lifestyle,” says interior designer Mel Hoekstra. “The neutral tones and greens create a feeling of serenity the minute you walk through the door and have been layered with subtle texture and pattern to evoke a sense of letting go and enjoying your getaway.”

The amazing view is the only thing that hasn’t changed!

The original apartment was shades of apricot and pink with cream walls, had a wall dividing the living room and kitchen, tired carpet and was lacking suitable functionality. “There was an ugly old mirrored wall next to the kitchen which we replaced with new mirrored panels and makes a huge difference to the feeling of space whilst reflecting the views. On the plus side, the ocean and mountain views were spectacular, the perfect recipe for a renovation.”

AFTER bathroom

BEFORE bathroom

The walls were painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter to look clean and fresh, and new timber-look tiles give the illusion of space and are super easy to clean with all those sandy feet. The bathrooms were given custom timber cabinetry and beautiful bronze-edged white feature tiles to lighten the once-dark spaces. Then the laundry was given a splash of colour with a bronze-edged aqua tile on the splashback.

AFTER laundry

BEFORE laundry

The furniture and accessories were selected with the owners and potential holiday makers in mind. The custom lounges have been made in a versatile fabric which was treated to keep it looking great for longer. A king single bunkbed was added alongside the queen bed in the second bedroom to expand the type of guests who might book the apartment. It can now accommodate families as well as couples, yielding a higher return for the owners.

AFTER bedroom

BEFORE bedroom

“I love the transformation in every room in this two-bedroom apartment and particularly the instant feeling of relaxation you feel when entering,” Mel says.

“My favourite feature would have to be the island bench (painted in Resene’s Emerge); where once there was a wall you now see a beautiful island which mirrors the green and blue tones in the ocean. This year, the ecstatic owners will be enjoying their beachside apartment and holidaymakers will be able to enjoy the location in 2021.”

For more on MH Interior Design

Outdoor paint colours to give your home a holiday vibe

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Design Furniture Homewares Shopping

Vintage coastal décor: shipped worldwide from Noosa

After a decade working on super yachts, sailing the Mediterranean and Caribbean, Sally Oulton returned to Australia, became a mother and found herself living in the hills behind Noosa. “I was looking to create a business around the sea and through that process discovered a love of coastal homewares,” says Sally.

But with so many purveyors of ocean themed wares, Sally knew she needed a point of difference which is how the idea for her furniture and homewares business, Coastal Vintage, emerged. “I had a lightbulb moment when I thought about the possibility of selling old wares like my Nana and Uncle had in the UK. I then decided to combine coastal and vintage pieces,” says Sally who opened her business six years ago.

Sally Oulton
Sally Oulton

Coastal Vintage

Initially opening two days a week (to fit around her daughters’ daycare schedule) and operating out of her garage, the business now has its own warehouse, trades six days a week, ships worldwide and is staffed by a crew of five. “We also open every day over the holiday breaks as many of our Instagram followers visit Noosa and want to come to the store,” says Sally who has over 40,000 Instagram followers.

Coastal Vintage
Coastal Vintage employee Amanda stands with a vintage oar

The store’s eclectic mix includes vintage nautical pieces, paddles and fishing gear, as well as sustainable coral, clamshells, glass floats, lobster pot buoys, custom made light fittings and brass hardware. “We love old rustic pieces juxtaposed against a freshly painted VJ panelled wall. We love the mix of old and new, and the layers of texture and personality that only comes from a curated collection,” says Sally who finds that many clients are seeking a special piece to add character and warmth to a new home or renovation.

Amanda and Sally with a pair of giant clam shells
Amanda and Sally with a pair of giant clam shells

As well as being an agent for the range, Sally uses Jolie Paints to breathe new life into vintage life rings and fishing buoys, as well as to create custom painted paddles and oars. She also hosts workshops showing people how to use the product.

Coastal Vintage has a fascinating array of wares

Unsurprisingly, many of Sally’s finds have found their way onto to cruise ships, into Hollywood blockbusters, houses in the Bahamas as well as beach shacks and Hampton’s style homes. “We’ve had some pieces in The Pirates of the Caribbean, the latest Elvis movie that is being made, an ABC show and many hotels and restaurants,” says Sally.

Coastal Vintage
Brass hooks and handles

A pair of antique paddles, found in Indonesia, are going to be displayed in a Norwegian cruise ship that is currently being built, while another pair of paddles will be hung in a newly renovated Hilton hotel in the US.

Locally you’ll find Sally’s wares at Sydney’s Clovelly Hotel and The Boathouse in La Perouse, plus the Lord Byron Hotel in Byron Bay. “Paspaley Pearls sourced hundreds of small glass floats for an amazing display at Melbourne’s Crown casino recently too,” says Sally.

Noosa's Coastal Vintage
The storefront

The range is sourced across the globe (everywhere from Australia to Indonesia, Japan, France, UK and the USA), through a process that has unearthed many family heirlooms; three of which have made their way back to their original owners, via Sally.

“One time, I found a lovely old photo at a market of a family on the beach in Pittwater. As soon as a customer saw it on Facebook, she recognised her ancestors and it is now in her home. Those stories give me goosebumps,” says Sally.

Coastal Vintage

As for her favourite products, she’s a big fan of the giant clam shells and the aged brass mermaid handles which can be found at the aforementioned Clovelly Hotel. “I had one clam shell that was over 200 years old and had been in the same family for over a century. It arrived at the original owner’s grandparents’ home via horse and cart.”

Shop Coastal Vintage online | Before & after: Coastal bathrooms inspired by 1930’s

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Design House Tours Interviews Styling

Green scheme: holiday home a lesson in luxe

Kitchen
Kitchen

The talented team from The Designory are back and this time they’ve created the ultimate holiday home; in Byron Bay no less! Inspired by the raw Aussie coastline, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home features a soothing green colour palette that is a departure from your typical coastal-themed interiors.

Kitchen
Kitchen and dining

Bedroom
Bedroom

“There’s always  the temptation when working with a coastal palette to work with shades of blue, and whilst we absolutely love that idea, we wanted to extend the coastal reference to the elements we find uniquely Australian – the darker eucalyptus greens, the rich sea grass greens found on walks through the dunes, and the minty sea foam tones found at the ocean’s edge,” says director Melissa Bonney.

Bathroom
Bathroom

From the tinted green concrete bench tops in the kitchen and laundry to the green Moroccan-inspired tiles in the bathrooms and green soft furnishings throughout, the home certainly makes a case for drawing on the greener aspects of our coast.

Lounge room
Lounge room

The home’s coastal vibe is further cemented by its strong connection between the indoors and outdoors. “This was a key element to the success of the home, and we utilised a number of strong glazing elements to achieve this,” says Melissa. To this end, a five-metre stacked sliding door opens from the main living area to the alfresco and pool area.

Outdoors
Outdoors

Stacked doors allow guest to move seamlessly between the spaces
Stacked doors allow guests to move seamlessly between the open-plan spaces

A standout space, the home’s bunk room is a beautifully designed and styled space that can sleep up to six kids. “The brief included a little bit of whimsy, a sense of fun and a whole lot of functionality,” says Melissa of the room that features suspended bunks, that appear to float, with a netted area between them. There’s also two beds underneath, in addition to two pull-out trundle beds.

The gorgeous bunk room
The gorgeous bunk room

This room features spotted wallpaper layered with textured grey and mustard soft furnishings, leather beanbags and jute baskets. “The final elements adorning the wall are a gorgeous piece of art, a whimsical lion, and a selection of timber hooks randomly scattered,” says Melissa.

Bunk room

Colours and open-plan spaces aside, the interiors are a masterclass in the luxe Aussie coastal vibe The Designory is renowned for. “Delivering a ‘luxe’ vibe is really all about layering and texture and repeated materials,” says Melissa. The home does this expertly with its clever mix of textured rugs, tactile fabrics, textured paints and wallpapers.

Lounge room
Another lounge area

And for anyone looking to recreate this look at home, Melissa has great advice. “Pick a theme or colour scheme and ensure that runs seamlessly through the home by repeating elements or materials,” says Melissa. For example, you might choose an oak front door, and then use oak furniture or custom vanities as well as oak pots or other styling items.

Bedroom
Bedroom

Bathroom
Bathroom

Rent the home via AirBNB | Another Byron Bay abode

Categories
Design Interviews Styling

Coastal homes: All white is out and colour is in!

Alex Carter styling
Lounge room

If you and I were to play a game of word association and I said ‘coastal interior’ I’m fairly positive your first response would be ‘white!’ Am I right? When it comes to beachside styling, white has always reigned but that’s set to change according to Perth interior stylist Alex Carter of Harlow & Willow who turned the white cliché on its head recently transforming a typical Aussie coastal home into a colour lover’s paradise. Today she tells us how to get the look.

Alex Carter styling
The lounge room is a study in layers. Artwork: Morgan Jamieson (above fireplace) and Ian Gunn (left)

Ease yourself in
“If you’re relatively new to introducing colour into your home, ease yourself in. There’s no need to break out the green paintbrush right away! Start off by swapping out your current cushions and throws for colourful and patterned ones and watch how it lifts your space!” says Alex.

Cushions
Cushions are a relatively affordable way to take the colour leap

Select colours that make you feel good
“Even as a colour lover, I have some colours that I just don’t like. When injecting colour into your home and decor it is important to choose colours that make you feel good and that you find visually pleasing,” says Alex and it’s a sentiment I share. For example, as much as I love wearing red I would never have it anywhere near my house.

Alex Carter styling
Tranquil yet colourful bedroom styling

Choose colour levels depending on the use of the room
“Colour can create a vast array of feelings and change moods. Consider this and the feeling that you want to create in each space. For example, you may opt for more relaxing shades in the bedroom like calming blues or deep greens and rich plum tones whereas living areas can take more vibrancy with brighter, bolder colours,” says Alex.

Alex Carter bedroom
Bedroom. That stunning artwork is by Morgan Jamieson

Decorate depending on the feeling and not trends
“Don’t fall into the trap of decorating to a trend as you will get sick of this pretty quickly. Just because 75 per cent of Instagram seems to be using blush and grey doesn’t mean that you have to – except if you love it, then of course go for it!” says Alex who explains that it’s important to try and tap into your own distinct taste. “Choose colours that reflect the mood you want to create in your space,” she adds.

Alex Carter dining room
The dining room features mismatched chairs, greenery and colour pops

Hallway
Hallway. Artwork: Georgie Wilson.

It’s okay to mix things up
“When it comes to your home, you don’t need to fit into a certain style or colour palette. Feel free to mix the vintage with the new, the colourful with the more minimal items and even colour combinations that may not be the norm. This is your sanctuary and should be a visual reflection of you so have fun with it!”

Coastal styling Alex Carter
I love the wooden surfboard! Artwork: Katie Wyatt (top left) and Anna Cole (bottom left)

Photographer: Matt Biocich | Stylist: Alex Carter at Harlow & Willow | Stylist assistant: Julianna Love

For more | A luxe coastal retreat

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Bedrooms Designers House Tours Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT Styling

Coastal cool: Inside a stylist’s fresh first home

Lounge room
Lounge room

When interior stylist Jessi Deakin (formerly of Black Arrow) let us peek inside her stylish, light-drenched home recently we thought it would be rude not to share. “My house is nestled in between the Illawarra escarpment and the ocean. The feel I was going for was one that was natural, light, airy and bohemian with a nod to the relaxed coastal location,” says Jessi of her recently renovated abode that is located in Woonona, on the NSW south coast. I’d say she ticked the boxes!

Master bedroom
The master bedroom features layers of neutral texture

“It is our first home and it still has that old coastal charm as we like to call it! It was very liveable when we moved in but of course, being an interior stylist, I have pretty firm ideas of what constitutes liveable. For me, it needs to be beautiful too so we got hands-on and learnt how to DIY just about everything that we wanted to do and slowly but surely, our dream home came to life!” says Jessi.

Lounge room
Lounge room

With good bones (high ceilings and decorative cornices), Jessi had plenty to work with. “Those features give the home that extra point of interest and subtle beauty,” says Jessi.

Dining
Dining room

Perhaps one of the most transformative renovation tasks that Jessi underwent was removing the carpet to expose the original boards underneath. “We ripped up the old carpet and lime washed our floorboards throughout which was such a transformation! They make the home feel so much more beachy and bright,” says Jessi.

Study
Study

The home features plenty of all-important greenery – a sneaky mix of real and faux. “Plants need to be pretty hearty and independent to survive in my house. I am really inconsistent with remembering to water them and then when I do remember, I usually drown them trying to make up for it! So I found the best way to amp up the greenery in my home without having to replace them all every few months is to mix the faux with the real. You get the high impact of an indoor jungle, minus the pressure of having to water them all every week,” says Jessi.

Second bedroom
The guest bedroom features both real and faux plants

Aside from an abundance of greenery the guest room boasts a gorgeous statement clothes hanger too. “The wood hanger is a substitute for a wardrobe. I figured guests only need space to hang a few things so I thought I’d keep the creativity high and the costs low. It’s become a bit of a signature in my projects. I did a mini version in a nursery for a client recently to hang all the gorgeous baby clothes on and it’s just so charming! Plus, it costs next to nothing and takes about fifteen minutes to make and install!” says Jessi.

The guest room's feature hanging rail
The guest rooms hanging rail – the stuff of bohemian dreams

And along with a new home, Jessi has a new business venture too having recently gone solo. “After an amazing few years working in a partnership at Black Arrow Styling Studio, I am now focussing on my solo venture as an interior stylist at Jessi Eve. I am excited to continue doing what I love so much and can’t wait to transform the homes and lives of many more people in the future!”

For more | Inside another stylist’s contemporary coastal home

 

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Furniture Homewares

The rattan & cane edit: Our top 10 furniture buys

Rattan and cane furniture has been one of the biggest interior trends of 2018 and it’s showing no sign of going anywhere soon! While it’s easy to associate rattan and cane with beach houses and boho apartments, there are plenty of brands reinventing this material into modern designs that feel laid-back yet luxurious.

Whether your home is modern, contemporary or coastal, this round-up has a rattan or cane piece that can be weaved into any interior style.

Cabarita Beach Bedhead by Naturally Cane– from $599

Pair this statement bedhead with beautiful linen sheets for a relaxed, coastal bedroom vibe.

Latitude Lounge Chair and Latitude Coffee Table from The Family Love Tree – $695 and $595

Crafted from gorgeous natural rattan, I love the retro look of this lounge chair and coffee table combo.

Stockholm 2017 Armchair by IKEA – $199

A handmade rattan armchair that is on-trend and budget friendly!

Paris Bassinet by Byron Bay Hanging Chairs– $499

Perfect for a bohemian or coastal-style nursery, this handmade rattan baby bassinet oozes Parisian vintage style. I happen to know Jen’s ordered one for her new baby!

Juliet Occasional Chair by Coco Republic – $1,355

Crafted from solid teak and woven rattan, this classic club chair is a timeless investment (p.s. it’s currently on sale!)

Classic Lounger by Malawi Cane Australia – $1,190

A lounge chair that was just made for tanning and afternoon napping.

Cane V2 Sofa by Curio – $4,889

A luxurious take on the rattan trend, this sleek and smooth timber rattan weave sofa showcases an exquisite level of craftsmanship that’s worthy of the price-tag.

Cane Side Table by Curio – $789

Another piece from the new Curio cane range, this side table will reflect well in any modern bedroom.

The Coco Hanging Chair by Byron Bay Hanging Chairs– $499

Another Pinterest trend that I’ve been obsessed with of late is the hanging chair. Styled indoors or outdoors, this swaying seat from Byron Bay Hanging Chairs will make quite the focal point!

For more on interiors trends: Our favourite lilac homewares

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Decorating 101 Expert Tips

Hamptons style 101

Fresh from my much-Instagrammed trip to the Hamptons courtesy of the lovely people at Scyon Walls, I thought I’d kick off all the info I’m going to share with you, by getting back to basics!

Bringing to mind a mix of coastal charm and sophisticated luxury, Hamptons-style home design remains a winner amongst Australian homeowners. Whether it’s the classic weatherboard look, or deep shadow lines, the Hamptons design is an inspiration for contemporary or traditional weatherboard-style homes. Unfortunately, not everyone gets it right. Here, interior designer Natalee Bowen from Indah Island describes the essential must-haves for creating a dream Hamptons-esque home.

Hamptons – just this one word conjures images of relaxed coastal living, families enjoying light and spacious living areas; and entertaining in sophisticated elegance reflective of the summer retreats of affluent New Yorkers along the Hamptons coastline. It is the attraction of this easy-going elegance and coastal charm that appeals to a growing number of Australians looking to capture this slice of paradise for their own dream home.

Despite its popularity, it can be easy to be led astray from the defining features of a Hamptons-style home. Whether it’s the high-end, antique look, the relaxed coastal charm, or the mixed classic and eclectic feel – a Hamptons-style home is not complete without the neutral colour palette, light and spacious living spaces, detailed touches in cabinetry, and the hallmark exterior look of weatherboard cladding.

THE RIGHT PALETTE

Mimicking the neutral colours of the coast is one of the defining features of a Hamptons-style home. A focus on neutral shades of whites, creams, linen tones and greys provides the foundation palette for this look, while blues in a range of tones, from duck egg to a rich navy, offer the ideal contrast.

THE MUST-HAVES For the exterior of a Hamptons-style property, the lines of the cladding take centre stage so a muted palette is best. As well as the more muted colour palette, exterior cladding colours see blue and white proving popular among those looking to carry the nautical-inspired colour scheme. Transitioning from exterior to interior, neutral tones help open spaces up and bring an instant feeling of freshness, while also providing a blank canvas for decorating.

From here, Natalee suggests adding accents of colour in the form of soft furnishings and greenery, particularly palms and orchids, and finding a colour scheme to bring the entire home together. “Find a colour scheme that flows through your home,” she says. “For example, if you love blue tones then use navy, duck egg and cobalt blue in different areas as accent colours.”

IT STARTS OUTSIDE

Synonymous with relaxed coastal living, it’s no surprise that Australian homeowners gravitate towards Hamptons-style home designs. While particular elements, such as neutral colour palettes, natural textures, internal panelling, high ceilings and traditional cabinetry all remain definitive features of a Hamptons look, nothing is more Hamptons-esque than the hallmark weatherboard exterior. Paramount to Hamptons architecture, exterior cladding provides clean, horizontal lines that instantly evoke a sense of classic, coastal charm. Given Australia’s harsh climate, traditional timber weatherboard cladding can be prone to splintering, fading, warping and collecting moisture. With the same charm as timber boards, but more durable, Scyon Linea weatherboard cladding is hard-wearing, low maintenance and resistant to damage from termites, rot, moisture and fire. It can also be gun nailed, is easy to cut like timber and seamlessly captures the Hamptons look. Perfectly complementing Scyon Linea weatherboard cladding is Scyon Axent trim – a thick and versatile edge treatment for windows. Scyon Axent trim is the finishing touch to internal and external corners, as a design enhancer at butt joints – plus Axent can be used with any James Hardie cladding and any domestic window, eliminating the need for special window orders to match different cladding.

Another hallmark of Hamptons-style design is timber decking, again, a difficult material to upkeep with Australia’s unforgiving climate –cement composite decking such as HardieDeck is the ideal alternative. Creating consistent flow between the indoors and outdoors.

While weatherboard cladding exteriors may be associated with living by the sea, it doesn’t mean it can’t be brought to life in places far from the coast. What makes Scyon Linea weatherboard cladding a popular look is its versatility in capturing resort-style luxury and easy elegance anywhere in Australia – be it the country, a leafy suburb or a family home in the hills.

LIGHT AND BREEZY LIVING

Traditionally, Hamptons homes were designed for easy living and entertaining, with interiors evoking sojourns by the sea. Recreating this look depends on two key elements – light and space. Natural light can really transform a room, so it’s worth spending time at the start of a Hamptons-inspired build or renovation to consider key ways to maximise light all-year round. Think expansive open-plan living areas with soaring raked or coffered ceilings, oversized bi-folds and large windows, to bathe indoor areas in natural light. High ceilings are the most effective way to boost natural light when paired with tall windows. To maximise light, lightweight voile curtains that drape to the floor will increase sunlight and give the illusion of height. A gabled roof will promote higher indoor ceilings and superior spatial awareness, while the lightest shade of white paint for the ceilings is the final step in maximising space within. Whether it’s a new build or renovation to create a dream home, the Hamptons-style look offers an ideal design blueprint for capturing Australia’s love affair with the outdoors while ensuring a relaxed and stylish space for entertaining family and friends.

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Disclaimer: I was taken to the Hamptons as a guest of Scyon with other Australian homes journalists.