A family of travellers settles into their newly built home, which tells the story of their worldly wanderings
Collected treasures meet patina-rich materials in this Fremantle home that will only get better with age
Witnessing the epic fail of a home
build satisfies a certain schadenfreude, as fans of reality real-estate shows will confess, since few renovations come in on time and budget, but owners Anna and Paul managed to buck the trend with their home. Discovering an empty block with river views in East Fremantle, Anna persuaded the owner to sell off-market. Only two months later the family moved to Guyana, South America. After orchestrating most of the design and build from overseas, Anna flew home to project-manage the internal fit-out onsite. Two years after work began, they moved in – on time and on budget.
The couple met working in the mining industry, Paul as an executive and Anna in mining logistics. Both are consummate travellers and working in the mining industry enabled them to live all over the globe, from Guizhou Province, China to Senegal, West Africa and Toronto, Canada. Having school-age children however, convinced Anna it was time to settle back in Perth. “We really didn’t want a boring, boxy home though,” says Anna. “Instead, we wanted our home to represent our travels and tell a story.” They engaged architect Rachel Feldhusen, as she favours pared-back materials, and builder Iain Kirkaldy, from Wandoo Building Company.
The long, narrow shape of the block was a major influence on the home’s design. “We asked Rachel to use the space as efficiently as possible, and she has,” says Anna. “I love the flow and feeling of space.” Entering from street level brings you past the children’s bedrooms and into an airy open-plan kitchen.
Flooded with light from a huge void above and an internal courtyard opposite, the kitchen is the nucleus of the home where Anna – a gifted cook – does more than dabble; this kitchen is a place of alchemy. The adjacent dining area leads to a sunken lounge with a double-height ceiling. Outside, an entertaining area and pool face the river. Upstairs, Paul’s office overlooks a rear-facing desert-inspired rooftop garden, while a mezzanine hall leads to a north-facing parents’ retreat with generous deck. Soaring eaves allow northern light in winter, but protection in summer.
Wabi-sabi meets warehouse-style living here, with exposed timber joists, structural steel, chalk-painted brickwork and metal lights setting the tone. Anna consciously chose materials - timber, steel and concrete - that will age gracefully. Oversized furniture, natural wicker materials and a huge vintage ‘O’ on the courtyard wall (rescued from the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto) reflect her laid-back style. Artisan pieces are scattered throughout: antique terracotta urns, woven African baskets, Turkish bread boards, vintage French baskets and Ethiopian grain containers pay heed to crafts of old.
Anna, you managed to stick to the budget. Did you skimp on anything?
To cut costs we ditched plans for a lap-pool down the western side of the house in favour of a small rectangular pool, which was a blessing because this location is much better.
What did you splurge on? We extended the deck upstairs to capitalise on the river views, but my biggest splurge was the five-seater sofa in the sitting area in our bedroom. It’s from LA-based artist Stephen Kenn’s ‘Inheritance’ collection. The cushions are made from repurposed canvas used in military tents during the Afghani war and hand-dyed with natural indigo. This is the sort of heirloom people actually covet!
Your home showcases pieces from all over the globe. What’s your favourite?
I like pieces that tell a story. I purchased the 1940s oil painting of an alpine village by artist Alexander Sherban [which hangs in the parents’ retreat] from Smash Salvage in Toronto, Canada. The owner had discovered it in an old estate in Ottawa. I just could not stop staring at the painting, and the tear just gives it character.
What other details are you proud of? I love the double-height reclaimed parquetry door I commissioned on our patio. It’s made from red cedar from Melbourne. I was inspired by the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, but also by talented wood-worker Ariele Alasko.
Tell us about your garden. We engaged The Adelaide Gardener for our outdoor space. They understood our travels and were keen to put in a garden that reflected our time abroad. Grasses and
Euphorbia set against rust-coloured gravel remind us of our years in Africa, and when mature, the Senegalese mahogany tree on the western boundary will provide a respite from the afternoon sun. The South African eucalyptus latte fence adds a textural element.
Where do you spend most of your time at home? We spend a lot of time upstairs in our parents’ retreat. If the kids are watching a movie we come upstairs, have a wine and chill out watching boats motor up and down the river. It feels peaceful here.