Mediterranean Retreat
Through a series of clever renovations and with the help of an interior designer, the owners of this Gold Coast home transformed it into a modern Mediterranean-style retreat.
Photography Coastpark Creative / Words Nichola Davies / Interior Design De Vere Design Co
Front Landscape Design Dune St. Landscape Architects / Landscaper Living 4 Landscapes
Backyard Landscape Design + Rear Exterior Design RAW Exterior Designs / Builder JG Building Projects
Envisioning a space with a holiday-at-home feel – expertly designed, warm, soft and clean – the owners of what was a fairly conventional Gold Coast house kicked off their renovations themselves, before engaging Katrina De Vere of De Vere Design Co to take the rest of the home to the next level.
With the kitchen, laundry and flooring in the main part of the house complete, the homeowners enlisted the team at RAW Exterior Designs to masterplan the exterior renovation, before handing over to Katrina to select external materials and finishes and to furnish the outdoor space. Collaborating with her clients over 12 months, Katrina’s work also extended to the interior: designing bathroom layouts and cabinetry, choosing curtains throughout, and furniture selection and styling.
Katrina says that her design decisions were guided by the client’s modern Mediterranean brief. “The focus always came back to injecting natural materials and playing on varied textures in materials,” says Katrina. “On the exterior, we worked with a mix of travertine, limestone, woods, render finishes, and natural tones in soft furnishings.”
Throughout the home, Katrina’s choices work to tie the indoor and outdoor spaces together seamlessly. “I think if you can enter a home and, from the front entrance through to the very back boundary, it is consistently telling you a story, then the entire team has done their jobs well,” she says.
“I think this home reflects the owners really well, as every home should,” adds Katrina. “It feels clean and calm and showcases beautiful materials all working harmoniously together to create a true holiday-at-home feel.”
Although the spiral staircase and the spectacular height of the outside area creates a wow-factor, Katrina says that her favourite space in the home is the guest bathroom (pictured above). A testament to what can be achieved with expert design advice, what was previously a very tight space no longer feels that way, following changes to the layout and the materials used. “It is now a really well considered, calming space – a beautiful retreat for guests,” says Katrina.
Katrina advises those embarking on their own renovations not to overlook the services of an interior designer. “Your home is the biggest investment you will make and your biggest asset,” she points out. “There is a lot of room for error, and it can be very overwhelming for most people.”
“You might be surprised at how affordable an interior designer can be in relation to your overall budget, and it will add value when you have the end result. At the very least, just a few meetings will help give you clarity and point you in the right direction.”
Above all, says Katrina, it’s important for renovators to stay true to themselves and what they love during the process. “Don’t bother with trends. Focus on creating a space that feels like you – because your home is the outward reflection of your soul, not someone else’s.”
