While some of us see an eyesore in the shed at the bottom of our gardens, others see opportunity. Simone Mathews, who is known online as Soul Home, is one of the latter.
The interior designer and build expert founded Bam Constructions with her husband Ben, and together they’ve renovated and created a series of stunning holiday-inducing homes along the south coast of New South Wales.
One was a Victorian cottage which had a long-standing history in the beachside town of Gerringong. While residents were initially perturbed about the couples purchase, they quickly realised the restoration was the greatest thing to happen to the fading farmhouse.
Simone, sitting on the bench in The Shack.
(Photographer: Hayley Haynes) (Credit: Photographer: Hayley Haynes)While they’ve since sold that property (which is still available to rent), they quickly started on a five-bedroom new build nearby, called The Pause. The soulful retreat is designed to help its guests step away from the everyday, and with touches of The Bahamas and classic Singaporean-style, mixed in with coastal chic, it does just that.
Now, they’re starting a project Simone is teasing as their “maybe forever” home in Cronulla, just south of Sydney. But, while they wait for the DA to be approved on that renovation, Simone has flipped the garden shed on its head.
The Shack is shades of purple no more, but now channels the Mediterranean with touches of rustic and organic textures.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)
The trussed ceiling is one of Simone’s favourite features of the space.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)The shed had been built by the property’s original owners, bit by bit over 20 years. “There was no insulation, so it was a sweatbox in summer and an icebox in winter,” says Simone. “Plus both the facade and interiors were painted different tones of purple.”
That is no more. The Shack, as it’s now referred to, is awash with white and in Simone’s signature luxe coastal aesthetic. She personally describes it as the coming together of organic and rustic looks, with a touch of the Mediterranean to give it that almost ethereal, holiday feel.
The couch folds out to become a bed, allowing the space to serve multiple purposes.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)Sheer linen curtains gently float in the breeze, and views of the outside are framed by multi-paned french doors. The trussed ceiling evokes a sense of weightlessness, while jute, rattan, and natural wooden textures bring warmth to the space.
It has a calmness to it that is brought on by the lack of clutter, but there is just enough there to give the space character and personality.
The walls, trim and ceiling are all painted in Dulux Natural White. The white linen curtains are from Cultiver.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)
An oversized pendant from INARTISAN and other rattan, jute and raw timber finishes bring warmth to the space.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)At 36sqm, the Shack is to be a multipurpose space for the family, but we regret to inform that at this time, it will not be available to rent.
It’s “a space that could act as a games room for my boys, guests accommodation, or a separate office,” says Simone. The couch folds out to a bed, and the kitchenette and bathroom mean you have everything you need, really.
And that’s a good thing, because the family will be enjoying and living out of the space at lot while they wait for renovations to commence on their Maybe Forever home, on the same block just outside.
The kitchenette features the perfect coastal, home-away-from-home styling.
(Photographer: The Palm Co) (Credit: Photographer: The Palm Co)LIKE THE LOOK?
Simone has updated her website so you can shop everything in The Shack. She will also be sharing a video series, outlining the renovation process, budgets and all, which you can watch here as they’re released, or follow along at @soulhomeaus.
