Tamsin Johnson transformed a traditional, seaside bungalow located at Bondi Beach, Sydney, into a sun-drenched 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 home’s original inter-war facade was maintained.
In the living area, 1940s rope armchairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet and a custom sofa by Tamsin Johnson with striped cushion from Spence & Lyda surround a custom coffee table by Tamsin Johnson on a vintage Tuareg mat from Morocco. On the coffee table, vase from Planet and brass bust sculpture by Sanné Mestrom. A trio of plaster face masks hangs above the mantelpiece beside a 1930s French floor lamp. 1930s French mirrors flank the window with a rattan blind. Pendant light by Anna Charlesworth.
How did you become involved with this project and what was the client’s brief?
The clients are a gorgeous, young, Melbourne-based family who bought this Bondi bungalow as a Sydney beach house. They wanted their kids to grow up spending their holidays on Sydney beaches and were drawn to the uniquely coastal and Australian character of this home. It has a seaside cottage feel and we wanted to explore this rather than modernise it too much. We created a series of whitewashed rooms, playing on the sun-drenched spaces and natural finishes.
Custom swivel armchairs by Tamsin Johnson upholstered in Dedar fabric from South Pacific Fabrics, rattan mirrors and terracotta wall vase sourced in France, and candles by Tony Assness, all beneath a paper lantern by Isamu Noguchi.
A print of Max Dupain’s Sunbaker in the entry area is a fitting nod to the Bondi Beach locale.
What were the challenges of the site and how did you resolve them?
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 floors 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.
Gabrielle Penfold artworks on the floating kitchen shelves above shutter-fronted joinery with concrete benchtops.
Thonet rattan dining chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from Anibou surround an olive burlwood table by Milo Baughman topped with Murano vases from Tamsin Johnson. Huseyin Sami artwork from Sarah Cottier Gallery.
Are there any particular considerations when designing a home in a coastal setting?
The coastal views are so colourful, we wanted to keep the palette calm and pared-back.
How would you describe the completed home?
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
The living room’s calm, pared-back palette contrasts with the colourful beach views beyond. 1940s rope armchairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet and custom coffee table by Tamsin Johnson on a vintage Tuareg mat. Brass sculpture by Sanné Mestrom. 1930s French mirror. Pendant light by Anna Charlesworth.
In the bedroom, artworks by Akila Berjaoui are arranged salon style above the Pierre Chapo sideboard with Murano vase from Tamsin Johnson. ‘Clam’ chair by Philip Arctander.
Were the owners happy with the execution?
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 mid-century European furniture but they’re also realistic: they have kids and want a home that’s not too fussy.
The second bedroom has a custom plaster lamp and a bedhead by Tamsin Johnson with a vintage Indian bedspread and a 1940s French abstract tapestry.
Custom concrete bathroom vanity.
Plaster table lamp on a bedside table by Den Holm, ‘Clam’ armchair by Philip Arctander, and rattan mat from International Floorcoverings.
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