Modernism Meets Coastal Chic

Melbourne-based designer and stylist Simone Haag was called on to refurbish this Mornington family home with elements of Palm Springs modernism and an abundance of natural materials

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Simone Haag: The client came to us through a recommendation from one of our suppliers and the powers of Instagram. I was struck by how engaging and curious the client was from the start, he was really eager understand the process. Our initial conversation was followed by a site visit, where I met his wife and their two grown-up daughters. From what I can recall, the couple had recently sold their family home —  reluctantly, since they were made an offer they couldn't pass up —  and so they were thrust into this new home, which was far more contemporary than their previous one.

What's unique about the building and the site? 

The home is in Mornington, on the coast in Victoria. It's nestled up high and overlooks the ocean and a neighbouring golf course, with distant views back to the city lights of Melbourne.

The house had quite a Californian sensibility, think white textured architecture and an enviable cactus garden. The existing spatial planning worked very well for the family; you enter into a lobby and can either go up to the first level with the kitchen, living room, master suite and main dining room or head downstairs to the daughters' wing with their rooms, private lounge, and access to the pool and terrace. In terms of multigenerational living, it provides a sense of connection and separation at the same time.

What was the clients' brief to you and how did you approach the project? 

The clients wanted us to do several things. The first was to draw inspiration from the 1960s film The Party. They love the Palm Springs modernist sensibility, so they wanted to Incorporate elements of that era but without It looking retro. 

They also wanted a sense of connection while at the same time allowing them and their daughters to have their own space. They love the minimalist beauty of the home's architecture, but wanted to incorporate softened edges, raw materials like timber and concrete, and pops of brass. 

They asked us to help them repurpose the large plain plaster wall, and our solution was to turn it into the living room fireplace. We decided to engage architect Luigi Rosselli to assist with this element, as it’s not something we’d typically do ourselves. 

Our studio specialises in loose furniture, art, objects and styling but before we could make those selections, we assisted the client with the direction of their kitchen re-design. The clients own a series of restaurants and they wanted their kitchen to be suitable for entertaining and socialising, so we worked on this with them and curated stools, pendant lights and decorative objects. 

How would you describe the materials palette?

We went for olive tones, cashmere, crisp linens that aren’t overtly beachy, rattan, leathers, concrete, marble and pops of brass. The clients wanted their home to be welcoming yet chic. They were very involved in the process, and always enjoyed seeing pieces in the flesh and seeing the finishes board layer up as the project developed.

How long did the fit-out take?

Our part of the process took eight months of the two-year process that included the kitchen and wine room renovations.

Are there any other details about the project you’d like to share? 

Part of the Simone Haag offering is to curate a selection of objects for the client. We ended up shopping for them and bringing a series of pieces into their home; they loved them all and nothing got sent back!

Images / Sean Fennessy