This Ocean-Front Family Home Takes Its Cues From Coastal Italy
Interiors
The main living room of Newport House was inspired by the ever-changing blue tones of the ocean.
The sunken lounge invites you to curl up and watch the weather roll by. Natural organic patterns in the coffee table complement the more geometric shapes in the ombre rug, which in turn are reflected in the painterly fabric designs of the cushions.
The basket-weave wallpaper acts as a patterned base to build upon, with each element subtly adding its own tactile pattern and materiality.
An Italian-inspired tile sits above the striking yellow cooktop and oven. This bold tile is used sparingly in the kitchen, evoking a moment in the sun on an Italian coast.
Zellige tiles are handcrafted Moroccan clay tiles known for their vibrant colours, rustic hand-cut edges and glossy finish. Here, they are used as a splashback, and their irregularities create a colour pattern play.
Where the living room sinks into deeper blues, the kitchen keeps things light, closer to the surface. There’s pattern in the materiality of the tiles and the natural grains of wood and marble. It’s all about balance and restraint – no individual material pulls focus.
The hardworking laundry space is not forgotten. Simple tile arrangements create a gingham floor of greens and neutrals.
The family bathroom brings tones of blue and red, evoking sorbet by the sand. A thin-striped red-and-white roman blind frames the window above the bath, adding a touch of flair and whimsy to this busy hub.
The hero of this space is the tiled countertop. These handpainted tiles bring the European summer story to the forefront, with the undulating blue-toned tiles lapping like soft waves in the background, and framed by a strong red trim tile.
The neutral palette is quiet, and a hint of ocean blue dots the horizon in a trim tile.
The main ensuite throws all the rules out, mixing stripes with checks and featuring a multicoloured marble floor. And yet, there’s a calm to it.
he main suite is surrounded by painterly wallpaper that is reminiscent of soft sand dunes, bringing the patterns to a hush. Soft blue curtains blend into the view beyond the windows, and a hint of geometry in the bed cover adds just enough strong design to this retreat.
A Visual Feast by Jono Fleming.
On Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a 1970s house has been transformed into a love letter to pattern, where Italian influences dance with the ebb and flow of family life.
Patterns are not used as decoration, they are a language, weaving stories into the fabric of this home. Each room is a chapter, its textures and motifs telling a tale of transformation and connection.
Upstairs, simplicity sets the stage for the ocean’s grandeur. White walls frame sweeping views of deep navy waters, and these calm expanses are mirrored in the home’s palette.
The kitchen features patterned tiles reminiscent of Mediterranean courtyards under the Portofino sun. The over-the-top charm of their handpainted designs ground the space without pulling focus.
The fireplace, adorned with zellige tiles and navy basket-weave wallpaper, adds a tactile rhythm to the room, its layers inviting warmth and curiosity.
Downstairs, the patterns become more personal and expressive. The master bedroom feels like a private suite in a luxurious hideaway. The hand-illustrated wallpaper depicts soft, abstract botanicals that weave a narrative of coastal dunes and imagined gardens.
The child’s room blooms with playful pinks, the wardrobe adorned with delicate handpainted details, while the family bathroom feels alive with aqua-and-white tiles accented by pink trims and individually painted tiled counters. It is a celebration of craft and joy.
Even the laundry delights, with gingham floors and a green shibori blind adding a cheerful flourish.
This is a house where patterns whisper stories and invite connection. It presents a vibrant mosaic of family life framed by the romance of the Mediterranean and the calm of the Australian coast.
This is an extract from ‘A Visual Feast’ by Jono Fleming, published by Smith St Book. Available at all book retailers.