Resort decor and chalet style define this home on Sydney’s northern beaches
By Susan Redman
This luxurious family home fuses tropical resort decor with American chalet style.
Sarah Parry-Okeden and Sheldon on a Restoration Hardware sofa. Underfoot is a woven rug from Patterson Flynn.Credit: JENNIFER SOO
The home
A renovated, extended two-storey residence set on two acres of tropical landscaping in Avalon Beach, Sydney.
Who lives here
Sarah Parry-Okeden, owner and director of property and interiors company Wild Orchid Spaces, with her entrepreneur husband, Henry, their son Ollie, 12, daughter Ruby, 10, and cavoodle Sheldon.
What I did
“Taking inspiration from our family travels, I designed our house to feel like a coastal sanctuary,” says Parry-Okeden. “To open up the spaces, I had oversized sliding glass doors installed in the living areas and added cathedral ceilings indoors and out.”
Favourite room
“The interconnected internal and external living space,” says Parry-Okeden. “We spend a lot of time here, relaxing and catching up with family and friends.”
The ’hood
“Living in Avalon feels like being on holiday every day. It’s barefoot luxury at its best,” says Parry-Okeden.
Future plans
“We are looking to extend the vegetable garden, add more trees around the chicken coop area, and more plants to the garden. There can never be enough greenery!”
Best advice
“Bringing in light and merging the indoor and outdoor areas is very important,” says Parry-Okeden. “I’ve installed skylights and glass wherever possible, and where I couldn’t add a window, I added a mirror.”
A carved Bisque Traders elephant head adorns the wall in the master bedroom’s ensuite. The bath is by Mastella and the brass tapware from Candana Designs.Credit: JENNIFER SOO
A 10-metre pool lined with Sukabumi tiles is adjacent to the main living area. The handcrafted teak cabana with Island Thatch roof features two day beds.Credit: JENNIFER SOO
The metal-framed lounge chairs are from Bisque Traders, the antique day bed from Dirty Janes in Bowral and the coffee table from Wild Orchid Spaces.Credit: JENNIFER SOO
The dining area features a custom table from Camargue, in Mosman, which seats eight on 1950s Italian oak chairs. Overhead are Arteriors “Tilda” chandeliers.Credit: JENNIFER SOO
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