• TASMANIAN COTTAGE

It has plenty of breezy, British coastal charm, but this stone house is on the other side of the world

This relaxed, breezy cottage could be on the UK’S south coast or the shores of New England. In fact, it’s in Swansea, on Tasmania’s east coast – the dream holiday home of Bek and Paul Burrows, found after a decade-long search.

Bek and Paul, renowned in Tasmania for their work as exclusive boutique wedding event planners and stylists, have been coming to Swansea for the last 25 years, for both holiday and work. Situated on Tasmania’s east coast, on the north-west shore of Great Oyster Bay, overlooking Freycinet National Park, Swansea was the first municipality in Australia to be established after Hobart and Sydney. ‘I came here with a friend’s family, when I was 12 and remember thinking that time had stood still,’ says Bek. ‘I fell in love with its simple charm and with a population of just 850 people, it is a wonderful place to escape to.’

Built in 1860, the period stone cottage in Swansea was a fortuitous find, newly listed on a local real estate site. After initial disappointment when the seller dropped out, the property came back on the market. Thirty days later the couple received the keys and hot-footed it to Swansea, after one of their wedding events. ‘Our trailer was ready to go, packed with a new bed, luxurious linens, buckets of fresh flowers, a loaf of bread and some cheese. We were desperate to stay – it felt very romantic,’ says Bek.

Apart from the last owner, who lived here for just 18 months, the cottage had previously been in the same >

❝ WE’VE BEEN COLLECTING SPECIAL ONE-OFFS FOR YEARS. I GREW UP AROUND OLD THINGS AND I’M ALWAYS DRAWN TO PIECES WITH INTEGRITY AND PATINA ❞

family from the day it was built. ‘It was tired but had such a lovely energy,’ says Bek. Original 6ft stone walls were raised up in the 1950s, with 3ft timber frame extensions. ‘We wanted to open up the space and the view, across the water to Freycinet and Schouten Island.’ Having worked as a marine engineer in his early career, Paul was well placed to do all the structural work and transformed three smaller rooms into one open-plan living space, removing the end stone wall and replacing it with reclaimed windows and doors to frame the vista. ‘Excavating, we found collections of old bottles, tins and antique children’s shoes – now treasured display finds. The view and light have transformed the house,’ says Bek.

Internally, plumbing, gas and electrics were overhauled, original oak floorboards sanded and handmade shutters designed by Paul to fit the two internal bedroom windows. The shower room and kitchen were given a makeover and an indulgent bath house created from a former sun room. ‘The bath house is my haven – it is an indulgent treat, enjoyed every day,’ says Bek. Throughout the cottage, timber cladding enhances the modern rustic feel and whitewashed spaces are embellished with a few accent colours in earthy shades of blue and grey.

Original doors with cast iron locks are complemented by an array of salvage finds: Art Deco glazed doors, >

antique lighting (the Sputnik chandelier is a favourite), family heirlooms and select vintage finds – many of which were sourced at the local Sunday market in Evandale. ‘We’ve been collecting special one-offs for years,’ says Bek. ‘I grew up around old things and I’m always drawn to pieces with integrity and patina. Paul’s time away at sea as a marine engineer taught him to make do and mend. Being able to create something from nothing has been a valuable skill and allowed us to create a highly personal home on a tight budget.’

Newer touches such as beautiful towels, floaty linens and natural rugs in jute and wool have been sourced from Bek’s friend, Carolyn Imlach, owner of Est Australia and The Village Store in Evandale, while decorative china, treasured oil paintings and animal portraits add a softer, nostalgic touch.

The two and a half acre garden, planted by the original owner, boasts many English specimens, including elm and chestnut trees, hydrangeas, roses, lilacs, irises and hellebores; and as the sun sets it comes alive with native wallabies, possums and rabbits feasting on green shoots.

‘The cottage is our escape from the buzz of wedding events. A little slice of paradise that has been a long time coming and enjoyed to the full each stay,’ says Bek.

Living room The feathery vintage sofa and grain sack cushions add a relaxed coastal feel. French Country Hamptons sofa and grain sack cushions, The Vintage Rose. Linen cushions, Hale Mercantile. Round pedestal table, made by Paul; painted in Aniseed, Porter’s Paints. Wooden chair, Evandale Market

Living room Panelling and vintage industrial lighting create a modern rustic aesthetic. Fan, Evandale Market. Throw, Country Road. Cushions in Plateau Birch, Warwick

Kitchen-diner A well-loved farmhouse table and collected ephemera add vintage style to the kitchen. Dining table and chairs, Evandale Market. Vintage oil on canvas, sourced by Inside Story. Pendant light, Vintage 44. Scales, similar, Amy Perry Antiques

Hallway Stylish custom made storage has been built by Paul throughout the house. Kauri pine wardrobe doors, Tullochs Auctions. For a similar Victorian chair, try Dig Haushizzle. Basket, Evandale Market

Main bedroom Sumptuous linens, low level pendants and curated framed works create a calm retreat. Wall in Dark Newport Blue, Porter’s Paints. Enamel shade, Vintage 44. Bedding, Bedouin Societe and Major Minor Wares

Hallway The antique Sputnik Paolo Venini chandelier adds statement chic. Wall painted in Moorehen, Porter’s Paints. Desk, Evandale Market. Oil on linen, William Rhodes

View into children’s room Pretty shuttered internal windows allow light to flow freely throughout the house, while affording privacy. Painting top right in living room, William Rhodes. Tasmanian oak shutters, made by Paul

Shower room White tiles and walls add a crisp elegance. Towel, Saarde Home. Stool, Evandale Market. Tiles, Montile

Children’s room Pretty blue walls add depth to the white interior. Walls painted in Moorehen by Porter’s Paints. Bedding, Major Minor Wares. Throw, The Evandale Village Store. Linen curtain fabric, Bedouin Societe