04 HOME TOUR Despite having to replace windows, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and timber framing that had been destroyed by white ants, a major goal of the renovation was to retain the home’s undeniable character. “As we learnt more about Valerie, we felt an even greater responsibility to honour what she’d created. She worked as a translator for the United Nations and spent decades writing from the house, so there was already so much history woven into its walls,” Laura adds. “Throughout the renovation, our goal was never to erase that history—it was to preserve the character and charm that made the home so special, while giving it another chapter for our family.” While preserving the history of the home was important, Matt and Laura still wanted to add their stamp, weaving in thoughtful details throughout. Zeroing in on the fireplace, the pair went above and beyond to ensure it was a feature of the natural heart of the home.” We worked with Smink Studios to create a custom handmade tile design that was playful, colourful and completely unique to Chante Mer. It’s one of those features that makes people stop the moment they walk in, and we love that it doubles as a piece of art.” Throughout the design process, the couple were conscious not to let their decision to have Chante Mer as a holiday house dictate their design choices. “We still wanted it to feel like a home first and foremost—not a holiday rental designed to appeal to everyone,” they explain. “What it did give us was permission to be a little braver. We embraced colour, playful tiles, bold patterns and design details that we might have been too nervous to use in our family home,” Laura explains. “We wanted Chante Mer to have a real sense of personality so that walking through the front door immediately felt like you were somewhere unique.” As for learnings, the pair insists remote renovation isn’t quite as glamorous as it looks from the outside. “We had every intention of waiting until our next scheduled visit, then Tom (our builder) would call with a question that needed an answer in person, a delivery would arrive, or we’d have to choose between two options that somehow looked completely different in real life than they did over FaceTime. We aimed to get down to the house at least every two weeks, but when deadlines got tight or delivery issues popped up, we found ourselves doing the 7-hour round trip twice a week at times.” “If you asked me whether I’d renovate it again... I’d probably need a long lie down before answering,” laughs Matty. “But would we change any of the design decisions? Not a chance. Somehow, through all the dust, delays and sleep deprivation, we created a home that feels true to its history while giving it a whole new life.” “We embraced colour, playful tiles, bold patterns and design details that we might have been too nervous to use in our family home.” — Matty Johnson INTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING: Matty Johnson & Laura Byrne BUILDER: Tom Young - Bespoke Construction LANDSCAPE: Robert Plumb Southern Highlands STYLIST: Laura Byrne PHOTOGRAPHER: Melinda Cartmer WORDS: Olivia Storrie
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1