Home coming Sophisticated glamour and a laid-back lifestyle are combined in this modern family home located in Perth
BUILT FROM AFAR, THIS MODERN FAMILY HOME IN SEASIDE PERTH COMBINES A LAID-BACK LIFESTYLE WITH SOPHISTICATED GLAMOUR
MODERN GLAMOUR
The Perth home of Stephanie and Paul, and their children Grace, 16, Isabelle, 14, and Stella, 11, is full of stand-out pieces, including a lush green Arthur G sofa in the living area and a beautiful artwork, ‘Lagoona’, by
Perth artist Alisha Falconer. Stephanie paired these with a metal Globe West side table from Roxby Lane and marble coffee table. Sun bathes the entry (opposite) – it’s appreciated by family pooch Harvey, who enjoys the Tom Dixon ‘Round’ rug. “I look at the Hong Kong skyline in the ‘North Star’ artwork ( by Brazilian artist Alberto Sanchez) and it reminds me of a different time,” says Stephanie, whose family recently lived in the city.
The Vibia ‘Wireflow’ pendant from Sii Light was the first light bought for the home. >
extra bench space
“WE LOVE TO ENTERTAIN AND HAVING MEANS IT’S EASY TO KEEP MESS AWAY FROM THE OPEN SPACE”
~ STEPHANIE
Much-loved family memories often have a way of working their magic when finding a forever home. Stephanie, Paul and their daughters Grace, Isabelle and Stella were living in Sydney when some Perth-based relatives told them a house in a favourite suburb was on the market. “We both grew up in Perth and knew that one day we would come back,” explains Stephanie. “We weren’t in a hurry, but when the house became available we knew the location would give our children the outdoors, close-to-the-beach lifestyle we loved about our childhoods.”
The couple bought the property in 2011 and rented it out, but were soon on the move, to Hong Kong. “It made it easier to go, knowing we had a base in Perth we could come back to,” says Stephanie.
Four years on, she used the Northern Hemisphere summer break to base herself in Perth and meet with architects for what would become a new build. Armed with a functional brief – a modern home that gave everyone their own space, but also the opportunity to be together; an outdoor area connecting with the indoors; and a lawn and pool – Stephanie appreciated the family-oriented approach of local architect John Lewis. “John has three daughters of similar ages to ours and has a background in construction,” she says. “He was also comfortable in working with us while we stayed in Hong Kong and he was in charge.”
John’s design oriented the house to the northern boundary, to capture the morning sun. The ground floor is dedicated to family living, encompassing an open-plan living, dining and kitchen space opening to the outdoor pavilion, pool and backyard. Upstairs are three children’s bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as an adult’s retreat.
As the house neared completion, Stephanie and the girls returned to Perth permanently, with Paul going back and forwards. One of her first decisions concerned lighting and soft furnishings, prompting her to engage interior designer Emma Hann. “Stephanie has a slightly more traditional approach than Paul and wanted to inject warmth into the modern aesthetic,” says Emma. “Neither was afraid of colour, which made the process fun and opened up a range of possibilities.”
The greatest use of colour is in the ground-floor formal living space, which is the highlight of an exquisite home that the family relishes every day. “We use every room,” says Stephanie. “It’s easy to entertain or feel cosy when we are alone. Best of all, we are close to family and giving our kids the Australian childhood we both had and loved.”
LIVING AREA Centrally located, the living area (above, left & opposite) is Stephanie’s ‘special place’ but is still close to the action. “It is my favourite room because it has a gorgeous aspect to the outdoors,” she says. “I can be sitting on the sofa and watch the kids in the pool, but still feel like I’m in my own sanctuary.”
The inspiration for the green theme came from Stephanie and Paul’s enthusiasm for the Schumacher velvet sample
(seen covering the cushions on the sofas) that Emma showed them in the early stages of the project (try Fabric Studio). None of the key pieces, such as the ‘Preston’ side unit in high-gloss Eucalyptus from Jardan (opposite), the velvet sofa, Sollos ‘Mad’ rattan lounge chair (try
Pamono), artwork or ‘Milford’ rug from The Rug Establishment are an exact colour match, but they have a cohesive effect. Stephanie credits Emma’s choice of Elitis ‘Pleats’ wallpaper (available from removablewallpaper.com.au, opposite) as one of the home’s showstopper elements. “Guests often comment on it,” she says. “They also want to touch it because it looks textured but is two-dimensional.” For Emma, the selection had practical intent, too. “I wanted to draw attention from the TV,” she says. “When standing behind the kitchen bench, you look directly at the TV wall and the black box was slightly jarring. The wallpaper makes the TV less obvious, and it ties to the charcoal tile of the Jetmaster ‘Universal Double-Sided’ gas fireplace.” >
“THE GREEN ACCENT
connection ENHANCES THE OF THE LIVING AREA TO THE OUTDOORS”
~ EMMA, INTERIOR DESIGNER