Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Global Flair Meets Hamptons Style in Breakfast Point
Coastal comfort and eclectic finds reflect the personality and lifestyle of this Sydney couple
Having recently moved to a new ground-floor Breakfast Point apartment in Sydney’s Inner-West, Julie and John were keen to transform their home into a retreat that suited their style and needs. They contacted Adam Scougall and Benjamin Napier of As You See It! to create a liveable space that also showcased their eclectic personalities.
“They wanted to bring in an ethnic element to the interiors whilst taking a slight wink to the Hamptons feel,” says Scougall, who relished the chance to cater for a specific set of lifestyle needs and an original aesthetic brief. By choosing custom furniture and global finds against a neutral backdrop, the design team pulled together a welcoming and inviting home that was as chic as it was comfortable – and most importantly, a place where they could entertain their growing family.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives there: Semi-retired couple Julie and John Hanna
Location: Breakfast Point, NSW
Size: 165 square metres, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Cost: $70,000-$90,000 for design work and new furniture supplied
“They wanted to bring in an ethnic element to the interiors whilst taking a slight wink to the Hamptons feel,” says Scougall, who relished the chance to cater for a specific set of lifestyle needs and an original aesthetic brief. By choosing custom furniture and global finds against a neutral backdrop, the design team pulled together a welcoming and inviting home that was as chic as it was comfortable – and most importantly, a place where they could entertain their growing family.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives there: Semi-retired couple Julie and John Hanna
Location: Breakfast Point, NSW
Size: 165 square metres, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Cost: $70,000-$90,000 for design work and new furniture supplied
The project was completed in a very short timeframe. Keen to offer a ‘turnkey approach’ – meaning that the clients could go on holiday and return in time to see a total transformation – Scougall and Napier had to ensure sub-contractors fulfilled their end of the bargain.
By constantly re-assessing where they were at and what was yet to be delivered, they managed to revamp the space before the clients got home.
By constantly re-assessing where they were at and what was yet to be delivered, they managed to revamp the space before the clients got home.
The living room has a relaxed vibe. Scougall and Napier used existing pieces of furniture – rearranging them in a layout that boosted comfort but also conversation – and added an armless chaise in a contrasting ocean-blue hue. Decorative cushions from Bandhini designs uplifted the clients’ taupe sofas, and created a warm and inviting feel.
Scougall hand painted the poppy painting himself.
Scougall hand painted the poppy painting himself.
To create that feeling of true, liveable warmth, they set about sourcing custom furniture for the home. “The hand-cut panels that Ben personally made for the custom entertainment unit really fit the brief,” Scougall says. “He made sure that the finish on the furniture was a lime washed, driftwood effect to create the link between the ethnic feel and the Hamptons coastal influence.”
Statement Indian pendants were hung over the dining table to draw attention to the entertaining zone. The table is designed to be functional – it extends to seat 10 people, catering for John and Julie’s family and friends – and is surrounded by comfortable dining chairs upholstered in a range of blue fabrics by Warwick and Sanderson.
To transform a blank wall to the side of the living room, the design duo hung a picture gallery in frames of different styles and shapes to evoke mood and personality.
Scougall describes this house as “eclectic, warm, liveable, coastal and comfortable,” and a lot of that has to do with the range of carefully chosen accessories set on a calming, neutral background. From coastal glassware to the large Eastern-inspired urn found in the living room, these global finds pull together the heart of this home.
The ethnic feel continues in the bedroom. Morrocan-style, custom wallpaper – designed by Napier and digitally printed – presents a soothing backdrop.
Bed linen from West Elm & Oly of San Francisco creates warmth and colour, while neutral flooring and furniture keeps the room light.
Bed linen from West Elm & Oly of San Francisco creates warmth and colour, while neutral flooring and furniture keeps the room light.
A wooden fretwork frame complements the traditional dressing table perfectly. Brightly coloured bases and accessories break up the wooden furniture.
Greg Natale’s Silver Chevron wallpaper was used throughout the entire entry and extends to the dining area and kitchenette to create terrific impact.
“We also added a very old display cabinet lined with the same wallpaper, so it appears to meld in with the walls where it is placed,” says Scougall.
“We also added a very old display cabinet lined with the same wallpaper, so it appears to meld in with the walls where it is placed,” says Scougall.
The coastal air of this home greets you at the front door with wicker baskets and accessories sitting pretty on a lightwood console table.
Enjoying a family lunch in the courtyard, which looks over Sydney Harbour, Julie holds her grandson, Liam.
Grandfather John and Liam. The couple was thrilled with the quick turnaround of their home, which made the most of the space and its existing features, but also brought life with reupholstery, repositioning and a range of new accessories.
Luckily, Julie and John were bursting with ideas, excitedly handing over a batch of tear sheets they’d moodboarded already. With this valuable input and direction, the design team put together an initial design scheme – ethnic style with a nod to the relaxed and breezy Hamptons lifestyle.
“Thankfully we’d hit the nail on the head and it was a rare occasion in that there were next to no modifications. The clients were thrilled!” says Scougall.
Chairs covered in fabrics by Jonathan Adler