Today we’re exploring this glorious 1879 limestone residence. Under the guidance of interior designer Rebekah Hampshire of The Stylesmiths, this home has been transformed into a serene, contemporary coastal alchemy — a true timeless retreat.
The home blends its rich history with Mediterranean-inspired softness and a renewed sense of flow. We sat down with Rebekah to uncover the story behind this breathtaking restoration.
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Coastal alchemy boasts weathered limestone walls, raw materials and many, MANY gorgeous curves.
“This home belongs to Janette and Richard, who live here with their extended family,” Rebekah tells us.
“It is in Sorrento, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The property is a heritage limestone residence dating back to 1879. Janette and Richard had the vision to transform it into a timeless retreat that honours its past while embracing contemporary coastal living.
“The home unfolds across multiple levels with generous living and entertaining zones. There are 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a guest suite, expansive indoor–outdoor living areas, and a newly excavated basement garage.
“The layout was reimagined to flow seamlessly, anchored by a central courtyard framed with a curved colonnade of arches.”
Being a heritage home, there was a lot of work behind the scenes to restore it to its current glory.
“The original home was fragmented, with disconnected additions over time,” Rebekah explains. “Under the direction of Di Bartolo Architects, the house undertook extensive structural work. Things such as excavating for a new basement garage, unifying split-level outbuildings, and rationalising circulation so everything connected back to the courtyard.
“The aim was to make the home feel effortless, as if it had always been this way, even though it was a complex renovation.
This is not a new build pretending to be old, nor a relic stuck in time, but a timeless retreat that embraces its past while living comfortably in the present
The repeated arches throughout the home make it feel like you’re living in a Mediterranean holiday.
“We’d describe coastal alchemy as coastal Mediterranean meets Australian heritage,” smiles Rebekah. “It’s grounded in the home’s limestone bones, with warm micro cement, natural timbers, linen, and handmade ceramics bringing depth and softness.
“Nothing shouts. There’s a quiet, textural rhythm that feels both luxurious and calm. Like a holiday villa grounded in place.
“The layout flows with deliberate ease. The dining area sits between the living space and a discreet side stair that leads down to the courtyard.
“On the lower level, the original bedrooms retain their sandstone charm, now layered with natural linen, timber bedside pieces, and deep, inviting beds.
“The bathrooms are like sanctuaries. One features a freestanding tub and beautiful stone walls. Another has a curved X Bond micro cement shower niche that feels carved from the earth itself.”
This timeless retreat boasts many sculptural highlights throughout the entire home.
“A feature we really love is the kitchen island,” says Rebekah. “It was designed as a sculptural centerpiece rather than a purely functional block. “Its layered soft curves and integrated joinery echo the architectural language of the arches.
“The finishes are tactile and tonal, with a brushed, time-worn quality to the tapware so it never feels clinical. It’s highly functional, but also something you want to touch and gather around.
“For the bathrooms, Janette and Richard wanted them to feel like a sanctuary. Like they had been carved from stone. The curved X Bond micro cement niche, where the bath nestles against the original limestone walls, was designed to feel organic, as though discovered rather than installed.
“It was technically challenging to achieve the curves and continuity of finish, but the result is serene and timeless.
“Another favourite is the wine store. A glass-topped cellar created from an old well that was uncovered during demolition. It reveals the original structure and gives a sense of weight and authenticity.
Another special touch is the builder’s note we discovered scrawled behind old plaster. Richard insisted we seal it back in, so the house keeps a tangible piece of its history.
“Most of all, credit goes to Janette and Richard, whose vision and passion for honouring the home’s heritage guided every decision.”
Credits
Architect — Marco Di Bartolo, Di Bartolo Architects
Builder — Alt Construction
Interior design — Rebekah Hampshire, The Stylesmiths
Photography — Timothy Kaye
What a magnificent home! The rich heritage, the stunning texture… love! Thank you so much to Rebekah for showing us around coastal alchemy. You can see more homes from The Stylesmiths on their website, or take a look behind the scenes on their Instagram page.
But for now, there are even more images of this textural paradise to explore, so keep on scrolling!
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