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Having lived all over the eastern beaches, Andrew and Alison Campion say South Coogee is one of Sydney’s last great secrets.
‘There are underexplored coastal walks, hidden ocean pools, epic panoramas and acres of parkland,’ Andrew says. ‘Wiley’s Baths is perhaps well known, but it’s about as close as you can get to a Mediterranean ocean pool in Australia.’
That’s why they’ve just opened up a new clifftop getaway called ISLA (right next door to their personal family home) that allows visitors to experience a little bit of South Coogee’s magic.
It took them about six months to renovate the four-bedroom house, overhauling its awkward late-noughties interiors with the help of interior designer STUDIO LIU.
‘We felt it needed to be more sympathetic to the ocean and natural surrounds, not in that tired “coastal” style, but as something more adventurous, more meaningful.’
For inspiration in the redesign, Andrew and Alison were keen to capture the simplicity of Mediterranean aesthetics to frame the house’s incredible waterfront views. The textural interiors have a bit of South American flair, with a mosaic of clay, terracotta, and glossy brown hues across that reference the region’s spectacular salt flats.
Plus, they drew from the oceanic-themed work of Archibald-prize winner Brett Whiteley. The late artist’s intricate linework influenced the house’s organic-shaped furniture, with designer pieces like the Togo sofa and mid-century Italian bar stools. The house’s calming deep blue palette and reflective surfaces also echo the panoramic views of the ocean and out towards Bondi.
‘The undulation of this area brings back memories of Positano and the Caldera in Santorini. But there’s an undeniable Australian-ness to it all,’ Andrew adds
‘There are no TVs here. We wanted ISLA to be an idyllic sanctuary where guests could experience the soothing power of water, tune in to their senses, and even rekindle a passion for discovery.’
The secluded house is a sanctuary with luxurious touches like a record player, pizza oven, and even a pool. Plus, with enough room to sleep up to 10 people, so round up your friends and start planing your next trip to Sydney!
