Interior designer Diane Bergeron had some convincing to do with this project, a weekend home for a large family who uses the home year-round. The project architect had suggested a death by a comfy coastal home: a slick inside with a glass staircase and modern furnishings. “However, I told him ‘The conventional bones are. Why tear down them?'” She says. “It only made sense to work together with all the architectural bones of the home and move from there.”
Bergeron applied her layout knowledge of conventional American coastal homes throughout the project. “They enjoyed images of summer homes in the Hamptons and the warmth and airy feel of California coastal homes,” she says. “We opted for a soft, neutral base and layered on patterns and color.”
The clients turned off from what a lot of folks in those pieces are doing: “Lots of ultracontemporary houses with a glass-box structure that would have certainly carried into the interiors and furnishings,” Bergeron says. And did they enjoy the last outcome? “My clients are utilized to fine surroundings,” says the designer, “and they have a fantastic city home. But there were tears during the show. They’re only in love with this home.”
at a Glance
Who lives here: That really is a weekend home for Jack and Diane Gringlass and their 4 grown kids.
Location: Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia
Size: 5,488 square-foot
Design challenge: Changing a darkened, lodge-like country house in an airy and bright coastal home
Diane Bergeron Interiors
A photograph shot at sunset lets us see into the front-facing inside rooms of this home: three bedrooms, the analysis, a card room and a billiards room. Motorized Roman shades can be controlled with simplicity for privacy.
Diane Bergeron Interiors
John Himmel’s woven rope furniture adds warmth, warmth and texture into the living room. A vintage Lucite coffee table does not take attention away from the rich patterns of this window shades, carpeting and upholstery. Bergeron paired couture Quadrille China Seas cloth in the rope seats with a striped cotton dhurrie, which ties the distance together.
Flooring: stained European walnut; empire stools: Jonathan Adler; sofa: custom in camel linen, Diane Bergeron Interiors
Diane Bergeron Interiors
The designer loves the all-white walls and trusses. “The house used to be somewhat dim and cabin like, and you feel like the whole area is breathing, which is a quality I associate with California coastal homes or summer homes in the Hamptons,” she says. “I’m happy this comfy coastal style has found its way to Melbourne,” says Bergeron.
Sofa: custom in cotton twill, Diane Bergeron Interiors; facet table: vintage French; Roman blinds: custom, Diane Bergeron Interiors; pendant lighting: Ralph Lauren
Diane Bergeron Interiors
Windsor chairs create a surprise pairing with a Lucite table at the game room. Lulu DK wallpaper swathes the walls and continues into the backs of custom shelving units, giving the room a compatible flow.
Diane Bergeron Interiors
A rustic farmer’s table from Boyd Blue surrounded by Windsor seats adds warmth and contrasts with the all-white kitchen along with metallic sheen of those fittings and Ralph Lauren pendants.
Diane Bergeron Interiors
Bergeron turned into a mostly white and metallic powder room into a stone box with art deco Scalamandre wallpaper in Zanzibar Gold.
“If done correctly, layering on color and pattern may add a lot of verve to your home without being garish or too over the top,” says Bergeron.
Mirror: custom, Diane Bergeron Interiors
Diane Bergeron Interiors
Bergeron created a cozy space by mixing vintage fabrics and furnishings with new decor.
Diane Bergeron Interiors
Custom piled curtains and orange Roman shades dress up the most built-in bunk beds. An alpaca wool rug softens the sharp whites and stripes of their bunks’ window treatments. Underbed drawers maintain guests’ items tucked away.
Diane Bergeron Interiors
A home theatre hosts the entire family on film night, with custom reclining seats and both luxury chocolate brown picture walls. “A French artisan came and stitched all of the linen together by hand,” Bergeron says. “This was an amazing process to watch and actually adds this stunning, touchable caliber to the walls”
Diane Bergeron Interiors
Grass fabric wallpaper in sage covers the study walls and pays tribute to the customer’s love of green. A dark Roman color adds a masculine touch. “He loves this room,” she says. “It’s his little sanctuary within what is a relaxing weekend home.”
Background: Diane Bergeron Interiors; executive chair: vintage Eames; sofa: custom, Alan Campbell