Photography: Abbie Melle
A change of location felt like the right move for interior designer Belinda Dowsett and her husband Charlie after the Sydney couple’s children left home.
“We were living in a terrace in Paddington – it was beautiful, but we had a tiny courtyard and our two very active Border Collies needed a bit more space,” she says. “I missed having a garden, and my long-term dream had always been to move to the Northern Beaches.
Who lives here?
Interior designer Belinda Dowsett, her husband Charlie, who works in finance, and the couple’s Border Collies, Holly and Poppy.
What’s your design style? Belinda: “My style is timeless and transitional, with international elements, mixing classic and modern. To me, that’s what makes the homes I create feel peaceful, welcoming, comfortable and unique.”
And your favourite styling tip? “Art is the most valuable part of a home and it ties everything together. They don’t have to be pieces that are expensive, but they should be pieces you connect with.”
What’s left to do in this home? “The original laundry hadn’t been touched, so we’re embarking on a beautiful
When the opportunity arose to purchase a beloved property in Palm Beach from Belinda’s family, the couple couldn’t refuse.
“My mum and dad bought it when our son, who’s now 28, was born. They were in an apartment in Birchgrove and wanted a beautiful family home with lawn for their grandchildren,” recalls Belinda. “While I was in hospital holding my firstborn, Matthew, Mum held up the real estate booklet and said, ‘I don’t know whether I should go to this auction’. I agreed she should leave immediately to go and bid on the house.”
Her mother did just that – and it was soon theirs. For many years, it served as a cherished weekender, later a refuge during Covid and finally, in 2023, it became Belinda and Charlie’s full-time home. “We’ve nearly been there two years,” she says. The home had undergone a renovation 12 years earlier, guided by architect James De Soyres and builder Ryan Stidwill, with Belinda and her interiors-enthusiast mother bringing their skills to the project.
“She’s never worked as an interior designer, but Mum’s very talented with design,” says Belinda. “She used to renovate our houses. That’s how I learnt how you can change homes.”
When the property officially became theirs, Belinda gave it a refresh. “When we took it over two years ago, we did a complete change of decor. The fabric, furniture, rugs, everything was either reused or repurposed or reupholstered.”
Today, antiques and French-inspired pieces sit harmoniously alongside the couple’s treasured art collection. A new layer of sisal carpet now runs up the stairs and through the bedrooms.
“The most important thing I did was change the carpet to a beautiful natural sisal. When that went down, it really brought all of the pieces together,” recalls Belinda.
New window furnishings relaxed the interiors, with curtains and Roman blinds replacing shutters. “I needed to soften it and make it a permanent home.” With six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a gently flowing layout, the home is often full of visitors. “Our two children, Matt and Steph, come and stay with their partners, so it’s a very busy, beautiful, happy home.”
Classic and timeless, this Nantucket-style abode has been made perfect for the present and the many years still to come. “I’m pinching myself,” says Belinda. “I absolutely love it.”
Kitchen
This kitchen was done over 20 years ago and I love it. It’s timeless and so beautiful,” says Belinda. “When we moved in, all we did was put in a new sink and tap, and repainted to match the existing colour. Mum mixed this with the painters and they called it Cynthea cream.”
WE LOVE…displaying dinnerware
Rather than hide everything in cabinets, Belinda puts her prettiest crockery out for all to see. “I love displaying the beautiful things that I have,” she says. “I put all of our best china out because I think, why else would you have it, if not to show it?” For tableware, browse davidjones.com.
The splashback and island benchtop tiles were added during a previous renovation more than two decades ago (for similar tiles, try ‘Garden Blanc Green Corners’ handpainted tiles from Aeria Country Floors). The blue tiled border ties in perfectly with the Corningware and vintage items displayed on the shelves.
“We have the kitchen in the centre of the home, which is always important, and we’ve taken out walls to let the light in,” says Belinda. “I specialise in doing kitchens for people, but I am leaving ours as it is. It’s so beautiful that I don’t want to renovate it.” One of the minor updates she did undertake was furnishing the windows, installing soft, sheer Roman unlined blinds (for similar, try Luxaflex).
Dining
A vintage rug covers the Crema Marfil marble floor tiles, with a pre-loved dining table and chairs that Belinda sourced and hand-painted. The cushions are upholstered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Minack Check’ in Pale Blue.
The blue cabinet is an antique piece the couple have owned for years, with Villeroy & Boch crockery displayed on the open shelves.
Living room
“This is a beautiful antique oak chest of drawers I have had for many years,” shares Belinda of the tallboy behind the striped sofas. Above it hangs a French painting of port city Le Havre, which was purchased in an antiques shop in Amsterdam when the couple lived there. The room is given depth and soul with vintage and pre-loved pieces, such as the chequered red lamps and side table.
Piles of coffee table books and magazines enhance the lived-in feeling that’s been created in the cosy living area.
Hallway
Framing picturesque views of the garden and entertaining area, the hallway leading to the kitchen is lined with windows. “It creates this lovely vista just outside. There’s a beautiful rose that you can see blossoming,” says Belinda. Custom shades dress up the Visual Comfort & Co sconces.
Bedrooms
One of the bedrooms has cushions in an archived Colefax and Fowler fabric (for similar, try ‘Finch Toile’ in Buttercup), paired with handembroidered sheets and a lamp from Pigott’s Store.Store. The side table is from Pepperwhites by Tara Dennis; the framed artwork was a find at Lydie du Bray Antiques.
I love styling beds and do lots of layers. It’s only complete when the elements feel balanced and harmonious.
Belinda
Hand-embroidered sheets from Letto Bello Linen team with curtains featuring Sanderson ‘Harebells & Violets’ fabric in Lemon/Teal, which also appears on the cushions. Belinda’s parents gave her the painting above the bed depicting a French scene.
Balcony access for this bedroom is framed with curtains in a Sanderson fabric.
Jewellery and pretty trinkets are displayed on an Aerin tray.
Another bedroom features cushions covered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Wyndham’ in Pale Blue. The embroidered sheets are from Isla Design, layered with green-trimmed Pigott’s Store bedding and a bedspread from Ivy Lane
Belinda had lamp shades made from a soft green wallpaper and a bright green trim for this bedroom. This lamp stands on a pre-loved side table.
A window seat creates a moment in one of the bedrooms, which was built into the attic space, with a cushion covered in Colefax and Fowler fabric.
Study
The office features watercolour paintings of flora and a kookaburra painted by Belinda, who holds an art history degree. The artwork on the bottom-right of the wall is from her grandmother, while the antique flower artwork was from Lydie du Bray Antiques. These surround a Visual Comfort & Co light with a custom Colefax and Fowler fabric lampshade. The table and chairs were used for dining in the couple’s previous city terrace and repurposed here.
Bathrooms
The home boasts two main bedrooms, one of which is flanked by an ensuite with postcard-perfect views. A classic grey-veined marble covers the floor and vanity top, and surrounds the Kaldewei bath. Soft Roman unlined blinds similar to those used elsewhere in the house bring whimsy to the space, filtering the natural light and offering privacy.
Above a mirror built into the joinery, the wall lights are ‘Siena Single Sconces’ from Visual Comfort & Co. The same custom Cynthea cream paint colour from the kitchen was used in this ensuite. Tapware is from the Brodware ‘Neu England’ range and enhances the traditional look.
Double sinks and striking marble make a statement in the ensuite, with a Visual Comfort & Co wall light.
Alfresco
The pool was added around eight years ago. “It was an incredible addition to the house, in the perfect location,” says Belinda. It runs alongside an outdoor dining area with a large, tile-topped concrete table.
“It hasn’t moved for more than twenty years.” Belinda welcomed two new yellow umbrellas from Original Parasol Co to “lift” the area with a bright pop of colour.
Interior design BM Interiors, bminteriors.com.au.
Source Book
Architect James de Soyres & Associates, jdesa.com.au.
Builder RW Stidwill Constructions, rwstidwill.com.au.
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