Perched high above the coastline with stunning ocean views, this South Coogee home had so much potential! When our clients first moved in however, it didn’t feel like home to them.
After relocating from a Federation‑style family home into this very modern property featuring glass, concrete and strong architectural lines, our clients found themselves in an entirely new environment. The home had incredible views and light, but the interiors felt impersonal.
Our brief was clear: introduce warmth, colour and character, while embracing the home’s contemporary coastal architecture. We were inspired to create a space that felt welcoming, expressive and perfectly suited to our clients’ vibrant coastal lifestyle.
Here’s how we achieved a wonderful result, plus our expert tips that you can use for your own interiors.
Softening Strong Architecture with Warmth and Texture
The existing interior palette leaned heavily on cool greys and dark finishes, which, combined with the home’s linear architecture, amplified the sense of hardness. Traditional furniture brought across from their previous home felt out of scale and out of sync with the new spaces, making rooms feel disconnected and a little stark.
Our first step was to soften the home’s edges while maintaining its modern structure. We did this by introducing a curated palette of warm, saturated tones layered with timber accents, terrazzo and tactile materials to balance the glass and tile surfaces. Natural textures in the sheer curtains and timber furniture pieces, curved and comfortable furniture and design elements, and considered feature lighting, all worked together to make the home feel grounded, relaxed and inviting.
Pro Tip: If your home has lots of square edges and cool grey tones, add warmth by introducing timber furniture or finishes, textured fabrics and rounded edges to instantly take the edge off the cool tones and harder lines.
Letting An Art Collection Drive the Colour Story
Our clients’ impressive art collection became a powerful anchor for the design direction. Rather than treating the artworks as finishing touches, we used them as a starting point, pulling out key colours and tones and allowing them to influence the palette we curated for the home.
Rich greens, terracotta and blue tones were layered with warm timber and soft neutrals, creating unexpected yet harmonious colour combinations. The furniture and decor we selected, was designed to complement the client’s artwork and brought cohesion, vibrancy and individuality to each space.
Pro Tip: When you’re stuck on colour, look at what you already gravitate towards – the art and décor in your home, as well as your wardrobe! Build your palette from there. This ensures your home feels personal and unique to you, never generic!
Re‑imagining the Front Living Room Around the View
The front living room once felt closed‑off and constrained. Angular joinery dominated the space and blocked the incredible coastal outlook, while cool grey finishes only heightened the sense of formality.
We removed the heavy joinery, re‑oriented the layout towards the breathtaking view and introduced soft, textured sheers to filter the light and provide privacy from neighbouring properties. A new floating joinery unit now grounds the room and makes practical use of a challenging wall of windows, offering storage and display without compromising the view. Curved furniture, natural textures and warm terrazzo underfoot bring ease and connection. The result is a space transformed into one of light and warmth, perfect for pausing to take in views of the ocean.
Pro Tip: Design the space around a beautful focal point – in many coastal homes, that’s the view. Remove or simplify anything that competes with it, and re‑arrange furniture so the coastal outlook becomes the hero of the space.
Creating a Calm, Restorative Main Bedroom
Upstairs, the main bedroom originally felt cool and underwhelming, more like a pass‑through space than a restful retreat. We wanted to continue the story of warmth and texture in the Main Bedroom, turning it into a calm, tranquil sanctuary for our clients.
We replaced the grey carpet with oak timber flooring and designed custom joinery in warm oak veneer, paired with upholstered bench cushions for softness and comfort. Beautiful textured curtains to diffuse the natural light and add a sense of quiet luxury, while layered linens and tactile finishes make the room feel grounded and serene. The result is a bedroom that is functional but also a refined and deeply relaxing sanctuary.
Pro Tip: In your main bedroom, prioritise how the space feels over how much you can fit in. Fewer, better pieces and thoughtful layering of materials and fabrics will always feel more luxurious than a room with too much furniture.
Designing Family and Dining Spaces That Feel Lived‑in and Elevated
The open plan family and dining room is the heart of daily life in this home! So, we wanted it to feel relaxed, connected and full of and energy and warmth.
Unlike the design of the front living room, which was about embracing the coastal view with a tranquil and elegant vibe, we wanted this space to have more energy and vibrancy…. while still feeling connected to the front living.
The opportunity to be a little bolder was fantastic for this space – incorporating unexpected tones and statement patterns (it’s a yes to stripes), contemporary lighting and timber and leather finishes, bring personality and joy to everyday family moments and effortless entertaining.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the budget to do a full renovation right now, don’t underestimate the power of a decoration project to refresh your home’s energy and feeling! Some new furniture, furnishings and lighting can totally uplift a space! Think a new rug, sofa, coffee table, dining table & chairs, pendant lighting and a lick of paint, are all ways to inject new fresh vibes into your home without doing a full-on renovation.
The Result: A Home That Feels Warm and Inviting. The Perfect Contemporary Coastal Retreat!
Today, this South Coogee home feels warm, cohesive and full of personality – a true reflection of its owners and their vibrant coastal lifestyle. By carefully softening the architecture, letting the art collection guide the colour palette and re‑thinking each space through the lens of comfort and connection, we’ve created a home that is both expressive and calm, grounded and joyful.
If you are looking for some design support wiht your home renovation or decoration project, we would love to chat. You can book a complimentary 20min Discovery Call by simply clicking here.
Anna x