No one knows who originally built this Yallingup property, but the house contains a mix of architectural elements and fittings from a scrap yard that contribute to a strong design identity.

When engaged by the owners to improve its functionality and environmental performance, interior designer Debra Brockman knew any renovations could not be detrimental to the home’s existing character. ‘Even in its unfinished state, the house had a certain magic to it — something about the way it made you feel when you were inside,’ says interior designer Debra Brockman . ‘The approach was about refining what was there — keeping the creativity and character, while resolving the practical shortcomings.’

The major shortcomings were the home’s incomplete and non-compliant condition, requiring multiple elements, both indoors and out, to be rebuilt or significantly upgraded to code. The kitchen was very basic, there was no insulation, and the building wasn’t sealed against the elements or wildlife.’

Other issues were more easily addressed, such as a lack of practical cabinetry and lighting. Debra outlines the scope of works, ‘Most of the original rooms remained in place. Rather than dramatically altering the layout, we focused on improving the finishes and introducing thoughtful layers such as cabinetry, lighting, and new wall, floor, and ceiling treatments.’

A key intervention was introducing a full-height cabinetry wall behind the kitchen — which helps organise the central living spaces — and was actually influenced by the original house. Debra explains, ‘The original house had a rudimentary version of this idea — a large, roughly constructed joinery unit that combined kitchen storage with access through to the bedroom. While it was quite clunky, it actually became the inspiration for how that element could work more successfully.’

This new kitchen and cabinetry unit is essentially a more refined, generous, and design-focused evolution of this existing concept. ‘It allows the kitchen itself to remain relatively compact while still incorporating a large-scale island bench that anchors the room,’ says Debra.

The cabinetry also conceals a hidden door that leads through to the main bedroom. ‘There is extensive integrated storage, including cupboards to the side, overhead storage accessed via a concealed ladder, and additional robe storage on the bedroom side. It becomes both a functional storage hub and a sculptural element within the main living space.’

Debra also made a number of subtle architectural changes to improve the light and circulation throughout the home. The original front doors were replaced with glazed counterparts to bring more northern light into the living areas, and new doors were installed at the rear to connect the house more directly with a new games area.

The material palette is deliberately restrained, centring round around rammed earth and timber, as well as cork flooring and plywood. ‘The existing central spine wall is constructed from rammed earth, which provides excellent thermal mass and contributes to the home’s environmental performance,’ says Debra.

‘The original interior already featured a variety of different timber sheetings throughout the house. Instead of removing these and trying to make everything consistent, we embraced the randomness and continued each material within its existing area.’

Just as important as revitalising the house was reinvigorating the landscape with Svalbe & Co. At their first site visit, the garden they encountered was, in their own words, a ‘curious blend of a Balinese retreat and a permaculture experiment, complete with some quirky industrial touches.’ Svalbe & Co director and landscape designer Katy Svalbe adds, ‘After many months of neglect, it was looking very tired, dry and disconnected from the magnificent forest surrounding it.’

Their vision was to create a ‘sensory bridge’ between the grounded, earthy architecture and the wild forest canopy, all while retaining the quirk of the landscape with its concrete cylinders, citrus trees, and dragon tree.

The landscape also needed to be practical, encouraging a sense of arrival, creating a central place to gather and connect, enhancing fire safety between the existing bush and the residence, and framing outlooks from within.

The refined bushland retreat is both immersive and simple, acting as a soft, textured foreground to the soaring jarrah and marri woodland that surrounds the property.

Plants were largely selected for their foliage texture rather than flowers, resulting in a mix of local natives, succulent accents, and hardy Mediterranean species. ‘This creates a resilient, year-round palette of silvers, olives, and deep greens, punctuated by the deliberate pinks of the Cercis and bougainvillea,’ says Katy.

The layout has likewise been improved, comprising a more defined entry (defined by corten steel and circular planters); functional lawn; transitional area with jarrah sleeper steps; and a ‘thyme circle’ that bridges three existing decks.

‘My favourite part is the gathering nook and the thyme lawn at the rear,’ says Katy. ‘While we used turf at the front for functionality, we convinced the client to experiment with an aromatic living carpet here. It’s far less water intensive and releases a beautiful scent when stepped on.

‘Enjoying a spot of yoga or a cup of coffee on the little square deck that kisses this space at sunrise is pure bliss.’

By respecting the existing landscape and adding crafted, sensitive insertions, Debra Brockman and Svalbe & Co have turned a simple house and once-neglected patch of land into a true sanctuary for slow living.