Tree House - Holiday Great Ocean Road

tree house
Get into barefoot mode in this sophisticated city retreat, where smart
styling meets environmentally sound design
Story Meredith McKendry Styling Wendy Bannister Photography Derek Swalwell
ECO HOMES
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Bedroom {opposite} With floor-to-ceiling windows, this bedroom feels like it’s nestled within the treetops. “We fall asleep to the sound of the ocean at night,” says
Paul, owner of this home in the Victorian town of Wye River, on the Great Ocean Road. “When we wake up there’s a koala in the tree looking straight at us. Sometimes
they even come down onto the deck. The wildlife here is incredible.” >
homebeautiful.com.au {march 2008}
Inside,
the mood is super modern but relaxed, with
a neutral palette to keep the focus on the mind-blowing views
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P
Perched high up in the trees, surrounded by the sounds of
birds and the crash of waves on the shore, this dreamy holiday house
is nestled among the lush bushland of Wye River on Victoria’s Great
Ocean Road. For owners Paul Findlay and Sarah Berners, the threebedroom house is their occasional retreat from the crowds and traffic
of Melbourne. “I fell in love with Wye River the first time I saw it,”
says Paul. “There’s a pub here with amazing food and a general store
– that’s it! It’s a soulful and peaceful retreat.”
When the ocean-front block became available, Paul snatched it up and
spent the next two years planning the perfect weekender. Obsessed by
architecture, Paul put together an impeccably detailed scrapbook of his
favourite designs and took it to architect Chris Connell. “I was inspired
mainly by ’60s design and architecture, all those boxes up on stilts,” says
Paul. “I really liked Chris’s style and his strong use of space and seamless
lines. It’s quite minimal but he still manages to keep it cosy.”
The light and breezy open-plan layout takes full advantage of the bush
outlook and ocean views. Three walls of glass bring the outdoors in, giving
the elevated house a blissful treehouse feel. Sliding and bi-fold doors at
the front and back of the huge living/dining/kitchen area open up the
house completely, encouraging lazy summer afternoons on the deck.
It works just as well in the cooler months, with a flickering open fire,
massive oversized sofa that sits eight, and a sleek, contemporary
kitchen with a three-metre long island bench that doubles as a bar.
Running off the living room are three bedrooms, including a master
bedroom and two spare rooms for friends and family.
“It’s so trans-seasonal and I think in Melbourne you need that,” says
Paul. “I love winter because we have the beautiful big fire on and read
books or watch DVDs on the couch. We also spend a lot of time cooking
and having drinks with friends at the bar. It’s a really versatile space.”
The home has been designed following passive solar design principals,
utilising the sun’s energy to heat and cool the home, rather than wasting
electricity. Great cross-ventilation ensures the house is cool in summer.
Ecoply – made from sustainable plantation pine – was used on the
exterior and painted with Dulux’s Stonington Beige, inspired by the
100-year-old gum trees on the property, harmonising with the
environment. A rainwater tank tucked underneath the building provides
all the fresh water needed for the house.
Inside, the mood is super modern but relaxed, with a neutral palette
to keep the focus on the mind-blowing views. Textured elements, like
the stone veneer around the fireplace, add interest to the streamlined
furnishings and fresh, clean finishes.
After a lazy four-day weekend, it’s always hard to leave, but Paul and
Sarah know they have the ideal set-up: a perfect mix of country calm
and city pace. “I might get bored if we were here forever, it’s just
so quiet,” says Paul with a laugh. “But I wouldn’t like Melbourne as
much if I didn’t have this place. We slow down so quickly here. You can
almost feel the city falling off you.”
To contact Chris Connell Design, call (03) 8598 2222. Visit
www.holidaygor.com.au to make a holiday booking. >
living room {opposite } The focal point of the living spaces, the Jetmaster
Universal 850 wood fireplace is surrounded by textured Grampians stone veneer
from Eco Concepts (log on to www.ecoconcepts.com.au to see the full range).
“In winter, we move the sofa across to the big log fire and kick our shoes off,
pick up a book and plonk ourselves down,” says Paul. “We don’t move.”
The overall look is clean and modern but not overly austere, thanks to
stained Victorian ash floorboards and a shag rug from Milk Furniture.
dining room {above} A backdrop of Dulux China White sets the tone for
an effortless and casual open-plan space, where a classic American oak table,
designed by Paul and made by Milk Furniture, is teamed with chairs from Stylecraft.
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kitchen {top & bottom left} Glamorous Quarella Quartz benchtops in
Beige Duna blend seamlessly into the neutral scheme, teamed with Laminex
Moleskin cabinetry and Westinghouse appliances. In the centre, an oversized
island bench, clad in Victorian ash veneer to match the floor, doubles as a bar.
“It was very important for us to have a 3-metre long bench because we spend
most of our time up there just at the bar,” says Paul. “We absolutely love it.”
BEDROOM {top right} Rather than competing with the glorious view,
the bedroom furnishings have been pared back, letting nature take centre
stage. The simple striped carpet from Godfrey Hirst complements the table
lamp with striped linen shade from Safari (see page 84), while the simple
design of the Ikea Benjamin stool acts as a versatile bedside table.
ensuite {opposite} A deep-set bath from Reece is the ultimate relaxation
spot for Paul and Sarah. The slick designer bathroom boasts a wall-mounted
Zero Washbasin 75 from Rogerseller and Paini Cox mixer from Mary Noall,
enhancing the modern qualities of the space. The graphic good looks of the
Missoni Home bath towel from Safari Living adds another luxurious touch. >
“We slow down
so quickly here. You
can almost feel the city falling off you”
deck {left} Spotted gum decking has
been left to grey off naturally, blending
into the surrounds. Recycled Fez stools,
from Map International, add a colour hit.
Call Map International (03) 8598 2200,
or visit www.mapinternational.com.au.
Landscape {right} Rock steps create
a natural walkway from the top of the
property to the bottom. “There’s a low-key
charm about the garden,” says Paul. “And it’s
very low maintenance.”
Portrait {below} Paul stands on the wide
front deck. Refreshing sea breezes and sturdy
canvas deck chairs from Safari Living make it
an ideal place to while away a lazy afternoon.
Contact Safari Living on (03) 9510 4500.
inside story
Who stays here? Paul Findlay, creative director
Favourite piece of furniture? “The sofa
of The Hub Group, and Sarah Berners, an artist.
How do you relax here? Paul: “Our life
revolves around food and wine! We go to the
market and spend a couple of hours planning
what we’re going to eat for the whole weekend.”
What do you cook? “Slow cooking in winter
and fresh outdoor cooking in summer, like calamari
from the Lorne pier on the barbecue with salt
and pepper and lemon – it’s beautiful.”
Describe your decorating style? “Simple
and neutral. I wanted the interiors to work with
and set off the environment.”
was custom-designed by Jardan for the space. It is
the comfiest couch ever – we practically live on it!”
Tip for choosing an architect? “Choose one
who designs to your taste – everyone has their
own style and you’re essentially buying that.”
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What’s the best time of day in the house?
“I love the mornings. We wake up, go for a walk to
the general store, buy the papers, then sit down at
the dining table and read them from cover to cover.”
Favourite room? “The main bedroom is great.
The whole wall slides back to the bathroom so when
you’re in the bath it’s like you’re up in the trees.”
Rainwater tank {left} Tucked neatly
beneath the house, a rainwater tank
provides all the fresh water for the house.
“The tank water’s beautiful,” says Paul.
“Because of the gum leaves it has a very
subtle gummy taste – it freshens it up.”
Waste water is processed in the septic tank
before being used on the native garden.
Exterior {bottom right} Nestled among
the gumtrees, the house sits well with the
environment. “I wanted something that
blended in,” says Paul. “We tried to make it
look as natural as possible.” The rendered wall
beside the stairs is painted in Dulux Obsidian
Glass, complementing the landscape.
�
eco smart
eco-friendly design
bath
bath
bedroom
bedroom
ILLUSTRATION WWW.KENZIEDESIGN.COM
master bedroom
sliding door
Want to go eco? It’s all in the planning.
Sitting high up in the trees, a large northfacing deck and floor-to-ceiling windows
on three sides allow the sun to naturally
warm the house in winter, while crossventilation keeps the house cool in summer.
The exterior is clad in hard-working
Ecoply Texture 2000, a great insulator
made from plantation pine, and painted
with Dulux’s Stonington Beige.
living
kitchen
deck
dining
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