INSIDE OUT MAGAZINE – “Paradise Found”

Featuring Coopers Shoot Residence

Words Joanne Hawkins // Photography Maree Homer // Styling Kelly Taylor

After six years of living in a semi-detached house in South London, Emma Riley and her British husband Nick knew exactly what they wanted when they moved back to Australia in 2014 – space. “We loved London and had our second daughter, Flo, over there” says Emma. “But we were living in a semi with a fake-grass lawn so we were craving some decent outdoor space and sunshine”.

When the couple found a 12 year old house on almost a hectare in the Byron hinterland, they knew it was the one, even if its dated style left something to be desired.

The couple engaged local architect Ed Davis to help them unlock the “untapped potential of the house” and reconfigure the space. “Basically, the house was stripped back and rebuilt except for the roof. Not one internal wall was left the same,” says Emma. A spacious new kitchen/living/dining area was created, with the kitchen relocated nearer to the back deck to take in the hinterland views. The bedrooms and bathrooms were enlarged, the lower ground floor was opened up to create a larger rumpus room, and the existing granny flat was reworked. A new art studio was also built for keen artist Emma, with an office above and a garage below.”

Project Credits:

Architects: Ed Davis & Dylan Robinson // Builder: Adams Constructions // Interiors: Louise Walsh & Villa Interiors // Landscape: Byron Bay Ranga