Seaside stunner This abode is brimming with life and bold colours

FULL OF FAMILY, PETS AND SUNSHINE, THE BYRON BAY HOME OF FASHION DUO ZOE AND JIMI IS BRIMMING WITH LIFE AND BOLD BURSTS OF COLOUR

SUMMERTIME BLISS As sunny as their eponymous Mister Zimi brand, the Byron Bay home of Zoe and Jimi – shared with daughter Sadie, two, son Willy, five, (both pictured above with Zoe) and eldest daughter Florence, seven – is a true coastal sanctuary. Encased by spotted-gum decking and an extended alfresco domain, the sun-soaked pool zone (opposite) is forever in use. “I always thought it was ridiculous to have a pool when you live in Byron and are close to the beach, but it really gets so much use,” says Zoe. “It’s not always a beach day given how windy it can get here, and the kids jump into the pool every day after school.” Almost as inviting is the hanging chair from Byron Bay Hanging Chairs that enhances the summer holiday vibe. >

Styling her own home can be an exercise in contradiction for fashion creative Zoe. While the Byron Bay-based mum-of-three may aspire to be a little bit minimalist, she’s an unabashed maximalist with a penchant for vibrant hues. Happily, in the sunny light of day, Zoe – who with husband Jimi co-founded the joyously bold women’s resortwear label Mister Zimi – allows her passion for colour free rein. “I always set out to create something that is more minimal and pared-back but, as the process happens, it again ends up being very colourful,” says Zoe, adding with a laugh, “and I guess that’s just me! Our house is one of the most colourful in Byron.” She continues: “Many of the homes in the area at the moment seem to have a very neutral palette and furnishings – and I absolutely love and appreciate that look, too. But I’ve always been drawn to colour.”

Just moments from the beach in the popular northern NSW town, Zoe and Jimi’s abode – shared with daughters Florence and Sadie, son Willy, the family’s “giant” 65kg Newfoundland dog Freddie and cats Boogie and Boo – is infused with a stunning sense of laid-back style. With the home freshly and fully renovated before the family moved in, Zoe and Jimi simply converted an internal garage into a second living space and enlarged the spotted-gum alfresco deck to make the home their own. “There was nothing else to do, as the house was exactly in the style we like, with walls and VJ ceilings painted in Dulux Natural White, raw oak flooring everywhere and an open, white kitchen,” says Zoe.

Certainly, the crisp and neutral backdrop allows the couple’s enchanting collection of vibrant artwork, bold rugs and other eclectic discoveries to play a starring role. “There is so much colour in the house through all of the decorative pieces, so I think it’s important to keep the fixtures and finishes light and beachy,” remarks Zoe.

Above all, this is a home that lives and breathes its seaside location. With fully retractable glazed doors opening the living zones to the lush tropical garden and pool, the walls almost disappear. “We lived in Bali for nearly seven years, where many of the rooms in houses have no doors,” says Zoe. “So this type of home really appealed to us. And, as in Bali, it’s wonderful in this climate to be able to open up the house and enjoy the sea breezes. At night, you can hear the waves, which very much makes you aware of the fact that you’re living in a beach town.”

While the family has made Byron Bay their base, it’s already almost time for a new chapter, as Zoe reveals she and Jimi have begun designing their next dream home on an expansive plot nestled within the Byron hinterlands. “Jimi’s a country boy and has always wanted to find some land,” says Zoe. “We’ve decided to take the jump. The new house will be in a very different style – it will be more of an Ibizan farmhouse-look using a lot of natural stone, brick and render.”

But one thing will never change. Expect colour in all its dazzling glory to play a key role. “There will always be colour,” confirms Zoe with a smile. “There just has to be.”

DINING ROOM

In the eye-catching dining space (opposite), a beautiful round Mark Tuckey table, adorned with a large chopping board from HK Living, joins forces with Muuto chairs for a social scheme. Zoe found the textural floor rug at Tigmi Trading.

HALLWAY

A framed work by Lumiere Art & Co breaks up the expanse of white in the hallway (top left), as does a custom coat-and-hat rack and a chic timber bench from HK Living.

LIVING ROOM

“I LOVE beautiful rugs.

WHY NOT HAVE ART ON THE FLOOR, AS WELL AS ON THE WALLS?” ~ ZOE

The statement piece ‘Beats’ by

Emma Gale, complemented by two smaller works by the same artist, is a highlight in the main living zone (top right). “I was really drawn to the colour in these pieces,” says Zoe. Anchored by a rug from Tigmi Trading and teamed with a chair from Nikau Store, the luxurious Jardan ‘Wilfred’ sofa is made for relaxing.

DAY BED

Three cushions from Etsy amp up the comfort factor on the daybed (right), with an artwork by Mignon Steele forming a colourful focus. >

“I DON’T TEND TO WORRY ABOUT trends AND I DON’T HAVE A PARTICULAR style

THAT I GO WITH” ~ ZOE

“I LOVE A lush garden. IT REALLY BRINGS THE OUTDOORS IN” ~ ZOE

BEDROOM

Relaxation awaits in Zoe and Jimi’s bedroom (opposite).

Zoe had the striking bedhead made in Bali (find similar at Byron Bay Hanging Chairs), sourcing the bedlinen at Carlotta + Gee and the bedside lamp at Nikau Store. As for the Moroccan print from Marr-Kett, it stole Zoe’s heart the moment she laid eyes on it.

BATHROOM

The classic neutral palette, large-format floor tiles and freestanding bath join forces to create a light and luxe family bathroom (top left). “I love the clean white walls with the grey tiled flooring,” says Zoe. The basket was a local op-shop find, while the cuttlefish hanging on the wall was found at Greedilulu.

FLORENCE’S ROOM

The centrepiece of Florence’s room (top right) is a custommade cobalt iron bed by Scout House, colourfully layered with Bedtonic bedlinen, Koskela cushions and a cute pompom throw from Etsy. Above the bone inlay chest from Fenton & Fenton, a zebra artwork by Jessie Breakwell injects fun.

CUBBYHOUSE

“We had this cubbyhouse made in a collaboration between Mister Zimi and Castle And Cubby,” says Zoe. “The kids absolutely adore it.” Next to the very grown-up cubby (right), a wicker sofa from Newrybar Merchants beckons. >

OUTDOORS Turfed in hardy buffalo lawn (left), the garden’s expanse of grass is perfect for the family’s younger members to play on. Offering sun, shade and shelter, courtesy of an automaticallycontrolled louvred roof, the outdoor room bridges the gap between inside and out.

KITCHEN To achieve a look as streamlined as it is timeless, a white and bright cooking zone is without contest. “The kitchen is exactly as we would have done it if we were renovating the house from scratch,” says Zoe (pictured below), who loves to display recipe books and her favourite curios on the floating timber shelves. At the Caesarstone breakfast bar, stools from Green Cathedral provide easy vantage points to gaze out to the garden, while an original work by artist Helen McCullagh takes top billing in the hub of the home. >

ALFRESCO From children’s birthday parties to relaxed soirees under the stars, Zoe and Jimi have outdoor entertaining sorted (below). The timber table – purchased from the previous homeowners – is surrounded by Uniqwa chairs and Malawi armchairs. “We can comfortably sit 12 around the table for a dinner,” says Zoe, adding, “but we’ve also had lots of kids’ parties with as many as 40 people in this area. The roof has a sensor that closes when it’s cold or raining, so the area can still be used regardless of the weather.”