A Slice of Paradise
DRAWING FROM NATURE AS A MUSE, CREATIVE PATTERNS AND INTERESTING LAYERS USHER THE BEAUTY OF THE OUTDOORS INTO THIS EXQUISITE HAVEN
With nature as his muse, Greg Natale draws the beauty of the outdoors into this splendid villa
Flanked by one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders—australia’s Great Barrier Reef—this magnificent villa on Hamilton Island is undeniably a breathtaking slice of paradise. What sets it apart from typical tropical villas is its immersion in such a beautiful environment, coupled with its sheer size; it comfortably sleeps up to 24 people.
Decorated by internationally acclaimed interior designer Greg Natale, it’s no surprise that this exquisite home is yet another notch in his design belt. Unafraid of contrasts and big, bold elements, Natale’s unapologetic approach is evidenced in his striking interiors, including this gorgeous villa which is featured in his book, The Patterned Interior, published by Rizzoli New York in 2018.
“Hamilton Island is home to stunning native bushland, pristine beaches and worldfamous coral reefs,” notes Natale, founder of Greg Natale Design, one of Australia’s leading design studios. “It was the colours, shapes and textures of this unique natural setting that I wanted to weave into the interior design.”
“IT WAS THE COLOURS, SHAPES AND TEXTURES OF THIS UNIQUE NATURAL SETTING THAT I WANTED TO WEAVE INTO THE INTERIOR DESIGN”
INVITING BEAUTY
At once sophisticated and characterful, Natale’s signature interplay of graphics and patterns is unmistakable in this extraordinary home which offers a luxurious vacation within its own walls. In the tradition of authentic, resort-style living, one of the outstanding features of this astounding eight-bedroom residence is a keen focus on bringing the outdoors in.
With exquisite views of the Coral Sea through the native hoop pines, as well as abundant plant life at its doors, establishing a connection to those elements was central to the design. Natale points out that tree trunks, leaves and water are visible and accessible at every turn, and “it was my job to emphasise that accessibility through the use of pattern and colour.”
The allure of this property is that it is essentially “a series of beautiful, independent pavilions linked by roofed, bush-lined boardwalks,” says Natale. “This results in a variety of distinct locations, including courtyards, lawns, pools and secluded coastal lookouts; and each space offers privacy and comfort against the marvellous backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.”
The award-winning designer—who, among a slew of career highlights, was crowned the International Luxury Designer of the Year for 2016 at High Point Market in North Carolina— says that patterns introduce vital layers to the design of a house. “The most appealing use of pattern in interiors comes from respecting the role it plays in layering and tailoring within a space,” says Natale.
LIVING IT UP
Illustrating this concept perfectly is the main living room, which features a generous sofa setting covered in a print of olive-green Monstera leaves that seem to emerge from the plant-filled courtyard behind. Patterned cushions in shades of pink, grey and green add interesting detail and reflect the warmth of the New Guinea Rosewood timber that is found throughout the house, which serves as a backdrop for Natale’s design palette.
“It is hard to single out any one favourite area,” he muses. “But I hold the fabulous main living area as a beloved design moment. Those Minotti sofas adorned in the oversized Monstera leaf print paint such a graphic, retro tropical mood from the outset. I love that.” The layers continue in the dining setting, where contemporary chairs in grey leather and textured green fabric are paired with a vast timber table, while the dappled patterning of the rug recalls the familiar palette of blush, olive, black and white.
Meanwhile, the master bedroom takes the softer, blush tones of the Great Barrier Reef ’s precious coral as its core colour. In this hue,
“THE EFFECT IS THAT OF A TROPICAL PARADISE WITH A WARM BUT MODERN EDGE, WHERE THE LINK BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT IS ALWAYS EVIDENT”
cushions with a pattern like shattered stone, as well as a throw and accessories, display a softer take on the rosewood hue used on the wardrobe doors and floor. “The effect is that of a tropical paradise with a warm but modern edge, where the link between inside and out is always evident,” says Natale. “The fact that the natural beauty of the Whitsunday Islands is invited into each and every space means that the look of each area changes throughout the day.”
STYLISH OASIS
Outside, the flow continues. Hanging glass lamps wrapped in twine preside over the garden terrace across the lush courtyard. This perennially open space showcases a stylistic connection to the plants beyond while the terraces and cabanas around the house’s two pools beautifully unite both setting and style. Flanking an infinity pool set on the same level as the house’s entrance, one terrace features chairs upholstered in a Monsteraprint fabric, a green rug and timber furniture that match the treetops outside. Undoubtedly, the link between the great outdoors and the grand residence indoors reverberates everywhere. With each scene presenting its own special appeal and reflecting the scenery that inspired it, nature is truly both the frame and the picture in this divine villa.