Studio living at The Shack

Who wouldn't love a trendy bolt hole at the end of their garden?  A perfect white studio to use as an office, guest accommodation or even just as a quiet escape.  This story is about studio living at The Shack and if you have the space, I hope that you are as inspired by this as much as I am.

What started out as a blank canvas has been transformed into a spectacular multipurpose space built to expand on the existing footprint of a family home. Designed by interior designer and founder of SOUL Home, Simone Mathews, The SHACK blends coastal and rustic influences with a hint of the Mediterranean to create a fresh and fun studio with a holiday feel.

With a relatively modest budget of $50,000 the project was “constructed as an outbuilding the main purpose for the space was to be versatile and multifunctional for the family while the goal of the build was to be very budget conscious,” says Simone. “By being particular with materials that function well without sacrificing quality, we were able to achieve an amazing result.”

Located in Cronulla Beach, NSW, the single storey studio sits on Simone’s property, behind her ‘maybe forever home’. Consisting of an airy and open living and dining space, with a kitchenette and bathroom, the aim for this project was to create a versatile area that could be used as an external rumpus room, a guest room or a potential office in the future. When designing the space, Simone kept the colours light and neutral, using fittings and décor to bring the space to life and accentuate the coastal, holiday vibe – her signature brief.

French-inspired entry doors welcome you into the home, while batten and board detailing on the façade help construct a timeless and textured look. The defining feature upon entering the studio is the lofty pitched white roof with exposed beams, which works to enlarge the overall feel of the space.

“Constructed as an outbuilding the main purpose for the space was to be versatile and multifunctional for the family while the goal of the build was to be very budget conscious,” says Simone. “By being particular with materials that function well without sacrificing quality, we were able to achieve an amazing result.”

“We used Gyprock Plus on the interior walls and ceilings, as we know it’s a resilient plasterboard that would ensure the durability and longevity of the build for years to come,” says Simone. “Aesthetically it was the perfect material to support the roof trusses and exposed beams without competing with them, they are a huge feature of the whole space, so this was important.”

The challenge when designing an all-white space is its tendency to feel or look cold. To combat this, SOUL Home used a mixture of textures and layers throughout the studio to bring it to life. Prints and pillows add pops of colour while throws on the sofa add a softness to the living space. Accents such as brass wall lights and timber decking bring a sense of warmth, creating balance to the all-white colour palette.

“Fixtures or fittings can make a big design change,” says Simone. “Brass and nickel finishes contrast beautifully against the white walls, ceilings and doors of The Shack and I also love using greenery to lift a space,” she added.

“I always tell people not be scared to use different finishes. In the kitchenette we have included a brushed nickel sink mixer, paired with a brass feature light and concrete sink and completed it with a stone countertop. Not everything has to match,” states Simone.

The studio includes many of Simone’s signature design elements to create a space that embodies that ‘holiday feel’ she always aims for. With a strong design vision, SOUL Home, has built a timeless and versatile space for Simone’s family to use.

“The transformation of the space has been the most satisfying.  It started off as a purple room, both inside and out that was pretty much unusable due to how it had been built.  To now step into the space and have that feeling where you instantly relax and feel uplifted, it truly has been rewarding,” remarks Simone.

For more information on Gyprock, visit www.gyprockliving.com.au

If you like Simone's style, you should tour her beautiful beach home, The Pause, here.

If you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, you should check out my FREE Resource Library which has comprehensive checklists and e-books to help you with your project.  You can download them for FREE here.