Natural Beauty
INTERIORS Elissa Coleman + Empire Home • IMAGERY Jody D’Arcy • STORY Elizabeth Clarke
A teak table, discovered by owner Jill Coleman on a tour of India, holds a considered vignette of family treasures.
Antique chairs and reclaimed teak table, client’s own; coral, lamp + assorted vases, vintage Empire.
The Coleman family home in Dunsborough is as chic as it is warm and enveloping. Surrounded by bush, rugged headlands, limestone cliffs, and sweeping stretches of white sandy beaches, the Mediterranean-style home epitomises indoor-outdoor living. Filled with natural light and sea breezes, views of the garden and coastline sparkle from every angle.
Set on a serene bush block on the beach, its stunning coastal garden of succulents is framed by a wall of stags and elks. “They blend perfectly with the coastal landscape,” says daughter Elissa, creative director at Empire Homewares. “I love how calm and laidback it is here. The bird calls and wildlife are abundant, and it’s a place I love to spend time and gather with family. It’s the very definition of escape for me.”
Vast expanses of glass allow a seamless connection to Jill’s succulent garden.
Honed concrete creates austere lines and simple beauty - upstairs and down.
Antique chairs and reclaimed teak table, client’s own; coral, lamp + assorted vases, vintage Empire.
Curves and rounded form imbue a feeling of grace and fluidity.
Collected treasures in coral, teak, ceramic and glass mesh with ease.
Reclaimed teak table, client’s own; coral, lamp + assorted vases, vintage Empire.
One of Western Australia’s most successful family design businesses, Empire was founded by Elissa’s parents, Perry and Jill in 1994. Today, their five stores stock the very best of homewares, all with a distinct aesthetic that draws from the state’s heritage and beachy lifestyle.
“We support Australian designers and consider sustainability a top priority,” Elissa tells Havenist. “We design our furniture in-house and have it hand made in Indonesia using teak, mango wood, rattan and bamboo. We manufacture and repurpose with absolute integrity and honesty, and every piece is made to last. It’s forever furniture.”
Sunlight drenches the open living space, highlighting simple forms, raw materials, and a soft natural palette.
Armadillo rug, Sergio buffet, Yuki modular sofa, leather pouf, brass table and teak root coffee table all from Empire.
In the dining room, Breuer chairs surround a handcrafted teak table with ocean views.
Emerald hand cut vase, Breur armchairs, custom teak table, double hanging chair in white wash all from Empire.
Lively yet serene. A vibrant vintage artwork punctuates a rustic palette.
Yuki modular sofa, Missoni cushions, coral + artwork all from Empire.
The family home, built by an Italian architect and friend, is defined by robust lines, austere angles and deep arches. Walls are washed white with shades of grey, cream and putty. Sustainable materials, like timber, reclaimed teak, marble, and concrete, contrast seamlessly. Vast panes of glass draw the garden, beach, and natural light deep inside, allowing the interiors to merge with the surrounding landscape.
The house spreads over two levels. On arrival, you are enveloped by a beautiful open space that includes living, dining and an entertainer’s kitchen that flows onto the beachfront. Nearby, are three bedrooms, ensuites, a media room, and an atrium brimming with indoor plants. Above is the master bedroom and ensuite, home office, art gallery and rooftop terrace.
A spot to sit, cook, and connect. Various statement lighting provide both ambience and functionality.
Jok bar stools, mushroom lamp from Empire.
Curved cane stools are the perfect place to perch and enjoy sunset drinks.
Counter stools, Empire.
“There’s a space for everyone,” says Elissa. “It allows absolute privacy or together time, and every window frames a piece of nature, creating a wonderful connection with the outdoors. We love being so close to the beach, and I treasure my morning walks along the sand, glimpsing sea life and watching surfers. It’s pure heaven.”
Jill’s background is steeped in interior design. “It has always been my love,” she tells Havenist. “My father and grandfather were in the building trade, and my grandmother was a couture dressmaker who loved to work with arts and crafts.”
Teak, resin, and lacquer bowls and vessels sit in stark contrast to a pink wall and potted cactuses.
The outdoor living area is a serene setting in dialogue with a naturally beautiful landscape.
House of Casa cushions, Salur armchairs, teak ball + block coffee table from Empire.
Her style is organic yet polished, and draws heavily on the environment. “The natural tones I have used are typical to the native Cape Naturaliste area,” she says. “The layering of different and varied textures is so important to me. I feel they add to the atmosphere and give a home personality, comfort, warmth, and a beautiful canvas for my treasures.”
Jill is a dedicated collector. Her most stunning include an ancient decagon table from Rajasthan and five little antique men she and Perry discovered in Changmai years ago. “Those men have been through a fire and survived!” laughs Elissa. “It’s so important to create spaces with meaning, and key to this is to marry the old with the new. It’s a mistake to buy lots of new or generic items to fill a void. Fossicking for treasures or revisiting old favourites and combining them with the new creates meaning.”
Graphic lines and bold statement lighting add drama in the bedroom.
Tapestry bed, studio bedside table, mushroom lamp + coral all from Empire.
A cossetting bedroom chair provides a comfortable spot to sit.
Vintage chair + ottoman from Empire.
A vintage mirror acts as framework for potted plants, coral, and travel souvenirs.
Mirror + console, vintage Empire.
Jill’s treasured men keep watch. Pops of pink bring the room to life, adding unexpected and artful touches.
Marble + brass coffee table, vintage pink sofa, statues and Buddah console all from Empire.
One of the home’s most stunning attributes is its ambience. “It’s gorgeous but not too precious to relax in,” agrees Elissa. “It’s a fine balance, and because Mum loves to decorate, it’s always changing and evolving. It’s had so many iterations with different pieces of furniture and décor, especially soft furnishings and cushions from Empire.”
Central to the home is the living room, which embraces raw concrete and layers of sun-bleached linen, glass, and greenery. “I love to sink deep into our white linen couch by the roaring fire and gaze out through the Peppermint Trees to white sands and the Indian Ocean,” says Elissa. “It doesn’t get better than that.”
Missoni bath linen adds a graphic element to an all-white bathroom.
Missoni towels from Empire.
Concrete and marble create seamless lines for a serene and polished bathroom.
Retreat mirror, bath mat and Salus hand wash + body cream all from Empire.
Just hanging. The Coleman home is a study in organic colour, shape and form.
Double hanging chair from Empire.
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