Infinite Joy
This WA home now matches its spectacular setting.
Polly and Stephen say they fell in love with this property, located between Dunsborough and Yallingup in WA’s beautiful south-west region, the second they stepped foot on it. The 2.02ha site is high above sea level, which affords sweeping views out over Geographe Bay to the east and bushland to the north. It’s also protected from the strong south-westerlies for which the region is renowned. “It really is the perfect block,” says Stephen. “The aspect is unique and it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, despite being only three minutes from town. The view over the bay is absolutely breathtaking. It took three years of searching to find it, but it was worth it!”
The only negative with the property was the existing U-shaped home, built in the 1980s. “Our builder actually advised us to knock it down,” says Polly, “but the construction was sound and the U-shape was perfect for the home we envisioned. We wanted separate wings for guests and for us, with a generous communal space in between.”
Architect Clayton Lindley of Naked Architecture completely reconfigured the internal layout and raised the roof to accommodate glazed gables at the front entrance and rear terrace. The now-cavernous foyer leads to Polly and Stephen’s two-bedroom private suite to the left; to the right are the twobedroom guest quarters, a home cinema, study, and laundry. The inviting living room and adjacent kitchen/dining area are a few steps down from the foyer. In the ultimate luxe touch, Polly and Stephen also have an outdoor bathroom – complete with spa, shower and sauna – adjacent to their bedroom suite.
“THE REFINED MATERIALS DELIVER THE GLAMOROUS, SUMPTUOUS FEEL WE LOVE .” POLL Y
“O U R H O M E I S T H E M O ST B E AU T I F U L P L AC E TO S P E N D T I M E . T H E V I E WS A R E S O R E STO RAT I V E .” P O L LY
Two-tone grey walls are teamed with textured-porcelain tiles in taupe, creating an earthy backdrop for the couple’s collection of furniture, art and arte facts collected on their travels throughout the Kimberley region and Indochina. The darker grey, Porter’s Paints Riverstone, is used in the entrance and living area to absorb the harshest sun, and helps the living zone sink into its bushland surroundings.
Comfort is always a key factor when choosing furniture, but sophisticated finishes were equally important to the couple, who opted for soft Italian leather on the sofa, velvet cushions, and walnut joinery. “These materials deliver the glamorous, sumptuous feel we both love,” says Polly. Colours throughout take their cues from the landscape; objets d’art from travels and vases filled with native foliage add the final flourish.
“Stephen lived in the UK for many years, and he wanted our garden to showcase the native flora he’d missed while abroad,” says Polly. “Our family friend, Louis Van Rooyen, is a landscape architect and he collaborated with Wildwood Stone to create our spectacular terraced garden and the meandering footpaths through the garden, a feature inspired by Kings Park [in Perth]. The garden complements the home beautifully – we discover new vistas each time we walk through it.”
The house really comes into its own in summer. All the doors are thrown open and life revolves around the infinity pool, grassed terrace, outdoor kitchen and firepit. “We love travel and staying at beautiful resorts and we aimed to bring the best of that into our home, to enjoy every day. Stephen thought he might get bored living in the country, but he loves it as much as me,” says Polly. Stephen’s verdict? “It’s absolutely perfect. We wouldn’t change a thing,” he says.
Naked Architecture, Dunsborough, WA; 0409 999 155 or nakedarchitecture.com.au. New Grade Landscapes, South Perth, WA; 0404 242 496 or www.newgradelandscapes.com.au. Wildwood Stone, Dunsborough, WA; wildwoodstone.com.au.