Camillo House by Blair Smith Architecture and Clare Hillier

Bathed in light and views of lush coastal foliage, Camillo House evokes the landscape that surrounds it, the colour and material palette echoing local hues. Instead of demolishing the original 1980s house, designer Clare Hillier and her partner Sean edited and refined the existing structure, enlisting the help of Blair Smith Architecture to create an escape from the grind of modern life filled with sensory pleasure. “We wanted everything about the space to be distinctive and original, to elicit a visceral and immediate gratification from our guests when they step through our door,” says Clare.

Through a process of conversation and collaboration, every room and surface in the house was renovated with a palette of recycled and natural materials. In addition, the trio reconfigured the layout of the house to maximize views, creating new bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen.

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Framing views of lush coastal foliage, the kitchen has been designed to flow breezily between indoors and out.

Image: Kate Shanasy

In the latter, a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors sees spotted gum timber floating boxes push the boundaries of cabinetry design, unhindered by the traditional storage requirements of everyday homes. Similarly, the freestanding island bench offers an anchor point, its legs supporting a curved body and distinctive pink quartzite countertop.

Kept for their wealth of jewel tones, the original 1980s gloss slate tiles were sanded back to a matt finish. “We wanted the kitchen to respond to these colours in a way that was more overt and playful, so that the slate would feel like a fitting backdrop to each built intervention,” says Blair.

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The main bedroom’s bedhead doubles as ensuite joinery, complete with marble basin.

Image: Kate Shanasy

A short-term rental, Camillo House provides guests with low-fuss luxury – and each bedroom and bathroom has its own personality for guests to discover. The main bedroom is now a place to wake, shower, and fall asleep to the backdrop of the dunes. A unique bedhead doubles as the main ensuite joinery, and quartzite stone left over from the kitchen allows for a feature shower niche.

In the bathroom, Clare’s vision called for a softer, pared-back aesthetic with a custom Wood and Water spotted gum bathtub. Travertine tiles flow from the floor up the wall, and an open shower adds to the wet room vibe. The ensuite is based around a lucky Facebook Marketplace find: salvaged Verde Green marble tiles, which have been paired with fine timber joinery.

As Clare shares, “We have made a space that frames the rituals of time away towards deep connection with nature and each other.” At one with the vast and wild landscape, Camillo House offers a refined retreat.