The ocean is roaring, the sun is bright. Native gums frame views to Flinders Bay. For three generations, this idyllic seaside outpost, four hours south of Perth, has been the Moffat family’s beach retreat. “My grandparents built the original home, a fibro beach shack, in 1968, so I’ve been lucky enough to be coming here my whole life,” says Jane Moffat, co-owner of Perth store Jordan Baker.
Two minutes’ walk from the beach, the house is zoned to accommodate the free-form holiday traditions Jane and Tim hold dear.
The two-bedroom home was never going to accommodate a fourth generation, so when Jane and her husband, Tim Andrew, took ownership in 1999 they engaged architect Peter Moran to renovate. It became apparent it would be simpler to rebuild, but no one suspected it would take 12 years.
“It took the tender care of Peter and his associate Marisa Young, who became like part of the family, to make this house just right,” says Jane. “Flinders is a heritage area, which adds to the pride and camaraderie among residents, but also requires sensitivity. It didn’t help that we were doing everything remotely, and added four children to the mix.”
Situated on the ground floor, this is a much-prized spot for reading. The table and artworks were found at markets while the family was living in New York.
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Tim and Jane lived in Sydney, New York and Hong Kong throughout the process, so Peter relied on two lever-arch folders filled with images Jane had compiled. “They had been living in New York and holidaying in the Hamptons, so their inspiration tended to reflect that time,” says Peter. The resulting three-storey property references the pre-war character of the area, with the use of weatherboard and granite cut from the site.
A gentle ocean blue pops against the white of the joinery. Both the walls and floorboards are painted in Aalto Colour Powdered Wig.
Jane’s belief in her own style has made for a beautifully evolved interior that will be enjoyed for many years to come,” says interior designer Rebecca Warburton.
From the outset, Jane had a clear vision for the interiors. “It had to be an all-white interior, a blank canvas, to make the ocean views pop. I adapted the look from the house we owned in East Hampton while living in New York. I was never worried about it being too clinical, as I knew how much colour I was bringing with furniture and fabric,” she says.
Sourced in New York, the Ann Sacks tiles were chosen for the fireplace because they look like the ocean. The lounge chair was bought in New York and the antique wooden vessel bought on a trip to Asia. Artwork above fireplace by Jack Vettriano.
This relaxing main ensuite has surfaces in Venatino Carrara marble. Roca Duo Plus 1800 bath from Reece. Olde English A51.21 bath mixer, $1048, from Astra Walker.
Jane enlisted interior designer Rebecca Warburton to help manage the project. “I would say my style is American with a twist. I have always loved spaces by Victoria Hagan, Steven Gambrel, Katie Ridder and Jonathan Adler, so I knew the look I was after, but I needed Rebecca’s help to bring it all to fruition. We were trying to finish the house from Hong Kong, so having her in Perth was invaluable,” says Jane.
Cleverly designed built-in bunk beds accommodate Jane and Tim’s four children (clockwise from top left): Lois, 15, Stella, 12, Matilda, 17 and Allegra, 10.
The children are on the ground floor; living, kitchen and guestrooms on the first floor; with the top floor designed as a parents’ retreat. “Tim and Jane wanted this to be a house for friends and family, it had to be easy for all kinds of relaxation. The open-plan kitchen and living spaces bring people together yet there are multiple nooks for solitude,” says Peter.
An outdoor fireplace (behind screen) enables the family to get maximum use from the deck. Throw on coffee table, ginger jars and hurricane lamps, from Jordan Baker.
Granite was excavated on site and used to clad the basement and entry area of the home.
In 2013 the family settled in Perth but spend as much time as they can at their beloved holiday home. “It is everything we hoped for and more. Having spent 20 years living overseas, we have friends far and wide, and Flinders enables us to bring mates together,” says Jane.
