A Cozy Century-Old Coastal Cottage

A Cozy Century-Old Coastal Cottage

Name: Kirsty Davey and Simon Taylor and their daughter, Mali

Location: Victoria, Australia

Size: 180 square meters (1,672 square feet)

Years lived in: 7 years; Rented

Kirsty and Simon moved to Victoria's coast from Melbourne when they realized they were spending nearly every weekend there to feed Simon's addiction to the Australian surf. It's been a love affair ever since, with weekends spent cooking, surfing, gardening, and enjoying the relaxed coastal lifestyle. Their daughter, Mali, has only ever lived on the Great Ocean Road, and now they can't imagine going back to the city. Their home is a tapestry of textures, fibers, and gathered natural and vintage ephemera and is a tribute to their dedication to sustainability.

So much of the furniture is reclaimed or restored, and the couple's love of nature is evident at every turn. It's also a gallery of sorts, full of works by local and overseas artists and makers. Kirsty's gift of curation continues at her thoughtfully stocked online shop, Otis & Otto, that's full of beautiful handmade items—some of which also feature in her home!

Kirsty tells me the house has some interesting history to it. Over 100 years old, the original cottage was trucked across the state from Ballarat in the 1950s to its current location in Jan Juc. It had a long-term owner who made some interesting (read: unconventional!) additions, put down statement carpet, and created the quirky space that Kirsty and Simon have lovingly embraced and styled for the last seven years.

Simon actually still sees the original owner around town, and they often talk about the house. The current landlord is located in another state and, happily for Kirsty and Simon, is very comfortable with them making big changes like painting walls, ripping up old carpet, and hanging art from walls and even a swing from the roof. Despite their home's quirks, Kirsty and Simon love the place and are only ever tempted to move in the depths of winter, when its lack of insulation drives them a little insane. But then spring eventually returns, and the magic of this place casts its spell on them once more.

Resources

ENTRY

• Plant stand: vintage
• Acoustic guitar: Maton
• Balinese tapestry: antique
• Tambourine: antique
• Tree: Fiddle-Leaf Fig
• Wooden rocking horse: vintage

• Armchairs: vintage
• Mini cane chair: vintage
• Dollhouse: Sevi, Italy
• Rosewood coffee table: Danish via Grandfathers Axe in Northcote
• Rattan basket and tray: vintage via Coastal Trader in Portarlington
• Stripe bench seat: vintage
• Amplifier: vintage Yamaha
• Turntable: vintage Rega
• Carved boab tree, nut, and eel catcher: Australian Indigenous artifacts
• Artwork over the fireplace: Don Pwerle
• ONE / TWO / THREE Artwork: Emmelene Victoria

DINING ROOM

• Bentwood dining chairs: vintage via eBay and Gumtree
• Record stand: vintage via Mill Market in Daylesford
• Indoor swing: Pop & Scott in Northcote

• Smeg Fab 28 refrigerator: a wedding gift—thanks, Mom!
• Wooden mortar and pestle: ICI Antiques in Midi-Pyrenees France
• Hanging ceramic bowl: Kat & Rodger via General Store in Venice
• Copper saucepans: vintage via French flea market
• Bar: vintage
• Fan: vintage Revelair
• Straw market tote: French flea market
• Espresso maker: Bialetti Moka via Queen Vic Market in Melbourne

MASTER BEDROOM

• Bentwood chair: vintage via Craigslist

MALI'S ROOM

• Daybed: custom-made by Duncan Russell-Smith in Torquay
• Table and chairs: vintage via Mill Market in Geelong
• Dean & Sons classic novels: vintage via thrift stores

GUEST ROOM

• Vintage sea grass flooring: a gift—thanks, Jason!

• Desk: DIY with plywood from Bunnings Warehouse and trestle legs from IKEA

• Vintage fly fishing basket: a gift—thanks, Dad!
• Outdoor table and chairs: vintage via eBay

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Thanks, Kirsty & Simon!

Original article and pictures take www.apartmenttherapy.com site