Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: An Eclectic Hilltop Residence That's Full of Surprises
A stylish combination of classic features, vintage finds and contemporary art and finishes – this abode is fascinating as it is functional
Sitting atop a hill above a valley, looking across Norfolk pines to Rottnest Island and the Indian Ocean, is the home of interior designer and visual stylist Kim Pearson and her family. Originally built in 1909, the Cottesloe abode has undergone many renovations over the years, the most recent overhaul by Kim and her husband James.
Owners Kim and James were intrigued by the home long before it became their own. Having driven past it for years, they were fascinated by its enormous potential. Although at the time they were interested in another riverside home in the area, after five minutes of inspecting the house, they knew it was something special and decided to purchase the federation era home – and they haven’t looked back since.
The couple’s primary goal for the house was to champion the history of the home by restoring its beauty and removing what didn’t work. Being an old house, the home also required a lot of attention due to its age and location.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Couple Kim and James with their two kids and Tiggy, the West Highland Terrier
Location: Cottesloe, Perth
Size: 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, double sitting/reception, kitchen, separate dining/family living area and laundry
All photos unless noted:
Photography: Jayga McMullan
Styling: Kim Pearson
Owners Kim and James were intrigued by the home long before it became their own. Having driven past it for years, they were fascinated by its enormous potential. Although at the time they were interested in another riverside home in the area, after five minutes of inspecting the house, they knew it was something special and decided to purchase the federation era home – and they haven’t looked back since.
The couple’s primary goal for the house was to champion the history of the home by restoring its beauty and removing what didn’t work. Being an old house, the home also required a lot of attention due to its age and location.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Couple Kim and James with their two kids and Tiggy, the West Highland Terrier
Location: Cottesloe, Perth
Size: 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, double sitting/reception, kitchen, separate dining/family living area and laundry
All photos unless noted:
Photography: Jayga McMullan
Styling: Kim Pearson
The overall project was as much making do with what they already had and restoration, as it was design and decoration.
According to Kim, the furniture is a combination of handed down, collected, bought, “bring-out-your-dead finds” and custom pieces. “James is English, so many pieces are from the family home in Northumberland. I love working with antiques and bringing fresh relevance to them in our contemporary lifestyles. The key is to use them fearlessly,” says Kim.
Lighting was a key consideration to the entrance hallway and features elegant custom made pendants. Sculptures, artwork and a large hall cupboard for coats and storage complete the space.
According to Kim, the furniture is a combination of handed down, collected, bought, “bring-out-your-dead finds” and custom pieces. “James is English, so many pieces are from the family home in Northumberland. I love working with antiques and bringing fresh relevance to them in our contemporary lifestyles. The key is to use them fearlessly,” says Kim.
Lighting was a key consideration to the entrance hallway and features elegant custom made pendants. Sculptures, artwork and a large hall cupboard for coats and storage complete the space.
A pine table from the old gardener’s shed from James’ family home back in north England is featured below three digital artworks by Deborah Paauwe. The table is flanked by two Edwardian chairs covered in Manuel Canovas toile fabric.
The reception area/sitting room features paper pendant lighting and a reupholstered striped sofa favoured by the cute family dog Tiggy (pictured).
Kim describes the decorating style of the home as always dynamic, and never static. Throughout the home are examples of unbridled vintage beauty and bespoke features mixed with modern design and decor. Kim wanted the home to have edge, yet be “madly, wildly comfortable”.
The living area showcases sculptures by local West Australian artists, as well as a painting by Melissa Egan, another Australian artist she adores.
Cheval sculpture: Peter Zappa; yellow priest sculpture: Ken Sealey; painting: Melissa Egan
The living area showcases sculptures by local West Australian artists, as well as a painting by Melissa Egan, another Australian artist she adores.
Cheval sculpture: Peter Zappa; yellow priest sculpture: Ken Sealey; painting: Melissa Egan
A rococo mirror sits above the fireplace, which was plastered and painted white. The fireplace also features a new black marble hearth that was made with offcuts Kim found in a local supplier’s yard.
The cherrywood and polished nickel tray coffee tables were a lucky sale find and have been arranged together to make for one big square table. An array of antique side trays and drinks tables have been placed around the sofas for ease of use.
The antique armchair features Elitis embroidered silk. The floral velvet sofas were custom made in London.
The cherrywood and polished nickel tray coffee tables were a lucky sale find and have been arranged together to make for one big square table. An array of antique side trays and drinks tables have been placed around the sofas for ease of use.
The antique armchair features Elitis embroidered silk. The floral velvet sofas were custom made in London.
A mix of antique and contemporary furniture makes for an eclectic finish and provides the home with an intoxicating element of unpredictability. The vintage overdue rug pictured here works beautifully with the early 19th century painting by George Smith from James’ family home.
Sculptural forms are vital to every element, as illustrated by this gorgeous ‘pop’ yellow chandelier.
Custom made chandelier: Kim Pearson Pty Ltd
Custom made chandelier: Kim Pearson Pty Ltd
The beautifully bright and airy study features built-in cabinetry painted in graphite, which Kim is still searching for the perfect handles for.
Hive Poppy suspension lamp: Kezu; Snille swivel chair and cabinets: Ikea
Hive Poppy suspension lamp: Kezu; Snille swivel chair and cabinets: Ikea
The study is filled with a myriad of books, but does not look at all cluttered due to the cabinetry. Interesting features in the study include the French iron and parchment flower vase/lamp, paper pendants from the Philippines and the painting above by Darwin-based artist Rob Brown titled ‘People I think of the most when (crossed out) whilst milking the cow’.
Storage cabinets: Ikea
Storage cabinets: Ikea
The mid-century divan was uncovered by Kim and James in an old house that they had previously purchased. They restored the design and covered it in a stunning floral watercolour design.
The artwork above the floral sofa, of 18th Century Peruvian icons, was purchased by Kim in Peru.
The artwork above the floral sofa, of 18th Century Peruvian icons, was purchased by Kim in Peru.
The Georgian dining table is the family’s everyday table and is used for everything from homework to dinner parties. The accompanying chairs feature a 19th-century silk stripe, while underneath lies a vintage overdue rug from ABC in New York.
The custom pendant lighting above the dining table by Volker Haug is a standout feature to the space and one that is guaranteed to capture any visitor’s attention.
The custom pendant lighting above the dining table by Volker Haug is a standout feature to the space and one that is guaranteed to capture any visitor’s attention.
The dining room also features paintings from Kim’s travels. “The Saints are from a big adventure I made to Peru and South America a few years ago,” says Kim. “The Aboriginal prints are by Senior Warmun artist Mabel Juli.“
The colourful bird painting, by artist Becky Blair, above the Georgian buffet provides a striking contrast – perfectly encapsulating the home’s mix of old and new.
The master bedroom features a fireplace, sculptural pendant lighting and sheer linen curtains on elegant bronze poles.
Great attention was paid to texture, pattern, colour and patina across all finishes, fabrics, textiles, fixtures and fittings. Thoughtful and unique touches are evident in every corner of the home. “Rugs, all antique furniture, and the French sofa were recovered in Dominique Kieffer silk. The bed linen and cushions feature colourful Indian block prints.”
Great attention was paid to texture, pattern, colour and patina across all finishes, fabrics, textiles, fixtures and fittings. Thoughtful and unique touches are evident in every corner of the home. “Rugs, all antique furniture, and the French sofa were recovered in Dominique Kieffer silk. The bed linen and cushions feature colourful Indian block prints.”
All of the furnishings and fittings are a mix of high and low, fine antiques with high street finds. Classic, antique and contemporary art and sculpture fill the house, providing both visual interest, form and texture to the space.
Custom made ceiling light: Kim Pearson Pty Ltd
Custom made ceiling light: Kim Pearson Pty Ltd
Attention to fine detail is showcased throughout the home. For example, the light switches are either original or reproduction Bakelite, and all of the new door handles in ebony and polished nickel were engraved.
Artwork: Alessandra Rossi
Artwork: Alessandra Rossi
The kitchen and bathrooms were upgraded one year after the main restoration. RC-ducted air conditioning was added to the bathrooms and laundry to keep things cool during the summer months.
Photography: Heather Robbins, Red Images.
Photography: Heather Robbins, Red Images.
Kim’s daughter’s room is eclectic with a touch of whimsy. The antique armchair is upholstered in Rubelli fabric. The collection of vintage print pillows and hand-made garland is fun and visually appealing.
Bed: Ikea; Dominique Kieffer linen sheers: South Pacific Fabrics
Bed: Ikea; Dominique Kieffer linen sheers: South Pacific Fabrics
Kim and James have done a lot of the work themselves, spending pretty much every weekend over the past three and a half years working on the property.
A paved side garden leads to the old twin brick garages at the back of the house.
“The garages feature a dark wintery charcoal colour that I love,” says Kim. “It’s great against the grey house, white window frames and the wisteria that covers them.”
Photography: Heather Robbins.
Styling: Sophie Thé.
“The garages feature a dark wintery charcoal colour that I love,” says Kim. “It’s great against the grey house, white window frames and the wisteria that covers them.”
Photography: Heather Robbins.
Styling: Sophie Thé.
Two years after Kim and James bought the property, the garage was converted into a gorgeous cottage for their children and their friends. The old garage roller door was replaced with french doors from the local hardware shop.
The interior curtains are made from beautiful Shibori hand-dyed cotton.
Photography: Heather Robbins.
Styling: Sophie Thé.
The interior curtains are made from beautiful Shibori hand-dyed cotton.
Photography: Heather Robbins.
Styling: Sophie Thé.
The overhaul of the interior and exterior took a solid three months and proved to be a huge task. It was the seventeenth home Kim and James had purchased, however, so they were no strangers to home renovation.
The original front verandah was removed in the 1930s and replaced with a large, deep-front balcony, which is roughly the size of a large drawing room. The generous size allows for plenty of space for sofas, a coffee table and potted plants – the perfect setting for enjoying the view of the valley beyond through the Norfolk pines.