Home Beautiful

Down to earth An expansive abode sits pretty in its surroundin­gs

THIS EXPANSIVE HOME SITS BEAUTIFULL­Y IN ITS WEST AUSTRALIAN SURROUNDS Story SUE WHEELER Styling LISA QUINN-SCHOFIELD Photograph­y JODY D’ARCY

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When the last of their three sons graduated from university, florist Jappalin and engineer David saw the perfect opportunit­y to leave their nest in Perth, too. They had built houses before, but this time they craved a forever home, designed to suit the next phase of their lives, which would include more travel and spending time with their family and grandchild­ren – the first having recently arrived. However, this spectacula­r single-storey abode, embracing two hectares of bush in the Swan River basin, wasn’t always on the cards. “David has always wanted to live on acreage and I’ve always resisted,” says Jappalin with a smile. “I’m a city girl from Singapore, brought up on concrete and high rises, so why would I want to live in the bush?” She favoured a ‘lock up and leave’ property, but knew that wouldn’t be her husband’s preference. “He loves to fiddle with cars and motorbikes and have space to ‘do’ things,” she explains. “I couldn’t deprive him of that – it was his time to choose.”

The site they found came with outbuildin­gs and a cottage they initially planned to bulldoze and replace with their new home. However, architect Ben Mountford suggested turning it into guest accommodat­ion and building a new home close by, for maximum freedom with design. With such a large site, the house could be positioned and designed to best capture the summer and winter sunlight – and those gloriously green views. “It would be a glasshouse if it wasn’t for the front door,” says Jappalin of her floor-to-ceiling windows. But perhaps the most captivatin­g feature is that none of the walls are square. “Even the doorway into the pantry and laundry is slanted,” says the florist, who loves the unique design; a concept inspired by three angled windows in the study, designed by Ben to frame the landscape.

While their dream home took shape, the couple lived in their renovated cottage for two-and-a-half years – and it proved worth the wait. “Having to drive to our closest neighbours took a bit of getting used to, but now I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be,” says Jappalin, who even built her floristry studio nestled in the bush. “I love how peaceful it is and being surrounded by nature: we have 300-year-old paperbark trees, parrots, eagles, owls and bandicoots at the door. Feeling as if we were permanentl­y on holiday, at home, was our dream. And that’s exactly how it is.” >

“A GIANT TV WOULD BE TOO IMPOSING IN THE LOUNGE, SO WE HAD A SMALL ONE BUILT INTO THE KITCHEN CABINETS, WHICH DROPS DOWN AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON” ~ JAPPALIN

“IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE WE ARE ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM THE CITY WHEN WE LIVE IN PARADISE, SURROUNDED BY NATIVE BUSH”

~ JAPPALIN

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?? ?? NATURAL HABITAT Rammed-earth walls link the inside and out in tree-changing homeowners Jappalin and David’s newly built home. “We decided not to have a big TV here,” says Jappalin, who enlisted interior stylist Malvina Stone to bring an earthy palette to the interiors. The greys, greens and ochres of the Casa Villa sofa, Nood Co coffee table and Asbury Park cushions feature throughout the home, as do timber accents, found here in Jardan’s ‘Hector’ floor lamp and a Mark Tuckey stool. “I love my Jardan velvet chair,” notes Jappalin. “It adds such a gorgeous pop of colour.” >
NATURAL HABITAT Rammed-earth walls link the inside and out in tree-changing homeowners Jappalin and David’s newly built home. “We decided not to have a big TV here,” says Jappalin, who enlisted interior stylist Malvina Stone to bring an earthy palette to the interiors. The greys, greens and ochres of the Casa Villa sofa, Nood Co coffee table and Asbury Park cushions feature throughout the home, as do timber accents, found here in Jardan’s ‘Hector’ floor lamp and a Mark Tuckey stool. “I love my Jardan velvet chair,” notes Jappalin. “It adds such a gorgeous pop of colour.” >
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?? ?? LIVING ROOM The kitchen and dining areas are in close connection to the lounge, which works wonderfull­y for when family comes to visit. The inside and outdoor tables mirror each other for continuity, with one stylish difference. “Our stylist, Malvina, suggested having two different sets of black chairs that complement each other but prevent the dining space looking like a restaurant,” says Jappalin. The chic choice for inside? The ‘Le Corbusier’ chairs by Thonet. >
LIVING ROOM The kitchen and dining areas are in close connection to the lounge, which works wonderfull­y for when family comes to visit. The inside and outdoor tables mirror each other for continuity, with one stylish difference. “Our stylist, Malvina, suggested having two different sets of black chairs that complement each other but prevent the dining space looking like a restaurant,” says Jappalin. The chic choice for inside? The ‘Le Corbusier’ chairs by Thonet. >
?? ?? KITCHEN “It actually took me a while to get used to having a sink in an island, instead of looking out of a window, but now I appreciate being able to interact with people and look at our stunning views,” says Jappalin, pictured top with David, daughter-in-law Sarah and their first grandchild, Riley. The limed-oak cabinetry and (mostly) fully integrated Miele appliances provide the kitchen with the unobtrusiv­e Scandinavi­an profile Jappalin favours, along with the elegant island and its ‘Pure White’ Caesarston­e counter and angular edge.
KITCHEN “It actually took me a while to get used to having a sink in an island, instead of looking out of a window, but now I appreciate being able to interact with people and look at our stunning views,” says Jappalin, pictured top with David, daughter-in-law Sarah and their first grandchild, Riley. The limed-oak cabinetry and (mostly) fully integrated Miele appliances provide the kitchen with the unobtrusiv­e Scandinavi­an profile Jappalin favours, along with the elegant island and its ‘Pure White’ Caesarston­e counter and angular edge.
?? ?? DINING ROOM With the couple’s grown-up brood only 15 minutes’ drive away, Sundays are for family gatherings and tucking into a meal around the hand-crafted oak dining table by Revival Furniture in Western Australia. Cleverly, the couple has an identical table outside, which can be joined to the inside one to feed a larger crowd. “When the extended family are here there are 18 of us, so it’s perfect,” explains Jappalin.
DINING ROOM With the couple’s grown-up brood only 15 minutes’ drive away, Sundays are for family gatherings and tucking into a meal around the hand-crafted oak dining table by Revival Furniture in Western Australia. Cleverly, the couple has an identical table outside, which can be joined to the inside one to feed a larger crowd. “When the extended family are here there are 18 of us, so it’s perfect,” explains Jappalin.
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?? ?? LIBRARY “Everyone says how cosy and inviting this room is,” says Jappalin of the library (below). “This is Dave’s chilling room, where after dinner he indulges his passion for history books and reading about vintage cars.” The majestic black timber cabinetry and library ladder were custom made to showcase his beloved book collection. On the bench below, the contrastin­g soft, buttery leather cushions (by Casa Villa in Perth) offer an irresistib­le spot to curl up, under the glow of the study lamp from MRD Home. >
LIBRARY “Everyone says how cosy and inviting this room is,” says Jappalin of the library (below). “This is Dave’s chilling room, where after dinner he indulges his passion for history books and reading about vintage cars.” The majestic black timber cabinetry and library ladder were custom made to showcase his beloved book collection. On the bench below, the contrastin­g soft, buttery leather cushions (by Casa Villa in Perth) offer an irresistib­le spot to curl up, under the glow of the study lamp from MRD Home. >
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?? ?? GUEST BEDROOM Jappalin’s soft spot for Scandi-style interiors gives the limed-oak wardrobe doors (from Eveneer) a big tick (left). “I love the combinatio­n of tones and colours in this bedroom,” she says. “It makes me feel so happy and restful.” Wafting layers of linen from Sheridan’s Abbotson range (below), and the comfy upholstere­d bedhead from Slumbercor­p serve to enhance the mellow mood.
GUEST BEDROOM Jappalin’s soft spot for Scandi-style interiors gives the limed-oak wardrobe doors (from Eveneer) a big tick (left). “I love the combinatio­n of tones and colours in this bedroom,” she says. “It makes me feel so happy and restful.” Wafting layers of linen from Sheridan’s Abbotson range (below), and the comfy upholstere­d bedhead from Slumbercor­p serve to enhance the mellow mood.
?? ?? MAIN BATHROOM With an inky wall behind it, the Apaiser bathtub from Rogerselle­r steals the show and the views in this spa-like escape (right). “When you’re in here looking out at the view it feels like you’re at a beautiful winery,” says Jappalin. While the bath delivers the drama, the rammed earth wall and travertine tiles (sourced from Bernini) imbue the space with texture and warmth. That feeling extends to the ensuite (above), where a ‘Buttermilk’ Caesarston­e benchtop and Rogerselle­r ‘Mare’ basin mixer are perfect partners for the simplicity of the timber vanity. >
MAIN BATHROOM With an inky wall behind it, the Apaiser bathtub from Rogerselle­r steals the show and the views in this spa-like escape (right). “When you’re in here looking out at the view it feels like you’re at a beautiful winery,” says Jappalin. While the bath delivers the drama, the rammed earth wall and travertine tiles (sourced from Bernini) imbue the space with texture and warmth. That feeling extends to the ensuite (above), where a ‘Buttermilk’ Caesarston­e benchtop and Rogerselle­r ‘Mare’ basin mixer are perfect partners for the simplicity of the timber vanity. >
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?? ?? OUTDOOR DINING With its wood-burning fire, this undercover area makes for year-round alfresco dining and is the couple’s favourite rendezvous for afternoon tea or a glass of red with cheese (below). “After years of reversecyc­le air conditioni­ng, we dreamed of having wood fires inside and out, but Ben very sensibly suggested having a gas fireplace in the house so we wouldn’t be chopping wood when we’re 70,” says Jappalin with a smile (pictured below with David). Globe West ‘Granada Butterfly’ dining chairs from Roxby Lane take their cues from the striking but pared-back interior style.
OUTDOOR DINING With its wood-burning fire, this undercover area makes for year-round alfresco dining and is the couple’s favourite rendezvous for afternoon tea or a glass of red with cheese (below). “After years of reversecyc­le air conditioni­ng, we dreamed of having wood fires inside and out, but Ben very sensibly suggested having a gas fireplace in the house so we wouldn’t be chopping wood when we’re 70,” says Jappalin with a smile (pictured below with David). Globe West ‘Granada Butterfly’ dining chairs from Roxby Lane take their cues from the striking but pared-back interior style.
?? ?? 1. A ‘Kelly’ Elk velvet armchair in Fern and ‘Hector’ floor lamp, both from Jardan. 2. The alfresco area overlooks the infinity pool. All landscapin­g was designed by Realm Studios. Interior and exterior walls are painted with Dulux Lexicon Half. 3. The ‘Panthera’ cushion and white ‘Mrs Potts’ and ‘Mr Potts’ vessels from Asbury Park pop with personalit­y in the library. 4. Mark Tuckey’s ‘Eggcup’ stool brings timber tones to the couple’s bathroom. 5. The main bed’s cushions from Asbury Park. 6. Floating angular concrete steps lead to the pivot oak front door.
1. A ‘Kelly’ Elk velvet armchair in Fern and ‘Hector’ floor lamp, both from Jardan. 2. The alfresco area overlooks the infinity pool. All landscapin­g was designed by Realm Studios. Interior and exterior walls are painted with Dulux Lexicon Half. 3. The ‘Panthera’ cushion and white ‘Mrs Potts’ and ‘Mr Potts’ vessels from Asbury Park pop with personalit­y in the library. 4. Mark Tuckey’s ‘Eggcup’ stool brings timber tones to the couple’s bathroom. 5. The main bed’s cushions from Asbury Park. 6. Floating angular concrete steps lead to the pivot oak front door.
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