Classic charmer A coastal cottage blends past and present
THIS WORKERS’ COTTAGE NEAR THE COAST IN BUNBURY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, IS GIVEN A REFRESH THAT HONOURS ITS HISTORY
LIVING AREA
Flooded with natural light, the reimagined living area is the antithesis of what it once was. The red carpet has been replaced with Silver Pearl honed limestone tiles from Armanti Tiles & Bathware. Walls in Dulux Palace Stone with White On White trims gave interior designer Kristie Hill a neutral canvas to work with. A comfy sofa from Kuka Home a few years ago is paired with a statement ‘Brooklyn’ chair from Henry & Oliver Co and a ‘River’ rug from Armadillo. The blanket box from Wicker Works used as a coffee table picks up on the coastal hues in Waterways #6 by Fremantle artist Jo Darvall.
LIVING AREA DETAIL
The soothing palette of Gumnuts by Western Australian artist Jen Mellor plays into the other earthy neutrals used in the living area (below). A ‘Chelsea’ bench from The Furniture Gallery (for similar, try Temple & Webster) displays a beautiful and eclectic collection of curios in similar tones, and the blanket box, throw and rug bring it all together beautifully.
DINING AREA
The handmade ceramics by Eucalypt Homewares on the table (right) and the subtle tones of Jo Darvall’s Bathing
in Moonlight reflect Natalie’s aesthetic. For a similar dining setting, try the ‘Oakdale’ cross-leg dining table and the ‘Provincial’ cross-back chairs in oak from Early Settler. A ‘Southampton’ 6-light pendant from Beacon Lighting is an elegant match.
When doctor Natalie Challis and her husband Jamie, director of a building company, discovered this 1910 workers’ cottage, they couldn’t believe their luck. “We completely fell in love with this house,” says Natalie. “You could see the potential underneath all of the mess.”
Its location, a few blocks from Bunbury’s coast south of Perth, was as appealing as its heritage. However, a renovation in the late ’80s had stripped some of the original character away and added a garish colour scheme of red and deep green. The couple were keen to revive its charm and create a fuss-free home that would suit their family, which includes sons Jake, now 18, and Josh, 16.
Natalie wanted the renovation to use predominantly natural products. “We used limestone, stone and timber deliberately to control the chemical load in our home,” she says. “We used non-toxic paints and glues, and ensured sealers were as natural as possible.”
Jamie worked on the build, and the couple tasked interior designer Kristie Hill of Colourcube Interiors to create a warm and welcoming feel. The ageing carpet was ripped up to reveal original jarrah floorboards and the ceilings were replaced. “We used food-grade oil on the beautiful old jarrah floors and they look amazing,” says Natalie. Other updates include a fresh, openplan living area, overhauled bathrooms, and a stylish dressing room. The result is a laidback yet sophisticated family home that honours the past while still celebrating the present.
KITCHEN
The kitchen has now become the hub of family life for Jamie and Natalie (pictured below, with Buddy). The flooring extends from the living area, and food-grade sealant Osmo Polyx Oil from VCS on the custom jarrah island benchtop was chosen for its low-chemical impact. Stools the couple bought several years ago and ‘Southampton 1’ pendants from Beacon Lighting create a chilled dining zone. The Caesarstone ‘Calacatta Nuvo’ benchtop creates a chic match to the Polytec two-pac cabinetry in Dulux Mt Aspiring. >
MAIN BEDROOM
French doors that open to the verandah and garden beyond turn this sleep zone into a luxurious and light-filled sanctuary. A dream-inducing Designer Boys print, Winter Clouds II, hangs above a custom moody-hued bedhead in Warwick ‘Esprit’ in Atlantic by Creative Edge Upholstery. It helps to anchor the space against the simple backdrop of Dulux Silkwort 150% and crisp White On White wainscoting beneath. For a similar pendant light, try Pamono.
“I LOVE CREATING MOOD IN A MASTER BEDROOM, SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN WALK INTO AND FEEL INSTANTLY RELAXED” ~ KRISTIE HILL, INTERIOR DESIGNER
GUEST BEDROOM
Any guest who’s lucky enough to stay at Natalie and Jamie’s home is sure to enjoy blissful slumber in their gorgeous room (left). A neutral haven of classic Dulux Silkwort paired with wainscoting in Dulux White On White below set the peaceful tone. A Mercer + Reid ‘Fenwick’ bedhead in Natural and storage bench (for similar, try Mercer + Reid ‘Highbury’ in Rose Pink), both from Adairs, bookend the sumptuously styled bed, and a Designer Boys framed
Black Sea Fan Coral print is a nod to the home’s seaside locale.
STUDY
The study (below) has a feminine touch with cabinetry in Dulux Mt Aspiring two-pac and a beautifully crafted custom desktop in jarrah. The deep blush hues in the timber are punctuated by its pairing with a Globe West ‘Daphne’ armchair in Rust Berry from Roxby Lane (for a similar colour, try Globe West ‘Isabella’ armchair in French Pink Velvet). Häfele knobs and handles add a classic touch. “Natalie loves reading and has her favourite books in her study, which is easily accessible to the main bedroom and living areas,” says Kristie. >
EXTERIOR
Natalie and Jamie did extensive landscaping to clear an overgrown garden that had blocked sight of the home’s pretty facade (above) from the road. Their 12-year-old labrador, Buddy, and Tessa the caboodle, two, now enjoy the new grassy open space. In the final stages of the five-month project, asbestos was found in the wall cladding.
Once it was removed, the renovation was completed with exterior paint.
ENTRANCE
Old jarrah floors in the entry hall (left) have been revived with natural, organic oil for an environmentally friendly finish. To replace modern flooring from a previous renovation, Jamie also sourced jarrah boards from an old home of a similar age. Dulux Palace Stone 150% strength atop wainscoting in Dulux White On White and a vintage bench enhance the home’s heritage.
VERANDAH
The timeless verandah (above) has been brought back to life with Dulux Weathershield in Colorbond Surfmist and new landscape pavers in Heritage Red from Midland Brick. The addition of timber fretwork is in keeping with the home’s country style, while the outdoor setting (try Temple & Webster) is the ideal spot to take time out and relax.
“I WANTED A HOME THAT LOOKS JUST AS GREAT FULL OF FAMILY MESSES AS IT DOES ALL CLEANED UP” ~ NATALIE, HOMEOWNER
ENSUITE
The ensuite exudes all the opulence of a five-star resort. Cabinetry in Dulux Mt Aspiring two-pac is finished with a Caesarstone ‘Calacatta Nuvo’ benchtop with custom mirrored cabinets. ‘Bristol’ wall sconces in Antique Silver from Interiors Online bring an old-world feel. Stunning gloss white ‘Masio’ subway tiles in Blanco from Armanti Tiles and Bathware are used on the walls and in the double shower, where an Astra Walker Olde English shower set is a subtle complement. The Uniqwa ‘Akoni’ side table adds earthy appeal to the space.