LOVE SHACK

amsin Johnson transformed a traditional, seaside bungalow located at Bondi Beach, Sydney, into a sundrenched family retreat Glowing vintage timber furniture, rattan blinds, tribal rugs and splashes of jaunty navy and white-striped fabrics augmented the deceptively simple whitewashed interiors. The clients are a gorgeous, young, Melbourne-based We wanted it to look like we hadn’t done too much. In fact, we wanted it to look like we didn’t do anything. It’s literally the last Bondi beach bungalow on the street and in its original charming and understated condition. The place has a fairly small footprint so we remodelled it to open up the living spaces, refurbished the bathrooms and kitchen, and tweaked the layout. There are quirks of seaside living – expanded timber _oors and no straight lines – but that’s the character of this bungalow. I wanted it to feel like a beach house but still luxurious and beautiful. By respecting the home and its history and vintage, we really poured ourselves into the interiors rather than imposing any sort of rigour or modernity. The coastal views are so colourful, we wanted to keep the palette calm and pared-back. The clients have great taste and they have focused on some incredible collectible furniture mainly sourced in Italy and France, with contemporary Australian artworks from our generation, including Gregory Hodge, Huseyin Sami and Sanné Mestrom as well as the very appropriate works of Max Dupain. Along with some custom-made and designed upholstery there are sideboards from Pierre Chapo, Philip Arctander and Audoux Minet chairs and 1930s French bar cabinets. Yes, they’re thrilled. For a Melbourne family, North Bondi is hard to beat. The location boasts an extraordinary, rugged landscape and lapping surf, and looks across the ocean to Icebergs and the stunning coastline beyond. The home is comfortable and casual but refined, with a beautifully curated collection of furniture and art. The owners are avid collectors with a fine eye for midcentury European furniture but they’re also realistic: they have kids and want a home that’s not too fussy.