Barefoot Luxury
INTERIOR DESIGN Jane Ledger Interiors • PHOTOSHOOT STYLIST • Lisa Quinn-Schofield • PHOTOGRAPHY Jody D’Arcy • WORDS Elizabeth Clarke
A stone's throw from Cottesloe Beach, this contemporary home combines design, whimsy, luscious detailing, and cosy touches.
Tasked to create a sumptuous family abode, leading designer Jane Ledger worked closely with owner Diana, whose exuberance for beautiful objects and 'barefoot luxury' formed a vision for its interiors.
"The house is wrapped in beautiful glazing that draws in sweeping ocean vistas, sunlight, and creates a cocooning effect for the family,” she tells Havenist. Seeking colour inspiration from nature, subtle pastel hues like green, grey and blush are tempered with touches of natural leather. "The glazing draws the outdoors in, so it was important the interior palette complemented and flowed with nature," she says.
In the living room, Jane's selections are functional yet reflect the owner's love of colour, shape, and texture. A pair of Moroso Gentry sofas are upholstered in fabrications robust for family life, and a Sahar silk hand-knotted floor rug delineates the space. "Silk has the extraordinary ability to change colour at different times of the day, from blue and green to silver, much like the ocean," she says. "Like all high-quality rugs, it's extremely easy to clean making it the ideal choice for this space."
The room distils an array of soft fluid forms and ubiquitous angles for a playful but graphic effect. A matte surfaced coffee table sits harmoniously between a soft quilted sofa and sculptural formed chair. "It's a careful combination of comfort and texture and considered meshing of shapes,” she says. “We noted black accents in the architecture and wanted to express that through furnishings, like sharp punctuation points. This is provided by the floor lamp and mirror. I adore the placement of that linear light next to the curved chair too."
A second less formal living area transforms into a viewing theatre thanks to a hidden projector. Colourful, capricious, and deeply comfortable, it features comfy sink-into furniture and design touches like a sleek built-in console and Mobilia shimmer table that reflects light.
Off the kitchen, a dining space embraces a custom walnut table in tablet form conducive to communal dining. Soft green and earthy blush velvet chairs offer comfortable glamour, and above, a chandelier hovers like a piece of sparkling jewellery. The space’s finishes are informed by the kitchen, from the marble island bench and smoky oak floors to cabinetry wrapped in American oak veneer. “It was important the dining selections spoke to the kitchen's materials," Jane says. “It ensures that feeling of cohesive understated luxury.”
A light and airy staircase, with views to the garden and swimming pool, lead to the bedrooms. A second chandelier floats above, and Cloudscape shot by Jody D'Arcy evokes a dreamy ambience.
The master wing includes a bedroom, his and her walk-in robes, large ensuite, and yoga room. "It's very much a parents retreat, so selections are more indulgent," she says. A Jardan bed framed by a deep green velvet headboard is flanked by a pair of round leather bedside tables. Dressed in burnt caramel, blush and charcoal linens, it is scattered with textured cushions adding style and comfort. A sculptural dressing table with a refined leather finish provides the room with a surprising accent. "It’s a daring piece that speaks to Diana's taste and appreciation for aesthetics," adds Jane. A plush musk quilted swivel chair and side table in mesh and powder-coated steel are ideally positioned to take in ocean views. "It's a surprising pairing," she admits. "A luxurious cocooning chair and simple architectural table are an eclectic combination, yet somehow they sit in perfect harmony."
Serene, light-filled, and quietly playful, Cottesloe Residence is an inclusive and cosy family home. "There is such a high level of comfort for all with joyful and unexpected moments at every turn," reflects Jane. "I feel a complete sense of peace and relaxation when I come here."