{"id":650013,"date":"2026-05-04T23:48:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T23:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/650013\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T23:48:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T23:48:39","slug":"this-avalon-beach-home-channels-palm-springs-and-mid-century","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/650013\/","title":{"rendered":"This Avalon Beach Home Channels Palm Springs And Mid-Century"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some houses possess an indefinable quality that sets them apart \u2013 this house on Sydney\u2019s Northern Beaches is one. Claude and his wife had lived in the two-storey, fifties build for more than 50 years and it was much admired in the area for its pretty facade and expansive gardens. The couple loved the house and wished to never leave. <\/p>\n

However, circumstances dictated otherwise and when it was sold, interior designer Sarah Parry-Okeden of Wild Orchid Spaces<\/a> masterminded a meaningful refurbishment. Cognisant of the esteem in which the house was held, Sarah was determined to maintain as much of the original character as possible.<\/p>\n

\"FederationThe original fifties facade has been refreshed in Dulux Whisper White. Shutters painted Dulux Tranquil Green. Roof in Colorbond Surfmist. Lanterns, Online Lighting. Ball capitals, Hammersmith. Tallowwood decking, Barrenjoey Timber. Cobblestones, Hayda Natural Stone. \u2018Congo\u2019 planters, Flower Power. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\"Mid-centuryWalls painted Dulux Antique White U.S.A. Cornice, Unique Plaster. \u2018Aldwin\u2019 pendant light, Soho Home. Gilded Memories print, Urban Road. Vintage armchairs in Camengo \u2018Orsay\u2019 fabric, The Textile Company. Buffet, Interior Secrets. Robert Mark coffee table with top in Calacatta Rosa marble from Euro Marble. Glazed urns, Florabelle Living. Palms, Alfresco Emporium. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Inspired by the vibe of the area as well as the spirit of the former owners, Sarah created a \u201cPalm Springs modern<\/a> aesthetic with a retro, sunset-toned theme throughout\u201d, she says. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe brief was to create an elevated coastal retreat with a strong indoor-outdoor flow<\/a> and spaces for entertaining.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mid-centuryFireplace in glazed tiles, Tiles by Kate. \u2018Lorenzo\u2019 pendant, Soho Home. \u2018Jacopo\u2019 sconces, Dunlin. Artwork by Brock Q. Piper, Studio Gallery. \u2018Florence\u2019 lamp and small artwork by Dan Rushford, both Fenton & Fenton. \u2018Pill\u2019 stool, The Feelter. Armchair, GlobeWest. Vintage chest, Dirty Janes. Recliner and rocking chair, Wild Orchid Spaces. Rug, Benisouk. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

While Palm Springs modernism<\/a> inspired the architecture, it\u2019s grounded in an Australian coastal context<\/a>. \u201cThe design began with the landscape and a feeling of barefoot luxury,\u201d confirms Sarah. \u201cWe are governed by biophilic principles, beginning with the landscape design and ensuring synergy with the surroundings before working our way inside.\u201d <\/p>\n

The park-like gardens of the generously sized flat block were \u201cinspired by the gardens of Hawaii and the open lawns of Florida\u201d, says Sarah. Established palm trees were brought in from Queensland to adorn the front of the property and fringe the pool area, and lush tropical plantings provide privacy.<\/p>\n

\"Mid-centuryCavoodle Sheldon sits on a vintage rug from Wild Orchid Spaces. Joinery by PBK Building Services plays into the home\u2019s retro roots with cane panels from House of Bamboo. Pendant, Bisque. Bar cart, Merci Maison. Mirror, Palm Avenue Homewares. Side table, JRF. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

While the shape and footprint of the home were retained, other aspects were recreated to highlight the vintage feel. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe love that some of the original residents of the street think that the house looks the same as it did in the fifties but fresher,\u201d says Sarah. \u201cWe enjoy preserving integrity and enhancing the existing beauty of a property rather than eliminating it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DiningPendant, Nook Collections. Chairs, Lawsons. Table, En Gold. Artwork by Dan Rushford, Fenton & Fenton. Custom bench in zellige tiles from Tiles by Kate. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Inside the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home, now named \u2018Lanai\u2019, the vintage mood ramps up. Warm neutrals, sunset tones and earthy hues reflect the landscape, fostering a sense continuity between inside and out, while a layered material palette of stone, timber and tactile fabrics piques interest.<\/p>\n

\"StoneVanity, Loughlin Furniture. Knobs, Lo & Co. Mirrors, Antico. Sconce, Temple & Webster. Tiles, Beaumont Tiles. Basins, Bisque. Tapware, ADP Australia. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Multiple living zones account for a variety of pursuits. The main living area is immersed in light and nature, and flows effortlessly to the outside. Everything was selected to evoke a Mid-century<\/a> mood with the recreated \u2018old-school\u2019 fireplace, and furniture in throwback sunset tones featuring plush fabrics and comforting curves. Large-scale glazing, arched nooks and accent panels of cane continue the nod to the past.<\/p>\n

\"CoastalWalls painted Antique White U.S.A. Staircase painted Dulux Shetland Lace. Pendant, Bisque. Cane chair, Lawsons. Sisal stair runner, International Floorcoverings Australia. Tallowwood flooring, Barrenjoey Timber. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Sarah sourced pieces such as the lounge chairs and French oak dining table from auction houses and vintage shops and had them restored. She also added designs from the Wild Orchid Spaces Collection. Mid-century style lightings, including Steinhauer wall lamps, amplify the authenticity.<\/p>\n

\"RetroJoinery painted Dulux Shetland Lace, PBK Building Services. Cane inserts, House of Bamboo. \u2018Oval\u2019 knobs and \u2018Wave\u2019 handles in Blackened Bronze, MG&Co. Wall lights, Secondi. \u2018Victoria\u2019 cooker, Smeg. Vase, Kas. Table, Shapiro Auctioneers. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\"KitchenBenchtop in Calacatta Rosa marble, Euro Marble. Tap, Astra Walker. Sink, ABI Interiors. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

The kitchen was carefully reconstructed to provide a balance between formal and relaxed with marble benchtops, integrated appliances and a large fireclay sink; it\u2019s a hardworking space that serves two indoor and two outdoor dining areas.<\/p>\n

\"KitchenThe kitchen cabinet. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe design began with light and a feeling of barefoot luxury.\u201d<\/p>\n

SARAH PARRY-OKEDEN, INTERIOR DESIGNER<\/p>\n

\"LaundryJoinery painted Dulux Antique White U.S.A, PBK Building Services. \u2018Orbe\u2019 hardware, Lo & Co. Ceiling light and mirror, Anthropologie. \u2018Tuscano Cotto\u2019 floor tiles, Beaumont Tiles. Vase, Kas. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Upstairs, the bedrooms are en pointe, continuing the retro vibe with bamboo blinds, plantation shutters, sisal flooring and sunset-coloured bed linens. The ensuite features Sukabumi tiles and stone basins, and the main bathroom glows, wrapped in warm clay-toned tiles punctuated by a round bath. <\/p>\n

The \u2018Amazonia\u2019 bathroom is the only departure from the colour theme, offering cool respite with walls lined in jade tiles.<\/p>\n

\"MainBlinds, House of Bamboo. Pendant, Bisque. Bedhead, Naturally Cane Furniture. Bedside tables, Suzie Anderson Home. Bed linen, Bed Threads. Sconces, In Good Company. Rug, Invaluable. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\"GreenTiles, Beaumont Tiles. Vanity, Loughlin Furniture. Hardware and basin, Etsy. Tapware, ADP. Mirror, Palm Avenue Homewares. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

THIS IS THE LIFE
The home offers the perfect indoor-outdoor lifestyle with connectivity to the outside from almost every room. Hanging out at the sun-drenched pool that is fringed with tall palm trees and set in expansive flat lawns is a favourite way to while away several hours. \u201cIt is barefoot luxury at its best and makes you feel like you\u2019re living at a resort every day,\u201d says Sarah.<\/p>\n

\"RetroStool and bedside table, Safavieh. Bed linen, Bed Threads. Photograph, Dirty Janes. Sconce, LivingStyles. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

Sarah was so keen to maintain the spirit of the original home that she has honoured the former owners by hanging their portraits to face each other in the living room. \u201cI wanted them to remain together as a part of the house that they loved so much as well as its next chapter,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

\"MidPendant, Anthropologie. Mirrors, Neiman Marcus. Blinds, House of Bamboo. Bedhead, Florabelle Living. Bed linen, Bed Threads. Vintage chair, Lawsons. Rug, International Floorcoverings Australia. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\"Pink\u2018Clay\u2019 tiles in Terra, Beaumont Tiles. Vanity, Loughlin Furniture. Hardware, Lo & Co. Basin and tapware, ADP. Ovio \u2018Ceto Como\u2019 bath, Bathroom Sales Direct. Shower rail, CB Ideal Tapware. Shower curtain, Anthropologie. Wall light, BulbSquare. Side table, St Barts. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

\"MidPoolside Gossip by Slim Aarons, Fineprintco, hangs above a \u2018Cayman\u2019 rattan bedhead, Florabelle Living. Bed Threads linen and Fenton & Fenton lighting add rosy tones. Rug, International Floorcoverings Australia. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

The Design Team:<\/p>\n

Wild Orchid Spaces: wildorchidspaces.com\/properties\/lanai<\/a>; @lanai_avalonbeach<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Bacuss Construction: bacuss.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"PoolTallowwood decking from Barrenjoey Timber curves around the pool, where coping from Tiles by Kate add detail. \u2018Al Fresco\u2019 sunloungers and \u2018Patio\u2019 umbrella in Mimosa Stripe, all Business & Pleasure Co. (Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Olga Lewis)<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Judy\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJudy Pascoe\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Working in daily newspapers here and overseas after university before being captivated by the brilliant world of magazines, Judy has had a long and varied career in journalism. From fashion and lifestyle publications to specialist food, travel, politics, business and design magazines she has written on a wide range of topics as well as edited and contributed to books. Inspired by beautiful design and innovative ideas, she loves getting an insider\u2019s view of the homes she writes about for Belle and Australian House & Garden. Travelling, dining out and reading are her other favourite diversions \u2013 preferably all within proximity to a beach.<\/p>\n

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