My Houzz: A Beach Cottage Christmas
An interior stylist gets creative for her young family's beach-themed Christmas
Growing up in the seaside town of Mount Martha on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Mardi Mason loved her summers (and Christmases) by the beach. After spending most of her adult life in Melbourne, she knew that one day she would return to the Peninsula with a family of her own, so that her children could experience the same idyllic lifestyle.
It was close to Christmas in 2013 when she and her husband Brett saw this quaint, original 1930s beach cottage advertised for sale in Mount Martha, and with their minds buzzing with renovation ideas, they negotiated to make the home their own. When they moved in though, the couple realised it was actually in the perfect condition for a family with young children, and the renovation plans were put on hold as Mardi and Brett let themselves simply enjoy their home’s rustic charms with their growing brood.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior stylist Mardi Mason, with her husband Brett, 2-year-old son Max, and a new baby girl arriving at the end of December
Where: Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Size: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
It was close to Christmas in 2013 when she and her husband Brett saw this quaint, original 1930s beach cottage advertised for sale in Mount Martha, and with their minds buzzing with renovation ideas, they negotiated to make the home their own. When they moved in though, the couple realised it was actually in the perfect condition for a family with young children, and the renovation plans were put on hold as Mardi and Brett let themselves simply enjoy their home’s rustic charms with their growing brood.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior stylist Mardi Mason, with her husband Brett, 2-year-old son Max, and a new baby girl arriving at the end of December
Where: Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Size: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The Christmas wreath on the front door was made by Mardi, using recycled materials and native Australian flora such as gumnuts and silver gum (Eucalyptus crenulata) leaves.
“The house was beautiful and bright and had so much character,” Mardi says of her first impressions when walking into the home. Large skylights in the entrance hall and living area create the flood of natural light that visually lift the space.
As a talented interior stylist, Mardi’s work is reflected throughout her own home. “Since becoming a stylist I have been so influenced by (Australian stylist) Megan Morton,” says Mardi. “Her philosophy is that the best stylists don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”
One of Mardi’s most treasured item is this ‘Merry Christmas’ sign, which was originally her grandma’s slate writing board from her school days. “My mum has always had a knack for collecting interesting pieces,” Mardi says, “not only from from our own family, but also from antique and op-shops, which she definitely passed on to me.” Her favourite local antique haunt is The Vintage Shed in nearby Tyabb.
“I love to support my local community by shopping in local stores when I can,” says Mardi. “My absolute favourite store is Greedilulu in Mornington. It is filled with incredible homewares and furniture – I could seriously blow the budget in there every day of the week!” But Mardi also likes to get making with her own two hands. She made the driftwood coat rack seen here.
The master bedroom – which a lot of the time is also Max’s bedroom – is at the front of the house, and features gorgeous views of the serene front garden.
“I like natural materials, colours, and textures,” says Mardi of her decorating style. “It keeps the house feeling like a home you can relax in.”
Next door is Max’s actual room. It features fun Snakes & Ladders bedlinen by Goosebumps – one of Mardi’s favourite kids’ brands – and with its soft grey walls and dinosau decorations, is a true little boy’s domain.
Bedframe: Made by Ben
With the arrival of their new baby daughter only weeks away, Mardi has created a beautiful and stylish nursery for her little girl. The room features soft, dusty pinks and some of Mardi’s favourite local brands for kids, such as the dreamcatcher from Navajo & The Runaway Stray, shoes from Mooi Baby, and cushions from Hook and Eye.
For Mardi and Brett, Christmas is a time for family, friends and relaxing. It’s also a chance to be creative with the decorating. “I grew up with a Christmas tree made from gold and silver spray-painted gum tree branches collected from down the paddock with my mum,” Mardi recalls.
“I love the idea of continuing the tradition of creating an Aussie Christmas tree with Max. So last year, with the help of Grandma, we headed off to our local beach to collect driftwood and make our tree.”
“I love the idea of continuing the tradition of creating an Aussie Christmas tree with Max. So last year, with the help of Grandma, we headed off to our local beach to collect driftwood and make our tree.”
The simplicity of the driftwood tree, and the decorations that hang from it, mean that from year to year it can be given a completely different look, just by changing up the colours. “Last year I had a pink theme for Christmas, but this year I am loving the blues and aquas that remind me of the beach,” Mardi says.
Mardi likes her festive gift wrapping to complement the theme of her decor. This year the craft paper and hessian wrapping, set off with blue wool accents, match the colour palette used throughout the home.
“Brett loves the fireplace in winter, sitting on a big floor cushion with a glass of red,” says Mardi. “But this time of year, it’s my domain as the centrepiece of our Christmas decorations.” The use of driftwood in other decorations, such as the reindeer seen here, adds to the beach-Christmas feel of the home.
Hung on the wall above the fireplace, the creative handmade tree is also very toddler-friendly, with Max unable to reach the decorations to pull them off. “This year Max is old enough that he is so excited for Christmas, and it’s great that we can share this relaxed lifestyle with him over this special time of year,” Mardi says.
“I only try to spend money on classic, timeless pieces that I won’t get sick of,” explains Mardi, “or things that really affect the comfort or functionality of the house, like sofas, beds, dining tables etcetera.
“Things like cushions, vases, decorator items I like to swap around, as they can change the look of your house in an instant. So I try not to spend too much on those things.”
The original painted floorboards that run through the middle of the home have a great worn patina, and help to create a sense of space in the open-plan living and dining area.
“Things like cushions, vases, decorator items I like to swap around, as they can change the look of your house in an instant. So I try not to spend too much on those things.”
The original painted floorboards that run through the middle of the home have a great worn patina, and help to create a sense of space in the open-plan living and dining area.
The house is often decorated with hydrangeas, which Mardi gets from her mum’s garden just down the road from them.
“Horses remind me of my childhood, so when I saw this stunning limited edition photograph ‘Wild Horses’ by stylist and photographer Kara Rosenlund, I knew it had to have a home here,” says Mardi. The dining table was handmade by talented local furniture maker Made By Ben, using pylons that were salvaged from the old Mornington pier.
“Our home is old and lacks all the mod cons, especially in the kitchen and bathroom areas,” Mardi says. “But it is more than made up for with it’s homey character, and the more we live here the more we love it and feel right at home.” The calico angel perched on the edge of the stove was made by Mardi’s nanna.
Mismatched jars and bottles collected from vintage stores line the kitchen windowsill, and are filled with herbs straight from the herb and vegie garden in the backyard. “Much to Mum’s disgrace I didn’t inherit her green thumb, so every few weeks I have to bribe her over with dinner and wine to help me with the garden!” Mardi laughs.
Looking out from the sunroom to the backyard, the big double doors are always open during the nicer weather. This is so that the indoor and outdoor areas can become one, and Max is free to play where he likes.
The addition of an upstairs bedroom, a small downstairs sunroom and an alfresco dining area were changes the previous owners had made to create a larger, more liveable space. This new design suits the Masons and their lifestyle perfectly.
Mardi’s favourite spot in the house is the macrame hanging chair on the back deck. “It’s just so peaceful. I love to sit here with my morning coffee as Max usually lets himself out to play in the backyard first thing,” she says. “It’s also a great chair for us to cuddle and read a story together.”
Macrame chair: Tropicana Hammocks
Macrame chair: Tropicana Hammocks
The north-facing, sunlit backyard boasts a giant shed and four-car garage.
The weathered finish of the garage wall adds to the charm of the home. “When I made the transition from the corporate world to becoming a stylist,” Mardi admits, “initially I thought I had to have new everything to be current and be noticed, or to make my house beautiful. But I soon realised that wasn’t the case at all.”
Small cushion and throw: Hook And Eye; large cushion: Sage and Clare
Small cushion and throw: Hook And Eye; large cushion: Sage and Clare
The old church pew set along the garage wall was found by Mardi’s dad. “It was about to be thrown out, so he grabbed it for me,” she says. The wire wreath was made by the home’s previous owner.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
Although it’s only an hour away from Melbourne, the beach vibe and gravel roads in Mount Martha make the city feel a million miles away. Mardi’s rustic touches, such as this wicker chair and the blackboard heart – which was used at her and Brett’s wedding – add a welcoming touch to the front verandah.