Watt Street, Swanbourne
BUILDER Humphrey Homes • PHOTOGRAPHY Jody D’Arcy • WORDS Elizabeth Clarke
Rottnest Simplicity Triptych by Jody D’Arcy (Studio D'Arcy) draws focus in the dining room, informing the space’s rich earthy colour palette.
Watt Street, a strikingly beautiful Swanbourne residence created by Humphrey Homes, encompasses a serene sensibility that comes through in aesthetic and ambience.
Open to the public for a short time, managing director Dean Humphrey says designing and building the ultimate coastal home has been his dream for some time.
"We're all about creating stunning architecture and an exceptional level of building craftsmanship, and this has been a great opportunity to design and build a home that showcases the talents of our team," he tells Havenist. “Managing the architecture, interior design, and building allowed us to critique our work and create an environment of continual improvement. It can be hard to see every detail on a plan compared to observing it during the building process, so having the opportunity to make improvements on-the-go with minimal impact was a positive."
A suspended French fireplace warms the open plan living area enveloped in timber and raw concrete.
Sunlight filters in highlighting simplistic forms, raw materials, and a palette inspired by nature. Featuring Rottnest Simplicity Triptych by Studio D’Arcy.
Seamless indoor-outdoor flow and stylish, functional furnishing ensure there are plenty of luxe places to curl up and relax. Featuring Rottnest Simplicity Triptych by Studio D’Arcy.
Rottnest Simplicity Triptych creates a natural and striking backdrop for dining.
Organic handcrafted objects from Loam form a stylish vignette.
The curved kitchen island bench and grazia & co swivel stools create a social element forming a practical hub for family and guests.
Solid lines and texture dominate the home's exterior with exposed concrete and sheaths of perforated aluminium cladding forming its façade. Considered landscaping softens its geometric architectural forms and adds texture.
The home's upper floor embraces three bedrooms, the master boasting views spanning nearby Allen Park. A living room, cantilevered over the front garden, appears to almost float, whilst above, a roof garden takes in green leafy vistas.
Downstairs, generous open plan living flows outside, extending the interior footprint to embrace a liveable garden whilst drawing in a steady stream of light. Sunlight is further enhanced by an all-white colour scheme, Swiss-made guillotine windows, and super-low-profile stacking doors, whilst sheathes of 'lacey' perforated aluminium cladding provide sightlines to all spaces.
A colour scheme embracing various shades of grey inspired by Jody’s Ascending feels calm and soothing.
Concrete adds organic simplicity and sits in harmony with a sculptural leather chair.
Paper pendants light the way up the floating zig-zag staircase made entirely from concrete.
A transparent balustrade allows a clear view of Blushing Rottnest.
"All our designs include great use of light," Dean says. "We often include courtyards because they provide a brilliant light source to the home, as well as an opportunity for gardens. Watt Street feels much bigger than it is because it's full of light and natural materials."
On the upper floor, the timber-framed structure is lined in marine ply and clad in custom perforated aluminium. Oak is used extensively throughout to imbue warmth and depth, from cabinetry to an entire wall, whilst beautifully finished concrete adds interest and texture. Elevated from a substructure to a decadent and decorative feature material, concrete features inside and out in the form of 6.5m high walls, and a 'floating' zig-zag staircase. "I'm always fascinated by concrete," Dean says. "I wanted to incorporate some off-form concrete as part of the home with other key features revolving around it."
The Blushing Rottnest series leads the way enhancing soft and neutral tones.
Jody’s flourishing Magnolia from her Botanicals collection imparts a soft yet graphic element to the bedroom's palette of white, cream and forest green.
Timber and marble create seamless lines for a serene and polished bathroom.
Shades of sage draw their hue from a majestic Norfolk tree visible through a sneaky sightline.
Oak floorboards are used liberally in this Swanbourne home designed by Humphrey Homes, adding depth and warmth to spaces big and small.
Material and shape are carefully considered throughout, with oak elements and leather drawing similar golden tones to those in Jody’s Sunset Feels series. Featuring The Heart of Rottnest.
With any example of great design and execution, it's the details that deserve mention, and in this home, objects and art are especially worthy of attention.
"One of our interior designers worked at Loam in Claremont and introduced us to photographer Jody D'Arcy" he recalls. "Both Jody and Loam were keen to be involved in the project and were great to work with. The furniture is exquisite, and Jody's artwork is fantastic."
An exhibited photographer with a passion for interiors and architecture, Jody finds endless inspiration in the diverse WA landscape. From her beloved Rottnest Island to the sweeping dunes of Lancelin, she goes to any length to capture the perfect shot, even dangling from a helicopter rather than using a drone.
Her imagery is the perfect complement for Loam's range of considered furnishing and décor. Founded by renowned architect David Hillam, Loam champions Australian designers and manufacturers and coveted international brands, including Oath, grazia & co and Tide Design.
Sheaths of lacey aluminium cast a decorative reflection in the sitting room. Jody’s Sunset Feels series imbue rich hues to an otherwise neutral palette.
Completely Still provides a rich blue glow to an otherwise neutral palette.
A richly toned grazia & co sofa and various cushions in luxe shades beautifully harmonise with Jody’s Sunset Feels.
The collaboration has proven to be an inspired meeting of creative minds, resulting in a truly stunning and timeless home.
"We wanted to build a very bold, striking and stunning piece of architecture, and we did exactly that," says Dean. "It just feels incredible."
Jody’s Rottnest Simplicity Triptych forms a backdrop for custom in-built cabinetry and various décor and sculpture.
Concrete walls left exposed offer a warm and tactile finish, complemented by white elements and perforated aluminium sheaths.
Stairs lead to a roof garden spanning lush green views of Swanbourne.
Lacey perforated aluminium and austere concrete co-exist in harmony. Above, the roof garden acts as a haven and escape from the everyday.
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