On Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a 1970s house has been transformed into a love letter to pattern, where Italian influences dance with the ebb and flow of family life.
Patterns are not used as decoration, they are a language, weaving stories into the fabric of this home. Each room is a chapter, its textures and motifs telling a tale of transformation and connection.
Upstairs, simplicity sets the stage for the ocean’s grandeur. White walls frame sweeping views of deep navy waters, and these calm expanses are mirrored in the home’s palette.
The kitchen features patterned tiles reminiscent of Mediterranean courtyards under the Portofino sun. The over-the-top charm of their handpainted designs ground the space without pulling focus.
The fireplace, adorned with zellige tiles and navy basket-weave wallpaper, adds a tactile rhythm to the room, its layers inviting warmth and curiosity.
Downstairs, the patterns become more personal and expressive. The master bedroom feels like a private suite in a luxurious hideaway. The hand-illustrated wallpaper depicts soft, abstract botanicals that weave a narrative of coastal dunes and imagined gardens.
The child’s room blooms with playful pinks, the wardrobe adorned with delicate handpainted details, while the family bathroom feels alive with aqua-and-white tiles accented by pink trims and individually painted tiled counters. It is a celebration of craft and joy.
Even the laundry delights, with gingham floors and a green shibori blind adding a cheerful flourish.
This is a house where patterns whisper stories and invite connection. It presents a vibrant mosaic of family life framed by the romance of the Mediterranean and the calm of the Australian coast.
This is an extract from ‘A Visual Feast’ by Jono Fleming, published by Smith St Book. Available at all book retailers.