Sunshine days Contemporary coastal-style in all its glory

A STUNNING NEW HOME CELEBRATES THE BEST OF CONTEMPORARY COASTAL STYLE FOR ITS SEA-CHANGING OWNERS

There is recycling – and then there is recycling plus: when interior stylist and building consultant Georgie and her husband snapped up a prime parcel of land overlooking the rugged Victorian coastline, it was home to a charming century-old weatherboard cottage. While Georgie and Martin – primed to make the seachange from inner-Melbourne with daughters Charlotte, 12, and Milla, seven – knew this was the perfect site for their next home, they were determined to find a new address for the existing house. And so they did. “We gave the house away to a family going through a tough financial time – their builder had gone bankrupt in the middle of their project,” says Georgie. “The house was cut in half and taken away on a truck all the way to their property in the Dandenong Ranges, where it was reassembled – so much better than having it demolished and go to landfill.”

Meanwhile, over the course of just 12 months, Georgie and Martin’s latest dream came to life from the ground up. This time, the remarkably hands-on couple – who have project-managed each of the 10 homes they have renovated or built in just 15 years – decided to create their vision of a Hamptons-inspired modern coastal farmhouse.

Embraced by greenery, with glorious sea glimpses, the sprawling home features soaring

timber-lined pitched ceilings, blonde oak floors, and light and bright living spaces. The colour scheme – a soft mix of whites and misty greys – is harmonious and considered, and features the prettiest sprinklings of Georgie’s favourite hue, blush pink. “I’ve been in love with this colour for as long as I can remember,” she says.

Throughout the home, cherished collectibles – including beautiful works of art and lovely soft furnishings – inject further colour and texture. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open the rear of the home to the expansive north-facing deck that looks out to the lush garden and new pool. “It’s been wonderful seeing it all come together,” says Georgie. “Renovating or building really is our absolute passion and we thrive on it. I’m happiest when I’m creating something and Martin loves being amongst it all, too. He pretty much did everything himself that didn’t require a licensed tradesperson.”

And Georgie encourages everyone considering a sea, tree or even city change to take the plunge. “I say life’s too short to stay in the one place forever,” she says with a smile. “Move around, make new friends and have different experiences.”

Is Georgie now contemplating the next chapter? “Well, this was supposed to be the forever house,” she confesses, adding, “but it may not be. I’m already thinking I’m ready to do it all over again!”

STAIRS Each space in Georgie and Martin’s home has been wellconsidered and put to good use, including this handy little spot (top left) under the staircase. Here, Muuto ‘Dots’ in Oak and an Ikea bench are practical, as well as easy-on-the-eye inclusions.

HALLWAY “I absolutely love these custom-designed steel-framed doors at the end of the hallway,” says Georgie of the super-chic feature (above). “I originally thought of using them throughout the house, but am really glad I ended up just featuring them in the entrance, as it gives them more impact.”

MILLA’S BEDROOM Sparkling with sweetness, Milla’s bedroom (left), with a feature wall painted in Dulux Mornington, shows off Georgie’s penchant for pink to perfection. The Pottery Barn bed has been beautifully dressed in Fleur Wood linen, with the Amalfi ‘Eddie’ table lamp in Dusty from Norsu Interiors right at home in the setting. The ‘Violet Eyes’ rainbow print is from Norsu Interiors, while the cute deer print was found at Love Your Space. >

“I’VE USED DULUX natural WHITE ON THE WALLS IN NINE HOMES - IT NEVER FAILS”

~ GEORGIE

OPEN HOUSE When homeowners Georgie and Martin built their own home to share with their two daughters, Milla, seven, and Charlotte, 12, on the Victorian coastline, they looked to the Hamptons for inspiration, yet their abode is all-modern Australian. A north-facing cypress alfresco deck – furnished with an outdoor dining table and French wicker chairs from Early Settler – captures the best of the warmth of the sun (above). “We’re out here all the time,” says Georgie, who bought the striking pendants in Bali and had them rewired back home.

LIVING ROOM Bathed in sunshine and complete with a six-metre-high pitched ceiling, the beautifully decorated family room simply spells ‘chill-out’ (below). A plush design sofa from Sofa Workshop – layered with pink Country Road and Moss Grotto gold velvet cushions, plus a chunky Nickel N Co throw – is as chic as it is comfortable. Anchored by a Milk & Sugar rug, the Grand Designs Home Collection ‘Braxton’ timber coffee table is in keeping with the easy and elegant scheme. >

KITCHEN A magnet for Georgie, pictured top, and the family’s regular stream of guests, the kitchen and casual dining zone is further proof that white and grey – with pretty pops of none other than blush pink – form a match made in interiors heaven. The hardy Caesarstone benchtops in Noble Grey are offset by the delicate Mallorca grey splashback tiles from National Tiles, while the many 2-pac cabinets in Dulux Natural White makes light work of keeping clutter at bay. Georgie found the pink timber bar stools at Adairs and the wall pendants at Douglas And Bec.

DINING ROOM The stylish dining zone provides the perfect setting for everyday and more formal entertaining (left), and is grounded by a Milk & Sugar rug atop beautiful boards from Royal Oak Floorboards. “I love the floor-to-ceiling linen drapes, which I designed and had made overseas,” says Georgie. “They add texture and intimacy to the space.” The custom table (find similar at Mark Tuckey), partnered with chairs from Globe West, is illuminated by a pair of glazed pendants from Beacon Lighting. Hanging above the Mark Tuckey console, framed botanical artworks from Love Your Space pay homage to the colour scheme. >

LOUNGE ROOM Overlooking the leafy streetscape, the formal lounge (below) is one of Georgie’s favourite spots to take time out. “There’s no TV in here, so I love this room for reading, talking and just coming together with family and friends,” she says. A Sofa Workshop couch – topped with Adairs and Globe West cushions – offers comfy seating, while the wicker chair from HK Living, layered with a Bombay velvet cushion in Raspberry from Adairs, is a style standout. Atop the geometric rug from Early Settler, a custom timber coffee table injects additional warmth and texture, while on the wall above, the colour-drenched ‘Son Of Cyan’ artwork by Ailish Bourke claims pride of place.

ENSUITE The tactile timber stool from Globe West and terrazzo floor tiles from Signorino add a sense of depth to Georgie and Martin’s gorgeous bathroom, while the freestanding stone tub from Rogerseller – illuminated by a shapely ‘Marcel’ Beacon Lighting pendant – amps up the five-star appeal. The fun towel from Adairs adds a pop of colour, while the curtains create a sense of privacy.

MAIN BEDROOM “I love the VJ wall panelling in our bedroom,” remarks Georgie (for similar, try Easycraft). “It adds texture and gives the room a beautiful and relaxed coastal vibe.” Above the bed, which is vibrantly decked out in linen from Society Of Wanderers, a wall hanging from Alibi Interiors is a highlight piece. Keeping the wooden references consistent throughout, a bench from Schots Home Emporium rests on a rug from Freedom. The bedside table is from Adairs. >

LAUNDRY It may be one of the home’s more utilitarian rooms, but the laundry has ‘stylish’ stamped all over it thanks to panelled 2-pac Dulux Natural White cupboards by RK Designer Cabinets, Caesarstone Pure White benchtops, an oversized inky mixer tap from Geelong Tiles And Bathware and, of course, those beautiful ‘Rose’ wall tiles from Signorino. CONTACT Decorating Georgie Belcher Stylist @georgiebelcherstylist, 0438 044 201.