La Palma by YSG Studio
Drawing on the rendered structures of Côte d’Azur to the rustic beach clubs of Ibiza and Cancu, La Palma, by YSG Studio is a beach house in Sydney’s northern beaches like no other!
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Prue Ruscoe
STUCCO by Stacey Rees artwork (left, red) Ghostly Misfit Tiles artwork by Jan Vogelpoel Ceramics, Volcano Chess by Alex Xerri, Full Moon by Bettina Willner, artwork (right, framed) Balcony by Clare Walker, Glass of Water on Pink Striped Shirt artwork by Sophie Sachs, Red Snake sculpture by Elise Cameron-Smith, Bikini #5 Wall Light from Servomuto, coffee tables custom designed by YSG made by Med Marble, Bela Floor Lamp by Kettal from Mobilia, cushions from Lucy Montgomery, basket from Spence & Lyda, French wash painted ceiling with custom-colour and painted detail by Creative Finish. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Artwork by Studio of the Sun, lamp from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, lamp shade fabric from Think Positive Prints, Sculpture Tipping Point by Amber Hearn, chair sculptures from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, cushions fabric from Think Positive Prints, sofa, client’s own, side table client’s own, walls hand-painted checkerboard wall detail by Creative Finish. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Coffee table by Den Holm, cushions antique kimono fabric crafted by Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, Paavo Tynell 9602 floor lamp andchess set from Tigmi Trading, basket from Spence & Lyda, wall plates selection of ceramic Seletti plates from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Deeply Pendant from The Together Project, chair (right & back) vintage, seat pads by Re-Materialised, chair (left) vintage, tablecloth from Pigott’s Store, Sequoia Pouf stool by Frederica from Cult, Mugs, cups and saucers, bowls (blue) and vase (red) from Mud Ceramics, candlestick (top left shelf) and small jug with handle (bottom left shelf) by Alana Crosby, Mortar and Pestle from Jardan, bowl (middle) from The DEA Store ice bucket (top left shelf) and bowl with stand and stacked plates (middle bottom shelf) Alex & Trahanas, wooden bowl with stand from Spence & Lyda, wooden kokeshi dolls and bowl (middle top shelf) from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Vase from Spence & Lyda. Gus stools from Jardan, platter from Dinasour Designs, kitchen island Giallo Sienna marble island bench designed by YSG and crafted by Med Marble. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Vase from Spence & Lyda. Gus stools from Jardan, platter from Dinasour Designs, kitchen island Giallo Sienna marble island bench designed by YSG and crafted by Med Marble. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Large spotted Hikari Masuda ceramic vase (bottom left) from The DEA Store, vase (top right) from Little Known Makers, yellow sculptures (left middle shelf) from Jardan, wooden dolls from Living Edge, walls hand-painted surfaces by Creative Finish, cushions fabric from Think Positive Prints. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Deeply Pendant from The Together Project, vintage chairs, vintage seat pads by Re-Materialised, tablecloth from Pigott’s Store, vase by Manuela Serje, bowl from Alex & Trahanas, lemon candles from Nonna’s Grocer. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
There’s no denying that if we could savour the magic and glow of summer days all year round, we wouldn’t hesitate!
This is exactly what YSG Studio had in mind when designing La Palma, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The truly incredible home taps into carefree, sun dappled adventures along remote Mexican shores with a twist of the Côte d’Azur’s refinement.
From the impressive views from its hill top location stretching across the Pittwater ocean inlet towards verdant shores, to the myriad stone selections: a kaleidoscopic array of exquisite fabrics, tropical rattan and raffia furnishings and sculptural feature lighting (to name a just few design details!) - this is a home like no other.
The clients – busy Sydney professionals – had acquired the holiday house with the hopes of spending more time there with their young family, balancing working from home and embarking on extended breaks over vacation periods.
The two level home, which was built in the early 2000s, required substantial revitalisation given its weathered features and clichéd seaside themes, which came complete with the furnishings, which were packaged with the sale. Think nautical shades and seaside tropes: decorative surfboards, model yachts, an all-white kitchen, lounge room and bedrooms, plus shell collections scattered everywhere.
‘Inspired by rustic Ibiza beach clubs and Cancun’s rendered coastal resorts, the clients wanted to create a playful mood that introduced a perennial approach to entertaining and above all else invited soft landings – both indoors and out,’ says Yasmine Ghoniem, founder and director of multidisciplinary collective YSG Studio.
The interior brims with tones and textures reminiscent of the shoreline – in the dining room, burnt orange ceilings channel a molten sky, while hand-painted swirls and rose-tinted marble floors soften the sunroom. The decor is eclectic, with layers of colour, texture and pattern, including clay urns, scatter cushions made of kimono silk, oriental plates, Matisse-like nude paintings, zebra-striped throw pillows and objects inspired by rodeo cowboys—all acquiring equal pride of place.
‘We replaced all the windows and doors to lighten their mass, sanding back the worn floorboards to reveal warmer timber accents,’ shares Yasmine. All bathrooms and the kitchen were completely gutted, introducing new joinery and a stone island bench that recalls the ombré shades of a freshly poured tequila sunrise.
‘Flipping customary convention, we transformed one of the two guest rooms into an additional master suite, furnishing “his” and “hers” spaces with complementary ensuites. This rearrangement enables them to work simultaneously from their rooms whilst enjoying views from the upper level,’ says Yasmine.
Externally, Yasmine removed heavy paving and greyed timber surrounding the pool and extended the balcony that distracted views between the living areas and the open vista. A new BBQ area now lines a re-clad boundary wall, whilst checkered tumbled marble cobblestones surround the pool and float in gridded formation to support the outdoor shower, adding a striking Mexican foundation that continues in the two master ensuites.
The ambiance of the house varies, resembling either a resort on the French Riviera or a beach club in Ibiza or Cancun, depending on the time of day and season. During evenings with a gentle breeze and a setting sun, the family enjoys coming together outdoors by the barbecue – this is a magical home that feels a lot like a holiday escape.
Mirror from Rachel Donath, chair Michelle stool by Tim Rundle for SP01, from Space Furniture, honed tiberio marble vanities and splashback from and crafted by Med Marble, checkered tumbled marble tiles in Portagallo marble and Rosso Verona from Aeria County Floors. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Wall Light by Anna Charlesworth, Big Diiva chair from Grazia & Co, vases from Jardan, desk: timber and honed Tiberio marble designed by YSG Studio and crafted by Pullicino & Son. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Bedhead custom designed by YSG Studio, upholstered by Institch, fabric from Think Positive Prints, wall light from Lighting Collective, dead sculpture from Spence & Lyda, green glass from HAY Shop, throw from Cult, window treatments by Simple Studio. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
BAINA and Loom Towels, vintage mirror, window treatment by Simple Studio, fabric from Think Positive Prints, mirror (left) clients own, painted stripe detail by Creative Finish. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Trace armchairs by Adam Goodrum from Tait, side tables (light) stools by Kartell from Space Furniture, Granada Hourglass side table from Globe West, pots from Robert Plumb, custom painted in blush tone. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
“Inspired by rustic Ibiza beach clubs and Cancun’s rendered coastal resorts, they wanted to create a palpably playful mood that introduced a perennial approach to entertaining and above all else invited soft landings – both indoors and out.”
Pendant light client’s own, coffee table by Livio Lucca Tobler, bedhead custom designed by YSG Studio, made by Institch, fabric from Think Positive Prints, bedside tables from CCSS, cushions made by Re-Materialised, fabric from Think Positive Prints, Repose by Stacey Rees (artwork), walls: hand-painted stripes extending from canvas by Creative Finish. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Honed tiberio marble vanities and splashback from and crafted by Med Marble, checkered tumbled marble tiles in Portagallo marble and Rosso Verona from Aeria County Floors. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Desk Toledo marble and timber custom designed by YSG Studio crafted by Pullicino & Son, Carafe from Maison Balzac, Big Diiva chair from Grazia & Co, Candelabra Swirl by Tom Dixon from Living Edge, Italian Murano Glass Cloud Pendant from Lighting Collective, Sequoia Pouf stool by Frederica from Cult, artwork (left) Poker Face by Kerrie Oliver, all three framed artworks, clients own, dustbin from HAY Shop. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Vitra Eames Elephant from Space Furniture, basket from Koskela, pillows made by Re-Materialised, fabric from Think Positive Prints, toy from Koskela, walls hand- painted mural details by Creative Finish, Kerali Kilim vintage rug from Halcyon Lake. Photo: Prue Ruscoe
‘The clients wanted to create a playful mood that introduced a perennial approach to entertaining and above all else invited soft landings – both indoors and out.’ Photo: Prue Ruscoe
Sun beds – client’s own, custom painted by Creative Finish designed by YSG Studio, upholstery by Re-Materialised side tables/stools by Kartell from Space Furniture. Photo: Prue Ruscoe