Home Tour: Newtown House, The Best of Both Worlds

Interior Styling by: Simone Haag

Location: Newtown, Geelong VIC

Decor style: The vibe was a bit LA, and aspirational but liveable.

Favourite room: The kitchen. The smaller living room is a luxurious, adults-only escape. I encouraged Built by Wilson to set a different tone with olive-green Pozieres paint by Dulux for the walls. It’s an intimate space with character-filled furniture.

Favourite pieces: The De Sede DS-1025 sofa from Domo is such a sophisticated welcoming piece that gets better with age. I have always wanted to specify it in a project.

Located in the bayside city of Geelong – a highly sought-after locale for its fresh take on cosmopolitan living – this Newtown home has the cool factor down pat. 

A collaboration between architect studio, Tecture, interior designer, Built by Wilson and stylist Simone Haag, this newly built home embraces beautiful design while striking a balance between sophisticated and family-friendly. 

The home sets the scene for a laid-back family lifestyle with its exposed brickwork, full-height doors, internal timber cladding and living spaces that frame landscaped courtyards. Yet, it was the four-bedroom home’s mid-century aesthetic and neutral palette that became the perfect canvas for stylist Simone Haag to work her magic. 

THE BRIEF

“This project first crossed my plate when I was invited by the Built by Wilson team to furnish and style their newest project, Newtown House,” explains Simone. “They enlisted our help in creating a series of liveable, comfortable spaces for a design-conscious family through the specification of key furniture pieces, art, and object. Working to a tight deadline, we were required to work quickly and source in-stock products amid the global pandemic.”

With a material palette selected by interior designers, Built by Wilson, Simone worked on curating the furnishings, relying on a team of suppliers she has come to trust over the years, such as DOMO and Halcyon Lake.

“Influenced by the home’s laid-back energy, we sourced a wide range of pieces with earthy tones that cohesively create a pragmatic but textured result. The vibe was a bit LA and aspirational but liveable.

Simone continues, “The home’s eclectic mix of hard-wearing furniture gives the children an array of textures to experience. It’s grounded with strong stone and bold pieces, yet light and beautiful at the same time.”

OPEN PLAN LIVING

The beating pulse of the home is the kitchen, living and dining, which opens out onto a courtyard area through full-height glass doors. The dining table, custom-crafted within weeks by Joel Elliot, is paired with Ligne Roset TV Dining chairs from DOMO, chosen for the mid-century flavour.  

Two lounge areas sit side-by-side and open onto a third covered outdoor lounge area. Each is worthy of its place with vintage finds, custom-made pieces by Built By Wilson, original art, and textural Halcyon Lake rugs. Yet, nothing is as eye-catching or defining as the uniquely shaped and layered minimalist grey sofa paired with Sika Design Ottomans from DOMO.  

“The De Sede DS-1025 sofa from Domo is a sophisticated, welcoming piece that gets better with age. I have always wanted to specify it in a project. The location where this sofa landed was one Built by Wilson wasn’t entirely sure how to use. In essence, it was a living space next to a living space – so we had to give it a sense of purpose,” explains Simone.

ADULTS-ONLY LOUNGE

Away from the central living zone, a luxurious, adults-only lounge area sits apart from the other rooms with its olive-green Pozieres paint by Dulux, open fireplace, and selection of furniture primarily sourced from DOMO. The Bol Sofa by HC28 Cosmos and Miles Swivel Chairs by Wittmann sit atop a Halcyon Lake rug. Completing the room are the wall light from Cult, ceramics from Pepite and artwork, Beyond Fake by Cricket Saleh from locals, Boom Gallery. 

“The home is a great combination of being both coloured and neutral, modern and classic, functional and playful, sophisticated and family-friendly,” says Simone.

“It’s a great example of all teams working together beautifully, a great builder with a strong vision and clients who trusted me to create a warm, harmonious environment,” she says.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD 

A place where comfort and convenience coexist, Newtown is a prestigious neighbourhood that offers a one-stop-shop for well to do families and professionals alike. A drive through Newtown promises an impressive array of historic homes that are guaranteed to inspire your next vision board. Blending the best of city and suburban living, a simple stroll down Pakington Street presents a myriad of esteemed eateries and premium boutiques that far exceed the day to day essentials.

SITCHU’S FAVOURITE NEWTOWN HANGOUTS

For coffee: Born and Bread Bakehouse has specialty coffee and handcrafted sourdough. Need we say more?

For brunch: A local favourite is Winter’s Café, which has a delightful all-day menu.

For lunch: Brother Lawrence

For dinner: Nova Balinese Kitchen for traditional Balinese dishes.

For drinks: Sawyers Arms Tavern is an enduring favourite as a gastro-pub and or drinks.  

Go-to local boutique: Shop the Paris end of Pakington Street, with one of our favourites being Mayfield. 

GET THE LOOK

DOMOHalcyon LakeBoom GalleryCoshHouse of OrangeJoel Elliott Furniture

PROJECT CREDITS

Architect: Ben Robertson, Tecture @tecture_Interior Designer: Built by Wilson @builtbywilsonFurniture, Art, Object & Styling: Team Simone Haag @simonehaagStyling Assist: Sharon Robinson @robinson_hausPhotography: Dylan James @dylanjamesphotoWords: Margaret Quilter @inky.content