Nestled between the vast expanse of the Royal National Park and the soothing embrace of the sea, this extraordinary home is a sanctuary for vintage enthusiasts. In the quaint coastal village of Bundeena, an hour's journey south of Sydney, a unique story unfolds. Here, amidst the melodic calls of birds and the gentle caress of sea breezes, product and interior designer Sibella Court has crafted a deeply personal haven for herself and her daughter, Silver.
The timber cottage, with its humble origins dating back to the 1930s, had witnessed numerous alterations over the decades. It was this very quality that captivated Court's imagination. "It was raw and untouched when I first laid eyes on it six years ago," she reminisces, "and that raw potential was its greatest allure." After years of designing spaces for others, Court was ready to embark on a transformative journey of her own.
Over several years, Court's creative spirit breathed new life into every inch of the house. She added extra rooms, transforming the cottage into a living laboratory for her business, Sibella Court Studio. Here, she experimented with various product collaborations, from paints and wallpapers to lighting fixtures and furniture, indulging her passion for collecting vintage treasures and antiques. "My approach was to master new crafts," she explains, "even teaching myself the art of wallpaper hanging."
The result is a home that seamlessly blends Court's distinctive style with a sense of ease and history. In the kitchen, salvaged cheese-board timber cupboards coexist harmoniously with open shelves displaying utilitarian crockery. The living room features hand-painted blue and white tiles that create a rhythmic contrast, while the deep indigo canvas walls provide a dramatic backdrop for art and books. Staircases are adorned with seagrass runners, and powder rooms exude a soft glow with their crafted scallop shell grotto and custom lighting. Bathrooms showcase a tactile fusion of marble and aged timber, evoking a sense of time-worn elegance.
But here's where it gets intriguing: the house is in a constant state of evolution. Court's design projects bring a dynamic energy, with furniture pieces moving in and out, ensuring that no corner remains static. "It's a living, breathing interior," she enthuses.
Upstairs, bedrooms painted in sea-inspired hues from Court's Murobond paint range offer glimpses of the ocean through their windows. The studio buzzes with collected curiosities and the tools of her trade, creating an atmosphere of creative inspiration. "The house is a symphony of nature's sounds," Court adds, "from birdsong to the distant hum of fishing boats setting sail."
Court designed the house with a deep understanding of her family's needs. "I created a refuge space upstairs for Silver, bathed in the afternoon light," she explains. "I cherish every room at different times of the day and throughout the seasons. My bedroom and kitchen, facing east, are my favorite spaces, especially at first light when the kookaburras in the garden share their morning jokes."
And this is the part most people miss: the garden. Once doubted as a time-consuming endeavor, it has become an extension of Court's creativity, filled with native plants inspired by her bush walks in the Royal National Park. However, it's the interiors that truly showcase her restless imagination. "A house is never truly finished," she wisely observes.
Layered with memories, creativity, and an insatiable curiosity, Court's bush-and-beachside home is a testament to her unique vision. It is a family retreat, a studio, and a living canvas that reflects a designer's life's work in progress. A true sanctuary for those who appreciate the beauty of the past, the present, and the endless possibilities of the future.
Styling: Nadene Duncan. Hair and make-up: Annabel Barton using Sisley Paris.
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