From Cottage Charm to Coastal cool, in this feature of the edit we explore the transformation of ‘Southview’. The home at 17 Southview Street in Bulli is a masterclass in respecting the past while embracing the future. It’s a story told not just in weatherboard and timber, but in the harmonious collaboration of design minds, all dedicated to creating a relaxed coastal haven. This edit captures this journey beautifully, featuring insights from Leah Rispoli, founder of Hemma Interiors, and Alex Urena, founder of Alex Urena Design Studio.
A Tale of Two Houses
From the street, the home holds onto its roots, an homage to the area’s history. Alex Urena notes that a key request was to “keep the essence of the original cottage,” ensuring that from the front, the house felt “as its original form as much as possible.” The classic white weatherboard, the charming porch, the picket fence—it’s all a respectful nod to the “very cottage vibe,” as Alex describes it.
But step inside and move towards the rear, and the narrative shifts. This is where the story pivots from tradition to a dynamic, modern living space designed for a contemporary family. Alex speaks of a “clear transition towards the back into a modern element.” This is the “extension towards the rear,” a dramatic, barn-like space with high-raked ceilings and vast, light-filled proportions.
The Marriage of Contrasts
This is not a story of seamless blending, but rather a “marriage by contrast,” as Alex wisely puts it, “as opposed to a continuation of a similar form and style.”
Leah Rispoli, whose expertise lies in interior design, perfectly articulates the feeling the result evokes: a “blend of traditional style and easy coastal living.” She points to the choice of textures and materials that bring this vision to life: “authentic use of materials such as timber flooring, wool carpets, marble, and stone cladding.”
It’s a deliberate and highly effective contrast:
- Materials: The cozy, white-painted wood of the front gives way to dark-stained timber cladding and rich, natural hardwood doors and windows at the rear. Inside, the rustic stone cladding of the central fireplace structure stands against the clean, white lines of the walls and ceiling.
- Space: The intimate, familiar scale of the original cottage transitions into the soaring, open-plan volume of the new kitchen, dining, and living area.
The Epitome of Coastal Life
Ultimately, the Southview project succeeds because every decision served the overarching goal: to create an elevated, enduring place to live. The house connects seamlessly to the lush outdoor areas, including the generous deck and pool.
For Leah, the end result is clear: “This home epitomises relaxed coastal living by the beach.” It’s a space where the history of Bulli’s humble cottages informs a modern lifestyle, a place designed to welcome the sea breeze and the sounds of family life.
The final word belongs to Alex, reflecting on the entire team—the designer, the interior designer, the builder, the consultants: “it’s just evident that it just works. And it worked then, it works today, and it will work in many years to come.”
The Southview project proves that great design isn’t about choosing one style over another; it’s about making sure the contrasting elements work in perfect harmony to tell a beautiful, enduring story.
This stunning home will be coming to market soon, stay tuned. Want to be the first to know? Contact Daniel Mulholland or Troy McNeice.
Images by: Adam Wallis
Blog written by: Laura Sharpe