Bright Lights
Being close to the city was imperative for this Perth family, who found the perfect site and built a glamorous home befitting it.
Palm Springs style was the apt inspiration for this sunny Perth build, a family’s urban oasis.
Sometimes a location seals the deal. The little cottage that the Vilardi family – mum Nancy, dad Sergio, daughter Tayla (now 20) and son Joshua (16) – purchased in 2015 was old and quaint but completely unsuited to a renovation. The block of land, however, was awesome. Thus plans were drawn up for a new homeonthe680m²plotincentral Perth, just north of the CBD.
The house took 12 months to complete and the family moved there in December 2017. The architect was Gavin Hestelow and theirbuilderwasTonyRicciardello of Weststyle – both were chosen for their excellent reputations in local residential work. “We opted for Weststyle as we’d been admiring Tony’s homes for years,” says Nancy. “Serge and I wanted a contemporary, luxurious, well-constructed home that would meet the needs of our family. Our days are always very busy and we needed a builder we could rely on.”
Palm Springs architecture was the inspiration and its open, luxe feel was just what the Vilardis were after. As you approach the house, the exterior brickwork is a striking feature. It’s a gorgeous chocolate brown with a textural look; the bricks were laid alternately side on and lengthways in a tessellated pattern, and the wall is curved. Enter through the front door and you find yourself in an airy foyer. To the left is a powder room, a TV room and an open study area that leads to Tayla and Joshua’s bedrooms and their bathroom. Beyond the foyer is the dining area, and to the left are the kitchen and living spaces.
An alfresco zone – an enclosed outdoor room complete with fireplace – adjoins the dining area andiseasilyreachedthroughbifold doors; the alfresco and living spaces share a chocolate facebrick dividing wall that echoes the exterior. “That’s what I love the most about our home: the brown-brick feature wall in our family room,” says Nancy. Off to the right of the dining room is the parents’ retreat, with a large ensuite and walk-in robe. Through the alfresco area and down a flight of floating stairs is a basalt-tiled terrace and swimming pool.
It’s all practical, purposeful and finished with great flair. In the initial stages of the build the Vilardis began searching for furniture and decorative items but found the process rather overwhelming – they were flat out running their family scaffolding business as well as a side enterprise, Blazaball, which makes clever fire-starting metal cages for fireplaces and fire pits. Hiring interior designer Nickolas Gurtler proved a masterstroke.
“We wanted to achieve modern luxury, style and sophistication, but we also wanted our house to feel like a home that family and friends would enjoy as well. We certainly weren’t disappointed,” says Nancy. “It took a load off, and we just love the result, especially around Christmas when we can relax and reflect on what’s gone before and what lies ahead.” >
Nickolas Gurtler, Cottesloe, WA; 0414 338 069 or nickolasgurtler.com.au. Weststyle, Balcatta, WA;
(08) 9345 1565 or weststyle.com.au.