A relaxed coastal holiday home with a boho twist, reworked for effortless summer living.

Project Snapshot

Hilltop Haven is a turnkey holiday home in Blairgowrie, transformed from a hastily furnished escape into a warm, inviting retreat designed for relaxed coastal living. Brought together under tight timeframes, the project balances tropical influences, natural textures and considered cosmetic upgrades to create a refined yet easygoing home ready for the summer holidays.

Client Brief

Purchased as a holiday escape, the home initially felt mismatched and underwhelming. With a time-poor client and existing furniture already in place, the brief was to quickly elevate the interiors into a cohesive, welcoming retreat that felt calm, characterful and suitable for both personal use and guests. Speed was essential, with the home needing to be ready for Christmas and the peak summer period.

Design Story

DMP Creative approached Hilltop Haven as a curated refresh rather than a full renovation. The focus was on bringing clarity and cohesion to the home through furnishing, styling and targeted cosmetic upgrades that would deliver maximum impact in a short timeframe.

Inspired by classic tropical style and layered with subtle tribal references, the interiors strike a balance between relaxed coastal living and refined detail. In the main living area, a wraparound VJ panelled wall in warm tones turns an awkward angle into a deliberate architectural feature, grounding the space and enhancing the existing palette. Natural materials such as raffia, woven textures and monochromatic tribal patterns add depth without overwhelming the room.

The bedrooms were designed to feel calm, comfortable and quietly playful. Soft blue VJ panelling establishes a relaxed mood, while oversized palm-inspired artworks create the visual impact of wallpaper without the permanence. Plush rugs, velvet and bouclé textiles introduce warmth and softness, and a flowing mosquito net overhead offers a romantic nod to classic Queenslander charm.

Externally, the home was refined to feel like a private pool club. Crisp navy, black and white accents sit alongside soft coastal greys, while a new slatted screen conceals utilities and improves sightlines from the pool and living areas. Cladding the carport with white battens transformed a previously unattractive element into a clean architectural backdrop. Concrete pots, striped umbrellas and carefully chosen outdoor furniture complete the setting, creating a relaxed yet elevated outdoor zone.

Throughout the project, existing furniture pieces were thoughtfully curated and layered with new selections to achieve a cohesive result without unnecessary waste. The outcome is a holiday home that feels effortless, welcoming and ready to be enjoyed from day one.