Transformed from a dilapidated shack into the perfect getaway, Bek Sheppard’s holiday house in Venus Bay is inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design. The warm and simple expressions of the two countries can be seen in the timber window frames, sleek joinery and charming open views that remind one of Danish coastal homes and the creatively small interiors of Japan. It’s the perfect escape for the family of three.
Maybe it’s the jet-black, free-standing fireplace in the living room – throwing it’s stretched out, elongated shape towards the ceiling, passing on its literal and figurative warmth – that gives the visitor the feeling of a Japanese interior. It has been reinforced by a single, slim pane of glass to its right, an asymmetry that is anything but unbalanced. It hints at the goings on outside while establishing the home’s endearing character, making you feel snug, protected and cozy.
Small homes require big solutions, and this Venus Bay holiday house certainly fits the bill - what it lacks in size, it makes up in spirit. Bek Sheppard, her partner and the extensive list of friends and family who have made this project happen, have made sure there hasn’t been a stone left unturned. Beginning with good friend and architect, Harriet Collins, a plan was formed. Quiet detail along with functionality make this the little house that could.
“The first thing I was drawn to and knew I wanted to use was (Laminex) Paper Bark. I think it’s because of the tone. I love the colour and it’s beautiful to live with and really quite calming. It also aesthetically suited the landscape. So, that really was the starting point when it came to choosing colours and finishes.”
Building on Paper Bark’s neutral warmth (a mid-grey with green undertone), textural elements were added or in the case of the floorboards, sanded and oiled to maintain a connection to the original, giving the house the welcoming feel it exudes. “Keeping the boards just makes it feel really homely, and everyone who has visited has really enjoyed it, but I doubt they’d say otherwise,” laughs Bek.
Perhaps the starkest change from the former floorplan is the bathroom and laundry. Terrazzo tiles from Fibonacci - in aptly titled Sunbaker – bring extra detail and act as the perfect accompaniment to the Dulux Pipeclay used throughout. Stopping at the entrance of the shower, clay coloured mosaic tiles takeover before curving and wrapping, enveloping the user with its cocoon like form. Textures and materials continue to play off one another, but are never busy or forced, exemplified by the laundry, by which the bathroom is accessed. Scaffolded by Laminex Paper Bark cabinetry, a beautifully veined granite basin in Verde Bardini - a natural stone made up of warm golden, olive, white and charcoal tones – bridges two cupboards and provides a perfect break to the wall with a stylist’s wit and knowhow.
In homes such as this, small details carry a lot of water. You can’t hide behind scale and distance as one might in larger spaces, and colour plays such a large part of successful execution. Case in point, for the interiors and carcasses of the kitchen– “everything is Paper Bark, especially in a small space, people are seeing everything when you open a drawer or cabinet. So, using white (interiors) wouldn’t have worked,” explains Bek. It’s a decision that has paid off handsomely as the kitchen feels special and complete, and contextually seamless.
“Anthony Klein, our cabinetmaker, did a beautiful job. It’s immaculate, that shadow-line is not a millimetre out. And makes a perfect connection to all the cabinetry in the house,” says Bek.
At the far end of the kitchen, Bek and her architect looked for ways to get the most out of the small home - the result is a split-system hiding in the cabinetry above the hob and rangehood. With some clever venting and design, the unit disappears and keeps the space visually clean and finished. Elsewhere, Bek commissioned a single steel shelf from Groove Fab, which ties in nicely to the Jack Fearon stainless steel table that commands the centre of the room, with the SBW Halo Chairs and Akari pendant lamp completing the picture.
This is a home permeated by quiet and clever detail. Consider the subtle radii and curves used throughout. Whether a pendant lamp to remind of Japan or the bend of a shelf, curves and circles abound, all while hiding in plain sight. There’s the curve of the bathroom wall and the radius of a table leg, but this isn’t a curvy house, their subtleness and their use soften and cosset, making access and passage easy and welcoming, particularly important in small spaces such as this. The tactility of materials doesn’t distract or dominate either, yet their presence is compelling and their effectiveness undeniable. Bek, along with her team of friends and family have built a home that is, at heart, a simple affair, while also being full of life and personality. A pragmatic solution to living and the perfect reflection of her work and style, this home is yet another string in her wonderfully creative bow.
Learn more about the project and explore Bek Sheppard’s portfolio on their website.
Credits:
Cabinet maker: Anthony Kleine
Interior Styling: Bek Sheppard
Interior Design: Harriet Collins
Photography: Lillie Thompson
Tapware: Astrawalker
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