Park Life

Bordered by Norfolk Island pines and enveloped by parks and bushland, this masterpiece sits elegantly yet quietly within its coastal neighbourhood.

When Deveda Campbell discovered this block in beachside Swanbourne, she admits to being so excited that she drove up and down the street for months, just in case a home for her young family happened to come on the market.

Instead, it was a fortuitous meeting with Kerry Hill, the principal of award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, that led the Campbells to buy a 400sqm block of land adjoining a Council reserve, and overlooking Melon Hill and the expansive playing fields of Allen Park.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home was designed over a two-year period, and has since been awarded the 2013 Australian Institute of Architects Marshall Clifton Award for Residential Architecture, and the 2013 Mondoluce Lighting Award (all categories).

The open pool area features a deckchair and table, both from Mobilia.

The brief for the home was to create a simple, elegant and timeless design, maximising the incredible views and amenity of the small block. Also a subtle treatment of technology was included, without compromising the children's connection to nature and the ocean.

Having recently established Inné Design (meaning 'innate' in French), an interior styling and property staging business, Deveda identified with Kerry Hill's function and eye for detail, and purist application of natural materials.

Deveda's passion for textiles, furniture and homewares is reflected throughout the four-storey home, which uses a deliberate upside-down design, in order to enjoy the sweeping views. Deveda and her two children – Ella, eight, and Ben, six – reside on the entry level that also includes a children's playroom and study.

In the upstairs study, a painting by Jos Myers presides over a lamp and Bonnie and Neil cushions from Empire. The Mags sofa by HAY is from Design Farm.

The master bedroom is Deveda's favourite room in the house. "It's large enough to spend all day in," she says. "It really feels like staying in a hotel – luxury without the price tag."

The lower level has a five-car garage and a 240-bottle cedar wine cellar. A guest suite overlooks the sunken travertine swimming pool with corresponding feature wall, seating and water feature that is enclosed in a secluded north-facing courtyard for which shade is provided by the suspended entry bridge.

The seamless connectivity is attributable to the flow of a rustic palette of creamy travertine marble, rock maple timber feature walls, and tallowwood flooring. A service lift also facilitates convenient passage between floors.

The living room features a Kenneth Cobonpue Kai Arc floor lamp and Swedese Flower Mono table from Design Farm, while the Landscape rocking chair and coffee table, and Time sofa and armchair are all from Mobilia. The rugs are by Jenny Jones. On the balcony, the Cane-Line Core table and Breeze chairs are all from Design Farm. All foliage and floral art by Inné Design.

The kitchen follows the overall palette of creamy travertine marble, rock maple walls and tallowwood floors.

The open-plan living and dining level spills through full-height glass walls, bifolds and an automated aluminium louvre system onto a generous entertaining deck that easily transitions from indoor to outdoor living while taking in the leafy outlook beyond.

"We wanted to feel like we were living in the trees and we actually feel like we do," Deveda says.

Masterfully integrated appliances and cabinetry leave the kitchen aesthetic uncluttered, to showcase Deveda's organic style and floral artistry.

"The low-maintenance design and layout is functional to our lifestyle and offers many entertaining options, no matter what the weather," she says.

An outdoor area in which to relax has been set up on the roof, featuring Park Life three-seater sofa and low chairs, Vieques side table by Patricia Urquiola and Zigzag ottoman and tray, all from Mobilia. The Cane-line Conic lounge chair is from Design Farm, and the Bonnie and Neil cushions are from Empire.

The roof terrace, for example, is accessed via a staircase concealed by the mid-century inspired timber-clad wall that forms the spine of the home. It was a suggestion made by the architect, and one that Deveda has whole-heartedly embraced. This layer features a timber-decked and custom-built barbecue area to add yet another dimension to the limitless entertaining capabilities.

There is no doubt the home has a timeless beach feel through an uncomplicated floorplan, natural materials, and Deveda's discerning interior-style influences.

"I wanted to look back in 10 years' time and be happy with my choices, knowing that it hasn't dated and still looks as beautiful as the day it was completed," says Deveda.

The Ernest desk and Grand Prix chair in the study are both by Arne Jacobsen, the TMM floor lamp by Mobilia.

DESIGN FILE

Deveda Campbell talks interior decor and her own personal style.

What is your work mantra as an interior stylist?
To provide my clients with a personalised quality styling service
and products that deliver added value. I take pride in my work, which I see as a reflection on me personally.

How is your personal style stamped throughout the house? Kerry Hill created the artistic form, and as a stylist I simply layered on the interiors to complement, rather than detract from the overall beauty and design of the home. I would describe my style as understated elegance, using timeless quality pieces in unadulterated textures and neutral tones.

As an interior designer for your own home, did you bring some pieces from other homes you'd lived in or did you start with a fresh slate? It's important never to assume someone wants to get rid of beloved items. The creative part and skill of my job is to incorporate treasured possessions into a fresh interior scheme to showcase them in a new light.

What are your tips to recreate this style of home and decor? Use an architect who genuinely understands you and your brief, someone who can meet your needs and desires through the design phase to conceptualisation. Sometimes investing in a quality piece of furniture may, in the long run, pay dividends and have longevity in a room. Choose subtle neutral tones and textures that aren't too complex, that are versatile and easy on the eye, then throw in one or two bold colours to make a statement. Pieces of art, a rug or gorgeous cushions are perfect. Be creative with foliage – it is a cost-effective natural art form.

Contact

Artitja (08) 9336 7787, artitja.com.au
Besson Construction 0414 455 880, bessonconstruction.com.au
Country Road countryroad.com.au
Design Farm (08) 9322 2200, designfarm.com.au
Doffie Interior & Design (08) 9385 5059, www.doffie.com.au
Empire Homewares (08) 9335 8863, worldofempire.com
Freedom (08) 9242 5942, freedom.com.au
Gaggenau gaggenau.com/au/
Inné Design 0405 146 465, houzz.com/pro/deveda1/
Jenny Jones Rugs(08) 9286 1200, jennyjonesrugs.com
Jetmaster Fireplaces WA (08) 9328 5777, jetmasterfireplaceswa.com.au
Jos Myers josmyers.com
Kerry Hill Architects (08) 9336 4545, kerryhillarchitects.com
Mobilia (08) 9284 5599, mobilia.com.au
Rogerseller rogerseller.com.au
Trilogy (08) 9383 4712, trilogyfurniture.com.au.