This rainforest retreat is cleverly linked to the tropical paradise surrounding it,

A smartly refreshed Eighties hideaway on the edge of the national park in Noosa has casual and elegant spaces in spades, delighting all who share it.

Nestled into rainforest on the edge of a national park in Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is what appears to be a new house. However, beneath the black-stained timber cladding lies an early 1980s design, recently treated to a comprehensive refresh by Melbourne-based interior design firm Mim Design.

Also from Melbourne are the two families who own it. Lizie Clifton-Findlay, her husband Rowan Findlay and their children (Jasper, 13, and 11-year-old Luella) share the holiday home with Lizie’s sister Nicci Clifton and partner Andrew Richey plus their offspring (Hugo, 11, and Mila, aged nine). “The sisters are inseparable, but the extended family enjoy having their own spaces when they’re on holidays,” says Mim Design principal Miriam Fanning. “The house needed an additional bedroom, but also a new lease of life.”

“We’ve worked with Mim on a number of projects,” says Lizie, an experienced renovator. “This one was different as it combines treescape and seascape.” It’s down a winding road flanked by dense vegetation and sculptural palms. Access to the three-level home is via a timber boardwalk from the street; there’s parking at the rear – along with a shared pool and tennis court.

As well as specifying new windows, balconies, skylights and cladding, Mim Design reconfigured the interiors. Previously, the main entrance was at the front and the kitchen at the centre of the house, with no direct connection to the outdoors. “The design didn’t address the location and its magnificent rainforest,” says Miriam, pointing out the large, glossy palms and rich undergrowth. Lizards, tree frogs and native birds fossick on the forest floor, as dappled light filters through massive palm fronds.

Large new picture windows mean all this plant and animal life can now be fully enjoyed. Relocated to the side, the boardwalk to the front door encourages visitors to leave everything behind and enter a relaxing haven. Rather than seeing all as soon as you cross the threshold, there’s a ‘breathing space’ in the form of an entry vestibule that builds expectation. “We wanted to create a ‘journey’ into and through the house, rather than revealing everything at once,” says Miriam.

The entry, and staircase core opposite, separate the kitchen and dining spaces from the living room. Generous floor-to-ceiling glass doors in both areas connect to wraparound, glass-framed balconies. “Wherever you choose to sit, your eye is drawn to the rainforest,” says Miriam, who also transformed the home’s undercroft into a media/rumpus room for the children.

The kitchen is generous in scale, designed to handle a full house. There’s a wide central island and capacious built-in joinery. A glass splashback allows people preparing meals to be just as connected to the forest as those relaxing in outdoor armchairs,” says Lizie. “Everyone loves standing around the kitchen or spilling onto the terrace. When the sliding doors are pulled back, you feel as though you have a foot in both camps.”

The revamped home now boasts four first-floor bedrooms, including two mains with ensuites, in a slightly extended footprint. Each of the bathrooms was also updated, but in a relaxed way, with practicality top of mind. “The families are keen surfers, so sand and salt regularly find their way into the house,” says Miriam. A large freestanding bath was installed in the children’s bathroom for post-beach soaks.

With the undergrowth providing strong colour outside, Mim Design kept the interior palette fairly neutral. Grey and navy linen features on beds and herringbone patterned rugs cope with any sand tracked in. In winter, knitted throws come out and the window seats on either side of the fireplace become coveted spots, making the property a drawcard all year.

“This house has the most calming vibe,” says Lizie. “The minute you enter, you just want to sigh.”

Mim Design, South Yarra, Victoria; (03) 9826 1266 or mimdesign.com.au. The house is available to rent at certain times of the year; for details, see noosaluxuryholidays.com.au.

BEACH Chasing the swell at nearby Little Cove, where surfers share the water with passing sea turtles. STUDY NOOK A functional corner of the main living area. Mirror and planter, Coastal Living. Stool, Great Dane. Grey/white vessel and basket, Country Road. LIVING Large wraparound windows put nature squarely in the frame. Sofa, vase and stone vessel, all Coastal Living. Coffee table, Green Cathedral. Rug, Armadillo & Co. Artwork by Andrew Richey.

KITCHEN Cooks and guests enjoy the lush vignette of palms and ferns. Marc Newson cooktop, Smeg. Benchtops in Portsea Grey limestone from CDK Stone. Tapware, Astra Walker. Stools, Green Cathedral. Out on the terrace, there’s an Electrolux barbecue and, beneath it, a Liebherr wine fridge.

KITCHEN/DINING

The rainforest is an ever-changing backdrop to this generous open space. ‘Form’ dining table, Normann Copenhagen. Chairs, Green Cathedral. Tableware, Country Road. Outdoor sofa, armchair and coffee table, all Coastal Living. Woven planter, Signature on Hastings. Designer buy: ‘Fog’ pendant light, from $995, Great Dane.

‘It isn’t a precious house, but there is a high level of detail.’ Miriam Fanning, interior designer

MAIN BEDROOM Giant elephant’s ear ( Alocasia macrorrhizos) foliage plays with scale in one of the two light-filled main rooms. Bedhead, Green Cathedral. Navy pillowcases and throw, Adairs. Grey bedcover, Sheridan. Throw and hat from Toscani in Noosa.

READING NOOK Opposite the study corner in the living room, inbuilt seating makes this a cosy spot to hang out. Cushions, Coastal Living. Fringed throw, Toscani. Riedel glass tumbler.

Designer buy: Normann Copenhagen ‘Tablo’ coffee table in White, from $485, Huset. LANDING An artwork by interior designer Miriam Fanning hangs over a Babanees oak bench from Green Cathedral. Basket, Coastal Living. Through the barn-style sliding door on the right is the main bathroom, where classic white subway tiles have been laid vertically to echo the trunks of palms outside.

FRONT GARDEN The relocated entrance is accessed via a boardwalk of spotted gum, which has been left to weather naturally. Armchairs and Eco Outdoor coffee table, Coastal Living. Planter, Meizai. For Where to Buy, see page 188. #