Sapphire

Extract from
House + Garden Magazine
(February Issue 2022)

BREATH OF FRESH EYRE
Story by Gretel Sneath

Designed with connection to the landscape top of mind, this home on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is the ultimate safe harbour.

The owners have a deep connection with the ocean…their days are dedicated by the weather, and the moody maritime climate strongly influenced the design process…

A long corridor runs from the entrance to the living room, where a wall of glass frames the incredible bay vista. The absence of a balcony may seem unusual for the location, but it makes perfect sense to the seasoned seafarers… "Without a balcony, you feel like you’re actually sitting on the water.”

Interior designer Melissa Slade worked with the couple to select low-profile furniture that would further direct the gaze out to sea...

Natural materials, including oak, wool and stone, add warmth and texture to the restrained colour palette. “There’s a tendency to think of seaside properties as needing artwork and pops of colour, but why would you compete with the colours outside?” says Melissa.

…The metallic bricks have become one of Tobias and Emily’s favourite features, the silvery sheen a nod to the shimmer on the water created by schools of fish…

In the kitchen, a limestone splash back adds a touch of understated luxury; a pivot door neatly conceals a compact butler’s pantry. Emily and Tobias wanted a homework/office nook within the kitchen, but since there was insufficient space, Melissa suggested dividing the room in half to create an enclosed workspace. “Melissa helped us see that that arrangement would suit us better in the long term,“ says Emily.

The overall aesthetic is quite calm, but there are a few decorative surprises to discover. In the guest powder room, for example, a blown glass pendant light and textured net-patterned tiles provide a subtle nod to the family’s fishing links…

“This house was definitely worth the wait."

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Duration | 11 months

Location | Port Lincolln

Build type | Residential new build

Inclusions | The Complete Package

DESIGN TEAM

Interior Design | Melissa Slade

Architect | Hamish Price Architects

TRADE TEAM

Builder |  Bradford Constructions

Joinery |  JP Cabinets

“The most important thing to know is that if you place your trust in Melissa you will have a beautiful space that is not only beautiful but functional. Melissa is honest, it is important to know that your ideas may not be practical or necessarily fit with the entire build or project. Melissa will keep you on track and ensure that your new house or renovation looks seamless through your whole home.”