The alchemy of renovation: Mediterranean spirit in Australia

 Sorrento. Australia

Principal Architect: the Stylesmiths

Interior Design: Rebekah Hampshire 

Photography © Timothy Kaye & the Stylesmiths

>>>

Renovation of an Australian house built in 1879 in Sorrento on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. The new homeowner wanted the house to remind him of a Mediterranean holiday - somewhere between the coast of Italy and the south of France: "Being Italian, I knew I wanted a courtyard, arches, places to meet and entertain. But it had to feel like it was here in Sorrento, not like something we'd moved from Positano".

The central courtyard is the project’s heartbeat. Arches repeat along the colonnade, their rhythm drawing the eye to the pool and beyond, where the pale limestone terrace frames views of the bay. Just behind a cluster of arches, the outdoor kitchen and pool bar sit tucked into the edge of the home, ready for long, languid afternoons.

The interiors of the house are quietly luxurious, dominated by natural textures. Interior designer Rebekah Hampshire: “It’s all about how the light hits each surface. We used textural layers—timber, linen, handmade ceramics—to amplify shadow and warmth. Nothing shouts. It’s a slow, elegant rhythm.” Globally sourced art and artisanal pieces sit easily among modern forms and rustic finishes.

One of the project’s most poetic elements is the colonnade that surrounds the courtyard—a series of arches inspired by a single existing opening in the original home. Arches are a visual lullaby—they create calm. Functionally, they link indoor and outdoor spaces, connecting a guest suite, alfresco dining area, and wine bar with the main living zones.