Interior designer Tamsin Johnson and husband Patrick stumbled upon their Tamarama home slightly unexpectedly. The 1970s beach side bungalow caught their eye one dark Friday night in the middle of winter, when Tamsin was 8.5 months pregnant. With not-great-timing and only a late night glimpse, the couple turned up to the auction the next day regardless… and the rest in history!
The beach bungalow is typical of the older style houses in the Tamarama area, with simple bones and an interior layout of many little rooms. Tamsin and Patrick quickly set about gutting and reconfiguring the house. ‘We retained the facade, but not much more’ Tamsin admits. The redesign included converting six small rooms into one large space on the top floor, for a more open-plan approach. The renovations also entailed upgrading series of small windows into a huge opening to welcome in the ocean views, complete with bifold steel framed doors that spill out onto the terrace.
When the structural renovations complete, Tamsin put her interior design skills to task, transforming the interiors into a calm, refined space that feels like ‘an extension of the coastal surroundings.’ The aim was to create a home that would offer both ‘warmth and togetherness in the winter’ and ‘freshness and tranquility in the summer time.’ We can definitely see that perfect balance playing out here!
The family are also big entertainers, and wanted their home to be easy for cooking, and hosting friends and family. Tamsin describes her design approach as one that ‘relies on the warmth of materials, the smell of the ocean, natural finishes and collected furniture.’ A neutral base palette and chalky white walls also provide the perfect backdrop for the Johnson’s enviable art collection, which they have built over the past 12 years.
The family love the Tamarama area, and the strong sense of local community. Tamsin highlights ‘we know all the neighbours and the kids play in the streets after school.’ Connected to its surroundings, yet sleek, cosy and intimate, this is a home that gets the balance just right.
Those views! Gervasoni sofa, custom marble coffee tables, and rust linen tub chairs. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Rust linen tub chairs for TJ design, timber chair handmade by Tamsin in woodwork classes, and artwork by Luke Sciberis. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Tasmin in her Tamarama home. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files.
Custom made marble table and Nicky Kehoe dining chairs. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
A collection of books and treasures. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Dining room details. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Treasures on the marble table. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The new open space living area with USM credenza, Kirst Budget artwork and 1930’s French armchairs from TJ shop. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The bright white kitchen, with Lucy Culliton chicken oil painting and collection of murano glass. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Artwork by Jack Wall, and TJ custom black wall lght, antique bronze sculpture and Alex Eagle hat. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Welcome to the Tamarama home. Wall sculpture by Brendan Huntley and painting by Daniel Boyd. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Pino Manos artwork, Aldof Loos coat racks, and custom made cushions and banquette. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Luxe bedroom details with Coen Young artwork, Anna Charlesworth wall light and society bed linen. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Periin and rowe tapware from English tapware company and Gio Ponti mirror. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Serene bathroom vibes. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Pierre Jeanneret writing chair, custom plaster console by TJ design, and art from Galerie Pompom by Danica Firulovic. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
