ISLA South Coogee
Designed by Studio Liu for coast-loving couple Andrew and Alison Campion, ISLA is a picturesque getaway nestled within the natural beauty of South Coogee, NSW.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Nic Gossage I Interior Design: Studio Liu I Styling: Tess Thyregod I Joinery: Big Stick Furniture I Carpentry: Carpenhur & Co
‘The foundations [of the original house] were solid and the layout worked – including the orientation and position on the headland,' says Alison Campion.
‘South Coogee is Sydney’s last great secret: underexplored coastal walks, hidden ocean pools, epic panoramas and acres of parkland. Wedding Cake Island is the only point of interest off the entire Coastline,' says Alison Campion
‘There’s this great theatre of light and water, in the words of Patrick White. An epic view of the horizon across a gigantic body of water. You get it in the living room, as you spill on to the deck and pool area, through the master bedroom and on the mezzanine level. You see the curvature of the Earth. It’s exhilarating, and evokes some profound thoughts – of ‘bigness’ and ‘smallness’, sunrises, moon rises, the mood of nature, your place in the world, indeed the universe.’
‘The house is a sanctuary, but with all the facilities one could wish for—record bar, pizza oven, pool and theatre.’
The outdoor deck is perfect for entertaining.
Andrew and Alison Campion are no strangers to Sydney’s eastern beaches. Having explored and lived all over the coastline, it’s the hidden ocean pools, epic panoramas and acres of parklands that made them want to call South Coogee home, and now, share a little slice of heaven with those just visiting.
ISLA is their new clifftop getaway located right next door to the family’s home, a short- stay accommodation designed by Studio Liu that allows guests to experience all that South Coogee has to offer.
‘It’s secluded; the house is a sanctuary with all the facilities one could wish for like a record bar, pizza oven, pool, and theatre,’ says Alison. ‘There’s proximity to beaches, pools, parks and nightlife, as well as a deep connection to nature and a panorama that is truly is breathtaking—stretching 270 degrees across the endless Pacific and north to Bondi,’ she adds.
Following a six-month overhaul of the four-bedroom late-noughties property, the refurbished home takes inspiration from the Mediterranean to celebrate the beauty of the waterfront location, while staying true to its Australian roots. ‘The undulation of this area brings back memories of Positano and the Caldera in Santorini,’ recalls Alison. ‘There’s an undeniable Australian-ness to it all but thoughts of other coastal towns, even Valparaiso itself or Vina del Mar wash over you,’ she says.
Textual interiors and earthy tones throughout further embed the home and its guests within the natural landscape, with glossy brown hues alongside deep mustard, terracotta and clay creating an ideal environment for guests to rest and recoup.
‘There are no TVs here,’ smiles Alison. ‘We wanted ISLA to be an idyllic sanctuary where guests could experience the soothing power of water, tune in to their senses, and even rekindle a passion for discovery—I think we’ve achieved that—over lunch recently a friend observed that the only observable clock here is the cyclical comfort of nature.’
Time-honoured furniture and lighting alongside a curated blend of vintage and contemporary pieces effortlessly blend old and new to bring a sense of character and nostalgia to the space. Inspired by the artwork of Archibald-prize winner Brett Whiteley, the intricate line work of the late artist was referenced by Studio Liu via the use of blue and green tones across the interior, and the incorporation of organic shapes in the furnishings like the Togo sofa, mid-century Italian bar stools and soft sculptures throughout.
‘Drawing inspiration from the varied tones, shapes, and moods in Whiteley’s artwork, the renovation would delve into the complexity of fluidity,’ continues Alison. ‘It reflects both the organic curves of the human body and the intricate linework seen in pieces like Moods of the Sea, which captures the ocean’s enigmatic darkness,’ she adds.
Mimicking the changing landscape that surrounds it, Isla has many moods; ‘some days placid like a sheet of glass, other days waves batter the rocks or a raging swell invites big wave surfers to put on a show,’ says Alison. ‘We found a very special place up here [...] decided to double down and are now sharing it with others.’
Book your stay at ISLA here.
‘The biggest lesson we’ve learnt? Your designer/architect is more important than your builder! We have been fortunate in that Louise is both a designer and architect.'
The timeless and beautifully worn Togo Sofa by Ligne Roset in the living room space.
‘The concept we came up with looked to encapsulate the spirit of Brett Whiteley’s distinctive portrayals of water and in particular its connection to the human form, something we elaborate on below.’
Every details within the space has been thoughtfully curated.
A curated blend of vintage and contemporary pieces effortlessly blend old and new.
Tones of warm caramel, terracotta and black create a cocoon-like haven in the kitchen space.
Mid-century Italian bar stools mix the old with the new in the kitchen.
“I think the key also is to enjoy it, renovating these properties can be challenging but great fun as well!”
A simple palette in the bedroom space is the perfect backdrop for the custom artwork on the wall. CULTIVER linen bedcover and cushion.
One of the bedrooms with views out to the incredibly nature surrounds.